£9bn World Cup too big to be derailed by Middle East conflict, says Fifa chief March 10, 2026 Fifa has ruled out the prospect of the escalating conflict in the Middle East posing a threat to this summer’s World Cup and is still hopeful that Iran will take up their place. The US and Israel’s attacks and Iran’s retaliatory strikes have caused huge upheaval in the region just three months out from the [...]
Iraq make Fifa demand as Iran conflict jeopardises World Cup play-off March 9, 2026 Iraq head coach Graham Arnold has confirmed that they have asked Fifa to postpone their World Cup play-off this month amid the escalating conflict in the Middle East. Arnold could be deprived of all domestic-based players as Iraqi airspace has been closed since the US and Israel’s attacks on Iran commenced at the end of [...]
Fifa’s credibility is shot because it can’t decide what it wants to be March 6, 2026 Does Fifa want football to be pure sporting competition floating serenely above politics, or a global force for peace? Its current approach is dumbing down, writes Matt Readman. On 21 June 1998, Iran faced the United States at the Fifa World Cup in what was billed as the most politically charged football match in history. Fifa later declared it the match that “football [...]
World Cup events in doubt as US shutdown risks host city funding February 25, 2026 Fears of “catastrophic” security issues at this year’s Fifa World Cup have emerged after US officials warned of financial shortfalls to the tune of over £650m. A partial federal government shutdown across the pond forced the freezing of nearly $900m of funding that would have been spent on the 11 US cities co-hosting the World [...]
Mexico World Cup games will go ahead despite violence, says Fifa’s Infantino February 25, 2026 Fifa president Gianni Infantino has dismissed concerns that Mexico could be stripped of hosting matches at the 2026 World Cup following cartel-related violence in the country. Gangs have been blamed for the torching of vehicles and blocking of roads in Jalisco state, whose capital Guadalajara is due to stage four fixtures at this summer’s tournament. [...]
Mexico 2026 World Cup games in doubt after drug lord killing sparks violence February 23, 2026 Fifa’s World Cup games from Mexico have been plunged into uncertainty amid fears for the safety of visitors following the killing of drug cartel boss “El Mencho”. Mexican army troops fatally wounded El Mencho – real name Nemesio Ruben Oseguera Cervantes – in an operation that killed seven people in the western state of Jalisco [...]
‘They don’t bring anything’: World Cup boycott talk rebuked by Fifa chief Infantino February 2, 2026 Fifa president Gianni Infantino has rubbished talk of nations staging a boycott of the 2026 World Cup over President Trump’s US administration. The debate has gathered momentum in recent weeks, with Infantino’s predecessor Sepp Blatter endorsing calls, following Trump’s attempts to annex Greenland. A close ally of Trump, the Fifa chief argued that sport should [...]
Sorry performative politicians, a 2026 World Cup boycott just won’t work January 29, 2026 Politicians calling for a boycott of the World Cup are only proving how out of touch and powerless they are, writes Ed Warner. Every four years, politicians rediscover our football. And inevitably, they then threaten to take it away from us. Think Russia, then Qatar. This time, President Trump is the trigger. Quelle surprise! The [...]
Former Fifa chief Sepp Blatter backs calls to boycott 2026 World Cup January 26, 2026 Former Fifa president Sepp Blatter has endorsed calls for fans to boycott the 2026 World Cup over the US and President Trump’s domestic and international policies. Swiss lawyer Mark Pieth, who was engaged to reform Fifa under Blatter’s administration, told media last week that he advised against travelling to the States, which is staging the [...]
UK police rap Fifa chief Infantino for Davos joke about British fans’ arrests January 23, 2026 UK police chiefs have hit back at Fifa president Gianni Infantino for mocking England, Wales, Scotland and Ireland fans’ behaviour at World Cups. Infantino used an appearance in Davos this week to quip that “for the first time in history, no Brit was arrested during a World Cup” at the Qatar 2022 tournament, calling the [...]