Also known as: International Federation of Football Associations · International Federation of Association Football · World · International football body Fifa
FIFA — International football governing body overseeing World Cup competitions, member associations, and continental confederations, currently navigating disputes over private investment proposals and presidential leadership.
News reports
Order a long-term news report on Fifa
Every mention in the Namibian press over the period you choose, compiled as a PDF or Word document.
Key points drawn from coverage. Tap a point to see the original sentence.
The Namibian
Fifa proposed plan to bring private investment into the World Cup
“Uefa, European football's governing body, has urged Infantino to resign over his now-abandoned plan to bring private investment into the World Cup.”
Uefa’s legal move ‘massive escalation’ in bitter Infantino feudThe Namibian
Fifa withdrew the proposed FFE
“Following the 2026 World Cup, Infantino proposed to sell off stakes in the international football body's competitions to private investors, in terms of a new commercial subsidiary called the Fifa Forward Enterprise (FFE), but following criticism and outrage from several football associations as well as confederations such as the European Football Association (Uefa), the Asian Football Confederation (AFC) and Concacaf (Confederation of North, Central America and Caribbean Association Football), Fifa withdrew the proposed FFE.”
Football association supports InfantinoThe Namibian
Fifa has faced pressure over a controversial World Cup sell-off plan
“Infantino has come under intense scrutiny since the collapse of a proposal to secure private investment in Fifa tournaments, including the World Cup.”
Eto’o urges support for embattled Fifa president InfantinoThe Namibian
Fifa was accused of becoming an autocracy under Infantino
“The lawyer was first elected in 2016 and re-elected unopposed in 2019 and 2023, but in recent years he has been accused of allowing Fifa to become an autocracy.”
Infantino, the Fifa president under pressure after scrapped investor planThe Namibian
Fifa said it would retain a majority share in Fifa Forward Enterprise (FFE)
“Fifa, having issued a no comment to The Times, finally breaks cover with details of the plan saying: "It would retain a majority share in Fifa Forward Enterprise (FFE)"”
Timeline: How Fifa’s World Cup private investment plan implodedNew Era
FIFA plans to establish commercial company valued at US$20 billion and sell minority stake to investors
“To finance the proposal, FIFA plans to establish a commercial company valued at US$20 billion (approximately N$330 billion) before selling a minority stake to carefully selected long-term investors, while remaining the controlling shareholder.”
N$330 million game-changer for NFA … What FIFA’s bold World Cup proposal could mean for Namibian footballThe Namibian
Fifa announced plans to create a commercial subsidiary to run World Cup and Club World Cup
“Earlier this week world governing body Fifa announced plans to create a commercial subsidiary which would run its biggest events, including the World Cup and Club World Cup.”
Concacaf members reject Fifa private investor proposalThe Namibian
Fifa held a half-time show at the 2026 World Cup final
“Fifa's first half-time show has done one thing very successfully, it has given football fans something new to argue about, and that might be the most football thing possible.”
Rooney criticises Fifa’s half-time showThe Namibian
Fifa can already claim the tournament as a triumph
“With only Sunday's final between defending champions Argentina and Spain remaining, world governing body Fifa can already claim the tournament as a triumph.”
Fifa toasts World Cup triumph as tournament draws to closeInformanté
FIFA kicked off the 2026 World Cup on Thursday, 11 June
“JUST five weeks after the 2026 FIFA World Cup kicked off on Thursday, 11 June, the semi-final line-up has been confirmed following a dramatic set of quarter-finals.”
FIFA World Cup semi-finals set after dramatic quarter-finalsThe Namibia Football Association has suspended its finance director, Mino Gariseb, after he raised concerns about potential irregularities in World Cup 2026 ticket sales in audited financial reports to FIFA. The suspension came a day after the Namibian Ports Authority provided N$90 million in sponsorship to the NFA for three football seasons.
13 October 2026 · The Namibian →
The Namibia Football Association has suspended its finance director, Mino Gariseb, after he raised concerns about potential irregularities in World Cup 2026 ticket sales in audited financial reports to FIFA. The suspension came a day after the Namibian Ports Authority provided N$90 million in sponsorship to the NFA for three football seasons.
13 October 2026 · The Namibian →
Namibia lost 6-0 to Russia in their first-ever international meeting in a friendly at Ekaterinburg Arena, with Russia's higher ranking evident in their dominance. The match was part of Namibia's preparation for 2027 Africa Cup of Nations qualifying matches.
