Infantino ​confirmed he would run for the 2027–2031 term in ⁠the closing moments of the FIFA Congress in Vancouver, which ​comes less than two months before the start of the World ​Cup.

The election will be held on March 18 in Morocco, which is set to co-host the 2030 World Cup.

Infantino said he was “honoured ​and humbled” to have the chance to run for a ​fourth term.

The Italian-Swiss took office in 2016, replacing Sepp Blatter, and was re-elected ‌unopposed ⁠in 2019 and 2023.

Infantino has pushed for the expansion of FIFA competitions during his tenure, with this year’s World Cup in North America the first to feature 48 teams, while the ​women’s tournament in ​2023 has been ⁠expanded to 32 teams.

Infantino’s tenure has also drawn some criticism over issues such as high World ​Cup ticket prices and the decision to award ​the ⁠inaugural FIFA Peace Prize to U.S. President Donald Trump at the World Cup draw in December.

Earlier this month, the council of South ⁠American ​football’s governing body (CONMEBOL) said in a statement ​it would unanimously support the 56-year-old if he decided to seek another ​term.

-Reuters

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The club is one of Canada’s most historic football institutions and has long been a central part of Vancouver’s sporting identity.

Around 100 fans gathered as delegates arrived for the annual FIFA meeting in Vancouver, chanting, singing and waving club flags in a show of solidarity. The demonstration comes just days after Vancouver Whitecaps FC revealed difficulties in securing a buyer willing to keep the club in the city.

The Whitecaps disclosed earlier this week that “stadium economics, venue access and revenue limitations” have complicated efforts to sell the club, despite a 16-month search for new ownership.

Season ticket holder Derek Hawksworth said supporters felt compelled to act amid growing fears of relocation.

“I wanted to come down given the threat of the team possibly moving,” he said. “It’s a rich history with the Whitecaps in North America… we want Vancouver to stay and not relocate. The history is here, and we want to continue with that history moving forward.”

The Vancouver Whitecaps are a professional football (soccer) club based in Vancouver, Canada. They currently compete in Major League Soccer (MLS), the top-tier league in the United States and Canada.

Concerns were heightened by reports that cities such as Las Vegas and Phoenix are leading contenders should the club relocate.

Vancouver Mayor Ken Sim has urged intervention, calling on the provincial government — which owns BC Place — to negotiate a “bridge deal” that would allow the team to remain while plans for a new stadium are explored. The club’s current lease at BC Place expires at the end of the year.

Despite the off-field uncertainty, the Whitecaps have been one of the standout teams this MLS season. They currently sit second in the Western Conference with 24 points from nine matches, just three points behind the San Jose Earthquakes.

For supporters, however, performances on the pitch offer little comfort as the future of their club hangs in the balance — a situation they hope global football leaders gathering in Vancouver will not ignore.

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Nearly three decades after their landmark collaboration that produced the now-defunct Meridian Cup, Africa and Europe’s football governing bodies have rekindled their strategic partnership with a fresh Memorandum of Understanding (MoU).

The Confederation of African Football and UEFA on Tuesday signed a new agreement in Vancouver, Canada, marking a renewed commitment to deepen cooperation, drive development, and expand football’s social impact across both continents.

The agreement, signed by CAF President Patrice Motsepe and UEFA President Aleksander Čeferin, echoes the spirit of the January 1997 accord in Lisbon, Portugal, which led to the creation of the Meridian Cup. This intercontinental youth competition has since been discontinued.

The new MoU, which will run until June 30, 2031, sets out a broad framework for collaboration, anchored on shared values of inclusion, solidarity, integrity, and openness, while positioning football as a vehicle for social cohesion and development.

Motsepe noted that African football has recorded “significant growth” in recent years and stressed that the renewed partnership with UEFA would strengthen long-standing ties between the two regions.

“This partnership includes youth and women’s football, development, education and training of coaches and referees, as well as governance and institutional development,” Motsepe said. “By combining our expertise and resources, we will ensure that football remains a source of hope, joy, and unity for millions.”

Čeferin, on his part, highlighted the broader societal impact of football across Europe and Africa, describing both regions as home to “extraordinary football landscapes.”

