Fifa World Cup

Biggest players who are ruled out from FIFA World Cup 2026 this year

2022 WC finalists France will still boast elite attacking options like Kylian Mbappe and Ousmane Dembele, but they will be without Hugo Ekitike.

Yamal ruled out for remaining La Liga games, optimistic for WC return

The 18-year-old picked up the injury during Barcelona's 1-0 victory over Celta Vigo at Spotify Camp Nou.

Explained: Why Iran's FIFA WC spot is under scrutiny amid Trump remarks

At the heart of the issue is Iran national football team's refusal to play matches in the United States, where all their group fixtures are scheduled.

Prasar Bharati emerges as option for FIFA World Cup 2026 rights in India

A senior government official confirmed that exploratory talks have taken place to understand the pricing structure and feasibility of acquiring the rights.

Liverpool forward Hugo Ekitike to miss World Cup for France with leg injury

Liverpool striker Hugo Ekitike will miss the World Cup because of a serious leg injury, France coach Didier Deschamps confirmed Wednesday. Ekitike sustained a suspected Achilles tendon injury in the 27th minute of Tuesday's Champions League match between Liverpool and Paris Saint-Germain and was taken off the field on a stretcher. "The severity of his injury will unfortunately prevent him from finishing the season with Liverpool and from participating in the World Cup," Deschamps said. Serious Achilles injuries can take more than six months to fully recover from. Liverpool did not immediately confirm the news, but coach Arne Slot said Tuesday that the injury looked "really bad." Ekitike has been one of Liverpool's top players this season and was expected to be part of France's squad for the World Cup in the United States, Canada and Mexico. He has scored 19 goals for club and country and scored for France in its 2-1 win over Brazil last month. "Hugo is one of about 10 young playe

Why Indian broadcasters hesitant to buy FIFA WC 2026, 2030 media rights?

JioStar, the current rights holder, is understood to value the rights at roughly $25 million for both editions.

Top ticket for FIFA WC final raised to USD 10,990 after sales reopen

FIFA raised its top ticket price for the World Cup final to USD 10,990 during the glitch-hampered reopening of sales after the 48-team field for this year's tournament was finalised. The price had been USD 8,680 when FIFA sold tickets after the tournament draw in December. FIFA's category 2 tickets for the July 19 game at MetLife Stadium in East Rutherford, New Jersey, were USD 7,380, up from USD 5,575, and category 3 cost USD 5,785, an increase USD 4,185. Tickets were listed for 17 of the 72 group-stage matches by Wednesday night and none of the knockout stage games. Soccer's governing body is using dynamic pricing for the tournament, which will be played in 11 US cities plus three in Mexico and two in Canada. Only USD 2,735 tickets, the highest-priced seats, were available by evening for the US opener on June 12 against Paraguay at SoFi Stadium in Inglewood, California, and the price was unchanged from December. No tickets were listed for the Americans' June 19 game against ...

Here's why Italy failed to qualify despite a 48-team FIFA World Cup

Even the largest-ever World Cup, expanded to 48 teams, could not accommodate the storied Azzurri. A nation that once defined footballing excellence now finds itself absent from the global event.

Gattuso avoids future talk after Italy miss out FIFA World Cup again

Italy coach Gennaro Gattuso said it is not the time to talk about his future despite the Azzurri failing to qualify for a third straight World Cup. Even if Gattuso hasn't made up his mind whether to stay or not, the Italian soccer federation gave a clear sign it would like him to remain on Tuesday. Four-time World Cup winner Italy lost a penalty shootout at 66th-ranked Bosnia and Herzegovina in the European playoffs on Tuesday, after playing most of the match with 10 men. "I'm not interested at all in talking about my future today," Gattuso said. "It hurts, it really hurts. More than hurting me, it hurts to see this group which has really given everything in these months and I think we deserved to get back what we put in and I honestly think it's too reductive and too immature to be talking about my future today. "Here we should be talking about Italy, about the national team shirt, that it's yet another blow even though this time we didn't deserve it. We deserved more and that's w

