Latest Updates on FIFA World Cup

Paredes handed 10-match ban as FIFA punishes Argentina players for scuffle

FIFA banned three Argentina players on Friday, including a 10-match suspension for midfielder Leandro Paredes, for striking Spain opponents after losing the World Cup final. The ban for Paredes - who grabbed Spain's Eric Garcia by the throat and pushed Gavi to the ground - ranks with the FIFA sanctions for Uruguay forward Luis Suarez in 2014 as among the most severe in World Cup history. Argentina defender Nahuel Molina was handed a seven-game ban while Thiago Almada was given a one-game suspension. FIFA imposed fines of $90,000 on Paredes and Molina, and $30,000 for Almada. The ban for Paredes is effectively a one-year expulsion from the Argentina team as the FIFA calendar for national team schedules includes 10 games through June 2027. All of those games could be friendlies with no competitive games currently scheduled. Spain's Gavi also banned for game vs England ============================== Gavi also was banned for one game, which is a Nations League match for Spain agains

UEFA, CONCACAF, AFC accuse FIFA of 'breach of trust' over WC plans

UEFA, CONCACAF and the AFC believe that FIFA president Gianni Infantino's recent plan to sell an interest in the World Cup was a "fundamental breach of trust" with the institutions world soccer's governing body serves. In an "open letter to the football family" revealed on Monday, UEFA, CONCACAF and the AFC also said that "when trust is broken through deception, when an individual places himself above the collective that entrusted him with authority, that duty has been abandoned." UEFA runs soccer in Europe, CONCACAF does the same for North, Central America and the Caribbean, while the AFC governs the sport in Asia. The letter was co-signed by UEFA president Aleksander Ceferin, AFC president Salman Bin Ibrahim Al-Khalifa, CONCACAF president Victor Montagliani and three general secretaries. "Football is the world's greatest shared passion. It belongs to no individual and no institution. It belongs to the players, the fans, the clubs, the member associations and every institution ...

World Cup hero Pedro Brito leaves Cape Verde to coach RS Berkane in Morocco

Cape Verde coach Bubista, who led the World Cup debutant to a stellar tournament, joined Moroccan club RS Berkane on Tuesday. Berkane said it hired Pedro Brito, who is better known by his nickname Bubista, on a two-year contract. He replaces Moine Chaabani, who was hired by his native Tunisia, another World Cup team. The Cape Verde federation thanked Bubista on its social media accounts for his "dedication, professionalism, and contribution" to the national team. Cape Verde made a stunning start to the World Cup, holding eventual champion Spain to a 0-0 draw inspired by 40-year-old goalkeeper Vozinha. Further draws against Uruguay and Saudi Arabia sealed second place in the group and a round-of-32 game against Argentina. Though Argentina eventually won 3-2, Cape Verde took the game to extra time where a second tying goal by Sidny Lopes Cabral was voted best goal of the tournament. Berkane won the second-tier CAF Confederation Cup in 2025 and is the home club of Fouzi Lekjaa, Moroc

Former FIFA VP Prince Ali claims FIFA used 'blackmail' over payouts

Former FIFA vice president Prince Ali bin Al Hussein criticized the soccer body's leadership headed by Gianni Infantino on Tuesday, describing prize money withheld from his Jordan national team as a kind of blackmail. Prince Ali said the Jordanian federation he leads still has not been paid money due for reaching the final of the FIFA Arab Cup played last December in Qatar. In a social media post, Prince Ali said that during the World Cup - where Jordan made its debut in June - he was told if he endorsed FIFA President Gianni Infantino "it would go a long way to helping our FA out." Infantino is under pressure to save his 11-year presidency amid a fierce backlash from global soccer leaders about his now-failed plan to sell a stake in future World Cup profits to investors led by Joshua Kushner. "We pride ourselves in Jordan in upholding ethical values. We did not endorse him before and certainly will not now," said Prince Ali, who placed third in a five-candidate FIFA presidential .

Fifa drops World Cup stake sale plan after backlash from federations

Fifa President Infantino scrapped plans for a commercial entity to attract private investment in World Cup media rights after strong opposition from UEFA, Concacaf and Asian Football Confederation

Why Fifa's private investment plan has pushed the World Cup towards crisis

Fifa says the stake sale would unlock billions for development, but Uefa and Concacaf fear an opaque deal could make football's biggest events answerable to investors.

UEFA considering boycott of Fifa events in brewing fued over investment

The two nonprofit organizations have long had an uneasy relationship, exacerbated recently as Fifa encroached on UEFA's turf

World Cup hydration breaks help Coca-Cola lift its annual forecasts

Increased consumption during the World Cup added to the momentum for Coca-Cola's trademark beverages and zero sugar sodas

IOC rules out pursuing Infantino over FIFA World Cup 2026 red-card row

IOC member and FIFA leader Gianni Infantino will not have to explain to the Olympic body how U.S. President Donald Trump helped to stop a player's ban at the World Cup. The IOC said on Friday it has no jurisdiction to investigate Infantino's alleged lack of political neutrality. A London-based NGO formally complained this month to the International Olympic Committee ethics commission about Infantino, including his part in ensuring United States forward Folarin Balogun did not serve a mandatory one-game ban despite being sent off in the previous game. The IOC's Olympic Charter cites neutrality among "fundamental principles of Olympism" for sports bodies like FIFA and its 100-plus members, which has included Infantino since 2020. No formal investigation will be opened, the IOC said, because the complaint by rights group FairSquare did not relate to FIFA's or Infantino's specific relations with the Olympic body. The complaint "refers only to (FIFA's) decisions on its governance and i

