FIFA Archives - Page 142 of 229 - Inside World Football

World Cup shake-up plans: 48 teams and North and South America qualifiers merged

world cup

By Andrew Warshaw in Zurich

January 9 – As FIFA moves closer towards a landmark decision to expand the World Cup finals from 2026, saying the idea has the support of a vast majority of its national federations, the head of one South American association has revealed FIFA president Gianni Infantino is backing an equally ground-breaking and somewhat controversial move to merge the CONCACAF and CONMEBOL qualifiers.

FIFA

Swiss court rules for FIFA over Qatar dock worker’s labour case

FIFA shadows

By Andrew Warshaw

January 9 – A Swiss court has rejected a claim by three trade unions from Bangladesh and the Netherlands that FIFA failed to exert its influence to ensure fair treatment for migrant workers after handing Qatar the 2022 World Cup.

FIFA

Webb woes mount as Fidelity Bank swoops to collect on Cayman property debt

Jeffrey webb 4

January 9 – A default notice seeking nearly $34,000 in arrears has been issued against the Cayman Islands home owned by former FIFA Vice President and CONCACAF boss Jeffrey Webb, according to the Cayman Compass newspaper.

FIFA

Germany’s Grindel pours scorn on FIFA’s flawed World Cup expansion proposals

January 6 – German FA (DFB) president Reinhard Grindel has re-iterated his country’s opposition to FIFA expanding the number of teams at the World Cup finals, a decision that is expected to be taken in principle at next week’s FIFA Council session in Zurich before ratification by the full FIFA Congress later this year.

FIFA

FIFA drafts in specialist labour lawyers to deal with staff discontent

FIFA-headquarters

By Paul Nicholson

January 5 – FIFA’s revolving door has become jammed with staff not sure whether they are entering or exiting. The confusion and discontent has reached levels where the sports governing body has had to parachute in two specialist employment lawyers to mediate a way through escalating staff troubles.

FIFA

Korea opens up tickets sales for U-20 World Cup final tournament

January 4 – Korea has announced the opening of general tickets sales for the upcoming U-20 World Cup finals to be held in the country in May and June 2017.

FIFA

FIFA pressured after UN resolution demands end to Israeli settlements in West Bank

December 30 – The United Nations resolution condemning Israeli settlements has heaped pressure on FIFA to resolve the issue of Israeli lower-league clubs based in the occupied West Bank, according to Human Rights Watch.

FIFA

Montagliani confirms US, Mexico and Canada to discuss World Cup 2026 joint bid

December 29 – Officials from the United States, Canada and Mexico are likely to meet next year to discuss a joint bid for the 2026 World Cup, according to CONCACAF President Victor Montagliani.

FIFA

Infantino promises ‘pressure’ on Qatar and keeps focus on 48-team World Cup

Qatar construction3

December 29 – FIFA will continue to “put pressure” on Qatar over the treatment of migrant workers helping to build World Cup stadiums for the 2022 tournament, says Gianni Infantino.

FIFA

Infantino’s World Cup expansion looks a done deal. Everyone wants it, he says

By Andrew Warshaw

December 28 – Despite fierce opposition from Europe’s clubs and the danger of the quality being diluted, FIFA’s member federations are “overwhelmingly in favour” of plans for a 48-team World Cup, almost certainly starting in 2026, according to Gianni Infantino.

FIFA

Infantino’s Christmas address: FIFA has regained ‘credibility’

By Andrew Warshaw

December 23 – Gianni Infantino insists FIFA is a more financially transparent and credible organisation under his leadership despite the ongoing US-led anti-corruption probe and the stream of negative headlines in the early days of his presidency.

FIFA

Grindel promoted as a German voice for FIFA’s top table

December 22 – In danger of losing its clout at the top table of world football administration, the German Football Association has officially put forward its President, Reinhard Grindel, for a seat on the FIFA Council.

FIFA

Stress test for FIFA eligibility criteria as Mutko bids for FIFA Council seat

vitaly Mutko 7

By Andrew Warshaw

December 22 – UEFA have confirmed that Russia’s deputy prime minister Vitaly Mutko is among the declared candidates for five European vacancies on the FIFA Council but must still pass an eligibility check ahead of next April’s election.

FIFA

Beckenbauer: ‘Germany did not buy the World Cup’

Beckenbauer and Niersbach

By Andrew Warshaw

December 22 – After keeping a low profile for several weeks in the wake of the potentially highly damaging probe into his alleged role in the 2006 World Cup bid scandal, Franz Beckenbauer (pictured with Wolfgang Niersbach), Germany’s most revered footballing figure, has re-iterated that his country did not buy the tournament.

FIFA

Northern Irish demand Infantino meeting over FIFA’s poppy ‘duplicity’

December 22 – The Irish Football Association says it wants an “urgent” meeting with FIFA after being fined CHF15,000 for its poppy-displaying act of remembrance at last month’s World Cup qualifier.