Royal News

Tag: Fifa

  • African referee breaks silence after FIFA drops him from World Cup

    African referee breaks silence after FIFA drops him from World Cup

    Award-winning Somali referee Omar Artan has been ruled out of officiating at the 2026 FIFA World Cup after he was denied entry into the United States, FIFA confirmed on Monday.

    According to FIFA, Artan arrived at Miami International Airport on Saturday but was refused admission by United States authorities following additional immigration screening. The decision means he will no longer participate in training or officiating duties at the tournament.

    FIFA said it had no authority over the immigration decision, stressing that visa approvals and entry into host countries are determined solely by national authorities. A spokesperson for the United States Customs and Border Protection (CBP) said Artan was denied entry due to “vetting concerns” discovered during routine inspection procedures.

    Artan would have become the first Somali referee to officiate at a FIFA World Cup. Somalia is among countries affected by immigration restrictions introduced under former President Donald Trump’s administration as part of broader travel and security policies.

    Reacting to the development, Artan said he remained positive despite the setback and would focus on the future of his refereeing career. He also thanked the football community for their support and wished fellow officials success at the World Cup.

  • Boston Transit Authority Faces Backlash Over $80 World Cup Train Fare to Gillette Stadium

    Boston Transit Authority Faces Backlash Over $80 World Cup Train Fare to Gillette Stadium

    Concerns over rising public transport costs linked to 2026 FIFA World Cup preparations have surfaced in Boston, after the Massachusetts Bay Transportation Authority confirmed a steep temporary fare increase for match-day travel to Gillette Stadium.

    The transit authority announced earlier this month that return train tickets between Boston and the stadium would cost $80 during World Cup matches, up from the usual $20 fare.

    The increase has sparked criticism from fans and transport advocates, who argue that higher match-day fares could limit accessibility and discourage attendance, particularly among lower-income supporters.

    Boston is one of several host cities expected to experience pressure on transport systems during the tournament, with authorities planning special services to handle large visitor inflows. However, the fare adjustment has intensified debate over how host cities balance operational costs with equitable access to major sporting events.

  • Iran May Boycott 2026 World Cup, FIFA Weighs Options

    Iran May Boycott 2026 World Cup, FIFA Weighs Options

    FIFA is assessing contingency plans amid uncertainty over Iran’s participation in the 2026 World Cup, following escalating tensions between Tehran and tournament co-host, the United States.

    Iran Football Federation President Mehdi Taj said the ongoing conflict could affect the country’s involvement in the competition. Speaking on IRIB Channel 3, Taj said senior sports authorities would soon decide whether the national team will take part.

    “It’s not possible to say exactly, but there will certainly be a response,” Taj said. “This will surely be studied by the country’s high-ranking sports officials and there will be a decision on what’s going to happen.”

    Iran secured qualification for a fourth consecutive World Cup after topping Group A in the third round of Asian qualifiers. The team has been drawn in Group G alongside Belgium, Egypt and New Zealand, with matches scheduled in Los Angeles and Seattle.

    However, Taj suggested the current situation has cast doubt over participation. “Due to this attack and its viciousness, it is far from our expectations that we can look at the World Cup with hope,” he said.

    Sports journalist Gary Al-Smith reported on social media platform X that a FIFA official indicated two possible replacement scenarios if Iran withdraws. According to the report, either Iraq — who could still qualify through a continental playoff — or the United Arab Emirates, which narrowly missed out on qualification, could take the slot.

    Meanwhile, uncertainty also surrounds a protest lodged by the Nigeria Football Federation against the Democratic Republic of Congo over player eligibility in their World Cup playoff meeting in November. NFF officials say the delay in a decision is concerning, with the intercontinental playoff set to begin in about three weeks.

  • Osimhen Moves to Take Legal Action Over Galatasaray Wage Dispute

    Osimhen Moves to Take Legal Action Over Galatasaray Wage Dispute

    Napoli and Super Eagles striker Victor Osimhen has threatened to report Galatasaray to FIFA over unpaid wages, warning that he may refuse to play in matches if the situation is not promptly resolved. The issue was reported by Turkish journalist Dogus (@sollcampbell), who noted that Osimhen has already taken initial steps to address the matter through the international football governing body.

    Osimhen expressed frustration over the financial dispute, stating, “Football is not an arena for secret games, it’s a sport.” His remarks highlight growing tension between the striker and the Turkish club, raising concerns about the potential impact on his relationship with Galatasaray.

    The wage dispute comes amid broader financial pressures facing European football clubs, with increased scrutiny on teams to meet player obligations. Osimhen’s public threat underscores the challenges players face when clubs fail to honour contracts.