“This agreement reflects our shared commitment to expanding opportunities for young players while advancing women’s football and promoting wellbeing,” he said. “By working closely with CAF, we aim to invest in people, share expertise, and strengthen football’s positive and lasting impact on communities.”

Under the agreement, both confederations will collaborate across several strategic areas, including youth and women’s football competitions, long-term development programmes, coaching education, refereeing exchanges, and institutional knowledge sharing.

The deal also provides for observer programmes at major tournaments, joint participation in conferences, and cooperation in football medicine and education pathways, alongside regular governance reviews to ensure effective implementation.

The renewed partnership is widely seen as a modern evolution of the 1997 collaboration, one that seeks to move beyond competitions like the Meridian Cup toward a more holistic and sustainable development model for the global game.

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Both of the FIFA-proposed ‌laws were unanimously approved by IFAB at a special meeting in Vancouver, Canada and will be implemented for this year’s World Cup.

“As was agreed at The IFAB’s Annual General Meeting (AGM) in February, these decisions ​follow thorough FIFA-led consultations with all key stakeholders,” a statement read.

“At the discretion ​of the competition organiser, any player covering their mouth in a confrontational ⁠situation with an opponent may be sanctioned with a red card,” it said.

FIFA president ​Gianni Infantino said in February that players who cover their mouths while speaking to opponents ​during confrontations should be sent off.

His comments came weeks after an incident in a Champions League game in which Benfica’s Gianluca Prestianni was accused of making discriminatory slurs to Vinicius Jr after the Brazilian scored ​Real Madrid’s goal in a 1–0 win in Lisbon.

The incident, in which Prestianni covered his ​mouth with his shirt, prompted the referee to activate UEFA’s anti-discrimination protocol, halting the match.

Argentine winger Prestianni, ‌who ⁠denied the accusation, was earlier this month handed a six-match suspension by UEFA for discriminatory conduct that was deemed homophobic.

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Morocco’s growing stature as a global football powerhouse has received another major endorsement, with the Kingdom confirmed as host of the 77th FIFA Elective Congress in 2027,  a gathering that will shape the future leadership of world football.

Set to take place in Rabat, the event will bring together delegates from FIFA’s 200-plus member associations to elect a new president, succeeding Gianni Infantino.

Beyond its electoral significance, the choice of Morocco reflects a deepening confidence in the country’s administrative strength, football infrastructure, and growing influence within the global game.

This milestone did not emerge by chance. FIFA’s earlier decision to establish its first African regional office in Rabat signalled Morocco’s strategic importance as a bridge between Africa, the Arab world, and international football governance.

Aerial view over Mohammed VI Tower in Rabat, Morocco.

Hosting the Congress now cements that status, positioning the Kingdom as a hub where key decisions shaping the sport’s future will be made.

On the sporting front, Morocco’s rise has been nothing short of remarkable. The Atlas Lions, currently ranked among the world’s elite and Africa’s top team, captured global imagination with their historic semi-final run at the 2022 FIFA World Cup, the first by any African nation.

That achievement was swiftly followed by a bronze medal at the Paris 2024 Olympic Games, a FIFA U-20 World Cup triumph in 2025, and continental dominance with an Africa Cup of Nations title the same year.

Such a sustained run of success has transformed Morocco into one of football’s most compelling modern stories, a nation where ambition, planning, and performance align.

Equally significant is Morocco’s readiness off the pitch. With world-class facilities like the Mohammed VI Football Complex and a proven track record in hosting international tournaments, the country has demonstrated its ability to deliver events of global scale with efficiency and flair.

As the countdown continues toward co-hosting the 2030 FIFA World Cup alongside Spain and Portugal, the 2027 FIFA Congress offers a timely preview of Morocco’s organisational capabilities. It is not merely a hosting assignment; it is a statement of intent.

In welcoming the global football community to Rabat, Morocco is not just staging an event — it is reinforcing its identity as a rising centre of excellence in world football, where the future of the game will be debated, decided, and driven forward.

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In an interview with Reuters, Irvine took aim at FIFA’s decision to give its inaugural Peace Prize to U.S. ‌President Donald Trump at the World Cup draw in December for “promoting peace and unity around the world”.

