Also known as: Infantino · Fifa president
Gianni Infantino — FIFA president, endorsed by African Football Confederation for third term in 2027 election.
Infantino secured African Football Confederation endorsement for a third FIFA presidential term in 2027, as he navigates the lead-up to the 2026 World Cup in North America. He has confirmed Iran's participation despite political tensions, rejected a proposal to replace Iran with Italy, and approved new law amendments on red cards for player conduct during the tournament.
US President Donald Trump told The New York Post he would not pay the potential $1,000 ticket price to watch the USA play Paraguay in their 2026 World Cup opener in Los Angeles on 12 June. FIFA has faced criticism for pricing 2026 World Cup group-stage games based on team popularity rather than flat rates, and for taking a 30% resale fee on tickets.
7 May 2026 · Joy Online →
US President Donald Trump told The New York Post he would not pay the potential $1,000 ticket price to watch the USA play Paraguay in their 2026 World Cup opener in Los Angeles on 12 June. FIFA has faced criticism for pricing 2026 World Cup group-stage games based on team popularity rather than flat rates, and for taking a 30% resale fee on tickets.
7 May 2026 · Joy Online →
The International Olympic Committee has urged sports federations to allow Belarusian athletes to compete under their national flag, reversing a 2023 ban that restricted them to neutral status. World Athletics rejected the proposal, maintaining its own sanctions that exclude Belarusian athletes from competition.
7 May 2026 · Joy Online →
Iran's football chief Mehdi Taj says their World Cup host "is FIFA, not Mr Trump or America" and has called for respect towards the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps if Iran's national team is to travel to the United States for the tournament. Taj's visa was cancelled by Canada while traveling to FIFA Congress in Vancouver due to his links to the IRGC, listed as a terrorist organisation in Canada and the US.
6 May 2026 · Joy Online →
Iranian soccer officials will meet FIFA in Zurich by May 20 to discuss participation in the U.S.-hosted World Cup in June. Iran's ability to attend has been questioned since military attacks on Feb. 28.
4 May 2026 · The Ghanaian Times →
At the 76th FIFA Congress in Vancouver, FIFA president Gianni Infantino attempted to orchestrate a photographed handshake between the Palestinian and Israeli football association representatives, but the Palestinian FA president Jibril Rajoub refused to shake hands or pose for cameras. Rajoub later questioned whether Israel should remain part of FIFA, citing violations of statutes and human rights concerns.
1 May 2026 · Joy Online →
Iran was the only nation absent from FIFA's annual congress in Canada after officials were turned back at border control, amid reports of immigration issues and Canada's designation of the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps as a terrorist organisation. FIFA president Gianni Infantino confirmed Iran will participate in the World Cup this summer in the United States, Canada and Mexico.
30 April 2026 · Joy Online →
FIFA and the International Football Association Board approved two law amendments in Vancouver: players who cover their mouths when speaking to opponents during confrontations or who leave the pitch in protest at referee decisions can now face red cards. Both changes have been approved as competition opt-ins and will be adopted at this summer's World Cup.
30 April 2026 · The Ghanaian Times →
The Confederation of African Football has endorsed Gianni Infantino for a third term as FIFA President at a meeting of its 54 member associations on 29 April 2026 in Vancouver, Canada. A 2022 FIFA rule change allows Infantino to run for a third term despite serving since 2016, with the presidential election scheduled for 2027 in Rabat, Morocco.
30 April 2026 · Joy Online →
The Ghana Football Association will receive $2.5 million to prepare the Black Stars for the 2026 World Cup and $10 million for qualifying, following FIFA's decision to increase prize money for participating teams by over $100 million.
29 April 2026 · Joy Online →
Fifa has approved two law amendments for this summer's World Cup: players who cover their mouths when speaking to opponents during confrontations may receive a red card, and players who leave the pitch in protest at a referee's decision can also face a red card. The changes were approved at a Fifa Council meeting in Vancouver.
28 April 2026 · Joy Online →