Trump backs Infantino for UN chief as FIFA faces fresh criticism
What's new: The UN post opens Jan. 1, 2027, but any candidate must clear the 15-member Security Council and the General Assembly.
The Guardian (Football), BBC Sport +1
Subject
#Fifa
FIFA investigates Argentina players’ clash after final vs Spain
New: disciplinary and ethics prosecutors were appointed; players or staff involved face suspensions, and the federation could be fined.
BBC Sport, The Guardian (Football) +3
FIFA probes Argentina brawl after 1-0 World Cup final loss
What's next: Argentina players and staff could face suspensions or fines over clashes after Spain's win in New Jersey.
Republika, Fox News
World Cup final debuts halftime show with Madonna, BTS and Shakira
What's new: FIFA staged the first final halftime show in tournament history during Spain-Argentina at New York New Jersey Stadium.
Series: Fifa World Cup · 2026 Final Ceremony and Halftime Show · 2 chapters since Jul 19World Cup final halftime stretched past 20 minutes for star show
What's new: The break for Spain vs. Argentina was expected to top football's usual 15-minute limit as crews built and cleared a stage.
BBC News (World), The Guardian (Football)
World Cup final debuts 11-minute halftime show led by BTS, Shakira
What's new: FIFA's first final halftime show stretched the break to about 27 minutes and drew mixed reviews despite its star-packed lineup.
Mbappe wins 2026 World Cup Golden Boot with 10 goals
The France forward became the first player to win the World Cup Golden Boot twice, after also finishing top scorer in 2022.
Antara News, Republika +1
Spanyol takes home US$50 million after winning 2026 World Cup
FIFA called the payout the largest prize ever awarded to a World Cup champion.
Series: Fifa World Cup · Spain Argentina Final · 5 chapters since Jul 15Council of Europe faults FIFA over betting and World Cup integrity
Why it matters: The rights body urged FIFA to build a tougher integrity framework before the 2030 tournament in Spain and Portugal.
FIFA limits 2026 World Cup final halftime show to 11 minutes
FIFA dismissed speculation the final break could stretch to 25 minutes, even as the show will feature Madonna, Shakira, BTS and Justin Bieber.
Antara News, BBC Sport
Slavko Vincic to Referee 2026 World Cup Final, Spain vs Argentina
He will be assisted by two fellow Slovenians, while the VAR room will be led by Bastian Dankert of Germany.
Series: Fifa World Cup · 2026 Final · 7 chapters since Jul 16Trump, Infantino tout 7 million fans before World Cup final
What's next: Trump is set to attend the Argentina-Spain final after the US hosted 11 of the tournament's 16 venues.
Republika, Fox News
Trump, Sanchez to attend Argentina-Spain World Cup final
What's new: FIFA plans winner rings for the champions, and Trump is set to present the trophy at MetLife Stadium.
The Straits Times, The Hill
FIFA probes Malvinas banner after Argentina beat England
Argentina faces no threat of expulsion from the final, but AFA could face another penalty like the 20,000 pound fine in 2014.
Republika, Antara News
FIFA faces calls to probe Argentina's Falklands banner after 2-1 win
What's next: Any FIFA disciplinary case would likely come after the tournament, with no threat to Argentina's place in the final.
BBC News (World), Bloomberg +2
Trump to attend Spain-Argentina World Cup final on July 19
What's next: The White House said Trump will also attend a FIFA reception at Trump Tower on July 17 and is expected to help present the trophy.
The Straits Times, The Guardian (Football) +1
Balogun says World Cup ban reversal rattled US teammates
What's new: his remarks came as FairSquare filed an IOC complaint over FIFA's handling of the suspension after Trump's intervention.
The Guardian (Football), Fox News +1
FIFA weighs 64-team World Cup for 2030 after 48-team debut
What's next: FIFA committees are set to review the idea after the 2026 tournament, with some regional leaders warning a bigger field could disrupt qualifying.
FIFA rejects cable-touch claim in England’s 2-1 win over Norway
What’s next: England advances to a World Cup semifinal against Argentina after the dispute over Jude Bellingham’s equalizer.
Series: England · World Cup Quarterfinal Win Over Norway · 6 chapters since Jul 12US World Cup crowds near 65,000 a game as TV records keep falling
What's new: Fox and Telemundo are both posting huge audiences, with England-Mexico drawing nearly 45 million combined viewers in the US.