3 October 2026 · Informanté →
A CAF inspector's assessment has identified significant construction problems at Namibia's Sam Nujoma Stadium, including concrete walls blocking spectator views and inadequate VIP facilities, raising questions about the readiness of the venue.
3 October 2026 · Namibian Sun →
Namibia Football Association head of operations Titus Kunamuene facilitated a Cosafa Potential General Coordinator workshop in Botswana during the Cosafa Women Championship, with 70% women representation among officials from the Botswana Football Association. The workshop was part of Cosafa's Legacy Programme, which provides training in refereeing, general coordination, and technical skills to host nations.
22 September 2026 · The Namibian →
European and North American/Caribbean football federations have called on FIFA president Gianni Infantino to distribute $2.1 billion from FIFA's reserves to its 211 member associations, offering $10 million per association between 2027–2030. The demand comes amid a dispute over Infantino's failed plan to sell a stake in the World Cup to private investors, which UEFA said it would boycott if pursued.
18 September 2026 · The Namibian →
The Windhoek Observer editorial argues that Namibia's stadium crisis is a national development issue affecting pride, youth, economy, and tourism. Prime Minister Tjitunga Elijah Ngurare has committed to government action on stadium rehabilitation by year-end, allowing the Brave Warriors to play home matches in Namibia rather than abroad.
16 September 2026 · Windhoek Observer →
An opinion piece argues that Africa's 54 FIFA member associations should vote in the upcoming FIFA presidential election based on their own football philosophies and priorities, rather than as a unified "African bloc," since each country has distinct football cultures and development models.
4 September 2026 · The Namibian →
Investor Joshua Kushner said his firm Thrive Capital "would not have gotten involved" in Fifa's failed plan to sell stakes in the World Cup for $20 billion if it had foreseen the backlash and political fallout within global football. Fifa Forward Enterprise, which would have raised $4.2 billion for poorer football nations, collapsed amid criticism from Uefa and others who called it a secretive deal benefiting investors.
1 September 2026 · The Namibian →
Lionel Messi announced his retirement from international football after Argentina lost to Spain in the 2026 World Cup final. The 39-year-old said the decision was painful but right, noting he always gave everything for his country.
31 August 2026 · The Namibian →
Uefa has announced it is considering legal action against Fifa president Gianni Infantino and possibly other officials for "criminal mismanagement" over his now-abandoned plan to bring private investment into the World Cup. The move is described as a "massive escalation" of their feud, with a legal document filed in a Florida court accusing Infantino of criminal mismanagement.
29 August 2026 · The Namibian →
Namibia Football Association president Robert Shimooshili has backed Fifa president Gianni Infantino and reaffirmed the association's unity with the Confederation of African Football, which endorsed the withdrawal of Infantino's proposed Fifa Forward Enterprise scheme after criticism from other continental confederations.
28 August 2026 · The Namibian →
Former Cameroon star Samuel Eto'o has backed Fifa president Gianni Infantino, saying he "hasn't done anything wrong" despite mounting pressure over a collapsed private investment proposal for Fifa tournaments. Eto'o suggested the criticism was politically motivated ahead of Fifa's presidential election next year.
25 August 2026 · The Namibian →
Confederation of African Football president Patrice Motsepe has said that Gianni Infantino's future as Fifa president should be decided by election, as the embattled Infantino faces criticism over an aborted plan to sell World Cup stakes to private investors and pressure from UEFA, Concacaf and AFC to resign.
13 August 2026 · The Namibian →
Uefa, Concacaf and AFC issued a joint letter criticizing Fifa president Gianni Infantino, declaring that football "belongs to no individual" and stating that leadership is not a possession. The letter came after Infantino launched and then withdrew a plan to bring private investment into Fifa competitions, drawing scathing criticism from multiple confederations.
10 August 2026 · The Namibian →
Fifa president Gianni Infantino, who rode high after overseeing the successful 2026 World Cup expansion to 48 teams, now faces his position under threat following the collapse of a private investor plan.
4 August 2026 · The Namibian →
Fifa president Gianni Infantino has withdrawn a proposal to allow private investment in the World Cup, which had faced fierce opposition from Uefa, national governments, and continental football bodies. The plan would have sought $4.2 billion from minority investors in Fifa Forward Enterprise while Fifa retained majority control.
