NFL players, NFLPA, FIFA and World Cup stadiums
Friday before the World Cup final

NFL players have renewed calls for permanent grass fields after NFL stadiums installed natural grass surfaces for World Cup matches. Players including Caleb Williams and Laremy Tunsil posted support using the #WorthTheCost campaign.

The NFLPA argues owners proved grass can work when FIFA required it for the tournament, but several venues will return to synthetic turf afterward. The push links World Cup facility changes to long-running player-safety concerns in American football.

FIFA, US host cities, bars and brewers
During the 2026 World Cup

World Cup crowds have produced a major beer-sales boost across US host cities, with ESPN reporting bars needed emergency deliveries on some game days. FIFA organisers said fans bought 290,000 stadium beers across six Philadelphia matches.

ESPN said beer sales in US host cities rose 14% across the tournament’s first four weeks, despite wider global beer-consumption declines. The surge shows how football tourism can temporarily lift hospitality spending in host markets.

New Jersey Attorney General, FIFA and World Cup fans
Friday before the World Cup final

New Jersey’s attorney general will continue investigating FIFA’s World Cup ticketing practices after the tournament ends. The probe focuses on pricing, transparency, seat-category changes and complaints from supporters around MetLife Stadium matches.

New York and New Jersey launched the investigation in May and subpoenaed FIFA over ticket sales. Officials say full stadiums do not remove questions over whether fans were misled or treated unfairly during the sales process.

Nemanja Vidic, Slavisa Kokeza and the Serbian football federation
Friday

Nemanja Vidic has spoken about alleged threatening messages linked to former Serbian federation president Slavisa Kokeza. The messages reportedly discussed monitoring, intimidation and physical assault after Vidic criticised federation leadership following Serbia’s failed Euro qualification campaign.

The claims emerged through an OCCRP and KRIK investigation, with The Athletic saying it viewed messages referring to Vidic ending up in a ditch. Vidic said the revelations affected him and raised wider concerns over Serbian football governance.

FIFA, England, France, Argentina and Spain
Friday before the final weekend

Thousands of tickets remain available for the World Cup bronze match between England and France, while Sunday’s final between Argentina and Spain is also not fully sold out. Some resale listings remain far above face value.

BBC Sport reported around 7,000 bronze-match tickets still listed, with final tickets also available at extremely high prices. The figures highlight the impact of pricing, resale fees and reduced demand for the third-place match.

Chris Wilder and Sheffield United
Friday

Sheffield United manager Chris Wilder has signed a contract extension until summer 2028. Wilder returned to Bramall Lane last September and is now committed to leading the club beyond the coming Championship campaign.

Club chiefs backed Wilder despite a difficult season in which Sheffield United finished 13th after he replaced Ruben Selles. The new deal gives the Blades continuity as Wilder targets a stronger push after several unstable years.

FIFA, Argentina and Spain
Ahead of Sunday’s World Cup final

FIFA will present championship rings to the winners of Sunday’s World Cup final, adding the American sporting tradition to football’s biggest tournament for the first time. Thirty rings will be made available to the victorious squad.

A further 1,996 numbered rings will be sold to fans, with each design including a mini World Cup trophy and customised winning-team details. The move adds a new commercial and ceremonial layer to the final.

Pele, Brazil and Sotheby’s
Thursday

The jersey Pele wore in Brazil’s 1958 World Cup final win over Sweden has sold at Sotheby’s for $4.88m. It is the highest price paid for a Pele collectible, surpassing a private rookie-card sale from 2022.

The shirt was worn when the 17-year-old scored twice in Brazil’s 5-2 victory and became the youngest World Cup final scorer. It was photo-matched and last sold at auction in 2004 for $105,600.

FIFA, Argentina, UK government and Falkland Islands officials
Thursday after Argentina’s semi-final win

FIFA says its independent disciplinary committee is assessing match reports before deciding whether to punish Argentina over a Falklands banner shown after beating England. Players held a message reading “Las Malvinas son Argentinas” during post-match celebrations.

The UK government and Falkland Islands officials called for action, while Argentina’s president said the gesture was understandable but separate from diplomacy. FIFA rules ban political messages, and Argentina were fined for similar banner conduct in 2014.

Donald Trump, FIFA and the White House
Sunday at the World Cup final

The White House has confirmed Donald Trump will attend Sunday’s World Cup final between Argentina and Spain at MetLife Stadium. He is also expected to take part in the post-match trophy ceremony with FIFA president Gianni Infantino.

Trump will travel to New York before the final and attend a FIFA reception at Trump Tower. His presence follows past World Cup precedent, where host-country leaders have joined FIFA officials for the trophy presentation.