Also known as: FIFA's · FIFA Marketplace · World football's governing body FIFA · FIFA's leadership
FIFA — world football's governing body managing competitions including the World Cup, currently facing governance challenges over private investment plans and presidential succession.
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The Standard
… Facing a barrage of criticism following the aborted plan, FIFA's leadership acknowledged "errors", while nonetheless backing under-fire Infantino following a crisis meeting in Morocco. …
FIFA back Infantino, apologise for World Cup privatisation planThe Standard
Audio By VocalizeEmbattled FIFA president Gianni Infantino watched outsiders Malawi lose 2-1 to Zambia in Rabat on Wednesday, but still secure a Women's Africa Cup of Nations (WAFCON) quarter-final place. …
Embattled Infantino sees minnows Malawi reach WAFCON quarter-finalsCitizen Digital
Embattled FIFA chief Infantino holds emergency talks with directors By AFP August 05, 2026 02:00 (EAT) Add as a Preferred Source on Google Follow us Follow on Whatsapp Follow on Google Follow on Twitter A sign of FIFA is seen at the football's World governing body headquarters on …
Embattled FIFA chief Infantino holds emergency talks with directorsCitizen Digital
Infantino faces nervy times to see if challenger emerges By AFP August 05, 2026 06:43 (EAT) Add as a Preferred Source on Google Follow us Follow on Whatsapp Follow on Google Follow on Twitter FIFA president Gianni Infantino looks on during a meeting with the White House Task Forc …
Infantino faces nervy times to see if challenger emergesThe Standard
Audio By VocalizePressure on FIFA president Gianni Infantino intensified on Tuesday, with opposition emerging from within world football's governing body as well as from external critics over his since-abandoned proposal to open the World Cup to private investment. …
Infantino's problems mount as Wenger and key FIFA ally turn on himThe Standard
Audio By VocalizeFIFA's President Gianni Infantino arrives to attend a friendly football match between Iran and Costa Rica, in Antalya, southern Turkey, on March 31, 2026. [AFP] President Gianni Infantino held emergency talks with other FIFA directors in Morocco on Wednesday, a s …
Embattled FIFA chief Infantino in emergency talks, suffers Figo blowCitizen Digital
Wenger says scrapping Infantino's World Cup plan was "absolutely necessary" By AFP August 04, 2026 02:42 (EAT) Add as a Preferred Source on Google Follow us Follow on Whatsapp Follow on Google Follow on Twitter Turkish Minister of Youth and Sports Osman Askin Bak (R), FIFA Presid …
Wenger says scrapping Infantino's World Cup plan was "absolutely necessary"Citizen Digital
Infantino, the FIFA president under pressure after scrapped investor plan By AFP August 04, 2026 07:10 (EAT) Add as a Preferred Source on Google Follow us Follow on Whatsapp Follow on Google Follow on Twitter FIFA President Gianni Infantino speaks during the 2026 FIFA World Cup P …
Infantino, the FIFA president under pressure after scrapped investor planThe Standard
Audio By VocalizeA photo montage of Fifa President Gianni Infantino. [AFP] FIFA president Gianni Infantino's ability to brush aside criticism and push through enlarged versions of the Club World Cup and World Cup lent him an air of omnipotence, but a failed private investor plan …
Infantino, the FIFA president under pressure after scrapped investor planThe Standard
Audio By VocalizeFormer Arsenal manager Arsene Wenger said the decision to scrap FIFA president Gianni Infantino's controversial plan to sell off stakes in the World Cup was "absolutely necessary and beyond question". …
Wenger says scrapping Infantino's World Cup plan was 'absolutely necessary'As Morocco, Spain and Portugal prepare to co-host the 2030 World Cup, Morocco's football federation president claimed the final would be held in Morocco, while Real Madrid coach José Mourinho argued the Santiago Bernabéu stadium in Madrid would be a more appropriate venue. FIFA said a final decision would be made in due course.
12 September 2026 · The Standard →
As Morocco, Spain and Portugal prepare to co-host the 2030 World Cup, Morocco's football federation president claimed the final would be held in Morocco, while Real Madrid coach José Mourinho argued the Santiago Bernabéu stadium in Madrid would be a more appropriate venue. FIFA said a final decision would be made in due course.
