Omar Artan ‘honoured’ to referee UEFA Super Cup match

• Post author:Alaa Shamali
• Post published:12 August 2026
• Post last modified:13 August 2026

Somali referee Omar Artan is set to write a new chapter in the history of European football after being selected to referee the UEFA Super Cup match between Paris Saint-Germain (PSG) and Aston Villa next Wednesday. The 34-year-old will become the first referee from outside Europe to take charge of the UEFA Super Cup. The good news follows one of the most difficult moments of his career after being barred from entering the US to officiate at the 2026 World Cup. Omar Artan ‘honoured’ by appointment Artan was selected by FIFA to referee at the 2026 World Cup but then was…

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UEFA’s ‘rival’ World Cup threat rattles Infantino

• Post author:Alaa Shamali
• Post published:4 August 2026
• Post last modified:4 August 2026

A ‘rival’ World Cup could become the latest weapon against Gianni Infantino. UEFA and its allies are reportedly considering the idea as part of a wider challenge to FIFA’s leadership and direction. According to the Times, UEFA, the Asian Football Confederation and CONCACAF are weighing a series of measures to pressure FIFA. These include reviving the “World Nations League” concept as leverage in their dispute with Infantino. The proposal wouldn’t immediately create a rival to FIFA’s flagship tournament. Moreover, there is no indication that a launch decision has been made. But its revival shows how far opposition to Infantino has escalated.…

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FIFA scraps World Cup privatisation plan following international pressure

• Post author:Alaa Shamali
• Post published:1 August 2026
• Post last modified:1 August 2026

Gianni Infantino has officially announced he is scrapping the controversial FIFA Forward Enterprise (FFE) following widespread objections to the commercial project. In an official statement attributed to Infantino, he confirmed that FIFA would not proceed with the project, noting that consultations with member associations and stakeholders had revealed a lack of sufficient consensus to support selling shares to private investors. However, it emphasised that the dialogue would continue regarding any future initiatives aimed at boosting revenue and developing international football. Statement attributable to the FIFA President The FIFA Forward Enterprise project was intended to provide a basis for further strengthening our…

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FIFA considers 64-team World Cup because apparently 48 wasn’t enough

• Post author:Alaa Shamali
• Post published:31 July 2026
• Post last modified:31 July 2026

FIFA is considering expanding the men’s World Cup to 64 teams for the 2030 tournament. This would mark the competition’s 100th anniversary. According to documents seen by Reuters, football’s governing body will begin a formal review of the proposal on 14 August. An independent organisation will be asked to assess whether the expansion is workable. Its findings are due by 11 September, before FIFA decides whether to take the idea any further. FIFA’s latest light-bulb moment The proposal came from South America’s football confederation, CONMEBOL. It believes the centenary World Cup should include more nations than ever before. The review will…

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Infantino’s World Cup commercialisation push hits a brick wall

• Post author:Alaa Shamali
• Post published:30 July 2026
• Post last modified:30 July 2026

FIFA president Gianni Infantino has unveiled a commercial project. It could become one of the biggest financial ventures in the organisation’s history. The plan would partially privatise FIFA’s commercial operations, most notably the World Cup. For the first time, outside investors would be allowed to take a stake in these activities. Below, Al-Kanari breaks down the key elements of the proposal, how it would work, its potential value, and why it has faced such strong opposition. A new commercial company At the centre of the proposal is the creation of a new independent company, FIFA Forward Enterprise. This company would take…

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The footballers brought to the World Cup but never played

• Post author:Alaa Shamali
• Post published:27 July 2026
• Post last modified:28 July 2026

An early exit was not the only disappointment for footballers at the 2026 World Cup. Whilst some stole the limelight with goals and trophies, a number of the game’s biggest stars experienced a tournament of a different kind: being included in their national teams’ squads, yet completely absent from the pitch. Six weeks of waiting ended without a single minute played, reducing their participation in football’s biggest event to nothing more than a name on the team sheet. The largest World Cup in history saw 1,248 players take part, but a small number of them returned home without their manager giving…

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Spain win second World Cup after suffocating Argentina out of game

• Post author:Faz Ali
• Post published:20 July 2026
• Post last modified:20 July 2026

