Is now the time world leaders unite and call for a boycott of the 2026 World Cup? The Trump administration has shown major acts of aggression against 6 FIFA member associations: Venezuela, Colombia, Mexico, Cuba, Iran, Denmark (Greenland) 1/8 Thread www.theguardian.com/us-news/2026...

If you read anything today please make it this, urgent action required. ⤵️⤵️⤵️⤵️⤵️⤵️⤵️⤵️⤵️⤵️⤵️⤵️⤵️

If the Palestine Action hunger strikers die - which they could do at any moment, as they are now very close to the end - it will be the government that killed them. Today’s column explains why. Please share, and write urgently to your MP. www.theguardian.com/commentisfre...

Is now the time world leaders unite and call for a boycott of the 2026 World Cup? The Trump administration has shown major acts of aggression against 6 FIFA member associations: Venezuela, Colombia, Mexico, Cuba, Iran, Denmark (Greenland) 1/8 Thread www.theguardian.com/us-news/2026...

According to people in Aida refugee camp this demolition could happen as soon as tomorrow. They wrote today to FIFA and the Swiss government urging them to call on Israel to desist from any demolition plans. The pitch is a lifeline for hundreds of Palestinian boys and girls.

This is where we are. Read this joint statement by France, Germany, Italy, Poland, Spain, the United Kingdom, and the Kingdom of Denmark on Greenland: "Greenland belongs to its people. It is for Denmark and Greenland, and them only, to decide on matters concerning Denmark and Greenland."

Tooze disagrees that Resource imperialism is an explanation for Trumpists actions. Why not? 1 Assets are small. Oil is heavy & difficult to recover economically 2 Financial liabilities of VZ govt are large Concludes that trump likes "cosplaying" as imperialist adamtooze.substack.com/p/chartbook-...

🚨🚨🚨 Israel continues to destroy Palestinian football infrastructure unopposed by FIFA & UEFA. Please read and sign this important petition to help save the football pitch at the Aida refugee camp. More in 🧵 1/5. Read | Share 🙏 secure.avaaz.org/campaign/en/...

It's astonishing how the intelligent and accomplished people who lead our nations don't seem to realise that the more unable and unwilling they are to stand up to Trump, the more he'll take advantage of them. www.theguardian.com/commentisfre...

Full video on the complete annihilation of the football pyramid / infrastructure in Gaza. Hundreds of footballers killed. Illegal matches by Israel on Palestinian land. The importance of football in Palestine and why Israel is targeting the sport. 🧵5/5 Read | Share 🙏 youtu.be/cfjDXFif8Yw?...

To see the true extent of the damage caused to football infrastructure in Gaza by Israel watch the short video here ⤵️ Full video on next page. 🧵4/5 continue on. youtube.com/shorts/yqW2o...

Gianni Infantino: “We will help rebuild all football facilities in Gaza and Palestine. We will bring football back in every corner of the country.” Israel, meanwhile, is planning to demolish a pitch used by Palestinian children in Bethlehem's Aida refugee camp. www.middleeasteye.net/news/israel-...

🚨🚨🚨 Israel continues to destroy Palestinian football infrastructure unopposed by FIFA & UEFA. Please read and sign this important petition to help save the football pitch at the Aida refugee camp. More in 🧵 1/5. Read | Share 🙏 secure.avaaz.org/campaign/en/...

As there has been a steady stream of new arrivals on Bluesky lately, here are a few starter packs I put together which might be of use. go.bsky.app/LkYr5cE

Gaza—the stadium of the soul by Bassim Helmi Hijazi (twenty years old) In "From Dust We Rise: New Poetry from Palestine", a collection of Palestinian poetry from @rrgould.bsky.social www.theparisreview.org/blog/2026/01...

Some excellent Bluesky account to follow if you’re looking for football, politics or just good journalism and reporting. ⤵️ go.bsky.app/KYKt8UF

If anyone who follows The Pitch Inspection is updating their football related starter pack(s) please consider including us in your pack. Much appreciated 👍.

Our last 2 articles feel relevant. 1) Gianni Infantino - The Emperor of Football. Infantino’s links to the Trump family & other autocrats and what needs to change at FIFA. 2) America First, Football Last. How U.S. Immigration policies spell disaster for the 2026 World Cup. Links in thread ⤵️

The leaders of all Nordic countries - Norway, Sweden, Finland and Iceland - express their strong support for Denmark and Greenland. What a time to live in, where this needs to be said.

Trump: We need Greenland. Right now, Greenland is covered with Russian and Chinese ships. Reporter: What would the justification be for a claim to Greenland? Trump: The EU needs us to have it.

America First, Football Last. How U.S. immigration policies and visa reforms spell disaster for the 2026 FIFA World Cup. The same people shaping divisive immigration policies and security strategies in the U.S. also sit on the newly assembled World Cup Task Force. substack.com/@thepitchins...

1) Gianni Infantino - The Emperor of Football. Infantino’s links to The Trump family and other Autocrats. How FIFA’s one member, one vote system and FIFA Forward program are a perfect mix for corruption. What needs to change at FIFA? Please read / share ⤵️ open.substack.com/pub/thepitch...

