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 [...]
World Cup events in doubt as US shutdown risks host city funding Sport Business 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 Sport Business 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 [...]
Football regulator may have popular support but many will be disappointed January 22, 2026 The Independent Football Regulator will not be the panacea for all of the English game’s ills that some are hoping for, says Ed Warner. To a stimulating conference titled “The Independent Football Regulator: challenge or opportunity?” There I found myself a minority voice in an echo chamber of regulatory advocates. An opening poll of the [...]
Boycott 2026 World Cup over Greenland, European countries told January 20, 2026 European countries should consider a boycott of the 2026 World Cup over US president Donald Trump’s attempts to seize Greenland, say senior football figures in Germany and France. The US is set to stage the lion’s share of this summer’s tournament, which it is co-hosting with Canada and Mexico, including all knockout games from the [...]