Tag: World Cup 2026

Global football governing body FIFA is considering a further increase in prize money for all 48 teams set to compete at the upcoming World Cup 2026, with discussions currently underway with national associations.

The proposal is expected to be reviewed at the upcoming FIFA Council meeting, scheduled ahead of the 76th FIFA Congress in Vancouver, where a final decision could be taken.

Earlier in December, FIFA had already announced a significant financial uplift for the 2026 tournament, confirming a prize pool of $655 million, a 50% increase compared to the previous edition. That figure formed part of a broader $727 million financial commitment to the expanded World Cup.

However, fresh talks suggest the governing body is now exploring an even higher payout structure, backed by strong financial growth.

FIFA is projected to surpass $11 billion in revenue during the 2023–2026 cycle, placing it in what officials describe as its strongest financial position to date.

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A FIFA spokesperson confirmed the ongoing discussions, stating that the organisation is looking at increasing overall financial contributions, including payments to participating teams as well as development funding for its 211 member associations.

Under the previously announced model, the bulk of the prize pool was allocated as performance-based earnings, with the tournament winners set to receive $50 million and the runners-up $33 million.

Teams eliminated in the group stage were to earn $9 million each, while every qualified nation would also receive $1.5 million to cover preparation costs.

The 2026 edition will be the first to feature 48 teams, marking a significant expansion in the tournament’s history. It is scheduled to run from June 11 to July 19 across the United States, Mexico and Canada.

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A new batch of World Cup 2026 tickets to all 104 matches will go on sale this Wednesday, just 50 days before the tournament kicks off, FIFA said Tuesday.

Tickets to games across the United States, Mexico and Canada will be available via FIFA’s website “on a first-come, first-served basis” from 1500 GMT, the sport’s governing body said in a statement.

“Along with this set of tickets, additional tickets will continue to be released to the public on an ongoing basis up until the final on Sunday, 19 July (subject to availability),” it said.

The latest batch of tickets comes after FIFA President Gianni Infantino said more than five million tickets have already been sold to the tournament, which begins June 11.

The most tickets ever sold previously for a World Cup were 3.5 million, when the event was last held in the US back in 1994.

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Based on the capacity of the 16 stadiums hosting this tournament, approximately seven million tickets are expected to be available in total for the 2026 edition.

FIFA has come under fire for the sky-high prices of tickets, with the most expensive ticket for the World Cup final surpassing $10,000, excluding the resale market.

Organizers have defended the pricing of tickets, which Infantino attributed to “crazy” demand, and used a “dynamic pricing” strategy where prices are automatically raised for high-demand matches.

On Tuesday, the Athletic reported that ticket sales were lagging for the United States team’s high-priced World Cup opener against Paraguay in Los Angeles — a claim disputed by FIFA.

“Ticket sales for the FIFA World Cup remain strong with a high degree of interest for all matches,” a FIFA spokesperson told AFP.

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Two-time World Cup winner Cafu believes that the 2026 edition is the perfect time for the five-time champions, Brazil, to take back the crown for the first time in 24 years.

Cafu was captain when Brazil won their fifth World Cup, beating Germany 2-0 in the 2002 final in Yokohama. He was also part of the side that beat Italy on penalties to win in 1994 in Pasadena.

“Twenty-four years after the last title win, I think it’s the perfect moment for Brazil,” Cafu told reporters in Madrid, where he is attending the Laureus Awards.

“We’ve also brought in a serial winner of a coach, Carlo Ancelotti, who will add to the greatness of the Brazilian national team.”

Cafu, who was a right-back, said Brazil already had strength in midfield and attack, so Ancelotti had focused on strengthening the defence for this year’s tournament to be held in the US, Mexico and Canada.

“Because if Brazil doesn’t concede goals in a World Cup, they’re sure to score a goal per game,” Cafu said.

He said he hoped Real Madrid forward Vinicius Junior, a player often embroiled in controversy, would have a strong tournament, saying: “The World Cup is the best way to overcome any kind of controversy.

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“In those eight matches (if they reach the final), Vinícius Junior has the potential to show the whole world his worth and what he can do in terms of football.”

Vinícius produced an assist in the 3-1 victory over Croatia in Orlando on April 1, which helped dispel doubts after the defeat against France in another friendly. Endrick, 19, also shone in the Croatia win.

“I think it’s a good time for him,” said Cafu, who believes Real Madrid’s decision to loan the forward to French club Lyon last year had been a positive move for the teenager.

