FIFA World Cup 2026

[AZ_HighCountry]

Nevertheless, good luck to your team, who are yet to emulate the successes of the USA women's teams over many years.

I'm not necessarily rooting for Team USA. I'll be watching simply because these are the best of the best teams in the world.

 

[PakistanLVR]

I'm not necessarily rooting for Team USA. I'll be watching simply because these are the best of the best teams in the world.

its a weird list of countries. I'm a huge FIFA World Cup fan, but Trump's has ruined the festive environment for me this year lol. I had plans to travel to watch the game - but decided against it.

 

[ghazi52]

World Cup to get cash boost as FIFA unveils red card crackdown​

United States would now total $871 million, up from an initial figure of $727 million announced in December

AFP
April 29, 2026

General view of the Premier League ball before the match. PHOTO REUTERS

FIFA on Tuesday boosted overall World Cup cash distributions to nearly $900 million following concerns over the spiraling costs for teams taking part in the tournament.

Football's global governing body said in a statement that money shared between the 48 teams taking part in the finals in Mexico, Canada and the United States would now total $871 million, up from an initial figure of $727 million announced in December.

The cash injection was announced following a meeting of FIFA's ruling council ahead of the body's Congress taking place in Vancouver on Thursday.

The hefty increase comes after several FIFA members reportedly argued that the high cost of travel, tax and overall operations could result in them losing money from taking part in the tournament.

FIFA has now moved to alleviate those concerns, hiking an award of $1.5 million for "preparation costs" to $2.5 million for each of the qualified teams.

A payment of $9 million for qualifying for the tournament has also been increased to $10 million.

Further contributions for team delegation costs and increased team ticketing allocations are also part of the overall increase.
"FIFA is proud to be in its most solid financial position ever, enabling us to help all our member associations in an unprecedented way," FIFA President Gianni Infantino said in a statement.

"This is one more example of how FIFA's resources are reinvested back into the game".

FIFA is projected to earn around $13 billion from the current four-year World Cup cycle, which concludes with this year's tournament, the largest World Cup in history.

FIFA's prize money for the 2026 tournament announced last year had already shattered the cash handed out at the 2022 World Cup, increasing by 50 percent.

The increase in cash payments comes with FIFA increasingly under fire for the high cost of tickets to the tournament, while some local authorities in the United States have dramatically raised transport costs during the event.

 

[ghazi52]

'Once in a lifetime opportunity' - Kansas City readies for World Cup influx​

Vitas Carosella
BBC

Getty Images

Elated fans cheer on USA against Sweden at a Women's World Cup 2023 watch party in Kansas City

"I never imagined the World Cup coming to my city," says Héctor Solorio, who has lived in Kansas City for 26 years and supports the local Major League Soccer team, Sporting Kansas City.

Hector is thrilled to welcome the world to Kansas City and prove that it's a football city of global renown - even if he doesn't truly believe the US Men's National Team can achieve much in the tournament.

"I think it's a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity," said fellow Kansas City resident Alejandro Cabero when asked by the BBC how he felt about his city hosting some matches.

"When I came here there was no soccer around. The KC Wizards [Sporting's previous name] had fewer than 3,000 fans. It's amazing."

Located on the banks of the Missouri River in the heartland of the United States, the Kansas City metropolitan area - which straddles the state border between both Kansas and Missouri - is home to roughly 2.5 million people, making it one of this tournament's smallest host cities.

It may not be in the top 30 largest metro areas in the US but it has an outsized influence in sporting terms. It's home to the most dominant NFL team in recent years, the Kansas City Chiefs, and hosts premier sporting events like the Big 12 college basketball tournament.

It will host six World Cup soccer matches, including a round-of-32 match and a quarter-final. Four nations - Algeria, world champions Argentina, England and the Netherlands - will base themselves in the area.

 

[ghazi52]

No Fifa plan for Italy to replace Iran at World Cup​

Ranked 12th in the world by Fifa, Italy are the highest-ranked team not participating in the 2026 World Cup

Dan Roan, Flora Snelson
BBC Sport journalist
24 April 2026

Fifa has no plans to replace Iran with Italy at this summer's World Cup according to sources, after the switch was proposed by US President Donald Trump's special envoy.

There has been ongoing uncertainty over Iran's participation in the tournament because of the war with US and Israel.

US special envoy Paolo Zampolli told the Financial Times:, external "I confirm I have suggested to Trump and Infantino that Italy replace Iran at the World Cup.

"I'm an Italian native and it would be a dream to see the Azzurri at a US-hosted tournament. With four titles, they have the pedigree to justify inclusion."

Fifa did not comment officially on Zampolli's suggestion but highlighted a statement made by Fifa president Gianni Infantino last week where he said: "The Iranian team is coming, for sure."

When asked about the proposal, US Secretary of State Marco Rubio told reporters: "Nothing from the US has told them they can't come.

"The problem with Iran would be not their athletes, it would be some of the other people they would want to bring with them, some of whom have ties to the IRGC [Iran's Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps].

 

[PakAl]

Top 6 teams. France is clearly the strongest on paper but Spain always does well, their playing style is too good.

 

[AZ_HighCountry]

Read an article about an hour ago stating Team Iran will compete in the World Cup.

 

[Master Chief]

Read an article about an hour ago stating Team Iran will compete in the World Cup.

BBC reporting the same. Sensible outcome!

