fifa world cup – Artifex.News

The big boys against the teams with a point to prove

admin — Sun, 07 Jun 2026 19:31:00 +0000

A pool devoid of big teams is set to be highly competitive, while Germany and The Netherlands are overwhelming favourites to top their groups.

Group D (USA, Turkiye, Australia, Paraguay)

The USA team is chasing the American dream. Competing on home soil in the global competition for the first time since 1994, the national side, now led by Mauricio Pochettino, is locked in to Make America Great Again in ‘soccer’.

The World No. 16’s first task will be to get out of a tricky pool that consists of two other top-30 teams but none of the perennial powerhouses — Turkiye at 22 and Australia at 27.

The close win over Senegal and narrow defeat to Germany in World Cup warm-up games should have given Pochettino a fair idea of where the finishing touches to the preparation have to be applied.

Playing in front of jam-packed galleries could be both a boon and a bane. While stars like Christian Pulisic, who is no stranger to elite football, can live up to the heightened expectations, some may wilt under the enormity of the situation. How they tackle battles not only on the field but also off it will be crucial to USA’s chances.

For Turkiye and Australia, the focus will be much beyond spoiling the co-host’s carnival.

Having earned the right to perform on the global stage after 24 years, the European outfit cannot afford to pass up the golden opportunity.

The wait has been so long that Arda Guler and Kenan Yildiz, two of the most exciting prospects in the current squad, were not even born when Turkiye last caught the World Cup fever. Something close to the fairytale run of 2002 — which ended in a third-place finish — will be required if Vincenzo Montella’s contingent is to make inroads.

Australia, a regular at the finals since 2006, is no pushover but is yet to win a knockout fixture. Meanwhile, Paraguay, the lowest-placed team in the group at World No. 40, will be itching to prove that rankings do not directly translate to results.

Best finish: USA: Semifinals (1930); Turkiye: Third place (2002); Australia: Round of 16 (2006, 2022); Paraguay: Quarterfinals (2010).

Group E (Germany, Curacao, Ivory Coast, Ecuador)

Germany was forced to board the first available flight back home after being knocked out in the opening round of the last two editions. Ghosts from the past may resurface, especially for those who had endured the pain first-hand in Russia and/or Qatar, but the 2014 title-winner must avoid the ignominy of three early exits in a row without fuss.

Havertz will look to efficiently lead Germany’s forward line.
| Photo Credit:
Getty Images

The top-level experience in Julian Nagelsmann’s squad, recent form of four victories in as many matches since March and superior ranking (10) — the other teams in the pool are placed well below the European side — provide the Germans the head start in the race to top the group.

The four-time World champion should, however, be eyeing bigger things. That Germany has flown under the radar in discussions pertaining to title contenders may free up the additional baggage it has usually carried. But it has catching up to do in the overall scheme of things.

First up for Germany is Curacao, the smallest nation (both in terms of population and land area) ever to qualify for football’s biggest spectacle. Adding intrigue, only one player in the 26-member squad — Tahith Chong — was born in the Caribbean island, yet the place of birth hardly matters within the group because “you are accepted into the family once you come here.”

Curacao is home to Dick Advocaat, the 78-year-old who is poised to become the oldest coach at the quadrennial event. The 82nd-ranked outfit will have to punch well above its weight in the Americas to inscribe its name in the history books once again.

As for Ivory Coast, which is back in the World Cup fold after 12 years, it has not got to this point “to make up the numbers or go sightseeing.” The African country is likely to be involved in a tussle with Ecuador for the second automatic qualification spot.

Best finish: Germany: Champion (1954, 1974, 1990, 2014); Curacao: Debut; Ivory Coast: Group stage (2006-2014); Ecuador: Round of 16 (2006).

Group F (Netherlands, Japan, Sweden, Tunisia)

Come hell or high water, The Netherlands has guaranteed itself knockout football in every edition it has competed in since 1974. And it looks well placed to extend that streak under Ronald Koeman, who had donned the Oranje as a player in 1990 and 1994.

