Growing the women’s game (April 2026)

Inside FIFA reviews some of the recent development work in women's football across diverse regions of the world during April 2026 including activity across much of the globe, plus 2023 co-hosts New Zealand reach Brazil 2027. 

Women's Football Campaign, Bhutan

FIFA Forward Awards 2026 – Americas Edition winners announced

The FIFA Forward Awards – Americas Edition recognise outstanding infrastructure projects supported by the FIFA Forward Programme.  FIFA MAs from Anguilla, Argentina, Chile, Costa Rica, Dominican Republic, Mexico and Paraguay were honoured.

FIFA President Gianni Infantino poses for a picture with Paraguay FA President Robert Harrison during the handling of the FIFA Forward Awards

Request for Expression of Interest (REOI) for the Design of a Football for Protection Toolkit for Coaches and the Development of a Football for Protection Training Kit 

The FIFA Foundation Refugee Programme aims to provide safe access to football for forcibly displaced people, particularly young adults, women and girls, from vulnerable communities.

Islana™ unveiled as FIFA U-20 Women’s World Cup 2026™ mascot 

As the European country prepares to host the 12th edition of the FIFA U-20 Women’s World Cup™, the tournament’s Official Mascot, Islana™, is gearing up to welcome the global football family to her homeland. 

FIFA U-20 WOMEN'S WORLD CUP 2026 - Islana Official Mascot

Tenth anniversary book takes behind-the-scenes look at Gianni Infantino's FIFA Presidency

FIFA has published a book which delves behind the scenes and tells some remarkable stories from Gianni Infantino's first 10 years as FIFA President. 

FORWARD The revolution of football

FIFA International Player Transfer Course 2026 launched

FIFA has launched the 2026 edition of the FIFA International Player Transfer Course, a four-day educational initiative providing a hands-on approach to all aspects of the international transfer process.

Adjudicatory chamber of the independent Ethics Committee sanctions Ian Alves

The adjudicatory chamber of the independent Ethics Committee has banned Mr Ian Alves, former General Secretary of the Guyana Football Federation (GFF), from all football-related activities for a duration of five years.

FIFA flag

FIFA joins United Nations in support of International Volunteer Year 2026

FIFA has enthusiastically supported the United Nations for its International Year of Volunteers for Sustainable Development initiative.

FIFA joins United Nations in support of International Volunteer Year

FIFA President has made ‘real and meaningful progress’ in the fight against racism

Two years after the FIFA Congress took a historic global stand against racism, FIFA President Gianni Infantino has told the 211 FIFA Member Associations (MAs) that “real and meaningful” progress has been made to remove the scourge from the sport.

FIFA Legends and Players’ Voice Panel (PVP) members join FIFA President Gianni Infantino on stage 

Investing in the future: Jill Ellis and Arsène Wenger call for renewed commitment to women and youth

FIFA’s Chief Football Officer Jill Ellis and FIFA Chief of Global Football Development Arsène Wenger stressed the need for a renewed commitment to investing in women’s football and youth development. 

Jill Ellis, Chief Football Officer of FIFA, speaks during the 76th FIFA Congress

FIFA President Gianni Infantino tells 76th FIFA Congress he will stand for re-election in 2027

FIFA President Gianni Infantino thanked the 211 FIFA Member Associations (MAs) for their support and progress over the last 10 years as he addressed the 76th FIFA Congress in Vancouver, Canada, and announced that he will stand for re-election in 2027. 

FIFA President Gianni Infantino speaks at the 76th FIFA Congress

76th FIFA Congress - Global Stand Against Racism

76th FIFA Congress 2026 | Global Stand Against Racism

FIFA Congress highlights the FIFA World Cup™ as a vehicle to unite the world and renews its pledge to stamp out racism in football

The FIFA Congress gathered in Vancouver, Canada, on 30 April 2026 and underscored how the upcoming FIFA World Cup™ in North America will bring together people from across the globe in a spirit of harmony and respect.

FIFA President Gianni Infantino speaks at the 76th FIFA Congress 

76th FIFA Congress 2026 | FIFA President's Address

Pierluigi Collina, Chairman of the FIFA Referees Committee, speaks during the 76th FIFA Congress 

76th FIFA Congress 2026 | Chairman of the FIFA Referees Committee Pierluigi Collina

FIFA Chief Football Officer Jill Ellis speaks at the 76th FIFA Congress

76th FIFA Congress 2026 | FIFA Chief Football Officer Jill Ellis

FIFA Chief of Global Football Development Arsène Wenger speaks during the 76th FIFA Congress

76th FIFA Congress 2026 | FIFA Chief of Global Football Development Arsène Wenger

General view during the 76th FIFA Congress

General view of delegates attending the 76th FIFA Congress 

FIFA Legends attend the 76th FIFA Congress

A general view of FIFA President Gianni Infantino and FIFA Legends on stage as part of the Global Stand Against Racism in Football during the 76th FIFA Congress