The U.S., which is co-hosting the World Cup with Canada and Mexico, launched a military strike on Venezuela a month after the draw and began joint airstrikes with Israel on Iran on February 28.

“As an organisation, you would have to say decisions like the one that we saw awarding this peace prize ​makes a mockery of what they’re trying to do with the human rights charter and trying to use football as a global driving force for good ​and positive change in the world,” Irvine told Reuters.

“Decisions like that feel like they just set us back in the perceived market ⁠of what football currently is, especially at the top level where it’s becoming so disconnected from society and the grassroots of what the game actually is and means in ​our communities and in the world.”

FIFA and the White House did not provide immediate comment.

Human rights groups and activists have widely condemned the awarding of the Peace Prize to Trump. Norway’s ​soccer federation on Monday called for FIFA to abolish it to avoid being drawn into politics.

STATEMENT OF PROTEST

FIFA published its first Human Rights Policy in 2017. Its Human Rights Framework for the 2026 World Cup includes provisions for host cities to promote inclusion, protect freedom of expression and prohibit discrimination during the June 11 to July 19 tournament.

However, rights groups have said FIFA needs to do more to press ​the U.S. to address the risks of human rights abuses for athletes, fans and workers, pointing to a hardline immigration crackdown and deportation drive pursued by the Trump administration.

Irvine, who ​has earned 80 caps for Australia and captained the team, plays in the German Bundesliga for St. Pauli, a club renowned for its progressive culture.

The 33-year-old has long been vocal about human ‌rights concerns and ⁠was a driving force in the Australian team’s statement of protest against Qatar’s human rights record before the 2022 World Cup.

Irvine and 15 other Australian players raised concerns in a video about migrant worker conditions in Qatar and called for decriminalisation of same-sex relationships in the Gulf nation.

Four years on, Irvine has similar concerns about human rights in the United States and the treatment of LGBT groups and other communities.

“It’s not an issue just in the Middle East, in America we’re seeing more and more of the rights of these communities … being ​taken away all over the country,” he ​said.

“We have to sincerely hope that ⁠we see a lot of open support in that space as well.”

Players have used World Cups as a platform to promote various causes, including anti-racism and gender equality, but FIFA bans political, religious and personal slogans and imagery from team equipment.

FIFA blocked the captains of ​seven European teams from wearing rainbow armbands on the field during the 2022 tournament to protest Qatar’s laws against same-sex relationships.

Players ​at the 2023 Women’s ⁠World Cup in Australia and New Zealand were given a choice of eight FIFA-sanctioned armbands to promote social causes like gender equality, inclusion and anti-violence.

FIFA has not confirmed whether players will be offered sanctioned armbands for the upcoming World Cup and did not provide immediate comment when asked by Reuters.

Irvine said he hoped armbands and other symbols for advocacy would be welcomed at ⁠the tournament, ​and that players would be given leeway to express themselves.

However, he said he would also understand if ​athletes were wary about the potential blowback for making a stand.

“You’ve got a group who are unbelievably supportive and really love to see people in these positions speak up about issues that they care about,” he said.

“And ​on the other side, the opposite, the polarisation has gone further.

“People really actively dislike players trying to bring politics into sport.”

-Reuters

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• *Klaveness urges FIFA to avoid political entanglement by ending the Peace Prize
• *FIFA criticised for awarding inaugural peace prize to Donald Trump
• *NFF supports FairSquare’s call for an investigation into possible breach ​of FIFA ethics

*FIFA should scrap its peace prize ‌to avoid getting drawn into politics, Norwegian Football Association (NFF) President Lise Klaveness said on Monday, suggesting that the awarding of such prizes be left to the Nobel Institute in Oslo.

Led by Gianni Infantino, world ​soccer’s governing body came under fire for awarding its inaugural peace prize to U.S. ​President Donald Trump in December at the draw for the 2026 World ⁠Cup.

The FIFA peace award was seen by many as a consolation prize for Trump, ​who has said on numerous occasions that he should be awarded the Nobel Peace Prize ​and whose country will co-host this year’s World Cup with Canada and Mexico.

