Alejandro Dominguez, CONMEBOL and FIFA
Monday

CONMEBOL president Alejandro Dominguez said the 2030 World Cup should be a 64-team tournament to mark the competition’s centenary. FIFA has not confirmed the plan, but Gianni Infantino has already said expansion will be discussed.

The proposal would double the old 32-team format and create 128 matches, raising major questions over calendar pressure, player workload and competitive quality. It also shows South America pushing hard for a larger role in the centenary edition.

Lionel Messi, Argentina and Inter Miami
After Sunday’s World Cup final

Argentine media reports claim Lionel Messi told team-mates the World Cup final defeat by Spain was his last Argentina appearance in New Jersey on Sunday. The 39-year-old ended the tournament with eight goals and four assists.

The report has not been formally confirmed by Messi’s camp, but it follows his emotional post saying the pain was immense. If accurate, it would close an international career featuring a World Cup and two Copa America titles.

UK police, City of London Police and football fans
During the World Cup

Counterfeit football shirts worth more than £18m were seized in the UK during the World Cup. Police recovered over 220,000 fake merchandise items under Operation Bloxwich, as demand for cheap replica kits surged during the tournament.

Fire Service testing found counterfeit shirts were far more flammable than genuine kits, with police warning about harmful dyes and child safety risks. The case links football merchandising, consumer protection and organised counterfeit supply chains.

Zinedine Zidane, France and Didier Deschamps
After France’s World Cup exit

Zinedine Zidane is expected to become France head coach from 1 September after Didier Deschamps’ long reign ended this summer following another major tournament disappointment. The former Real Madrid manager has spent five years away from front-line coaching.

France’s federation expressed gratitude to Deschamps after their chaotic World Cup finish, clearing the path for Zidane. His appointment would give France a national icon with three Champions League titles as a coach ahead of Euro 2028 planning.

Aleksander Ceferin, UEFA and FIFA
Sunday’s World Cup final

UEFA president Aleksander Ceferin skipped the World Cup final in protest against FIFA. His decision followed anger over Folarin Balogun’s suspended ban, half-time shows, ticket prices, VAR interpretation and Gianni Infantino’s 64-team World Cup idea.

UEFA called the Balogun decision unprecedented and damaging to competition integrity after Donald Trump’s intervention. The boycott shows a deepening split between European football and FIFA over commercialisation, governance and tournament rules.

FIFA, Argentina, Spain and Leandro Paredes
Monday after the World Cup final

FIFA has opened a disciplinary investigation into the post-final clashes between Argentina and Spain players. Leandro Paredes, Nahuel Molina, Thiago Almada and assistant coach Roberto Ayala were among those reportedly involved after Spain’s 1-0 victory.

FIFA appointed a disciplinary and ethics prosecutor to assess possible breaches of its code. Players or coaches could face bans, while Argentina’s federation may be fined, adding to its separate case over the Falklands banner.