Football

UEFA has called for FIFA President Gianni Infantino to step down following the collapse of a controversial proposal to sell a stake in the FIFA World Cup to private investors. Infantino had sought to sell a £3.1 billion stake in the tournament to an investment consortium led by Josh Kushner, a relative of United States President Donald Trump. However, the proposal was withdrawn on Friday after attracting widespread criticism, prompting the FIFA president to reverse course.

The Confederation of African Football (CAF) has dismissed rumours claiming that the format of the 2027 Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) will be changed, stating that the competition will maintain its 24-team structure.

Zinedine Zidane has signed a contract to be the next coach of the men’s football national team of France until June 2030.

Real Madrid and Brazil winger Vinicius Junior has become a trending topic on social media after revealing a noticeably different appearance following the conclusion of the 2026 FIFA World Cup. The 26-year-old is reported to have undergone a chin harmonisation procedure in Goiânia, Brazil, shortly after the Seleção was eliminated in the Round of 16. The cosmetic treatment, aimed at enhancing facial balance and jawline definition, has since drawn widespread attention online.

The world football governing body, FIFA, has come under criticism from sections of the Argentine media over its decision not to award Lionel Messi the Golden Ball at the just-concluded FIFA World Cup. Messi's bid to win a second World Cup title ended in heartbreak as Argentina suffered a 1-0 defeat to Spain in Sunday's final.

NEW JERSEY, July 20 — Spanish teenagers Lamine Yamal and Pau Cubarsi joined an exclusive group of football greats after helping their country win the 2026 FIFA World Cup with a 1-0 extra-time victory over Argentina in Sunday's final. Ferran Torres scored the decisive goal in extra time as Spain edged Argentina after 120 minutes to claim the title at the World Cup final in New Jersey.