… merica," Infantino said when discussing the idea of an expanded tournament. “If you don’t give smaller countries a chance to participate in the World Cup, they’ll lack the incentive to keep improving.” CHALLENGES ON AN ENTIRELY DIFFERENT SCALEThe 2026 tournament in Canada, Mexico …
… For one month across the United States, Mexico and Canada, the 2026 World Cup rewrote what the world thought it knew about the global game, and no continent left with more to celebrate, more to regret and more to learn than ours. …
… Quarter-finalists Belgium (eighth, up 1) move ahead of their neighbours the Netherlands (ninth, down 1) while co-hosts Mexico (10th, up 4) return to the top 10 for the first time since March 2022 at the expense of Germany (12th, down 2), who were knocked out of the World Cup by P …
… Quarter-finalists Belgium (eighth, up 1) move ahead of their neighbours the Netherlands (ninth, down 1) while co-hosts Mexico (10th, up 4) return to the top 10 for the first time since March 2022 at the expense of Germany (12th, down 2), who were knocked out of the World Cup by P …
… r cent increase compared to 2022 when the last World Cup was held in Qatar.Prior to the third-place play-off on Saturday and the final on Sunday, FIFA had already officially recorded over 6.6 million fans in stadiums across the host nations of the United States, Canada and Mexico …
… Quarter-finalists Belgium (eighth, up 1) move ahead of their neighbours the Netherlands (ninth, down 1) while co-hosts Mexico (10th, up 4) return to the top 10 for the first time since March 2022 at the expense of Germany (12th, down 2), who were knocked out of the World Cup by P …
US Secretary of State Marco Rubio wrapped up a tour of Colombia, Ecuador, and Peru on Thursday, meeting with Peru's President Keiko Fujimori to deepen cooperation against drug cartels and organized crime. Peru, one of the world's largest cocaine producers, recently joined the US-led "Shield of the Americas" coalition to combat drug trafficking and regional security threats.
US Secretary of State Marco Rubio wrapped up a tour of Colombia, Ecuador, and Peru on Thursday, meeting with Peru's President Keiko Fujimori to deepen cooperation against drug cartels and organized crime. Peru, one of the world's largest cocaine producers, recently joined the US-led "Shield of the Americas" coalition to combat drug trafficking and regional security threats.
Meta said Wednesday it has begun testing Community Notes in 16 Spanish-speaking countries in Latin America, a crowdsourced system modeled on Elon Musk's X, designed to replace the professional fact-checking program it runs with partner organizations across the region.
A UNICEF report titled "Through Children's Eyes" found that 1,292,364 children aged 12–17 in Kenya were subjected to at least one form of technology-facilitated sexual exploitation and abuse, based on a survey conducted between 2020–2021 and 2024–2025.
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.
Uganda's prosecution office approved the extradition to the United States of Katungi Michael Mpeirwe, a retired lieutenant charged with conspiring to supply weapons including machine guns, rocket launchers, grenades, and anti-aircraft equipment to Mexican drug cartels including the Cartel de Jalisco Nueva Generacion. Mpeirwe was a close associate of Ugandan army chief Muhoozi Kainerugaba.
US President Donald Trump signed an executive order to rename Lake Ontario "Lake America," but Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney rejected the decision, insisting the waterway's more than 400-year-old name will remain unchanged. The move escalates tensions between Washington and Ottawa following trade talks collapse and new US tariffs on Canadian goods.
US President Donald Trump signed an executive order to rename Lake Ontario to Lake America amid collapsed trade talks with Canada and new 50% tariffs on C$28bn of Canadian goods. Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney said the lake's name dates back more than 400 years and said it will remain Lake Ontario "today and forever."
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.
Canada on Tuesday announced counter-tariffs on US goods ranging between 15 and 50 percent in response to US President Donald Trump's 50-percent duties, with the retaliation taking effect September 8. The Canadian government also announced a $5.4 billion aid package for impacted firms and workers.
Canada said it will announce Tuesday its response to President Donald Trump's new tariffs, as the neighbors spiral into a trade war. The duties took effect Saturday after Canada and the United States failed Friday to reach a deal to avert new 50-percent US tariffs on select Canadian goods, and Trump added Monday that he would double tariffs on Canadian autos starting next year to 50 percent.
Ruben Rocha Moya, governor of Sinaloa state and indicted by the United States in April on drug trafficking charges related to the Sinaloa Cartel, announced his return to office Friday after a nearly four-month absence, denying the allegations against him.
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."
