FIFA

FIFA Plans $6.35bn Football Development Fund for 2027–2030

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  FIFA is proposing to increase its global football development funding to $6.35bn between 2027 and 2030, more than doubling its existing budget to support member associations and other football organisations worldwide. According to a BBC Sport report, the world football governing body plans to provide an additional $3.4bn from its reserves, following the commercial success of this summer’s World Cup. The proposal is expected to be considered by the FIFA Council on Thursday amid calls from football administrators for increased financial support to member associations. Under the proposed plan, each of FIFA’s 211 member associations would receive $25m, while each of the six continental confederations would get $99m. The 13 zonal and regional associations would receive $8.25m each, while 100 member associations would be eligible for an additional $1.1m each for travel and equipment. FIFA also plans to channel the funding into infrastructure, women’s football, youth development and other projects. Under the proposed framework, one-third of the funding would support women’s and youth football, another third would go towards infrastructure, and the remaining portion would be allocated to other projects. The proposal follows criticism of FIFA President Gianni Infantino’s proposed FIFA Forward Enterprise plan, which sought to attract private investment by selling stakes in the World Cup and other competitions. UEFA, Concacaf and the Asian Football Confederation were among those opposing the plan. In September, UEFA and Concacaf reportedly urged FIFA to distribute at least $10m from its reserves to each member association. Infantino subsequently indicated support for providing the highest level of additional funding that could be responsibly delivered. The funding framework, including eligibility rules, application procedures, disbursement arrangements and audits, is expected to be finalised by the FIFA Council in December 2026. The proposal would then require approval at the 77th FIFA Congress in March 2027. Infantino is also expected to seek another term as FIFA president at the congress.

FIFA Appoints Portuguese Match Officials for Argentina vs Switzerland Clash

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  FIFA has appointed a team of Portuguese match officials to oversee the 2026 World Cup quarter-final clash between Argentina and Switzerland, scheduled to take place on Saturday, July 11, at 9 p.m. EDT at Kansas City Stadium. The decision was disclosed in an X post by FIFA on Thursday. Joao Pinheiro of Portugal will serve as the centre referee for the encounter. He will be assisted by two of his countrymen, Bruno Jesus and Luciano Maia, who will serve as Assistant Referee 1 and Assistant Referee 2 respectively. Canada’s Drew Fischer will serve as the fourth official for the match. His compatriot, Micheal Barwegen, will serve as the reserve assistant referee. FIFA has maintained a practice of assigning officials from countries not involved in a fixture for matches at the tournament. The organisation has not assigned any referee to a match involving his own country at either the group or knockout stages. FIFA had earlier named an all-Argentine team of officials for the World Cup quarter-final between France and Morocco. Facundo Tello served as the centre referee for that match, with Juan Pablo Belatti and Gabriel Chade as assistant referees. Dario Herrera served as the fourth official for the France-Morocco fixture, while Cristian Navarro was the reserve assistant referee. The appointment generated reactions from football fans, as some questioned the decision on the grounds that Argentina remained in contention at the tournament and could face either France or Morocco in a later round. FIFA’s regulations permit officials from countries still participating in the competition to handle matches, provided they are not involved in games featuring their own national teams. FIFA said this practice has applied consistently across the group stage and knockout rounds since the tournament kicked off in the United States, Canada and Mexico. Former France striker, Thierry Henry, commented on the appointment of the Argentine officiating team for the France-Morocco fixture. Egypt’s Football Association had also petitioned FIFA over refereeing decisions in its Round of 16 match against Argentina. Argentina and Switzerland will battle for a place in the semi-final of the tournament. The winner will advance to face opposition still being decided in the other quarter-final fixtures.

