Gianni Infantino launches FIFA Boots for All in Mexico, meets pioneering women footballers

FIFA President Gianni Infantino has visited the FMF newly renovated High Performance Centre (CAR) and taken part in the launch of the FIFA Boots for All programme in the country, which will co-host the FIFA World Cup 2026™ with Canada and the United States

FIFA President Gianni Infantino visiting the Mexican Football Federation’s (FMF) newly renovated High Performance Centre (CAR) 

FIFA President attends re-opening of Mexico City Stadium

FIFA President Gianni Infantino has attended the official reopening of the Mexico City Stadium, as the historic arena, where Pelé and Diego Maradona both enjoyed their finest FIFA World Cup™ moments, prepares to host the tournament for a record third time.

FIFA President Gianni Infantino waves to supporters during a friendly match between Mexico and Portugal

Mendes and the Blue Sharks jump into the deep end

Almost two years ago to the day, Cabo Verde competed in the pilot edition of the FIFA Series™. The event marked the start of the team's run-up to the FIFA World Cup 2026 qualifiers. 

Chile v Cape Verde - FIFA Series 2026

‘The world will stand still’ for FIFA World Cup 2026™ says FIFA President

FIFA President Gianni Infantino told the FII PRIORITY investment Summit in Miami that the FIFA World Cup will deliver a huge economic impact and predicted ‘the world will stand still’ for the tournament.

FIFA President at FII Priority 2026

Final FIFA World Cup 2026™ places to be decided in Mexico on 31 March

The final two slots for the FIFA World Cup 2026™ will be up for grabs in Mexico on Tuesday, 31 March 2026 when DR Congo face Jamaica at Estadio Guadalajara (15:00 local time) and Iraq play Bolivia at Estadio Monterrey (21:00 local time). 

Bolivia v Suriname - FIFA World Cup 2026 Play-Off Tournament

Toronto Stadium completes major upgrades ahead of FIFA World Cup 2026™

All major upgrades at the expanded Toronto Stadium have been successfully completed with The City of Toronto and Maple Leaf Sports & Entertainment (MLSE) delighted to have reached this major milestone in their preparations for the FIFA World Cup 2026™.

Toronto Stadium | Photo: City of Toronto

Growing the women’s game (March 2026)

Inside FIFA reviews some of the recent development work in diverse regions of the world during March 2026 including activity across much of Africa and elsewhere, the first qualifiers for 2027 and the FIFA Player Impact Programme builds momentum. 

Women’s Football Campaign, Bitola, North Macedonia

Chile participate in FIFA Series 2026™ with long-term goal in mind

Chile face host nation New Zealand and Cabo Verde, both of which are FIFA World Cup-bound, in Auckland. Head coach Nicolás Córdova discusses national team's progress, youth development and importance of international competition .

Cavo Verde Head Coach Pedro Leitão Brito, Chile Head Coach Nicolás Córdova, Finland Head Coach Jacob Friis and New Zealand Head Coach Darren Bazeley

Global sponsorship packages for FIFA World Cup 2026™ sold out

FIFA has confirmed that all global sponsorship packages for this year’s FIFA World Cup™ have now been sold, marking a major milestone for the tournament’s commercial programme. This includes both FIFA Partners and FIFA World Cup 2026™ Sponsors.

FIFA Secretary General Mattias Grafström visits Atlanta as momentum builds around U.S. Soccer Federation development

FIFA Secretary General Mattias Grafström visited Atlanta this week, where preparations for the FIFA World Cup 2026™ continue to gather pace, alongside significant long-term investments shaping the future of football in the United States.

FIFA Secretary General Mattias Grafström visits Atlanta 

Gianni Infantino ‘proud’ as Cotton-4 plus apparel makes FIFA programme debut in Cameroon

Children at FIFA Football for Schools launch in Yaoundé, Cameroon, are first to wear apparel produced in West African Cotton-4 plus countries

WTO/ F4S Event in Cameroon

Daring, Delighting, Delivering: Uzbekistan living its football dream

Football in Uzbekistan is breaking through, driven by increasing interest, targeted investment and historic success. The Uzbekistan Football Association (UFA) is by no means entering uncharted territory by hosting major FIFA tournaments. 

Uzbekistan team lines up prior to a FIFA World Cup 2026 qualifier

North Macedonia dreaming of debut on biggest stage

North Macedonia stand on the brink of writing a new chapter by qualifying for the FIFA World Cup 2026™. Football has burgeoned in the Balkan country in recent years, thanks in no small part to FIFA’s support, particularly through the FIFA Forward Programme

Italy v North Macedonia: Knockout Round Play-Offs - 2022 FIFA World Cup Qualifier

Ethics Committee opens formal proceedings against Congolese Football Association officials in relation to alleged financial misconduct

The investigatory chamber of the independent Ethics Committee has opened formal proceedings against three senior officials of the Congolese Football Association (FECOFOOT) in connection with alleged financial misconduct involving FIFA funds.

FIFA emblem at the Home of FIFA

FIFA World Cup 2026™ Last-Minute Sales Phase to start on Wednesday, 1 April 

Following on from the Random Selection Draw period, additional tickets for the FIFA World Cup 2026™ will go on sale to the general public from 11:00 ET/17:00 CET on Wednesday, 1 April.

Last-Minute ticket sales

Kyrgyz Republic football takes another step forward with FIFA Talent Academy milestone event

Football in the Kyrgyz Republic has made significant progress in the last three years since the country joined the FIFA Talent Development Scheme (TDS). 

FIFA Talent Development Scheme - Kyrgyz Republic

New Zealand’s Darren Bazeley set to achieve unique FIFA World Cup first

When Darren Bazeley travelled to New Zealand to continue his professional journey, little did he know he was taking his first steps in breaking a never-before-seen FIFA record.

