Quite a World Cup cover from L’Equipe.

Sin commentarios 🤐

Update on the Iran ticket issue. Iran says its ticket allocation has been revoked but there is some confusion because FIFA officials suggesting they’ve been unable to sell tickets directly into Iran. Iran is on the OFAC sanctions list which has very strict rules over financial transactions.

Not so much on FIFA on the sensitive and major issues that have started to plague this tournament but there is good news on the horizon… a new crypto partner 🥳 “Together, we look forward to exploring new ways to connect supporters with the tournament.” Entry into the country would be a start.

Despite claim by Iran’s ambassador in Mex that the team has to fly in and out of US same day, I’m told they can actually travel the day before the game (MD-1 in World Cup lingo). Another thing that FIFA should have clarified quickly to clear up incorrect info. Entry starts one day before game day

Cui bono? FIFA is 122 years old. In all that time there’s been nothing like the relationship between Trump and Infantino. Just as immigration issues once feared become reality, story with Rebecca Ruiz on an odd relationship that has shaped this World Cup www.nytimes.com/2026/06/09/w...

An observation about this World Cup compared to the previous two. Russia and Qatar made massive efforts for obvious reasons to change public perceptions and really went extra mile with hosting. The United States seems to not care about external reputational harm in same way. And we are seeing that.

For media trying to get accreditation in Mexico City today: Having gone to the designated point at the Azteca stadium, there is a chance after joining the line and entering the stadium you will be redirected and put on a shuttle bus to drive to an undisclosed location. Leave time and prepare to wait

Michel Platini has filed a criminal complaint against Infantino and others alleging slander, influence peddling and a conspiracy that prevented Platini to become FIFA president, a position that Infantino, his former No.2, has held for a decade now. Lawyers for Platini have also filed a civil claim

Reports that a referee on FIFA’s World Cup list from Africa has been turned back after trying to enter the US for the tournament. Surely, this is basic stuff FIFA should have ironed out well before now. FIFA has been, as usual, contacted for comment.

World Cup hosting not proving cheap for FIFA so departments have been asked to keep an eye on costs. So Infantino using budget for a random legends event for Italians (when no Italian team at World Cup) raised some eyebrows internally. When you hold the wallet. “Legends” budget remains a bit murky

In a June 3 filing in USA v Josh Wander, the DOJ cites “a former 777 Partners analyst who may be a witness at trial” who they claim has “significant firsthand knowledge of other criminal acts by the defendant, including the defendant’s frequent drug use during the conduct charged in the indictment.”

Pentagon Sees Growing Espionage Threat From Israel www.nytimes.com/2026/06/06/u...

What a ridiculous thing the presidential pardon is whoever the president is.

Every single refugee we've let in since December is supposedly fleeing white genocide.

With less than a week to go, and with fans rightfully raging about FIFA’s ticket pricing, thought it would be worth re-upping this story about how Rupert Murdoch’s Fox secured the “deal of the century” from FIFA, a giveaway TV rights deal, saving it as much $1bn www.nytimes.com/2026/05/24/w...

Lalit Modi getting a decent amount of airtime with some incredible claims about alleged kidnapping of his kids in London and protection from M15 amid threats from one of the world’s most notorious gangsters. Yet there is very little proof any of this actually happened. Just given a platform.

Had the opportunity to speak to the folks at The Daily about the World Cup as a competition, you know, the good part. The one that brings us so much joy. (But of course hard to avoid a bit of chat about FIFA’s efforts) Everything You Need to Know About the World Cup www.nytimes.com/2026/06/06/p...

The most-welcoming World Cup ever? Fat chance. Media body raises important complaints about conditions for journalists covering 2026 World Cup, particularly as it concerns African and Iranian colleagues.

This reminds me of Blackadder Season 3 and Prince George. UAE invites citizens and residents to sign pledge of loyalty to brother of Man City owner.

🚨 NEW: How Europe sheltered alleged war criminal Rifaat al-Assad Investigation by @edsiddons.bsky.social www.thebureauinvestigates.com/stories/2026...

This is the most blatant - and stupid - non-denial denial I can remember Good luck to Hackney Council with their investigation... www.londoncentric.media/p/hackney-lo...

