Players must feel safe when reporting abuse, FIFA representatives tell UN crime congress

FIFA representatives have told a prestigious United Nations congress on crime prevention that players must feel safe when they report racism and other abuse.

FIFA and the United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime (UNODC) jointly organised a panel to discuss legal and policy considerations for addressing racist and hate crimes in sports

Unique FIFA U-15 World Cup & Festival 2026 format designed to deliver maximum benefit

FIFA is set to roll-out one of its most groundbreaking football events, one that is unrivalled in scale or ambition, with the first edition of FIFA U-15 World Cup & Festival 2026™ to take place in Azerbaijan in October.

View of Baku, Azerbaijan

Construction started in November 2025 and when completed, it will leave a 55,000-capacity all-seater stadium as the centrepiece of a complex that includes three training pitches

The venue will be a cornerstone of the FIFA U-20 World Cup 2027, which Uzbekistan will co-host with Azerbaijan

The FIFA delegation headed to the UFA’s National Training Centre at Dustlik, which has seen four pitches constructed, the stands and other facilities on the main pitch revamped and floodlights installed thanks to FIFA Forward funding

“I was also delighted to see how excited everyone was for this special occasion, including the U-15 boys who will represent the nation in Azerbaijan next month”, he added

Many of whom will benefit from the facility as the project continues to work towards its goal of establishing at least 1,000 mini-pitches globally by 2031

FIFA President Gianni Infantino was joined on the visit by FIFA Chief Member Associations Officer Elkhan Mammadov

The event took place at Secondary School No. 90 in Tashkent’s Chilanzar District

Mr Infantino handed out commemorative gifts to the dozens of children present

FIFA President Gianni Infantino met with UFA representatives and former players

The FIFA President officially opened the Central Asian country’s first FIFA Arena mini-pitch

“This mini-pitch will certainly provide a beautiful, safe, and secure environment for children to play football and feel the joy only our game can bring,” said Mr Infantino

Mr Infantino saw some of Uzbek football’s highlights in the Museum of the Ministry of Sports

He met representatives of the Ministry of Sports and UFA President Kurbanov

He met members of the senior men’s national team and head coach

FIFA President Gianni Infantino also met FIFA World Cup 2006™ winner Fabio Cannavaro

Mr Infantino toured the New Tashkent Central Football Stadium

Mr Infantino noted that continued collaboration between the national government, the UFA and FIFA would continue to bear fruit

Gianni Infantino meets President Mirziyoyev and launches FIFA Arena on Uzbekistan visit  

Gianni Infantino has met the President of the Republic of Uzbekistan, Shavkat Mirziyoyev, after officially launching the FIFA Arena project in the country and visiting the new flagship stadium that will stage games at the FIFA U-20 World Cup 2027™.

FIFA President Gianni Infantino meeting the President of the Republic of Uzbekistan, Shavkat Mirziyoyev

FIFA Football Tribunal sets new activity record as regulatory role expands

FIFA has published its fifth annual Football Tribunal Report, detailing the activities of the FIFA Football Tribunal (FT) and the Disputes & Regulatory Applications department between 1 July 2025 and 30 June 2026.

Building the future of the game: three new challenges launched under the FIFA Innovation Programme

 As part of the FIFA Innovation Programme, FIFA has launched three challenges under which providers are invited to submit applications to help tackle specific needs within the game.

FIFA Electronic Performance Tracking System (EPTS) Test Event

Gianni Infantino meets President of Azerbaijan ahead of historic FIFA U-15 World Cup and Festival

FIFA President Gianni Infantino has met the President of the Republic of Azerbaijan, Ilham Aliyev, with their discussions focused on the upcoming first FIFA U-15 World Cup and Festival™.

FIFA President Gianni Infantino and President of Azerbaijan Ilham Aliyev

Gianni Infantino meets Latvian Prime Minister and visits national U-15 team during Riga visit

FIFA President has visited Latvia where he met the team which will represent the country at the inaugural FIFA Under-15 World Cup & Festival™ in October and held discussions with leading authorities including the Prime Minister Andris Kulbergs. 