1 August 2026 · The Namibian →
Fifa president Gianni Infantino has lost the confidence of European football's governing body Uefa after withdrawing his plan to allow private investment in the World Cup, which Uefa had dismissed as a "shabby, back room, opaque deal" and threatened to boycott all Fifa competitions over.
1 August 2026 · The Namibian →
FIFA president Gianni Infantino has proposed FIFA Forward Enterprise, a new commercial subsidiary that could deliver up to US$40 million (approximately N$660 million) to the Namibia Football Association over four years if member associations approve by 19 September 2026. The funding could address long-standing gaps in stadium infrastructure, training facilities, youth development, and women's football, though the proposal has divided the football world.
31 July 2026 · New Era →
All 41 Concacaf member associations have rejected FIFA's proposal to sell a stake in World Cup business operations, citing concerns about lack of due process, an artificially short deadline, and absence of governance review. The members also questioned the need for private equity investment after the most profitable FIFA World Cup in history.
31 July 2026 · The Namibian →
Fifa president Gianni Infantino defended a proposal to create a private subsidiary to exploit World Cup commercial benefits, calling it "an opportunity but not an obligation" and saying it would unlock previously uncaptured value to benefit member associations, though the proposal sparked global outrage after being revealed.
30 July 2026 · The Namibian →
African football boss Patrice Motsepe defended FIFA president Gianni Infantino on Wednesday, praising his commitment to football and support for Africa, despite growing criticism over Infantino's handling of issues including a suspension decision and tournament format changes.
22 July 2026 · The Namibian →
Argentina faced widespread criticism for dirty tactics and poor sportsmanship during their 1-0 loss to Spain, with commentators describing their performance as "petty, petulant and distasteful." Argentines counter that they are passionate rather than arrogant, and say they are accustomed to being criticized.
21 July 2026 · The Namibian →
Former England captain Wayne Rooney said the half-time show at the 2026 Fifa World Cup final was "crap," joining fans and commentators who debated whether a half-time performance belongs at football's biggest event.
21 July 2026 · The Namibian →
Fifa declares the expanded 48-team World Cup across the United States, Mexico and Canada a triumph, marked by thrilling football and strong performances from smaller nations including Cape Verde, Curaçao, and Egypt, who reached knockout rounds in record numbers.
19 July 2026 · The Namibian →
England and Argentina will meet in a World Cup semi-final on Wednesday, with the winner advancing to the final on July 19. The match carries decades of rivalry, including a 1986 quarter-final encounter won by Argentina on goals from Diego Maradona, and takes place amid a lingering sovereignty dispute over the Falkland Islands.
13 July 2026 · The Namibian →
The 2026 FIFA World Cup semi-finals are set: France will face Spain in Dallas on 14 July, while England play defending champions Argentina in Atlanta on 15 July, after dramatic quarter-final victories decided by 2-1 and 2-0 scores respectively.
13 July 2026 · Informanté →
Fifa referees chief Pierluigi Collina has rejected "unfounded allegations" of malpractice by officials who oversaw Argentina's 3-2 World Cup victory over Egypt in Atlanta. Egypt coach Hossam Hassan had speculated the officiating team was subjected to external pressure to favour Argentina and criticised several decisions, including a goal chalked off by VAR.
9 July 2026 · The Namibian →
France begin their push for a third World Cup title Thursday against African champions Morocco in a blockbuster quarter-final at Gillette Stadium. France have scored 14 goals in five games, with captain Kylian Mbappe accounting for seven of them, while Morocco advanced through the group phase and eliminated the Netherlands and Canada.
8 July 2026 · The Namibian →
The Egyptian Football Federation filed a complaint with FIFA after Egypt's 3-2 defeat to Argentina in the World Cup last 16, demanding an investigation into French referee Francois Letexier and his team over what it claims were serious refereeing mistakes, including a disallowed goal and a missed penalty decision.
8 July 2026 · The Namibian →
Belgium beat the United States 4-1 in a World Cup last-16 match at Seattle's Lumen Field, with Charles De Ketelaere scoring twice and Romelu Lukaku adding a goal. The result ended USA's hopes of reaching a first World Cup quarter-final in 24 years and set up a quarter-final between Belgium and Spain.
7 July 2026 · The Namibian →