
2026 FIFA World Cup Preparations and Controversies
Preparations for the 2026 FIFA World Cup are underway, with discussions around team rosters, the official match ball, and the tournament's expansion to 48 teams. The event has also sparked controversy, including a US visa denial for a Somali referee and political commentary.
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Scotland fan has US visa revoked an hour before flying to World Cup
Michael Wright was at airport security when his visa status changed to "travel not authorised".
Read full article →Argentina’s World Cup Sticker Albums Are a Low-Tech Craze Immune to the Digital Revolution
World Cup sticker albums have captivated children and adults in Argentina, in a collecting fever that seems immune to the digital revolution.
By Emma Bubola, Lucía Cholakian Herrera and Anita Pouchard Serra
Read full article →2026 World Cup: US refusal of Somali referee sets 'a dangerous precedent' two years before LA Olympics
In an interview with Le Monde, sports historian Patrick Clastres criticizes the lack of response from FIFA and other international bodies, calling it 'a form of subjugation.'
Read full article →World Cup 2026: Guardian writers’ predictions for the tournament
From marvelling at teenage wonderkids to tracking the world’s largest coffee pot, our team of writers outline their expectations for the jamboree in North America Spain and Portugal in the final, with Spain winning. I’ve played our Bracketology game 20 times and gotten 20 different paths but Spain always end up winning. Alexander Abnos Continue reading...
By Guardian sport
Read full article →Mexico vs South Africa: World Cup 2026 opening game – teams, start, lineups
As the tournament kicks off, cohosts Mexico face South Africa in a replay of the 2010 edition's opening game.
Read full article →Iran allegedly used soccer clubs to spy on citizens, opposition group urges FIFA to ban team before World Cup
Iran's IRGC allegedly used soccer stadiums and clubs to spy on citizens through facial-recognition cameras and ID tracking, according to an NCRI report.
Read full article →The World Cup will likely be the biggest gambling event in history
Global wagers on the 2026 World Cup could top $50 billion, according to Macquarie analyst Chad Beynon. That’s up from more than $35 billion in the 2022 tournament.
Read full article →Why some Mexicans feel this World Cup is 'not connecting'
Tournament-related construction projects in Mexico City have mainly increased daily frustrations, adding to a general feeling of apathy — if not antipathy — among locals toward the World Cup.
Read full article →Gold-laden World Cup trophy’s value surges 157% – how much is the bullion worth?
As the 2026 Fifa World Cup prepares to kick off on Thursday, the world’s elite players are vying for more than just glory – they seek a shimmering prize whose bullion value has eclipsed all previous benchmarks. The trophy set to be hoisted in the US state of New Jersey next month is now worth 157 per cent more than it was during the 2022 tournament in Qatar, owing to a historic rally in gold prices. The raw gold value of the statue currently stands at around US$713,000 – a staggering jump fro...
By Mia Nurmamat
Read full article →World Cup 2026: Edin Dzeko still going strong for Bosnia
With all so much unpleasantness surrounding this World Cup it's easy to forget that there's anything about it that can generate a smile. Bosnia captain Edin Dzeko's story can.
Read full article →World Cup ref denied entry to the US was about to make history for Somalia
The World Cup referee from Somalia who was denied entry to the United States after arriving in Miami and subsequently cut from the tournament by FIFA was set to make history for his country. Omar Artan was going to be the first referee from Somalia to officiate at a World Cup after making FIFA’s final list for the tournament, which was announced two months ago. He is one of Africa’s top referees and was named the continent’s best male referee in 2025. He was denied entry at Miami Internationa...
By FRANCE24
Read full article →Nike has just had its stock downgraded one day before the World Cup starts
RBC Capital Markets reduced its 12-month price target from $70 to $50.
By Nora Redmond
Read full article →A World Cup of opulence and records: Soaring ticket prices and officials denied entry
FIFA’s aim, in the largest and most commercialized World Cup in history, is for soccer to take root definitively in the United States, a market of 350 million people
By Diego Fonseca
Read full article →World Cup water breaks offer lucrative advertisement opportunities for broadcasters
A three-minute pause for hydration is in effect for each game of this summer’s World Cup
By Streisand Neto
Read full article →From Haaland to Yamal: Five big names featuring at their first World Cup in 2026.
This summer will mark the first World Cup appearances for some of the game's top talents. There's no bigger stage than the World Cup and these elite names will hope to make an impression.Here are five...
Read full article →Women's T20 World Cup prize money: How much will winners, runners-up earn? Full breakdown
The ICC Women's T20 World Cup is coming to England in 2026. This tournament will be the largest ever, with twelve teams competing. England, as hosts, automatically qualified. Other top teams secured direct entry based on rankings. The tournament will feature 33 matches across seven venues. The final will be held at Lord's Cricket Ground.
