World Cup 2026 – Inside World Football

Dick Advocaat steps down as Curaçao coach ahead of FIFA World Cup

Andy Elliott — Tue, 24 Feb 2026 09:57:49 +0000

February 24 – Dutch veteran manager Dick Advocaat has stepped down as the head coach of Curaçao ahead of their debut appearance at the FIFA World Cup this summer, citing his daughter’s health.

At the age of 78, Advocaat was set to become the oldest manager in history to coach a team at the global finals, but he will no longer lead out Curaçao this summer in the United States, Canada and Mexico.

Fears for World Cup security rise as Mexico burns

Andy Elliott — Tue, 24 Feb 2026 09:14:46 +0000

February 24 – Guadalajara, a host city for the 2026 FIFA World Cup, is in lockdown and has reignited concerns over Mexico’s ability to guarantee safety for the tournament after a military operation targeting cartel leader Nemesio Rubén Oseguera Cervantes ended in his death on Sunday.

Oseguera Cervantes, known as “El Mencho,” was the leader of the Jalisco New Generation Cartel. The fallout from his killing was immediate, with roadblocks and burning vehicles appearing across parts of the Guadalajara metropolitan area.

New York/New Jersey cancels ‘unaffordable’ World Cup FanFest

Paul Nicholson — Mon, 23 Feb 2026 01:23:28 +0000

February 22 – The New York and New Jersey World Cup host committee has cancelled its planned World Cup FanFest at Liberty State Park in Jersey City.

The FanFest, announced in February 2025 was billed as a marquee hub, open for all 104 matches of the tournament. Tickets, priced at $10, went on sale in December.

Instead, organisers are pivoting. In a statement on Friday, the committee said an “expanded network of fan zones and community celebrations across 21 counties in New Jersey will serve as a cornerstone of the region’s official fan engagement program.”

New Jersey’s new governor,

Digital ad specialists Aleph to distribute 2026 media and commercial right in Philippines

Paul Nicholson — Mon, 16 Feb 2026 01:09:42 +0000

February 16 – Global digital advertising firm Aleph has been awarded exclusive media rights to the 2026 World Cup in the Philippines.

Through a newly unveiled gatekeeper agreement, Aleph will control the commercialization and multimedia distribution of the tournament across the Philippine market.

Aleph will appoint media partners across free-to-air television, pay-TV, digital streaming, mobile and video-on-demand, while also acting as the central access point for brands seeking advertising,

BeIN Sports loses in court to LFP, but beats Ligue1+ to 2026 rights

Paul Nicholson — Thu, 12 Feb 2026 23:14:52 +0000

February 13 – BeIN Sports France have, at the last minute, snatched the broadcast rights to the 2026 and 2030 FIFA World Cups away from LFP’s Ligue 1+ streaming channel.

Chief executive of LFP Media, Nicolas de Tavernost, had announced that they had secured the rights to all 104 matches from each tournament in a deal reportedly worth about €40 million. De Tavernost has now handed in his resignation.

Two weeks ago,

FIFA World Cup Trophy Tour set for 38-stop across North America

Andy Elliott — Thu, 12 Feb 2026 08:50:21 +0000

February 12 – Coca-Cola and FIFA have confirmed that the FIFA World Cup Trophy Tour will make 38 stops across Canada, Mexico, and the United States, giving fans a chance to see football’s most famous prize up close and personal before the FIFA World Cup 2026 kicks off.

The tour, which began on January 3 in Riyadh, has already travelled across the globe and will visit 30 FIFA Member Associations before it lands at its final destination.

DAZN and Rai roll the dice in Italy with World Cup rights bid

Paul Nicholson — Thu, 12 Feb 2026 00:23:42 +0000

February 13 – DAZN and public broadcaster Rai are closing in on an agreement to show the next World Cup in Italy, even as the Azzurri’s place at the tournament remains undecided.

Gennaro Gattuso’s side must first navigate a semi-final against Northern Ireland, before a winner-takes-all showdown with either Wales or Bosnia and Herzegovina.

A deal between DAZN and Rai is expected to be signed by the end of February, before Italy’s fate is known.

DAZN picks up streaming rights to 2026 World Cup in Spain

Paul Nicholson — Mon, 09 Feb 2026 07:47:50 +0000

February 9 – Streaming giant DAZN’s increasing influence within the sports broadcasting industry has another mainstream step with the announcement that it will become Spain’s pay-television home of the World Cup in 2026.

