England’s LGBTQ fan group to boycott 2026 World Cup
January 21 – England’s official LGBTQ fans group will boycott the 2026 World Cup, citing safety concerns in the United States and criticising FIFA and its president Gianni Infantino.
World Cup 2026
LA26 releases video series highlighting ‘Community Champions’ who are growing the game
January 19 – Los Angeles is readying itself to host eight matches at the World Cup 2026, and the city’s Host Committee is intent on turning the event into a lasting local legacy. In partnership with the Play Equity Fund, the Los Angeles World Cup 2026 Host Committee has launched the 26 Community Champions video series, spotlighting non-profit organisations making a difference across the region.
Trump’s visa ban raises more World Cup travel issues as fans fear safety from US law enforcement
January 16 – The Trump administration’s decision to suspend immigrant visas for citizens of 75 countries is complicating the build-up to the 2026 World Cup, with the five-time champions, Brazil, Colombia, and Iran, among the 15 qualified nations affected by that policy.
Over 500 million ticket requests for 2026 FIFA World Cup
January 15 – FIFA has confirmed that more than 500 million ticket requests were submitted during the first Random Selection Draw phase for this summer’s World Cup.
Seattle launches World Cup inclusion scheme aimed at LGBQT+ rights
January 13 – As Seattle counts down to the 2026 World Cup, the city is bucking a growing trend in the USA.
Is clock ticking for FIFA’s underpinning TV partners? TikTok deal includes live rights
January 9 – FIFA has appointed TikTok as its first ever ‘Preferred Platform’ for the 2026 World Cup in an agreement that will see live broadcast of match segments, as well as access to press conferences and training sessions to a select group of creators for fan content.
TikTok’s head of global head James Stafford said that TikTok’s data shows fans are “42% more likely to tune in to live matches after watching sports content on TikTok.”
FIFA partners with Lenovo to power technological advances using AI
January 8 – FIFA has unveiled a suite of new technologies developed in partnership with Lenovo that are designed to touch officiating, performance analysis and broadcast presentation within football.
FIFA set to use AI technology to improve semi-automatic offside experience
January 8 – FIFA is marching towards a fully technologised game and took another decisive step this week, with confirmation that every player at this summer’s World Cup will be represented by a physically accurate “AI avatar” to help make offside decisions.
FIFA partners with Marriott Bonvoy as hotel partner for 2026 World Cup
January 8 – Marriott Bonvoy has been announced as the Official Hotel Supporter in North America of the 2026 FIFA World Cup as the tournament comes to the region for the first time in more than three decades.
Priced out: group game tix would cost fans a month’s wages in 40% of 2026 nations
January 7 – New data from independent media outlet Peripheral shows which nation’s fans have been priced out of the 2026 World Cup.
Boniek says Europe has suffered most from expanded World Cup
January 6 – Polish icon Zbigniew Boniek has never been one to soften his views for the sake of diplomacy, and his verdict on FIFA’s expanded World Cup is typically direct.
Indonesian pubcaster TVRI buys rights to 2026 World Cup
January 5 – TVRI has secured free-to-air rights in Indonesia for football’s biggest tournament, the FIFA 2026 World Cup, ensuring nationwide access to the expanded 104-match festival this summer.
Crazy demand and crazy pricing as 2026 tickets requests top 150m
December 29 – FIFA has announced a record breaking 150 million ticket requests for the 2026 World Cup in the USA, Mexico and Canada. Fans from more than 200 countries have applied at the halfway point of the ongoing Random Selection Draw ticketing phase that opened December 11.
FIFA Council approves prize fund boost for 2026 World Cup
December 18 – The FIFA Council has approved a record $655 million prize fund for the 2026 World Cup, a massive 50% increase on Qatar 2022 prize money.
Donald Trump expands travel restrictions ahead of FIFA World Cup 2026
December 18 – The U.S. administration has tightened the screws on the 2026 World Cup again, with yet more directives and an expansion of travel restrictions.