England Forum - FIFA World Cup 2026: Other Teams Thread

I blame English not my being my native language

 

Trump has said he knew nothing about the FFE plan iirc just a day after it was "presented" by Infantile.

 

Statements like these won’t get the same retweets but they’re as, if not more, important than those European nations saying they’re withdrawing support for Gianni. If UEFA’s bloc fractures even a tiny bit, the whole thing can unravel. https://t.co/cLTtw2MmxZ

— Adam Crafton (@AdamCrafton_) August 3, 2026

Switzerland won’t condemn Infantino which means UEFA is not united.

Exclusive: Infantino opponents' plan to "paralyse" FIFA until he quits - including possible rival competition https://t.co/Z9NRTqZMke

— Martyn Ziegler (@martynziegler) August 3, 2026

Penny is dropping I fear on UEFA that Infantino is too entrenched to be removed

 

“I fear Infantino is too entrenched to be removed.”

Everyone else says he’s the walking dead.

I have a feeling that even after he’s removed in disgrace (and maybe prosecuted) you’ll say it’s just a temporary setback.

 

their sex people Lynne, they take underage girls on yachts

 

https://www.theguardian.com/footbal...awing-support-for-under-fire-gianni-infantino
CONCACAF counties are withdrawing support for Infantino but the USA is reluctant to do so for fear of Trump. However Infantino’s support in Asia is holding up and there is genuine concern he will be able to win a vote of no confidence and/or be re-elected.

What happens in Europe if Gianni Infantino digs in and the majority of global FAs don’t turn on the FIFA president?

More here https://t.co/hNVQwRGkwu

— Rob Harris (@RobHarris) August 4, 2026

BREAKING: FIFA secretary general Mattias Grafstrom calls abandoned World Cup sell-plan a "sad and reproachable series of events", which is "difficult to comprehend and accept", in internal staff message obtained by @SkyNews. No mention of Gianni Infantinohttps://t.co/IYw6oEzPNm

— Rob Harris (@RobHarris) August 4, 2026

 

🚨 FIFA chief Mattias Grafstrom tells staff that “individuals + unfortunate episodes come & go” as pressure mounts on Gianni Infantino. Adds: “sad & reproachable series of events… thankfully concluded with FFE project permanently abandoned” @TheAthleticFC https://t.co/zmVqMfDaSh

— David Ornstein (@David_Ornstein) August 4, 2026

 

Exclusive @TheAthleticFC

US host cities chasing FIFA for millions in payments they say were promised by FIFA towards legacy costs of World Cup. Cities verbally promised $1m each but not paid out by FIFA, who made $15 bn in World Cup cycle

Free to readhttps://t.co/RIi3ua8meK

— Adam Crafton (@AdamCrafton_) August 4, 2026

 

Jordan comes out strong (with many valid reasons) https://t.co/XQbETyk5X5

— Adam Crafton (@AdamCrafton_) August 4, 2026

Meanwhile Sepp Blatter has endorsed Norwegian FA president Lise Klaveness who is strong candidate but could cause a lot of political backlash within some countries due to her advocacy for Israel to be suspended (We got a taste of how that would be received by many politicians in England last year).

 

[QUOTE="Meanwhile Sepp Blatter has endorsed Norwegian FA president Lise Klaveness who is strong candidate but could cause a lot of political backlash within some countries due to her advocacy for Israel to be suspended (We got a taste of how that would be received by many politicians in England last year).[/QUOTE]
Lise Klaveness is female, correct? I’m not sure the er, “ less progressive” FAs would vote for a woman as FIFA president, and yet another European to boot! I think the smart play is if the head of CONCACAF - the guy with the Italian surname - were to run for president. Presumably, most of C’CAF and UEFA would vote for him. If AFC could also be persuaded, that should hopefully be enough to see him win.

 

I live in Los Angeles. Those ********ers owe us money.

 

https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/articles/c2k7p4nxdy4o
Infantino summons FIFA executives to Morocco (Where he is currently) for an urgent summit.

 

Meanwile somewhere in Switzerland

 

In the next U.S. administration, criminal charges will be filed both federal and state.

 

NEW: European Leagues organisation criticises proposal to expand the World Cup to 64 teams, and welcomes collapse of "dangerous" sell off plan.

The FIFA President's decision to abandon his ill-conceived FFE proposal that would have sold stakes in FIFA's commercial and…

— Martyn Ziegler (@martynziegler) August 5, 2026

Here we go, European Leagues clearly trying to use this to get their wish of a reduction of International Football. Does anyone think if they run the calendar they would allow any non summer international football matches unless absolutely forced to by outside pressure?

Nothing makes me think International football outside of tournaments has a short life span.

Alexander Ceferin wants the EFC to pull all support for the Club World Cup. 2029 edition has no location, format or funding model yet.

As revealed on @talkSPORT, European clubs angry the 2025 solidarity hasn't been paid.

Ceferin and Al-Khelaifi to hold talks next week.⬇️ https://t.co/XGP5ypO2DY

— Ben Jacobs (@JacobsBen) August 5, 2026

 

The junior party in Spain’s coalition Government has called for their cohosting with Morroco to be cancelled because of Morroco’s destabilising efforts on Spain.

Things could very dramatic quite soon.

 

Nonsense that it's time for a woman to be in charge of fifa. This is a man's game. Someone doesn't have the right based on their gender

 

As per @martynziegler Gianni Infantino is marshalling FIFA Legends for support

Even given the fantastic privileges greats like Ronaldo, Zidane, Beckham get at World Cups, it would be extraordinary act of self harm to support Infantino now

It would taint your brand forever

— Rob Draper (@draper_rob) August 5, 2026

https://www.reuters.com/sports/socc...tent&utm_medium=trueAnthem&utm_source=twitter
Meanwhile CAF’s members seem solidly behind Infantino.

 

Saudi silence as beleaguered Infantino promises 2030 World Cup final to Morocco. https://t.co/Ty2esUvsUs

— Martyn Ziegler (@martynziegler) August 5, 2026

 

This is completely contradictory. You can't simultaneously argue that somebody shouldn't be appointed to a senior role within FIFA because of their gender while also claiming the role has to go to a man.

There's absolutely no reason why a woman can't be in charge of FIFA. The role obviously has to go to the best available candidate but given the bar set by the last two presidents - both of whom were men - there's no reason why that can't be a woman. There'll be plenty who are more than good enough.

 

The Guardian has said its found evidence FIFA plotted to set up the Super League and to cut international football to two fortnightly batches of matches a year. https://www.theguardian.com/footbal...wanted-governing-body-name-european-breakaway

 

Refuses to resign and gets all his executives to back him, Sounds like he is threatening iegal action against UEFA! The whole statement sounds very North Korean/ Trumpian in its language.

BREAKING: Gianni Infantino & Mattias Grafström write in leaked letter:
"With the project withdrawn, FIFA will no longer tolerate any attacks on its integrity, good governance and due process and will take all necessary measures to protect and safeguard its name and reputation." pic.twitter.com/rGKcW0zFjP

— Rob Harris (@RobHarris) August 5, 2026

https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/articles/clyq3el5gkqo

UEFA must surely be thinking another boycott/quit threat is needed - say we will quit if he is relented next March - high stakes but it might do the trick.

 

I think Spain would totally pull out if that happened.

 

The current Spanish Goverment would. The one likely to be elected next year secretly loves Morocco now.