Tag Archives: FIFA

Neymar netted twice in Brazil’s World Cup qualifying match against Bolivia to set his national side’s goalscoring record at 79. Neymar eclipsed Pelé as the top goalscorer for Brazil’s national team after overtaking the three-time World Cup winner’s career total on Friday. The goal that put the 31-year-old Neymar on …

Most people in Saudi Arabia and the United Arab Emirates believe Cristiano Ronaldo’s move to Al Nassr will help Saudi Arabia win the bid for the 2030 FIFA World Cup, according to a YouGov survey. Seven in ten respondents from the two countries believe the Portuguese striker’s move will bolster …

The President of the International Football Association, Gianni Infantino, arrived today, Friday, in Basra to attend the opening ceremony of the Gulf 25. The reporter of the Iraqi News Agency (INA) stated that “the president of FIFA arrived in Basra to attend the opening ceremony of the Gulf 25,” noting …

In a reversal, alcoholic beer will not be sold at Qatar’s World Cup stadiums, world soccer governing body FIFA said in a statement on Friday. The announcement comes two days before Sunday’s kickoff of the World Cup. “Following discussions between host country authorities and FIFA, a decision has been made …

The World Cup is the pinnacle of football, but it is also known for its extravagance. Nowhere is this seen more than in the opening ceremony, which takes place just prior to the kick-off of the first match. For Qatar 2022, a star-studded event is expected to usher in the …

An Indonesian police chief and nine elite officers were removed from their posts Monday and 18 others were being investigated for responsibility in the firing of tear gas inside a soccer stadium that set off a stampede, killing at least 125 people, officials said. Distraught family members were struggling to …

The 2022 World Cup hosted by Qatar is expected to be watched by 5 billion people around the world, FIFA president Gianni Infantino said on Monday. The TV audience for the 2018 World Cup in Russia was a record-breaking 3.5 billion people. Qatar, a small but wealthy Gulf Arab state, …

As the 2021 Arab Cup in Qatar spotlights football in the Arab World, Iraqis are taking the opportunity to pressure FIFA into lifting a decades-long ban on international football in their stadiums. Iraqi football fans are campaigning for football’s governing body FIFA to lift its decades-long ban on Iraqi stadiums, …

Former Fifa officials Sepp Blatter and Michel Platini have been charged with fraud and other offenses in Switzerland. Swiss prosecutors say Mr. Blatter unlawfully arranged a transfer of two million Swiss francs ($2.19m; £1.6m) to Mr. Platini in 2011. Prosecutors say the payment “damaged Fifa’s assets and unlawfully enriched Platini”. …

A UK-based rights group has slammed the FIFA president for participating in a “political activity” in the occupied al-Quds, denouncing his suggestion to hold the 2030 World Cup in the Occupied Palestine. Gianni Infantino took part in the inauguration ceremony of “The Friedman Center for Peace through Strength” on October …

FIFA is in talks with Qatari authorities about scrapping the mandatory vaccination requirements for next year’s World Cup. Qatari Prime Minister Sheikh Khalid bin Khalifa bin Abdulaziz Al Thani announced in June that it would require any fans wanting entry into next year’s tournament to be fully inoculated against the …

FIFA’s plans for a biennial World Cup would lead to a “direct and destructive impact on the club game”, Europe’s top club’s organization said on Friday. The European Club Association (ECA) said FIFA’s approach to the reforms of the international match calendar was in “direct and unilateral breach of certain …

More than $48 billion was spent on professional football player transfer fees over the past decade, a report from FIFA reveals. The sport’s governing body tracked international transfers in the men’s game during the 2011-2020 period. It’s the most comprehensive review on record of transfers across the globe. The report …

Soccer’s world governing body FIFA said it is negotiating the “extremely challenging” evacuation of soccer players and other athletes from Afghanistan after the Taliban’s takeover of power. ISIS suicide bombers killed scores of civilians and at least 13 US troops on Thursday, striking the Kabul airport where thousands of people …

The English Premier League and Spain’s LaLiga should release players for World Cup qualifiers next month to “preserve and protect sporting integrity”, FIFA president Gianni Infantino said on Wednesday. While the Premier League has refused to release players headed to countries on the United Kingdom’s ‘red list’ due to strict …

A law firm representing FC Barcelona has filed an official complaint against Paris Saint Germain in a bid to block Lionel Messi’s anticipated move to the French football team, according to reports. A tearful Messi confirmed on Sunday he was leaving Barcelona after the club said it could no longer …

FORMER Feyenoord boss Dick Advocaat has become the new Iraq manager…despite turning 74 next month and previously retiring four times.

Global soccer governing body FIFA said it held talks on Tuesday with a number of member associations and confederations to address concerns relating to workers’ welfare and human rights in host nation Qatar ahead of the 2022 World Cup. Britain’s Guardian reported in February that at least 6,500 migrant workers …

Nine of the original European Super League clubs – including the Premier League’s ‘Big Six’ – have declared their commitment to UEFA and its competitions at a continental and domestic level. However, the three who have not renounced the Super League – Real Madrid, Barcelona, and Juventus – are set …