FIFA President Gianni Infantino on stage with FIFA Legends as part of the Global Stand Against Racism in Football during the 76th FIFA Congress 

Global Stand Against Racism at the 76th FIFA Congress 

FIFA President Gianni Infantino and the Chairman of the FIFA Referees Committee, Pierluigi Collina, pose during the 76th FIFA Congress

FIFA President Gianni Infantino speaks during the 76th FIFA Congress

Chairman of the FIFA Referees Committee Pierluigi Collina and FIFA Chief Football Officer Jill Ellis attend during the 76th FIFA Congress

Chairman of the FIFA Referees Committee Pierluigi Collina speaks during the 76th FIFA Congress

FIFA President Gianni Infantino, FIFA Secretary General Mattias Grafström, and the FIFA World Cup Trophy during the 76th FIFA Congress

The FIFA World Cup Trophy is displayed during the 76th FIFA Congress

FIFA Chief Football Officer Jill Ellis speaks during the 76th FIFA Congress

FIFA Chief of Global Football Development Arsene Wenger speaks during the 76th FIFA Congress 

FIFA President Gianni Infantino speaks during the 76th FIFA Congress 

76th FIFA Congress 2026

Be Active launches for FIFA World Cup 2026™, bringing joy to First Nation children

A fun-packed festival of football was enjoyed by local children ahead of the 76th FIFA Congress when legends joined a string of skills and drills sessions, as FIFA launched its special edition of the Be Active campaign for the FIFA World Cup 2026™. 

FIFA World Cup mascots Maple the Moose, Zayu the Jaguar, and Clutch the Bald Eagle pose for a photo with children during the BeActive Training Session

President Gianni Infantino - FIFA Volunteer Community

Argentina v Portugal: Semi-Final - FIFA Futsal Women's World Cup

SE Palmeiras  v Botafogo FR: Round Of 16 - FIFA Club World Cup 2025

FIFA Volunteers at the FIFA Beach Soccer World Cup 2025

Vibrant and unifying FIFA World Cup 2026™ volunteer uniform revealed

Netherlands v Portugal: Group E - FIFA Women's World Cup Australia & New Zealand 2023

FIFA Volunteers community 

First FIFA Arena in Canada inaugurated in Township of Langley, British Columbia

The township of Langley, British Columbia, has celebrated a historic milestone ahead of the FIFA World Cup 2026™ with the official opening of the first FIFA Arena facility in Canada.

 Elkhan Mammadov, FIFA Chief Member Associations Officer, Peter Augruso, President of the Canadian Soccer Association, and Eric Woodward, Mayor of the Township of Langley

Fan-friendly Concacaf House officially opens in Vancouver ahead of 76th FIFA Congress

The football cultures of the diverse nations that make up North and Central America and the Caribbean were celebrated at the official opening and ribbon-cutting ceremony of Concacaf House in Vancouver, Canada

Opening of the Concacaf House

FIFA President Gianni Infantino in action during the Delegation Football Tournament

Lydia Monyepao and Samuel Eto'o during the Delegation Football Tournament

Philippe Senderos and Davor Suker during the Delegation Football Tournament

Action shot from the Delegation Football Tournament

Team Canada celebrates with the trophy after winning the Delegation Football Tournament

FIFA Legends Formiga and Cafu during the Delegation Football Tournament

 FIFA Vice President and Concacaf President Victor Montagliani in action during the Delegation Football Tournament 

FIFA President Gianni Infantino poses for a photo during the Delegation Football Tournament

Team CONMEBOL poses for a photo during the Delegation Football Tournament 

Team OFC poses for a photo during the Delegation Football Tournament

Team FIFA poses for a photo during the Delegation Football Tournament

Team UEFA poses for a photo during the Delegation Football Tournament 

Team CAF poses for a photo during the Delegation Football Tournament 

Team AFC poses for a photo during the Delegation Football Tournament

Team Concacaf poses for a photo during the Delegation Football Tournament

Cobi Jones shoots the ball during the Delegation Football Tournament 

Andriy Shevchenko (R) dribbles the ball during the Delegation Football Tournament

Group photo during the Delegation Football Tournament

FIFA Congress 2026 | Delegation Football Tournament

General view of the 76th FIFA Congress

76th FIFA Congress 2026 - Full Video

“The message of the Be Active campaign is so important – physical activity helps promote mental health and general well-being in any individual", said Jackson Farmer.

Representing the Musqueam, Squamish and Tsleil-Waututh First Nations, young players aged between eight and 12 were put through their paces by former Vancouver Whitecaps and Canada national team players Russell Teibert and Jackson Farmer. 

Long-running FIFA campaign delivers football clinics for youth ahead of FIFA Congress Delegates’ Football Tournament.

More than 40 children from the Musqueam, Squamish and Tsleil-Waututh Nations joined FIFA Legends  .

The launch of the “Be Active” campaign for the FIFA World Cup 2026™ brought joy to First Nations children.

"You could see that on the faces of the children who were smiling and able to enjoy the company of players they really admire.”