France, Morocco renew World Cup rivalry in Boston quarterfinal
What's new: Morocco enter ranked sixth by FIFA and with a squad shaped heavily by players developed in France.
Series: France · World Cup Quarterfinal Vs Morocco · 3 chapters since Jul 9England’s Quansah draws 2-game FIFA ban after Mexico red card
What’s next: The defender will miss Saturday’s quarterfinal with Norway and any semifinal if England advances.
The Guardian (Football), Antara News
IOC ethics complaint targets Infantino after Trump FIFA lobbying
What's new: FairSquare said it will ask Olympic investigators to examine whether FIFA breached political neutrality rules.
IOC ethics complaint targets Infantino after Trump FIFA lobbying
What's new: FairSquare plans to file with the IOC, extending scrutiny beyond FIFA after Balogun's ban was lifted before the Belgium match.
Trump calls FIFA as Balogun ban is lifted before US-Belgium match
What's new: Trump said he spoke to FIFA before the US striker's one-game suspension was paused, letting the tournament's top US scorer play.
BBC News (US & Canada), Fox News
Belgium routs US 4-1 in World Cup as Balogun dispute lingers
What's next: Belgium advanced to the quarterfinals, while scrutiny is shifting to FIFA's reversal of Folarin Balogun's ban.
CNBC, Fox News
Trump sought Balogun review after red card, FIFA cleared him to face Belgium
Why it matters: Belgium’s federation says it contests Balogun’s eligibility, while UEFA warned the move put football’s integrity at stake.
Enzo's goal lifts Argentina past Egypt 3-2 into quarterfinals
The defending champions next await the winner of Colombia vs Swiss in the World Cup 2026 quarterfinals.
Belgium routs U.S. 4-1, knocking co-hosts out of World Cup
What's new: The loss in Seattle followed a furor over FIFA clearing Folarin Balogun to play after his red card was overturned.
The Guardian (Football), PBS NewsHour +4
Trump sought FIFA review after Balogun ban was lifted for Belgium tie
Why it matters: UEFA called the move a dangerous precedent, warning political pressure could undermine on-field discipline at the World Cup.
Fifa defends Balogun reprieve after Uefa attacks World Cup call
What's new: Fifa said its disciplinary panel acted independently, even after Donald Trump acknowledged calling Gianni Infantino.
FIFA lets Balogun face Belgium after US protests red card
What's new: The intervention drew in Donald Trump and Marco Rubio ahead of the U.S. World Cup round-of-16 match in Seattle.
Bloomberg, NPR +2
Trump sought FIFA review as Balogun ban lift roils US-Belgium tie
What's next: Belgium has challenged Folarin Balogun's eligibility, but FIFA ruled its federation lacks standing to appeal.
The New York Times, Bloomberg +2
Starmer pressed FIFA to keep England-Mexico kickoff in place
What's new: British officials also contacted diplomats in Mexico City as FIFA weighed a 6-hour move over storm forecasts.
BBC Sport, Fox News
Trump set to hand World Cup trophy to winner at July 19 final
What's next: FIFA President Gianni Infantino said he will join Trump for the ceremony at New York New Jersey Stadium.
US gives Iran 2-day entry window for Seattle World Cup match
What's next: Iran will still have to leave the US the night its June 26 game against Egypt ends, despite complaints over earlier limits.
FIFA pulls commentator’s World Cup pass after live on-air rant
What's new: Jorge Chipi Vera said the ban bars any World Cup coverage, inside or outside stadiums, after he insulted Gianni Infantino and a referee.
Messi scores twice as Argentina beat Austria 2-0 at World Cup
The win sends Argentina into the round of 32 and top of Group J with six points from two matches.
Antara News, Republika +2
Messi breaks World Cup scoring record with 2 goals vs Austria
The Argentina forward now has 18 goals in 28 matches, passing Miroslav Klose's 16-goal mark.
The Guardian (Football), Antara News +3
TVRI holds FIFA broadcast rights in Indonesia through 2027
The package covers the 2026 World Cup, the 2026 U-17 World Cup and the 2027 Women’s World Cup, with distribution limited to Indonesia.
Paraguay's Almiron sees first World Cup red card for mouth cover
What's next: The suspension rules Almiron out against Australia, a match that could decide Paraguay's place in the knockout round.
