Why Mexico, Dubai and Italy are the countries to watch in sport in 2026 January 1, 2026 This time last year, City AM asked me to identify three countries for which 2025 would be an important year in sport. My three choices were Saudi Arabia, Morocco and the United States. Judging by recent standards, Saudi Arabia’s year was relatively quiet albeit interspersed with some rowdy moments, notably the Public Investment Fund’s acquisition [...]
World Cup: The rise of the armchair fan and why it matters December 16, 2025 The row over the 2026 World Cup ticket prices is as predictable as a plucky, late-stage English exit. But the eyewatering price tags are only part of the story. Without going into the economic principle of supply versus demand (the tickets will still sell out, in my opinion), I thought it was more interesting to [...]
Brits may have to hand over social media profiles to visit US December 10, 2025 US officials will vet the social media activity of Brits travelling into the US as President Trump increasingly turns his fire on a “decaying” and “weak” Europe. Those planning to visit on short term Esta visas would have to give personal details of family members, including dates and places of birth, and phone numbers used [...]
The politics behind the 2026 Fifa World Cup draw and schedule December 9, 2025 By the time the Village People walked out on stage to close the 2026 Fifa World Cup draw, to the delight of US President Donald Trump and Fifa chief Gianni Infantino, many fans’ thoughts had already turned to who their team would be playing and when. And when the full schedule was confirmed 24 hours [...]
Salah’s Egypt and Iran will contest a ‘pride match’ at 2026 Fifa World Cup December 8, 2025 The 2026 Fifa World Cup match between Egypt and Iran has been designated as host city Seattle’s “pride match”. Homosexuality is illegal in both Egypt and Iran but the local organising committee in host city Seattle – the Seattle Pride Match Advisory Committee, which is not affiliated with Fifa – has said the match on [...]
IPO planned for builders of 115,000-capacity World Cup stadium November 7, 2025 The firm building the 115,000-capacity stadium being used in the 2030 Fifa World Cup is planning an IPO to fund a record level of orders. SGTM – whose portfolio is mostly in civil infrastructure – is behind the construction of the Hassan II Stadium near Casablanca, which could host the World Cup final when Morocco [...]
Trump threatens to pull Olympics from LA and World Cup from Boston October 15, 2025 President Donald Trump has threatened to move the 2028 Olympic Games away from LA, and has warned 2026 Fifa World Cup matches in Boston could be shifted out of state. The remarks, made by the President in the White House, follow threats by the real estate tycoon to move World Cup matches away from San [...]
Former FA chief: I’d have hired Klopp as England boss in a heartbeat September 3, 2025 Former FA chief Alex Horne says he would have “hired Jurgen Klopp in a heartbeat” as the manager who did get the England job, Thomas Tuchel, looks to restore momentum to the World Cup qualifying campaign this weekend. Horne, who oversaw the hiring of Fabio Capello and Roy Hodgson as England managers, believes that former [...]
Women’s Rugby World Cup: Red Roses key to wider success August 22, 2025 Whatever happens at the Women’s Rugby World Cup over the next few weeks all eyes are going to be on that Allianz Stadium final in Twickenham, where 82,000 fans are set to break a world record for a women’s rugby match attendance. I think in the aftermath of the 2022 Euros, where the Lionesses sent [...]
Women’s Rugby World Cup shows UK’s love of live sport August 21, 2025 The Women’s Rugby World Cup arriving in England is a timely reminder of what live sport can do. Sporting events forge some of the most positive and enduring moments of our lives, whether we’re stood on the terraces of our local club or sat in the stands at the biggest events on the planet. Live [...]