The Congolese referee, once regarded as one of Africa’s elite officials, has reportedly been excluded from FIFA’s final World Cup roster just two months before the tournament—despite having been part of the preparatory pool.

From Centre Stage to Sidelines

Ndala’s fall from contention is closely tied to his handling of the explosive final between Morocco and Senegal in Rabat—a match that has since become one of the most disputed in recent African football history.

The encounter was riddled with controversial decisions, eventually leading to a temporary walk-off by Senegalese players. Matters escalated further when the result was later overturned, placing Ndala’s officiating under intense scrutiny.

Unverified reports have also alleged that the referee may have acted under “institutional instructions,” including directives not to issue red cards to Senegal players after the disruption—claims that remain unproven but have added to the controversy surrounding the match.

In the immediate aftermath, the Confederation of African Football cleared Ndala of any wrongdoing and continued to appoint him to matches, signalling institutional confidence in his competence.

FIFA, however, appears to have taken a different view.

By omitting Ndala from its final list of referees for the World Cup, world football’s governing body has effectively overruled CAF’s stance—raising questions about alignment between continental and global football authorities on refereeing standards and accountability.

With Ndala out, Africa’s central refereeing representation at the 2026 World Cup will now include:

• Mustapha Ghorbal (Algeria)
• Amin Mohamed Omar (Egypt)
• Pierre Ghislain Atcho (Gabon)
• Dahane Beida (Mauritania)

The list reflects FIFA’s emphasis on consistency and recent performance, particularly in high-stakes matches.

For Ndala, a FIFA-listed referee since 2013, the decision represents a significant personal and professional setback. Once seen as a strong candidate to officiate at the World Cup, his exclusion underscores how a single high-profile match can reshape a referee’s trajectory.

More broadly, the development highlights the growing scrutiny of officiating in African football and the increasing willingness of FIFA to take independent decisions—even when they diverge from continental bodies.

In the end, while players receive red cards on the pitch, Ndala’s has come off it—issued not in a moment, but in the lingering shadow of a final that refuses to fade from memory.

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The controversy followed Italy’s dramatic failure to qualify for the next FIFA World Cup after a 4-1 penalty shootout loss to Bosnia and Herzegovina in last month’s playoff final—a result that condemned the four-time champions to a third consecutive absence from football’s biggest stage.

In the aftermath, reports emerged suggesting that players had sought financial rewards tied to qualification. But Donnarumma, speaking to Sky Sports Italia, dismissed the claims in emphatic terms.

“As captain, I never went to ask the Italian national team for a single euro,” he said, insisting that any financial gestures were standard federation practice rather than player-driven demands.

According to him, what exists is a long-standing system where federations reward players after achieving qualification, not before. “Our reward was getting to go to the World Cup,” he added, underlining a distinction between earned bonuses and negotiated incentives.

A Familiar African Narrative Finds European Echo

Sports Village Square recalls that the debate, however, resonates strongly within African football circles, where bonus rows have frequently disrupted national team preparations and even tournament performances.

From delayed payments to player strikes and government interventions, financial disputes have often formed a recurring subplot in African competitions such as the Africa Cup of Nations and FIFA World Cup qualifiers.

What makes the Italian situation noteworthy is not just the denial. Still, the mere existence of such speculation suggests that the culture of bonus expectations is no longer confined to Africa, but may be creeping into the European game.

Fallout Deepens in Italian Football

Italy’s failure has already triggered sweeping changes within its football hierarchy. Gabriele Gravina stepped down as president of the Italian Football Federation amid mounting political pressure.

Former legendary goalkeeper Gianluigi Buffon also resigned as delegation chief, while head coach Gennaro Gattuso left his position.

For Donnarumma, however, the focus must now shift away from controversy and toward rebuilding.

“We have to start afresh, move on,” the 27-year-old said. “There are major competitions ahead, like the European Championship and the Nations League. Before thinking about the World Cup, we need to focus on these.”

