South Africa coach Hugo Broos says he is not bothered about becoming the oldest coach at a World Cup when he takes Bafana Bafana to next year’s finals in North America.

Broos will be 74 years, two months and one day old when the finals kick off on 11 June next year, easily beating the record of 71 years that the German coach Otto Rehhagel set in 2010 when he took Greece to the finals in South Africa.

“Is that something to be proud of?” Broos asked Belgian media in the aftermath of South Africa beating Rwanda in Nelspruit on Tuesday to qualify for the finals.

“That’s something that is interesting for those who follow these things but it doesn’t interest me because I want to do more. I want to achieve and to show that perhaps I have had a good career in the game,” he said.

Broos has made no secret of the fact that he was seeking to return to the World Cup again after being a player with Belgium in 1986 when they reached the semifinal in Mexico. After that, he intends to retire.

Broos is also the first Belgian to coach another national team to the World Cup, but he said he was not keen to be drawn with his home country in the same group at the tournament.

“I’d rather not. I would not enjoy that because it will be hard to coach against Belgium. But if we must, then we must, of course. In that case, we won’t give (Belgium) any gifts,” he said.

Broos is already South Africa’s longest serving coach and will become the first to take the team to two separate Africa Cup of Nations finals.

At each of South Africa’s previous finals tournaments, they have had different coaches with Clive Barker (1996), Jomo Sono (1998), Trott Moloto (2000), Carlos Queiroz (2002), Styles Phumo (2004), Ted Dumitru (2006), Carlos Alberto Parreira (2008), Gordon Igesund (2013), Ephraim Mashaba (2015), and Stuart Baxter (2019).

With Broos, Bafana reached the semifinals and then took the bronze medal at the last edition in Ivory Coast.

Harry Kane is still haunted by his penalty miss in the 2022 World Cup quarterfinals and the England captain says he is determined to make up for the worst moment of his career at next year's tournament in North America.

With England trailing France 2-1 in Qatar, Kane, who had already scored a penalty in the match, squandered the chance to level by blazing his spot-kick over the crossbar.

"I'd say that was probably the worst that I felt in any moment," he told British media. "Obviously I've lost finals before. To have that responsibility, you almost feel like it fell on my shoulders.

"Not being able to execute something that I've been able to execute many a time in my career, I think that was the hardest part to process and take.

"In terms of that being my last memory (of a World Cup), yeah, I'm looking forward to the next World Cup to try and put that right, to try and go further. To try and lift the trophy as we all dream of doing."

England thrashed Latvia 5-0 on Tuesday to book their spot at the 2026 World Cup, with Kane scoring twice to take his international tally to 76 goals.

Asked if he could reach the century mark, the 32-year-old said: "The way I'm feeling right now, I'm not slowing down any time soon.

"The goals are there and the numbers speak for themselves. The way I feel on the pitch, the way I am seeing the game, physically and without the ball, pressing, I feel in a really good place."

US President Donald Trump said on Tuesday that FIFA chief Gianni Infantino would support moving 2026 World Cup games from US cities for security reasons if necessary.

In September, Trump raised the possibility of moving games amid his crackdown on Democratic-run cities, but at the time FIFA said that it was up to football's governing body to decide where games are held.

"If somebody is doing a bad job and if I feel there's unsafe conditions, I would call Gianni, the head of FIFA, who's phenomenal, and I would say, let's move it to another location. And he would do that," Trump told reporters at the White House when asked if games could be moved from Boston, one of the host cities.

"Very easily he would do it."

Trump's comments came a day after he met close friend Infantino in Egypt at a summit on a Gaza ceasefire, where the FIFA boss joined more than two dozen world leaders who were discussing peace in the Middle East.

The US president also suggested that, if necessary, events for the 2028 Los Angeles Olympics could also be moved.

"I could say the same thing for the Olympics," Trump said. "If I thought LA was not going to be prepared properly, I would move it to another location."

Republican Trump's administration has deployed national guard troops to Democratic-run US cities this year over the objections of local and state leaders, saying they are needed to counter crime and left-wing activism.

Boston is hosting seven games at next year's World Cup. San Francisco and Seattle are both hosting six matches each at the tournament while Los Angeles is hosting eight.

The United States is co-hosting next year's World Cup with Mexico and Canada, but will be hosting the bulk of the games in the tournament, which has been expanded to include 48 teams.

Trump earlier this year appointed himself as chairman of a White House task force for the World Cup.

Fifa president Gianni Infantino wants football to keep an "open mind" about when World Cups are played as the global soccer body grapples with climate and calendar challenges for the tournament.

The World Cup is usually held in June-July when most leagues in the northern hemisphere have their off-seasons, but the 2022 edition in Qatar broke with convention by taking place in November-December to avoid the desert nation's scorching heat.

Any major changes remain distant possibilities with Fifa's International Match Calendar (IMC) fixed until 2030, but Saudi Arabia is set to host the 2034 tournament, becoming the second nation from the Middle East to do so.