Depay will be a vital cog in the Dutch wheel.
| Photo Credit:
Reuters

The Netherlands, the highest-ranked team in the pool at World No. 7, was sounded a warning in the recent 0-1 defeat to Algeria in a pre-tournament friendly. But the Dutch side is too good to not pass the preliminary test, with Japan being the closest challenger for the top spot.

It has the resources to even be fourth time lucky — it had finished runner-up in 1974, 1978 and 2010 — but consistently rising to the occasion against the ‘favourites’ will be vital.

Although not among the ‘big boys’, Japan cannot be ignored.

The Asian nation came agonisingly close to qualifying for the quarterfinals in 2018 and took centre stage four years later when it topped the group that included Spain and Germany.

So, not many eyebrows were raised after England great David Beckham termed Japan as a potential “surprise” package to upset the apple cart. “It has a really strong team… it could be kind of a secret,” Beckham told ABC News recently.

While Japan will miss the injured Kaoru Mitoma’s box of tricks in the final third, it has the experience and variety to crack complex codes. Hajime Moriyasu’s men may first have to overcome the Swedish challenge to secure a direct ticket to the eliminators.

Despite having a bumpy ride in the lead-up to the World Cup, Sweden possesses the dash of enviable quality that is required to get through to the next phase. With regards to Tunisia, it should play out of its skin to even stand a chance of making the cut for the first time.

Best finish: Netherlands: Runner-up (1974, 1978, 2010); Japan: Round of 16 (2002, 2010, 2018, 2022); Sweden: Runner-up (1958); Tunisia: Group stage (1978, 1998-2006, 2018, 2022).

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FIFA to allow factory-sealed, disposable water bottles into World Cup stadiums

admin — Sat, 06 Jun 2026 07:10:00 +0000

FIFA’s logo is seen in front of its headquarters in Zurich.
| Photo Credit: Reuters

FIFA announced on Friday (June 5, 2026) that it will now allow fans to bring their own water bottles to some stadiums during the FIFA World Cup, adjusting a policy that had barred spectators from bringing refillable water bottles into the tournament’s 16 stadiums across North America, including some with limited or no shade from the sun.

FIFA in a social media post said fans will be permitted to bring one, soft, plastic, 20-ounce (590 milliliter), factory-sealed, disposable water bottle into any match taking place in the United States or Canada.

In a video released by FIFA, Chief Operating Officer Heimo Schirgi said fans will still not be permitted to bring in hard sided, reusable water bottles “due to safety and security reasons.”

FIFA stated, “for the avoidance of doubt, reusable water bottles may not be brought into the stadium.”

FIFA’s stadium rules had stated that fans could bring in a transparent, reusable bottle up to one liter, or 33.8 ounces capacity. On Thursday, the “Stadium Code of Conduct” update was criticized by an English fan group, which argued FIFA had given assurances on carrying empty plastic bottles to fill with freely available water at a tournament where heat and extreme weather are expected to be a factor.

Published – June 06, 2026 11:50 am IST

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FIFA World Cup 2026: Some of the most dedicated fans skip tournament, citing costs and politics

admin — Fri, 05 Jun 2026 10:45:00 +0000

Soccer fans will soon crisscross continents to see their beloved national teams compete on the sport’s grandest stage, the FIFA World Cup. They’ll pack bars and fan zones, singing chants and debating who is going to win it all.

This time, however, it’s different for some superfans, who say organizers have made this summer’s World Cup the least welcoming one they have experienced. Ticket prices, expensive cross-country travel and concerns about entering the U.S. have prompted some of them to stay home.

London-based IT worker Mike Wilson has been to four World Cups over the past 20 years. This summer, he’ll be staying in Europe and watching part of the tournament from a Portuguese beach.

Argentine doctor Emiliano Becerra likes to follow his team through every step of the elimination round. This time he’ll attend two early matches and then fly home.

Dutch-born finance manager Peter Bergakker flew to South Africa to watch the Netherlands play in the 2010 World Cup final. But no matter how far the “Oranje” advance this summer, he said he won’t travel to the U.S.

Exactly how many fans are staying away is unclear, but the warning signs are there.