Beyond Bonuses: A Question of Values

While Italy grapples with sporting failure and administrative upheaval, the bonus debate raises deeper questions about motivation, professionalism, and the evolving economics of international football.

In Africa, bonus disputes have often been framed as issues of fairness and welfare. In Europe, where financial structures are more stable, such narratives were once rare.

But as the Donnarumma episode suggests, the lines may be blurring—turning what was once seen as an “African problem” into a broader, global conversation about how national pride, performance, and pay intersect in modern football.

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The initiative, described as the first of its kind, will take the excitement of the World Cup beyond the official host cities of Toronto and Vancouver, reaching communities across the country from coast to coast to coast.

According to FIFA, the programme will feature 38 stops across 34 communities, strategically located within a two-hour drive for more than 75 per cent of Canada’s population.

Football Festival Across the Nation

Running from June 11 to July 19, 2026—coinciding with the World Cup itself—Canada Celebrates will transform cities into vibrant fan zones, offering live match screenings, football-themed activities, music, food festivals and cultural showcases.

Pre-tournament activations are scheduled for June 1 and June 5, alongside selected stops of the FIFA World Cup Trophy Tour by Coca-Cola, further building momentum ahead of kickoff.

From Whitehorse in the Yukon to Halifax in Nova Scotia, and from Kamloops in British Columbia to Niagara Falls in Ontario, the programme aims to ensure that fans nationwide can partake in what FIFA describes as “a shared national celebration.”

Strong Backing from Government and Partners

The initiative is being delivered with support from the Canadian government, municipalities and key stakeholders, including FIFA’s commercial partners such as Coca-Cola, Kia, Michelob Ultra, Hisense, McDonald’s and The Home Depot, alongside media partner Bell Media.

FIFA Vice-President Vittorio Montagliani said the project would leave a lasting legacy.

“As a Canadian, it’s incredibly meaningful to bring a taste of the FIFA World Cup to communities across the country. Beyond hosting matches in Toronto and Vancouver, this tournament will inspire the next generation and grow the game for years to come,” he said.

Canada’s Secretary of State for Sport, Adam van Koeverden, echoed that sentiment, describing the tour as a unifying force.

“Sport has the power to bring people together, and this initiative will help Canadians feel part of this historic moment,” he noted.

Trophy Tour Adds Extra Buzz

Ahead of the main tournament, Canada Celebrates will also be integrated into the FIFA World Cup Trophy Tour by Coca-Cola, giving fans the rare opportunity to see the iconic trophy up close in seven major cities, including Vancouver, Calgary, Montreal and Toronto.

A World Cup Like Never Before

The 2026 FIFA World Cup—co-hosted by Canada, the United States and Mexico—will be the largest in history, featuring 48 teams and 104 matches across 16 cities in North America.

While Canada will stage matches in Toronto and Vancouver, FIFA’s latest initiative ensures that the tournament’s impact extends far beyond stadiums, embedding the World Cup experience in communities nationwide.

With fan engagement, cultural celebration and grassroots connection at its core, Canada Celebrates is poised to transform the World Cup into a truly national—and continental—festival.

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Iran’s football federation (FFIRI) has been pushing to move ‌the team’s three World Cup group-stage matches from the United States to Mexico, citing American military involvement alongside Israel in strikes that sparked an ongoing war in the region.

FFIRI said last month they were in discussions ​with FIFA about a venue switch, while Iran’s sports ministry has banned national and ​club sports teams from travelling to countries it considers hostile until further notice.

FIFA president ⁠Gianni Infantino said last week, however, that Iran would play their matches as scheduled.

“Our request ​to FIFA to relocate Iran’s games from the U.S. to Mexico is still valid, but we ​have not yet received a response,” Donyamali told Turkish state news agency Anadolu in an interview published at the weekend.

“If accepted, Iran’s participation in the World Cup will be certain. However, FIFA has not yet responded.

“As ​the Minister of Sports, together with the Iranian football federation, we will keep the football ​team ready for the World Cup. However, the final decision will be made by our government.”

