Page 3 - Latest Updates on FIFA World Cup

The Power and the Glory: Geopolitics, FIFA and the beautiful game

Jonathan Wilson's The Power and the Glory traces how the FIFA World Cup evolved from a football tournament into a global stage for power, politics and profit

Inside Atlanta's FIFA World Cup 2026: matches, fans and matchday magic

With eight World Cup matches scheduled to be played here, Atlanta Stadium is expected to be one of the tournament's busiest and most iconic venues.

FIFA World Cup 2026: Rising costs, travel hurdles leave fan bases hanging

Ahead of the 2026 FIFA World Cup in the United States, Canada, and Mexico, a growing number of long-time supporters say this edition has become financially and logistically out of reach.

Fans barred from carrying refillable water bottles into World Cup venues

FIFA has made a late change of policy to bar World Cup fans from bringing refillable water bottles into the tournament's 16 stadiums across North America including some with limited or no shade from the sun. The "Stadium Code of Conduct" update was criticised on Thursday by an English fan group, which argued FIFA had given assurances on carrying empty plastic bottles to fill with freely available water at a tournament where heat and extreme weather are expected to be a factor. "Naturally, the immediate thought from supporters is this is just the latest money grab," the Free Lions fan group said in a statement. Water, sodas and juices sold at World Cup stadiums are supplied exclusively by long-time FIFA sponsor Coca-Cola when the tournament starts next Thursday. Andrew Giuliani, who is the executive director of the White House Task Force for this year's World Cup, said conversations are ongoing with FIFA about the decision. "Certainly, understanding that fans with bottles - if anyt

Neymar absent from Brazil squad traveling for Egypt exhibition game

Neymar is not traveling to Cleveland with Brazil's World Cup team for its exhibition tuneup against Egypt on Saturday, according to the country's soccer association. The Brazilian Football Confederation said Thursday the 34-year-old forward would remain in New Jersey to undergo treatment. Last week, the team doctor said that Neymar was expected to be sidelined two to three weeks because of a calf injury. Brazil's opening game at the World Cup is June 13 against Morocco in East Rutherford, New Jersey, and it was not clear if Neymar would be ready to play in it. Picking Neymar for the 26-player roster was considered a risk because of his health. He is Brazil's all-time leading goal scorer with 79 but has struggled since returning from tearing the ACL in his left knee in October 2023 in a World Cup qualifier. "He can still improve his fitness until the first match of the World Cup," coach Carlos Ancelotti said last month. "He has experience in this kind of competition, the love of our

Fifa's $13 bn World Cup faces backlash as high costs hit fans, host cities

Host cities are shifting World Cup costs to fans and taxpayers, for instance, in New York, a New Jersey Transit trip to MetLife Stadium that usually costs $13 is priced at $98 during the tournament

Iran players break silence on how war affects their World Cup preparations

Iran is heading to the World Cup while the country is at war with the primary host nation, a situation that is unique in the tournament's history. In exclusive interviews with The Associated Press during a team camp in Turkey, two members of Iran's squad described how the conflict is affecting its World Cup preparations. "Well, to be honest, it's not easy," said Saeid Ezatolahi, a 29-year-old midfielder who also played for Iran in the 2018 and 2022 World Cups. "That's going to be my third World Cup. So for me and some of the other players, it might be easier to manage these kind of things," he said in English on the sidelines of a training session on Wednesday. "But at the end ... it is going to be difficult for us because at the same time, we are following the news in our country and the political things, of course, can affect the mind of the players and the people." The Iran team has spent more than two weeks in Turkey, mostly practicing at the coastal resort Antalya, and some we

Congo football team's WC warmup game cancelled due to Ebola in Spain

Congo was still hoping to play its World Cup warmup against Chile after the mayor of the Spanish city of La Linea de la Concepcion denied authorization for the match because of health concerns related to the Ebola crisis. Congo's soccer federation said it was in discussions with the Spanish soccer federation and relevant international bodies to find solutions. Government authorities in the southern city of La Linea de la Concepcion announced the decision to not authorize next Tuesday's friendly citing possible health risks linked to the Ebola crisis. Congo was playing a warmup against Denmark in Liege, Belgium, on Wednesday. An outbreak of a rare type of Ebola virus has plagued Congo and Uganda. The World Health Organization has declared it a public health emergency of international concern. Congo had already canceled a three-day World Cup preparation training camp and a planned farewell to fans in the capital Kinshasa because of the outbreak the eastern part of the country. All

Zee's Fifa bet: Can football deliver returns in cricket-dominated India?

Football remains a niche sport in India compared to cricket; yet, Zee believes Fifa can help build Zee5, strengthen its sports channels and attract premium advertisers over the next decade

Yildiz to Nico Paz: Young players to watch out for during FIFA WC 2026

From highly-rated teenagers to emerging talents already making waves in Europe's top leagues, several young players could use the tournament as their breakout moment.