A financially inaccessible tournament

The number of fans able to travel and take weeks off of work to cheer on their team during the World Cup understandably skews to the wealthy. But previous tournaments have remained accessible for fans who, in some cases, would save for years for their flights and match tickets.

Four years ago, lower-tier Category 3 tickets to group stage matches were $69. This year, FIFA has been selling them for as much as $265.

The last two tournaments in Russia and Qatar offered match-going fans free transportation between host cities, though many matches were much closer than the vast area covered by the 16 stadiums hosting matches across the U.S., Canada and Mexico.

And while fans there were not permitted by FIFA to sell their tickets on the official resale site for above face value, the sports governing body has taken a different approach this time — encouraging fans to resell tickets for as high as they want, with FIFA pocketing 30% in fees along the way. FIFA did not respond to a request for comment Thursday but has previously defended ticket prices as a reflection of “record-breaking” demand.

Tomonori Akutsu, who lives outside Tokyo, said if he had realized how expensive this tournament would be when he started making plans, he might have reconsidered attending his sixth straight World Cup.

Without question, he believes, the U.S. has been the worst host, and tournament organizers have demonstrated a “complete lack of hospitality in every aspect,” citing things like ticket prices, an inflated resale market, expensive hotel prices and fan festivals that cost money to attend.

“Simply, my impression is this is America,’ the ultimate capitalism,” Akutsu said.

Becerra, of Argentina, spent $1,100 to see Argentina defeat France in the 2022 final in Qatar. For the past three World Cups, he followed Argentina through the knockout stages.

Not this time.

This year, he paid even more — $1,200 — for a resale ticket to see Argentina’s match against low-ranked Jordan in Dallas.

Will ticket prices cost the World Cup some of its culture?

Wilson, the IT specialist from England, said he and his friends opted to skip this summer’s tournament because they couldn’t justify spending the prices they were seeing.

Wilson had never spent more than $200 for any World Cup match, a price that, on the resale market, barely buys a nosebleed seat at a group stage match between two obscure teams. Instead, he and his friends have booked a Portugal getaway.

Expensive World Cup won’t deter some ardent fans

There is at least one group of supporters that appears determined to come regardless of the cost: the Scots, who are eager to see their team compete in their first World Cup in 28 years.

Campbell Lewis and his friends began booking refundable accommodations across the U.S. as soon as Scotland qualified last year before prices rose.

With tens of thousands of Scottish fans expected to attend, tickets for their team’s matches have proven harder to obtain.

But after prices began to drop in recent weeks, Lewis bought two tickets for Scotland’s second match for him and his 10-year-old son. He and his friends are still waiting until the final days to get tickets to the team’s opener against Haiti, though. As of Thursday, the cheapest resale ticket for that match outside Boston exceeded $600.

“For a lot of Scottish people of my generation, this is a once-in-a-lifetime thing,” he said. “We were all kids the last time we qualified. And even though the prices have gotten out of hand, there’s just this determination that we want to go.”

Fans have concerns about traveling to the U.S.

U.S. entry requirements may also be limiting international visitors.

Unlike Russia in 2018, which waived visa requirements for ticketholders, and Qatar in 2022, which streamlined entry for fans, many traveling to the U.S. still face strict visa requirements. Until the U.S. reversed course last month, ticket-holding fans from Algeria, Cape Verde, Ivory Coast, Senegal and Tunisia were even going to have to pay as much as $15,000 in bonds to enter the country.

Carlos Pera, president of Uruguay’s travel agency association, recently told Uruguay’s Subrayado that U.S. visa requirements were among the reasons fewer Uruguayans are making the trip this year.

For some fans, however, the concern goes beyond visas and cost.

Bergakker, a 48-year-old Dutch financial controller who lives near Heidelberg, Germany, said President Donald Trump’s “hostile” approach toward European allies has changed his view of traveling to the U.S.