Iran are scheduled ‌to ⁠play all of their Group G matches on American soil — against New Zealand and Belgium in Los Angeles before their final fixture against Egypt in Seattle.

U.S. President Donald Trump said last month that while Iran’s national team were welcome to play in the U.S., it might not be ​appropriate for their “life and ​safety”.

He later made it ⁠clear that any threat to players would not come from the United States.

“According to FIFA’s relevant regulations, security must be provided in the ​country concerned,” Donyamali added. “However, the World Cup is taking place soon, and ​providing guarantees ⁠during this period is questionable.

“Under these circumstances, the possibility of Iran participating in the World Cup matches in the U.S. is very low. But, if the relevant security guarantees are provided, our government ⁠will ​make the decision on Iran’s participation in the World ​Cup.”

FIFA did not immediately respond to an emailed request for comment.

The World Cup takes place in the U.S., Mexico and ​Canada from June 11 to July 19.

–Reuters

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“Dear Italian soccer fans, don’t wait ​four more years. Swap your jersey for ​Canada,” the sports governing body posted ⁠on X on Friday, directing fans to ​gather outside Cafe Diplomatico, a popular restaurant in ​Toronto’s Little Italy neighbourhood.

The light-hearted appeal followed Italy’s third consecutive failure to qualify for the World Cup ​after a playoff defeat by Bosnia ​on Tuesday, a setback that led to the resignations ‌of ⁠coach Gennaro Gattuso and federation president Gabriele Gravina.

Canada, who will co-host the World Cup alongside Mexico and the United States, seized the moment ​to call ​for fans ⁠to support their country instead.

Local media reported hundreds of supporters queued ​for the Italy-for-Canada jersey exchange, though ​the ⁠offer proved more symbolic than transactional. Canada Soccer handed out 2026 shirts and posters ⁠to ​fans — and did so without ​collecting a single Italian jersey in return.

-Reuters

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Despite the expansion of the FIFA World Cup to 48 teams, several high-profile nations—including some ranked within the top 30 globally—will not feature at the 2026 finals in the United States, Mexico and Canada, underlining the increasingly unforgiving nature of modern qualification.

The most striking absence is the four-time world champions Italy national football team, who failed to qualify for a third consecutive World Cup after losing on penalties to Bosnia and Herzegovina in the European playoffs.
Once a permanent fixture at the global showpiece, Italy’s continued absence has triggered widespread criticism at home, with many describing the situation as a national sporting crisis.

Europe’s Big Casualties

Italy are not alone among Europe’s elite in missing out. Countries such as Denmark’s national football team, Poland’s national football team and Serbia’s national football team, all of whom have consistently hovered around the top tiers of FIFA rankings in recent years, also failed to make the cut.

Poland’s elimination is particularly significant, as it likely marks the end of World Cup ambitions for veteran striker Robert Lewandowski, while Denmark’s absence comes after years of steady progress on the international stage.

Serbia, boasting a generation of technically gifted players, were also among those eliminated during the qualification process.

African Heavyweights Left Out

Africa will send a record number of teams to the expanded tournament, yet notable absentees remain.
Three-time African champions Nigeria national football team and five-time AFCON winners Cameroon national football team both failed to qualify after disappointing campaigns.

Cameroon’s Indomitable Lions are among Africa’s big names missing at the World Cup.

Nigeria’s absence is particularly glaring given the quality of players such as Victor Osimhen, while Cameroon fell short despite a squad featuring several Europe-based stars.

South American Decline

In South America, the Chile national football team continue their dramatic fall from grace. Once Copa América champions, Chile finished bottom of the CONMEBOL qualifying table, extending their World Cup absence to three editions.

Emerging Pattern: Expansion Without Guarantees

The absence of these established football nations highlights a key reality: even with 48 slots, World Cup qualification remains fiercely competitive.

While debutants such as Cape Verde, Curaçao and Uzbekistan have secured historic places at the finals, traditional powers have faltered under pressure.

