News of fifa

WORLD CUP 2026

Spain, Argentina prepare for World Cup final, Trump hails success

18-07-2026 08:35 Lionel coach Scaloni hails "legend" Messi before World Cup final.

UK urges FIFA to investigate Argentina’s Malvinas banner

16-07-2026 10:24 Argentina players celebrated victory with banner reading: “Las Malvinas son Argentinas”; Outgoing UK Prime Minister Keir Starmer says FIFA should investigate but believes potential action is a matter for them.

BEYOND THE HEADLINES

Mundial trumps Trump

11-07-2026 00:07 ‘The Donald’ had bullied obsequious FIFA president Gianni Infantino into nixing a red card for the home team’s top scorer – an obscene subordination of the beautiful game to power politics.

by Michael Soltys

WORLD CUP 2026

Egypt were 'cheated' in controversial World Cup exit to Argentina, says coach

07-07-2026 22:38 "Perhaps they wanted to keep the world champions in the competition. Perhaps they wanted Messi to stay in the running," says Egypt coach Hossam Hassan after dramatic loss to Argentina.

BEYOND THE HEADLINES

Host with the most

20-06-2026 05:45 Nothing unimportant is more important than football with its victories and defeats metaphors for life and death with nobody actually dying.

by Michael Soltys

WORLD CUP 2026

Algeria file complaint over referee's decision on Messi tackle

19-06-2026 17:19 Argentina's skipper caught Algeria defender Aissa Mandi on the calf with a studs-up challenge from behind in the 30th minute of Tuesday's match but was not even booked.

Interview

Enrique Macaya Márquez heads to his 18th World Cup at age 91

12-06-2026 11:30 Veteran Argentine broadcaster will extend a record that stretches back to Sweden 1958, linking football's black-and-white era with the modern global game.

FIFA WORLD CUP 2026

FIFA boss Gianni Infantino tries to sidestep World Cup controversies

11-06-2026 00:52 Under-fire FIFA boss defends tenure as globe’s favourite football tournament kicks off with highest-ever World Cup ticket prices; Infantino plays down Trump tensions after ejection of Somali referee, avoids giving answers at press conference.

THE POLITICS OF FOOTBALL

World Cup nears kick off after pre-tournament turbulence

09-06-2026 09:59 The World Cup kicks off on Thursday with FIFA betting that the enduring appeal of the greatest footballing show on earth can overcome geopolitical tensions and ticket price fury.

POLITICS & SPORT

Tapia distances himself from AFA’s negative headlines at home

18-12-2025 01:18 AFA says Milei “has chosen it as a target of his political ambitions” as Bullrich files corruption complaint with CONMEBOL against football governing body’s chief and treasurer.

FOOTBALL WORLD CUP 2026 DRAW

Argentina's World Cup group rivals: Algeria, Austria and Jordan

05-12-2025 16:11 Holders Argentina play Algeria, Austria, Jordan in World Cup Group J; Albiceleste will face African side first, date and location to be confirmed tomorrow.

GEOPOLITICS & SPORT

Football world braces for 2026 World Cup draw with Trump presiding

03-12-2025 09:53 Expanded 48-team tournament will be played across the United States, Mexico and Canada in June and July next year; Trump's attendance at the Kennedy Center ceremony underscores his rapport with FIFA chief Gianni Infantino.

sports

Plenty to be proud of Albiceleste youth fall short at final hurdle

22-10-2025 22:54 It was so near and yet so far for Argentina as they battled in vain for what would have been the nation's seventh FIFA U-20 World Cup title. But it bears repeating as many times as necessary: results are not the be-all and end-all of youth football.

by Dan Edwards

INTERNATIONAL FOOTBALL

Sad send off for Argentina’s Otamendi in Ecuador defeat

11-09-2025 00:24 Surprising loss to Ecuador in Guayaquil set to bring an end to residency of number one spot of FIFA world rankings.

FIFA CORRUPTION CASE

Convictions in FIFA corruption case reinstated, rules court

03-07-2025 14:32 United States appeals court reinstates convictions of former Fox broadcasting executive and Argentine sports-marketing firm Full Play involved in the FIFA corruption scandal.