Spain’s second World Cup title did not arrive in a blaze of chaos or a flurry of goals. It came through something far more familiar, control. Luis de la Fuente’s side beat Argentina 1-0 in extra time in New Jersey. Ferran Torres delivered the decisive moment, but the story of this final was written long before the ball hit the net. Spain dominated every phase, every rhythm, every inch of the pitch. This was a victory for football philosophy. Spain dominated The match never resembled the dramatic, end‑to‑end final of 2022. It never threatened to. Spain imposed their game immediately, pinning…

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Spain sweeps the board at 2026 World Cup with individual awards

• Post author:Alaa Shamali
• Post published:20 July 2026
• Post last modified:20 July 2026

Spain not only claimed the 2026 World Cup title, but also dominated the tournament’s individual awards. Three of the four most prestigious honours went to Spanish players – a further testament to the excellence that led ‘La Roja’ to the pinnacle of world football. Spain’s captain, Rodri, was crowned with the Golden Ball as the tournament’s best player, following his exceptional performances in midfield and his pivotal role in leading Spain to their second World Cup title, adding yet another achievement to his illustrious career. Spain’s dominance did not stop at the Best Player award, as goalkeeper Unai Simón won the…

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Mbappé wins World Cup golden boot and overtakes Messi as top scorer

• Post author:Alaa Shamali
• Post published:20 July 2026
• Post last modified:20 July 2026

Kylian Mbappé has etched his name in the annals of world football in letters of gold, having been crowned top scorer of the 2026 World Cup with 10 goals, becoming the first player in the tournament’s history to win the Golden Boot twice, before adding another, even more significant achievement by climbing to the top of the all-time World Cup goalscorers’ list with 22 goals, overtaking Lionel Messi. For the France captain, this was not merely another individual accolade, but a historic moment that ended a record which had stood since the first World Cup in 1930, and redrew the map…

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Yamal among four stars chasing World Cup Young Player award

• Post author:Alaa Shamali
• Post published:19 July 2026
• Post last modified:19 July 2026

The race for the 2026 World Cup Best Young Player award is heating up, with four rising stars emerging as the leading contenders after standout performances throughout the tournament. Spain’s Lamine Yamal is among the favourites after playing a key role in his country’s run to the final, further strengthening his reputation as one of world football’s brightest young talents. His teammate Pau Cubarsí has also entered the conversation, becoming a reliable presence in Spain’s defence during their title challenge. Lamine Yamal’s impact on the 2026 World Cup beyond the statistics The Spanish duo are not the only contenders, however. France’s…

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Saka becomes fourth English player to score a World Cup hat-trick

• Post author:Alaa Shamali
• Post published:19 July 2026
• Post last modified:19 July 2026

England’s 6–4 victory over France in the 2026 World Cup third-place play-off was already a memorable way to end their campaign. But thanks to Bukayo Saka, it became a historic night for English football. The Arsenal winger stole the spotlight with a stunning hat-trick, helping England secure their first-ever World Cup bronze medal while becoming only the fourth English player to score three goals in a single World Cup match, following Geoff Hurst (1966), Gary Lineker (1986) and Harry Kane (2018). Saka’s record-breaking night added another milestone to an already impressive international career. The 24-year-old took his England tally to 17…

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Who is Slavko Vinčić, the World Cup final referee?

• Post author:Alaa Shamali
• Post published:17 July 2026
• Post last modified:18 July 2026

Football fans are used to viewing the referee as the arbiter who blows the whistle to start and end the match, awards penalties and shows cards. Their presence is largely confined to controversial decisions. Rarely does anyone stop to ask: who is this person? And what has led them to take charge of some of the most high pressure sports matches? When FIFA announced Slavko Vinčić would referee the 2026 World Cup final, the accompanying video was not merely an official announcement, but a window into the emotions of a man who had spent many years working towards a moment he…

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World Cup final tickets — A luxury only the rich can afford

• Post author:Alaa Shamali
• Post published:17 July 2026
• Post last modified:18 July 2026

The 2026 World Cup final is shaping up to be the most expensive match in the tournament’s history. This is true at least when it comes to ticket prices. The final, set to be played at MetLife Stadium between Argentina and Spain, has seen resale prices skyrocket. The cheapest tickets are going for more than $8,000, while some premium seats are being listed for over $61,000. In the context of the football world, this Cup final could break not just records, but affordability expectations for fans globally. FIFA has said that official ticket prices are much lower. However, the enormous demand…

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After beating England, Messi sets five new World Cup records

• Post author:Alaa Shamali
• Post published:16 July 2026
• Post last modified:16 July 2026

