fifa | DD News

April 30, 2026 9:28 AM

Afghanistan exiles dream of Olympic stage after FIFA recognition

Scattered across the globe after fleeing Taliban rule in Afghanistan, the country's exiled women footballers are daring to dream of uniting on the Olympic stage after being given a path back to international soccer. Global governing body FIFA approved a rule change on Wednesday allowing them to play official international matches, building on the FIFA-backed Afghan Women United team set up last year for players living outside their homeland. Goalkeeper Fatima Yousufi, now based in Melbourne wi...

April 29, 2026 2:59 PM

None more deserving of FIFA Peace Prize than Trump, says White House

The White House has hit back at critics of Donald Trump being awarded the FIFA Peace Prize, saying there is none more deserving than the U.S. president. Global soccer governing body FIFA gave Trump the inaugural award at the World Cup draw in December for "promoting peace and unity around the world", triggering condemnation from human rights groups and activists in the lead-up to the World Cup. Australian soccer player Jackson Irvine said this week that giving the award to Trump made a mockery...

April 29, 2026 10:41 AM

Afghan women on way back to official international matches after FIFA rule change

FIFA has approved a rule change allowing Afghan women footballers to play official international matches in FIFA competitions, giving players exiled since the Taliban's return to power a route back into international football. Afghanistan's women's national team has not played an official competitive international since before the Taliban returned to power in 2021. The Taliban authorities have imposed sweeping restrictions on women and girls, including restrictions affecting education, work and...

April 28, 2026 10:15 AM

Human Rights Watch urges FIFA to push for ‘ICE Truce’ at World Cup

FIFA should press the U.S. government to establish an "ICE Truce" for this year's World Cup, including a public guarantee from federal authorities to refrain from immigration enforcement operations at games and venues, Human Rights Watch (HRW) said in a report published on Monday. The 2026 World Cup - the first edition of the global showpiece tournament to feature 48 teams - will be co-hosted by the U.S., Canada and Mexico from June 11 to July 19. U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE)...

April 27, 2026 3:39 PM

FIFA set to increase 2026 World Cup prize money

FIFA is in discussions with national associations to increase prize money for all 48 teams participating in the 2026 World Cup, soccer's global governing body said on Sunday. The proposal must be approved at Tuesday's FIFA Council meeting being held ahead of the 76th FIFA Congress in Vancouver. In December, FIFA said prize money for this year's World Cup would be 50% higher than for the previous edition at $655 million after agreeing a record $727 million financial contribution to the tourname...

March 20, 2026 1:25 PM

FIFA mandates female coaches in their women’s competitions

Every team in a FIFA women's competition will be required to have at least one female head or assistant coach, part of sweeping new regulations from soccer's governing body aimed at boosting the number of women coaching at the highest levels. The regulations, approved by the FIFA Council on Thursday, come into effect with this year's U-17 and U-20 Women's World Cups and the Women's Champions Cup, and significantly will include the Women's World Cup next year in Brazil. The new regulations stip...

March 19, 2026 1:05 PM

Soccer-Iran continuing World Cup preparations but will not play in US, says soccer chief

The Iranian national team are continuing to prepare for the World Cup finals and have no intention of pulling out of the tournament even if they will not travel to the United States, soccer chief Mehdi Taj said on Wednesday. Iran were one of the first nations to qualify for the finals but their participation has been in doubt since the conflict between the Islamic Republic and the United States began in late February. The tournament runs from June 11 to July 19 and is being staged in the U.S.,...

March 17, 2026 10:57 AM

Soccer-Iran negotiating with FIFA to move World Cup games to Mexico from US: Iran federation chief

Iran's football federation is in discussions with FIFA about moving their World Cup matches from the United States to Mexico due to concerns about the safety of their players, Iranian football president Mehdi Taj said on Monday. U.S. President Donald Trump said last week that Iran were welcome to participate but suggested it might not be appropriate for them to play in the U.S. “for their own life and safety”. "When Trump has explicitly stated that he cannot ensure the security of the Iran...

March 13, 2026 10:49 AM

Trump says inappropriate for Iran to be at soccer World Cup

U.S. President Donald Trump said on Thursday the Iran soccer team was welcome to participate in the 2026 World Cup but that he believed it was not appropriate that they be there "for their own life and safety". Iran has qualified for the 48-team tournament to be held in the U.S., Canada and Mexico from June 11 and are scheduled to play two group matches in Los Angeles and one in Seattle. "The Iran national soccer team is welcome to the World Cup, but I really don’t believe i...

January 20, 2026 10:17 AM

FIFA Series for smaller nations to have 48 teams in second edition

The second edition of the FIFA Series, sponsored biennial tournaments for mainly lower-ranked and lesser-financed nations, will have 48 teams taking part this year, including five that qualified for the 2026 World Cup, FIFA said on Monday. World soccer's governing body announced in November that the tournaments with friendly matches was expanding in 2026 while also launching a women's edition, with 11 host countries in all. Australia, Cape Verde, Curacao, New Zealand and Uzbekistan -- al...