Ever since partnering with FIFA on the Club World Cup, DAZN’s relationship with the governing body has grown significantly and will include the relaunch of FIFA’s own broadcast channel FIFA+ on the DAZN platform later this year.

Spanish public broadcaster RTVE will retain a free-to-air presence with one match per day,

FIFA face Boston Stadium withdrawal unless it fronts up $8m for security costs

Paul Nicholson — Mon, 09 Feb 2026 07:21:05 +0000

February 9 – The town of Foxborough, Massachusetts, is playing an unexpected poker hand in the 2026 World Cup conversation, not because of the matches it is scheduled to host, but because of who pays the piper when football’s biggest show comes barreling into town?

Town officials in the small municipality say they are fully committed to staging matches at Gillette Stadium, but they are not willing to write a blank cheque. Foxborough’s town manager,

Singapore’s Mediacorp to air full 104-match 2026 schedule with 22 games free-to-air

Paul Nicholson — Fri, 06 Feb 2026 00:59:36 +0000

February 6 – Singapore’s Mediacorp has decided to broadcast all matches from the 2026 World Cup.

The national broadcaster will screen all 104 matches of the expanded tournament, while increasing free-to-air games from nine in 2022 to 28 in 2026 across its mewatch and Channel 5 platforms.

A Mediacorp spokesperson confirmed that all free-to-air matches will be available on mewatch “without the need to log in or create an account”. Full access,

Human Rights Watch issues scathing statement on U.S. ahead of World Cup

Andy Elliott — Thu, 05 Feb 2026 10:58:08 +0000

February 5 – Human Rights Watch (HRW) has called out the current political situation in the United States, one of three co-hosts of the 2026 World Cup, arguing that the ‘world won’t be welcome’ at the tournament.

“More than 90,000 people have been deported from the eleven World Cup host cities in the United States,” said Minky Worden, Director of Global Initiatives at Human Rights Watch. “The world is not welcome at the World Cup.

Royal Caribbean joins the 2026 World Cup party with Miami Host City Supporter status

Andy Elliott — Thu, 05 Feb 2026 08:57:58 +0000

February 5 – Royal Caribbean has long been part of Miami’s DNA for decades, so it comes as no surprise that a partnership with the FIFA World Cup 2026 Miami Host Committee has been cemented.

The Ocean giant has been named as the Official Miami World Cup 2026 Host City Supporter.

“As a leading vacation brand shaped by this city’s unstoppable energy for more than 50 years, Royal Caribbean is proud to serve as the first Official Miami Host City Supporter for the FIFA World Cup 2026,” said Chairman and CEO Jason Liberty.

ITV lands crucial World Cup blow against BBC with on-site coverage

Andy Elliott — Thu, 05 Feb 2026 08:54:00 +0000

February 5 – The battle between ITV and the BBC for viewers’ hearts, minds, and most importantly, eyes during major tournaments almost takes on more significance than what’s happening on the pitch, and this year’s World Cup will be no exception.

ITV may have just landed the opening blow, announcing that they’ll be on location with a studio in Brooklyn framed by the Manhattan skyline, but 15 miles and an hour’s drive away from Met Life Stadium,

FOX commits to all 104 World Cup matches on its main channel and FS1 in US

Paul Nicholson — Mon, 02 Feb 2026 01:37:06 +0000

February 2 – FOX Sports has made its intentions clear, ahead of the summer football festival, and that’s to go big.

As the English-language home of the FIFA World Cup 2026 in the US, FOX has unveiled a broadcast schedule that will deliver 340 hours of first-run coverage, including a record 70 matches on the FOX broadcast network, more than double its 2022 output.

All 104 matches will air live across FOX (70) and FS1 (34),

FIFA outlines plan for nationwide fan engagement programme in Canada

Andy Elliott — Thu, 29 Jan 2026 10:42:11 +0000

January 29 – FIFA has outlined plans for a nationwide fan engagement programme in Canada ahead of the World Cup this summer, launching a series of one-day public events designed to extend the tournament experience beyond the country’s two Host Cities.