FOOTBALL IN ARGENTINA

Boca's best efforts fall well short of expectations

26-06-2025 19:14 Boca’s boisterous fans deserve better than this current crop. As has so often been the case with the Xeneize, hope turned to despair and ridicule in the blink of an eye.

by Dan Edwards

FIFA CLUB WORLD CUP

Inter down nine-man River to advance in 'Battle of Seattle'

26-06-2025 00:29 Lucas Martínez Quarta and Gonzalo Montiel sent off as River Plate lose 2-0 to Inter Milan in Seattle; Argentina's two representatives at FIFA tournament both fall at first hurdle.

FIFA CLUB WORLD CUP

Another frustrating low for Boca Juniors at Club World Cup

25-06-2025 15:53 Embarrassment and frustration at the FIFA Club World Cup in the United States as Boca’s campaign ends early by being held by semi-professional side Auckland City.

FIFA CLUB WORLD CUP

Boca held by amateurs Auckland City, out of Club World Cup

24-06-2025 22:44 Xeneize eliminated from FIFA Clup World Cup after failing to beat amateur side Auckland City.

FIFA CLUB WORLD CUP

River Plate frustrated by Monterrey in 0-0 stalemate

22-06-2025 09:26 Poor finishing and a strong goalkeeper by an ex-Boca goalkeeper denies River Plate in Pasadena; Scoreless draw sets up showdown against Inter next Wednesday.

FIFA CLUB WORLD CUP

LatAm teams lay down the gauntlet to Europe at Club World Cup

21-06-2025 22:42 If anyone is going to stop a European side winning FIFA's new 32-team competition, it will be a club from South America.

FIFA CLUB WORLD CUP

Bayern overcome battling Boca to reach Club World Cup last 16

21-06-2025 00:20 Tenacious Boca Juniors side goes down 2-1 to Bayern Munch in Miami; Fantastic Miguel Merentiel breakaway strike put Xeneize back in game after Harry Kane's opener, but Michael Olise strikes winner

FIFA CLUB WORLD CUP

Messi strikes as Inter Miami stun Porto at Club World Cup

19-06-2025 21:46 Trademark free kick from the Argentine superstar delivers Inter Miami a shock 2-1 win over Porto in Club World Cup.

FIFA CLUB WORLD CUP

South American giants ignite Club World Cup

19-06-2025 14:28 On this side of the Atlantic Ocean at least, the Club World Cup has got off to a roaring start. So far, so good for Argentina's teams at FIFA’s flagship tournament.

by Dan Edwards

FIFA CLUB WORLD CUP

River Plate ease past Japan's Urawa to start Club World Cup tilt

17-06-2025 21:13 River overpower their Japanese opponents at Lumen Field under the Seattle sun, in an entertaining battle played out before a sparse crowd.

FIFA CLUB WORLD CUP

Boca, backed by boisterous support, denied by two compatriots as Benfica fight back

16-06-2025 20:53 Boca Juniors, backed by thousands of supporters in Miami, make impressive debut at FIFA Club World Cup; 10-men Benfica come from behind to claim 2-2 draw, thanks to goals from compatriots Ángel Di María and Nicolás Otamendi.

Football

Flying Argentina’s flag on the international stage

13-06-2025 18:09 Back-to-back tests against Chile and Colombia give reigning world champions perfect chance to blood a few new faces; Boca and River head to the US to fly the national flag at the Club World Cup.

by Dan Edwards

FIFA CLUB WORLD CUP

CWC risks deepening inequality in Latin American football

11-06-2025 23:02 Imbalances are only likely to grow in Latin American football as a result of the FIFA Club World Cup.

CLUB WORLD CUP

Club World Cup fixtures – when do Boca and River play?

11-06-2025 22:11 A look at the clashes facing Boca Juniors and River Plate in the upcoming FIFA Club World Cup.

FOOTBALL

FIFA's Club World Cup finally faces the ultimate test

11-06-2025 21:44 The new-look FIFA Club World Cup kicks off in the United States this weekend with 32 teams from around the globe taking part.

International football

Confirmed: Ancelotti to take over as Brazil coach

12-05-2025 12:12 Carlo Ancelotti will leave Real Madrid to take his talents to the international game with Brazil.

International football

FIFA confirms Saudi Arabia as 2034 World Cup host

12-12-2024 13:37 Football’s world governing body also finalises plans for 2030 tournament, awarding one opening match of tournament to Argentina, Paraguay and Uruguay in concession to CONMEBOL.

CLUB FOOTBALL

Messi's Inter Miami to play in FIFA's Club World Cup in 2025

20-10-2024 08:09 Lionel Messi and Inter Miami will feature in next year's expanded FIFA Club World Cup, FIFA president Gianni Infantino announced on Saturday.