Keywords: FIFA


Iraq seeks World Cup playoff delay after players stranded by airspace closure

Iraq has asked FIFA to postpone its intercontinental World Cup qualifying playoff after the ongoing regional conflict left most of the national team unable to leave the country. The match, scheduled for March 31 in Monterrey, Mexico, would see Iraq face the winner of the Bolivia versus Suriname semifinal. Iraq’s......

Global sports events reshape brand marketing and sustainability strategies

Major international sporting events are increasingly becoming strategic platforms for brands seeking to express their values, connect with audiences and promote environmental commitments. With the 2026 Winter Olympics recently held in Italy and the FIFA World Cup scheduled to begin on June 11 in North......

FIFA reviews World Cup security with Mexico after cartel violence

FIFA representatives met Mexican government officials in Mexico City on Wednesday to assess security arrangements for the 13 World Cup matches scheduled in Mexico this summer, following weeks of concern over cartel violence triggered by the killing of drug cartel leader Nemesio Oseguera Cervantes, known......

FIFA pledge for Gaza stadium sparks debate over postwar priorities

FIFA has promised to spend $50 million on a new national soccer stadium in the Gaza Strip, unveiling the plan at the first meeting of President Donald Trump’s Board of Peace in Washington as part of a broader reconstruction drive for the war‑devastated territory. The commitment comes as international......

Ukraine blasts FIFA president as moral degenerate over Russia ban

FIFA President Gianni Infantino urged lifting Russia's four-year ban from international football, at least for youth competitions, igniting fury from Ukrainian officials who branded him a "moral degenerate" and dismissed his views as "infantile." In a Sky News interview aired......

Iran protests Seattle Pride Match ahead of 2026 World Cup

Iran’s preparation for the 2026 World Cup has been disrupted by a dispute over Seattle’s decision to designate its group-stage match against Egypt as a “Pride Match,” coinciding with the city’s annual Pride weekend. The announcement has provoked strong diplomatic protests......

Saudi Arabia adjusts World Cup stadium plans amid fiscal pressures

Saudi Arabia’s ambitious plans to host a record-breaking football spectacle in 2034 are entering a more cautious phase as the kingdom reassesses its approach to infrastructure development. Authorities have scaled back some stadium designs, adjusted budgets, and delayed construction timelines to......

U.S. Consulate in Casablanca strengthens visa teams amid rising demand

Casablanca – The U.S. Department of State has reinforced the staffing levels at the United States Consulate General in Casablanca in response to a sharp increase in visa applications, according to an official announcement by the diplomatic mission. The measure aims to accommodate......

FIFA Rankings: Morocco 11th worldwide, just 0.54 points away from top 10

Rabat – Morocco has maintained its 11th place worldwide in the latest FIFA men’s rankings released in December 2025, moving to within just 0.54 points of breaking into the Top 10 for the first time since April 1998. With a total of 1,716.34......