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FIFA Facing Calls to Strip United States of 2026 World Cup
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FIFA is facing calls to strip the United States of the right to host the 2026 World Cup over safety fears in the wake of the death of Charlie Kirk.
Conservative activist Kirk was shot and killed during an appearance at Utah Valley University (UVU) on Wednesday at the age of 31.
Kirk was responding to a question about gun violence when he was shot around 12:20 local time. He was taken to hospital but later died, with US President Donald Trump announcing his death on social media.
Utah police confirmed two suspects had been taken into custody after the shooting but were subsequently released, with a manhunt still underway.
The shooting comes amid an increased level of violence related to political disagreements in the US. Trump himself was shot in an assassination attempt in July, while another alleged attempt on his life was made at his West Palm Beach golf course in September.
Ryan Wesley Routh, 59, is accused of attempting to kill the President, with his trial in Florida starting this week.
Nearly 47,000 people died of gun-related injuries in the United States in 2023, according to the latest available statistics from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC).
Kirk’s death has reignited the debate over gun control in the US and whether the country can guarantee the safety of supporters travelling to the 2026 World Cup, which it will co-host with neighbouring Canada and Mexico.
Some football fans on social media have demanded that football’s world governing body FIFA strip the US of hosting rights.
One fan posted on X: “The World Cup can never be hosted in America. How will they handle the safety of both players and supporters?”
While another wrote: “How can you have a World Cup in that country? Seriously.”
FIFA has given no indication that it plans to prevent the US co-hosting the World Cup.
After a fatal shooting at Kansas City Chiefs’ Super Bowl celebrations last year, a FIFA spokesperson told The Athletic the governing body was working to ensure the “best” standards of safety would be in place for the World Cup.
“Fan and player safety and security is an essential part of the overall operations of the FIFA World Cup,” the spokesperson said.
“We continue to work closely with Federal, state, tribal and municipal authorities, along with the host city committees, to set the best safety and security standards for the tournament in 2026.”
After violent protests against Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) policies broke out in World Cup host city Los Angeles in June, FIFA president Gianni Infantino – who has a close relationship with Trump – moved to ease fans’ concerns about the World Cup.
“No, I don’t have any concerns about anything in the sense that we are very attentive on any security question,” he said.
“Of course, the most important for us is to guarantee security for all the fans who come to the games. This is our priority. This is the priority of all the authorities who are here.
“And we want everyone who comes to the games to pass a good moment.”
FIFA has never stripped hosting rights from a country for the World Cup. However, there have been two notable occasions where original host nations have been removed for an international FIFA tournament.
Colombia was originally awarded the 1986 World Cup but, four years before the tournament, it informed FIFA it could not meet the infrastructure and financial demands required. FIFA subsequently reassigned the tournament to Mexico, which hosted instead.
Meanwhile, Indonesia were removed as hosts for the FIFA U20 World Cup in 2023. The decision was taken after the Indonesian football federation (PSSI) said it had cancelled the tournament draw because the governor of Bali had refused to host Israel.
• Culled from FIFA Site
Nigeria’s Super Falcons will begin the defence of their Women’s Africa Cup of Nations (WAFCON) title when they take on tournament debutants Malawi at the Al Medina Stadium in Rabat on Tuesday night. The reigning African champions head into the encounter as overwhelming favourites, but are expected to face a determined Malawi side eager to make a memorable first appearance at the continental showpiece.
The Super Falcons lifted the trophy last year after a dramatic 3-2 comeback victory over hosts Morocco in the final, reaffirming their status as Africa’s most successful women’s national team. However, Morocco’s emphatic 4-0 victory over Kenya in Sunday’s opening match has underlined the fierce competition awaiting Nigeria as they seek to retain their crown.
Despite Malawi’s debut status, the Scorchers possess dangerous attacking threats in sisters Tabitha and Temwa Chawinga, whose pace and finishing ability could trouble any defence. Coach Lovemore Fazili also boasts experienced players including defenders Ireen Khumalo, Olivia Phikani and Benadetta Mkandawire, midfielders Rose Kadzere, Letticia Chinyamula and Faith Chinzimu, as well as forwards Vanessa Chikupira and Deborah Henry.
Malawi head into the tournament with mixed results, having suffered friendly defeats to Morocco and Ghana over the past year, while earning a respectable draw against Zambia before comfortably overcoming Angola in their final qualifying fixture. The Scorchers will be hoping to upset the defending champions and announce their arrival on the continental stage in style.
Super Falcons head coach Justine Madugu has warned against complacency, insisting his players will treat Malawi with the respect they deserve. Speaking ahead of the match in Rabat, Madugu said every team that qualified for the tournament had earned its place and should not be underestimated. He stressed that Nigeria would remain focused on its mission of successfully defending the WAFCON title.
Anthony Joshua remains on course for a showdown with British heavyweight rival Tyson Fury later this year after recovering from being knocked down inside 20 seconds to secure a second-round knockout of Kristian Prenga in a wild clash in Jeddah.
Joshua endured a dismal first three minutes, hitting the canvas twice, firstly from a vicious uppercut, with the Albanian knockout specialist eyeing a seismic shock.
However, Prenga was demolished shortly after by right hands in AJ’s first outing since he was a passenger in a car crash last December that killed close friends Sina Ghami and Latif ‘Latz’ Ayodele.
Arsenal are reportedly considering the possibility of signing Real Madrid superstar Vinícius Júnior in what could become one of the biggest transfer stories of the summer.
According to respected transfer journalist David Ornstein, the Gunners have internally approved the idea of pursuing the Brazilian winger if he fails to agree a new contract with the Spanish giants.
While there have been no club-to-club negotiations at this stage, the interest is said to have the backing of Arsenal’s hierarchy, with the North London club closely monitoring the player’s contract situation.
Vinícius has entered the final 12 months of his current deal at Real Madrid, raising questions about his long-term future at the Santiago Bernabéu. Madrid are keen to avoid losing one of their biggest stars on a free transfer and are also mindful of a substantial loyalty bonus that would become due if he remains at the club into next season.
Despite the growing speculation, the move remains in its early stages, with no formal talks having taken place between the clubs. However, Ornstein reports that Vinícius is among Arsenal’s primary transfer targets should an opportunity arise.
The Brazilian international has established himself as one of the world’s top attacking players since joining Real Madrid, playing a key role in the club’s domestic and European successes. Any potential deal would likely require a significant transfer fee and a major financial commitment from Arsenal.
For now, Arsenal are keeping a close watch on developments, with Vinícius’ contract negotiations expected to determine whether the Premier League side can turn their ambitious interest into a formal pursuit.
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