Prabowo pushes Indonesia to host FIFA ASEAN 2026 tournament
The tournament is scheduled for September-October 2026, part of the government's support for national soccer development.
Republika, Antara News
Prabowo pushes Indonesia to host FIFA ASEAN Cup 2026
The September-October tournament is on FIFA's official calendar, affecting rankings and forcing clubs to release national-team players.
Iran files FIFA complaint over World Cup travel limits before Belgium
What's new: US authorities are allowing Iran into Los Angeles only a day before the noon Group G match, then requiring the team to leave after the game.
Palestinian federation rejects U-15 match plan against Israel in US
PFA said it never received a formal FIFA proposal and would reject the match if the idea is brought forward.
Republika, Antara News
Portugal face RD Kongo in Houston as Ronaldo chases World Cup record
Group K marks the teams' first senior meeting, with RD Kongo back at the World Cup finals for the first time since 1974.
Antara News, Republika +2
Up to 15,000 England fans expected in Dallas for Croatia opener
What's new: Supporters risk losing large flags at Dallas Stadium, where only small banners and preapproved displays are being allowed.
Hundreds rally outside Iran-New Zealand World Cup match in LA
What's new: A judge upheld FIFA's ban on Iran's pre-revolutionary flag hours before kickoff, deepening tensions around the opener.
The New York Times, The Straits Times +2
Iran rallies twice for 2-2 draw with New Zealand amid LA protests
Why it matters: Iran played after shifting its base to Tijuana when 11 officials were denied US entry and pregame protests deepened diaspora tensions.
Iran World Cup team ordered back to Tijuana after LA draw
Why it matters: Iran says visa, ticket and travel problems are disrupting recovery before group games against Belgium and Egypt.
FIFA clears VAR official after probe into hand sign at World Cup
What's new: Shaun Evans remains eligible for the tournament, and FIFA's broadcast later stopped showing VAR crews posing on camera.
BBC News (World), The Guardian (Football)
Canada blocks Thomas Partey, ruling him out of Ghana opener
What's next: Ghana opens against Panama on June 17 in Toronto without the midfielder, who has pleaded not guilty to seven rape charges.
Fox News, The Hill
Activists cover FIFA logo at World Cup 2026 opening in Toronto
The BMO Field ceremony was overshadowed by calls for FIFA to expel Israel from membership.
Republika, Antara News +1
Protests in Mexico City threaten World Cup fan festival opening
Why it matters: The unrest puts President Claudia Sheinbaum under added pressure as Mexico tries to showcase itself to the world.
Bloomberg, BBC News (World) +2
Omar Artan Named to Referee UEFA Super Cup on August 12 in Salzburg
The Somalia referee will miss the 2026 World Cup after being denied entry to the U.S. despite carrying a diplomatic passport and single-entry visa.
Antara News, Fox News
US bars Somali World Cup referee after Miami airport detention
What's new: US officials cited derogatory information and alleged ties to suspected terror members, ending Omar Artan's 2026 tournament role.
BBC News (World), NPR +2
Indonesia climbs to 118th in FIFA rankings after Oman, Mozambik wins
Indonesia added 12,25 points and will next play in the ASEAN Hyundai Cup 2026 in late July before the September FIFA break.
Antara News, Republika
Somali World Cup referee denied US entry after 11-hour interview
Why it matters: Omar Artan was removed from FIFA's officiating roster because all referees must train and stay at a Miami base.
Expanded 2026 World Cup could emit 7.8 million tons of CO2
Why it matters: Researchers estimate about 87% of the tournament’s emissions will come from flights across the US, Mexico and Canada.
96% of SoFi Stadium workers approve strike ahead of World Cup
About 2,000 hospitality workers could walk off at any time before the June 12 U.S.-Paraguay match in Los Angeles.
Antara News, NPR
US lets Iran players into World Cup, bars part of staff
What's new: Iran says about 15 federation and support officials were denied visas, and the squad must base itself in Mexico.
BBC News (US & Canada), The Straits Times
FIFA allows fans to bring 1 water bottle to 2026 World Cup
Only unopened 590 ml soft plastic bottles will be allowed; hard refillable bottles remain banned on safety grounds.
Antara News, Republika
US grants Iran team visas 10 days before World Cup opener
What's new: Washington cleared players and necessary staff, but signaled it will screen out anyone tied to the IRGC.
The New York Times, ABC News +1