FIFA president Gianni Infantino
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UEFA says boycott of World Cups stands despite FIFA backdown on private investment
UEFA's initial threat issued last Thursday to boycott FIFA competitions is widely credited in being pivotal in the plan being shelved.
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'Deceitful' Infantino 'must go' says Luis Figo
Infantino is fighting to save his job after a fierce backlash against his plan to sell off stakes in the World Cup; 56-year-old wanted to sell a 20 per cent stake in the World Cup to private equity investors through his FIFA Forward Enterprise.
August 5, 2026
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Infantino's problems mount as Wenger and key FIFA ally turn on him
Former Arsenal manager Wenger says that "the decision to withdraw the project was absolutely necessary and beyond question"; remarks follow hot on heels of extraordinary internal email to FIFA staff, in which secretary-general appeared to distance himself from Infantino on the issue.
August 4, 2026
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Infantino struggling to survive, says former IOC marketing chief
FIFA plan to raise up to $4.2 billion, based on a valuation of $20 billion, through private investment leaked to media on Tuesday; scheme proposes new commercial subsidiary, called the FIFA Forward Enterprise (FFE), to run events such as the World Cup and Club World Cup and one-off payments of $20 million to all 211 member associations, who each have one FIFA vote.
August 2, 2026
FIFA plan hit by senior advisor resigning, AFC opposition
UK PM Burnham says Infantino "is the wrong man to lead" FIFA, calls the plan an "outrageous suggestion"; statement follows a pledge by Europe's governing body UEFA to boycott the World Cup if FIFA went ahead with its plan which set alarm bells ringing within the AFC.
July 31, 2026
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Pakistan football team to make historic debut at FIFA ASEAN Cup
Pakistan’s men’s football team will make its FIFA event debut at the FIFA ASEAN Cup in September-October. The tournament features two tiers, competitive group stages, and teams from Southeast Asia.
July 28, 2026
Infantino slams World Cup critics for 'spreading hate'
FIFA president Gianni Infantino defended the 2026 World Cup, dismissing critics for spreading "hate and false rumours." He praised the tournament's safety, visa handling and unity efforts, while rejecting complaints over officiating and controversial disciplinary decisions.
July 27, 2026
Iran participating in World Cup, FIFA president confirms
Gianni Infantino says Iran will definitely play in the 2026 World Cup despite ongoing regional tensions, emphasizing that football should remain separate from politics.
April 16, 2026
'Iran will be at World Cup' and play in US: FIFA Infantino
FIFA president Gianni Infantino told AFP Tuesday that Iran "will be at the World Cup" and will play their group matches in the United States as scheduled, despite the Middle East war
March 31, 2026
FIFA planning for World Cup to 'go ahead as scheduled' amid Iran uncertainty
FIFA said the World Cup will go ahead as scheduled with all teams, despite uncertainty over Iran’s participation, as Tehran seeks to move its US matches elsewhere and Mexico says it is ready to host them.
March 19, 2026