    FIFA’s involvement is expected to play a crucial role in resolving the matter, as the striker considers withholding participation in games to pressure the club into payment. The international body’s ruling could set a precedent for similar cases in the region.

    The situation is particularly significant for Osimhen’s career and Galatasaray’s performance, given his central role in the club’s forward line. Any prolonged dispute could affect both the striker’s form and the team’s competitiveness in upcoming fixtures.

  • NFF Awaits FIFA Decision On DR Congo Players

    NFF Awaits FIFA Decision On DR Congo Players

    The Nigeria Football Federation (NFF) has said it is yet to receive any response from FIFA regarding its petition challenging the eligibility of certain Democratic Republic of Congo players who featured in the 2026 World Cup African play-off against Nigeria.

    The federation said the matter remains under consideration, contrary to reports claiming that FIFA had dismissed Nigeria’s appeal following the Super Eagles’ loss to DR Congo in the play-off final.

    Speaking on the issue, NFF Secretary General Mohammed Sanusi said no official communication has been received from world football’s governing body.

    “The Nigeria Football Federation wrote a petition to FIFA on the eligibility of some of the players of DR Congo, and if there is anything, FIFA will reply to the NFF,” Sanusi said in an interview.

    He dismissed claims that FIFA had rejected the petition, saying the federation had checked its records and received no such correspondence.

    “The NFF has not received any letter from FIFA saying they have thrown away our petition. I don’t know where the information came from,” he said, urging those making the claims to provide evidence if available.

    Sanusi added that any update on the matter would come through official channels once FIFA reaches a decision.

  • Clarke Urges Scots To Avoid Debt For World Cup

    Clarke Urges Scots To Avoid Debt For World Cup

    Scotland head coach Steve Clarke has cautioned supporters against going into financial difficulty to follow the national team at next year’s World Cup in the United States.

    Clarke made the remarks as members of the Scotland supporters’ club were invited to apply for tickets to group-stage matches against Haiti and Morocco in Boston, and a final group fixture against Brazil in Miami.

    Ticket pricing for the tournament has drawn criticism, with FIFA accused of setting costs that could force fans to spend thousands of pounds to attend matches.

    Scotland supporters are expected to receive about eight per cent of available tickets for their group games, although the Scottish Football Association (SFA) hopes the allocation will increase closer to the tournament.

    “It’s going to be expensive,” Clarke told BBC Scotland. “If you can get there and you can afford it, then fantastic, but don’t push yourself too far into debt trying to be there.”

    He added that ticket pricing decisions lie with FIFA, noting that the SFA has taken its full allocation for Scotland matches.

    Scotland will face five-time world champions Brazil in Miami on June 24, with 3,736 tickets allocated to Scottish fans. Prices for that match range from £198 to £523.

    Clarke said he hopes long-standing supporters who regularly travel to follow the team can secure tickets at reasonable prices, adding that they “deserve to be there.”

    He also revealed that demand among fans is already high, saying a friend had booked flights but was still waiting for ticket availability.

  • Countdown to 2026 World Cup: Who’s In So Far

    Countdown to 2026 World Cup: Who’s In So Far

    With the 2026 FIFA World Cup drawing closer, excitement is building for what promises to be the biggest tournament in history — featuring 48 teams for the first time. The competition, jointly hosted by Canada, Mexico, and the United States, will welcome football’s elite from every continent.

    So far, 28 nations have officially qualified, leaving 20 spots still open as qualifiers continue across the globe.

    Host Nations

    As co-hosts, Canada, Mexico, and the United States automatically booked their places.

    • Canada will make consecutive appearances for the first time after featuring in 1986 and 2022.

    • Mexico will host the event for a record third time, marking their 18th World Cup appearance.

    • The United States secure a 12th World Cup appearance, their second on home soil after USA 1994.

    Asia (AFC)

    Eight teams have qualified from Asia.

    • Japan, South Korea, and Iran maintained their consistent records.

    • Uzbekistan and Jordan made history by qualifying for their first-ever World Cups.

    • Australia, Saudi Arabia, and Qatar also secured their tickets after strong qualifying campaigns.

    Africa (CAF)

    Africa will be represented by nine nations.

    • Morocco became the continent’s first qualifier, followed by Tunisia, Egypt, Algeria, Ghana, Côte d’Ivoire, Senegal, South Africa, and debutants Cabo Verde, who made history with their first qualification.

    South America (CONMEBOL)

    Six South American powerhouses have confirmed their spots.

    • Defending champions Argentina lead the list, alongside Brazil, Uruguay, Ecuador, Paraguay, and Colombia — who return after missing Qatar 2022.

