Fifa World Cup

FIFA World Cup 2026 Draw schedule, format, live telecast and streaming

The FIFA World Cup 2026 group stage draw is set for Friday, December 5, 2025, at the John F. Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts in Washington, D.C.

Curaçao become smallest nation ever to qualify for the FIFA World Cup

Curaao salvaged a 0-0 draw with Jamaica to become the smallest nation by population to qualify for a World Cup and will be joined by CONCACAF sides Panama and Haiti which also booked their spots. Curaao finished as the only undefeated nation in the tournament and finished atop of Group B with 12 points to advance to the World Cup for the first time in its history on Tuesday. Curacao got the historic result it needed despite not having his coach Dick Advocaat on the bench. The 78-year-old Advocaat missed the crucial match because he had to return to the Netherlands last weekend for family reasons. Advocaat was at the helm of the Netherlands national team for three stints and managed South Korea, Belgium and Russia before taking the job with Curacao. According to the Central Bureau of Statistics in Curaao, the country has a population of 156,115 persons as of last January. Iceland, with a population of just over 350,000 was the smallest country to reach the World Cup when it qualifie

Get US visa faster with Fifa Pass: What it is, who qualifies and key rules

The US has announced Fifa Pass, a priority appointment system for 2026 World Cup ticket holders that moves applicants ahead in the visa-interview queue while keeping the usual security checks unchange

US unveils Fifa Pass to fast-track visa interviews for 2026 World Cup fans

The US has introduced a new "FIFA Pass" that will prioritise visa interviews for next year's World Cup ticket holders, even as the Trump administration continues widespread visa cancellations

US creating priority visa system for FIFA World Cup ticket holders: Trump

Under the initiative, led by the US State Department, fans holding a ticket purchased through FIFA would get priority access to visa interviews

Germany vs Slovakia FIFA World Cup qualifier live match time, streaming

Newcastle striker Nick Woltemade, who has scored three goals in seven appearances for Germany, is set to lead the attack again.

FIFA World Cup 2026: List of qualified teams and qualification scenarios

Canada, Mexico, and the United States automatically qualify as tournament hosts, filling three guaranteed spots.

FIFA World Cup 2026: List of Qualified teams; Qualification scenarios

With the field expanded to 48 teams for the USA-Mexico-Canada hosts, 29 teams have already secured their berths.

Ireland vs Portugal FIFA World Cup qualifier live match time, streaming

Portugal will be without key attackers Pedro Neto and Pedro Gonçalves, who have returned to their clubs, Chelsea and Sporting CP, due to injury.

Do mega-sporting events pay off? Here's the economic reality behind them

Mega-events can also generate significant reputations benefits for host cities and countries, including heightened global media exposure

FIFA opens next phase of World Cup ticket sales with focus on host nations

FIFA began the process of selling another 1 million tickets for next year's World Cup on Monday, with the opening of a new ticket draw marking the start of the tournament's second phase of sales. This draw, which runs through 11 a.m. Eastern Friday, includes a domestic exclusivity time slot for residents of the three host countries the U.S., Canada and Mexico. Fans from those countries, whose entries are selected out of this draw, will have the opportunity to buy single-match tickets for games taking place inside their home nation. The phase is open to all fans, regardless of which country they live. We already have seen massive interest from around the world for this tournament, and especially from within the host countries as Canada, Mexico and the United States prepare to host the biggest FIFA World Cup yet, said Heimo Schirgi, the tournament's chief operating officer. This second phase, with its host country domestic exclusivity time slot, will allow us to say thank you' to the

FIFA ropes in Ivanka Trump for education project funded by ticket revenues

FIFA added another personal link to U.S. President Donald Trump by appointing his daughter Ivanka to the board of a $100 million education project part-funded by 2026 World Cup ticket sales. Ivanka Trump, tennis great Serena Williams, singers Shakira and The Weeknd, actor Hugh Jackman and soccer star Kaka are on the advisory board of the charity fund created by FIFA and the Global Citizen anti-poverty nonprofit. The board will provide strategic guidance to maximize the fund's reach and impact, FIFA said in a statement on Monday. The project is split between grants awarded to grassroots education in more than 200 countries and the soccer body's worldwide schools program. FIFA said $30 million is already raised toward the fund's $100 million target and will get $1 from each World Cup ticket sold. More than seven million spectators are expected to attend the 104 games in 16 host cities across the United States, Canada and Mexico from June 11-July 19. FIFA president Gianni Infantino ha

FIFA World Rankings: Top 20 Teams after October international break

Croatia, runners-up in 2018 and a semifinalist in the 2022 edition, slipped to 11th after settling for a draw against the Czech Republic last week.

FIFA WC 2026 Qualifiers: Hungary stall Portugal's bid; England qualifies

Portugal appeared to be in control for most of the match, but was left frustrated by Hungary's persistence

Trump warns of moving World Cup games from Boston though FIFA chooses sites

President Donald Trump on Tuesday threatened to relocate World Cup matches set to be played next year in Boston, parts of which he had suggested had been "taken over" by recent unrest. The city is set to host seven matches as the US co-hosts the 2026 World Cup with Mexico and Canada. Trump was asked about the city's mayor, Michelle Wu, a Democrat whom he called "intelligent" but "radical left". "We could take them away," Trump said of the games. "I love the people of Boston and I know the games are sold out. But your mayor is not good." He suggested "they are taking over parts of Boston" without offering details, but added "we could get them back in about two seconds". Wu's office did not respond to a message seeking comment. Trump's comments came during his meeting with Argentina's president and it was not immediately clear what he was referring to. Earlier this month, however, there were multiple arrests in connection with a pro-Palestinian protest that turned violent on the Bos

What was FIFA President doing at Gaza peace summit in Egypt? All we know

Gianni Infantino could be seen standing alongside US President Donald Trump, engaging in casual conversation, smiling, and posing for photographs

Historic! Cape Verde qualify for first World Cup after Eswatini win

Cape Verde will play in the World Cup for the first time after beating Eswatini 3-0 to win its group in African qualifying for the 2026 World Cup. The archipelago of volcanic islands off the western coast of Africa secured one of the nine automatic spots for the continent. It will be the second smallest country by population to feature in the tournament after Iceland in 2018. Dailon Livramento scored in the 48th minute, Willy Semedo in the 54th and Stopira in stoppage time to secure the home victory and first place in Group D on Monday. At the final whistle, fans chanted in the stands while players celebrated on the field. What a historic moment, FIFA president Gianni Infantino said in a video message. Congratulations to everyone in Cape Verde for making the FIFA World Cup for the first time. Your flag will fly and your anthem will be heard at the greatest FIFA World Cup ever. Your work on football development in recent years has been incredible and this is a moment where your sta

FIFA World Cup 2026 Qualifiers: France miss early qualification chance

France held 2-2 by Iceland in Reykjavik as Mbappe's absence felt; Belgium, Germany register wins in 2026 World Cup qualifiers

FIFA WC 2026 Qualifiers: Faroe Islands stun Czech, Depay stars for Dutch

Faroe Islands beat Czech Republic 2-1 in a historic World Cup 2026 qualifier; Depay scores record 54th for Netherlands, Denmark and Scotland stay level.

FIFA WC Qualifier round-up: Haaland scores hat-trick; Ronaldo misfires

Erling Haaland scored a hat-trick as Norway beat Israel 5-0, while Cristiano Ronaldo missed a penalty in Portugal's 1-0 win over Ireland in World Cup qualifying.