“We (the NFF) want to see it (the FIFA peace prize) abolished. We don’t think it’s part of FIFA’s mandate to give such a ​prize; we think we have a Nobel Institute that does that job independently already,” ​Klaveness told an online press briefing.

“We think it’s important for football federations, confederations and also FIFA to ‌try ⁠to avoid situations where this arm ‘s-length distance to state leaders is challenged, and these prizes will typically be very political if you don’t have really good instruments and experience to make them independent, with juries and criteria, et cetera.

“That is full-time work, it’s so ​sensitive, I think from ​a resource angle, ⁠from a mandate angle, but most importantly from a governance angle, I think it should be avoided also in the future,” she ​said.

The 45-year-old lawyer said the NFF board would be writing a ​letter saying ⁠it supported calls for an investigation into the awarding of the prize by non-profit organisation FairSquare, which has alleged that Infantino and FIFA may have breached their own ethical guidelines regarding political ⁠impartiality in ​awarding the prize.

“There should be checks and balances ​on these issues and this complaint from FairSquare should be treated with a transparent timeline, and that the reasoning ​and the conclusion should be transparent,” Klaveness said

-Reuters

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The workshop, organised by the West African Football Union (WAFU) Zone B in collaboration with the Confederation of African Football (CAF), is scheduled to take place from April 26 to 28 at the Exclusive Serene Hotel and Suites, Wuye.

The programme will bring together chairpersons of Women’s Football Commissions and heads of women’s football departments from the seven WAFU-B member countries — Nigeria, Côte d’Ivoire, Burkina Faso, Ghana, Niger Republic, Togo and Benin Republic — providing a platform for strategic dialogue and capacity development.

President of the NFF and WAFU-B, Ibrahim Musa Gusau, is expected to declare the workshop open. Other key figures billed to attend include WAFU-B Executive Director Philippe Tchere, CAF Head of Women’s Football Goshime Meskerem, WAFU-B Women’s Football Commission President Amina Amani and Women’s Football Development Manager Precious Dede.

Dede, a former Nigeria international goalkeeper, will serve as one of the facilitators alongside Meskerem and CAF instructors Jules McGeever and Thuba Sibanda, guiding participants through a series of technical and strategic sessions.

According to the programme outline, Day One will focus on foundational and contextual issues, with presentations on the growth and evolution of women’s football in Africa, a global overview of the women’s game, regional challenges and achievements, as well as leadership scenarios in football administration.

Day Two will delve into practical development strategies, including leveraging strategic planning for holistic growth, lessons from the Ghana Football Association, and case studies of successful clubs such as Mamelodi Sundowns and ASEC Mimosas. Discussions will also cover branding and frameworks for women’s football development within member associations.

The final day will centre on actionable outcomes, with sessions dedicated to strategic planning, implementation pathways and consolidating workshop findings into measurable initiatives aimed at advancing women’s football across the region.

Organisers say the workshop reflects a growing commitment by CAF and WAFU-B to equip administrators with the knowledge and tools required to drive sustainable development in the women’s game, while fostering collaboration among member associations.

The initiative is expected to further reinforce Nigeria’s role as a key hub for football development in West Africa, particularly in the rapidly expanding women’s football sector.

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Crocker stepped down from his role with immediate effect, barely two months before the kickoff of the 2026 FIFA World Cup, which the United States will co-host. The U.S. Soccer Federation confirmed that the outgoing sporting director is set to pursue “another opportunity in international soccer,” with reports linking him to a similar position in Saudi Arabia.

In the interim, U.S. Soccer has moved quickly to stabilise its leadership structure, with chief operating officer Dan Helfrich assuming executive oversight of sporting operations. Crucially, he will work closely with Onyewu, who currently serves as assistant sporting director, as well as head of women’s development Tracey Kevins.

The reshuffle has immediately sparked speculation that Onyewu—whose father is Nigerian—could be in line for a promotion to the vacant sporting director role, either on an interim or permanent basis. His growing administrative influence within U.S. Soccer, combined with his experience as a former international player, places him in a strong position at a critical time for the federation.