“It did him a lot of good. It helped him grow, play, make his mark, and become a key player. It’s obvious that at Real Madrid, with so many stars, it’s difficult for a young player to become a key player.

“He’s a young player who can contribute a lot to Brazil, and I’m sure Ancelotti is looking at him favourably,” added Cafu.

Bookmakers have placed Brazil among the top five favourites, with reigning European champions Spain currently leading the way.

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FIFA president Gianni Infantino said on Wednesday that Iran will “for sure” participate in the upcoming World Cup 2026, scheduled in the United States of America (USA), Mexico and Canada, despite the Middle East war.

“Iran is coming for sure. We hope that by then the situation will be a peaceful situation, which would definitely help,” Infantino told an economic conference organised by broadcaster CNBC.

“But Iran has to come, they represent their people, they have qualified, the players want to play,” he said of the team’s upcoming matches scheduled in the United States in June.

Infantino had made similar comments in March, when he attended an Iran-Costa Rica friendly in Antalya, Turkey, even though US President Donald Trump had previously suggested that Iranian players might not be “safe” in the United States.

Iran is scheduled to play its three Group G matches in the United States, two in Los Angeles, one in Seattle, with their base for the tournament in Tucson, Arizona.

Iran’s participation in the global tournament being co-hosted by the United States, Canada and Mexico had been thrown into doubt by the conflict launched by the United States and Israel on February 28.

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Iran raised the prospect of a “boycott” of the competition before asking FIFA to move its matches from the United States to Mexico, a request the world governing body rejected.

After several weeks of air strikes on Iran and Iranian reprisals against Israel and other countries in the region, a fragile truce came into effect on April 8.

But Tehran has sealed off the strategic Strait of Hormuz and since Monday Washington has imposed a blockade on ships coming from or heading to Iranian ports.

“Sports should be outside of politics,” Infantino said on Wednesday.

“If there’s nobody else that believes in building bridges and keeping them intact and together, we are doing the job,” he said.

The World Cup, the first to feature 48 teams, starts on June 11.

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Gennaro Gattuso quit as Italy coach on Friday as the Azzurri failing to reach a third straight World Cup continued to send shockwaves through Italian football.

A World Cup winner in 2006, Gattuso leaves after less than a year in charge of Italy, a team which has fallen far behind historic rivals like France and Spain in the last two decades.

Defeat on penalties to Bosnia and Hercegovina in Tuesday’s qualification play-off final ended up costing Gattuso his job, as the man who hired him also stepped down as president of the Italian Football Federation (FIGC).

Gabriele Gravina had asked Gattuso to stay on immediately after elimination in Zenica, but his departure, and that of national team general manager Gianluigi Buffon, paved the way for the 48-year-old to resign.

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Gattuso took charge of Italy in June last year following the sacking of Luciano Spalletti, himself a victim of a dismal title defence at Euro 2024 and a 3-0 hammering at the hands of Erling Haaland’s Norway in their first World Cup qualifier.

His record is impressive on paper, with six wins, one defeat and one draw in eight matches with 22 goals scored and 10 conceded.

But that draw was the 1-1 with Bosnia, which preceded a penalty shoot-out in which Italy missed twice, while the loss was another humiliating one to Norway, this time 4-1 at the San Siro.

Gattuso was considered by many a strange choice to replace Spalletti due to his spotty club coaching record, and he was heavily criticised after Tuesday’s elimination.

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Iraq football coach Graham Arnold challenged his players to “shock the world” after they became the 48th and final team to qualify for the FIFA World Cup 2026 with a nerve-shredding 2-1 win over Bolivia in an intercontinental playoff in Mexico on Tuesday.

Iraq, whose preparations were disrupted by the war in the Middle East, sealed their first appearance at the finals in 40 years and will play in Group I against France, Senegal and Norway.

Goals from Ali Al-Hamadi and Aymen Hussein secured a famous win for Iraq, whose last appearance at the World Cup came at Mexico in 1986.

“With everything going on in the Middle East at the moment, it made it harder for the players,” said the Australian Arnold, who had initially sought to have the fixture postponed due to the disruption caused by the conflict.

“Delighted for the players, very good boys, very happy for the 46 million Iraqis,” he added.

“Hopefully, it will help change the perception of Iraq and football in Iraq. Doing something in the World Cup that nobody expects us to do. Let’s shock the world.”

Because of travel disruption caused by the US-Israel war on Iran, most of the Iraqi squad only reached Mexico after a gruelling three‑day journey from Baghdad that began with an overland crossing into Jordan.

