Tag

Fifa

All articles tagged with #fifa

sports2 days ago•1 min saved

Messi Retires from Argentina with 126th Goal in Emotional 3-0 Win Over Benin

Lionel Messi officially ended his 21-year international career with a 3-0 victory over Benin in Buenos Aires, scoring his 126th goal for Argentina. The event, billed as 'The Last Tango,' featured a massive crowd, a drone show, and an honorary doctorate from the University of Buenos Aires. Messi confirmed his retirement from national duty following the 2026 World Cup final loss to Spain, though he remains under contract with Inter Miami until 2028.

via The Guardian|

#argentina-national-team #fifa #inter-miami

sports2 days ago

Messi bids farewell to Argentina in emotional 3-0 win over Benin

Lionel Messi officially retired from the Argentina national team on October 6, 2026, following a 3-0 friendly victory over Benin in Buenos Aires. The 39-year-old scored a penalty and provided two assists in his final appearance, capping a 21-year international career that included a 2022 World Cup title and two Copa América wins. The event, billed as 'the last tango,' drew over 85,000 fans to the Estadio Monumental, with tickets selling out within 90 minutes. Messi delivered an emotional farewell speech, citing his late father's passing as a factor in his retirement decision, and expressed gratitude for representing his country. While he will continue playing for Inter Miami through 2028, this match marked the end of his era with the national squad.

via ESPN|

#argentina #fifa #inter-miami

sports3 days ago

Messi Closes 21-Year International Era with Emotional 3-0 Win Over Benin

Lionel Messi concluded his 21-year international career on October 6, 2026, scoring a penalty and assisting a goal in a 3-0 friendly victory over Benin at the Estadio Monumental in Buenos Aires. The match, billed as 'The Last Tango,' marked his 208th cap and featured appearances from former World Cup winners. Following the game, Messi addressed the crowd, expressing gratitude and confirming his retirement from national duty while continuing his club career with Inter Miami. The event drew massive attention, with tickets selling out rapidly and resale prices soaring, reflecting the deep emotional connection between the player and the Argentine public.

via Bleacher Report|

#argentina #fifa #inter-miami

sports14 days ago•2 min saved

Pochettino and English officials clash over Balogun red card reversal

USMNT coach Mauricio Pochettino expressed regret for not being involved in the decision to overturn Folarin Balogun's red card suspension at the 2026 World Cup. The controversy, which involved a call from President Donald Trump to FIFA president Gianni Infantino, preceded a 4-1 loss to Belgium. While Pochettino criticized the lack of internal control over the situation, Premier League chief Richard Masters and referee Howard Webb condemned FIFA's ad-hoc reversal as damaging to the sport's integrity.

via The Guardian|

#2026-world-cup #fifa #folarin-balogun

sports14 days ago•2 min saved

European Leagues Demand Structural Overhaul of FIFA Governance Ahead of Infantino Re-election

The Premier League, Bundesliga, La Liga, and Serie A issued a joint statement on September 25, 2026, demanding fundamental governance reforms at FIFA. They accuse President Gianni Infantino of centralizing unchecked power and promoting exploitative ideas, citing the failed FIFA Forward Enterprise scheme and the Folarin Balogun disciplinary controversy. The leagues call for a permanent stakeholder body, evidence-based decision-making, and a strict separation between FIFA’s regulatory and commercial functions. This pressure intensifies as Infantino prepares to seek a fourth term, with candidates having until November 18 to declare their candidacy.

via Premier League|

#european-leagues #fifa #football-governance

sports14 days ago•3 min saved

Top European Leagues Demand Structural Overhaul of Fifa Ahead of Infantino Re-election

The Premier League, La Liga, Bundesliga, and Serie A have issued a joint statement demanding fundamental governance reforms at FIFA. They accuse President Gianni Infantino of promoting exploitative ideas and centralizing unchecked power. The leagues call for the separation of regulatory and commercial functions, independent oversight, and a permanent stakeholder body. This pressure intensifies as Infantino prepares to seek a fourth term, with opponents having until November 18 to declare candidacy.

via BBC|

#european-leagues #fifa #football-governance

sports17 days ago•1 min saved

FAW chief questions Infantino reform push, urging FIFA to stay guardian of football not a seller of its parts

Welsh FAW chief Noel Mooney questions Infantino’s reform plans, arguing FIFA should be a moral guardian of the game and reject selling parts of football to private investors; FAW has withdrawn backing as Infantino seeks a fourth term, citing large World Cup revenues to push for growth over privatization.