Analysts note that this shift reflects a broader trend in global football—greater parity, improved development structures in smaller nations, and declining dominance of traditional heavyweights.

A World Cup Without Familiar Faces

The 2026 tournament will therefore present a unique landscape—one where emerging nations share the stage while several established powers watch from home.

For fans, it promises freshness and unpredictability. For the absent giants, however, it serves as a stark reminder that reputation alone is no longer enough to secure a place at football’s biggest event.

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A remarkable storyline is emerging ahead of the 2026 FIFA World Cup, as no fewer than seven countries have secured returns to the global football showpiece after prolonged absences spanning decades.

Leading the list are Haiti and DR Congo, both of which are back on the World Cup stage after an astonishing 52-year absence. Haiti last featured at the tournament in 1974, the same year DR Congo, then known as Zaire, made their only previous appearance.

European sides Scotland national football team, Norway national football team and Austria national football team are also ending 28-year waits.

Scotland’s last outing came in 1998, while Norway and Austria have similarly endured long spells away from the competition despite periods of promise in European football.

South America will see the return of the Paraguay national football team, who are back after a 16-year hiatus, having last appeared at the 2010 finals in South Africa.

On the African continent, the South Africa national football team will make a long-awaited comeback after 16 years, their previous participation coming when they hosted the tournament in 2010.

The wave of returning nations highlights the expanding opportunities created by the enlarged 48-team format for the 2026 World Cup, which will be staged across Canada, the United States and Mexico.

For many of these countries, qualification marks not just a sporting achievement but a generational milestone, rekindling national pride and offering a new era of players the chance to perform on football’s biggest stage after decades in the wilderness.

With traditional powers and returning underdogs set to collide, the 2026 tournament is already shaping up to be one of the most diverse and unpredictable in World Cup history.

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Italy lost Tuesday’s playoff final in Bosnia on penalties, and the ‌four-time champions have now missed out on three consecutive World Cups.

Gattuso’s departure came a day after FIGC President Gabriele Gravina resigned, and national team delegation head Gianluigi Buffon stepped down from his role.

“With a heavy heart, having failed to achieve the goal we had set ourselves, I consider my time in charge of the national ​team to be over,” Gattuso said in a statement.

“The Azzurri shirt is the most precious asset in football, which is why ​it is right to facilitate future technical assessments with immediate effect.

“It has been an honour to lead the ⁠national team, and to do so with a group of lads who have shown commitment and loyalty to the shirt.”

The FIGC thanked Gattuso ​for his work.

“The Italian Football Federation (FIGC) and Gennaro Ivan Gattuso have mutually terminated the contract that bound the Calabrian coach to the helm of ​the Italian national football team,” the FIGC said in a statement.

“The FIGC thanks Gattuso and his entire staff for the professionalism, dedication and passion with which they have worked over the past nine months and wishes them every success in their future careers.

GATTUSO APPOINTED ON ONE-YEAR CONTRACT

Gattuso was appointed in June on a one-year contract, ​replacing Luciano Spalletti who was sacked following Italy’s 3-0 defeat by Norway in their opening group game, although he remained in place for the 2-0 ​win over Moldova the next day.

Italy won their next five group games under Gattuso, but given Norway’s far superior goal difference, they were resigned to another ‌World Cup ⁠playoff before the final group game, which Norway won 4-1 at the San Siro.

Italy had lost at the playoff stage of the last two World Cups, but looked on course to make it this time after a 2-0 win over Northern Ireland in the semi-final, before it all fell apart in Bosnia.

Gattuso’s 10-man team let slip a 1-0 lead and crumbled in the penalty shootout.

After the loss in Zenica, Gattuso said ​it was not the time to ​speak about his future, but ⁠once Gravina made his decision to step away, it was a matter of when Gattuso would follow.

WHO NEXT FOR ITALY?

Gattuso, 48, was a member of Italy’s 2006 World Cup-winning squad, but the country ​has failed to come anywhere close to replicating that success in the sport’s biggest tournament.

