
US President Donald Trump was one of the central figures off the pitch at the 2026 World Cup final, co-hosting alongside FIFA President Gianni Infantino the trophy presentation to Spain, champions after beating Argentina 1-0 in extra time at MetLife Stadium in New Jersey. Trump, who watched the match from the VIP box with his wife, Melania, also held the original trophy before kickoff, in images that circulated widely on social media.

FIFA has announced that the champions of the 2026 World Cup will receive, for the first time in the tournament's history, championship rings inspired by the major US sports leagues such as the NFL, NBA, and baseball. The new award will be added to the trophy and gold medals handed out after the final, which Spain and Argentina will contest on Sunday at MetLife Stadium in New Jersey.

FIFA said it is assessing possible disciplinary measures against Argentina after several players celebrated their World Cup semifinal win over England with a banner supporting Argentina's claim to the Falklands. The defending champions came from behind in Atlanta to win 2-1 and reach Sunday's final against Spain.

The Falkland Islands Government (FIG) has voiced its dismay at the banner with which Argentine players celebrated their World Cup semifinal win over England, and called on FIFA to sanction conduct of that kind in line with its own rules. In a statement issued on Thursday, the Islands' executive said it was “disappointed – though regrettably not surprised” that the Argentine team chose to tarnish the result of a match that in any case did not involve the Falklands.

US President Donald Trump admitted he had called FIFA President Gianni Infantino to ask that the red card shown to US striker Folarin Balogun be reviewed, after the body reversed the suspension that would have kept him out of the round-of-16 match against Belgium. The decision, unprecedented in more than six decades of World Cups, triggered a wave of criticism and formal protests from the Belgian federation and UEFA.

US President Donald Trump was awarded the newly created FIFA Peace Prize on Friday during the high-profile draw for the 2026 FIFA World Cup, during which the 12 groups to compete across the United States, Mexico, and Canada next year were determined.

Football's governing body FIFA has announced a tougher Disciplinary Code to combat racism and discrimination in the game, approved unanimously by 211 Member Associations. Key changes include increasing the maximum fine to 5 million Swiss francs (about US$ 6.08 million) and stricter penalties, such as points deductions and expulsions from competitions.

A Rio de Janeiro court ordered Thursday the dismissal of Brazilian Football Confederation (CBF) President Ednaldo Rodrigues, claiming his appointment to the position was null since it involved a suspected forged signature by former CBF president Antonio Carlos Nunes de Lima, who has been deemed mentally incapable at the time of signing.

World football's governing body FIFA confirmed Wednesday that the opening game of the 2030 World Cup will be played at Montevideo's Centenario Stadium, which also hosted the 1930 edition that launched the series of one of the most successful events in contemporary history.

Presidents Santiago Peña of Paraguay and Luis Lacalle Pou of Uruguay Wednesday attended a dinner hosted by the South American Football Confederation (Conmebol) at the historic building of the Port of Asunción. Also participating in the event was Fédération Internationale de Football Association (FIFA) President Gianni Infantino.