World Cup
FIFA boss Infantino helped set me free, says World Cup pitch invader
The protester who ran onto the field during the World Cup game between Portugal and Uruguay holding a rainbow flag has told Reuters that FIFA president Gianni Infantino intervened to ensure he was set free by Qatari authorities.
Wearing a blue t-shirt with the message “Save Ukraine” on the front and “Respect For Iranian Women” on the back, Mario Ferri, who goes by the nickname of Falco, was tackled by security personnel and led away.
“Gianni Infantino is intelligent – Falco is free, no problem in Qatar,” he explained in a Zoom interview from his home in Italy.
The 35-year-old said that he thought Infantino, who was born in Switzerland and the son of Italian immigrants, wanted to avoid a diplomatic incident or negative media coverage, so he intervened to have Ferri set free.
Reuters has contacted FIFA for comment.
“The police from Qatar are very like gentlemen, very friendly, asked me if I wanted water, coffee, a croissant. Very friendly,” he said.
Ferri said he was in custody for around half an hour when the FIFA president suddenly appeared.
“After I gave my personal documents to police, I was waiting and in 30 minutes, Gianni Infantino, he’s the president of FIFA, came to help me,” he explained.
PREVIOUS INVASIONS
Ferri said Infantino recognised him from previous pitch invasions, of which he claims to have made 11 in total, including at the 2010 and 2014 World Cups.
“He asked me, ‘Why? Qatar is very dangerous for you, but I have the plan to help you’. He went to talk to important people from the police of Qatar, and in 30 minutes I’m free. I’m free, out of the stadium.”
Ferri revealed that he had spent a month as an aid worker in the Ukrainian capital of Kyiv in March of this year, and it had a profound effect on him.
“I remember everything, I remember the children escaping their houses, the old ladies and the old men who didn’t have houses, food or water. It’s very important to me to stop the war,” he said.
Ferri has left Qatar and says he will continue with his protests.
“I’m forever trying to fight for a new world, I want no war in the world. I want peace in the world,” he said.
-Reuters
BY KUNLE SOLAJA.
Morocco will look to continue their impressive FIFA World Cup group-stage form when they take on Haiti in a historic first-ever World Cup meeting between the Caribbean nation and an African opponent.
The Atlas Lions arrive at the fixture unbeaten in their last six World Cup group matches, having recorded three victories and three draws during that period. That consistency has reinforced Morocco’s reputation as one of Africa’s strongest representatives on the global stage.
For Haiti, the match represents a unique challenge. Despite previous World Cup appearances, the Caribbean side have never faced an African nation at the finals. Their encounter with Morocco therefore, opens a new chapter in their World Cup history.
Morocco’s disciplined defensive organisation and growing confidence after recent successes have made them difficult opponents, while Haiti will be aiming to spring a surprise and keep their qualification hopes alive.
With knockout-round places at stake, both teams know that a positive result could prove decisive in determining their fate.
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BY KUNLE SOLAJA.
Scotland will attempt to overturn decades of World Cup frustration against Brazil when the two sides clash in a decisive Group Stage encounter at the FIFA World Cup 2026.
History heavily favours the South Americans, who are unbeaten in four previous World Cup meetings between the nations. Their first encounter ended in a goalless draw at the 1974 tournament, but Brazil have since emerged victorious in every subsequent clash.
The five-time world champions defeated Scotland 4-1 in Spain 1982 before edging the Europeans 1-0 in Italy 1990. Their most recent World Cup meeting came in France 1998 when Brazil secured a 2-1 victory.
Interestingly, all previous encounters between the teams have occurred during the group phase, making this fifth meeting another chapter in a rivalry dominated by the Brazilians.
Scotland, however, will hope that recent performances can inspire an upset as they seek a result capable of propelling them into the knockout rounds. Brazil, meanwhile, remain among the tournament favourites and will be keen to maintain their perfect World Cup record against the Scots.
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BY KUNLE SOLAJA.
Switzerland will seek to maintain their reputation as one of the World Cup’s most consistent performers when they face co-hosts Canada in a crucial group-stage showdown.
The Swiss have advanced beyond the group phase in five of their last six FIFA World Cup appearances and are once again targeting a place in the knockout rounds. Their experience in navigating the early stages of the competition could prove invaluable in a fixture carrying significant implications.
Canada, however, enter the contest buoyed by a landmark achievement. The co-hosts are fresh from securing their first-ever FIFA World Cup victory, a result that has boosted confidence and ignited hopes of a historic progression to the next round.
With home support expected to provide additional motivation, Canada will be eager to build on that breakthrough success. Switzerland, meanwhile, will rely on their tournament know-how as they seek another place among the last 16.
The clash promises to be one of the most intriguing fixtures of the round as two ambitious sides chase World Cup history.
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Morocco Seek to Extend Group Stage Unbeaten Run Against Debut African Opponents Haiti
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