"It's not just about one World Cup, it's a general reflection. Even to play in some European countries in July is very, very hot, so maybe we have to think," Infantino said at the European Football Clubs' general assembly in Rome.

"We have summer and winter and in the world, if you want to play at the same time everywhere, you can play in March or in October. In December, you cannot play in one part of the world, and in July, you cannot play in another part.

"We need to consider all these elements and let's see how we can make it better for everyone. Maybe there are ways we can optimise the calendar. We are discussing, we have to have an open mind."

The United States, Canada and Mexico will host next year's men's World Cup in the traditional June-July window, although a report found 10 of the 16 venues are at very high risk of experiencing extreme heat stress conditions.

The 2030 tournament – also in June-July – presents a logistical challenge, with Morocco, Portugal and Spain as primary hosts while Argentina, Paraguay and Uruguay will hold matches

FIFA has unveiled the official match ball for the 2026 World Cup, combining high-tech refinements and design details celebrating the three co-host countries – the United States, Mexico and Canada.

The ball, called Trionda, was again designed by German manufacturer Adidas, provider of the official World Cup balls since the 1970 tournament.

"I am delighted and proud to present the Trionda," FIFA president Gianni Infantino as the ball was revealed at an event in New York on Thursday.

introducing: TRIONDA ​
​
the Official Match Ball of the 2026 @fifaworldcup. 🇨🇦🇺🇸🇲🇽​#FIFAWORLDCUP pic.twitter.com/vOEpXs5Epu

— adidas Football (@adidasfootball) October 2, 2025

The first World Cup organised by three countries, with 48 teams competing, inspired both the name and the design of the ball featuring red, blue and green colors.

Iconography from each host nation – maple leaves from Canada, the eagle from Mexico and stars from the United States also feature, with a triangle referring to the unity of the three countries.

adidas just lit up the Las Vegas Sphere with TRIONDA — the official match ball of the FIFA World Cup 2026 ⚽️ pic.twitter.com/ZgadRsNEIh

— HYPEBEAST (@HYPEBEAST) October 3, 2025

Less visible are technological advancements that include deep seams designed to produce "optimal in-flight stability" and embossed icons that improve grip in wet or humid conditions.

A motion sensor chip will relay information on the ball's movement, sending data to the video assistant referee (VAR) system.

The unveiling marks another step in the countdown to the North American World Cup, which will be held June 11-July 19 next year.

FIFA has launched its online phased ticket sales procedures, with more than 4.5 million fans from 216 countries and territories entering the presale draw.

The tournament draw will be held in Washington on December 5.

Fifa announced on Tuesday a $355 million pay-out to clubs releasing players for next year's World Cup - a 70 per cent hike on the 2022 edition.

The new benefit scheme deal, reached in association with the powerful European Club Association (ECA), includes for the first time players involved in qualifiers but not figuring in the 48-team 2026 tournament, co-hosted by the USA, Canada and Mexico.

For the 32-team 2022 World Cup in Qatar, Fifa distributed $209 million to 440 sides "from 51 Fifa member associations", football's world governing body noted.

"The enhanced edition of the Fifa Club Benefits Programme for the Fifa World Cup 2026 is going a step further by recognising financially the huge contribution that so many clubs and their players around the world make to the staging of both the qualifiers and the final tournament," said Fifa president Gianni Infantino.

"Clubs play a pivotal role in the success of national team football and this initiative recognises every element of it, from early development through to release for the most important games," said ECA boss and Paris Saint-Germain president Nasser al-Khelaifi.

Mexican President Claudia Sheinbaum met with Fifa chief Gianni Infantino on Thursday to discuss preparations for the 2026 football World Cup, which Mexico will co-host with the United States and Canada.

"I appreciate the visit of Gianni Infantino, Fifa President, to discuss the progress of the World Cup," the president said in a post on social media, adding photos with the Fifa President and the tournament trophy.

Sheinbaum said the opening ceremony of the tournament will take place at the Azteca Stadium in Mexico City on 11 June, 2026.

"Remember that in Mexico City, Guadalajara, and Monterrey, 13 matches of the great sporting event will take place," she added.

Infantino had already met last week with US President Donald Trump, who announced the World Cup draw would be held on 5 December at the Kennedy Centre in Washington.

Infantino, who has fostered close ties with the billionaire US president, brought the World Cup with him for the announcement and even let Trump get his hands on it.

The 2026 World Cup is being hosted by the United States, Canada and Mexico next year, and Trump has made a big deal about it happening during his presidency.

The tournament comes at a tense time for Mexico, the United States, and Canada, fueled by the Republican magnate's trade and tariff policies.

US President Donald Trump announced Friday that the draw for the 2026 World Cup will be held in Washington on December 5 – and got a rare chance to hold the coveted football trophy.

The 48-team event is being hosted by the United States, Canada and Mexico next year, and Trump has made a big deal about it happening during his presidency.