Published – June 05, 2026 04:15 pm IST

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FIFA prohibits fans from bringing refillable water bottles into World Cup stadiums

admin — Fri, 05 Jun 2026 07:15:00 +0000

The statement also said that FIFA is committed to protecting the health and safety of all players, referees, fans, volunteers, and staff. File
| Photo Credit: AP

FIFA has made a late change of policy to bar World Cup fans from bringing refillable water bottles into the tournament’s 16 stadiums across North America including some with limited or no shade from the sun.

The “Stadium Code of Conduct” update was criticised on Thursday (June 4, 2026) by an English fan group, which argued FIFA had given assurances on carrying empty plastic bottles to fill with freely available water at a tournament where heat and extreme weather are expected to be a factor.

“Naturally, the immediate thought from supporters is this is just the latest money grab,” the Free Lions fan group said in a statement. Water, sodas and juices sold at World Cup stadiums are supplied exclusively by long-time FIFA sponsor Coca-Cola when the tournament starts next Thursday (June 11, 2026).

Andrew Giuliani, who is the executive director of the White House Task Force for this year’s World Cup, said conversations are ongoing with FIFA about the decision.

“Certainly understanding that fans with bottles — if anything is frozen there, they can throw that, utilise it as a weapon,” Giuliani said to a group of reporters, including The Associated Press, on Thursday (June 4, 2026) at a World Cup kickoff event in Miami. “That’s something, frankly, that we are still in discussions with FIFA about. They made their announcement yesterday, so I don’t want to comment on it just yet.” FIFA president Gianni Infantino was also at the event in Miami beach on Thursday (June 4, 2026) evening but did not take questions from reporters.

Giuliani added there is a balance between preparing for hot temperatures and monitoring security risks.

“Understanding these games are going to be very hot. We want to make sure that fans have access to water, so that way they can be hydrated,” he said. “We also want to make sure that everybody is safe and that people can’t bring a weapon in there. So those conversations are still ongoing.” FIFA’s stadium rules had stated that fans could bring in a transparent, reusable bottle up to one litre, or 33.8 oz. capacity.

The latest document dated on Tuesday (June 2, 2026) now states “for the avoidance of doubt, reusable water bottles may not be brought into the stadium”. The England fans’ group said, “In all of our discussions, free water availability in stadiums was a key one and we were assured by FIFA that this would be the case.”

What next? Suncream banned and fans forced to buy it in stadiums?

For all of the effort they are going to with ‘drinks breaks’ for the players, this is such a strange, late change.

In all of our discussions, free water availability in stadiums was a key one and we were assured… https://t.co/cXjwQwhRLO pic.twitter.com/0XhGsHHECS

— Free Lions (@WeAreFreeLions) June 4, 2026

In a statement on Thursday (June 4, 2026), the world football body said the decision to prohibit bottles — which could be thrown — was “to prevent risk and injury to players and attendees”. It said, “FIFA is committed to protecting the health and safety of all players, referees, fans, volunteers, and staff.”

FIFA said some of the 16 stadiums had already prohibited fans from bringing water bottles, so the policy would apply across them all.

With temperatures at 32 degrees Celsius (90 Fahrenheit) and above expected in many of the U.S., Mexican and Canadian cities hosting the 104 games, FIFA said “heat mitigation” for fans approaching stadiums would include “misting stations, fans, hydration stations, cooling tents, and more.” The football body said, “Inside the stadium footprint, pricing for water bottles for the FIFA World Cup 2026 will remain consistent with other events held at each stadium.”

FIFA has reacted to expected heat in some outdoor stadiums by enforcing three-minute drinks breaks midway through each half at all games. Critics have said turning all games into four quarters was to create more breaks for broadcasters to sell advertising.

“For all of the effort they are going to with drinks breaks’ for the players, this is such a strange, late change,” the Free Lions fan group said of the water bottle ban.

Published – June 05, 2026 12:02 pm IST

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Daily Quiz: On FIFA World Cup

admin — Fri, 05 Jun 2026 03:18:00 +0000

Brazil’s Cafu holds a unique record in World Cup history of having played in three consecutive finals i.e. (1994-2002)

Published – June 05, 2026 05:07 pm IST

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FIFA says match tempo, and limiting time-wasting, will be point of emphasis at World Cup

admin — Mon, 01 Jun 2026 00:24:00 +0000

FIFA’s logo is seen in front of its headquartersin Zurich, Switzerland. File
| Photo Credit: Reuters

FIFA’s on-field officials for the World Cup will insist on keeping matches moving by taking rule changes designed to limit time-wasting seriously, the sport’s governing body said on Sunday (May 31, 2026) with the start of the 48-team tournament now less than two weeks away.

