Kigali, Rwanda | AFP | FIFA President Gianni Infantino is set to ignite new opposition Friday over his ambition to introduce two money-spinning pet projects — a revamped global club cup and a bold new international championship. Infantino’s Saudi-backed plans, which have already been harshly criticised, are on the agenda …
Read More »Sierra Leone’s African Cup ties against Ghana scrapped
Cairo, Egypt | AFP | Sierra Leone’s African Cup of Nations qualifiers against Ghana this week have been scrapped owing to the nation’s unresolved row with FIFA, the Confederation of African Football said Wednesday. Sierra Leone was suspended by FIFA over government interference in football and was given a deadline of …
Read More »COMMENT: Why host the world cup?
All revenue from ticket sales, international broadcasting rights, and sponsorships goes directly to FIFA COMMENT | ANDREW ZIMBALIST | Whom would you trust more, Russian President Vladimir Putin or Chicago Mayor Rahm Emanuel? Whereas Putin is reveling in the attention that Russia is receiving as host of the 2018 World Cup, …
Read More »FIFA boss Infantino plans strategy to win new term
Lausanne, Switzerland | AFP | FIFA chief Gianni Infantino is busily promoting money-spinning schemes for world football ahead of an expected bid for a second term, including a revamped Club World Cup and a so-called Global Nations League. Infantino faces a re-election vote in June next year, three years after he …
Read More »Trump tells Nigeria, other Africans to back US World Cup bid
Washington, United States | AFP | President Donald Trump called on Nigeria and other African countries Monday to endorse the US-Canada-Mexico joint bid for the World Cup in 2026, tying it to US support for them. “I hope all African countries and countries throughout the world, that we also will be …
Read More »FIFA to return to Morocco to check hotels, stadiums
Casablanca, Morocco | AFP | FIFA experts will make a second visit to Morocco next week after expressing some concerns over hotel capacity and stadiums earmarked for the North African nation’s ambitious bid to host the 2026 World Cup. The visit follows this week’s four-day trip by FIFA’s evaluation group …
Read More »FIFA to begin Morocco World Cup inspection
Rabat, Morocco | AFP | FIFA inspectors arrived in Morocco on Monday ahead of a three-day assessment of the north African country’s ability to host the 2026 World Cup, the local bid committee said. The five-member FIFA Task Force will begin its inspection on Tuesday, visiting stadiums, training facilities, fan …
Read More »South American countries back USA-Mexico-Canada 2026 World Cup bid
2597, Argentina | AFP | The 10 countries of the South American Football Confederation (CONMEBOL) officially gave their backing Friday for the joint bid from the United States, Mexico and Canada for the 2026 World Cup. The CONMEBOL board announced in a statement that they had taken the decision “unanimously” …
Read More »No English refs, assistants as FIFA confirm 2018 World Cup list
Paris, France | AFP | This summer’s World Cup will feature no English referees for the first time in post-war history, nor assistants, after FIFA confirmed its official list of 99 match officials for Russia 2018 on Thursday. England whistler Mark Clattenburg, who retired from Premier League duty last summer, …
Read More »FIFA gives VAR green light for World Cup
Bogota, Colombia | AFP | Video assistant referee technology (VAR) will make its debut at the World Cup in Russia this summer despite lingering opposition from within and outside football, FIFA president Gianni Infantino said Friday. “We are going to have in 2018, for the first time, a World Cup …
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