The draw was reportedly due to be held in Las Vegas but Trump, accompanied by Fifa chief Gianni Infantino, said it would now be held at the Kennedy Centre in the US capital.

"It's the biggest, probably the biggest event in sports," added the 79-year-old US president, who was wearing a red hat saying "Trump Was Right About Everything."

Trump also suggested that Russian President Vladimir Putin may attend the World Cup – saying that he "wants to be there very badly," but that he "may be coming and he may not" depending on the outcome of Ukraine peace efforts.

🏆 The stage is set.

🌟 The FIFA World Cup 26™ Final Draw
🗓️ 5 December
🌎 Washington, D.C.
📍 The Kennedy Center#WeAre26 | #FIFAWorldCup pic.twitter.com/AVBgG8vlSr

— FIFA World Cup (@FIFAWorldCup) August 22, 2025

Infantino allowed Trump to get his hands on the Jules Rimet trophy, which is presented to winners of football's global tournament.

"Only the Fifa president, presidents of countries, and then those who win can touch it, because it's for winners only. And since you are a winner, of course you can as well touch it," Infantino said.

"Can I keep it?" joked Trump, who won a second term in the White House in the 2024 US presidential election.

The Republican, who has decked out The Oval Office with gilded decor since returning to power in January, then added: "That's a beautiful piece of gold. That's beautiful."

'TRUMP-KENNEDY CENTER'

But there was a brief moment of nerves as Trump appeared to fumble the World Cup before placing it on his desk – as Infantino reached out a hand to steady it.

Infantino later presented the US leader with a giant ticket – Row 1 Seat 1 – for the World Cup final on July 19 at the MetLife stadium in East Rutherford, New Jersey, just outside New York.

The choice of location for the Fifa World Cup draw however has deeply political overtones.

Trump and his administration led a takeover of the Kennedy Centre earlier this year, saying that the venerable performing arts venue had become too "woke."

He added on Friday as he made the announcement that "some people refer to it as the Trump-Kennedy Centre, but we're not prepared to do that quite yet, maybe in a week or so."

Trump visited the Kennedy Centre just before The Oval Office announcement. He has said he is going to make major improvements to "beautify" it including adding marble cladding.

The US president also hailed a major federal crime crackdown in Washington that has seen US National Guard troops deployed on the streets of the capital.

Trump said the move would make Washington safe for football fans visiting the city during next year's tournament.

Las Vegas will play host to the 2026 World Cup draw on December 5, according to multiple reports on Tuesday.

ESPN and TUDN'Mexico said Vegas had been picked for the draw of the expanded 48-team event, which will be hosted by the United States, Canada and Mexico.

In all, 12 groups of four nations will be drawn.

When the United States played host to the 1994 World Cup, the draw ceremony was also conducted in Las Vegas.

ESPN's original report said that The Sphere, a 17 500-seat venue which opened in 2023, was seen as the front-runner for the draw site, but the sports network later reported Sphere sources had confirmed it would not take place there.

In 1994, the draw was staged in Las Vegas even though it was not a host city for any matches, a situation that is also the case for next year's event.

All four African sides exited the Fifa Club World Cup at the completion of the group stages in a tough outing for teams from the continent.

But there were positives to take and Mamelodi Sundowns in particular enhanced their reputation on the global stage.

Of the 12 games played by African sides, there were two wins, three draws and seven defeats, with 11 goals scored and 23 conceded.

Here is a review of the four clubs’ campaign.

AL AHLY (EGYPT)

Coach: Jose Riveiro (Spain)

Finish: 4th in Group A

Record: P3 W0 D2 L1 GF4 GA6

Top scorer: Wessam Abou Ali – 3

Ahly, under new coach Jose Riveiro, had their chances in this pool. They were by far the better team in their 0-0 draw with Inter Miami in the tournament opener, where they missed a penalty and spurned several other golden chances.

They were well beaten 2-0 by Brazilian side Palmeiras in their second game, but led three times against FC Porto before settling for a 4-4 draw in one of the games of the group stages.

Had they finished off Inter and Porto as they should have, they would have topped the pool. Instead, they end bottom.

ESPERANCE (TUNISIA)

Coach: Maher Kanzari (Tunisia)

Finish: 3rd in Group D

Record: P3 W1 D0 L2 GF1 GA5

Top scorer: Mohamed Belaili – 1

Esperance did pick up a win in the pool when they beat Los Angelese FC in Nashville, but otherwise were well beaten in their other two fixtures and ended third in the pool.

They started with a 2-0 defeat to Flamengo from Brazil, before giving themselves hope with the victory over LA.

They needed a win in their final clash with Chelsea, and looked to have held their opponents at the break, but two goals in first half injury-time essentially ended the contest and they lost 3-0.

MAMELODI SUNDOWNS (SOUTH AFRICA)

Coach: Miguel Cardoso (Portugal)

Finish: 3rd in Group F

Record: P3 W1 D1 L1 GF4 GA4

Top scorer: Iqraam Rayners – 2

It was not to be for Sundowns as they were held to a 0-0 draw in their final pool game by Brazilian side Fluminense, despite being the better team on the day.