World Cup: Egypt Coach Claims FIFA, Referee Favoured Argentina

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  Egypt head coach Hossam Hassan has alleged that FIFA and the match officials showed favouritism towards defending champions Argentina following his team’s dramatic 3-2 defeat in the Round of 16. Egypt surrendered a two-goal lead on Tuesday as Argentina staged a remarkable comeback, inspired by Lionel Messi, who created one goal and scored the equaliser before Enzo Fernández netted a stoppage-time winner. The Egyptians were left frustrated after a goal was ruled out following a VAR review, while officials declined to review an incident in which they believed Mohamed Salah was fouled by Alexis Mac Allister in the build-up to Argentina’s winning goal. Speaking after the match, Hassan alleged that external influences affected the outcome. “We looked better than the reigning champions—better in everything—but the result was influenced by internal factors on the pitch and external factors off it. “Perhaps they wanted to keep the world champion in the competition. Perhaps they wanted Messi to stay in the running. In football, there are sometimes external factors that go beyond the technical aspects. The world champion received support at every level,” he said. Hassan also questioned the appointment of French referee François Letexier, claiming Egypt had raised concerns before the match. “There seems to be pressure from the Argentine side on this outcome. We were objecting to the selection of the referee because of the French situation, but everybody has to suffer at some point, and we suffered,” he added. The coach further criticised the officiating, insisting Egypt had been denied a penalty and unfairly had a second goal ruled out. “We haven’t seen respect or fair play. A penalty was ruled out. It was not even checked by the VAR, and our second goal was remarkably, for whatever reason, disallowed. “I want to put it in beautiful words and say, ‘Hard luck,’ but we have been treated unfairly, and it has been an injustice,” he said. Hassan disclosed that he confronted Letexier after the final whistle. “What I told the referee was, ‘This is unfair.’ I said maybe he isWorld Cup: Egypt Coach Claims FIFA, Referee Favoured Argentina carrying a scar or has something to hide. If somebody is trying to hide something, they often fail to hide it,” he added. Egypt forward, Mostafa Zico, also questioned the officiating after the defeat. “Hard luck. The match was in our hands and slipped away at the last moment. Strange things happened on the pitch. “We were hard done by today, and everyone saw that. We were winning 2-0. After the 2-0 result, everything went against us. I don’t even know why the second goal was disallowed, but we must look for a solution,” he stated.

FIFA Approves Okonkwo’s International Switch from England to Nigeria

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  The International Federation of Association Football has officially confirmed goalkeeper Arthur Okonkwo’s change of international allegiance from England to Nigeria, making the 24-year-old Wrexham shot-stopper eligible to represent the Super Eagles. The approval was documented on FIFA’s Change of Association platform on April 6, 2026. Checks by PUNCH Online on Tuesday show Okonkwo’s new national association listed as the Nigeria Football Federation on the FIFA website, replacing his former allegiance, The Football Association Ltd of England. Born on September 9, 2001, in Camden, London, to Nigerian (Igbo) parents, Okonkwo stands at 1.98–1.99m tall and began his career in Arsenal’s academy at age eight. He represented England at youth level between 2015 and 2019, featuring for the U-15, U-16, U-17 and U-18 teams. But he has never featured for the senior Three Lions team, clearing the path for the switch under FIFA eligibility rules. Okonkwo is currently the first-choice goalkeeper for Wrexham in the EFL Championship following a permanent move from Arsenal. He has impressed this season with consistent performances and key saves, helping the club compete in the second tier of English football. His form has drawn attention as a potential high-quality addition to Nigeria’s goalkeeping options. The switch followed discussions with Super Eagles coach Eric Chelle during the Unity Cup in London last year. However, administrative procedures ruled him out of the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations in Morocco. Okonkwo’s move adds depth to the Super Eagles’ goalkeeping options, which currently include Stanley Nwabali and Maduka Okoye.  