Argentina's conduct after WC final was 'unacceptable': De la Fuente

As FIFA investigates Argentina's conduct after the World Cup final, Spain coach Luis de la Fuente has described the incidents as "intolerable and unacceptable." FIFA asked one of its disciplinary prosecutors Monday to report back on testy on-field confrontations after Spain's 1-0 win in extra time Sunday to dethrone the defending champion. Argentina midfielder Leandro Paredes physically tangled with Spain players Eric Garcia and Gavi, and Spain captain Rodri was hit in the stomach as he ran past Argentina defender Nahuel Molina. "It cannot be allowed," De la Fuente told Spanish public broadcaster TVE on Thursday, adding he did not see the incidents at the time while "celebrating with other people." "In any case, I find it intolerable and unacceptable from players of that caliber, whom I had been praising in the days before and who have a magnificent coach," the Spain coach said. FIFA has given no details of the remit for its investigator, or if witness statements could be sought f

FIFA World Cup offered unique stage for US hospitality, says Brand USA

FIFA World Cup 2026 created an "extraordinary opportunity" to showcase the energy, authenticity and welcoming hospitality of the United States, Brand USA president Fred Dixon has said. The destination marketing organisation for the US, Brand USA unveiled an all-new social-first series, 'More to Love', on the day of the World Cup final (Sunday), thanking international fans who travelled to and through the US during the 2026 World Cup and inviting them to return and experience more of the country, according to a statement issued by it. In line with the campaign, the destination marketing firm, beginning July 20, started boosting the content online with paid amplification in several countries, including India. The football World Cup was a 48-team event that played out over the US, Canada and Mexico, and brought football fans to these countries from across the world. Spain lifted the trophy by defeating defending champion Argentina 1-0 in the final. "The World Cup created an extraordin

Spain's World Cup champions receive heroes' welcome from two million fans

Spain's World Cup-winning soccer team returned home on Monday and an estimated crowd of almost 2 million was on hand to greet the squad through the streets of Madrid. The 26 players and their coaching staff met with the country's royals, and then with Prime Minister Pedro Sanchez, after arriving in the Spanish capital a day after beating Argentina 1-0 in the final in New Jersey. "Thank you to the coaches and players for the style of play, the effort and the victory," Sanchez said. "We have truly enjoyed watching you play." The squad then boarded an open-top bus for a raucous parade through central Madrid. "Stars shine together" was written on the bus, which also carried photos of the footballers. Players - carrying the World Cup trophy and wearing shirts with the words Somos Campeones (We Are Champions) - danced and interacted with the fans along the route. "It's been an emotional and proud experience to represent a wonderful country with such passionate and devoted fans," Spain c

Argentina players under FIFA investigation after Spain World Cup clash

FIFA opened an investigation Monday after Spain's celebrations on beating Argentina in the World Cup final took an ugly turn when players briefly clashed on the field. Video replays showed several players involved in a scuffle, including Argentina midfielder Leandro Paredes. He appeared to shove Spain's Eric Garcia by the throat. When Spain substitute Gavi jumped in to intervene, Paredes pushed him to the ground. Spain captain Rodri also seemed to be hit in the stomach by Argentina defender Nahuel Molina as he ran past to join teammates celebrating the title win. Molina later crowded Rodri, who was the target of a verbal confrontation by his former Manchester City teammate Nicolas Otamendi. Argentina coach Lionel Scaloni and other players rushed in to deescalate the situation. FIFA said in a statement its "disciplinary committee has appointed a Disciplinary and Ethics Prosecutor to investigate potential breaches of the (FIFA disciplinary code) with regard to the post-match ...

Mexico sees tourism boost as 3 mn foreign visitors attend Fifa World Cup

Foreign tourists accounted for about 40% of the 7.5 million total trips to Mexico City, Guadalajara and Monterrey between June 8 and July 12, with the rest made up of domestic travelers

Fifa World Cup final wasn't 'what we dreamed,' says Nike Football chief

For a sportswear and sneaker company like Nike, having its teams fall short of the final means missing out on the windfall generated by fans splurging on merchandise

FIFA's biggest World Cup yet ends with politics and profit in spotlight

More than 15 million people filled stadiums and fan festival areas combined during the length of the tournament, the biggest World Cup by attendance

From Euro glory to World Cup triumph: Luis de la Fuente's winning formula

Spain's greatest sides have always been associated with possession football. Under De la Fuente, possession became a means rather than the objective

Ronaldo to Neymar: Players who have made their last World Cup appearance

The 2026 FIFA World Cup likely marked the final appearance for Messi, Modrić, De Bruyne, Salah and others, ending a golden era alongside Ronaldo, Neymar, Neuer and Ochoa

Who is Ferran Torres? The striker who fired Spain to second World Cup title

The Barcelona forward scored the only goal of the FIFA World Cup 2026 final against Argentina in extra time, sealing a historic 1-0 victory and delivering Spain's second World Cup crown

From Rocafonda to the WC final: The extraordinary rise of Lamine Yamal

At 19, most footballers are still trying to establish themselves in a first team. Lamine Yamal could already be discussing what remains to achieve.