They had their chances to claim the win that would have taken them through, but could not convert and leave before the knockout rounds.

But they were the best African team on show and won plenty of admirers for their attacking style of play and entertaining brand of football.

Iqraam Rayners scored the lone goal in a comfortable 1-0 win over south Korean side Ulsan, where he also had two more goals chalked off by the VAR.

They then took the lead against Borussia Dortmund through Lucas Ribeiro, but trailed 4-1. Rayners and Lebo Mothiba brought the game back to 4-3 to set up a grandstand finish, but it was not to be.

It meant they had to beat Fluminense but could not get the result they needed despite another strong performance.

WYDAD CASABLANCA (MOROCCO)

Coach: Amine Benhachem (Morocco)

Finish: 4th in Group G

Record: P3 W0 D0 L3 GF2 GA8

Top scorer: Thembinkosi Lorch, Casius Mailula – 1

Wydad lost all three games in a tough outing for the Moroccan side, with both of their goals in the competition being scored by South Africans.

They lost 2-0 to Manchester City in their opener, before a tough 4-1 defeat to Juventus in the second pool game.

Thembinkosi Lorch scored a goal with a superb finish to make the score 2-1 after 25 minutes, but they were well beaten in the end and were eliminated after two rounds.

Casius Mailula gave Wydad the lead in their final pool match against Al Ain from the UAE, but they could not hold on and lost 2-1.

New Brazil coach Carlo Ancelotti considers Neymar "a very important player" and has urged the injury-prone star "to prepare well" for the 2026 World Cup.

"He must prepare well and he has the time to do that," the Italian said in an interview with the South American football federation on Thursday.

"He's a very important player for us regarding the World Cup," Ancelotti added.

Neymar, 33, extended his contract with Brazilian side Santos to the end of the year this week.

Neymar's career has been dogged by injury, and he has only played 12 matches in five months for Santos, scoring three goals.

Brazil's top scorer with 79 goals was missing from Ancelotti's first squad at the end of May.

With Neymar absent five-time world champions Brazil qualified for next year's World Cup with a 1-0 win over Paraguay this month.

American World Cup host city officials assured on Monday that overseas fans would be welcome at next year's tournament in the United States, Canada and Mexico despite "uncertainty" amid ongoing concerns over visas, border controls and social unrest.

In a briefing in New York that came just over a year from the opening game of the tournament on June 11, 2026, officials said President Donald Trump's administration remained "extremely supportive" of the World Cup.

Since returning to power, Trump has started a global trade war, threatened to annex Canada and launched a border crackdown that has led to harsh treatment of foreign visitors attempting to enter the United States.

Trump's immigration offensive has, in turn, led to civil unrest, with clashes in Los Angeles over the weekend triggered by large-scale raids last week.

Eleven American cities will host the bulk of the games at next year's World Cup, which is being co-hosted by three nations for the first time and has been expanded to include 48 teams.

Executives from the local organising committees for the 11 US World Cup venues gathered in New York on Monday to brief on logistical aspects of the tournament, including transportation, stadium access, fan zones, as well as general access to the United States.

"For each of our cities, we want to be prepared to make any person that is coming and makes the decision to come to the United States or come to this World Cup feel that they are welcome," said Meg Kane, head of the Philadelphia organising committee.

'EXTREMELY SUPPORTIVE'

Kane said while officials were planning "within uncertainty" due to matters taking place at national and international level, the Trump administration was firmly behind the tournament.

"We do not play a role necessarily in what is happening in terms of the decisions that are made," Kane said. "What we can say is that the current administration – while there are certain situations that we are monitoring closely – has been extremely supportive of the Fifa World Cup."

Alex Lasry, the chief executive of the New York/New Jersey World Cup committee said officials were bracing for "millions" of fans inside and outside the stadiums irrespective of the political climate.

"I think sports transcends geopolitics," Lasry told AFP. "I think we've seen that for Olympics. We've seen it for other World Cups, in Qatar or Russia.

"People want to come to these mega sporting events, and they're going to travel to ensure that they're able to cheer on and see their team play.

"Our job as a host committee is to make sure that we are putting on an event and making sure that our city and our region is ready to welcome everyone who's able to come to the World Cup," added Lasry, who was previously an assistant secretary for tourism in President Joe Biden's government.

Los Angeles World Cup committee vice-president Jason Krutzsch said organisers were working to ensure fans "understand that they are welcome in Los Angeles and will have an amazing World Cup experience."

"We're working closely with the administration," Krutzsch said, adding that Trump's World Cup Task Force was established to "make sure that we can welcome fans from around the world and deliver an exceptional experience".

As well as hosting games at the World Cup, Los Angeles will also stage the Super Bowl in 2027 before hosting the 2028 Olympics.

"We really want to make sure that 2026 goes well," Krutzsch said. "We're really focused on delivering an exceptional experience in 2026 for the world.