The Trump administration flagged more than 40 countries, including the European Union, Taiwan, Mexico, Canada, India, Japan, South Korea, and Vietnam, as potential risks for aiding Chinese tariff evasion through illegal transshipment, and said it would use artificial intelligence to detect such practices.
FIFA president Gianni Infantino has lost the confidence of UEFA after his plan to allow private investment in the World Cup was withdrawn following global backlash. Despite support from US President Donald Trump and withdrawing the controversial proposal, Infantino's position remains precarious as three confederations have criticized his style of leadership.
A 7.4-magnitude earthquake struck Colombia's coffee region and Pacific areas, killing at least 111 people and damaging at least 1,500 buildings. President Abelardo de la Espriella declared a state of emergency as volunteers and rescuers searched through rubble for survivors.
FIFA president Gianni Infantino withdrew his plan to raise private investment for a new commercial subsidiary to run World Cup operations after global backlash. UEFA, CONCACAF, and AFC released an open letter criticizing his leadership style, despite calls for unity.
A 7.4-magnitude earthquake struck western Colombia on Monday, killing at least 111 people, injuring 87, and damaging over 1,000 buildings. The quake's epicenter was in the coastal Choco region, with major damage reported in cities including Pereira, Manizales, and Cali.
Five bodies were discovered hanging from a bridge in Pozos de Gamboa, a town of 5,000 in Zacatecas state, Mexico, in July, reviving fears of drug violence in a region that had recently experienced relative calm. The incident has left residents terrified, with people avoiding going out after dark.
South Korea's football association apologised over accusations of unfair coaching appointment practices and allegations that it provided sexual entertainment for foreign referees. The KFA faced scrutiny following the national team's group-stage exit from the World Cup, prompting police investigations into obstruction of business allegations related to former head coach Hong Myung-bo's recruitment.
The South African national football association has approved Pitso Mosimane as the successor to Belgian coach Hugo Broos, pending the conclusion of salary negotiations. Mosimane, 62, will take on a second spell as South Africa coach after previously being fired in 2012.
The United States announced it will partially resume inspections of avocado producers in Mexico's Michoacan state on Saturday, two days after suspending imports due to security concerns linked to gang activity and extortion of agricultural interests. The decision followed commitments by the Mexican government and security measures including deployment of 1,500 troops to producing areas.
South Korean police conducted search and seizure operations at the Korea Football Association's offices, investigating allegations of "obstruction of business" in the recruitment of former coach Hong Myung-bo, who resigned in June after the national team was knocked out at the group stage of the World Cup in the United States, Mexico and Canada.
FIFA President Gianni Infantino has received "full support" from senior directors following a crisis meeting in Morocco, though the organisation apologised for errors made in handling a now-shelved plan to open the World Cup to private investment, which had faced widespread criticism.
FIFA's leadership has given "full support" to president Gianni Infantino following his decision to shelve a controversial plan to open the World Cup to private investment, while acknowledging "errors" were made in how the proposal was handled after it was leaked to media.
FIFA President Gianni Infantino held emergency talks with other FIFA directors in Morocco on August 5, 2026, amid criticism over his shelved plan to open the World Cup to private investment, with calls for his resignation growing since he abandoned the proposal.
The U.S. will begin under head coach Mauricio Pochettino with friendlies against Peru on September 26 in Orlando, Chile three days later in St. Louis, Mexico on October 3 in Glendale, Arizona, and Canada in St. Paul, Minnesota.
FIFA president Gianni Infantino has lost UEFA's confidence after his plan to allow private investment in the World Cup triggered global backlash and calls for his resignation, despite FIFA withdrawing the proposal. His previously unopposed path to a fourth term in March's election has been significantly weakened.
FIFA President Gianni Infantino held emergency talks with FIFA directors in Morocco on Wednesday as pressure mounts over his now-shelved plan to open the World Cup to private investment. Former Barcelona and Real Madrid star Luis Figo publicly called for Infantino to step down, writing in the Daily Mail that he represents "the lowest, most deceitful and cravenly self-interested behaviour" in football.
Bubista, 56, who led Cape Verde to the World Cup knockout stage in 2026, has been appointed head coach of Morocco's RS Berkane. The Cape Verde football federation has not yet announced whether he will continue in his role with the national team.
Mauricio Pochettino has signed a contract extension to remain head coach of the United States national team until the 2030 World Cup, US Soccer announced. The 54-year-old took over in 2024 and led the USA to the last 16 at the recent World Cup co-hosted with Canada and Mexico.