Argentina booked their place in the 2026 World Cup final with a dramatic 2–1 comeback win over England on 15 July at Atlanta Stadium, keeping their hopes of defending the title alive. They will now face Spain in Sunday’s final in what promises to be a blockbuster showdown. It was another unforgettable night for football fans, with Lionel Messi once again proving why he’s one of the greatest players of all time. The Argentina captain inspired his side to a second consecutive World Cup final, playing a decisive role as they turned the match around in the closing stages of one…

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Oyarzabal and Porro fire European champions into World Cup final

• Post author:Faz Ali
• Post published:15 July 2026
• Post last modified:15 July 2026

Spain are into the World Cup final after a controlled, clinical 2-0 win over France in Dallas. The semi-final was billed as a meeting of the tournament’s two standout sides, but one which never caught fire for Didier Deschamps’ team. Goals in each half from Mikel Oyarzabal and Pedro Porro settled it, sending the European champions through to Sunday’s showpiece against either England or Argentina. France arrived with the joint-top scorer Kylian Mbappé and the World Cup’s top assist-maker Michael Olise, but neither could influence a game Spain managed from the opening whistle. Luis de la Fuente’s side, unbeaten in 37…

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FIFA adopts new match ball for the final four matches of the 2026 World Cup

• Post author:Alaa Shamali
• Post published:14 July 2026
• Post last modified:14 July 2026

FIFA and Adidas have announced the launch of a new official match ball for the final four matches of the 2026 World Cup. This marks the first time the tournament has seen a change in the official match ball before the competition draws to a close. After the ‘Trionda’ ball has been in use from the start of the tournament through to the end of the quarter-finals, the new version – named the ‘Trionda Final’ – will feature in the semi-finals between France and Spain, and England and Argentina, as well as the third-place play-off and the final. This change is…

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FIFA announces bizarre World Cup souvenir scheme — fans can own a pricey patch of turf

• Post author:Alaa Shamali
• Post published:13 July 2026
• Post last modified:14 July 2026

Memories of the World Cup final are no longer limited to photographs, tickets or signed shirts. FIFA has decided to take the concept of collectables to a new level. In fact, for dedicated fifa fans, the organisation is offering the chance to own a genuine piece of the pitch that will host the 2026 World Cup final. FIFA has announced via its official shop the launch of a commemorative collection entitled “Piece of the Pitch – Foundation Edition”. The collection features authentic pieces of the turf to be used in the World Cup final, scheduled to take place on 19 July…

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Real Madrid breaks 72-year-old historic World Cup record

• Post author:Alaa Shamali
• Post published:12 July 2026
• Post last modified:12 July 2026

Real Madrid has once again solidified its global dominance, this time on the world stage rather than in club competitions. Players from the club have achieved a historic milestone at the 2026 World Cup, setting a new record for the most goals contributed by players from a single club in a single tournament. This record-breaking feat followed a decisive brace by England’s Jude Bellingham against Norway, which propelled his national team to the semi-finals. This effort brought the total goal tally for Real Madrid players in the current World Cup to 19—the highest number ever recorded for a single club in…

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FIFA’s new ‘Mistaken Identity’ law — at the World Cup

• Post author:Jamal Awar
• Post published:12 July 2026
• Post last modified:12 July 2026

The new ‘Mistaken Identity’ rule, introduced by FIFA for the 2026 World Cup, has now been put into practice. Swiss forward Breel Embolo became the first player to be sent off as a direct result of this refereeing amendment, marking a potential turning point in how VAR technology is utilized. During the quarter-final match between Switzerland and Argentina, Portuguese referee João Pinheiro initially issued a yellow card to Argentine midfielder Leandro Paredes, believing he had committed a foul against Embolo. However, a VAR review revealed that the situation was the opposite: the Swiss forward had actually attempted to deceive the referee…

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Why was Bosnian support for Palestine so passionate during the World Cup?

• Post author:Alaa Shamali
• Post published:12 July 2026
• Post last modified:12 July 2026

The sight of Bosnian fans at the World Cup raising Palestinian flags, chanting for Gaza, and showing solidarity in the stands and on American streets was more than just sympathy for a people enduring a cruel war. Rather, it seemed like a retrieval of a personal and collective memory that has not left them for three decades. While millions of fans around the world were watching what was happening in Gaza from afar, many Bosnians were reliving their own lives. They were not just spectators; they saw a part of their past in every image. Every scene from Gaza brings back…

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