Beyond his administrative credentials, Onyewu’s background reflects a rich multicultural and personal profile. His parents relocated from Nigeria to the United States to pursue studies in Washington, D.C., where he was raised alongside his siblings—Uche, Nonye, Chi-Chi, and Ogechi. In addition to his American identity, he also holds Belgian citizenship and is multilingual, speaking English, French, Italian, and Portuguese.

A practising Catholic, Onyewu combines his professional pursuits with strong personal values and global engagement. Standing at 6 ft 4 in (1.93 m), he is the second-tallest outfield player in United States national team history, behind Omar Gonzalez. He has also broken new ground off the pitch as the first Vice President of Sport within the U.S. Soccer structure.

Onyewu’s influence extends beyond administration into social impact. He serves as a Global Ambassador for Grassroot Soccer, an initiative that uses football as a tool to educate and empower young people with life-saving health information and mentorship.

U.S. Soccer CEO and Secretary General JT Batson praised Crocker’s contribution, noting that the federation had “grown significantly across every part of our sporting organisation” during his tenure. Crocker was instrumental in key appointments, including hiring women’s national team coach Emma Hayes and men’s team coach Mauricio Pochettino.

Despite the timing of the departure, just weeks before the World Cup, U.S. Soccer officials insist preparations remain unaffected. Helfrich expressed confidence in the existing technical structure, emphasising that coaching staff retain full control over tournament planning.

“I anticipate zero impact on World Cup preparation as a result of Matt’s decision,” Helfrich stated, underlining continuity within the system.

As the countdown to the 2026 FIFA World Cup intensifies, attention will now turn to how quickly U.S. Soccer fills the vacant sporting director role—and whether Onyewu will be entrusted with leading the federation’s sporting vision at a historic moment.

For Nigeria, the development once again highlights the far-reaching impact of its football diaspora, with Onyewu potentially set to occupy one of the most strategic positions in global football administration.

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Fox Sports reported that Crocker was taking a similar role with ​Saudi Arabia.

The move, which is effective immediately, comes approximately two months ahead of the 2026 ‌FIFA World Cup.

Per the U.S. Soccer Federation, chief operating officer Dan Helfrich will provide executive oversight and support across the sporting operations and work closely with assistant sporting director Oguchi Onyewu and head of women’s development Tracey Kevins.

“Over the past several years, ​U.S. Soccer has grown significantly across every part of our sporting organization, and we thank Matt ​for the role he played in that progress,” said JT Batson, U.S. Soccer CEO ⁠and secretary general.

“Matt helped guide important steps across our sporting organization, and we’re grateful for his contributions. We’re ​confident in our strategy, leadership team, coaches, and technical staff.

“We will continue building the right structure for ​the future, and we’re well positioned to make the decisions needed in the short, medium, and long term.”

Crocker has spent nearly the last three years in his position with the U.S. Soccer Federation, notably helping recruit women’s national team coach Emma Hayes ​and men’s coach Mauricio Pochettino.

“It has been a privilege to be part of U.S. Soccer during such an ​important period for the sport in this country,” Crocker said.

“I’m grateful for the people I’ve had the opportunity to work with ‌across ⁠the Federation, from our coaches and players to our technical and administrative staff. I’m proud of what’s been built together and confident the team in place will continue to move the game forward and drive success on and off the field.”

The U.S. men kick off World Cup group play against Paraguay on June 12 in ​Los Angeles. The Americans will ​also play Australia on ⁠June 19 in Seattle and Turkey on June 25 back in Los Angeles.

“I anticipate zero impact on World Cup preparation as a result of Matt’s decision,” Helfrich told ​Fox Sports on Monday. “Mauricio and his staff have full control of the preparations ​for this summer’s ⁠tournament, and we have full confidence in them. This transition in no way impacts those plans, which have been long-established.”

Nasser Larguet is expected to leave his position as Saudi Arabia’s technical director this month, multiple media outlets reported.

“If ⁠you’re going ​to compete at the highest levels in the sporting world, ​you expect that team members will have other opportunities,” Helfrich told Fox Sports. “Soccer in our country and the federation overall are in a ​better place than several years ago when Matt joined, and we’re grateful to him for those contributions.”

-Reuters

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