From my favorite U.S. cartoonist @mluckovich.bsky.social (already weeks ago).

Read the unsealed indictment against Maduro: www.justice.gov/opa/media/14...

Wrote this in 2017 about the Russia 2018 World Cup and reposted it four years later about Qatar. In 2026, only the names have changed.* Ultimately, nothing makes a difference, but you'll at least know you weren't part of it. theuglygame.wordpress.com/2017/12/01/w...

Our last 2 articles feel relevant. 1) Gianni Infantino - The Emperor of Football. Infantino’s links to the Trump family & other autocrats and what needs to change at FIFA. 2) America First, Football Last. How U.S. Immigration policies spell disaster for the 2026 World Cup. Links in thread ⤵️

A very embarrassing moment for the FIFA Peace Prize committee

A reminder that FIFA President Gianni Infantino one month ago stood and nodded as Noem and Trump verbally attacked Venezuelan’s. FIFA indirectly complicit in this illegal U.S. invasion of Venezuela.

CNN: CNN just getting report that the smoke appears to be rising from the vicinity of Fort Tiona, which is where the Venezuelan ministry of defense is headquartered, which would seem to indicate that somebody is targeting the defenses of Venezuela.

As FIFA flogs its host city World Cup posters for $20, the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) is circulating posters of a different kind. The DHS posters come with complete with anti-immigration slogans like: DEPORT ALL FOREIGN INVADERS” and “DEFEND THE HOMELAND”. 🧵

How U.S. immigration policies and visa reforms spell disaster for the 2026 FIFA World Cup. A thread. 🧵

Appreciate this so much! If you care about women’s sports and the pioneers who took a leap of faith that their efforts would matter — check this Original Story on the 1985 USWNT. You won’t believe the antics, the joy, the topless windsurfing…

There is much to admire in what Sunderland, the team, are doing this season, and this first half against Man City is no exception; but there is a lot that is questionable about the club's addiction to gambling partners: six on show at the SoL tonight, including two illegal operators, W88 and 8XBet.

Sept 25: Infantino congratulates Gabonese Football President on recent progress and discuss FIFA Forward funds. Jan 26: Gabon Government suspends International team. A reminder that FIFA have pumped $19m USD into Gabon since 2016. I’m sure an audit trail exists. inside.fifa.com/organisation...

My wish for 2026 is that Europeans will be as critical and vigilant about authoritarianism and racism in their own country as they are about them in the U.S. and that Americans will be as critical and vigilant about authoritarianism and racism in the U.S. as Europeans are.

Throughout their win vs Botswana at AFCON, a DR Congo supporter replicated the stance of Patrice Lumumba, a key figure in African and Congolese independence who was assassinated in 1961 following a joint plot between political opponents, Belgium, the US, and UK 🇨🇩

Our new Substack is up. America First, Football Last. How U.S. immigration policies and visa reforms spell disaster for the 2026 FIFA World Cup. Please read, comment or share. Thank you. open.substack.com/pub/thepitch...

That was the year that was for @josimarfootball.bsky.social and its team of investigative journalists. As @samindrakunti.bsky.social says, a year that was both stellar and "difficult" - thank you to all those who came to our help when it was needed. Here is a recap of our main stories in 2025 👇

Nobody does it better than the team over at @josimarfootball.bsky.social Bookmark and read their reports from 2025. ⤵️

A stellar (and difficult) year for @josimarfootball.bsky.social. Here is some of our best reporting. We started in Saudi Arabia, host of the 2034 World Cup, and labour abuse of migrant workers. With @aselliaas.bsky.social josimarfootball.com/2025/01/06/t...

150m is a crazy number. Do we know that it is true? In two senses: 1 can we trust FIFA? 😆😂🤣 They are incentivised to drive demand at these obscene prices, and before the dynamic price sale, and to boast about big numbers to impress Trump. 2 can we be sure they are all real people, not bots?

As President Trump rolls out the red carpet for Benjamin Netanyahu, a reminder of the devastation caused by Israel’s ongoing Genocide in Gaza. ⤵️

BREAKING: A Russian newspaper today — “America no longer sees our country as a threat… The US leader’s philosophy is closer to the values of Russia’s president, not the politicians of the Old World… he sees Europe as a liberal stronghold that must be destroyed…” Read that again.

FIFA: 150 million ticket requests have been submitted to date by fans from over 200 countries. U.S. Gov / World Cup Task Force: America is for Americans Only. Spot the difference? How many fans from the 200 countries will be allowed into the U.S. come June 2026? Thread / substack below:

As President Trump rolls out the red carpet for Benjamin Netanyahu, a reminder of the devastation caused by Israel’s ongoing Genocide in Gaza. ⤵️

2025 - a year when football seems to somehow allow things to keep getting worse, despite the game itself often being at its most uplifting - from Palace to Parrott It was like every great moment had some drab postscript www.independent.co.uk/sport/footba...

This is mad! A member of the House of Lords and Tory Shadow minister representing a sanctioned Russian Oligarch i assume against the UK government. That is quite the conflict of interest! Looking forward to Jenrick and Co calling this one out…