world

FIFA eases restrictions on bringing water into World Cup stadiums

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

US denies visas to 15 members of Iran’s 2026 World Cup delegation

Post author:Alaa Shamali
Post published:7 June 2026
Post last modified:8 June 2026

Preparations for the Iranian national team’s participation in the 2026 World Cup have escalated into a tense political issue, following a visa crisis that triggered a diplomatic spat between Tehran and Washington. Meanwhile, the team continues its technical training, focusing away from the administrative turmoil. For a long time, there were doubts and continuous discussions about whether the Iranian national team would participate in or withdraw from the 2026 World Cup due to the US war against Iran since last February. Visa crisis brings politics back to the World Cup While the Iranian national team players and technical staff received US…

England — one of the top candidates for the 2026 World Cup

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

As the 2026 World Cup approaches in North America (USA, Canada, Mexico), England enters the list of serious contenders to win the title for the first time since 1966. This assessment relies on a strong combination of exceptional talent, tactical preparation under Thomas Tuchel’s leadership, a perfect qualifying record, and statistical expectations. Despite a long history of “disappointments” in the knockout stages, the English team appears more balanced and mature this time. The golden generation The English national team possesses one of the strongest squads in the world, combining experience with explosive youth: Attack: Harry Kane (Captain and historical top scorer)…

Visa crisis threatens media coverage for the 2026 World Cup

Post author:Alaa Shamali
Post published:7 June 2026
Post last modified:8 June 2026

As FIFA continues to promote the 2026 World Cup as the most expansive and inclusive tournament in history, a new crisis has emerged that could overshadow the long-awaited event. The International Sports Press Association has warned of significant difficulties facing dozens of accredited journalists in securing visas to enter the United States. In an official letter to FIFA media officials, the association revealed it has received an increasing number of complaints from accredited journalists—including a large group of Iranian journalists and those from various African nations—who have yet to secure the necessary visas, despite fulfilling all of the tournament’s media accreditation…

World cup chaos as US denies visas to Iranian team officials

Post author:HG
Post published:7 June 2026
Post last modified:7 June 2026

Iran’s Football Federation (IFF) has accused the US of “vindictive behavior” after it denied visas to 14 officials and backroom staff from Iran’s World Cup team. Hedayat Mombeini, Iran Football Federation’s secretary-general, and Mehdi Mohammad Nabi, its vice president, are among the staff who do not have visas. The country’s first game is in Los Angeles on June 16. The US, Mexico and Canada are jointly hosting the tournament, which starts on June 11. Iran had already moved its training camp from Tucson, Arizona, to Tijuana, Mexico, just across the US border. This was because of problems processing visas. The IFF…

World Cup — Water bottle ban sparks controversy

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

The FIFA has sparked widespread controversy with its decision to amend the policy regarding water bottles inside 2026 World Cup stadiums. After initially banning reusable bottles, FIFA later permitted only small, factory-sealed plastic bottles—a move seen as late and contentious, especially given concerns about high temperatures during the tournament in the United States, Canada, and Mexico. World Cup security decision sparks controversy According to Reuters, FIFA justified the decision as a security measure intended to prevent bottles or solid objects from being used as projectiles in the stands, part of a broader policy to tighten stadium safety procedures. However, the ban…

World Cup history — Streaks and attacking records

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

Days before the start of the 2026 World Cup, a collection of the most prominent historical records that have stood for decades in the archives of the FIFA returns to the forefront. At the top of the list are the long unbeaten streaks of national teams, in addition to the attacking dominance of a number of major teams since the first edition in 1930. These figures do not just reflect match results; they summarize entire eras of footballing dominance and reveal the historical differences between various playing styles over time. Longest unbeaten streaks According to the official statistics issued by the FIFA,…

FIFA water ban sparks fan backlash ahead of 2026 World Cup

Post author:Alaa Shamali
Post published:5 June 2026
Post last modified:7 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…

The biggest scorelines in World Cup history

Post author:Alaa Shamali
Post published:5 June 2026
Post last modified:7 June 2026

Most football matches are decided by small margins, but others are not. In fact, matches in the World Cup often feature remarkable scorelines not seen elsewhere. In such games, defensive structure can collapse, and goals accumulate quickly. Sometimes this happens through clear mismatches. At other times, it results from unusually open play. With the 2026 edition approaching in the United States, Canada and Mexico, a record 48 teams are taking part. This raises the bar. Uneven scorelines are all the more likely to appear, particularly when debut nations come up against established football powers. Below are the highest-scoring matches in World…

The 2026 World Cup will test Pelé’s youngest-scorer record

Post author:Alaa Shamali
Post published:5 June 2026
Post last modified:7 June 2026

For nearly seven decades, Pele has topped one of the most distinguished rosters in World Cup history. When the Brazilian legend scored against Wales at the 1958 World Cup, he was just 17 years and 239 days old — a record that has yet to be beaten. With the final squad lists confirmed for the 2026 tournament, attention has turned to this historic number, especially with several teenagers set to make their World Cup debuts. Pele reigns supreme 68 years on Brazilian Pele still sits at the top of the youngest scorers list, ahead of all stars who have passed through…

The biggest international stars missing from the 2026 World Cup

Post author:Alaa Shamali
Post published:4 June 2026
Post last modified:7 June 2026

Although the 2026 World Cup will go down in history as the biggest edition ever, featuring 48 teams and co-hosted by the United States, Canada, and Mexico, the tournament’s expanded format has not been enough to guarantee the presence of all the world’s football stars. Whilst fans prepare to follow an unprecedented edition in terms of the number of teams and matches, qualifiers, injuries and tactical choices have shaped another side of the World Cup: the absence of names that have played a significant part in the game’s landscape in recent years. Whilst the tournament has opened its doors to new…