Also among the points of emphasis for referees and officials: a commitment to issuing red cards to any player who covers his mouth while talking to an opponent in a “confrontational situation,” FIFA said.

“We are continuing on trying to achieve an objective, which is to eliminate from matches — as much as possible — the disruption of the tempo of the match,” said Pierluigi Collina, FIFA chief refereeing officer and chair of the referees committee.

Other issues that referees will be mindful of during the tournament:

— If a player leaves the field of play after being angered by an official’s decision, a red card can be issued.

— To speed up play, referees can institute a five-second visual countdown on goal kicks and throw-ins. If the goal kick is not taken before the end of that countdown, a corner kick will be awarded to the opposing team. If the throw-in is not executed by the end of the five-second count, a throw-in for the opponents will be the reward. It’s along the same lines of the so-called eight-second goalkeeper rule that has been in place for some time to release the ball after making a save.

— Players getting subbed off must leave the field within 10 seconds, except for special situations such as ones involving injuries or a security issue.

— The protocol for Video Assistant Referee, or VAR, is being clarified in certain areas. VAR can be used to check when red cards are issued following a clearly incorrect second yellow card, or when cards are issued in the case of mistaken identity. Incorrectly awarded corner kicks can also be checked by VAR, FIFA said.

Players covering their mouth with a hand, arm or shirt will be given red cards if referees deem it not to be a friendly conversation, FIFA said. Conversations that are not confrontational but still have players shielding their mouths from public view will continue to be permitted without penalty.

“Confrontational … a completely different story,” Collina said.

There has also been a clarification on VAR protocol “regarding clear offenses committed by the attacking team before the ball is in play at a corner kick or free kick” that directly impacts goals, penalty kicks or sanctions.

VAR can be used in those moments and “if the referee determines that an offense occurred before the ball was in play, the appropriate disciplinary action will be taken.” But all the emphasis on speedy play won’t necessarily mean quicker matches. There will be three-minute water breaks midway through each half of every match, FIFA said.

Published – June 01, 2026 05:54 am IST

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Neymar a doubt for Brazil’s World Cup opener due to injury: doctor

admin — Thu, 28 May 2026 13:10:00 +0000

File photo of Brazil’s Neymar
| Photo Credit: AP

Brazil forward Neymar is a doubt for the start of the World Cup after injuring his calf, requiring two to three weeks of treatment, the national team’s doctor Rodrigo Lasmar said on Thursday (May 28, 2026).

The 34-year-old Santos star will miss Brazil’s two pre-World Cup friendlies against Panama and Egypt, but may also be out of their tournament opener against Morocco on June 13.

An MRI scan “identified a grade two muscle injury… our expectation is that he will be available in two to three weeks,” Lasmar said.

Published – May 28, 2026 06:39 pm IST

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FIFA reveals 48 World Cup team base training sites

admin — Tue, 26 May 2026 03:25:00 +0000

Defending champion Argentina will have its World Cup teams based in Kansas City under a list of training sites announced by FIFA on Monday (May 25, 2026).

The record 48 teams competing in the global football showdown that begins next month will have 39 teams based in the United States, seven more based in Mexico and two based in Canada.

“Team Base Camps are an integral part of the fabric of any FIFA World Cup,” said Heimo Schirgi, 2026 FIFA World Cup chief operating officer. “They are where teams put down roots, train and recuperate, and experience the day-to-day rhythms of the tournament.”

Iran were confirmed with a team base in Tijuana, Mexico.

Mexican President Claudia Sheinbaum on Monday said the country would allow Iran to be based there to avoid US visa restrictions.

Colombia, South Korea, Mexico, South Africa, Tunisia and Uruguay will also be based in Mexico with Canada and Panama based in Canada and the rest settled in US venues.

