FIFA WC USA-Mexico-Canada 2026

[baron-pierreIV]

Above all, I am happiest that this will be a FAILED project for the Kushners (and Twamp)!! 

[yoshi]

I mean obviously Infantino is surely now toast - but who could come next? Remember we thought Infantino would be the great hope, a breath of fresh air after the Blatter era. I feel like it'll be important that the next president isn't European though, to avoid the perception of Europe v the rest. We've done well so far in getting CONCACAF and AFC to realise what needs to happen, so we need to ensure it can't be seen as a UEFA takeover & lose support. 

[stryker]

1 hour ago, yoshi said:

I mean obviously Infantino is surely now toast - but who could come next? Remember we thought Infantino would be the great hope, a breath of fresh air after the Blatter era. I feel like it'll be important that the next president isn't European though, to avoid the perception of Europe v the rest. We've done well so far in getting CONCACAF and AFC to realise what needs to happen, so we need to ensure it can't be seen as a UEFA takeover & lose support. 

Who could that be though? Is there any FIFA member who isnt connected to corruption in some way?

[yoshi]

It's very difficult, I doubt there's many. I don't know the characters involved in the inner workings of FIFA, but given how quickly they stood against this - & by extension, against their own president - in order to help do the right thing & drag CONCACAF with them, whoever is in charge of the US soccer federation would have a good case, if they can be persuaded. 

[Bear]

The plan is dead

 

[Sir Rols]

Now it’s official:

Fifa scraps proposal to sell off stakes in World Cup after widespread backlash

[Rob2012]

Like the long nineteenth century, this has been the long 2026 world cup. It's lasted from the "peace" prize all the way through to today, with a bit of football breaking out in the middle.

Edited August 1 by Rob2012

[sebastien1214]

1 hour ago, Rob2012 said:

Like the long nineteenth century, this has been the long 2026 world cup. It's lasted from the "peace" prize all the way through to today, with a bit of football breaking out in the middle.

I have a feeling that this long 2026 World Cup isn't over yet, and that it will come to an end in a few months' time, when Infantino falls...

[Rob2012]

Gianni Infantino’s demise isn’t enough – Fifa must fundamentally change

https://www.independent.co.uk/sport/football/gianni-infantino-fifa-exit-resign-sacked-replacement-b3025815.html

 

[Sir Rols]

It’d be great to be a fly on Gianni’s wall at the moment. It would be so sweet if this was the most spectacular own goal in football history and this was the beginning of the end for him.

But… he’s like a vampire. I don’t know if he can be killed. I suspect he still has too many FAs stuffed in his pocket

[Rob2012]

[Rob2012]

Excellent long-read analysis from Swiss Ramble, for years the best writer on money in football...

https://swissramble.substack.com/p/fifas-plan-to-sell-football?r=i1ekx&utm_campaign=post&utm_medium=web&triedRedirect=true

https://bsky.app/profile/swissramble.bsky.social

[Rob2012]

^^ As well as Swiss Ramble, give David Squires a follow...

https://bsky.app/profile/davidsquires.bsky.social 

 

 

https://www.theguardian.com/football/picture/2026/aug/04/david-squires-gianni-infantino-clinging-to-power-as-his-fifa-empire-crumbles-cartoon?CMP=Share_iOSApp_Other

Edited August 4 by Rob2012

[Sir Rols]

He’s fighting on…

Fifa insists Gianni Infantino will remain president after Rabat crisis meeting

[Sir Rols]

And good to see he’s learned humility:

“As previously communicated, the FFE proposal, which would have been subject to the approval of the Fifa member associations and the Fifa council, is now off the table. With the project withdrawn, it was agreed that Fifa will no longer tolerate any attacks on its integrity, good governance and due process and will take all necessary measures to protect and safeguard its name and reputation.“

[Rob2012]

Argentina midfielder Leandro Paredes has been given a 10-match ban for the role he played in on-field clashes after his side were beaten 1-0 by Spain in the 2026 World Cup final.

Fifa's disciplinary committee has also handed his team-mate Nahuel Molina a seven-match suspension.

Argentina have also been ordered to play their next two home matches with 50% capacity, though one match of that sanction is suspended.

The Argentinian Football Association (AFA) has been fined $321,000 (£235,000) for breaches of the Fifa disciplinary code relating to using a sports event for demonstrations of a non-sporting nature, team misconduct, and discriminatory chants and gestures by its supporters.

Fifa have ordered that $100,000 (£73,000) of the fine must be invested in a plan to combat discrimination - and $100,000 (£73,000) of the fine is suspended, with a probationary period to apply.

https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/articles/c98v7p1pr3eo

[Durban Sandshark]

On a related note--and I'm sure many of us have heard this news by now...

LIONEL MESSI RETIRES FROM ARGENTINA INTERNATIONAL PLAY 

[Durban Sandshark]

Plus, Messi will be honored with an in-game thankful applause tribute at the 10-minute mark at every match in the upcoming round in men's and women's soccer matches across Argentina this weekend after calling time on his 21-year international career:

https://www.sportsnet.ca/fifa-world-cup/article/messi-to-get-mid-game-tribute-by-soccer-teams-across-argentina/