Gianni Infantino's leadership of FIFA has been "badly shaken" after the president was forced into a dramatic U-turn, abandoning his controversial proposal to sell off commercial shares in the World Cup. The retreat follows fierce backlash and boycott threats from European football.
Cape Verde goalkeeper Vozinha is set to pull off a dramatic transfer U-turn after failing to board his flight to complete a move to South American giants Colo-Colo. The 40-year-old shot-stopper has received a lucrative late offer to reunite with his former national team manager, throwing the Chilean club's pre-season planning into total disarray.
FIFA president Gianni Infantino has abandoned his controversial proposal to sell a stake in the commercial operation of the World Cup and other tournaments to private investors after a fierce global backlash, a threatened UEFA boycott and open revolt from senior officials inside the governing body. His own future is now reportedly in serious doubt.
Prime Minister Andy Burnham has branded Gianni Infantino the wrong man to lead FIFA following widespread backlash over plans for private equity to sell stakes in the World Cup. Burnham condemned the controversial commercial proposals after a senior adviser resigned and key regional confederations united to oppose the governing body’s blueprint.
Casemiro has expressed his delight after completing a free transfer to Inter Miami, calling new team-mate Lionel Messi the "God of football." The Brazilian midfielder also addressed Norway's Erling Haaland after Brazil's painful exit from the World Cup.
Senior FIFA adviser Carlos Cordeiro has resigned from his post in protest against president Gianni Infantino's controversial private equity proposal. The former US Soccer Federation chief publicly distanced himself from the plan to sell a stake in the World Cup, warning that the move would mortgage the future of the game without justification.
Brazil have won the World Cup five times, more than any other country. They first lifted the trophy in 1958, before successfully defending their title four years later. They then made it three in 1970, while also emerging victorious in 1994 and 2002 to show what they're made of.
How many teams are in the World Cup?
The most recent edition of the World Cup, which took place in Qatar in 2022, featured 32 teams. However, from the upcoming edition in 2026, as many as 48 teams will be contesting for the ultimate prize in international football. The number of teams that will be featuring has almost quadrupled since the inaugural edition in 1930, which hosted 13 teams.
Who has made the most World Cup appearances ever?
Lionel Messi holds the record of making the most appearances in World Cups, having represented Argentina 26 times across five editions.
Who is the all-time World Cup topscorer?
Germany's Miroslav Klose tops the all-time goalscoring charts in World Cups, having scored an incredible 16 goals in 24 games across four consecutive editions from 2002 to 2014.
Who is the oldest World Cup player and how old was he?
Egyptian legend Essam El Hadary is the oldest player to have ever featured in a World Cup game. The goalkeeper was 45 years and 161 days old when he participated in Egypt's 2-1 loss to Saudi Arabia at the 2018 World Cup.
Who is the youngest World Cup player and how old was he?
Former Manchester United man Norman Whiteside is the youngest player ever to play a World Cup game. The midfielder was just 17 years and 41 days old when he featured for Northern Ireland in a game against Yugoslavia at the 1982 World Cup.
Which famous footballers have featured at the World Cup?
Pele, Diego Maradona, Zinedine Zidane, Gerd Muller, Roberto Baggio, Ronaldo, Romario, Eusebio, Johan Cruyff, David Villa, Sergio Ramos, Luka Modric, Lionel Messi, and Cristiano Ronaldo among others are some of the biggest legends in footballing history who have graced the pitch during World Cups.
Which famous managers have led teams at the World Cup?
The likes of Didier Deschamps, Franz Beckenbauer, Luiz Felipe Scolari, Vicente del Bosque, Vittorio Pozzo, Louis van Gaal, Sven-Goran Eriksson, and Ivica Osim are some of the most accomplished individuals to have managed at the World Cup finals.