Sexy football, sexy time? Argentine FA apologise for sexist gaffe
May 17 – The Argentine Football Association has apologised for the publication of a World Cup manual that included advice on how to seduce Russian women.
World Cup
FIFA shrug off Morocco query over eligibility of four US territories for 2026 vote
By Andrew Warshaw
May 16 – Morocco’s request for four countries to be pulled from next month’s 2026 World Cup vote has received a non-committal response from FIFA with the simmering controversy quite possibly coming to a head at the ballot itself in Moscow.
Africans lobby SA to back Morocco 2026 as national politics threaten a ‘solidarity’ vote
May 16 – South Africa’s football leadership are being urged not to break ranks with the Continent and to back Morocco’s bid to host the 2026 World Cup.
Photoshoot bombed as CAS extends doping ban to rule Guerrero out of World Cup
May 15 – Peru’s joy has quickly turned to disappointment after captain Paolo Guerrero was ruled out of the World Cup after his doping ban, which had just expired, was increased from six to 14 months by the Court of Arbitration for Sport (CAS).
Peru pick Guerrero for Russian duty though WADA pressures to CAS to keep him at home
May 14 – Peru’s football federation have confirmed captain Paolo Guerrero has been selected in the team’s World Cup squad despite an appeal by anti-doping authorities to have his ban for a positive test increased.
Russia and Argentina take measures to keep the Barras Bravas out of 2018 World Cup stadia
By Samindra Kunti
May 11 – The Argentine government will sign an agreement Russia to prevent more than 3,000 Argentine hooligans from entering Russia and the host venues this summer during the World Cup.
US dismiss Morocco calls for its territories to be pulled from FIFA’s 2026 vote
May 11 – Morocco’s rivals to stage the 2026 World Cup have defended the right of four US-governed territories to take part in next month’s vote after the north Africans complained in writing to FIFA about a potential conflict of interest.
Morocco call for four US territories to be pulled from 2026 vote
By Andrew Warshaw
May 10 – The new voting process to select the 2026 World Cup hosts has led to yet more claims of unfair tactics by underdogs Morocco who have requested FIFA exclude four United States-governed territories from the ballot in June.
Jordaan says SAFA exco will mandate which way the 2026 World Cup vote goes
May 10 – South African Football Association (SAFA) president Danny Jordaan has been forced to diplomatically backtrack over a previous pledge that his federation would be voting for Morocco to stage the 2026 World Cup.
Blatter says 2026 bid evaluation Task Force has too much power
May 9 – Sepp Blatter, who continues to speak out about the way FIFA has been operating since he was forced to step down before being banned from the game, has urged his old organisation to allow Morocco to take part in the 2026 World Cup ballot.
South Africa threaten CAF solidarity as government says it is supporting United 2026
By Andrew Warshaw
May 8 – Any suggestion that next month’s 2026 World Cup ballot will be refreshingly void of politics has been wiped away in one fell swoop by South Africa’s sudden change of heart about supporting fellow Africans Morocco.
United 2026 bid bosses promise an $11bn profit for FIFA and a global legacy from the Americas
By Paul Nicholson
May 8 –The United 2026 bid chairmen have reinforced their commercial credentials for hosting FIFA’s first 48-team World Cup, predicting a record revenue of $14 billion for FIFA, a profit of $11 billion.
Saudi Arabia edge closer to United 2026 saying national interests will dictate their vote
May 8 – Saudi Arabia has given yet another giant hint that it is backing the joint bid of United States, Canada and Mexico to stage the 2026 World Cup as the tournament increasingly becomes a political combat zone in the Gulf region.
Cordeiro says Trump comments are just a little misunderstood, he isn’t threatening anyone
May 4 – The joint North American bid to host the 2026 World Cup insists its campaign has not been damaged by U.S. President Donald Trump’s controversial series of tweets calling for support from Africa and beyond.
Morocco and 2026 bid roadshows land in Denmark to woo the Nordic votes
By Andrew Warshaw
May 3 – The two bidding candidates for the 2026 World Cup made back-to-back presentations in the same European city today as they pitched their respective campaigns before the six Nordic nations whose support could prove crucial come the all-important vote next month.