FIFA has explained why several empty seats were seen during South Korea’s 2-1 win over Czechia at the 2026 World Cup, despite announcing an official attendance of 44,985. The world football governing body said the attendance figure was based on tickets scanned and spectators present within the stadium area, not on the number of fans sitting in their assigned…
FIFA has banned fans from bringing refillable water bottles into World Cup venues in a last-minute policy change that will force thirsty supporters to pay for bottled water, The Athletic reported on Wednesday. As recently as last month, FIFA’s official stadium code of conduct included a clause which read: “For the avoidance of doubt, empty, transparent, reusable plastic bottles,…
Mexican football fans could face sanctions for continuing to use the controversial anti-gay chant “puto” during the FIFA 2026 World Cup, the Court of Arbitration for Sport (CAS) has ruled. The one-word slur, commonly shouted when an opposing goalkeeper takes a goal kick, has gone viral at past World Cups in 2014, 2018, and 2022. Despite campaigns and education…
Players at the 2026 FIFA World Cup will be stopped from leaving the pitch to receive tactical instructions whenever a goalkeeper is being treated for injury. FIFA referees’ chief, Pierluigi Collina, announced the new enforcement measure ahead of the tournament. The move is aimed at ending what has become known in football as “goalkeeper tactical timeouts.” Teams have increasingly…
FIFA announced on Wednesday it had extended Gianluca Prestianni’s suspension worldwide after the Benfica winger was originally banned by European football’s governing body UEFA. Argentina’s Prestianni was handed a six-game ban, with three of them suspended, for discriminatory conduct in the first leg of Champions League play-off tie against Real Madrid on February 17. Madrid forward Vinicius Junior accused…
FIFA has officially invited the Iranian Football Federation (FFIRI) to its headquarters in Zurich for important talks regarding Iran’s participation in the 2026 FIFA World Cup. According to a source who spoke to AFP on Tuesday, FIFA requested that Iranian football officials travel to Zurich by May 20. The purpose of the meeting is to discuss final preparations and…
