UN Human Rights Council recognises Qatar’s progress but asks for more
November 15 – Hardly a week went by in the build-up to the 2022 World Cup when Qatar wasn’t under examination for its policy on human rights.
World Cup
2026 qualifying: Brazil draw chaotically with Venezuela, Argentina lose in Paraguay
November 15 – Venezuela held Brazil to a 1-1 draw with a second-half strike from Telasco Segovia in South American World Cup qualifying. Vinicius Junior missed a penalty.
Delivering 2026. FIFA breaks the mould to create the most ambitious World Cup ever
November 14 – FIFA has changed its traditional model of delivering the greatest show on earth, the FIFA World Cup. Rather than working through a national Local Organising Committee, FIFA has mandated an increased level of management and delivery of the first 48-team, 104-match tournament to host cities.
Rajoub praises his Palestine team as they push to stay in 2026 contention
November 5 – The head of Palestinian football has praised his team’s efforts to qualify for their first ever World Cup despite unrelenting restrictions placed on the squad.
Artists compete for World Cup 2026 poster prizes
October 22 – With the 2026 World Cup just 18 months from arriving on the shores of Mexico, Canada, and the United States, local organising committees are looking to brand their cities. With that in mind, Toronto, Kansas City and Los Angeles have invited local artists to design the poster that will leave an historic mark in their football culture.
Asian 2026 qualifying sees Uzbekistan, Iran, South Korea and Japan open up group leads
October 16 – The second international window of Asian qualifying for the 2026 World Cup has seen old stagers and emerging nations stake a claim for a spot in the finals to be jointly held in the USA, Mexico and Canada.
Touts get in early with 2026 tickets being advertised for sale a year ahead of launch
October 3 – FIFA, has issued its first, and surely not last warning to fans prior to the 2026 World Cup urging them to not purchase tickets from ‘unofficial ticketing websites’.
Verizon becomes third tournament sponsor for 2026 World Cup
September 25 – US telecoms giant Verizon has agreed a 2026 World Cup sponsorship, with the network provider named the Official Telecommunication Services Sponsor for the tournament in Canada, Mexico and the USA.
Brazil squeeze past Ecuador to calm 2026 non-qualification fears
September 9 – Brazil put their World Cup qualifying campaign back on track with a laboured 1-0 victory against Ecuador in Coritiba.
Morocco unveils designs for Casablanca’s Grand Stade Hassan II showpiece stadium
August 22 – New images have been released for the planned Grand Stade Hassan II in Casablanca, Morocco, the 115,000-capacity stadium projected to be the largest football stadium in the world.
FIFA signs first major 2026 sponsorship with Bank of America
August 16 – FIFA has announced Bank of America as an official sponsor for the 2026 World Cup, the first time the organisation has partnered with a bank.
Uruguay to upgrade iconic Centenario Stadium for 2030 World Cup hosting
August 1 – Uruguay has solidified plans to renovate its iconic Centenario Stadium as part of its preparations for the 2030 World Cup, following the official submission of the joint hosting bid book on Monday.
FIFA closes the door on Palestine hosting 2026 qualifiers but it might not be good for Israel
July 29 – FIFA and the AFC have refused Palestine the right to stage their home World Cup qualifying matches in September in the West Bank.
UN says Qatar 2022 whistleblower Abdullah Ibhais is wrongfully imprisoned
July 24 – The United Nations has determined that the detention of Abdullah Ibhais (pictured), a former employee of the Qatar 2022 Supreme Committee for Legacy and Delivery, is ‘arbitrary’ and has called for his immediate release.
FIFA drops long time partner Match for On Location for 2026 hospitality sales
July 19 – FIFA has selected On Location, a premium global hospitality and travel agency, to be the official high-end hospitality provider of the 2026 World Cup being hosted jointly hosted by the US, Canada and Mexico.