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For the second straight World Cup, women will referee on soccer's biggest stage, with FIFA selecting six female officials among 52 total referees. The 2026 tournament in North America will be the largest ever, featuring 48 teams and 104 matches.
Kenya's Josephine Wanjiku has earned a coveted spot officiating at the FIFA U-17 Women's World Cup, marking a milestone for East African women in international football. Her selection puts her on the global stage alongside the world's top referees.
After Somali referee Omar Artan was wrongly denied entry to the US for the World Cup, FIFA stepped up to pay his full tournament salary. The decision honors one of Africa's most respected officials and his shattered dream.
Nigeria's football federation just equipped 30 referees with official FIFA badges and a clear message: transparency matters. With league matches now broadcast live on up to eleven television stations, officials know the whole nation is watching.
Omar Artan was set to become Somalia's first World Cup referee before being denied U.S. entry at Miami airport. The continent's 2025 best referee now misses his historic moment after FIFA cut him from the tournament.
A Somali soccer referee was set to become the first from his nation to officiate at a FIFA World Cup, but U.S. entry denial ended his historic opportunity. The decision stopped what would have been a groundbreaking moment for Somali sports on the world's biggest stage.
Soccer's biggest problem just got a high-tech solution that could prevent injuries and keep the game flowing. FIFA unveiled advanced offside technology that lets referees make split-second calls instead of waiting through dangerous play.
Omar Artan was set to make history as the first Somali referee at a FIFA World Cup, but US travel restrictions blocked his journey. His hometown of Mogadishu welcomed him back as a hero anyway, celebrating what his achievement already means for Somalia.
Thousands of pizza sellers, drink vendors, and wing stand workers are getting official FIFA accreditation to work at Mexico's World Cup stadiums. Behind every cold beer and hot taco at this summer's games will be a FIFA-approved vendor who went through background checks and hours-long waits to serve fans.
Boston Dynamics' humanoid robot Atlas made history at the FIFA World Cup 2026, recreating iconic goal celebrations during halftime and delivering the match ball to the referee. The performance marks the first time advanced robotics technology has integrated into a live World Cup match environment.
When a World Cup referee went down with cramps during USA's win over Australia, striker Folarin Balogun stopped playing to help him stretch. The unexpected moment reminded everyone just how physically demanding soccer refereeing really is.
Morocco's youth football development program has impressed FIFA so much that the organization plans to replicate it across Africa. The Royal Moroccan Football Federation earned the recognition after two FIFA inspection visits revealed exceptional training methods and infrastructure.
Starting this September, every women's team in FIFA tournaments must have at least one female head coach or assistant coach on staff. The groundbreaking rule tackles a persistent problem: despite explosive growth in women's soccer, female coaches remain shockingly rare on the sidelines.
FIFA just unveiled a groundbreaking health program built on science designed specifically for female soccer players. After decades of training women using research developed for men, the sport's governing body is finally filling the knowledge gap.
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FIFA and the Board of Peace announced a partnership to rebuild Gaza through football, investing $75 million in pitches, leagues, and jobs for a community ready to heal. The plan includes 50 mini-pitches, a professional academy, and a 20,000-seat stadium.
FIFA is partnering with the Board of Peace to rebuild Gaza through football, investing $75 million in pitches, an academy, and a 20,000-seat stadium. The project aims to create jobs and engage youth while supporting reconstruction efforts.
FIFA stands firm on inclusivity, permitting LGBTQ+ flags at all 2026 World Cup matches including a Seattle game during Pride weekend. The decision marks a shift from the 2022 tournament's restrictive approach.
Afghan women footballers can now compete in official international matches after FIFA changed its rules, creating a path to the World Cup and Olympics. The historic decision allows players who fled Taliban rule to represent their country on the world stage.
Afghan women footballers forced to flee the Taliban can now compete officially as their country's national team, thanks to a historic FIFA rule change. It's a powerful victory for athletes who refused to let their dreams be silenced.
FIFA President Gianni Infantino withdrew controversial plans to sell stakes in World Cup competitions to private investors after facing unified opposition from football federations worldwide. The stunning reversal shows that when the global football community speaks with one voice, it can protect the sport's integrity.
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