New Zealand v United States: Men's Football - Olympic Games Paris 2024: Day 1

Darren Bazeley set to achieve unique FIFA World Cup first

FIFA Secretary General sees “performance and innovation come together” on KNVB Campus visit

On his first visit to the KNVB Campus since being appointed FIFA Secretary General, Mattias Grafström was excited to witness first-hand the developments that are taking place in Zeist as the Dutch national team prepare for the FIFA World Cup 2026™. 

FIFA SG visits KNVB Campus

FIFA, UNODC and global lawmakers unite in Zurich to strengthen fight against racism in football

Lawmakers from across the globe joined football stakeholders at the Home of FIFA in Zürich, Switzerland, last week for a two-day expert-group hearing aimed at strengthening criminal justice responses to racism in football.

FIFA and UNODC Expert Group Hearing

Revised FIFA Series 2026™ schedule includes addition of fourth women’s group hosted in Kenya

The addition of four women’s national teams and a new Host Member Association (MA), Kenya, as well as unanticipated logistical developments on the men’s side, has prompted a slight revision of the FIFA Series 2026™ schedule. 

FIFA Series 2026

FIFA launches fifth edition of Executive Programme in Sports Arbitration

FIFA has launched the fifth edition of its Executive Programme in Sports Arbitration, which provides participants with a theoretical and practical guide to proceedings before the Court of Arbitration for Sport (CAS).

01_heroimage_sports_arbitration

FIFA Arena project goes mobile as Gianni Infantino inaugurates first temporary mini-pitch in Paris

FIFA President takes part in match with FIFA Legends to officially open three-day event on historic Place de la Concorde in Paris, France.

FRANCE - PARIS - MARCH 22 - FIFA ARENA

Children to benefit as FIFA President Gianni Infantino launches FIFA Boots for All

FIFA has purchased 20,000 pairs of football boots to be handed out for free to children around the world during project’s pilot phase

Japan triumph as AFC Women’s Asian Cup sends strong signal for women’s football

The AFC Women’s Asian Cup Australia 2026 came to a spectacular close in Sydney as Japan defeated the hosts 1-0 to lift the continental title for the third time.

Japan lift the trophy, having won the 2026 Women's Asian Cup

World Cup Play-off Tournament nations reap FIFA Forward and Talent Development Scheme rewards

FIFA Member Associations (MAs) still need to work to develop football in their countries if they are to reach the highest level, and FIFA funding is there to help them via the FIFA Forward Programme.

Bolivia's forward Ramiro Vaca (C) celebrates with teammates

Official FIFA World Cup 2026™ Album kicks off with Lighter by Jelly Roll and Carín León, produced by Cirkut

Lighter is the first single release, bringing Canada, Mexico and the United States music talent in one song for the Official FIFA World Cup 2026™ Album representing all three nations

FWC26_official_album_16x9

FIFA President Gianni Infantino

FIFA Council approves landmark regulations to increase female coach representation at the highest level

FIFA Council highlights power of football and the FIFA World Cup™ to build bridges and promote peace

FIFA Disciplinary Committee sanctions Israel Football Association

The FIFA Disciplinary Committee has decided that the Israel Football Association (IFA) has committed multiple breaches of its obligations as a FIFA Member Association.

Japan v New Caledonia:  FIFA Under-17 World Cup

FIFA’s steadfast commitment to peace and unity was at the core of the online FIFA Council meeting held at the Home of FIFA in Zurich, Switzerland, at which FIFA President Gianni Infantino called for peace.

FIFA Council Meeting 2026

The FIFA Council has today approved groundbreaking regulations that will reshape the future of women’s football, mandating female representation in team leadership across all its women’s competitions. 

FIFA Women's Football Elite Performance Coach Mentorship Programme

FIFA meets with African Union Sports Council and Council of Europe to discuss social impact initiatives

A meeting has been held at the Home of FIFA in Zurich, bringing together representatives from the African Union Sports Council and the Council of Europe to exchange views on how football can contribute to social progress.

FIFA Meeting with Governmental Organisations Representatives 12 March 2026

Agenda for FIFA Council meeting now available

The agenda for the upcoming FIFA Council meeting, to be held by videoconference on Thursday, 19 March 2026 at 15:00 CET, is now available.

FIFA/Coca-Cola World Rankings go live with real-time updates during men’s and women’s national team matches

The FIFA/Coca-Cola World Rankings will now be updated live in an exciting and innovative change that will mean fans can see where their country ranks as goals are scored in matches around the world.

FIFA - FIFA Rankings graphic

FIFA’s Football for Schools programme launched in Japan

Launch event took place at Ota City General Gymnasium in Tokyo

FIFA Football for Schools - Japan Football Association

Fiji gets FIFA Arena mini-pitch, first in Oceania

Fiji has become the first country in Oceania to inaugurate a FIFA Arena mini-pitch, meaning that the project, which aims to benefit children in underprivileged urban and rural areas around the world, is now active in all six confederations.

FIFA Arena in Fiji | Photo: Fiji Football Association

FIFA launches inaugural edition of Executive Programme on Compliance in Sport

Drawing on the expertise developed over many years, FIFA is delighted to launch the FIFA Executive Programme on Compliance in Sport. 

Compliance in sport programmee

FIFA enhances club management and governance across the Americas

FIFA has recently concluded a series of workshops aimed at strengthening club management and governance across Central America and the Caribbean.

FIFA Essential Course in Club Management Workshop

The fourth edition of the FIFA Technical Leadership Diploma kicks off in Paris

The 20-month training course began with a six-day workshop in Paris, France. The agenda is packed with theory sessions, hands-on exercises and an outing to Clairefontaine. 

All news, stories and more