MLS, Don Garber, Gary Berg and David Nathanson
Friday

MLS has narrowed its search for Don Garber’s successor, with Gary Berg and David Nathanson reportedly emerging as the leading candidates. Garber has served as MLS commissioner since 1999 and is preparing to step aside.

The Athletic says owners are expected to vote in early August after a succession process run by an ownership committee and external search firms. The decision will shape MLS strategy after the league’s World Cup exposure.

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.