“It’s been amazing for the youth to get out here and enjoy spending time with FIFA Legends", said Russell Teibert

Maple the Moose, Zayu the Jaguar and Clutch the Bald Eagle were also present at the event, much to the delight of the children.

This campaign, developed jointly by FIFA and the World Health Organization (WHO), aims to promote the WHO recommendation that children should engage in 60 minutes of physical activity per day.

Decked in yellow Be Active t-shirts, participants helped to launch the campaign.

Be Active launches for FIFA World Cup 2026™

260429 FIFA Council Announce_3870.jpg

FIFA Council decision has helped Afghan women “regain our identity”

“A transformed confederation”: FIFA President praises OFC’s commitment to football development

The Oceania Football Confederation (OFC) is a “transformed confederation” thanks to its efforts to develop football in the region, FIFA President Gianni Infantino said in his address to the 32nd OFC Ordinary Congress in Vancouver, Canada.

FIFA President Gianni Infantino speaks at the 32nd OFC Congress in Vancouver, Canada

Afghan female players say they have regained their identity following the FIFA Council’s decision allow them to represent their country in official international matches. 

Players of Afghan Women United pose for a picture

Draw date for this year’s FIFA U-17 World Cup™ and FIFA U-17 Women’s World Cup™ confirmed

FIFA has confirmed that the official draws for the next editions of the FIFA U-17 World Cup™ and the FIFA U-17 Women’s World Cup™ will be held at the FIFA headquarters in Zurich on 21 May 2026.

U17 World Cup draw

FIFA President Gianni Infantino speaks during meeting no. 36 of the FIFA Council in Vancouver, Canada

FIFA Council increases record financial distribution for FIFA World Cup 2026™

FIFA and AFC enable Afghan women to represent their country in official matches through landmark governance reform 

The FIFA Council today approved a momentous amendment to the FIFA Governance Regulations, which enables Afghan female players – including members of Afghan Women United – to represent their country in official international matches as part of FIFA.

Afghan Women United shirt

Group photo during the FIFA Arena inauguration in Langley

First FIFA Arena in Canada inaugurated 

CAF President Patrice Motsepe speaks during meeting no. 36 of the FIFA Council in Vancouver, Canada

General view during meeting no. 36 of the FIFA Council in Vancouver, Canada

FIFA President Gianni Infantino during meeting no. 36 of the FIFA Council in Vancouver, Canada

FIFA President Gianni Infantino presents a pennant to Canadian Soccer Association President Peter Augruso

FIFA President Gianni Infantino and AFC President Shaikh Salman bin Ebrahim Al Khalifa during meeting no. 36 of the FIFA Council in Vancouver, Canada

Meeting no. 36 of the FIFA Council

FIFA Council increases record financial distribution to all 48 Participating Member Associations at the FIFA World Cup 2026™

The FIFA Council met ahead of the 76th FIFA Congress in Vancouver, Canada, a Host City for the FIFA World Cup 2026™, 44 days before the kick-off of the tournament.

FIFA Referee Committee Chairman Pierluigi Collina

Special Meeting of The IFAB in Vancouver, Canada

The IFAB unanimously approves red card for players covering their mouths to conceal discriminatory behaviour

At a Special Meeting held in Vancouver, Canada, The IFAB unanimously approved two FIFA-proposed Law amendments to address discriminatory and inappropriate behaviour.

Group photo during the Special Meeting of The IFAB in Vancouver, Canada

General view during the Special Meeting of The IFAB in Vancouver, Canada

FIFA President Gianni Infantino speaks during the Special Meeting of The IFAB in Vancouver, Canada

FIFA Vice-President and Concacaf President Victor Montagliani speaks during the Special Meeting of The IFAB in Vancouver, Canada

FIFA Chief Football Officer Jill Ellis and FIFA Chief of Global Football Development Arsène Wenger during the Special Meeting of The IFAB in Vancouver, Canada

FIFA Secretary General Mattias Grafström and FIFA Council Member Hany Abo Rida during the Special Meeting of The IFAB in Vancouver, Canada

Chairman of the FIFA Referees Committee Pierluigi Collina during the Special Meeting of The IFAB in Vancouver, Canada

FIFA President Gianni Infantino and FIFA Vice President and Concacaf President Vittorio Montagliani during the Special Meeting of The IFAB in Vancouver, Canada

FIFA has unveiled the official volunteer uniform for the FIFA World Cup 2026™, featuring a bold and uplifting design that tournament volunteers will wear as they welcome the world in style. 

Daddy Yankee and Shenseea join forces on Echo, the third single from the Official FIFA World Cup 2026™ Album 

Today, the Official FIFA World Cup 2026™ Album unveils its third single, Echo, ushering in the next chapter of its star-studded line-up. 

Echo, the third single from the Official FIFA World Cup 2026™ Album 

In Paris, FIFA celebrates a new generation of women’s football leaders

The final stage of FIFA’s Women in Football Leadership Programme convened in Paris last week, marking a key milestone for a new generation of leaders in the global game.

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