President Gianni Infantino meets with Prime Minister of Latvia Andris Kulbergs

FIFA publishes 2026 edition of Legal Handbook

 FIFA has today published the 2026 edition of its Legal Handbook, providing an extensive and convenient source of reference onFIFA’s regulatory framework.

Legal Handbook 2026

Spain crown golden generation as Poland stage landmark FIFA U-20 Women's World Cup

FIFA President Gianni Infantino congratulated winners Spain and hosts Poland at the end of a landmark FIFA U-20 Women's World Cup Poland 2026™, a tournament that showcased the strength and depth of the women's game with Brazil 2027 under a year away. 

Gianni Infantino, President of FIFA, and Sonia Bien-Aime Fulford hand the FIFA U20 Women's World Cup trophy to Cristina Libran of Spain

Gianni Infantino inaugurates FIFA Arena in Saint Kitts and Nevis

FIFA President Gianni Infantino has inaugurated the first FIFA Arena mini-pitches in Saint Kitts and Nevis in a further major boost to the game’s development in the dual-island nation.

FIFA President Gianni Infantino joins Saint Kitts and Nevis Football Association (SKNFA) President Atiba Harris to inaugurate first two mini-pitches in dual-island nation

Gianni Infantino meets Antigua and Barbuda Prime Minister to talk football’s future

FIFA President Gianni Infantino has held positive discussions with Antigua and Barbuda Prime Minister Gaston Browne, Sports Minister Dwayne George Esquire and Antigua and Barbuda Football Association (ABFA) President Ickford Roberts .

FIFA President Gianni Infantino with Antigua and Barbuda Football Association Prime Minister Gaston Browne

British Virgin Islands Technical Centre inaugurated by Gianni Infantino 

FIFA President Gianni Infantino has inaugurated the upgraded British Virgin Islands Technical Centre, a project that has been supported by the FIFA Forward programme and will give football a new lease of life in the territory.

FIFA President Gianni Infantino with British Virgin Islands football association president Avanell Morton 

FIFA Secretary General Mattias Grafström attended the game in Gelora Bung Karno Stadium in Jakarta with PSSI President Eric Thohir, watching Malaysia beat Bangladesh 3-0 and Indonesia overcome Singapore 2-0 on 25 September.

FIFA Secretary General Mattias Grafstrom(L) and Erick Thohir, President of the Football Association of Indonesia (PSSI) attend the stadium before the FIFA ASEAN CUP match between Indonesia and Singapore

FIFA Secretary General Mattias Grafstrom(R) and Eric Fok, the chairman of the Football Association of Hong Kong, China

Fireworks light up the sky above the stadium ahead of the FIFA ASEAN CUP Division 1 Group A match between Indonesia and Singapore at Gelora Bung Karno Stadium in Jakarta, Indonesia

(L-R) Baihakki Khaizan, Safiq Rahim, Kurniawan Dwi Yulianto, Ponaryo Astaman, Stephan Schrock, Teeratep Winothai pose with the FIFA ASEAN CUP trophy during the opening ceremony at Gelora Bung Karno Stadium in Jakarta, Indonesia

The general view of the Gelora Bung Karno Stadium before the FIFA ASEAN CUP Division 1 Group A match between Indonesia and Singapore at Gelora Bung Karno Stadium on September 25, 2026 in Jakarta, Indonesia

FIFA Secretary General Mattias Grafstrom attends the stadium before during the FIFA ASEAN CUP Division 1 Group A match between Indonesia and Singapore at Gelora Bung Karno Stadium on September 25, 2026 in Jakarta, Indonesia.

FIFA Secretary General Mattias Grafstrom(L2) and Erick Thohir(R2), President of the Football Association of Indonesia (PSSI) attend the stadium before the FIFA ASEAN CUP Division 1 Group A match between Indonesia and Singapore in Jakarta, Indonesia

FIFA ASEAN Cup 2026 helps football grow across the region

Gianni Infantino attends Concacaf Nations League match on Jamaica trip

FIFA President sees Jamaica defeat Guatemala 3-2 at the National Stadium in Kingston, Jamaica.

