Also known as: International Federation of Football Associations · International Federation of Association Football · World · International football body Fifa
FIFA — International football governing body that organizes the World Cup, manages referees and disciplinary decisions, and oversees tournament regulations across continental and global competitions.
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The Namibian
Fifa banned all Russian and Belarusian teams in 2022
“In 2022, it took four days for football's World and European governing bodies, Fifa and UEFA, with the support of the International Olympic Committee (IOC), to expel all Russian and Belarusian teams.”
Four years after banning Russia, Fifa and IOC passive in the face of warNew Era
FIFA entered partnership with ANOCA to develop football infrastructure at OlympAfrica Centres across Africa
“The project forms part of a broader initiative launched through collaboration between ANOCA and FIFA to develop football infrastructure at OlympAfrica Centres across Africa, with the objective of expanding access to sport for young people and strengthening grassroots sport development across the continent.”
Nam gifted N$9m FIFA-standard football fieldNew Era
FIFA maintains the tournament will proceed as planned
“FIFA maintains that the tournament will proceed as planned, but the uncertainty over Iran's participation looms large.”
World Cup in US-Iran crossfire … Iran’s participation hangs in the balanceNew Era
FIFA made recommendations on critical structural elements identified as priorities
“Phase one targets critical structural elements identified as priorities under recommendations from the Confederation of African Football (CAF) and FIFA.”
Sam Nujoma Stadium refurbishment on track …structural repairs to be completed by OctoberThe Namibian
FIFA has kept some tickets back for last-minute sales phase
“adding that football's global governing body has kept "some tickets back" for the last-minute sales phase that will begin in April and run until the end of the World Cup on July 19.”
All World Cup matches sold out, says FIFA's InfantinoNew Era
FIFA promotes the 2026 series invitational tournament
“The series is an invitational tournament promoted by the world football governing body FIFA and features friendly matches between national teams from different confederations.”
FIFA: Benjamin names provisional squadNew Era
FIFA is promoting the FIFA Series invitational tournament
“The FIFA Series is an invitational tournament promoted by the world football governing body FIFA and features friendly matches between national teams from different confederations.”
Warriors set for FIFA showdownThe Namibian
Fifa has declared Independence and Sam Nujoma stadiums unfit for competitive match-ups
“Fifa has declared the two Windhoek-based grounds – Independence and Sam Nujoma (formerly Katutura) stadiums – unfit for competitive match-ups.”
Fix Stadiums NOW!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.
21 hours ago · 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.
21 hours ago · 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 →
FIFA chief Gianni Infantino defended the decision to suspend a red card issued to US World Cup star Folarin Balogun, allowing him to play against Belgium in a last-16 match. The reprieve followed US President Donald Trump's direct appeal to Infantino, who insisted FIFA's disciplinary process remained independent, while Belgium's appeal was dismissed as "inadmissible."
7 July 2026 · The Namibian →
England play Mexico on Sunday in the Estadio Azteca as Erling Haaland and Norway face Brazil in a separate round-of-16 match, with two more quarter-final spots available after France and Morocco qualified on Saturday.
5 July 2026 · The Namibian →
Argentina survived an improbable challenge from Cape Verde, defeating the African team 3-2 after extra time in a World Cup match on Friday, with a Diney Borges own goal in the 111th minute breaking Cape Verde's resistance. Argentina will face Egypt on Tuesday for a place in the quarter-finals.
4 July 2026 · The Namibian →
England must confront Mexico's fanatical home crowd and high-altitude Azteca Stadium on Sunday in a World Cup round-of-16 tie with a quarter-finals place at stake. Mexico have won all four home games without conceding a goal, while England narrowly beat DR Congo 2-1 to advance.
3 July 2026 · The Namibian →
France coach Didier Deschamps said his team would adapt to potential extreme weather impacts ahead of their World Cup last-16 tie against Paraguay in Philadelphia on Saturday, as a heatwave hits the northeastern United States with temperatures reaching 38 degrees Celsius.
3 July 2026 · The Namibian →
NFA president Robert Shimooshili attributed the disparity in prize money between men's and women's football to differences in development, history, and attendance levels, noting that international bodies like FIFA and CAF are working to elevate women's football. Men's winners received N$400,000 in the recent NFA Cup, while women's winners received N$100,000.
