Mexico City, May 11 (IANS) With one month remaining before the FIFA World Cup kicks off in Mexico City, organisers across the three host countries are finalising stadium preparations and security planning, while teams monitor injuries ahead of squad selections.The June 11-July 19 tournament will be the first World Cup to feature 48 teams, with matches in 16 cities across the United States, Canada, and Mexico. Here are some of the key talking points as the buildup enters its final stretch.Host ci…
Latest Gianni Infantino News & Updates
Mumbai, May 9 (IANS) Bollywood’s dancing diva Nora Fatehi will be seen performing and singing at the upcoming opening ceremony of the FIFA World Cup 2026 in Toronto, Canada. The Opening Ceremony, which will take place on June 12 at BMO Field in Toronto. She is joined by names such as Michael Bublé, Alanis Morissette, Alessia Cara, Elyanna, Jessie Reyez, Sanjoy, Vegedream, and William Prince.Meanwhile, the USA opening ceremony lineup includes global music icons Anitta, Future, Katy Perry, Lisa…
Kuala Lumpur, May 6 (IANS) The Asian Football Confederation has handed hefty bans to a female match official and a player from Mongolia for attempting to manipulate the outcome of an AFC Women’s Champions League 2025/26 (Preliminary Stage) match, taking firm action against the illegal activity by the two persons involved.The decision to ban the two persons concerned was taken by the AFC Disciplinary and Ethics Committee and announced on Wednesday.”Following an extensive investigation, the AFC …
Mumbai, May 1 (IANS) FIFA president Gianni Infantino has confirmed that Iran will be participating in the upcoming 2026 World Cup, which the United States is co-hosting with its neighbours Mexico and Canada, despite the recent armed conflict with Israel and the USA.Infantino confirmed that Iran will send its team to the World Cup during his inaugural address at the 76th FIFA Congress in Vancouver, Canada. FIFA put out on social media a video showing portions of the FIFA President’s address to th…
Vancouver, April 29 (IANS) The FIFA Council on Wednesday approved an amendment to the FIFA Governance Regulations, which enables Afghan female players to compete in official international matches as part of FIFA competitions. The Afghanistan women team has not played an official competitive international since the Taliban returned to power in 2021. The historic decision’s ultimate aim is to ensure that players are not excluded from international football due to situations beyond their control, i…
New Delhi, April 29 (IANS) FIFA President Gianni Infantino on Wednesday lauded Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s passion for sports, sharing a photograph of the PM engaging in a game of football with children in Sikkim.On Tuesday PM Modi joined his “young friends” in playing football in Gangtok, Sikkim, calling it a lovely morning and an “energising session”. Sharing photos of his game session in a post on X, PM Modi said, “Nothing like playing some football with my young friends in Sikkim on a lov…
New Delhi, April 23 (IANS) A special envoy to US President Donald Trump has reportedly asked FIFA to replace Iran with Italy in the upcoming World Cup, starting from June 11, after the American president assailed Pope Leo XIV in a social media post. Trump has launched an unusual and scathing attack on Pope Leo over his opposition to US immigration policy and the war in Iran. He accused the first American Pope of being “weak on crime and terrible for foreign policy” in a Truth Social post, drawin…
Mexico City, April 1 (IANS) The remaining places for this year’s FIFA World Cup were finalised, capping a qualifying campaign that spanned nearly three years and setting the stage for the tournament’s first 48-team edition. The competition will be held across the United States, Mexico and Canada from June 11 to July 19. The expanded format has opened the door to new contenders while leaving several established powers and high-profile players on the outside looking in.Absent giantsItaly will miss…
New Delhi, March 13 (IANS) Iran national football team responded sharply to American President Donald Trump for advising their soccer team not to participate in the World Cup for “their own life and safety”, stating that “no country can prevent them from participating in the World Cup, which is organised by FIFA, not by any “single nation.” Trump on Thursday posted on Truth Social that “The Iran National Soccer Team is welcome to the World Cup, but I really don’t believe it is appropriate that…
New Delhi, March 11 (IANS) FIFA chief Gianni Infantino said on Wednesday that he met with American President Donald Trump, who assured him Iran are “welcome” to take part in the 2026 World Cup, which will be co-hosted by the U.S., Mexico and Canada from June 11 to July 19. Iran are scheduled to play three matches in the US, but their participation has been in doubt amid an escalating regional war. Iran, grouped with Belgium, Egypt and New Zealand in Group G, will open the tournament aga…