FIFA WORLD CUP

FIFA Secretary-General Mattias Grafstrom has expressed confidence that Iran will participate in the 2026 FIFA World Cup despite ongoing regional tensions and concerns surrounding visas and entry arrangements. Speaking after a meeting with Mehdi Taj in Istanbul on Saturday, May 16, Grafstrom described the talks as “excellent” and “constructive”. “We’ve had an excellent meeting and constructive meeting together with the Iran football association,” Grafstrom told Reuters. “We’re working closely together and looking very much forward to welcoming them in the FIFA World Cup.” Iran are scheduled to play all three of their Group G matches in the United States during the tournament, which will be co-hosted by the US, Canada and Mexico from June 11 to July 19. However, uncertainty has surroun...

As the countdown to the 2026 FIFA World Cup continues, football fans around the globe are reflecting on the incredible numbers and records that have shaped the history of the tournament since its inception in 1930. The 2026 edition, which will be jointly hosted by United States, Canada and Mexico, is expected to be the biggest FIFA World Cup ever, featuring 48 national teams for the first time in history. So far, 22 editions of the tournament have been played, producing unforgettable moments, legendary players, and astonishing statistics. Brazil remains the most successful nation in World Cup history with five titles, winning the trophy in 1958, 1962, 1970, 1994, and 2002. Germany and Italy follow closely with four titles each. The highest-scoring player in World Cup history is...

L-R: Shakira and Burna Boy - [Dai-Dai Song Cover] Global music star, Shakira, has officially released “Dai Dai,” the anthem for the 2026 FIFA World Cup, in collaboration with Nigerian The Colombian singer announced the release of the highly anticipated track on Friday through her social media platforms. “Dai Dai is here. The @FIFAWorldCup 2026 starts now!” she wrote. World football governing body, FIFA, also confirmed the release of the song in a statement posted on its official X handle, revealing that the track is now available on all major streaming platforms. According to FIFA, the song embodies the spirit and excitement expected to define the global football tournament. “Today, excitement for the FIFA World Cup 2026™ continues to build with the release of Dai Dai, featu...

Sandra Edoho, the estranged wife of popular TV host Frank Edoho, has publicly accused him of infidelity during their marriage, alleging he was involved with several women, including actress Mbong Amata and BBNaija star Tega Dominic. In a lengthy Instagram Story shared on Thursday, Sandra claimed she possesses video evidence to support her allegations. She made the remarks while reacting to reports surrounding an alleged leaked intimate video involving her and singer Chike. The controversy comes days after speculation about Sandra’s alleged affair with Chike surfaced online, following Frank Edoho’s statement that he may never commit to another woman again. Responding to the backlash, Sandra accused Frank of repeatedly cheating throughout their marriage and urged him to move on. She...

Iran Football Federation chief Mehdi Taj has said no visas have yet been issued for Iran’s national team ahead of the 2026 FIFA World Cup in the United States. According to Iranian state media, Taj said the federation would hold a decisive meeting with FIFA within days over unresolved visa concerns. “Tomorrow or the day after tomorrow, we will have a decisive meeting with FIFA. They must give us guarantees because the visa issue has still not been resolved,” Taj said. “We have not received any account from the other side regarding who has been granted visas. No visas have been issued yet,” he added. Taj explained that Iranian players are expected to travel to Ankara for fingerprinting as part of the visa process, although efforts are underway to have the process moved to Antalya t...

FIFA has unveiled an expanded anti-doping programme for the 2026 FIFA World Cup, introducing new partnerships and stricter testing measures across the tournament’s three host nations. The 2026 World Cup will be co-hosted by United States, Canada, and Mexico. According to FIFA, the initiative will rank among the most extensive anti-doping operations ever carried out in the history of the tournament, covering both pre-competition and in-tournament activities. In a statement released on Wednesday, May 13, FIFA confirmed it would maintain its partnership with the United States Anti-Doping Agency while also entering formal collaborations with Sport Integrity Canada and MEX-NADO. FIFA explained that the partnerships are designed to guarantee uniform testing standards across all venue...

FIFA are preparing a major compensation package for football clubs whose players will represent their countries at the 2026 World Cup. According to Melchor Ruiz of El Partidazo de COPE, clubs are expected to receive more than €9,000 per player per day throughout the tournament. The payments will apply not only to clubs that own the players’ contracts, but also to teams where footballers are currently playing on loan. The 2026 World Cup will be staged across the United States, Canada, and Mexico, running for 38 days from June 11 to July 19. With the tournament expanding to 48 teams for the first time, clubs are expected to lose players for longer periods than in previous editions, increasing concerns over player workload and fixture congestion. The co...

Transport prices for World Cup matches at MetLife Stadium have been reduced after fans criticised the original costs. Train fares have dropped from $150 (£111) to $98 (£73), while shuttle bus tickets were cut from $80 (£59) to $20 (£15) following the backlash from supporters planning to attend the tournament. Thomas Concannon, leader of the Football Supporters' Association England fan group, previously criticised "astronomical" event pricing, which he described as "completely out of the norm". MetLife Stadium, which will be known as New York/New Jersey Stadium during the World Cup as part of Fifa's policy on corporate-sponsored names, will host eight matches, including the final and one of England's Group L games. Rail journeys from Penn Station in Manhattan to the venue, which...

The BBC will broadcast Scotland's first men's World Cup match since 1998, when they take on Haiti on 14 June, as well as their final group match against Brazil. England's second group match - against Ghana on 23 June - will also be shown on BBC, as well as their knockout fixtures in the last 32, last 16, and semi-final provided they reach those stages. England's other Group L matches - against Croatia and Panama - and Scotland's meeting with Morocco will be shown on ITV. The BBC will have three of the top four picks in the round of 16 and three of the top five picks in the round of 32. Both broadcasters will show the final. Defending champions Argentina will have their group meetings with Austria and Jordan shown live on the BBC. The BBC will also show two group matches a...

Former Ghana national team coach, Otto Addo, has been selected by FIFA as part of an elite 11-member Technical Study Group for the 2026 FIFA World Cup, months after leaving his role with the Black Stars. Naija News reports that Addo was relieved of his duties on March 31 following a disappointing spell that included friendly defeats against Germany and Austria. During his tenure, Ghana also failed to qualify for the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON), despite having top talents like Mohammed Kudus and Antoine Semenyo in the squad. Despite the setback, Addo emerged as the only African coach named in FIFA’s newly constituted Technical Study Group for the 2026 World Cup. The former Black Stars manager will collaborate with a team of highly respected football experts responsible for a...