fifa

The Digest: FIFA has unveiled its list of match officials for the 2026 World Cup, featuring 52 referees, six of whom are women. The tournament, hosted by the United States, Canada, and Mexico, will be the biggest in history with 48 teams and 104 matches. FIFA will also take 88 assistant...

The Digest: FIFA has approved Wrexham goalkeeper Arthur Okonkwo's request to change international allegiance from England to Nigeria. The decision was recorded on April 6, 2026, on FIFA's official Change of Association register. Okonkwo, 24, was born in Camden to Nigerian parents and...

The Digest: Four-time world champions Italy have failed to qualify for their third consecutive World Cup after losing to Bosnia and Herzegovina in a playoff final, extending the Azzurri's identity crisis. Nigeria, Africa's most consistent World Cup representative with six appearances since...

The Digest: FIFA and the Confederation of African Football have both hailed the Democratic Republic of Congo after it qualified for the 2026 FIFA World Cup, becoming the 10th African nation to secure a spot. The Leopards edged Jamaica 1-0 in their intercontinental playoff final, with Axel...

The Digest: The 2026 World Cup lineup is now complete after all playoff matches were concluded early Wednesday, with Iraq securing the final ticket by shocking Bolivia. The tournament, co-hosted by the USA, Mexico, and Canada, has been expanded by FIFA to accommodate 48 nations. Argentina will...

The Digest: The Democratic Republic of Congo has secured a place at the FIFA World Cup for the first time in 52 years after defeating Jamaica 1-0 in the intercontinental play-off final at the Estadio Akron in Mexico. Axel Tuanzebe scored the winning goal in the 100th minute of a tightly...

The Digest: FIFA President Gianni Infantino has confirmed that Iran will participate in the 2026 World Cup and play their group matches in the United States as scheduled, despite the ongoing Middle East war. Speaking at Iran's friendly against Costa Rica in Turkey, Infantino said the team's...

The Digest: Football Supporters Europe and Euroconsumers have filed a formal complaint with the European Commission against FIFA, accusing the football governing body of abusing its monopoly to impose "excessive ticket prices" for the 2026 World Cup. The groups allege that ticket costs have...

The Digest: FIFA has approved new legislation requiring all women's national teams to include at least one female head coach or assistant coach in their technical crew, effective immediately for all FIFA competitions this year. The decision aims to address the underrepresentation of women in...

The Digest: The Nigeria Football Federation has commenced an appeal against FIFA's rejection of its petition challenging DR Congo players' eligibility in the 2026 World Cup playoff. NFF General Secretary Mohammed Sanusi confirmed the federation is "dissatisfied" with the ruling and will...

The Digest: FIFA dismissed Nigeria's petition against DR Congo over alleged ineligible players due to procedural failures, according to veteran journalist Kunle Solaja. The NFF submitted the protest nearly two weeks after the November 16, 2025, World Cup playoff, which Nigeria lost 4-3 on...

The Digest: FIFA has rejected the Nigeria Football Federation's petition against DR Congo for allegedly fielding ineligible players during the November 2025 World Cup playoffs, which Nigeria lost on penalties. NFF General Secretary Mohammed Sanusi announced the federation is "not satisfied"...

The Digest: Iran has begun negotiations with FIFA to relocate its 2026 World Cup matches from the United States to Mexico, citing security concerns. The Iranian Embassy in Mexico confirmed the development, quoting FA president Mehdi Taj, who stated the team "will certainly not travel to...

The Digest: FIFA has sanctioned Nigeria and DR Congo following disciplinary breaches during their 2026 World Cup qualifying fixture on November 16, 2025. Nigeria was fined 1,000 Swiss francs after spectators threw objects onto the pitch, violating order and security regulations. DR Congo...

The Digest: Following Iran's announcement that it will boycott the 2026 World Cup amid its conflict with the US and Israel, CompleteSports examines five nations that previously withdrew after qualifying. Iran, drawn in Group G with New Zealand, Belgium, and Egypt, becomes the latest in a list...

The Digest: DR Congo head coach Sebastien Desabre has named his squad for the 2026 World Cup intercontinental playoffs, with FIFA yet to rule on Nigeria's eligibility complaint against the Leopards. The squad includes Newcastle's Yoane Wissa returning after missing AFCON 2025, along with Dylan...

The Digest: FIFA has approved four new rule changes ahead of the 2026 World Cup, set to be hosted by the US, Canada, and Mexico with an expanded 48-team format. The tweaks aim to make matches faster and assist referees in decision-making. The new rules include: Substitutions: Players being...

The Digest: The Democratic Republic of Congo has omitted two players specifically named in the Nigeria Football Federation's (NFF) FIFA complaint from their 26-man squad for the upcoming intercontinental World Cup playoffs . Michel-Ange Balikwisha and Mario Stroeykens, both Belgian-born...

The Digest: National Sports Commission Chairman Mallam Shehu Dikko has declared that Nigeria's hopes of reaching the 2026 FIFA World Cup remain alive, despite FIFA listing DR Congo among six teams for the intercontinental playoffs. Speaking to The Guardian, Dikko urged Nigerians not to jump to...

The Digest: Super Eagles captain Wilfred Ndidi has spoken on the uncertainty surrounding Nigeria's World Cup hopes, stating that while everyone wants clarity, the team remains focused on preparation. Nigeria missed automatic qualification and lost the African play-off final to DR Congo on...