3 July 2026 · New Era →
Teenage cyclist Paul Seixas's participation in the Tour de France has raised hopes of a first French victory in 41 years, since Bernard Hinault's 1985 triumph. France also faces long droughts in Paris-Roubaix (30 years since 1997) and Roland Garros men's tennis (since Yannick Noah in 1983).
30 June 2026 · The Namibian →
Brazil defeated Haiti 3-0 in a World Cup Group C match to eliminate the Caribbean nation from contention, with goals from Matheus Cunha (two) and Vinicius Junior, though Brazil's Raphinha suffered an apparent injury. Morocco won their first tournament game, defeating Scotland 1-0 with a goal from Ismael Saibari in the second minute.
20 June 2026 · The Namibian →
The United States defeated Australia 2-0 in a Group D match, advancing to the last 32 of the World Cup with a game to spare. A Cameron Burgess own goal and an Alex Freeman header secured the victory for Mauricio Pochettino's side.
19 June 2026 · The Namibian →
The United States and Australia will compete in Group D on Friday in Seattle, with the winner advancing to the knockout rounds. The USA defeated Paraguay 4-1 in their opening match, while Australia upset Turkey 2-0, leaving both teams in confident form ahead of their clash.
19 June 2026 · The Namibian →
Japanese football supporters drew international praise after cleaning their seating area following Japan's 2-2 draw against the Netherlands in Dallas at the FIFA World Cup 2026, continuing a tradition that has become closely linked to Japanese football culture and dates back to Japan's World Cup debut in 1998.
16 June 2026 · Informanté →
Namibian centre-back Sisqo Haraseb has signed for Zimbabwe Premier League side Hard Rock FC after returning from a loan spell with Iraqi outfit Al-Qassim FC, becoming the first Namibian international to play for the Kwekwe-based club.
16 June 2026 · The Namibian →
European champions Spain drew 0-0 with Cape Verde, World Cup debutants from a volcanic archipelago of 525,000 people, despite enjoying 74 percent possession in their Group H opener. Iran prepared to make their long-awaited tournament entrance against New Zealand.
15 June 2026 · The Namibian →
The United States beat Paraguay 4-1 in the first World Cup game on US soil, with a Folarin Balogun brace and Gio Reyna goal leading the co-hosts to a dominant victory in Los Angeles. The win puts the US in a favorable position to progress from Group D alongside Australia and Turkey.
13 June 2026 · The Namibian →
Thomas Partey, a Villarreal midfielder facing trial in Britain on rape charges, will miss Ghana's World Cup opener against Panama after Canadian authorities refused his visa application. Fifa confirmed the player cannot travel from Ghana's team base in Boston to Toronto for the match on Wednesday, 17 June.
12 June 2026 · The Namibian →
An analysis piece argues that the 2026 FIFA World Cup, jointly hosted by the United States, Canada, and Mexico with forty-eight participating nations, faces a fundamental contradiction: its universalist ideals of global celebration are undermined by immigration and border restrictions in the host countries, raising questions about sovereignty, soft power, and international order.
12 June 2026 · Windhoek Observer →
Futsal Namibia has introduced the NFA Cup, a knockout competition featuring eight first-division clubs and the bottom eight teams from the Futsal Premier League, designed to provide competitive preparation ahead of the league season opening next month.
11 June 2026 · The Namibian →
Scientists caution that one in four World Cup games could be played in very hot conditions, affecting fans and players. Approximately 26 of the 104 matches could reach at least 26°C in Wet Bulb Globe Temperature, with venues in Dallas, Houston, Miami and Mexican cities expected to experience extreme heat.
11 June 2026 · The Namibian →
The FIFA World Cup kicks off Thursday with the first tournament co-hosted by three nations (United States, Canada, and Mexico) featuring a record 48 teams. The opening match pits co-host Mexico against South Africa in Mexico City, while the final will be held at MetLife Stadium in New Jersey on July 19.
10 June 2026 · The Namibian →
Somalia's Ministry of Sports expressed deep regret after award-winning referee Omar Artan was denied entry to the United States on Saturday, preventing him from becoming the first Somali official to officiate at a World Cup finals. Artan, named CAF men's referee of the year in 2025 and selected among 52 referees by FIFA, was barred following a routine inspection at Miami International Airport.
9 June 2026 · The Namibian →