World Cup

UEFA, AFC, CONCACAF accuse Infantino of ‘deception’ over World Cup stake sale

Three of football's most powerful confederations launched their sharpest attack yet on FIFA President Gianni Infantino on Monday, accusing him of breaking trust "through deception" and calling for an independent investigation into his handling of a now-abandoned plan to sell…

FIFA executives faced midnight ultimatum on World Cup sale

On the eve of the World Cup final, five of FIFA's most senior officials were summoned to a hastily arranged meeting at the Waldorf Astoria hotel in Manhattan and told they had until midnight to approve a plan that would…

Infantino’s FIFA presidency called untenable after World Cup sell-off collapses

Carlos Cordeiro, the senior FIFA adviser who represented world soccer's governing body on the White House Task Force for the 2026 World Cup, resigned on Friday in protest of the organization's plan to sell stakes in the tournament to private…

UEFA declares loss of confidence in Infantino after he drops World Cup sale plan

UEFA and its 55 national associations have unanimously voted to boycott all FIFA competitions unless the organization abandons a plan to sell a stake in the World Cup to private investors — a crisis that deepened on Saturday when Europe's…

FIFA launches rapid review of 64-team World Cup for 2030

FIFA has launched a rapid consultation process to assess whether the men's World Cup should be expanded from 48 to 64 teams for the 2030 edition, according to documents seen by Reuters and ESPN, setting up a potential decision within…

EU lawmakers move to summon FIFA’s Infantino over World Cup investment plan

The European Parliament is preparing to summon FIFA President Gianni Infantino for a hearing over his plan to sell stakes in the World Cup to private investors, escalating a crisis that has already prompted UEFA's 55 member nations to threaten…

Infantino’s senior adviser quits over World Cup stake sale

Carlos Cordeiro, a senior advisor to FIFA president Gianni Infantino, resigned with immediate effect on Friday in protest over proposals to sell a stake in the World Cup to private investors, calling the plan "a bad deal for football."

FIFA charges Argentina trio with assault over World Cup final brawl

FIFA on Wednesday opened disciplinary proceedings against three Argentina players, an assistant coach, and the Argentine Football Association over a series of incidents during the 2026 World Cup, including a violent post-match brawl after the final and the display of…

Blatter blasts FIFA’s $20B plan to sell World Cup stakes

Former FIFA President Sepp Blatter on Wednesday sharply criticized the football governing body's plans to create a $20 billion subsidiary to manage the World Cup, calling the tournament a cultural heritage that should not be turned into a commercial asset…

EU warns FIFA’s World Cup investor plan may breach competition law

The European Union's sports commissioner has warned FIFA that its plan to sell stakes in the World Cup to private investors raises "important competition law considerations," escalating a growing backlash against the proposal from governments, confederations, and football stakeholders.

FIFA plans to sell stake in new $20B commercial entity

FIFA is planning to sell a minority stake in a new commercial vehicle valued at approximately $20 billion, the Financial Times reported on Monday, marking the first time world football's governing body has opened itself to outside investment as it…

Scaloni calls Argentina players ‘warriors’ after World Cup final loss to Spain

Argentina coach Lionel Scaloni issued an emotional public statement on Sunday defending his players as "warriors" following their 1-0 extra-time loss to Spain in the 2026 World Cup final, pushing back against criticism of the team's conduct and apologizing to…

IOC declines to investigate Infantino over World Cup red-card reversal

The International Olympic Committee said on Friday it will not investigate FIFA president Gianni Infantino over allegations that he breached political neutrality rules in connection with the reversal of a red card at the 2026 World Cup, declaring the complaint…

Spain coach blasts Argentina brawl after World Cup final

Tens of thousands of Argentina supporters have signed an online petition demanding FIFA replay the 2026 World Cup final after Spain's 1-0 extra-time victory on July 19 at MetLife Stadium in New Jersey, while Spain coach Luis de la Fuente…

Martinez hits back at critics after Argentina’s World Cup final loss

Lisandro Martinez broke his silence this week following Argentina's 1-0 extra-time defeat to Spain in the 2026 FIFA World Cup Final, posting a lengthy message on social media that both defended his teammates and took aim at critics who reveled…

Argentina fans petition FIFA to replay World Cup final

Tens of thousands of Argentina supporters have signed an online petition demanding FIFA replay the 2026 World Cup Final after Spain's 1-0 extra-time victory on July 19 at MetLife Stadium in East Rutherford, New Jersey. The campaign, created by Gisela…

Gavi urges FIFA not to suspend Argentina over World Cup final brawl

Spain's 1-0 extra-time victory over Argentina in the 2026 FIFA World Cup final on July 19 was overshadowed by a violent post-match brawl that has now prompted a formal FIFA investigation into the conduct of Argentine players and staff.

