US President Donald Trump has publicly backed FIFA President Gianni Infantino, stating that replacing him would be a 'terrible mistake' and that the sport would 'never be as successful or profitable' without him, despite Infantino facing significant backlash and a battle to retain his position ahead of next year's presidential elections.
Iran's World Cup football team has finally received visas to enter the United States, just days before their first match in Los Angeles.
Colombian superstar Shakira is set to perform the official World Cup song 'Dai Dai' at the opening ceremony in Mexico City, joined by Burna Boy, J Balvin, and Tyla.
FIFA President Gianni Infantino has announced that the governing body will discuss expanding the World Cup to 64 teams for the 2030 edition, following the already planned increase to 48 teams in 2026. Infantino believes a larger tournament encourages smaller nations and highlights the success of previous expansions, with the 2030 event already set to be hosted across six nations on three continents.
A champions' mentality, a new generation of fearless players are some of the qualities that will have Saudi Arabia wary of the former champions in their upcoming Group H match on Sunday.
Kosovo is on the brink of qualifying for the World Cup for the first time, a significant achievement after overcoming a sporting ban during Serbian rule in the 1990s.
FIFA has transformed its referee preparation for the World Cup, treating officials like elite athletes. This rigorous training includes physical assessments, game-like simulations, and advanced data tracking to ensure referees can perform optimally under challenging conditions like extreme humidity and high altitude, minimising errors due to fatigue.
Iran's national football team is training in Turkey for upcoming friendlies as they prepare for the FIFA World Cup, facing heightened attention due to geopolitical tensions.
Spain returned to winning form with a strong 3-0 victory over Austria, as Lamine Yamal's return from injury proved key in lifting Luis de la Fuente's side back to their best.
South American confederation CONMEBOL had officially proposed hosting the 2030 World Cup with 64 teams last year, allowing more countries the opportunity to join in the celebrations for the tournament's centennial edition.
FIFA President Gianni Infantino said on Wednesday that he met with United States President Donald Trump, who told him he welcomed Iran's participation in the 2026 FIFA World Cup.
Norway's star striker Erling Haaland is attempting to pile pressure on England ahead of their World Cup quarter-final clash, labelling them 'clear favourites' and urging the media to amplify expectations on the English squad.
UEFA, the Asian Football Confederation (AFC), and CONCACAF have jointly criticised FIFA President Gianni Infantino for his handling of a proposed sale of commercial rights to the World Cup, accusing him of 'deception' and calling for an independent review.
India has withdrawn from the inaugural FIFA ASEAN Cup to prioritise a high-profile international friendly against five-time world champions Brazil in October. This decision, confirmed by AIFF, means India will miss facing Southeast Asian teams in a FIFA-sanctioned competition, opting instead for a more challenging opponent to improve its international standing.
Mexican President Claudia Sheinbaum said on Monday her government agreed to allow the Iranian national football team to stay in Mexico during the World Cup, adding that the United States did not want to host the team.
A former FIFA referee has questioned the new VAR protocol after fresh controversy involving Argentina, warning that fan confidence in World Cup officiating has been "completely eroded."
Iran cannot participate in the 2026 World Cup after co-host the US launched airstrikes alongside Israel, Sports Minister Ahmad Donyamali said on Wednesday.
FIFA President Gianni Infantino is set to attend the opening match of the Under-20 Women's World Cup in Katowice, marking his first public appearance at a FIFA-organised tournament since his controversial $20 billion proposal to sell a stake in the World Cup was abandoned in July due to widespread backlash.
India's U15 men's football team has been drawn into Group K for the inaugural FIFA U15 World Cup & Festival Azerbaijan 2026. Coached by Bibiano Fernandes, the team will play five qualification matches in Baku against Bahrain, Cameroon, Grenada, Laos, and Senegal, starting October 24. The tournament features 191 national teams and an 8v8 format.
