Formula 1’s reaction to season disruption a lesson for Fifa World Cup Sport Business Formula 1 is firmly back on track but the consecutive Bahrain and Saudi Arabian race cancellations, the result of events in the Middle East, have highlighted how quickly established sporting fixtures can face significant disruption. The cost of the decision to cancel both races, given the potential risk to safety of staff working in the [...]
Fifa suffers legal setback just weeks before 2026 World Cup kick-off Sport Business Fifa has suffered a legal blow just weeks before the World Cup after the French footballers’ union UNFP achieved a landmark decision in the European courts. The UNFP has successfully advanced a complaint about the health and safety of players’ working conditions and a lack of collective bargaining as a result of decisions made by [...]
Could jet fuel shortages stop fans going on holiday to Fifa World Cup? Sport Business Fans could stay away from next month’s Fifa World Cup as jet fuel shortages cause price hikes and travel uncertainty, experts have warned. The World Cup is being staged across North America with the United States, Canada and Mexico acting as co-hosts, but issues stemming from President Trump’s conflict with Iran could limit the numbers [...]
Fifa World Cup sponsors outperform FTSE 100 and S&P 500 May 5, 2026 Major Fifa World Cup sponsors outperform FTSE 100 returns by a factor of five and the S&P 500 by three as brands look to dominate the conversation during the tournament. IG research looking at the performance of major World Cup sponsors saw an average return of 7.1 per cent during tournament cycles – from 30 [...]
Anti-US sentiment and Iran to have major World Cup security impact May 5, 2026 Anti-US sentiment and the conflict in Iran is set to have a major impact on the Fifa World Cup, security experts have warned. The United States – which is currently engaged in a conflict with World Cup qualifiers Iran – will host the majority of this summer’s tournament, which kicks off in just over a [...]
Why we can’t just dismiss Infantino’s sports diplomacy with Trump May 3, 2026 Former FCDO special adviser, Flint Global’s Alan Sendorek, discusses the sport diplomacy playing out with Fifa’s Infantino and Trump at its centre. Gianni Infantino’s efforts to cultivate a visibly warm relationship with Donald Trump have been mocked in many quarters. From the award of the inaugural Fifa Peace Prize to hailing the President as ‘my [...]
London music venues to open for World Cup as pubs face last orders April 30, 2026 Some of London’s top music venues are making the most of early pub closures during the Fifa World Cup by opening up their doors during the football. Outernet, Electric Brixton and Colour Factory are opening their doors for England and Scotland matches – as well as a number of knockout ties – during this summer’s [...]
Football Focus to be axed but Alex Scott to remain key BBC Sport presenter April 23, 2026 The BBC is scrapping Football Focus at the end of this season after more than half a century but has promised that host Alex Scott will not disappear from its programming. The Saturday lunchtime magazine show launched in 1974 and became a staple of the BBC’s sport coverage but is being axed in response to [...]
Trump-hating Fifa World Cup fans should have costs paid if denied visa April 16, 2026 Any fan who is denied entry to the Fifa World Cup by the US over their social media accounts should have their visa costs covered, UK politicians have said. US entry rules allow authorities to comb through five years of social media posts, denying entry to applicants should they criticise the government and President Donald [...]
Beer fear: CO2 shortage could lead to state-backed beer at World Cup April 16, 2026 Brits face drinking state-backed beer during the Fifa World Cup as CO2 shortage fears leave breweries and boozers reliant on government gas. The war in Iran has caused chaos across Gulf shipping lanes with government analysis suggesting a closure of the Strait of Hormuz for a long period of time could lead to shortages of [...]