Calls for Argentina to be banned from World Cup over Falklands banner July 16, 2026 MPs have called for Argentina players to be banned from the Fifa World Cup final after showing a banner relating to the Falkland Islands. Argentina players celebrated their 2-1 semi-final victory over England by waving a banner which read “Las Malvinas son Argentinas”. Translated as “The Falklands are Argentine”, the banner appears to be against [...]
Motsepe backed to succeed Fifa’s Infantino by South African minister July 15, 2026 African football chief Patrice Motsepe has been backed to succeed Gianni Infantino as president of Fifa when the Swiss moves on from an anticipated third term in 2031. The South African minister for sport, Gayton McKenzie, said “I don’t know if there’s anybody that will disagree with his name” being in the hat to succeed [...]
NBA Europe bosses using World Cup final to hold talks with football club chiefs July 15, 2026 NBA chiefs say they plan to hold further talks with bidders for franchises in its planned European league during the World Cup final weekend in New York. Spain – home to perhaps the two most important prospective NBA Europe franchise locations in Madrid and Barcelona – will be in town after they beat France in [...]
England v Argentina: Bellingham bounce attracts more bets than Messi to score July 14, 2026 Jude Bellingham’s emergence as England’s World Cup hero has seen him backed by more punters than Lionel Messi to score in Wednesday’s semi-final with Argentina. Data from Sportradar, which processes betting tickets for 250 gambling firms worldwide, reveals that Bellingham has accounted for more than half (52 per cent) of wagers in the goalscorer market. [...]
Atlanta set for major economic boost as England World Cup fans spend July 14, 2026 Atlanta is set to enjoy a major economic boost from England fans at the World Cup after Brits splashed the cash in Miami last week. Spending data from Revolut shows that UK customer spending in Miami was up 322 per cent on Saturday, when England beat Norway 2-1 to book a spot in tonight’s semi-final [...]
Infantino facing IOC probe after complaint lodged over Trump’s Balogun intervention July 14, 2026 Fifa boss Gianni Infantino is facing an International Olympic Committee investigation after an official complaint was filed following US President Donald Trump’s intervention to block Folarin Balogun’s ban. The decision to suspend Balogun’s ban – enabling the USA’s best player to continue playing in the World Cup after he was sent off against Bosnia and [...]
Fifa’s 64-team World Cup plan facing opposition from Uefa, Concacaf and Asia July 13, 2026 Fifa’s plan to consider expanding the men’s World Cup to 64 teams is facing major pushback, with Uefa and other confederations believed to be firmly opposed to the proposal. The first edition of the tournament to feature 48 nations is yet to finish but Fifa president Gianni Infantino has revived the prospect of further expansion [...]
Bargain: England World Cup semi tickets vs Argentina just $2,700 July 13, 2026 Deep-pocketed fans can watch England in the Fifa World Cup semi-final against Argentina for $2,700. England earned a spot in their second World Cup semi-final in three tournaments with a nervy 2-1 extra-time victory over Norway on Saturday night and have been rewarded with a last four tie against the defending champions Argentina. The semi-final [...]
Fifa World Cup had amazing stadiums, 2035 UK edition must too July 12, 2026 The Fifa World Cup is coming to an end and it has taught us that stadiums are crucial to a good bid, Maria Knutsson-Hall writes. With nearly 40 days of men’s Fifa World Cup fever coming to an end, it is worth taking a moment to consider the health of the Women’s game at this [...]
Why Fifa World Cup players are drowning in commercial red tape July 12, 2026 Joshua Charalambous and Ellie Chakarto take a look at why this World Cup is restraining its stars A lot has been made about the star power at the Fifa Men’s World Cup – goals for Erling Haaland, Kylian Mbappe, Harry Kane and Lamine Yamal – and of course, Lionel Messi and Cristiano Ronaldo who both [...]