Branded ‘Canada Celebrates’, the programme will run parallel with the tournament from June 11 to July 19 and feature up to 40 stops across the country. FIFA says more than 75% of Canada’s population will be within a two-hour drive of at least one event,

Austria joins Germany in ruling out a boycott of 2026 World Cup in US

Paul Nicholson — Wed, 28 Jan 2026 10:07:29 +0000

January 28 – The Austrian FA (OFB) has joined the German FA in ruling out a World Cup boycott, arguing that ‘football and politics’ should be separated.

On Monday, Austria’s ministry of defence attached a risk factor to the United States, one of three co-hosts of the 2026 World Cup, but OFB president Josef Pröll told Der Standard: “There is the principle of keeping sport and politics separate. I also follow this principle.

Former FIFA President Sepp Blatter urges fans against travelling to U.S. for World Cup

Andy Elliott — Tue, 27 Jan 2026 15:17:28 +0000

January 27 – Former FIFA President Sepp Blatter has suggested that fans across the globe should not travel to the United States this summer for the World Cup due to the current political situation in the country.

The U.S. will co-host this summer’s global finals with neighbours Mexico and Canada, but security concerns are rising after the deaths of Renee Good and Alex Pretti following interaction with Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE).

89-year-old Blatter echoes sentiments made by lawyer Mark Pieth,

DFB President Bernd Neuendorf rules out German World Cup boycott

Andy Elliott — Tue, 27 Jan 2026 11:13:39 +0000

January 27 – German Football Association (DFB) President Bernd Neuendorf has ruled out a German boycott of the 2026 World Cup in the United States, Mexico and Canada.

Oke Göttlich, DFB board member and St Pauli President, had brought up discussions of a boycott in publicised comments over the weekend, with Neuendorf offering a staunch response to the suggestion.

“I don’t think this is a major debate at all,” Neuendorf said,

Europe shows limited appetite for boycott as 2026 World Cup becomes a political football

Paul Nicholson — Mon, 26 Jan 2026 11:01:16 +0000

January 26 – German football executive Oke Göttlich has urged Europe to consider a boycott of the 2026 FIFA World Cup.

His comments come following the US President Donald Trump’s rhetoric over Greenland and broader foreign policy moves that have escalated tension with Europe.

Göttlich, the president of Bundesliga club St. Pauli and a vice president of the German Football Association, told Germany media: “What were the justifications for the boycotts of the Olympic Games in the 1980s?

US allocates $100m in federal funding for host cities

Paul Nicholson — Mon, 26 Jan 2026 10:29:48 +0000

January 26 – The US House of Representatives has approved $100 million in federal funding to support transit agencies in host cities ahead of the World Cup, underscoring the federal government’s role in delivering the largest sporting event ever staged.

The funding was announced by Representative Sharice Davids (D-KS-03), founder and co-chair of the bipartisan Congressional FIFA World Cup 2026 Caucus and reflects growing recognition in Washington that World Cup infrastructure demands extend well beyond local budgets.

Infantino defends 2026 ticket pricing saying many will be touted on resale platforms

Paul Nicholson — Fri, 23 Jan 2026 10:05:42 +0000

January 23 – FIFA president Gianni Infantino has admitted that a significant number of 2026 World Cup ticket applicants intend to sell them on resale platforms for profit.

Speaking at the World Economic Forum in Davos, Switzerland, Infantino trumpeted that FIFA received 500 million ticket requests during the last sales phase for 2026 World Cup tickets, but acknowledged that some of those tickets will be acquired to simply sell on.

“In the U.S.,

Launch of FIFA Pass raises issues over openness of World Cup

Andy Elliott — Thu, 22 Jan 2026 10:08:23 +0000

January 22 – Previous World Cups have all attempted to sell a feeling of open borders, shared stories, and football as a common language. World Cup 2026 is currently selling something else entirely, starting with priority visa appointments, disclaimers, and an asterisk.

Ticket holders can now access expedited visa interviews through the newly launched FIFA Prioritised Appointment Scheduling System, aka the “FIFA Pass” — a scheme announced by US President Donald Trump in November and activated this week.

France rules out World Cup boycott over Greenland – for now

Andy Elliott — Thu, 22 Jan 2026 08:51:35 +0000

January 22 – Amid tensions between the United States and Europe over Greenland, France’s sports minister has for the time being ruled out a boycott of the 2026 World Cup.

