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.
Infantino 'wrong man' to lead FIFA: UK PM Burnham By AFP August 01, 2026 06:01 (EAT) Add as a Preferred Source on Google Follow us Follow on Whatsapp Follow on Google Follow on Twitter This photo taken on October 8, 2015 in Zurich shows the entrance sign with the logo at the FIFA …
FIFA plan hit by senior advisor resigning, AFC opposition By AFP July 31, 2026 07:00 (EAT) Add as a Preferred Source on Google Follow us Follow on Whatsapp Follow on Google Follow on Twitter This photo taken on October 8, 2015 in Zurich shows the entrance sign with the logo at th …
… (Photo by DAVID GRAY / AFP) Audio By Vocalize Chelsea manager Xabi Alonso said on Friday football must be kept out of private hands and remain "for the people" after FIFA proposed selling a stake in the business operations of the World Cup. …
What does Infantino's proposal to sell stakes in FIFA subsidiary entail? By Reuters July 31, 2026 09:31 (EAT) Add as a Preferred Source on Google Follow us Follow on Whatsapp Follow on Google Follow on Twitter Silhouette of Gianni Infantino, FIFA President, words "FIFA's $20B Ent …
FIFA vows to proceed with private investor plan consultation despite criticism By AFP July 31, 2026 07:52 (EAT) Add as a Preferred Source on Google Follow us Follow on Whatsapp Follow on Google Follow on Twitter Fifa President Gianni Infantino speaks on stage during a past event. …
UEFA says will boycott World Cup if FIFA pushes private investor proposal By AFP July 31, 2026 06:32 (EAT) Add as a Preferred Source on Google Follow us Follow on Whatsapp Follow on Google Follow on Twitter JULY 19: U.S. …
Gianni Infantino and US President Donald Trump at the 2026 World Cup final. [AFP] Just 24 hours after the world football governing body, FIFA, dropped a bombshell proposal to sell off a private stake in the World Cup, the global football fraternity is locked in an escalating civi …
Audio By VocalizeWorld football's governing body FIFA vowed on Friday to press ahead with an "open and democratic" consultation on a proposed private investment plan despite widespread opposition to the proposal. …
Audio By VocalizeThe Asian Football Confederation (AFC) joined UEFA and CONCACAF in condemning world football's governing body FIFA's proposed private investment plan, saying on Friday they were alarmed it had reached the point a "World Cup boycott has entered public discourse". …
Atletico complain to FIFA over Barca's Alvarez approach By AFP July 30, 2026 08:32 (EAT) Add as a Preferred Source on Google Follow us Follow on Whatsapp Follow on Google Follow on Twitter Argentina's forward #09 Julian Alvarez arrives for the 2026 World Cup football tournament f …
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.
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.
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."
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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."
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.
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.
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.
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."
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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."