via BBC|

#faw #fifa #governance

world17 days ago•2 min saved

Infantino Pushes for Independent Review of FIFA Governance Amid FFE Fallout

FIFA president Gianni Infantino calls for an independent external review of FIFA’s operations and a broad consultation to strengthen decision-making, leadership roles, transparency and accountability, in response to backlash over the aborted Forward Enterprise plan to privatize rights. He stresses the plan did not surrender control and that details leaked prematurely. UEFA and Concacaf have pressed for $10m payouts and UEFA has begun legal proceedings in the US over the FFE; Infantino intends to run for a fourth term in 2027 and argues the FFE collapse won’t derail FIFA’s ambitions or its ability to grow resources and support for football.

via BBC|

#ffe #fifa #governance

sports22 days ago•1 min saved

FA presses FIFA to release World Cup documents in Balogun ban row

The FA has demanded FIFA release documents related to Balogun’s overturned World Cup ban, arguing transparency as he played in the last-16; the affair has sparked questions of political interference (with reports that Trump urged Infantino to review the ban) and a broader backlash, as some associations withdraw support for Infantino ahead of a FIFA Council meeting after Rabat talks.

via BBC|

#balogun #fa #fifa

sports26 days ago•17 min saved

Rugby’s US growth playbook takes shape after FIFA lessons in Baltimore

World Rugby studies FIFA’s World Cup experience to shape a US-hosted 2031 tournament, emphasizing partnerships, pricing accessibility, diaspora-driven fan engagement, and venue logistics, while Baltimore’s attendance underscores growing US interest despite rugby remaining embryonic there.

via nytimes.com|

#fifa #host-cities #rugby

sports29 days ago•1 min saved

France calls for radical FIFA reform after stepping back from Infantino

France's football federation withdrew its support for Gianni Infantino over his aborted plan to sell stakes in FIFA competitions and announced consultations with confederations, national associations, players, supporters and governance experts to push a far-reaching reform of FIFA's governance to restore transparency and independence. Infantino still has backing from CAF and CONMEBOL and plans to run for a fourth term in March.

via BBC|

#fifa #football-governance #france

world1 month ago•2 min saved

RBFA demands FIFA clarity on Balogun clearance, pushes for FIFA Council debate

Belgium's RBFA is seeking a clear FIFA explanation over why Balogun was allowed to play against Belgium in the World Cup after a suspended one‑game ban, asking that the issue be on the FIFA Council's agenda on Oct 15 and signaling it won't back Infantino's re‑election. Balogun started for the United States in the 4‑1 loss to Belgium, who were later eliminated by Spain, while FIFA offered only a brief justification under article 27; the RBFA's stance underscores calls for greater transparency and governance reforms at FIFA amid broader scrutiny of its operations and plans like the Fifa Forward Enterprise stake sales.

via BBC|

#balogun #fifa #infantino

sports1 month ago•5 min saved

UEFA seeks Kushner testimony in FIFA investment plan controversy

UEFA has asked a Manhattan federal judge to subpoena Josh Kushner and Thrive Capital to testify and produce records about FIFA's now-abandoned FIFA Forward Enterprise plan to monetize private investment. UEFA argues the disclosures are needed as part of potential Swiss criminal proceedings against FIFA President Gianni Infantino for alleged mismanagement, while stressing that Kushner and Thrive are not being targeted for prosecution.

via Politico|

#fifa #josh-kushner #private-investment

world1 month ago•2 min saved

UEFA moves to press criminal charges against Infantino over World Cup stake plan

UEFA has asked a Florida court to obtain evidence for potential criminal charges in Switzerland against FIFA president Gianni Infantino and FIFA, alleging he orchestrated a covert plan to privatize World Cup rights through a subsidiary, enriching a small circle with a $4.2 billion deal that allegedly lacked independent valuation and proper consultation with FIFA’s member associations.

via BBC|

#fifa #infantino #private-investors

sports1 month ago•2 min saved

UEFA drops boycott threat after assurances on FIFA governance

UEFA is set to end its threat to boycott FIFA competitions after assurances that Gianni Infantino will not repeat plans to privatize World Cup stakes; the Under-20 Women's World Cup will proceed with six European teams, with the matter discussed at a UEFA executive meeting in Monaco, while calls for FIFA leadership change continue.

via BBC|

#boycott #fifa #gianni-infantino