But there was little sign of weariness during a confident start by Iraq, who took the lead after nine minutes through Luton Town striker Al-Hamadi, the 24-year-old who moved to Liverpool as a toddler following the outbreak of the 2003 Iraq war.

Iraq midfielder Amir Al-Ammari won a corner after a superb free-kick that was saved at full stretch from Bolivia goalkeeper Guillermo Viscarra.

From the subsequent set piece, Al-Ammari curled a pinpoint corner onto the head of Al-Hamadi, who nodded home for 1-0.

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Iraq were well worth the early goal and looked in control until Bolivia, who had gradually grown into the game, equalized after 38 minutes.

Ramiro Vaca’s shot from the edge of the area was controlled with one touch by Moises Paniagua, and the Morocco-based central midfielder swept it into the roof of the net.

The goal stunned Iraq, and Bolivia looked likely to grab a second after dominating the remainder of the half.

Iraq regained the lead eight minutes after the break, when a long ball forward was nodded into the path of substitute Marko Lawk-Farji.

His cross found captain Hussein, and the veteran striker clipped a first-time finish into the bottom corner.

Bolivia pressed frantically for a goal to force extra-time, but Iraq’s well-marshalled defence held firm during nine minutes of stoppage time.

The 62-year-old Arnold, who took Australia to the last 16 of the Qatar World Cup in 2022, said: “We have two months to get fit.

“For us to do something at this World Cup would be a miracle.”

Oscar Villegas, the Bolivia coach, was visibly distraught.

“Devastated, totally devastated because we believed we could be at the World Cup,” he said.

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FIFA president Gianni Infantino told AFP on Tuesday that Iran “will be at the World Cup” and will play their group matches in the United States of America (USA) as scheduled, despite the Middle East war.

“Iran will be at the World Cup,” Infantino said at half-time as Iran beat Costa Rica 5-0 in a friendly in southern Turkey. “That’s why we’re here. We’re delighted because they’re a very, very strong team, I’m very happy.”

“I’ve seen the team, I’ve spoken to the players and the coach, so everything is fine,” added Infantino, whose attendance at Tuesday’s game was unannounced.

Infantino went on to stress that Iran’s “matches will be played where they are supposed to be, according to the draw”.

The World Cup, being hosted by the United States, Mexico and Canada, starts on June 11.

Iran are set to play their first Group G game against New Zealand in Los Angeles on June 15. They are then scheduled to play Belgium in Los Angeles on June 21 and Egypt in Seattle on June 26.

Iran’s participation had been thrown into doubt by the war with the USA and Israel that broke out on February 28.

“For us, what matters most are FIFA’s rules and regulations. We will comply with whatever FIFA decides. Every host country has made commitments to FIFA and must honour them,” Mehdi Mohammad Nabi, the vice president of the Iranian Football Federation (FFIRI), told AFP at the match.

The FFIRI had said earlier this month it was “negotiating” with FIFA to relocate the country’s World Cup matches from the United States to Mexico.

Mexican President Claudia Sheinbaum also said that her country is prepared to host Iran’s first-round matches at the tournament if needed.

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Infantino initially said that US President Donald Trump had given assurances that the Iranian team would still be welcome. But Trump then stated that Iran’s team should not travel to the tournament “for their own life and safety”.

Iran hit back at Trump’s comments, saying that “no one can exclude Iran’s national team from the World Cup”.

On Tuesday, Mohammad Nabi said Infantino had been en route from Mexico to Qatar.

“Having learnt that we were organising friendly matches here, he came to see us in person, and we had a fruitful discussion,” Mohammad Nabi said.

“Given our history in this competition, it is only natural that FIFA should support the Iranian team. Mr Infantino is providing the necessary support to our national team and has given our players a great boost.”

Asked before the game if Iran would be at the World Cup, back-up striker Dennis Eckert Ayensa told AFP: “Inshallah” (god willing).

Iran, who also played a friendly against Nigeria in the Turkish town of Belek last Friday, crushed Costa Rica, who have not qualified for the World Cup 2026, 5-0 on Tuesday.

Skipper Mehdi Taremi, with two penalties, Ali Gholizadeh and Mohammad Mohebbi put Iran four goals up by the break. Half-time substitute Mehdi Ghayedi added a fifth in the 51st minute, by which time coach Amir Ghalenoei had started to empty his bench.

