Why Fifa

Arirang News compiled major stories from the week of June 13, 2026, including South Korean economic data, political developments, and diplomatic engagement with the EU. The clip covers GDP growth figures and employment metrics alongside policy announcements, reflecting Seoul's economic performance during the period. The...

South Africa's national football team, Bafana Bafana, suffered a 2-0 defeat to Mexico in their opening match of the 2026 FIFA World Cup. Fans who gathered at viewing venues in Johannesburg expressed frustration with the team's tactical approach and coaching decisions. The loss marks a...

According to Al Jazeera's 101 East, India's top football league has lost its title sponsor and was forced to sell its media rights at drastically reduced rates, while the national team sits ranked outside the world's top 100 nations ahead of the 2026 FIFA World...

Guadalajara, one of 16 cities hosting the 2026 FIFA World Cup, is also the capital of one of Mexico's most violent states, according to NPR. Cartels have forcibly disappeared people in the region for decades to consolidate control, NPR reports, and families of missing persons...

A record number of African nations qualified for the 2026 FIFA World Cup, but South Africa's opening defeat to Mexico has raised questions about the continent's chances, France 24 reports. According to France 24, the central question is whether African teams can convert their unprecedented...

FIFA required Haiti's 2026 World Cup team to change its jersey design after the organization deemed an illustration referencing a Haitian independence battle too political for international competition, according to France 24. The decision sparked debate over FIFA's rules on national symbolism and cultural expression...

Peruvian police conducted a drug trafficking raid in Lima on June 10 disguised as the 2026 FIFA World Cup mascots—Maple the Moose, Zayu the Jaguar, and Clutch the Bald Eagle—targeting a suspect known to be a football fan, TRT World reports. The suspect, a repeat...

Pro-Palestinian demonstrators gathered in Mexico City during the 2026 FIFA World Cup opening ceremony to form a giant human Palestinian flag, according to Al Jazeera English. Organizers stated the action aimed to maintain visibility for the Palestinian cause during one of the world's most-watched sporting...

Nathan River Resources, an iron ore mining company in Australia's Northern Territory, collapsed into administration while owing millions of dollars to small business contractors and workers, according to ABC News Australia. Per the report, small business owners are condemning the NT Government for allowing the...

FIFA President Gianni Infantino defended World Cup ticket pricing and declined responsibility for a Somali referee's US visa denial on June 11, 2026. Omar Artan was blocked from entering the United States to work the tournament, prompting criticism of visa accessibility for international officials. Infantino...

Former Egyptian footballer Mohamed Aboutrika criticized FIFA and World Cup organizers on Al Jazeera English, arguing that the tournament—co-hosted by the United States—is being used to rehabilitate reputations amid geopolitical controversy. Aboutrika accused the US of using football to whitewash its reputation over Gaza and...

According to CNA, FIFA President Gianni Infantino has dismissed mounting controversies surrounding the 2026 World Cup, stating that ticket prices are appropriate and downplaying visa complications affecting players, officials, and fans. The tournament is set to take place across the United States, Mexico, and Canada....

The 2026 FIFA World Cup kicked off today with Mexico facing South Africa, marking the first tournament to feature 48 teams competing across North America, according to DW News. Record-high ticket prices and US border security concerns have generated friction around the event, while protests...

One hundred Argentina football fans were denied US visas for the 2026 FIFA World Cup, according to Al Jazeera English. An electronics company — not identified by name in Al Jazeera's reporting — responded by gifting the affected fans free televisions so they could watch...

In a single-source segment as the 2026 FIFA World Cup gets underway, France 24 English spoke with David Webber, Senior Lecturer in Sports Business and Politics at the University Campus of Football Business, about pressures surrounding the tournament. According to Webber, geopolitical crises, visa processing...

According to Channel 4 News, the 2026 FIFA World Cup — co-hosted across 16 cities in the United States, Canada, and Mexico — is caught up in disputes over U.S. border enforcement under President Donald Trump's administration, with the outlet reporting that not all players...

The 2026 FIFA World Cup will kick off in Mexico with an expanded format featuring 104 matches across 16 stadiums over 39 days, co-hosted by Mexico, the United States, and Canada. This marks the first World Cup expansion to include three host nations and increases...

According to Al Jazeera, Somali referee Omar Artan was blocked from entering the United States ahead of the 2026 FIFA World Cup, where he was set to become the first Somali official to referee at the tournament. Upon returning to Mogadishu, Artan received a hero's...

Senegal's national football team underwent metal detector screening on the tarmac at a US airport ahead of the 2026 FIFA World Cup, with viral video and photos sparking claims on social media that players were treated as criminals. The incident has generated significant backlash online,...

The 2026 FIFA World Cup begins imminently with five African nations—Senegal, Nigeria, Morocco, Cameroon, and others—competing with elevated expectations and star power. African teams are drawing momentum from Morocco's run to the 2022 World Cup final in Qatar, a historic achievement that shifted continental confidence....