Also known as: FIFA president Gianni Infantino · Mr Infantino
Gianni Infantino — FIFA President since 2016, confirmed for 2026 World Cup participation amid diplomatic tensions and visa controversies.
Verbatim sentences from the source article.
Joy Online
… sidies for team delegation costs and increased team ticketing allocations totalling more than $16 million. “FIFA is proud to be in its most solid financial position ever, enabling us to help all our Member Associations in an unprecedented way,” FIFA president Gianni Infantino …
GFA to receive $2.5m from FIFA to prepare for World Cup and $10m for qualifying for tournamentJoy Online
… The decision remains at the absolute discretion of the referee, who will consider all circumstances before issuing a red card. ‘If you do not have something to hide, you don’t hide your mouth’ Fifa president Gianni Infantino said he wanted to bring in something which has “a deter …
Players who cover mouths face red card at World CupThe Ghanaian Times
… US special envoy Paolo Zampolli told the Financial Times, external: “I confirm I have suggested to Trump and Infantino that Italy replace Iran at the World Cup. …
World Cup 2026: No FIFA plan to swap Iran and ItalyFrench journalists' unions and Fifa have arranged empty seats at World Cup press facilities to protest the imprisonment of French sports journalist Christophe Gleizes, who was jailed in Algeria in 2025 for seven years on terrorism-related charges linked to his coverage of African football.
15 June 2026 · Joy Online →
French journalists' unions and Fifa have arranged empty seats at World Cup press facilities to protest the imprisonment of French sports journalist Christophe Gleizes, who was jailed in Algeria in 2025 for seven years on terrorism-related charges linked to his coverage of African football.
15 June 2026 · Joy Online →
Thomas Partey's refusal of entry to Canada highlights Section 36 of Canada's Immigration and Refugee Protection Act, which can bar people facing criminal charges—even without conviction—if the conduct allegedly occurred outside Canada. For domestic matters, a conviction is required; for foreign conduct, officers need only "reasonable grounds to believe" criminal activity occurred.
12 June 2026 · Joy Online →
FIFA President Infantino said the organization cannot override government decisions on visa and immigration matters, addressing a case where a Somali referee was denied U.S. entry despite holding a valid visa. Infantino stressed that FIFA is working behind the scenes on outstanding issues but acknowledged that immigration decisions ultimately rest with national authorities.
12 June 2026 · The Ghanaian Times →
Somali referee Omar Artan, who was refused entry to the US and barred from World Cup duty by American authorities, has been selected by UEFA to officiate the August 12 UEFA Super Cup between Paris Saint-Germain and Aston Villa in Salzburg, Austria.
12 June 2026 · The Ghanaian Times →
Omar Artan, a Somali referee barred from entering the United States for World Cup duty due to visa and vetting concerns, has been appointed by UEFA to officiate the UEFA Super Cup final between Paris Saint-Germain and Aston Villa on August 12 in Salzburg, Austria.
11 June 2026 · Joy Online →
FIFA has signed a memorandum of understanding with global players' union FIFPRO, granting the union veto power over key governance areas and observer status with speaking rights on FIFA Council. The deal includes protections against abusive practices and was reached as FIFA faced legal claims around player welfare, with all proceedings to be withdrawn.
11 June 2026 · Joy Online →
FIFA President Gianni Infantino told journalists to "chill, relax" about controversies surrounding the 2026 World Cup, including a Somali referee's refusal of entry to the United States, an Iraqi player's questioning at Chicago airport, and Iran's forced base relocation and visa denials. Infantino described the referee's rejection as merely "unfortunate" and defended US President Donald Trump as essential to hosting the tournament.
11 June 2026 · Joy Online →
With one week until the 2026 World Cup, thousands of tickets remain available for sale well below face value across multiple platforms, contradicting FIFA's promise of a sold-out event. New York and New Jersey attorneys general have launched an investigation into FIFA's ticket practices, alleging artificially inflated prices and misleading fans.
4 June 2026 · Joy Online →
FIFA has published a book by Italian journalist Alessandro Alciato documenting Gianni Infantino's first 10 years as FIFA President since his election in February 2016. The book covers behind-the-scenes stories, women's football growth, revenue redistribution, and FIFA's transition from corruption to transparency.
21 May 2026 · The Ghanaian Times →
US hotel owners in World Cup host cities are reporting lower bookings than the same period last year, with one Houston hotelier attributing sluggish demand to the political climate under President Trump's administration, including ICE immigration raids.
15 May 2026 · Joy Online →
Madonna, Shakira, and K-pop boy band BTS will co-headline the half-time show at this summer's World Cup final in New Jersey on 19 July. The BBC understands the show will be 11 minutes long, though reports suggest it could exceed the 15-minute interval limit set by the laws of the game.
15 May 2026 · Joy Online →
Iran's national team has not yet received visas for the 2026 World Cup co-hosted by the US, Canada, and Mexico, starting 11 June, according to Iranian FA president Medhi Taj. The situation is complicated by the fact that the US is currently at war with Iran, though the countries are observing a month-long ceasefire.
14 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 →
FIFA president Gianni Infantino said the Iranian team is "coming, for sure," after US special envoy Paolo Zampolli suggested Italy replace Iran at the 2026 World Cup. Zampolli told the Financial Times he had proposed the swap to Trump and Infantino, citing Italy's four World Cup titles, but FIFA did not formally endorse the plan.
24 April 2026 · The Ghanaian Times →