"But they're also learning opportunities (...) to be successful in 2028."

The largest and most complex World Cup in history kicks off in just over a year's time, with the United States, Canada and Mexico co-hosting the football extravaganza against a backdrop of political tension triggered by Donald Trump.

Forty-eight teams and millions of fans are set to descend on North America for the first ever World Cup shared by three nations, with the tournament getting underway on 11 June next year.

In theory, the 23rd edition of the most popular sporting spectacle on the planet has all the makings of a successful tournament.

An array of venues ranging from Mexico's iconic Estadio Azteca to the glittering $5 billion SoFi Stadium in Los Angeles will play host to 104 games spread over nearly six weeks.

The United States will host the bulk of those fixtures – 78 – with Canada and Mexico staging 13 each.

All games from the quarterfinals onwards will be held in the United States, with the tournament culminating in the final at New Jersey's 82 500-seater MetLife Stadium on 19 July, 2026.

'LIKE 104 SUPER BOWLS'

American officials believe the return of the World Cup to the country – 32 years after the United States hosted the 1994 finals – could represent a watershed moment for football in the country.

"The World Cup is going to raise the attention of the sport in ways that nobody ever dreamed of," said Don Garber, the commissioner of Major League Soccer.

🇰🇷🎟️ Korea Republic have booked their ticket to #FIFAWorldCup 26!@aramco | #WeAre26 pic.twitter.com/IbCZkqbUa7

— Fifa World Cup (@FIFAWorldCup) June 5, 2025

Fifa's President Gianni Infantino, meanwhile, has been hyping next year's finals as the equivalent of "104 Super Bowls", contrasting the World Cup's estimated six billion viewers to the 120 million or so who tune in for the climax of the NFL season.

There are historical precedents that suggest the hype might be justified. The 1994 World Cup in the United States remains the best-attended World Cup in history, with an average of 68 600 fans flocking to each game.

Yet while organisers eagerly anticipate a commercial success, with one Fifa estimate suggesting it could generate a mammoth $11 billion in revenues, questions over other aspects of the tournament remain.

The 48 teams – up from 32 in 2022 – will be spread into 12 groups of four, with the top two teams in each group advancing to the knockout rounds, and the eight best third-placed teams joining them to make up a last 32.

That expansion is likely to reduce the sense of jeopardy in the first round, a problem seen in other major championships that have increased in size in recent years.

VISA BACKLOG

There is also the question of how the polarising policies of US President Trump may impact the tournament.

Since taking office, Trump has launched a global trade war, repeatedly threatened to annex World Cup co-host Canada and launched an immigration crackdown at US borders, which has seen overseas visitors from countries like France, Britain, Germany and Australia either detained or denied entry in recent months.

Trump this week signed a travel ban on 12 countries, including Iran, who have qualified for the World Cup, but the ban will not apply to players taking part in the tournament.

Trump, who is chairman of a White House task force overseeing preparations for the World Cup, says overseas fans travelling to the tournament have nothing to fear.

"Every part of the US government will be working to ensure that these events are safe and successful, and those traveling to America to watch the competition have a seamless experience during every part of their visit," Trump said last month.

Fifa chief Infantino, who has forged a close relationship with Trump, echoed that point, insisting that America was ready to "welcome the world."

"Everyone who wants to come here to enjoy, to have fun, to celebrate the game will be able to do that," Infantino said.

Uzbekistan 🇺🇿 has qualified for their first-ever #FIFAWorldCup!

It's history! They are the fifth non-host nation to qualify for 2026. 🎉 pic.twitter.com/8dh0dqK6al

— The International Window (@windowintlpod) June 5, 2025

With one year to go, however, it is by no means clear that Infantino's pledge will hold up.

US Secretary of State Marco Rubio said last month that some embassy staff may be required to work double shifts to expedite visa processing, citing the example of Colombia, where US visa wait times are currently 15 months.

"If you haven't applied for a visa from Colombia already, you probably won't get here in time for the World Cup unless we go to double shifts," Rubio told lawmakers on Capitol Hill.

Those fans who do make the trip to North America may also find themselves having to fork out a small fortune due to Fifa's reported decision to use dynamic pricing to determine ticket prices.

That system, where prices on ticketing websites fluctuate according to demand, may well force fans to shell out thousands of dollars to obtain tickets for the highest-profile games.

"Dynamic pricing does not belong in football because it is an exploitation of fans' loyalty," Ronan Evain, the executive director of the Football Supporters Europe fan group told The Times. "It would be a fiasco for Fifa to use it for the World Cup."

Fifa, joined by a host of prominent and high-profile Brazilians, officially announced the eight Host Cities and their respective stadiums for the historic edition of the Fifa Women’s World Cup 2027, marking a memorable milestone in the countdown to the tournament.

