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FIFA has introduced new, more expensive ticket categories for the 2026 World Cup, with top prices for some matches exceeding $4,000 and the final reaching nearly $11,000. The move has drawn criticism from fans and officials, while FIFA defends the pricing as reflecting US market conditions.
FIFA has launched disciplinary proceedings against Spain's football federation after Spanish fans directed anti-Muslim chants at Egypt during a friendly. The incident has drawn widespread condemnation from players, officials, and the government, and has renewed scrutiny of racism in Spanish football.
Burkina Faso's military leader Ibrahim Traoré said in a state-broadcast interview that democracy is "not for us" and people must "forget" it. The junta has dissolved the electoral commission, banned political parties, and extended its rule for five more years, drawing UN criticism as it fights a decade-long jihadist insurgency.
Italy's football federation president Gabriele Gravina resigned and head coach Gennaro Gattuso stepped down after Italy failed to qualify for the 2026 World Cup, a third consecutive miss. Gianluigi Buffon also resigned as general manager, prompting calls for broader reform in Italian football.
Iraq and DR Congo claimed the last two spots in the 48-team 2026 World Cup field, completing the lineup for the first tournament to feature the expanded format. Iraq beat Bolivia 2-1, while DR Congo edged Jamaica 1-0 after extra time, setting up group assignments in the June-July tournament co-hosted by the U.S., Canada, and Mexico.