Italy to miss third straight FIFA World Cup after shootout loss vs Bosnia

One of soccer's historic powers has reached a once-unfathomable low. Four-time champion Italy failed to qualify for a third straight World Cup after getting beat in a penalty shootout with 10 men at 66th-ranked Bosnia and Herzegovina in the European playoffs on Tuesday. Moise Kean scored early on for Italy but then Azzurri center back Alessandro Bastoni was sent off with a direct red card before the break and Bosnia substitute Haris Tabakovic equalized in the 79th to send the game into extra time at 1-1. The defeat added more misery for Italy's once-proud national team after being eliminated by Sweden and North Macedonia, respectively, in the qualifying playoffs for the last two World Cups. "It's too easy to say what's working and what's not working," Italy coach Gennaro Gattuso said. "The fact is that Italy has failed to qualify for three World Cups. We're having a tough time achieving our goals, both with the national team and with our clubs." Bosnia won the shootout 4-1 and ...

Graham Potter to 'dust off cowboy hat' after Sweden seal World Cup spot

Graham Potter said he will "dust off my cowboy hat" after fulfilling his short-term mission to get Sweden to the World Cup. The English coach was hired by Sweden in October after the national team's abject qualifying campaign that contained two draws and four defeats from its six group games. The Swedes were afforded a second chance to qualifying through the playoffs by virtue of winning its lowly Nations League group the previous year and they took full advantage, beating Ukraine in the semifinals on Thursday and then Poland 3-2 in Stockholm on Tuesday. Sweden will be playing Tunisia, the Netherlands, and then Japan in Dallas in Group F at the World Cup being held across the United States, Canada and Mexico starting in June. Potter said it was an "incredible" feeling, adding: "I'm going to have a beer and then think, Wow, we're going to Dallas.' I'll have to dust off my cowboy hat, won't I?" Viktor Gyokeres grabbed Sweden's decisive goal in the 88th minute against Poland, which t

England loss to Japan won't impact World Cup hopes, says Tuchel

Thomas Tuchel insisted England's dispiriting 1-0 loss to Japan in a friendly will have no bearing on the team's chances at the upcoming World Cup. England has lost some of the momentum built up under Tuchel by drawing with Uruguay at Wembley Stadium on Friday and then succumbing to Kaoru Mitoma's first-half goal for Japan at the same venue four days later. Tuchel has fielded experimental lineups for both games, with key regulars like captain Harry Kane, Declan Rice and Bukayo Saka missing because of minor injuries. The German coach also said many of his players are "heavily invested" in their club campaigns at this stage of the season. For that reason, Tuchel felt sure "this camp will not define us." "It's just a reality if teams like Uruguay or Japan come well-drilled, with their top lineup, it's a difficult task," Tuchel said. "It was not necessary to lose the match. Unfortunately, we lost it, which is disappointing, and I hate losing, like no one else, and it will take a while

Congo overcome Jamaica 1-0 in extra time to book FIFA World Cup 2026 berth

Congo scored in extra time to edge Jamaica 1-0 and become the 47th of 48 teams that will play at the World Cup. Axel Tuanzebe scored following a corner kick in the 100th minute of the intercontinental playoff. The Jamaican defenders failed to clear the ball and Tuanzebe, who plays for Burnley in the English Premier League tapped it into the net. Congo has never played in a World Cup under that name, although it participated in the 1974 edition in Germany as Zaire. With its victory in the intercontinental playoff at the Akron Stadium in Guadalajara, Mexico, the Congolese team completes Group K at the World Cup, where it will face Colombia, Portugal, and Uzbekistan. "We're going to enjoy the qualification, but we'll keep working. We know we'll be facing top nations who play in the World Cup every four years," Congo captain Chancel Mbemba said. "We'll stay humble, keep our feet on the ground, and continue to work. We'll give everything to make our supporters and our people proud." Th