The selected Host Cities truly reflect the diversity of Brazil, which will host the first Fifa Women’s World Cup to be held in South America: Belo Horizonte (Estádio Mineirão), Brasília (Estádio Nacional), Fortaleza (Arena Castelão), Porto Alegre (Estádio Beira-Rio), Recife (Arena de Pernambuco), Rio de Janeiro (Estádio do Maracanã), Salvador (Arena Fonte Nova) and São Paulo (Arena Itaquera).

“From samba to frevo, from stunning beaches to cosmopolitan cities, the world will experience the energy, colour and warmth that only Brazil can offer,” said Fifa President Gianni Infantino.

“We will continue to work closely with the selected host cities on the exciting journey ahead of us, creating unforgettable moments in each of their stadiums in 2027, and ensuring that this tournament has a major and widespread positive impact.

"We are deeply grateful to all 12 cities that took part in the thorough and competitive selection process to host the Fifa Women’s World Cup 2027. Belém, Cuiabá, Manaus and Natal, we thank you very, very much for your extraordinary efforts.

"Your passion has not gone unnoticed, and we are committed to keeping in touch and finding meaningful ways for you to also be part of this historic event.”

The much-anticipated announcement was made today across Fifa channels by Fifa President Gianni Infantino, joined by celebrities and prominent figures from the sport, entertainment and public life in the Brazilian states where the eight Host Cities are located.

Celebrations will now unfold across the cities, as communities proudly embrace their role in welcoming the world to Brazil for the Fifa Women’s World Cup 2027.

The host city selection process for the Fifa Women’s World Cup Brazil 2027™ began in August 2024 and was conducted in a clear and structured manner, following the same guiding principles used to select the host country.

Specialised Fifa teams representing key operational areas essential to tournament delivery visited all 12 candidate cities, assessing the proposed infrastructure and facilities according to Fifa’s hosting requirements.

Following this in-depth evaluation, Fifa’s technical team classified the cities based on predefined criteria. It was agreed with the Brazilian government and the Brazilian Football Association (CBF) that a maximum of eight host cities and stadiums would be selected.

The eight cities were chosen based on the Fifa technical evaluation to ensure the best conditions for hosting the 32 participating teams and the operational and commercial success of the tournament, with a view to maximizing the potential to drive the long-term growth and visibility of women’s football in Brazil.

The selected cities will begin their journey as official hosts in the coming days, as they welcome a team of Fifa experts to kick off the operational planning phase.

The next major milestones on the road to 2027 include the release of the match schedule and the official brand launch, which will be an exciting moment for Brazil as a whole and in particular the eight Host Cities now preparing to dazzle the world.

Mattias Grafström, Fifa Secretary General:

“The Fifa Women’s World Cup 2027 will mark a historic milestone as the tournament heads to South America for the very first time. More than a celebration of football, it is a powerful statement of inclusion, opportunity, and progress.

"The women’s game continues to grow at an extraordinary pace, and bringing the tournament to Brazil will inspire a new generation across the continent and beyond. With Brazil's passion, diversity and deep-rooted love for the game, I am confident that they will be an exceptional host, ready to welcome the world and take this tournament to new heights."

Jill Ellis, Fifa Chief Football Officer:

“It’s tremendous that we are bringing the Fifa Women’s World Cup to Brazil, one of the world’s great football countries. It’s wonderful for women’s football and for the global growth of our sport in general.

"For the host cities, there is going to be such an immense impact from hosting the biggest women’s sporting event on the planet – in terms of growing the sport and the visibility. What is very, very special about the Fifa Women’s World Cup is that it’s the stage where heroes are made and champions are crowned.”

Ednaldo Rodrigues, President of the CBF:

“I have closely followed the efforts of the 12 cities nominated by the CBF that bid to host the tournament, and I would like to thank everyone who has dedicated themselves to making this dream come true from the bottom of my heart.

"The host cities chosen by Fifa already have modern stadiums and training centres to welcome players and fans from all over the world. In addition, they offer an excellent hotel network and efficient urban infrastructure, with ready-made mobility systems, security and public services to provide what an event of this magnitude requires.

"However, we know that our main objective as host country goes far beyond the pitch. In 2027, our Fifa Women’s World Cup – a socially-focused World Cup – will be a true moment of transformation: a gathering of stories, voices and communities that reaffirm the power of sport as a tool for inclusion, equality and social unity.”

André Fufuca, Minister of Sport of Brazil:

“Indeed, this is one of the most important and exciting stages in our journey towards the Fifa Women’s World Cup 2027. The selection of the host cities represents the moment where the dream begins to take shape – with faces, places, cultures and stories that will be a part of this collective celebration.

"Each of the selected host cities represents Brazil. A diverse and vibrant Brazil, with people who are passionate about football and places that already live and breathe the sport and that will now have the opportunity to leave a transformative legacy for their communities and for generations to come.

"To see the host cities getting ready, involved and be full of pride is a great joy for all of us at the ministry, and it is also what drives us here at the ministry.”