Algeria: Kansas City (University of Kansas)

Argentina: Kansas City (Sporting KC Training Centre)

Australia: San Francisco Bay Area (Oakland Roots/Soul facility)

Austria: Goleta, CA (UC Santa Barbara)

Belgium: Renton, WA (Seattle Sounders performance centre)

Bosnia and Herzegovina: Sandy, UT (RSL Stadium)

Brazil: New York-New Jersey (Columbia Park Training Facility)

Canada: Vancouver (National Soccer Development Centre)

Cote d’Ivoire: Philadelphia (Philadelphia Union)

Congo DR: Houston (Houston Training Centre)

Colombia: Guadalajara, MX (Academia Atlas FC)

Cabo Verde: Tampa, FL (Waters Sportsplex)

Croatia: Alexandria (Episcopal High School)

Curaçao: Boca Raton, FL (Florida Atlantic University)

Czechia: Dallas (Mansfield Multipurpose Stadium)

Ecuador: Columbus, OH (Columbus Crew Performance Centre)

Egypt: Spokane, WA (Gonzaga University)

England: Kansas City (Swope Soccer Village)

Spain: Chattanooga, TN (Baylor School)

France: Boston (Bentley University)

Germany: Winston-Salem, NC (Wake Forest University)

Ghana: Boston (Bryant University)

Haiti: New York-New Jersey (Stockton University)

Iran: Tijuana, MX (Centro Xoloitzcuintle)

Iraq: Greenbrier, WV (Greenbrier Sports Performance Centre)

Jordan: Portland (University of Portland)

Japan: Nashville, TN (Nashville SC facility)

South Korea: Guadalajara, MX (Chivas Verde Valle)

Saudi Arabia: Austin, TX (Austin FC Stadium)

Morocco: New York-New Jersey (Pingry School)

Mexico: Mexico City (Centro de Alto Rendimiento)

Netherlands: Kansas City (KC Current Training Facility)

Norway: Greensboro, NC (UNC Greensboro)

New Zealand: San Diego (University of San Diego – Torero Stadium)

Panama: New Tecumseth, CAN (Nottawasaga Training Site)

Paraguay: San Francisco Bay Area (Spartan Soccer Complex)

Portugal: Palm Beach Gardens (Gardens North County District Park)

Qatar: Santa Barbara, CA (Westmont College)

South Africa: Pachuca, MX (Pachuca – Universidad Del Futbol)

Scotland: Charlotte, NC (Charlotte FC facility)

Senegal: New York-New Jersey (Rutgers University)

Switzerland: San Diego (SDJA)

Sweden: Dallas (FC Dallas Stadium)

Tunisia: Monterrey, MX (Rayados Training Centre)

Turkiye: Mesa, AZ (Arizona Athletic Grounds)

Uruguay: Cancun, MX (Mayakoba Training Centre Cancun)

United States: Irvine (Great Park Sports Complex)

Uzbekistan: Atlanta (Atlanta United Training Centre)

Published – May 26, 2026 08:55 am IST

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FIFA increasing financial distribution to all 48 World Cup teams by 15%

admin — Wed, 29 Apr 2026 08:14:00 +0000

General view as FIFA president Gianni Infantino gives a speech during the FIFA congress.
| Photo Credit: Reuters

Amid widespread complaints about the cost of tickets and transportation related to World Cup games, FIFA announced on Tuesday (April 28, 2026) that it will hike the money received by all 48 teams participating this summer by ‌15%.

The national teams competing in the event in the United States, Mexico and Canada will see their preparation ⁠money rise from $1.5 million to $2.5 million. Qualification compensation goes from $9 million to $10 million, and contributions toward team delegation expenses and increased ticket allotments will go up ‌more than $16 million.

Published – April 29, 2026 09:40 am IST

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Daily Quiz | On FIFA – May 21, 2024

admin — Tue, 21 May 2024 11:37:21 +0000

Daily Quiz | On FIFA

1 / 6 |
Apart from football, what are the other two sports the federation governs?

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