Mexico's World Cup plans reviewed as Sheinbaum meets FIFA President Gianni

Mexican President Claudia Sheinbaum met FIFA's President Gianni Infantino to assess preparations for the 2026 World Cup, which will be co-hosted by Mexico, the United States and Canada in June and July. Sheinbaum said on her social media account that she had breakfast with Infantino at the National Palace "because we are evaluating everything for the upcoming World Cup," adding that "everything is going to be wonderful." The tournament kicks off on June 11 at the iconic Azteca Stadium in Mexico City with a match between the hosts and South Africa. A friendly match between Mexico and Portugal was held at the Mexico City stadium last Saturday as part of the World Cup preparations. The event was marred by the death of a fan who fell from the second tier to the ground floor in the VIP box area. "This inauguration is going to be historic, exceptional," said Sheinbaum while holding a FIFA pennant alongside Infantino. The FIFA president echoed Sheinbaum's sentiments, assuring that the Wo

Co-host Mexico revamps base, seeks to match 1970 and 1986 WC performances

Mexico's best performances at the World Cup came during the two occasions it hosted the tournament. Now that the country will be hosting for the third time - with the United States and Canada - fans want history to repeat itself. And maybe more. To ensure optimal preparation, the Mexican Football Federation (FMF) invested 400 million pesos (around $22 million) in renovating their training center known as Centro de Alto Rendimiento (CAR), or High Performance Center, which was officially reopened on Saturday. As a player, current Mexico coach Javier Aguirre was part of the national team that reached the quarterfinals in 1986, matching the country's performance in the 1970 World Cup. Aguirre, with the revamped training center, will try to match at least that as a coach. Mexico begins training at the High Performance Center on May 6, with players from the domestic league. Its first match in the World Cup is the tournament opener on June 11 against South Africa. Building a ...

Italy seal 2-0 win over Northern Ireland in WC qualification playoff semis

Italy finally won a match in the World Cup playoffs. Now the four-time champion needs to win one more to avoid failing to qualify for a third straight time. The Azzurri beat Northern Ireland 2-0 in the European semifinals on Thursday. Sandro Tonali broke the deadlock with a half-volley early in the second half for Italy at home in Bergamo and then set up another goal for Moise Kean. "After taking the lead, we cleared our minds," Italy coach Gennaro Gattuso said. "We put in a good performance. This should be a confidence boost for Tuesday. We have to win. We have no other choice." Also advancing to the playoff finals scheduled for Tuesday were Bosnia and Herzegovina, Sweden, Poland, Turkey, Kosovo, Denmark and the Czech Republic. Italy next visits Bosnia and Herzegovina needing another victory to reach the upcoming tournament in North America and avoid going at least 16 years without even playing a match at soccer's biggest event. Bosnia beat Wales, and the Czech Republic beat Ir

Ireland suffer blow as Szmodics stretchered off in World Cup playoff tie

Ireland midfielder Sammie Szmodics was stretchered off after being left unconscious following a heavy collision with an opponent in a World Cup qualification playoff game against the Czech Republic on Thursday. Szmodics collided with Czech player Stepan Chaloupek as they both moved toward a high ball. Szmodics collapsed to the ground immediately and seemed to display involuntary arm movement. Medical staff treated Szmodics on the ground for several minutes before he was moved onto a stretcher with support for his head and neck. Fans sang and applauded as Szmodics was carried off. "He was knocked out cold," Ireland coach Heimir Hallgrimsson said. "At least he's conscious now. He will stay here tonight." Hallgrimsson was hopeful that Szmodics would fly back on Friday. Szmodics, who plays for Derby in England, had only been on the field for less than two minutes after coming off the bench for Ireland in the 115th minute of extra time before the incident happened. He was replaced by .

FIFA scraps 2000 hotel bookings in Philadelphia before 2026 WC; here's why

FIFA has said that the cancellations should not be interpreted as a reduction in planning or scale. Instead, it is part of a structured process followed in the lead-up to major tournaments

FIFA World Cup 2026: What are Italy's chances of dropping the ball again?

The Azzurri's WC fate rests on the playoffs, as they open their playoff campaign against Northern Ireland on 26 March.

FIFA World Cup 2026: Final chance for 22 teams to grab remaining 6 spots

Italy, looking to avoid missing out on a third consecutive World Cup, begin with a clash vs Northern Ireland on 26 March. If they progress, they will face either Wales or Bosnia and Herzegovina.