FIFA President Gianni Infantino attends Jamaica vs Guatemala Concacaf Nations League match at the National Stadium in Kingston, Jamaica

“I had an enjoyable time attending the Concacaf Nations League game between Jamaica and Guatemala in Kingston," said Gianni Infantino

FIFA President Gianni Infantino waves to the audience before the match between Jamaica and Guatemala at the National Stadium in Kingston, Jamaica

FIFA President Gianni Infantino signing autographs for some children before the match between Jamaica and Guatemala at the National Stadium in Kingston, Jamaica

FIFA President Gianni Infantino watching from the stands the match between Jamaica and Guatemala at the National Stadium in Kingston, Jamaica

FIFA President Gianni Infantino and Jamaica Football Federation President Michael Ricketts posing with children and ball boys after the match between Jamaica and Guatemala at the National Stadium in Kingston, Jamaica

FIFA President Gianni Infantino and Jamaica Football Federation President Michael Ricketts at National Stadium on September 25, 2026 in Kingston, Jamaica

FIFA Unites for Peace Cup

FIFA Arenas inaugurated in West Bank

The inaugural FIFA ASEAN Cup™ has kicked off in Hong Kong, China and Indonesia, providing new opportunities for 14 teams to play meaningful international matches and, in turn, helping to grow the sport across Southeast Asia.

(L-R) Baihakki Khaizan, Safiq Rahim, Kurniawan Dwi Yulianto, FIFA Secretary General Mattias Grafstrom, Erick Thohir, President of the PSSI, Ponaryo Astaman, Stephan Schrock, Teeratep Winothai pose with the FIFA ASEAN CUP trophy during opening ceremony

FIFA Arenas inaugurated in the West Bank

Two new FIFA Arena mini-pitches in the West Bank were formally inaugurated on 25 September 2026, capping a week of football, friendship and hope for communities in Marah Rabah and Qusin.

Growing the women’s game (September 2026)

Inside FIFA looks at women's football development activity across various FIFA’s programmes during September 2026 with updates from various continents, landmark moments from the FIFA U-20 Women’s World Cup Poland 2027™, and more. 

Yei Joint Stars FC players celebrate in the opening round of the South Sudan Women's Premier League, 20 September 2026. 

FIFA Foundation and UNHCR bring young refugees closer to FIFA U-20 Women’s World Cup Poland 2026

102 boys and girls from refugee and host communities are taking part in the tournament’s youth programme, accompanying the players in the pre-match ceremony. 

England v Brazil: FIFA U-20 Women's World Cup

Brazil hold firm atop women’s and men’s FIFA Futsal World Rankings

Brazil continue to set the pace in both the FIFA Futsal Women’s World Ranking and the FIFA Futsal Men’s World Ranking. The September 2026 edition sees no changes to either top ten, but there is movement further down both tables

Brazil hold firm at top of women’s and men’s FIFA Futsal World Rankings

FIFA President Gianni Infantino with British Virgin Islands football association president Avanell Morton

President Gianni Infantino during the Inauguration of Technical Centre in Tortola, British Virgin Islands

British Virgin Islands football association president Avanell Morton

FIFA President Gianni Infantino during the Inauguration of Technical Centre in Tortola, British Virgin Islands

FIFA President Visits British Virgin Islands

 FIFA President Gianni Infantino with British Virgin Islands football association president Avanell Morton

FIFA President meets Bhutan's Prime Minister during UN General Assembly High-level Week 2026

FIFA President Gianni Infantino met with Bhutan’s Prime Minister Tshering Tobgay in New York, United States on Thursday, as the two discussed various topics on the fringes of the United Nations General Assembly High-level Week 2026. 