12 September 2026 · The Standard →
FIFA rejected Morocco football federation president Fouzi Lekjaa's claim that the 2030 World Cup final would be held in Benslimane, Morocco, stating no decision has yet been made and will be announced "in due course."
11 September 2026 · Citizen Digital →
The President of the Royal Moroccan Football Federation said the 2030 World Cup final will be held in Benslimane, near Casablanca, at the $1-billion Hassan II stadium being built with a projected capacity of 115,000. FIFA has not yet announced the venue, with Spain and Morocco competing to host the match.
11 September 2026 · Citizen Digital →
France's Football Federation announced it will not support Gianni Infantino's candidacy for FIFA president in the March 2027 election, joining other European federations including Belgium, Italy, Scotland, Sweden and Wales in withdrawing support. The FFF stated that trust in the FIFA president has been betrayed and that world football governance no longer reflects their values.
10 September 2026 · Citizen Digital →
France has withdrawn support for Gianni Infantino's candidacy for FIFA president in the March 2027 election, aligning with Belgium, Italy, Scotland, Sweden and Wales. The French Football Federation cited a loss of trust in the FIFA president's governance of world football, citing his abandoned plan to bring private investment into the World Cups.
10 September 2026 · The Standard →
Belgium's football association will not support Gianni Infantino's bid for another term as FIFA president, citing concerns over transparency and governance. Belgium joins England and Italy in withdrawing backing ahead of the FIFA presidential election in March 2027.
7 September 2026 · Citizen Digital →
FIFA has accused UEFA of a "smear campaign" and "fishing expedition" after UEFA asked US judges to force FIFA to disclose documents related to its failed plan to secure private investment in World Cup tournaments. UEFA has threatened possible legal action against FIFA president Gianni Infantino for alleged "criminal mismanagement" over the scrapped investor plan.
4 September 2026 · Citizen Digital →
Folarin Balogun's £40 million transfer from Monaco to Everton collapsed minutes before the transfer window closed after the striker withdrew over his "treatment" by the Premier League side, according to Monaco's managing director. Balogun had completed a medical but pulled the plug himself after Everton raised fitness concerns.
2 September 2026 · Citizen Digital →
The FIFA national team ranking indicates each country's standing in world football and influences World Cup draw seeding and competition structures. Spain leads the ranking after winning the World Cup, and FIFA now provides live provisional ranking updates during matches.
2 September 2026 · Citizen Digital →
Lionel Messi, 39, has announced his retirement from international football after 21 years with Argentina. His decision came roughly six weeks after Argentina lost the 2026 FIFA World Cup final 1–0 to Spain, and three weeks after the death of his father and longtime manager.
1 September 2026 · The Standard →
UEFA announced it is considering legal action against FIFA President Gianni Infantino over his now-abandoned plan to secure private investment in FIFA tournaments, which a former International Olympic Committee marketing director described as a "massive escalation" of their feud. Infantino has faced increasing pressure to step down, and UEFA has withdrawn its threat to boycott FIFA tournaments on a provisional basis.
28 August 2026 · Citizen Digital →
Two Argentine sports marketing executives, Hugo and Mariano Jinkis, admitted to bribing international soccer officials to secure lucrative media rights in a scheme that defrauded FIFA, CONCACAF, and CONMEBOL. Under a deferred prosecution agreement with US prosecutors, they agreed to forfeit $50 million and avoid trial.
28 August 2026 · Citizen Digital →
UEFA is preparing to file a criminal complaint in Switzerland against FIFA president Gianni Infantino for "criminal mismanagement" over his shelved plan to bring private financing into the World Cup, according to a legal document seen by AFP.
28 August 2026 · Citizen Digital →
Saudi Arabia's Football Federation expressed support for FIFA President Gianni Infantino and welcomed his joint statement with Secretary General Mattias Grafstrom acknowledging mistakes and abandoning a plan to bring private financing into the World Cup, which had triggered global opposition.
27 August 2026 · Citizen Digital →
Atletico Madrid's board unanimously decided not to negotiate striker Julian Alvarez's transfer to Barcelona, though the club remains open to other offers including from Arsenal.
27 August 2026 · Citizen Digital →
World Cup-winning players Fabio Cannavaro and Cafu have joined other former footballers in publicly supporting FIFA President Gianni Infantino on social media, despite his scrapped plan to open the World Cup to private investment and calls from another group of former players for leadership change at FIFA.
