At least 11 people were killed and 12 others seriously injured following an armed attack at a football field in the central Mexican state of Guanajuato, according to local authorities. The shooting occurred in the municipality of Salamanca, where gunmen opened fire on people gathered at the sports facility, triggering a large-scale security response. Municipal officials confirmed that 10 victims died at the scene, while another person later succumbed to injuries after being transpor

The United States has begun implementing a new visa facilitation programme known as FIFA Pass as part of its preparations for hosting the 2026 FIFA World Cup. The initiative is designed to help international football fans secure visa interview appointments more quickly as demand for travel to the tournament is expected to surge in the months leading up to kickoff. According to US officials, FIFA Pass is intended to reduce long wait times for non-immigrant visas by prioritising inter

President Donald Trump has introduced a new fast-track visa system called the “FIFA Pass” for international fans attending the 2026 World Cup in the United States. Announced at the Oval Office alongside FIFA president Gianni Infantino, the scheme offers ticket holders a prioritized visa appointment to ensure smoother travel ahead of the massive tournament. The US expects between five and ten million visitors, making streamlined entry a major focus for the administration. Despite

FIFA will host the official draws for the 2026 World Cup qualifying playoffs in Zurich on November 20, setting the stage for determining the final six teams to join the 48-nation tournament. The expanded format, featuring teams from across the globe, has intensified the competition as countries battle for the remaining coveted spots. The European playoff round will feature 16 teams, including football giants like Italy, divided into four brackets. Each bracket will feature single-le

The highly anticipated launch of ticket sales for the upcoming World Cup has begun, offering soccer fans their first chance to secure seats for the tournament that will take place across North America next summer. The first wave of sales opened with a Visa presale at 11 a.m., giving cardholders priority access to select matches. Prices for group-stage tickets begin at $60, making some matches relatively affordable for fans. However, at the other end of the scale, tickets for the final match a

Arlington, Texas is moving forward with extensive plans to host matches during the 2026 FIFA World Cup, and the city council has outlined how it intends to balance security, community engagement, and business opportunities during the tournament. With the event set to bring thousands of international visitors to North Texas, the city is bracing for what is expected to be one of its most significant sporting and cultural experiences in recent history. Officials estimate that most inte

The 2026 FIFA World Cup is set to be one of the most anticipated sporting events in recent history, and football fans now have a chance to be part of it in a unique and memorable way. FIFA has officially opened applications for nearly 65,000 volunteer positions for the tournament, offering an opportunity for individuals to contribute to the global event while experiencing the excitement from behind the scenes. The World Cup will bring matches to multiple citi

Business leaders in South Dallas are preparing to capitalize on a major global event as plans for the FIFA Fan Festival at Fair Park continue to take shape. The month-long celebration, tied to the 2026 FIFA World Cup, is expected to bring tens of thousands of fans to the area each day from June 11 to July 19, creating what many local stakeholders view as a rare economic opportunity. Organizers are in the process of submitting a proposed festival layout to FIFA for review. If appro

Atletico Madrid bowed out of the 2025 FIFA Club World Cup on Monday, despite securing a 1-0 win over Brazilian side Botafogo in their final Group B match at the Rose Bowl in Pasadena. Antoine Griezmann scored the only goal in the 87th minute, but it wasn’t enough to prevent Diego Simeone’s side from an early exit as Botafogo advanced to the last 16 on goal difference. The Spanish giants entered the must-w

The countdown has begun as the Bay Area prepares to welcome the world for the FIFA World Cup 2026. Levi's Stadium in Santa Clara is slated to host six major matches, and with exactly one year remaining until kickoff, preparations are in full swing to transform the region into a world-class destination for the global soccer community. Estimates suggest that the tournament could bring more than half a million visitors to the Bay Area, making it one of the most significant sporti

As FIFA kicks off its first expanded Club World Cup in the United States with an eye-watering $1 billion prize pool, fans may be disappointed by the absence of some of football's biggest names. While the tournament promises action and global attention, several superstars won’t be gracing the American pitches due to club ineligibility or personal setbacks. Among the most notable absentees is Cristiano Ronald

FIFA’s newly expanded Club World Cup kicks off this weekend in the United States, featuring 32 elite football teams and a staggering $1 billion in total prize money. But as the glitzy competition begins, questions loom about its long-term impact on players, domestic leagues, and the global football ecosystem. With top European clubs like PSG, Real Madrid, Chelsea, and Manchester City participating, the tournament offers a payday of up to $125 million for

The revamped FIFA Club World Cup begins this weekend in the United States, featuring 32 top football clubs from around the world. Europe leads with 12 teams, followed by South America’s six, while Asia, Africa, and the CONCACAF region each send four teams. Oceania and the host nation each add one team, completing a truly global lineup. Teams qualify through two main routes: winning their continental championshi

Zinedine Zidane has declared his eagerness to take over as head coach of the French national football team, calling it a “dream job” and expressing that he “can’t wait” to begin. The 52-year-old football legend, who captained France to their iconic 1998 FIFA World Cup win and Euro 2000 triumph, is widely expected to succeed current manager Didier Deschamps after the 2026 World Cup. Speaking at a promotional event in France organized by Adidas, one of hi

Fresh troubles have struck Brazilian football as a court in Rio de Janeiro on Thursday ordered the dismissal of Ednaldo Rodrigues, president of the Brazilian Football Confederation (CBF), over allegations of forgery in his employment contract. This ruling marks yet another setback for Brazilian football governance, just days after the morale-boosting announcement of Carlo Ancelotti’s appointment as national team coach. The court found that a signatory of Rodrigues’s 2025

FIFA has announced that the total prize money for the 2025 Club World Cup in the United States will be a staggering $1 billion. The upcoming edition, which features an expanded 32-team format and will take place from June 14 to July 13, is set to be the biggest club competition in history.This prize money is significantly higher than what was awarded for the 2022 FIFA Men’s World Cup in Qatar ($440 million) and the 2023 FIFA Women’s World Cup in Australia and New Zealand ($

FIFA, the world governing body of football, has officially lifted its suspension on the Pakistan Football Federation (PFF) after the necessary constitutional reforms were approved. The decision comes after PFF Congress members reached a consensus last Thursday to amend the constitution as required by FIFA, ensuring smooth governance and compliance with international football regulations.The suspension, which had been in effect since February 5, 2025, was imposed after the PFF failed to implem

The International Football Federation (FIFA) has suspended the Pakistan Football Federation (PFF) after it failed to implement the constitutional amendments required for effective governance in the country. FIFA confirmed that Pakistan would remain suspended until the necessary amendments were made by the PFF congress.   Pakistan football has been under the supervision of a FIFA-appointed Normalisation Committee since June 2019, tasked with organizing elections and addre

Ukraine has condemned FIFA after a map displayed during the European World Cup qualifiers for 2026 appeared to omit Crimea from Ukraine. The map, shown during the December 2024 draw for the joint-hosted tournament by the US, Mexico, and Canada, sparked backlash when it excluded Crimea, which has been under Russian occupation since 2014. Ukraine’s Foreign Ministry spokesperson Heorhiy Tykhy accused FIFA of supporting Russian propaganda and violating international law by "redrawing b