Before the game, Iran’s players wore black armbands and posed with photos of what officials said were young victims of the war, including those killed in an airstrike on a primary school in Iran on the first day of the conflict.

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Brazil forward Vinicius Jr. has expressed renewed confidence in his form, stating that he is determined to translate his club success with Real Madrid onto the international stage as preparations intensify for the upcoming FIFA World Cup 2026.

Speaking ahead of Brazil’s international friendly against France, the 25-year-old admitted he is in a much better place mentally and physically after overcoming a difficult phase earlier in the 2025–26 season.

“I feel more at ease, I’m happier, and when I’m happier, everyone around me is happier and more confident too,” Vinicius said.

The winger endured a challenging start to the campaign, going through a 16-match goal drought and facing criticism from sections of the Santiago Bernabéu crowd. However, he has since rediscovered his rhythm, contributing 17 goals and 13 assists in 43 appearances across all competitions.

Despite enjoying a decorated spell at club level, including multiple league titles and UEFA Champions League triumphs, Vinicius is yet to replicate that dominance consistently for Brazil. He has scored eight goals in 45 appearances for the five-time world champions.

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With his second World Cup approaching, the forward made it clear that performing for his country remains his ultimate ambition.

“I hope that everything I do for Real, I can go on to do here with the Brazilian national team. That’s my biggest goal. It’s where I’ve always dreamed of being, and I want to bring great pride to our country and a lot of joy to our entire nation,” he added.

Brazil are looking to bounce back after their quarter-final exit at the 2022 FIFA World Cup, where they were knocked out on penalties by Croatia. Vinicius, however, insisted he is focused on his own preparation and not external expectations.

“I know what I’m capable of and how much I’ve been working to be ready for the World Cup,” he said.

As Brazil continue to rebuild towards another title challenge, Vinicius’ resurgence could prove crucial in their bid to return to the top of world football.

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Portuguese superstar Cristiano Ronaldo has sustained a hamstring tendon injury during club action, though his availability for the FIFA World Cup 2026 does not appear to be in serious doubt at this stage.

Ronaldo picked up the injury during Al Nassr’s 3-1 victory over Al Fayha in the Saudi Pro League last month.

The 41-year-old forward was substituted in the 81st minute after showing visible discomfort, with television cameras later capturing him on the bench applying an ice pack to his right hamstring.

What initially seemed like a minor concern has since been confirmed as a muscle injury.

Following medical examinations conducted on March 3, Al Nassr released an official statement confirming the issue and outlining the next steps in his recovery.

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The club stated that Ronaldo “has started a rehabilitation programme and his condition will be assessed day by day,” adding that he is currently undergoing a specialised recovery plan.

According to various media reports, the Portugal captain is expected to be sidelined for between two and four weeks.

If the projected timeline holds, he should return to full fitness well before the World Cup kicks off across the United States, Mexico and Canada on June 11.

At present, Ronaldo is highly unlikely to feature in Al Nassr’s upcoming league fixture against Neom SC on March 7, with the focus firmly placed on ensuring a complete recovery rather than rushing him back into action.

Ronaldo, who has previously represented European giants Manchester United, Real Madrid and Juventus, is in line to feature in a record sixth World Cup.

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Former Brazil captain Neymar said he is considering retirement at the end of the year after being hampered by injuries, but hopes to go to the FIFA World Cup 2026 first.

The ex-Barcelona and Paris Saint-Germain (PSG) striker returned in January 2025 to his boyhood club Santos from Saudi club Al-Hilal.

After an injury-interrupted first season, he extended his contract until the end of 2026 but then missed the start of the Brazilian season in January after undergoing knee surgery in late December.

“I don’t know what will happen from now on, I don’t know about next year,” the striker told Brazilian online channel Caze.

“It may be that when December comes, I’ll want to retire. I’m living year to year now.”

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He made his return as a second-half replacement in a Sao Paulo championship match on February 16, 11 days after his 34th birthday.

“Obviously, I wanted to come back to help my team in the best way possible, but I ended up holding back a little so I could come back 100 per cent,” he said.

Neymar is the all-time leading scorer for Brazil, with 79 goals, two more than Pele, but has not played for the national team since October 2023, when he suffered a serious knee injury against Uruguay.

Carlo Ancelotti has not called up Neymar since taking over as Brazil coach last May.

“This year is a very important year, not only for Santos, but also for the Brazilian national team, as it’s a World Cup year, and for me too,” Neymar said. “So it’s a huge challenge.”

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