Mizoram has declared a full holiday for educational institutions and a half-day for government offices to allow residents to watch the FIFA World Cup final. Chief Minister Lalduhoma highlighted the state's passion for football and the importance of the sport to its youth.
The official 26-man squads for FIFA World Cup 2026.
Despite a population of 1.45 billion, India's football team is ranked a lowly 138th in the world and failed to qualify for next year's Asian Cup, highlighting deep-rooted systemic issues and a failure to implement reforms that keep the World Cup dream distant for fans.
The Indian senior men's football team will play an international friendly against Panama at the Sree Kanteerava Stadium in Bengaluru on September 26. This match against a FIFA World Cup-playing nation will be a significant test for the Blue Tigers, marking their return to Bengaluru after their SAFF Championship 2023 victory.
This is the fifth time that the Algerians will be at the World Cup
Australia's players union has joined global criticism of FIFA's proposal to bring private investors into the World Cup and other events, citing a lack of transparency and pressure on member associations to approve the $20 billion plan.
Thousands of Norwegian football fans gathered in Oslo in the early hours of Sunday to celebrate their national team's historic World Cup run, despite a quarter-final defeat to England. The "Viking row" ritual and widespread national pride marked an unexpected and memorable tournament for Norway.
Spain's 19-year-old star Lamine Yamal hugged a dejected Lionel Messi after Spain won the 2026 FIFA World Cup final.
FIFA has announced a last-minute change to its Stadium Code of Conduct, prohibiting reusable water bottles and other containers at World Cup venues due to safety concerns. This decision, aimed at preventing injury, has raised questions among fans about coping with heat, though FIFA states measures like cooling stations will be in place.
Dropped Iran striker Sardar Azmoun has posted a heartfelt message on social media proclaiming his love for his country and wishing the World Cup squad well at the tournament without him.
New York City will offer residents a chance to buy $50 World Cup tickets through a lottery system, including free transport to New Jersey matches, amid soaring tournament ticket prices.
World Cup champions Spain climbed back to the top of the FIFA men's rankings released on Monday, while runners-up Argentina slipped to second following their defeat in the final.
Lionel Messi made history by becoming the oldest outfield player to start a FIFA World Cup final at 39 years and 25 days, while Spain's Lamine Yamal became the third-youngest player ever to start the tournament's showpiece match, highlighting a generational clash.
Mexico defeated Ghana 2-0 in a World Cup warm-up match in Puebla, showcasing their form ahead of the tournament.
FIFA President Gianni Infantino has proposed an independent review of the world football body's decision-making framework.
Fans at the World Cup are vocally protesting FIFA's newly introduced mandatory three-minute hydration breaks, booing the stoppages during matches in Dallas, Toronto, and Boston. Critics argue these breaks disrupt game flow and serve commercial interests, with one match seeing a team concede a goal shortly after a break.
Scotland captain Andy Robertson has announced he will dedicate his performance at the upcoming World Cup to his late former Liverpool teammate Diogo Jota, following an emotional letter from Jota's widow.
Iran's World Cup team conducted open training in Tijuana, Mexico, after relocating their base camp due to geopolitical tensions.
Iran threatened to halt its matches at the World Cup if unauthorised flags are displayed or slogans targeting the national team are chanted at stadiums, Iranian media reported, citing Sports Minister Ahmad Donyamali, following criticism of the team's presence at the tournament.
Free, customizable "fan bands" have become the unexpected must-have souvenir at the 2026 World Cup, with over 700,000 distributed. Sponsored by Bank of America, these charm wristlets feature subtle branding and have gone viral, even appearing on resale platforms. This marketing strategy offers a counterpoint to the tournament's high ticket and merchandise prices, proving that unique, free items can create significant fan engagement and brand visibility.
Germany, Netherlands, Sweden and Wales have questioned Infantino's reform pledge, arguing that FIFA needs deeper governance changes, stronger accountability and broader leadership reforms to restore trust.