 FIFA President Gianni Infantino with Prime Minister of the Kingdom of Bhutan Tshering Tobgay during a meeting on the sidelines of the United Nations General Assembly (UNGA) on September 24, 2026 in New York

FIFA President Gianni Infantino met with Kenya’s head of state, President William Ruto, as well as Prime Cabinet Secretary Musalia Mudavadi and Football Kenya Federation (FKF) President Hussein Mohammed, alongside the United Nations General Assembly

After visiting the African country last year, FIFA President Gianni Infantino reconvened with Kenyan officials in New York City, New York

FIFA President with Football Kenya Federation President Hussein Mohammed during a meeting on the sidelines of the United Nations General Assembly (UNGA) in New York

FIFA President Gianni Infantino with Kenyan Prime Cabinet Secretary Musalia Mudavadi during a meeting on the sidelines of the United Nations General Assembly (UNGA) in New York

Kenya has a big year ahead as they return to the FIFA U-17 Women’s World Cup™ in Morocco and co-host the CAF Africa Cup of Nations next summer

FIFA President Gianni Infantino met with Kenya’s head of state, President William Ruto

Gianni Infantino enjoys “productive” meeting with Kenyan President William Ruto alongside UN General Assembly

Gianni Infantino thanks Pakistan Football Federation President for efforts to develop football

FIFA President Gianni Infantino has thanked the President of the Pakistan Football Federation (PFF), Syed Mohsen Gilani, for his efforts to develop football in the country during a meeting.

FIFA President Gianni Infantino with Pakistan Football Federation President Syed Mohsen Gilani and delegates during a meeting on the sidelines of the United Nations General Assembly (UNGA) in New York

FIFA President Gianni Infantino met with Kenya’s head of state, President William Ruto, as well as Prime Cabinet Secretary Musalia Mudavadi and Football Kenya Federation (FKF) President Hussein Mohammed, on the fringes of the ongoing UN General Assembly.

FIFA President Gianni Infantino during a meeting with Kenya president William Ruto on the sidelines of the United Nations General Assembly (UNGA) on September 24 in New York

FIFA Foundation and UNHCR make mark at Poland 2026

The inaugural FIFA ASEAN Cup™ is presented by Aspetar

The first-ever FIFA ASEAN Cup™ is presented by Aspetar, reaffirming its leadership in sports medicine and its dedication to improving player welfare, health and performance across Asia and the global football community.

Aspetar partner - FIFA ASEAN Cup

100 staff members from 38 functional areas and FIFA suppliers took part in technical visits

The FIFA Women’s World Cup Brazil 2027™ will take place from 24 June to 25 July 2027

Each stadium will host at least seven matches

32 teams will compete in 64 matches at the FIFA Women’s World Cup Brazil 2027™

FIFA has visited the stadiums regularly since 2024

FIFA has concluded the third round of inspections at the eight stadiums that will host matches at the 2027  FIFA Women’s World Cup Brazil 2027™

FIFA Women’s World Cup Brazil 2027 stadiums’ third inspection round completed

FIFA Women’s World Cup Brazil 2027™ stadiums’ third inspection round completed

More than 100 staff members from 38 functional areas and FIFA suppliers took part in technical visits at the eight stadiums that will host matches at the FIFA Women’s World Cup Brazil 2027™. 

FIFA Women’s World Cup Brazil 2027 stadiums’ third inspection round 

The 27th Arabian Gulf Cup is another on the growing list of international events staged in Saudi Arabia, including the upcoming AFC Asian Cup and the FIFA World Cup 2034™

FIFA President Gianni Infantino attends the 27th Arabian Gulf Cup Group A match between Saudi Arabia and Kuwait

The FIFA President acknowledged regional football leadership who collaborated to kick-off the 27th Arabian Cup – and the first to be staged in Jeddah

The 27th Arabian Gulf Cup tournament for eight Gulf Football Federation teams kicked off on Wednesday in Jeddah, Saudi Arabia

Football in Saudi Arabia takes centre stage this week as it hosts the 27th Arabian Gulf Cup tournament in Jeddah, and FIFA President Gianni Infantino was there to meet with Saudi Arabian Football Federation (SAFF) officials

Gianni Infantino celebrates Saudi National Day as Arabian Gulf Cup opens

Bibiana Steinhaus-Webb: Poland 2026 a crucial step on road to Brazil 

At the FIFA U-20 Women's World Cup Poland 2026™, 68 match officials from 43 Member Associations are working not just at this flagship youth event, but in preparation for the biggest stage of all: the FIFA Women's World Cup Brazil 2027™.