BREAKING: Dembélé Clinches FIFA Best Men’s Player Award

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  Paris Saint-Germain forward Ousmane Dembélé has been named the FIFA Best Men’s Player for 2025 after an outstanding season with Paris Saint-Germain and the France national team. Dembélé played a pivotal role for PSG, showcasing his pace, creativity, and goal-scoring ability, while also helping France achieve strong results in international competitions, solidifying his reputation as one of the world’s top footballers. In the women’s category, Barcelona midfielder Aitana Bonmatí was named the FIFA Best Women’s Player for 2025, following exceptional performances for both FC Barcelona and the Spain national team. Bonmatí was instrumental in Barcelona’s success in domestic and European competitions, demonstrating creativity, vision, and leadership in midfield. Her contributions also helped Spain achieve remarkable results on the international stage, further cementing her status as one of the world’s top female footballers.

FIFA U-17 World Cup: Flamingos Depart for Morocco Wednesday

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Nigeria’s U-17 women’s national team, the Flamingos, will depart Abuja in the early hours of Wednesday, October 8, as they begin their final preparations for the 2025 FIFA U-17 Women’s World Cup in Morocco. According to a report obtained from the NFF’s website on Tuesday, led by Head Coach Bankole Olowookere, the team will camp in Casablanca, where they are scheduled to play two crucial international friendlies against New Zealand and Paraguay before moving to Rabat for the tournament proper. “While in Casablanca, the Flamingos will intensify their build-up with two high-profile international friendlies — first against New Zealand on October 10, followed by a clash with Paraguay on October 14. “The team will then move into the official FIFA hotel in Rabat on October 15, where all participating teams will be housed for the competition,” the report stated. The Flamingos have been drawn in Group D, alongside Canada, France, and Samoa. Nigeria will kick off their campaign against Canada on Sunday, October 19, before facing France three days later — both matches scheduled for 8 p.m. Nigerian time at the Football Academy Mohammed VI (Pitch 2) and Football Academy Mohammed VI (Pitch 1) in the city of Sale. Their final group stage encounter will be against Samoa on October 25, with kickoff set for 5 p.m. at the Football Academy Mohammed VI (Pitch 3) still in Sale. Olowookere’s side heads into the tournament full of confidence, having played 10 tune-up matches, scoring an impressive 44 goals without conceding any. Their dominant form in camp so far, coupled with a well-balanced squad, underscores their determination to go one step further than their quarter-final finish at the last edition in the Dominican Republic.

FIFA U-20 World Cup: Nigeria Draw Colombia 1-1, Advances to Knockout Round

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Nigeria’s Flying Eagles have advanced to the Round of 16 at the ongoing 24th FIFA U-20 World Cup in Chile, following a hard-fought 1-1 draw against Colombia in the early hours of Monday. At the Estadio Fiscal de Talca, the seven-time African champions delivered a spirited performance, with goalkeeper Ebenezer Harcourt making crucial saves in the 23rd and 26th minutes to keep the scores level during a tense opening period. Despite Colombia’s early pressure, the Nigerians were the more enterprising side, with Tahir Maigana, Kparobo Arierhi, and Suleman Sani constantly troubling the South American defence and striking the upright on several occasions. Colombia broke the deadlock in the 51st minute through Kener Gonzalez, who converted from Neyser Villareal’s assist. Undeterred, the Flying Eagles piled on relentless pressure, and defender Odinaka Okoro came close with a header in the 76th minute. Nigeria’s persistence paid off in the 86th minute when captain Daniel Bameyi calmly slotted home from the penalty spot after a Colombian defender handled Maigana’s goal-bound effort. The Nigerians nearly clinched a late winner, but Arierhi’s shot in the 89th minute was blocked inside the area. The result means Nigeria will now face Argentina at the Estadio Nacional Julio Martinez Pradanos in Santiago on Wednesday a repeat of the quarter-final clash from the last U20 World Cup hosted by Argentina, where the Flying Eagles triumphed 2–0 in San Juan. Elsewhere, Colombia will meet South Africa, while Norway takes on Paraguay in other Round of 16 fixtures.

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