By TOI SPORTS DESK
Read full article →Omar Artan visa row: Hillary Clinton, Tedros slam US move to bar Somali referee from FIFA World Cup
Read full article →The MAGA World Cup
Could football be a symbolic riposte to Trump’s xenophobia?
By David Goldblatt
Read full article →World Cup 2026 betting expected to hit $150 billion as new tax rules take effect
2026 FIFA World Cup betting could reach $150 billion. New IRS tax rules may leave some bettors paying taxes even after losing money.
Read full article →World Cup is a risk for more gender-based violence against women, ActionAid Ireland warns
Alcohol Action’s research found domestic abuse incidents rose sharply after games
By Sarah O'Mahony
Read full article →The ten World Cup matches worth watching in Cyprus
The World Cup is football’s greatest feast. But like any feast, nobody can consume everything. There will be 72 matches in the group stage alone. Some will be fascinating. Some will be dramatic. Some will introduce the next global superstar. Others may quietly decide the fate of the tournament. Most of us won’t watch all […]
Read full article →Seoul gears up for World Cup watch parties
Ahead of South Korea’s opening match in the 2026 FIFA World Cup at 11 a.m. Friday, (Korean time), Seoul urged soccer fans to use public transportation and take precautions against extreme heat as public viewing events return to some of the capital’s most popular gathering spots. Thousands of fans are expected to assemble at Gwanghwamun Square on Friday morning for a street cheering event during South Korea’s Group A opener against Czechia. Additional watch parties are scheduled for matches again
By The Korea Herald
Read full article →World Cup security planners race to counter drone risks
Read full article →World Cup, World Beer: Michelob Ultra has global ambitions
Read full article →Sultanbeyli hosts dawn viewing for Türkiye-Australia World Cup tie
Sultanbeyli Municipality is organizing a large-scale early-morning public viewing event in Istanbul for Türkiye’s opening match at the 2026 FIFA World Cup, turning an unusual kicko...
Read full article →How Much Do World Cup Players Get Paid? Breaking it Down
Naturally, the world cup winners will receive by far the biggest payout, taking home a whopping $50 million. In addition to the teams’ winnings, every team that made it to the tournament...
By Olivia Evans
Read full article →Bookies beware: Bukit Aman launches Op Soga XI ahead of Fifa World Cup 2026 betting surge
KUALA LUMPUR, June 10 — The Royal Malaysia Police (PDRM) has launched Op Soga XI nationwide to intensify enforceme...
By Malay Mail
Read full article →Nigerians spread across the 2026 World Cup
Scattered across the 48 nations at the World Cup are players whose family journeys began in Nigerian cities like Lagos and Enugu before reaching different parts of the world. The post Nigerians spread across the 2026 World Cup appeared first on Premium Times Nigeria.
By Tunde Eludini
Read full article →Health Team To Monitor Wastewater, Social Media At World Cup For Outbreak Detection
Health Team To Monitor Wastewater, Social Media At World Cup For Outbreak Detection Authored by Kimberley Hayek via The Epoch Times, Public health specialists have launched a dedicated surveillance operation to detect infectious disease threats early during the 2026 World Cup by analyzing wastewater samples and monitoring online chatter. The 39-day tournament begins on Thursday in Mexico. Organizers estimate more than 6.5 million soccer fans from more than 100 countries will ...
By Tyler Durden
Read full article →Saka injury will need to be managed at World Cup, says Tuchel - The Daily Star
Saka injury will need to be managed at World Cup, says Tuchel The Daily Star
Read full article →I’ll be at next World Cup in 2030 – Somali referee from US
Somali referee Omar Artan, denied US entry for the World Cup, returns home a hero and vows to officiate the 2030 tournament. Read his inspiring story. Read More: https://punchng.com/ill-be-at-next-world-cup-in-2030-somali-referee-from-us/
By Punch Newspapers
Read full article →World Cup psychic animals: Remembering Paul the octopus
The most famous of them all remains Paul the octopus, who rose to global fame during the 2010 FIFA World Cup in South Africa and became a cultural phenomenon. The post World Cup psychic animals: Remembering Paul the octopus appeared first on Vanguard News.
By Ayobami
Read full article →Government secures free-to-air broadcast of 2026 FIFA World Cup for Ghanaians
The Government has secured free-to-air broadcast rights for the 2026 FIFA World Cup through the Ghana Broadcasting Corporation (GBC), ensuring that Ghanaians nationwide can follow the tournament without subscription barriers.
By Ernest Arhinful
Read full article →Three Romanian referees to take part in World Cup 2026
By radu.dumitrescu
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