Italy won ​just one game over ⁠the next two editions, exiting at the group stage on both occasions. While there was a spark of recovery with their Euro 2020 triumph, their continued absence from the World Cup underlined their decline.

AC Milan coach Massimiliano Allegri and Napoli manager Antonio Conte are names being mentioned as Gattuso’s ⁠successor.

Conte ​has managed Italy, taking charge in 2014 and leading them to Euro 2016 where ​his last game was a loss on penalties to Germany in the quarter-finals, having already announced he would leave after the tournament.

Italy’s next game is a friendly in ​Greece on June 7, and they begin their Nations League campaign in September when they host Belgium.

-Reuters

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Gravina, in charge of the FIGC since 2018, had ​been urged by the government to step down after Italy’s defeat on penalties in the playoff against Bosnia and Herzegovina on Tuesday.

The federation will hold an ‌extraordinary assembly on June 22 to elect a new chief, while Gravina offered to appear before a parliamentary committee on April 8 “to report on the state of health of Italian soccer”, a statement said.

That hearing has now been cancelled, as the committee awaits the election outcome.

The Italian soccer team last qualified for the World Cup in 2014 and has won only one match at the finals since lifting the trophy for ​the fourth time in 2006.

Former goalkeeper Gianluigi Buffon, national team delegation head, has also announced his resignation via social media.

Gravina was elected unopposed in October 2018, the ​72-year-old replacing Carlo Tavecchio who resigned a week after Italy failed to qualify for the 2018 World Cup.

“After many years there is a ⁠feeling of great bitterness, but great serenity,” Gravina told reporters.

“I must thank all the federal components who today have shown me great affection, support and closeness today, also insisting that ​I continue, but my personal choice was made with conviction and careful consideration.”

While Gravina’s term included the Euro 2020 triumph, it also involved another two World Cup qualification failures and his ​position had become increasingly untenable after much criticism from Italian media and senior political figures.

Italy’s Sports Minister Andrea Abodi described Italy’s latest failure as a “definitive defeat” and suggested that Italian football needs to be “rebuilt from the ground up”.

Gravina spoke immediately after the loss to Bosnia, saying he understood the request for resignation but that there was a suitable place to make evaluations.

That place was the FIGC headquarters in Rome, ​where Gravina met with the six federal components – Serie A, B and C, National Amateur League, Players’ Association and Coaches Association – and informed them of his decision at the start ​of the meeting.

Gravina was re-elected in February 2021, and again in February 2025 with his mandate due to end in 2028, but the search now begins for his successor.

Names already being mentioned include 67-year-old ‌former head ⁠of Italy’s Olympic Committee (CONI) Giovanni Malago and previous FIGC president Giancarlo Abete. Abete, 75, held the role from 2007 to 2014.

BUFFON BOWS OUT

Buffon, former Italy goalkeeper and part of the 2006 World Cup-winning side, wrote on Instagram that he had initially offered his resignation immediately after the loss to Bosnia, but had been asked to take time to reflect.

“Now that president Gravina has chosen to take a step back, I feel free to do what I feel is an act of responsibility,” Buffon wrote.

“Because, even in the sincere conviction that I have built ​so much on a spirit and group level ​with Rino Gattuso and all the ⁠collaborators, in a very short time at the disposal of the national team, the main objective was to bring Italy back to the World Cup.

“We didn’t succeed. It’s fair to leave it to those who will come after, the freedom to choose the figure they think ​is best to play my role.”

SOCIAL MEDIA STORM

Gravina had also come in for heavy criticism for comments he made after the Bosnia ​defeat, when asked why ⁠Italy excelled in other disciplines but not in football.

In his response, Gravina said that football is a professional sport, while the others are amateur, which caused outrage, with many Italian athletes taking to social media.

Irma Testa, the first female boxer to represent Italy at the Olympics and bronze medallist in 2020, wrote on Instagram that ‘we are the real professionals’ and the FIGC statement on Thursday ⁠said that ​Gravina expressed regret over the interpretation of his remarks.