Mariléia dos Santos (known as Michael Jackson), Director of Football Policies and Women’s Football Promotion at the Ministry of Sport:

“Our goal is for the legacy to reach every corner of Brazil. We already have the National Strategy for Women’s Football underway, which is a plan to strengthen grassroots football, encourage more girls and women to take up the sport, train coaches, referees and administrators, and this will all be intensified with the arrival of the Fifa Women’s World Cup.

"We want to create a solid network that will last well beyond 2027. The idea is to decentralise the impact so that women’s football flourishes in every corner of the country. It’s a unique opportunity to change the game, and we’re going to make the most of it because Brazilian women’s football deserves it, and so do the girls in our country.”

Mexico City is gearing up to welcome more than five million visitors for the 2026 Fifa World Cup, whose opening match will be played in the sprawling megacity, authorities said Wednesday.

The top football tournament will be held in Mexico, the United States and Canada, marking the first time that three countries co-host the event.

Three of the 16 venues will be in the Latin American nation, with the central city of Guadalajara and northern industrial hub of Monterrey sharing Mexico's host duties with the capital.

Eleven other venues will be in the United States and two in Canada.

Mexico's government and city authorities are working together "to ensure that the experience is safe and smooth," Interior Minister Rosa Icela Rodriguez said at a presentation.

"More than five million people are expected to arrive" for the matches in Mexico City, which has around nine million residents and is more than 2 200 metres (7 200 feet) above sea level, she said.

The iconic Azteca Stadium, which has hosted two Fifa World Cup finals, is on track to be renovated by the time the whistle blows for the opening match on June 11, according to organisers.

More than $100 million is being invested in the stadium, its general director Felix Aguirre said, promising that it "will be ready."

The renovation triggered controversy after the venue was renamed after the bank that funded the work.

Fifa ordered the stadium to be referred to as Mexico City Stadium because of its branding rules.

Addressing security concerns in a country plagued by criminal violence, Mexico City Mayor Clara Brugada said 40 000 new security cameras would be acquired, bringing the total to 123 000.

"We will be the most video-surveilled city in all of the Americas," she said.

Organisers called for a World Cup free of homophobia, racism and other attacks on civil liberties.

Fifa has repeatedly sanctioned Mexico for homophobic chanting by its fans in stadiums.

Asian Football Confederation (AFC) president Sheikh Salman bin Ibrahim Al Khalifa on Saturday opposed a South American request to expand the 2030 World Cup to 64 teams, saying such increases in numbers would lead to "chaos".

The centenary edition, hosted by Spain, Portugal and Morocco with three matches also being staged in Uruguay, Argentina and Paraguay, is already set to welcome 48 teams - a far cry from the 13 in the inaugural event in Uruguay in 1930.

"Personally, I don't agree," the Bahraini leader told AFP, adding the 2030 edition had settled on 48 teams "so the matter is settled".

His counterpart from South American football's governing body Conmebol, Alejandro Dominguez, on Thursday called on Fifa to expand the event in a one-off gesture.

He also asked for South America to host the first round of one of the groups, instead of just three matches.

The global event is due to expand from 32 to 48 teams at the 2026 World Cup, hosted by the United States, Canada and Mexico.

"If the issue remains open to change, then the door will not only be open to expanding the tournament to 64 teams, but someone might come along and demand raising the number to 132 teams," said Salman on the sidelines of the 35th AFC Congress in Kuala Lumpur.

"Where would we end up then? It would become chaos."

'DIFFERENT MATTER'

However, the Asian leader refused to close the door on a change after the 2034 World Cup in Saudi Arabia, which will host 48 teams.

"If we want to discuss subsequent tournaments... that's a different matter," he said.

Uefa boss Aleksander Ceferin, dismissed it as a "bad idea" but Fifa secretary general Mattias Grafstrom said the world body would "analyse" the South American proposal.

"There are many things that need to be studied, and we will take our time, consult everyone," he said.

The head of South American football's governing body CONMEBOL called on Fifa to expand the 2030 World Cup to 64 nations on Thursday in a one-off gesture as the tournament celebrates its 100th anniversary.

In opening remarks to CONMEBOL's 80th Congress, president Alejandro Dominguez said increasing the number of teams in the tournament would allow for a broader celebration of the World Cup.

The 2030 World Cup will already make history, with the tournament organised as a sprawling epic spanning six countries in three continents.

The bulk of the games in what is planned to be a 48-team event will be shared by Spain, Portugal and Morocco, with the three opening games of the tournament being split by Argentina, Paraguay, and Uruguay – the hosts of the first World Cup in 1930.

However Dominguez said expanding the tournament to 64 teams would enable more matches to be played in South America.

"We are proposing, for the only time, to hold this centennial with 64 teams on three continents, simultaneously, so that all countries have the opportunity to experience a World Cup and so that no one on this planet is left out of this celebration," Dominguez said.

Increasing the field of teams would enable more South American countries to participate.

World football's governing body Fifa has already increased the size of the 2026 World Cup to 48 teams, up from 32 at the Qatar World Cup in 2022.

A 64-team World Cup would effectively lead to a 128-game tournament – twice the number of matches held in 2022.