Argentina returns home without Messi after World Cup final loss

Lionel Messi was notably absent when Argentina's squad landed in Buenos Aires on Monday, choosing not to join his teammates for the homecoming following the team's 1-0 extra-time loss to Spain in the 2026 FIFA World Cup final. The Argentine…

Ex-FIFA chief Blatter calls for new leadership after World Cup

Spain claimed their second FIFA World Cup title on Sunday, beating defending champions Argentina 1-0 in extra time at New York New Jersey Stadium in East Rutherford, New Jersey. Substitute Ferran Torres scored in the 106th minute, capitalizing after Argentina's…

Nike, Google, and others rush to celebrate Spain’s World Cup win

Hours after Spain defeated Argentina 1-0 in the 2026 FIFA World Cup final on Sunday at MetLife Stadium in New Jersey, Nike Football was among the brands that moved quickly to mark the occasion, posting a tribute video centered on…

Adidas forecasts €1.5B in World Cup sales after all-Adidas final

Adidas emerged as the decisive commercial winner of the 2026 FIFA World Cup after both finalists — Spain and Argentina — wore its kits in Sunday's final at MetLife Stadium in New Jersey, where Spain won 1-0 in extra time.

Adidas locks out Nike from World Cup final stage

Nike poured two years of planning and months of filming into "Rip the Script," its sprawling 2026 FIFA World Cup campaign featuring LeBron James, Cristiano Ronaldo, Kylian Mbappé, and a cast of more than 30 celebrities. The six-minute film became…

FIFA opens probe into Argentina over World Cup final brawl

FIFA is set to investigate the conduct of Argentina's national team following chaotic scenes that erupted after Spain's 1-0 extra-time victory in the 2026 World Cup final on Sunday at MetLife Stadium in New Jersey, adding to an already-open probe…

Messi posts emotional message after World Cup final loss

Lionel Messi posted an emotional message to Argentina fans on Monday, one day after Spain ended his country's bid to become the first back-to-back men's World Cup champions since Brazil in 1962. "The pain is immense, and it will take…

FIFA, Spain leave Trump out of World Cup victory photos

After Spain claimed their second World Cup title with a 1-0 extra-time victory over Argentina on Sunday, the post-match trophy ceremony at MetLife Stadium became an unexpected spectacle when President Donald Trump lingered on stage during the celebrations — and…

FIFA’s World Cup revenue hits $15B, dwarfing forecasts

The 2026 FIFA World Cup concluded Sunday with Spain's extra-time victory over Argentina at MetLife Stadium, capping a tournament that shattered revenue records for FIFA while delivering decidedly mixed economic results for the three host nations.

Spain installed as 2030 World Cup favorite after title win

Less than 24 hours after lifting the World Cup trophy in East Rutherford, New Jersey, Spain has been installed as the betting favorite to repeat as champions in 2030. DraftKings Sportsbook opened its 2030 World Cup futures market on Saturday…

Scaloni hints at Argentina exit after World Cup final loss

Argentina head coach Lionel Scaloni indicated he will likely step down from his role after his contract expires in December, speaking through tears following his team's 1-0 extra-time loss to Spain in the 2026 FIFA World Cup final on Sunday…

Spain’s World Cup win capped by controversies over Trump, FIFA and officiating

Spain claimed its second World Cup title on Sunday, defeating Argentina 1-0 in extra time at New York New Jersey Stadium, but the on-field drama of the final could not mask a tournament marred by political interference, visa disputes, contentious…

Spain claims 3 of 4 World Cup awards after title win

Spain's dominance at the 2026 FIFA World Cup extended beyond the trophy itself, as the newly crowned champions claimed three of the four major individual awards handed out after their victory over Argentina at MetLife Stadium on Sunday.