Iran’s World Cup team is finally given visas to the United States but several backroom staff and top federation officials denied entry, risking new fallout. www.nytimes.com/2026/06/05/w...

There's been a good amount of coverage of this, but I don't think the average person knows how big of a deal this is. If you have a retirement account or 401k, you will likely end up supporting SpaceX's stock whether you like it or not. www.nytimes.com/2026/06/05/t...

Iran’s World Cup team is finally given visas to the United States but several backroom staff and top federation officials denied entry, risking new fallout. www.nytimes.com/2026/06/05/w...

Reporters press releasing their World Cup plans is a new one on me. It used to be that you just did the work without making it about you. Times have very definitely changed. This World Cup is a first for many things, including this type of nonsense.

2026 World Cup the first time I can recall FIFA celebrating the military veterans of any World Cup host nations in this way.

It is genuinely insane that we're a week away from the tournament and an entire team (and players from several other teams) don't know if they'll even be allowed in and hardly anyone seems to care? How is this not front page news everywhere?

Oak panelled room, men in suits, moody lighting, no idea what they talked about behind the scenes. Florentino Perez and the man code named W01. A picture that encapsulates how modern football works.

Reform given another £3mn by crypto billionaire Harborne ft.trib.al/7xe53Bu

If these suspicions about World Cup ticket dumping on secondary sites levelled against FIFA prove to be correct it would amount to a major scandal. Fans have been forking out ridiculous prices on FIFA’s own sites—for those same tickets to be slyly slashed would be outrageous. Fifa hasn’t commented.

🎙️ Interview with Iran’s football leader as his team’s World Cup participation remains clouded in uncertainty and his country remains at war with World Cup host. 🇮🇷 🇺🇸 ⚽️ Amid War, Iran’s Soccer Leader Works to Get His Team to the World Cup www.nytimes.com/2026/06/04/w...

Spent a couple of days with the Iran team as they sweat on visas for the World Cup. Most of the squad haven’t played games since the war started. Can’t think of World Cup team that’s faced more uncertainty than them. www.nytimes.com/2026/05/30/w...

Two of these three are facing either ethics complains or criminal complaints. FIFA president with head of South American football (subject to ethics complaint) and Argentina FA president (subject to criminal charge)

The best thing about today is everyone from everywhere is here. London at its very best.

Did not expect a Liverpool song.

"I know there are lots of crises clamouring for your attention right now, but the threat posed by electoral funding should trump them all because without negating it, there is no way to solve the others." ✍️ @oliverbullough.bsky.social bylinetimes.com/2026/05/29/h...

Blimey. Nolberto Solano is the coach of the Pakistan national team 🤯

Spent a couple of days with the Iran team as they sweat on visas for the World Cup. Most of the squad haven’t played games since the war started. Can’t think of World Cup team that’s faced more uncertainty than them. www.nytimes.com/2026/05/30/w...

I read Gianni infantino’s new book so you don't have to www.theguardian.com/football/202...

Among the fan groups that could probably afford the ludicrous prices.

Pam Bondi, who was fired as attorney general by President Trump in April, insisted on Friday that she had little real authority in overseeing the release of the Jeffrey Epstein files, putting responsibility squarely on her former deputy and successor, Todd Blanche.

Big game today. Pre-match warm up here 👇🏽

Remember Infantino being one of the first out of the blocks to call it that even before the name had changed.

Weird one.

I have so many requests for comment pending at FIFA at the moment, I’ve now lost track of what I’ve been asking about. 😵‍💫😵‍💫😵‍💫😵‍💫😵‍💫😵‍💫😵‍💫

Iran about to start one of two pre-World Cup friendlies in Turkey before travelling to their base in Mexico. Unfortunately for them Gambia had 10 last minute withdrawal before the match and have travelled with just 15 players.

New Libero Is Arsenal v PSG the future of football? @migueldelaney.bsky.social @jackpittbrooke.bsky.social @jonawils.bsky.social pod.fo/e/421e82

Rishi Sunak tells Radio 4 that "AI is changing every aspect of our economy and our lives, and if I was back in office and looked at my diary and where I was going to spend my time, I would spend it on that" At no point does he or the BBC mention the £373,000 given to him every year by an AI company

CTRL C CTRL V “Hi Tariq, thank you for your inquiry. Kindly note FIFA declines to comment.” 🥸