FIFA World Cup '26: News & Analysis

🚨 OFFICIAL: Dani Carvajal is NOT going to the World Cup. pic.twitter.com/gtN29wV1uC

— Madrid Xtra (@MadridXtra) May 12, 2026

 

Most watched? Most guarded? Most monitored?

Ah! The ball contains a tracker.

 

🇸🇪 ¡SUECIA ANUNCIÓ SUS CONVOCADOS PARA EL MUNDIAL!

Con algunas ausencias sorpresivas, Graham Potter confirmó los 26 futbolistas que jugarán la decimotercera Copa del Mundo de esta selección. Gyökeres, Isak y Lindelöf las grandes figuras, pero hay mas. Repasemos. pic.twitter.com/Z3r71nGSjC

— Nahuel Lanzón (@nahuelzn) May 12, 2026

 

'Infantino's headache file: FIFA can't get the World Cup sold in India and China'
With about a month to go until the 2026 World Cup, FIFA has still not signed any television deals in China and India. According to The Guardian, this causes considerable concern for FIFA President Gianni Infantino, because it concerns two of the largest markets in the world.

Asking 100million from India and between 250 and 300 million from China.
India however offers around 20 million and China offers only a fraction of the 300.
Infantino aimed at 5 billion in tv deals.

 

Why is this? Is it political? Are they asking a lot more than last time? Is the time difference an issue? Is it a power play with those nations wanting something in addition to TV rights for their money? Did they not like the way 2034 was stitched up for Saudi Arabia? Or is it simply not worth it as those nationals haven't qualified?

 

A reason might be that youngsters tend to watch clips on tiktok etc. and that, with the times of broadcasts makes advertisers not keen on paying much for commercials.

 

Not a great start if this isn't resolved...fast

🚨🇮🇶 NEW: The US has reportedly denied visas for five Iraqi players ahead of the World Cup next month

Luton Town striker Ali al-Hamadi is among them

[@Ntv_Iraq]

— Politics Global (@PolitlcsGlobal) May 12, 2026

 

That's a big New York middle finger to New Jersey.

 

The train tickets were supposed to start selling 22 minutes ago, but I get an error that says they'll go on sale on May 13, 2026 at 12:00 AM (That is EDT). Doh! Still can't buy bus tickets for Final. At least they are cheaper whenever they let us buy them.

 

US yellow school buses are iconic. Will remind people of old TV shows like the Simpsons. Probably fun to ride for a short distance as a one off but are adults going to be very uncomfortable for this journey?

Good to see that they're making an effort to provide good value transport. I think Scotland fans had privately arranged similar for their matches in Boston.

 

It's a great marketing stunt for Highland Fleets. Now they don't have to wait 2 years to become ubiquitous.

 

These reports are false. No Iraqis have had their visas denied, and al-Hamadi already has his visa.

 

Don't spoil his fun. The World Cup is going to be a complete failure because Canadians are a bit miffed.

 

I hated the single player walkouts. Way too long and noone cares about Curaçao's left back.

 

They will probably hire Michael Buffer to introduce them all. Completely unnecessary hype.