Gravina explained that his comments referred to the presence within ​some federations of leagues with their own autonomy and the corporate nature of professional clubs which must comply with national and international legislation.

After Gravina and Buffon’s resignations, Italy manager Gennaro Gattuso’s position is also under question, with his ​contract ending in June. Media reports have linked Antonio Conte and Massimiliano Allegri as possible replacements.

-Reuters

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Unlike previous tournaments, several of these countries are bracing for significant financial strain due to tax obligations in the United States, raising concerns that participation in football’s biggest spectacle could come at a high economic cost.

According to an investigation conducted by the UK publication, The Guardian, at the centre of the issue is the inability of FIFA to secure a blanket tax exemption agreement with the U.S. government for all participating nations. While FIFA itself enjoys tax-free status in the United States—a privilege dating back to the 1994 World Cup—this exemption does not extend to the 48 national associations competing this summer.

Unequal Playing Field Off the Pitch

The result is a stark imbalance. Only 18 of the qualified countries have double taxation agreements (DTAs) with the United States, shielding them from federal taxes. The majority of these are European nations, alongside a handful of others such as Egypt, Morocco, South Africa, Australia, Canada and Mexico.

For African teams without such agreements, including several debutants and smaller footballing nations, the financial implications could be severe. Countries like Haiti and Cape Verde, for instance, face the prospect of higher tax liabilities than traditional powers such as England or France, whose federations are protected by DTAs.

This disparity effectively creates a two-tier system—one where wealthier and more diplomatically connected nations incur lower operational costs, while less-developed football associations shoulder heavier financial burdens.

Development Funds at Risk

Tax experts warn that the consequences could extend far beyond the tournament itself. Oriana Morrison, a consultant who has advised several football federations, noted that the funds lost to taxation could have otherwise been reinvested in grassroots football development.

For many African federations, World Cup participation is not just about prestige but also about economic opportunity. Prize money and associated revenues often fund infrastructure, youth programmes and domestic leagues. However, with U.S. federal corporate tax set at 21% and top income tax rates reaching 37%, a significant portion of these earnings may be absorbed before they reach home federations.

Players and Coaches Also Affected

Even for countries with DTAs, relief is partial. Under U.S. law, athletes and coaches must still pay taxes on income earned while performing in the country. This means high-profile figures such as Carlo Ancelotti, currently managing Brazil, could face dual taxation—both in Brazil and the United States.

In contrast, managers like Thomas Tuchel of England benefit from more favourable arrangements, paying taxes only in their home country due to existing agreements.

While wealthier federations may absorb these additional costs, smaller associations—many of them from Africa—are unlikely to have such financial flexibility.

Rising Costs, Shrinking Support

Compounding the issue is FIFA’s fixed operational budget of $1.5 million per team, despite rising travel and accommodation costs in the United States. The daily allowance for delegation members has also been reduced from $850 at Qatar 2022 to $600 for 2026.

This stands in sharp contrast to the previous World Cup in Qatar, where all 32 participating nations were granted full tax exemptions by the host government, significantly easing financial pressure.

Geography Adds Another Layer

The tax burden is further complicated by variations across U.S. states. While Florida—host to matches in Miami—has no state tax, other venues come with steep rates. New Jersey, where the final will be held at MetLife Stadium, imposes a 10.75% state tax, while California, host to games in Los Angeles and San Francisco, has rates as high as 13.3%.

Canada and Mexico, the co-hosts, have offered full tax exemptions, meaning teams playing group matches there could avoid some of the financial strain.

A Tournament of Opportunity—Or Inequality?

For African teams, the expanded World Cup was meant to be a gateway to greater representation and opportunity on the global stage. However, the emerging tax realities threaten to dilute those gains.

With FIFA reportedly working behind the scenes to provide guidance and support, the broader concern remains unresolved: that the financial rewards of World Cup participation may not be evenly shared.

For many of Africa’s representatives, the challenge in 2026 will not only be to compete on the pitch—but to navigate an off-field financial landscape that could significantly impact the future of their football development.

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