    Oceania (OFC)

    New Zealand booked their ticket by defeating New Caledonia 3–0 in the OFC final, marking their third World Cup appearance.

    Europe (UEFA)

    So far, only England have officially qualified from Europe, comfortably sealing their eighth consecutive appearance after a dominant campaign.

    Concacaf (North and Central America)

    Aside from the host nations, no other Concacaf team has yet secured qualification, with the regional qualifiers still ongoing.

    The 2026 tournament will mark a new era for global football — with more teams, more matches, and more dreams coming to life across Canada, Mexico, and the United States.

  • FIFA eases club concerns, Drops october break

    FIFA eases club concerns, Drops october break

    FIFA President Gianni Infantino

    FIFA has announced that there will be no international break in October 2026, following persistent complaints from clubs about disruptions to the domestic football calendar.

    The world governing body confirmed on Monday that adjustments have been made to the international match schedule for the 2026/27 season.

    Instead of splitting the calendar into separate breaks, FIFA will extend the first international window — from September 21 to October 6 — allowing national teams to play four matches within that period.

    However, the November international window will remain unchanged, with fixtures scheduled between November 9 and 17.

    The revised schedule will also affect European competitions, with the new Champions League campaign set to kick off earlier, between September 8 and 10.

  • FIFA confirms South Africa vs Nigeria Match

    FIFA confirms South Africa vs Nigeria Match


    The Fédération Internationale de Football Association (FIFA) has confirmed that South Africa will host Nigeria in a 2026 FIFA World Cup qualifying match at Toyota Stadium, Bloemfontein, on Tuesday, September 9, 2025.

    The confirmation came via a communication from FIFA’s Head of Qualifiers and International Matches, Gordon Savic, relayed through the Nigeria Football Federation (NFF). The match is scheduled to kick off at 5:00 p.m. Nigerian time.

    The 46,000-capacity venue, formerly known as Vodacom Park and later Free State Stadium, is among South Africa’s premier sports arenas. Built in 1995, it gained international prominence as one of the host stadiums during the 2010 FIFA World Cup.

    The clash marks Matchday 8 in Group C of the African qualifiers and could prove decisive in determining the group winner who will automatically qualify for the 2026 FIFA World Cup in the United States, Canada, and Mexico. The Super Eagles will face Rwanda just three days earlier, on September 6, in Uyo.

    South Africa currently lead the group with 13 points from six games. Nigeria trail behind in fourth place with seven points, having won only once, drawn four times, and lost once. Despite the underwhelming campaign so far, the Super Eagles are still mathematically in contention, with four matches left to play.

    Following the September double-header, Nigeria will travel to Lesotho before concluding their qualifying campaign at home against Benin Republic in October.

    The reverse fixture between Nigeria and South Africa in June ended in a 1–1 draw in Uyo. South Africa’s Themba Zwane put the visitors ahead, but Fisayo Dele-Bashiru equalised shortly after the break.

    Victory in Bloemfontein is crucial for Nigeria as they look to close the six-point gap and revive their qualification hopes. South Africa, meanwhile, are seeking a return to the World Cup stage for the first time since they hosted the tournament in 2010.

    Nigeria, three-time African champions, are aiming to qualify for their seventh World Cup finals, having missed the 2022 edition in Qatar.

  • Vitinha Thanks Modrić After PSG’s 4–0 Win Over Real Madrid

    Vitinha Thanks Modrić After PSG’s 4–0 Win Over Real Madrid

    Paris Saint-Germain midfielder Vitinha has revealed his exchange with Luka Modrić following PSG’s 4–0 victory over Real Madrid in the Club World Cup semi-final on Wednesday night.

    The Portuguese international was instrumental in PSG’s dominant performance at MetLife Stadium in New York, where goals from Fabián Ruiz, Ousmane Dembélé, and Gonçalo Ramos secured a convincing win over the Spanish side.

    After the match, Vitinha said he approached Modrić to personally thank him for his recent public praise.

    “I told Modrić thank you for what he said about me. It’s an honor to be able to share the pitch with him. He’s a role model,” Vitinha said, according to MadridXtra.

    Modrić, 39, recently hailed Vitinha as the best midfielder in the world right now, describing him as a “game organiser” in a statement that garnered widespread attention.

    The Croatian midfielder, who is reportedly set to join AC Milan in the coming days, has long been regarded as one of the finest playmakers of his generation.

    Vitinha expressed deep admiration for Modrić’s professionalism and enduring influence on the game, saying the recognition from such a figure was especially meaningful.

    The match marked a standout performance for PSG, as they advanced to the final of the Club World Cup with authority.

    Modrić has not yet commented on his exchange with Vitinha, but his praise appears to have made a lasting impact on the young midfielder.