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Exterior view of the French National Financial Prosecutor's Office headquarters in Paris, which is investigating the 2022 World Cup vote awarded to Qatar.

World CupRules & refereeing2 September 2026

French prosecutors seek trial for four people over Qatar 2022 World Cup bid

France's National Financial Prosecutor's Office has requested a trial for four people investigated in the Qatargate case over the awarding of the 2022 World Cup to Qatar. Former FIFA vice-president Reynald Temarii and Qatari businessman Mohamed Ben Hammam are among those named. The investigation focuses on payments that may have influenced the vote held in December 2010.

varela·5 min read

Argentina number 10 Messi jersey hanging in an empty locker room, symbolizing his international retirement.

National teamsWorld Cup1 September 2026

Messi announces Argentina retirement and the nation says goodbye with tears and gratitude

Lionel Messi has confirmed his retirement from international football through a handwritten letter shared on Instagram. The decision comes after the 2026 World Cup and has sparked an outpouring of tributes, gratitude and nostalgia across Argentina. Teammates, fans, journalists and artists bid farewell to the captain who brought the World Cup home in 2022.

Matt

·6 min read

Lionel Messi wearing the Argentina shirt as teammates and supporters pay tribute after his international retirement

National teamsWorld Cup1 September 2026

Lionel Messi retires from Argentina duty: 207 caps and 125 goals

Lionel Messi confirmed on Monday that his Argentina career is over after 207 appearances and 125 goals. The 39-year-old Inter Miami forward led his country to the 2022 World Cup title and captained the side again in this year's tournament. Former teammates such as Angel Di Maria and Rodrigo De Paul have hailed him as the greatest of all time.

Matt

·5 min read

Lionel Messi in an Argentina shirt stands alone on the pitch with a silver medal around his neck while a crowd chants his name during his final World Cup match.

National teamsWorld Cup31 August 2026

The defining moments of Messi's Argentina career: a beautiful but difficult journey

Lionel Messi has closed a 21-year international career with Argentina marked by painful defeats, unexpected comebacks and ultimate redemption in the 2022 World Cup. His legacy spans historic scoring records, three major continental trophies and an emotional bond with a country that went from questioning him to treating him as a national treasure.

Javi

·8 min read

Lionel Messi wearing the Argentina shirt during an international match, taken before he announced his retirement from the national team.

National teamsWorld Cup31 August 2026

Lionel Messi confirms retirement from Argentina national team after father's death

Lionel Messi has announced his retirement from the Argentina national team at the age of 39. The 2022 World Cup-winning captain wrote his farewell message two days after July's final defeat to Spain, but delayed making it public. The death of his father Jorge in August convinced him the time had come to step away.

InfoBlaugrana

·6 min read

Rules & refereeingWorld Cup28 August 2026

UEFA accuses Infantino of criminal mismanagement over World Cup investment plan

UEFA has filed court documents in the United States accusing Gianni Infantino of criminal mismanagement over the collapsed plan to sell stakes in FIFA competitions to private investors. The explosive move escalates the civil war at the top of world football as the FIFA president shores up support ahead of a possible re-election bid.

varela·9 min read

Gianni Infantino at an official FIFA event while UEFA files a lawsuit over the FIFA Forward Enterprise program.

World CupRules & refereeing28 August 2026

Infantino hires Linklaters to fight UEFA lawsuit over FIFA Forward Enterprise

FIFA has already chosen the law firm that will defend it against the lawsuit UEFA filed in the United States over the FIFA Forward Enterprise program. The European governing body is demanding access to documents, communications and minutes related to the sale of part of the World Cup rights to an external investor, while Gianni Infantino faces an unprecedented institutional offensive less than…

varela·5 min read

Gianni Infantino, FIFA president, speaking at an official event at the organization's headquarters in Zurich

World CupRules & refereeing27 August 2026

UEFA considers criminal charges against Gianni Infantino over failed World Cup sell-off plan

UEFA is preparing to file criminal charges in Switzerland against FIFA president Gianni Infantino over the failed FIFA Forward Enterprise project. The plan sought to sell a 20% stake in the World Cup's commercial rights for $4.2 billion. European football's governing body argues the deal was structured opaquely and at an absurdly low valuation.

InfoBlaugrana

·6 min read

FIFA president Gianni Infantino speaking during an official event at a football stadium.

World CupRules & refereeing26 August 2026

UEFA keeps up push to oust Infantino despite dropping FIFA boycott

UEFA dropped its threat to boycott FIFA competitions on Wednesday but will keep working to remove Gianni Infantino as president. The 55 European member associations will receive a letter on Thursday confirming that the Fifa Forward Enterprise project will not be revived.

InfoBlaugrana

·6 min read

UEFA officials meeting in Monaco to discuss Gianni Infantino's FIFA presidency and the withdrawal of the World Cup boycott threat.

World CupRules & refereeing26 August 2026

Uefa withdraws World Cup boycott threat after Infantino sell-off plan collapses

UEFA is expected to call off its boycott of the World Cup and other FIFA tournaments after Gianni Infantino's controversial plan to sell stakes in FIFA competitions failed to materialise. European football's governing body believes the two conditions demanded by its 55 member associations have now been met.

Matt

·5 min read