“At the moment we are speaking, there is no desire from the ministry to boycott this major, much-anticipated competition,” sports minister Marina Ferrari told reporters. “That said, I am not prejudging what might happen.”

On Wednesday, US President Donald Trump ruled out using force to take control of Greenland,

Jalisco bares its soul to be ‘the most Mexican host city’ of the 2026 World Cup

Paul Nicholson — Thu, 22 Jan 2026 04:46:39 +0000

January 22 – A lot has been spoken about the magnificence of the US cities hosting 2026 World Cup games and their monumental and iconic NFL stadia that will generate record attendances and revenues. Not so much has been heard from the USA’s co-hosts Mexico and Canada where the 2026 World Cup tournament could very likely find its soul and true football connection.

A huge part of the World Cup’s magic for fans is finding new and previously less-known places that provide cultural and once-in-a-lifetime experiences through the prism of a matching passion for the game that brought the people together.

England’s LGBTQ fan group to boycott 2026 World Cup

Paul Nicholson — Wed, 21 Jan 2026 08:18:55 +0000

January 21 – England’s official LGBTQ fans group will boycott the 2026 World Cup, citing safety concerns in the United States and criticising FIFA and its president Gianni Infantino.

Founded before the 2018 World Cup and with more than 350 members, Three Lions Pride have said they will not travel to the US, one of three co-hosts of this year’s global finals, to watch England in action because members of the group will have to focus on personal safety rather than football.

LA26 releases video series highlighting ‘Community Champions’ who are growing the game

Paul Nicholson — Mon, 19 Jan 2026 04:00:44 +0000

January 19 – Los Angeles is readying itself to host eight matches at the World Cup 2026, and the city’s Host Committee is intent on turning the event into a lasting local legacy. In partnership with the Play Equity Fund, the Los Angeles World Cup 2026 Host Committee has launched the 26 Community Champions video series, spotlighting non-profit organisations making a difference across the region.

The series highlights the 26 recipients of the Champions Grant Program,

Trump’s visa ban raises more World Cup travel issues as fans fear safety from US law enforcement

Paul Nicholson — Fri, 16 Jan 2026 11:58:58 +0000

January 16 – The Trump administration’s decision to suspend immigrant visas for citizens of 75 countries is complicating the build-up to the 2026 World Cup, with the five-time champions, Brazil, Colombia, and Iran, among the 15 qualified nations affected by that policy.

The U.S. is “pausing immigrant visa processing for 75 countries whose migrants take welfare from the American people at unacceptable rates,” said the US State Department on social media.

The visa processing will stop January 21 and “will remain active until the U.S.

Over 500 million ticket requests for 2026 FIFA World Cup

Andy Elliott — Thu, 15 Jan 2026 10:43:03 +0000

January 15 – FIFA has confirmed that more than 500 million ticket requests were submitted during the first Random Selection Draw phase for this summer’s World Cup.

The application window, which ran for just over a month between mid-December and mid-January, reportedly attracted requests from fans in all 211 FIFA member association territories.

FIFA said applications averaged around 15 million per day in an effort to underline both the scale of interest and the pressure points that are already emerging around access and pricing for the first expanded 48-team World Cup.

Seattle launches World Cup inclusion scheme aimed at LGBQT+ rights

Andy Elliott — Tue, 13 Jan 2026 08:52:10 +0000

January 13 – As Seattle counts down to the 2026 World Cup, the city is bucking a growing trend in the USA.

While President Donald trump has waged war on Diversity, Equity and Inclusion (DEI) schemes since he returned to the White House, the host city for the United States Men’s National Team’s match against Australia is pushing back.

With the US government rolling back protections for LGBTQ+ communities in several states,

Is clock ticking for FIFA’s underpinning TV partners? TikTok deal includes live rights

Paul Nicholson — Fri, 09 Jan 2026 07:23:11 +0000

January 9 – FIFA has appointed TikTok as its first ever ‘Preferred Platform’ for the 2026 World Cup in an agreement that will see live broadcast of match segments, as well as access to press conferences and training sessions to a select group of creators for fan content.

TikTok’s head of global head James Stafford said that TikTok’s data shows fans are “42% more likely to tune in to live matches after watching sports content on TikTok.”

“Football has experienced explosive global growth on TikTok over the past few years,