FIFA president Gianni Infantino has been a busy man at this World Cup but his unquenchable thirst to pack in as many matches as possible is causing unrest among environmentalists who are questioning his indifference to climate change. Mexico City, Guadalajara, Los Angeles, San Francisco, Vancouver, Seattle, Kansas City, Houston: the Italo-Swiss boss has already […]
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World Cup in US ‘impossible without Trump’: Infantino
FIFA chief Gianni Infantino said on Wednesday it would have been “impossible” to organise the World Cup in the United States without US President Donald Trump. Infantino has established a firm friendship with Trump, even awarding the president a newly created FIFA Peace Prize in December, before US military operations in Venezuela and Iran. “I […]
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World Cup nears kickoff after pre-tournament turbulence
The World Cup kicks off on Thursday with FIFA betting that the enduring appeal of the greatest footballing show on earth can rise above anger at soaring ticket prices, an uneasy political climate in Donald Trump’s America and the shadow of conflict in the Middle East.
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New look to pre-game ceremonies
No, the 2026 World Cup won’t have an NBA-style walkout, with the starters’ names being read out as they emerge individually from the tunnel, which was used at the 2025 Club World Cup. Players from both teams will walk out from the tunnel escorted onto the field by children without being introduced individually. The difference: […]
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Authorities warn of World Cup ticket, merchandise scams
Fraudsters are exploiting interest in the 2026 World Cup with a barrage of scams, as authorities and researchers caution against fake websites impersonating FIFA’s official online presence to sell phantom tickets. Controversy has already swirled around the football governing body’s official ticketing for the largest-ever World Cup, which begins June 11 with an expanded 48-team […]
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Norwegian football federation ask FIFA to probe Trump peace prize
The Norwegian Football Federation (NFF) said on Tuesday it had asked FIFA’s ethics committee to look into the world football governing body’s award of a peace prize to US President Donald Trump. FIFA president Gianni Infantino awarded Trump its inaugural peace prize during the December 6 draw for the 2026 World Cup. Later that month, […]
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FIFA’s huge World Cup to generate unprecedented cash and CO2
The biggest and most lucrative ever World Cup this summer will also set a record for the most-polluting sporting event in history, environmental experts say. “Unlike the case of the Olympic Games, where the carbon footprints have been reducing over the last several editions, this is totally opposite in the case of FIFA men’s World […]
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Haaland and Odegaard lead Norway’s World Cup hopes after 28-year absence
Erling Haaland and Martin Odegaard headline Norway’s World Cup squad, which was announced in a video by the country’s King Harald V on Thursday. Manchester City striker Haaland and Arsenal midfielder Odegaard, who will captain, are among the starriest names in a 26-man squad that has reached the global tournament for the first time since […]
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FIFA chief Infantino confirms Iran playing in US at World Cup
FIFA President Gianni Infantino reiterated that Iran will play their World Cup games in the United States as scheduled on Thursday as he kicked off the global football body’s summit in Vancouver. Iran’s participation at this year’s tournament in Canada, Mexico and the United States has been shrouded in uncertainty since the eruption of war […]
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FIFA boosts cash payments for World Cup
FIFA on Tuesday announced a sharp increase in overall financial distributions for this year’s World Cup, boosting cash payments to nearly $900 million following concerns over the spiraling costs for teams taking part in the tournament. FIFA said in a statement that money shared from the tournament –- being staged in Mexico, Canada and the […]