Fifa's president Gianni Infantino participated in Thursday's CONMEBOL Congress, which was held via videoconference, and highlighted the "exceptional milestone" that the 2030 tournament will represent.

The idea of a 64-team World Cup was first raised at a Fifa Council meeting in March by Uruguay Football Federation chief Ignacio Alonso.

However the proposal was met with scepticism by Aleksander Ceferin, the head of European football's governing body Uefa, who described it as a "bad idea".

"It's maybe even more surprising for me than for you. I think it's a bad idea," Ceferin said.

"I think it's not a good idea for the World Cup itself and it's not a good idea for our qualifiers as well, as you know. So, I'm not supporting that idea, he said.

Uefa president Aleksander Ceferin said on Thursday it would be "a bad idea" for Fifa to expand the World Cup to 64 nations for the 2030 tournament.

The 2026 edition in the United States, Mexico and Canada will already see the format increase from 32 teams to 48.

But the head of the Uruguayan football federation, Ignacio Alonso, suggested further expanding the tournament at the last Fifa Council meeting in March.

Football's global governing body said it "had a duty to analyse" the proposal, which European chief Ceferin denounced at Uefa's congress in Belgrade.

"It's maybe even more surprising for me than for you. I think it's a bad idea," Ceferin said.

"I think it's not a good idea for the World Cup itself and it's not a good idea for our qualifiers as well, as you know.

"So, I'm not supporting that idea. I don't know where it came from. It's strange that we didn't know anything before this proposal at the Fifa Council."

The 2030 World Cup will be played in three continents, with Portugal, Spain and Morocco the main hosts.

There will also be three matches in South America – in Argentina, Uruguay and Paraguay – to celebrate the centenary edition. The inaugural World Cup was held in 1930 in Uruguay.

That decision paved the way for Saudi Arabia to hold the 2034 event.

Hiroki Ito and Ayase Ueda were named in the Japan squad for this month's 2026 World Cup qualifiers against Bahrain and Saudi Arabia on Thursday, recalled by coach Hajime Moriyasu after lengthy absences because of injury.

Japan hold a nine-point lead in Asian qualifying Group C and victories over Bahrain on March 20 and the Saudis five days later in Saitama would assure them of a spot at the World Cup finals for the eighth straight edition.

Defender Ito last month made his return from a metatarsal injury that had sidelined him since he joined Bayern Munich last June, while Feyenoord striker Ueda missed the last round of qualifiers with a leg injury.

Koki Ogawa, who scored twice when Japan beat China 3-1 last November, was not included in the squad, while centre half Koki Machida was omitted because of a foot injury sustained while playing in the Belgian Pro League at the weekend.

Defensive midfielder Hidemasa Morita retained his place in the squad after making his return from injury for Sporting Lisbon at the weekend.

Moriyasu's 25-man squad featured only four Japan-based players with the remainder, including Liverpool's Wataru Endo and Brighton & Hove Albion's Kaoru Mitoma, playing their club football in Europe.

🇯🇵 Japan’s 25-Man Squad for the March World Cup Qualifiers 🇯🇵

🧤 Goalkeepers

Keisuke Osako (Sanfrecce Hiroshima) 🇯🇵
Kōsei Tani (FC Machida Zelvia) 🇯🇵
Zion Suzuki (Parme Calcio 1913) 🇮🇹

🛡️ Defenders

Yūto Nagatomo (FC Tokyo) 🇯🇵
Kōta Takai (Kawasaki Frontale) 🇯🇵
Ko Itakura… pic.twitter.com/ezLsCzzRoc

— Japanese Football (@JapaneseFbl) March 13, 2025

Liverpool's Wataru Endo and Brighton's Kaoru Mitoma were on Thursday named in Japan's squad as they look to become the first team to qualify for the 2026 World Cup.

The runaway Asian qualifying Group C leaders host Bahrain in Saitama on March 20 and Saudi Arabia at the same venue five days later and can clinch their place at the tournament if they win the first game.

Coach Hajime Moriyasu named a full-strength squad and urged his players to finish the job after winning five and drawing one of their six matches so far.

"There are a lot of players who are showing what they can do in the J League and in Europe and wouldn't look out of place in this squad, but nothing has been decided yet," he said.

"More important than trying things out is the games in front of us and qualifying for the World Cup."

Crystal Palace's Daichi Kamada and Leeds United's Ao Tanaka were also named in the 25-man squad along with in-form Celtic striker Daizen Maeda.

Moriyasu's side have scored 22 goals and conceded just two in their six games so far, and dropped points only in a 1-1 home draw with Australia in October.

🇯🇵 Japan is on the verge of qualifying for #WeAre26 thanks in part to striker Koki Ogawa.#FIFAWorldCup

— Fifa World Cup (@FIFAWorldCup) March 9, 2025

Japan are looking to qualify for their eighth straight World Cup.

The United States, Canada and Mexico will host the 2026 showpiece.