Fifa’s credibility is shot because it can’t decide what it wants to be Sport Business 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 [...]
‘They don’t bring anything’: World Cup boycott talk rebuked by Fifa chief Infantino Sport Business 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 [...]
Greedy Fifa rinsing fans over World Cup tickets – even Americans are baulking Sport Business Ed Warner finds that even Americans accustomed to paying through the nose for live sport are outraged at the prices Fifa is allowing to be set for tickets at the 2026 World Cup. It was a bitterly cold evening in Boston, the temperature well below zero, and yet the Bruins fans still rolled up to [...]
Chelsea star Raheem Sterling’s fashion brand 1692 struck off after £1m losses November 5, 2025 England and Chelsea footballer Raheem Sterling’s fashion business, 1692, has been struck off after losing more than £1m in two years. Sterling co-founded the brand in May 2021, at the height of his on-field success with Manchester City and the national team. But 1692 Fashion Limited racked up losses of £675,000 in its first year [...]
Doha 2036 Olympics? Qatar confirms it’s rivalling Saudi Arabia and India July 22, 2025 Qatar is set to rival Saudi Arabia to be the first Middle Eastern country to host the Olympics after confirming it is in “dialogue” with organisers the IOC. The tiny Gulf state, which hosted the men’s football World Cup in 2022, has discussed its proposals for hosting the Olympic and Paralympic Games in 2036. Ahmedabad [...]
Premier League gives green light to semi-automated offsides February 13, 2025 The Premier League has moved a step closer to implementing semi-automated offside technology (SAOT) after announcing it will be trialled in the FA Cup fifth round next month. The introduction of SAOT in the English top-flight was scheduled for last autumn but has been repeatedly held up due to league chiefs’ concerns over its reliability [...]
Dry in the desert: Alcohol to be banned at 2034 Fifa World Cup in Saudi Arabia February 12, 2025 Alcohol will not be allowed at the 2034 Fifa World Cup in Saudi Arabia, the kingdom’s ambassador said on Wednesday. Prince Khalid bin Bandar Al Saud said that “there’s no alcohol at all” in the country, adding that there would not be an exemption for the World Cup, which Saudi Arabia won last year. The [...]
T100 Triathlon partners with Visit Qatar for season rebrand and new finale January 28, 2025 The T100 Triathlon World Tour has partnered with Visit Qatar in a deal that will see the expanded nine-race season rebranded the T100 Race to Qatar. Doha and Lusail will also stage the finale to the tour, where 20 of the best men’s and women’s triathletes will battle to be crowned T100 World Champions, for [...]
Morocco, Saudi Arabia and the US are the countries to watch in sport in 2025 January 1, 2025 Professor Simon Chadwick explains why Morocco, Saudi Arabia and the United States are his three countries to watch in sport in 2025. With the global sport industry apparently set to continue on its growth trajectory in 2025, albeit in the context of uncertain geopolitical times, many countries across the world will find themselves jockeying for [...]
European football to rebel over winter World Cup in Saudi Arabia December 10, 2024 European football leagues are set to rebel against plans to host the 2034 Fifa World Cup in Saudi Arabia in the winter. The Middle Eastern kingdom is set to be officially confirmed as hosts for the 2034 edition of the World Cup on Wednesday at a Fifa congress meeting. The move could see Saudi Arabia [...]