VAR reviews to quick substitutions: FIFA introduces new rules ahead of WC

From expanded VAR powers to stricter time-wasting measures, here are the key rule changes set to reshape the game.

Meet Samuel Moutousammy, Indian origin player in FIFA WC 2026 for DR Congo

Born in France, Moutoussamy comes from a diverse family background. His mother is Congolese, while his father is an Indo-Guadeloupean of Tamil descent.

Meet Sarpreet Singh, New Zealand's Indian-Origin player at FIFA WC 2026

Born and raised in Auckland, Singh's family roots trace back to Jalandhar in Punjab, making his World Cup appearance a proud moment for football fans of Indian origin around the globe.

FIFA WC 2026: Check Cape Verde's full schedule, squad and team preview here

Cape Verde, officially known as Cabo Verde, secured a historic first-ever FIFA World Cup qualification by finishing at the top of a highly competitive CAF qualifying group

FIFA WC 2026: Check Croatia's full schedule, squad and team preview here

After finishing runners-up in 2018 and securing third place in 2022, Zlatko Dalic's side has consistently proven its ability to compete with the world's best

Iran's World Cup squad includes 17 domestic players, excludes Azmoun

Iran finalized a 26-man World Cup squad on Monday to play in the United States including 17 home-based players whose clubs have not played since February due to the Middle East regional war. Star forward Mehdi Taremi, who plays in Greece for Olympiakos, was among nine overseas players but they did not include his strike partner at the 2022 World Cup, Sardar Azmoun. Azmoun was dropped from coach Amir Ghalenoei's squad in March, reportedly because of a social media post that angered Iranian authorities during the ongoing war with the United States and Israel. His teammate at Dubai club Shabab Al-Ahli, Saeid Ezatolahi, was picked. Iran features five players with clubs in the United Arab Emirates, two in Belgium, Taremi in Greece and one in Russia. Belgium-based Dennis Dargahi on the official squad list is known as Dennis Eckert Ayensa at his club Standard Liege. Iran is preparing for the World Cup at a training camp in Antalya, Turkey, before a scheduled departure on Friday to its ...

Visa issues leave South Africa assistant coach behind before FIFA World Cup

South Africa's World Cup squad departed for the tournament a day late on Monday and left its assistant coach behind after problems securing travel visas for the United States. South Africa plays co-host Mexico in the opening game of the World Cup on June 11 in Mexico City. It plays one of its group games in the U.S. The team was due to depart on Sunday but that was delayed because it had not received visas for some players and staff members, the sports minister said. Sports Minister Gayton McKenzie posted on X that the "debacle" over visas was caused by an administrative error by team officials and called it embarrassing. He demanded a report from the South African Football Association. "We are being made to look like fools," McKenzie wrote on social media. The association said on Monday it had secured visas for all the players and they departed from Johannesburg on a charter flight on Monday afternoon. However, SAFA President Danny Jordaan said assistant coach Helman Mkhalele was

Zee Media to telecast 2026 FIFA World Cup in India after landmark deal

The deal gives Zee access to all major FIFA events across the globe till the 2034 World Cup

Teenager Hugo Sochurek named in Czech Republic's FIFA World Cup squad

Sparta Prague midfielder Hugo Sochurek was included in the Czech Republic squad for the World Cup after he became the youngest player for the national team in a warmup game against Kosovo. The Czechs won 2-1 and 17-year-old Sochurek came on as a substitute on Sunday. Immediately after the game, coach Miroslav Koubek cut his initial selection of 29 to the final 26. FC Cincinnati midfielder Pavel Bucha, Mlada Boleslav forward Christophe Kabongo and Viktoria Plzen midfielder Tomas Ladra didn't make the final cut. "Probably the worst moment of my coaching career," said Koubek, the 74-year-old veteran. In good news for the Czechs, attacking midfielder Adam Hlozek of Hoffenheim, who has recently recovered from long-term calf and foot injuries, returned to the squad to play his first game for the national team since June and scored a goal. The 23-year-old has played 42 international games, scoring five times. The team was scheduled to leave for the United States later Sunday to play one

Australia hands Volpato World Cup spot days after international switch

Cristian Volpato has been vaulted into Australia's World Cup squad just days after confirming a switch of national eligibility from Italy, and four years after he declined an invitation to join the Socceroos ahead of the 2022 tournament. Coach Tony Popovic included the 22-year-old Volpato in the 26-man squad announced Monday, Australian time. He and striker Tete Yengi were among 17 players selected in a World Cup squad for the first time. Skipper Mat Ryan, with 104 international caps, and veteran Mathew Leckie were picked for a fourth World Cup, equaling the Australian record held by Tim Cahill and Mark Milligan. "A range of factors has gone into selecting this final World Cup squad," Popovic said in a statement. "Some difficult decisions had to be made ... but it's also a credit to all the players involved who worked extremely hard during an extended and challenging pre-camp. "I'd like to acknowledge the players who contributed to our direct World Cup qualification but are not par