Bibiana Steinhaus-Webb, FIFA's Head of Women's Refereeing 

Referees Myriam Marcotte, Lizzet Garcia, Aranza Quero and Charly Straub

FIFA Arena mini-pitch in West Bank

Football creates a space for children as two new FIFA Arenas open in the West Bank

Match officials appointed for FIFA U-17 World Cup Qatar 2026™

The FIFA Referees Committee has announced the match officials who will take charge of fixtures at this year’s FIFA U-17 World Cup Qatar 2026™, which will be contested from 19 November to 13 December.

Assistant referee with flag

FIFA Talent Academy milestone event highlights benefits to beautiful game in Guam

Guam was devastated by Typhoon Mawar in 2023, but the Guam Football Association (GFA) has since reestablished football infrastructure to enable the beautiful game to flourish in the western Pacific island nation.

FIFA Talent Academy milestone event in Guam

Football will provide children and their communities in the FIFA Member Association Palestine region with a much-needed space to play, compete and spend time together thanks to two new FIFA Arena mini-pitches in Marah Rabah and Qusin.

FIFA Arena mini-pitches in Marah Rabah and Qusin have now opened for local community use

More than 150 children are set to participate in a five-day tournament, with the facilities providing a safe and accessible place to play

The FIFA Arenas, developed with the Palestine Football Association and financially supported by the Swiss government, will be formally inaugurated on 25 September

The new pitches will host the Unite for Peace: Kids’ Cup, bringing together 14 local Palestinian teams and up to 160 children

FIFA Arena mini-pitches in Marah Rabah and Qusin have now opened for local community use and more than 150 children are set to participate in a five-day tournament

Developed by FIFA in collaboration with the Palestine Football Association and co-financed by the Swiss Federal Department of Foreign Affairs, the facilities are now open to the communities

The Unite for Peace: Kids’ Cup will feature group matches followed by quarter-finals, semi-finals and a final, alongside additional football activities for children and other members of the community

The two new FIFA Arenas are intended first and foremost as practical community facilities and places where children can play football safely

FIFA Women’s Champions Cup 2027 to fuel women’s football’s upward trajectory

The FIFA Women’s Champions Cup 2027™ will provide a major boost to the women’s game as it provides “an opportunity to showcase” the world’s top talent and “incentivises investment”, FIFA Chief Football Officer Jill Ellis has said.

FIFA Women's Cup 2027™ Final to be held at Inter Miami CF Stadium

The GFA National Training Centre is giving young players access to elite coaching

Girls have benefitted from being able to access top level coaching at the FIFA Talent Academy in Guam

Boys and girls are benefitting from top-level coaching at the FIFA Talent Academy in Guam

The FIFA Talent Academy in Guam will help young players achieve their potential 

The GFA is one of 10 FIFA Talent Academies with an active FIFA Talent Coach within the Asian Football Confederation

An image of the FIFA Talent Academy badge 

Children had the chance to compete against their peers at FIFA Talent Academy milestone event in Guam

A new U-13 pre-academy programme was implemented in August 

Elite young talent has the chance to develop at the FIFA Talent Academy in Guam

An exhibition game took place at the FIFA Talent Academy milestone event in Guam

FIFA is committed to giving all 211 Member Associations opportunities to perform on the global stage 

The FIFA TDS aims to establish 100 FIFA Talent Academies globally 

The GFA has built partnerships with schools 

The FIFA Talent Academy milestone event in Guam 

Launched in 2024, the FIFA Talent Academy in Guam has made enormous strides in a short space of time

Trials took place for teams at U-15 and U-13 for both boys and girls 

Over 200 children took part in trials at FIFA Talent Academy milestone event in Guam

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