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Every World Cup story we publish, newest first.
Football Association chair Debbie Hewitt has written to FIFA president Gianni Infantino requesting an independent investigation into plans to bring private investment into the World Cup and into how Folarin Balogun’s disciplinary case was handled. The move piles more pressure on Infantino, who still intends to stand for re-election next March.
InfoBlaugrana
·5 min read
RFEF president Rafael Louzán has confirmed that FIFA president Gianni Infantino will visit Spain at a key moment for the 2030 World Cup project. The Spanish federation wants to keep all 11 planned venues, with Valencia and Vigo ready to step in after La Coruña and Málaga dropped out. Madrid, Barcelona and the Metropolitano are emerging as decisive stages for the tournament.
Natilla·4 min read
Joan Laporta has put forward the Spotify Camp Nou as a candidate to host the 2030 World Cup final. The Barcelona president argues that the club's stadium, with a capacity of 105,000 spectators, offers better credentials than Casablanca or the Santiago Bernabéu.
Natilla·5 min read
Thomas Tuchel has defended his heavily criticised substitutions in the World Cup semi-final defeat to Argentina, though he accepts he made them too early. The England head coach says Argentina's all-out attacking approach forced his hand as his side struggled to cope after taking the lead. "It's my scar, not your scar," he said in a team documentary.
Natilla·6 min read
The Persian Gulf League kicked off in mid-August after nearly six months of suspension caused by the war, and this week Esteghlal and Tractor SC returned to continental action in the AFC Champions League Elite. The prolonged stoppage and the vast financial gap with Saudi Arabia are weakening the sport in Iran.
Natilla·7 min read
Lionel Messi will play his farewell match for Argentina on October 6 at the Estadio Monumental in Buenos Aires, facing Benin in a friendly. The AFA confirmed his place in Lionel Scaloni's squad for the international window after Messi announced his international retirement earlier this month.
Javi·4 min read
Italy has become the latest federation to withdraw its backing for Gianni Infantino after his failed attempt to sell a stake in the World Cup to private investors. The decision deepens a growing crisis around the FIFA president and leaves him increasingly isolated in Europe with the 2027 election approaching.
Matt·8 min read
The global players' union Fifpro has backed calls for an independent governance review of FIFA following the collapse of Gianni Infantino's controversial World Cup private investment plan. The project, valued at $20 billion, was scrapped after UEFA and other confederations threatened to boycott FIFA tournaments. Pressure on the FIFA president continues to mount ahead of next year's election.
Matt·6 min read
Morocco's prime minister has told the head of the country's football federation to stop promising that Casablanca will host the 2030 World Cup final. Spain's federation president insists the showpiece should be played in Spain, leaving the venue for the biggest match of the tournament wide open.
Matt·5 min read
FIFA has notified clubs worldwide that the deadline to register for its compensation program related to player releases during the World Cup qualifying phase has been extended. The organization has set aside 100 million dollars for clubs that made footballers available for national team duty. Clubs now have until October 2 to submit their applications.
InfoBlaugrana·5 min read