Charlie Alford

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…

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…

FIFA rulebook faces stress test after Trump intervention

Post author:Alaa Shamali
Post published:6 July 2026
Post last modified:7 July 2026

Not every crisis to hit football begins with a refereeing error. Some begin when fans lose faith that the law will have the final say, and when politics fills the space left behind. The latest controversy surrounding Folarin Balogun’s red card is no longer about whether the punishment was right or wrong. It is about whether FIFA’s disciplinary rules can withstand political pressure. Politics enters the equation Referees can make mistakes, but the rules have always been the final word. In fact, that was football’s strongest defence against those who suspected something more sinister. Errors are part of the game. However,…

Trump confirms he asked FIFA to revoke US striker’s red card

Post author:Maddison Wheeldon
Post published:6 July 2026
Post last modified:7 July 2026

Donald Trump has, remarkably, confirmed that he intervened with FIFA to overturn a red card for US striker Folarin Balogun. The World Cup 2026 has not been without political themes this tournament, particularly considering how players and referees have been prevented from making it into the US to compete with their national teams. However, Trump’s latest intervention really takes the biscuit. The lawless US President lobbied FIFA in three phone calls made since 29 June to suspend a red card levelled against US striker Folarin Balogun. This lobbying has been successful, with the President saying: Thank you to FIFA for doing…

How Folarin Balogun’s red card led to FIFA U-turn and Trump tweet

Post author:Alaa Shamali
Post published:6 July 2026
Post last modified:6 July 2026

The red card shown to US national team striker, Folarin Balogun, during the match against Bosnia and Herzegovina in the round of 32 of the World Cup became one of the most controversial incidents of the tournament. It spilled over from the pitch to reach the White House, before culminating in an exceptional decision by FIFA to suspend the penalty. This opened the door to unprecedented political interference and commentary. Folarin Balogun reprimanded for tackle In the 64th minute of the match, Balugon was shown a red card following a VAR review for a challenge that the referee deemed an assault…

Iran submits complaint to FIFA regarding US travel restrictions on its player

Post author:Alaa Shamali
Post published:19 June 2026
Post last modified:19 June 2026

The Iranian Football Federation announced on Friday its intention to submit a formal complaint to FIFA, protesting the restrictions imposed on the movement of Iran’s national team within the United States during its participation in the 2026 World Cup. The Iran will play its matches in the tournament while based in Mexico, one of the host nations, under restrictions related to entry procedures into the United States, where its group stage matches will take place. In a statement quoted by Reuters, the Iranian Federation stated that U.S. authorities allow the delegation to enter only one day before the match, provided they…

FIFA clears VAR official of racism after concern over hand gesture

Post author:Alaa Shamali
Post published:16 June 2026
Post last modified:17 June 2026

A few seconds of television coverage during the 2026 FIFA World Cup turned into an issue that sparked widespread controversy in sporting and media circles. Australian VAR official Sean Evans was seen making a controversial hand gesture ahead of the match between Germany and Curaçao. As the Canary previously reported, Evans was seen to have: briefly formed an “OK” gesture with his right hand near his leg, a symbol that has been co‑opted by white extremist groups. The gesture was quick, but it was enough to trigger immediate concern from FIFA’s anti‑discrimination unit, which monitors all matches for offensive behaviour. The monitor…

Canada denies Ghana star entry visa as FIFA says it cannot intervene

Post author:Alaa Shamali
Post published:13 June 2026
Post last modified:13 June 2026

Ghana have suffered a major setback ahead of their 2026 World Cup campaign after it was confirmed that midfielder Thomas Partey will miss their opening match against Panama in Toronto following a decision by Canadian authorities to deny him entry to the country. According to Reuters, the ruling will deprive Ghana of one of their most influential players for their first fixture of the tournament. FIFA confirmed that Partey, who is currently with the Ghana squad in the United States, will not be permitted to travel to Canada for the match against Panama. The governing body stressed that visa decisions fall…

German coach Low criticises FIFA and the 2026 World Cup format

Post author:Alaa Shamali
Post published:12 June 2026
Post last modified:13 June 2026

Former German coach Joachim Löw has voiced clear criticism of FIFA’s decision to expand the 2026 World Cup to 48 teams, arguing that the new format has diminished the tournament’s competitiveness and technical quality. In an interview with the German channel RTL as part of the series “World Cup Fever: Monica Lierhaus and the National Team Coaches,” Löw—who led Germany to victory in the 2014 World Cup in Brazil—confirmed that he was never in favor of increasing the number of participating teams. The 66-year-old coach stated that he had always believed the 32-team format was the most suitable for the World…

FIFA eases restrictions on bringing water into World Cup stadiums

Post author:Alaa Shamali
Post published:7 June 2026
Post last modified:9 June 2026

Following a widespread wave of criticism and objections from fan groups and health experts, FIFA was partially forced to backtrack on its controversial decision to ban water bottles in World Cup 2026 stadiums. It announced that spectators would be permitted to bring one soft, sealed plastic water bottle into matches held in the United States and Canada. The new decision came just days after an amendment to the “Stadium Code of Conduct,” which FIFA had completely banned reusable bottles, justifying the move on security grounds related to the possibility of using bottles and solid objects as projectiles that could pose a…

FIFA water ban sparks fan backlash ahead of 2026 World Cup

Post author:Alaa Shamali
Post published:5 June 2026
Post last modified:9 June 2026

Fans attending the 2026 World Cup will not be allowed to bring reusable water bottles into stadiums. The latest restriction introduced by FIFA has sparked criticism and concerns about temperatures across the tournament’s hottest host cities. This year’s tournament features 48 teams for the first time. It will take place across the United States, Canada, and Mexico. As a result, several matches are expected to be played in high temperatures and humidity. What has changed in stadium rules? Under the new regulations, fans cannot bring reusable water bottles into venues. However, previously, spectators could carry transparent, empty plastic bottles up to…

FIFA has a ‘crazy’ idea for the 2030 World Cup

Post author:Alaa Shamali
Post published:23 May 2026
Post last modified:8 June 2026

Global football is moving toward a new phase of organisational debate, as the proposal to expand the 2030 World Cup to 64 teams has resurfaced in discussions within the FIFA, a development that reflects a broadening scope of thinking about the future of the world’s most-watched tournament. According to AS newspaper, the idea, which originated as a proposal from the South American Football Confederation (CONMEBOL), is no longer a fleeting suggestion, but has transformed into a file under discussion within some decision-making circles at FIFA, amidst growing support from parties who believe the World Cup should move toward a more inclusive…