27 August 2026 · Citizen Digital →
UEFA, which had threatened to boycott FIFA competitions over plans to allow private investment in the World Cup and Club World Cup through a new commercial subsidiary, is expected to drop the boycott threat. The dispute arose after FIFA proposed creating a FIFA Forward Enterprise (FFE) to attract private investors, which UEFA had criticized as a "shady, opaque backroom deal."
27 August 2026 · Citizen Digital →
Italy's national football federation withdrew its support for FIFA president Gianni Infantino over his failed attempt to sell off stakes in the World Cup, joining other European associations in scrapping their backing ahead of his re-election bid at next year's FIFA Congress.
26 August 2026 · Citizen Digital →
UEFA is "likely" to withdraw its threat to boycott FIFA tournaments after the two conditions it sought from FIFA following president Gianni Infantino's failed attempt to secure private investment in the World Cup have been met, according to a source.
26 August 2026 · Citizen Digital →
Ethiopia has formally submitted its bid to host the Africa Cup of Nations in 2028, which would be its first since 1976. The bid faces obstacles including ongoing insurgencies in Amhara and Oromia states and threats of renewed civil war with the Tigray region.
25 August 2026 · Citizen Digital →
Former footballer Emmanuel Petit and others have called for "change" in FIFA's leadership following the failed plan to open the World Cup to private investors, saying "power has blurred the current leadership's ability to distinguish between its own interests and what is best for football."
24 August 2026 · Citizen Digital →
Former Cameroon star Samuel Eto'o has backed FIFA president Gianni Infantino, saying he "hasn't done anything wrong" despite intense scrutiny over a failed private investment proposal for FIFA tournaments including the World Cup. UEFA and other federations have withdrawn support and threatened boycotts over the controversial plan.
24 August 2026 · Citizen Digital →
UEFA President Aleksander Ceferin has ruled himself out of contention to replace FIFA President Gianni Infantino, while warning that Infantino must quit or face a leadership challenge. Infantino has faced mounting pressure to step down over his now-abandoned plan to secure private investment in FIFA tournaments, with UEFA and other continental federations withdrawing support.
24 August 2026 · Citizen Digital →
UEFA chief Aleksander Ceferin has said he is not interested in replacing FIFA President Gianni Infantino, but warned that Infantino must either quit or face a leadership challenge in March over his abandoned plan to secure private investment in FIFA tournaments. UEFA has threatened to boycott FIFA competitions and several federations have withdrawn support for Infantino.
24 August 2026 · The Standard →
FIFA suspended Argentina midfielder Leandro Paredes for 10 international matches and fined him $90,000 for his behaviour during clashes with Spain players in the World Cup final on July 19, which Spain won 1-0.
22 August 2026 · Citizen Digital →
English football's chief refereeing officer Howard Webb has warned Premier League clubs to expect stricter officiating on grappling and holding during set-pieces next season, citing too many unpunished instances last season. Arsenal drew particular attention for their set-piece expertise, with rival managers and fans complaining about their wrestling tactics.
20 August 2026 · Citizen Digital →
A FIFA vice-president from Hungary has withdrawn his support from FIFA president Gianni Infantino, citing the "unexpected dismissal" of Kevin Lamour, the chief operating officer who had publicly criticised Infantino's plan for private investment in World Cups.
19 August 2026 · Citizen Digital →
Premier League chief Richard Masters says FIFA president Gianni Infantino pressed the "self-destruct button" with a botched plan to bring private investment into the World Cup, which was withdrawn after global backlash. UEFA and England's Football Association have withdrawn support for Infantino, and FIFA's chief operating officer Kevin Lamour left his post over the controversy.
19 August 2026 · Citizen Digital →
FIFA's chief operating officer Kevin Lamour has left the organisation weeks after publicly criticising president Gianni Infantino's plan to sell a stake in World Cup commercial rights. Human rights and labour groups say his exit raises concerns about governance and dissent within FIFA.
19 August 2026 · Citizen Digital →
FIFA President Gianni Infantino's chief operating officer Kevin Lamour has departed after breaking ranks with senior FIFA directors and criticizing Infantino's plan to bring private investment into FIFA competitions, including World Cups. Lamour had refused to sign off on the deal and described it as "the project of one person."
18 August 2026 · Citizen Digital →