If however USA are drawn against Iran in a later round, I feel it is about 50:50 that Iran may forfeit.

 

[ghazi52]

FIFA World Cup 2026 official match ball 'Made in Pakistan'​

Official FIFA match ball symbolises Pakistan’s global sports manufacturing excellence
By: Shahzad Ahmed

Official FIFA world Cup football

Pakistan’s sports manufacturing hub Sialkot has once again made history as the official match ball for the FIFA World Cup 2026, named “Trionda”, has been produced in the city.

The ball will be used in the world’s most prestigious football tournament, jointly hosted by the United States, Canada, and Mexico.

In an exclusive feature, Samaa TV showcased the official ball while visiting the production facility alongside factory owner Khawaja Masood.

The ball: Innovation, design, craftsmanship​

The Trionda features a four-panel design — a hallmark of precision engineering — and is painted in the colours of the flags of the three host countries. This symbolic colour palette represents unity and international collaboration in the spirit of football.

According to Khawaja Masood, the factory owner, the ball has been manufactured using advanced robotic quality control systems to ensure consistency, durability, and superior aerodynamics.

“This ball will perform better than any ball made before,” Khawaja Masood told Samaa TV, emphasizing that Trionda’s design and technology surpass all previous editions.

 

[ghazi52]

Sialkot’s skilled workforce behind FIFA’s official ball​

The creation of Trionda once again highlights Pakistan’s skilled and technical workforce. The artisans and engineers in Sialkot — renowned worldwide for their craftsmanship — played a central role in meeting FIFA’s stringent quality standards.

“Our labor is skilled, technical, and highly capable,” said Masood. “This project not only showcases Pakistan’s talent but also promotes our sports industry globally.”

Sialkot has long been recognized as the global capital of sports goods, producing footballs for major international tournaments, including previous FIFA World Cups. The city’s expertise and innovation continue to position Pakistan at the forefront of the international sports manufacturing market.

The countdown to the FIFA World Cup 26 reached a major milestone with the official unveiling of Trionda, the tournament’s match ball created by Adidas. Meaning “three waves” in Spanish, the ball pays tribute to the unprecedented union of three host nations -- Canada, Mexico, and the United States.

Ball symbolises unity and innovation​

The TRIONDA design embodies the spirit of the 2026 FIFA World Cup™, which will be jointly hosted for the first time in football history. Its red, green, and blue colour palette reflects the flags of the host countries, while gold detailing honors the iconic FIFA World Cup Trophy.

The ball also carries national symbols: a maple leaf for Canada, an eagle for Mexico, and a star for the United States. A new four-panel construction forms a triangular center, symbolizing the unity of the three hosts.

Advanced performance features​

Beyond its striking look, TRIONDA introduces cutting-edge performance technology. The four-panel structure with deep seams ensures optimal flight stability by creating even air drag, while embossed icons—visible only up close—improve grip in wet or humid conditions.
SportsLatest NewsFOOTBALL

 

[ghazi52]

Pakistan HC UK on Instagram: "Did you know? The official match ball for the FIFA World Cup 2026 is manufactured in Sialkot, #Pakistan. Pakistan produces around 70% of the world’s high-quality hand-stitched footballs — an estimated 40–60 million ba

7 likes, 0 comments - pakistanhcuk on February 13, 2026: "Did you know? The official match ball for the FIFA World Cup 2026 is manufactured in Sialkot, #Pakistan. Pakistan produces around 70% of the world’s high-quality hand-stitched footballs — an estimated 40–60 million balls annually —...

www.instagram.com

 

[ghazi52]

Infantino defends World Cup ticket prices​

AFP

FIFA has faced searing criticism over the cost of World Cup tickets

 

[ghazi52]

FIFA invites Iran to headquarters​

The body asked the FFIRI to visit its Zurich base by May 20

AFP
May 06, 2026

Photo: AFP

PARIS: FIFA have invited the Iranian football federation (FFIRI) to their headquarters for talks on the country's participation at this year's World Cup, a source told AFP on Tuesday.

Mehdi Taj, the head of the Iranian federation, said Iran's presence at the tournament was contingent on guarantees from FIFA chief Gianni Infantino.

"We firmly believe that the Iranian team must participate in the World Cup," Taj told a state television journalist on the sidelines of a pro-government gathering in Tehran.

"However, our participation is contingent upon obtaining a concrete guarantee during our meeting with Mr. Infantino," he added.

"They (the Americans) have no right to insult our armed forces, and in particular the Revolutionary Guards. They must not insult our leaders.

"If Mr. Infantino provides us with this guarantee, then we will go to the World Cup," he said, adding that "in the event of insults, the team could return home".

Iran's presence at the tournament, held in the United States, Canada and Mexico between June 11 and July 19, has been shrouded in uncertainty since the eruption of war in the Middle East in February following strikes by the United States and Israel.

The source said FIFA had asked the FFIRI to visit its Zurich base "by May 20 to prepare for the World Cup".

Last week, Infantino reiterated that Iran would play their World Cup games in the United States as scheduled.

 

[ghazi52]

The official ball of the 2026 FIFA World Cup named "Trionda" is displayed during a presentation event in Mexico City, Mexico. Photo: REUTERS

 

[PK781]

I’ve heard of very high ticket and transportation costs which will deter most people.

I have a feeling those hotels won’t be half full as people won’t be coming or spending much……

Lets see the aftermath once tournament is over, it will be obvious by then lol