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#FIFA #World #Cup #France #complete #preparation #Northern #Ireland #June">FIFA World Cup 2026 — France to complete preparation against Northern Ireland on June 8 France will complete its World Cup preparation against Northern Ireland in Lille on June 8, days after opening its warm-up campaign against Ivory Coast, the French federation said on Thursday.
Didier Deschamps’ side will host Northern Ireland at the Stade Pierre-Mauroy in what will be its final fixture before heading to the June 11-July 19 World Cup.
Les Bleus will start their Group I campaign against Senegal on June 16 in New York before taking on Iraq and Norway.
The runner-up from 2022 was handed a major injury blow earlier this week with star forward Hugo Ekitike being ruled out of the quadrennial event due to an ankle injury.
Published on Apr 16, 2026
France will complete its World Cup preparation against Northern Ireland in Lille on June 8,…
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#Explained #FIFA #public #transport #row #ahead #World #Cup">Explained: The FIFA vs public transport row ahead of the 2026 World Cup
With ticket prices already a concern, transport costs are emerging as a fresh flashpoint ahead of the 2026 FIFA World Cup. A reported surge in train fares to key venues has triggered political pushback, with US lawmakers asking: should FIFA, not local commuters, bear the cost?
What is the controversy about?
A report suggested that matchday train fares from Manhattan to MetLife Stadium could exceed $100 during the World Cup, compared to the usual $12.90. Similar hikes have been flagged in Boston, where special services could cost $80 instead of $20.
Who has raised concerns?
Chuck Schumer has publicly called on FIFA to cover transportation costs, arguing that local residents should not pay inflated prices for a global event.
New York Governor Kathy Hochul also questioned the steep pricing, calling for affordability and accessibility.
Why is FIFA being asked to pay?
The argument rests on scale and revenue. FIFA is projected to generate around $11 billion from the tournament. Critics argue that:
-
Host cities already invest heavily in infrastructure and logistics
-
Fans and daily commuters should not face inflated public transport costs
-
FIFA, as the primary beneficiary, should absorb operational expenses tied to the event
What are transport agencies saying?
Officials from NJ Transit have said pricing is not final and reports of $100 tickets are speculative.
However, internal estimates suggest that running services for matches at MetLife Stadium could cost around $48 million.
What about local governments?
New Jersey Governor Mikie Sherrill has stated that taxpayers will not shoulder these costs, setting up a potential funding gap if prices are capped.
Is this issue limited to New York/New Jersey?
No. In Boston, the Massachusetts Bay Transportation Authority has indicated that matchday travel to Gillette Stadium could see fares quadruple.
This suggests a broader pattern across host cities rather than an isolated case.
(With inputs from AFP)
Published on Apr 15, 2026
With ticket prices already a concern, transport costs are emerging as a fresh flashpoint ahead of the 2026 FIFA World Cup. A reported surge in train fares to key venues has triggered political pushback, with US lawmakers asking: should FIFA, not local commuters, bear the cost?
What is the controversy about?
A report suggested that matchday train fares from Manhattan to MetLife Stadium could exceed $100 during the World Cup, compared to the usual $12.90. Similar hikes have been flagged in Boston, where special services could cost $80 instead of $20.
Who has raised concerns?
Chuck Schumer has publicly called on FIFA to cover transportation costs, arguing that local residents should not pay inflated prices for a global event.
New York Governor Kathy Hochul also questioned the steep pricing, calling for affordability and accessibility.
Why is FIFA being asked to pay?
The argument rests on scale and revenue. FIFA is projected to generate around $11 billion from the tournament. Critics argue that:
- Host cities already invest heavily in infrastructure and logistics
- Fans and daily commuters should not face inflated public transport costs
- FIFA, as the primary beneficiary, should absorb operational expenses tied to the event
What are transport agencies saying?
Officials from NJ Transit have said pricing is not final and reports of $100 tickets are speculative.
However, internal estimates suggest that running services for matches at MetLife Stadium could cost around $48 million.
What about local governments?
New Jersey Governor Mikie Sherrill has stated that taxpayers will not shoulder these costs, setting up a potential funding gap if prices are capped.
Is this issue limited to New York/New Jersey?
No. In Boston, the Massachusetts Bay Transportation Authority has indicated that matchday travel to Gillette Stadium could see fares quadruple.
This suggests a broader pattern across host cities rather than an isolated case.
(With inputs from AFP)
Published on Apr 15, 2026
With ticket prices already a concern, transport costs are emerging as a fresh flashpoint ahead…
Sports news
#FIFA #Trump #pause #ICE #raids #World #Cup #reports">FIFA could ask Trump to pause ICE raids during World Cup – reports
FIFA’s leadership discussed the possibility of its president, Gianni Infantino, asking United States President Donald Trump to pause ICE raids during this summer’s World Cup in North America, according to a report from The Athletic.
Infantino was receptive to the idea and was planning a “president-to-president” request to Trump for ICE’s role surrounding the World Cup to be reduced, per the report. It has not yet been reported if Infantino has formally made the request or how Trump and the U.S. administration would respond.
During Trump’s second term, ICE has raided multiple U.S. cities in an effort to deliver on the President’s message of mass deportation he campaigned on ahead of the 2024 election. In addition to deportations, these raids have led to conflicts with protestors, including the killings of Renee Good and Alex Pretti earlier this year in Minneapolis.
Acting ICE (U.S. Immigrations and Customs Enforcement) director Todd Lyons previously said agents would be involved in security at matches for this summer’s event, the largest World Cup in FIFA history with 48 teams.
Members of Congress have raised concerns about ICE’s presence surrounding the World Cup leading instead to immigration-enforcement raids. Los Angeles-based workers at SoFi Stadium — where the U.S. team will play two of its three group-stage games — threatened to strike last week over similar concerns.
ALSO READ: Matt Crocker quits as US football federation sporting director just 2 months before World Cup
According to the report, a number of FIFA member federations, particularly in Europe, have shared their concerns about the presence of ICE agents around the event.
FIFA originally believed that limiting ICE activity in the 11 American cities that will be hosting matches would suffice. However, with travel expanding well beyond those locations with teams setting up base camps across the country in cities that won’t be hosting matches, FIFA now desires a total suspension of all ICE raids during the entire World Cup, which is being held from June 11 through July 19.
Trump and Infantino have struck up a relationship which could pay off with the request being honored. FIFA has an office in New York’s Trump Tower and the organization gave the President the inaugural FIFA Peace Prize in December during the World Cup draw event.
Published on Apr 14, 2026
FIFA’s leadership discussed the possibility of its president, Gianni Infantino, asking United States President Donald Trump to pause ICE raids during this summer’s World Cup in North America, according to a report from The Athletic.
Infantino was receptive to the idea and was planning a “president-to-president” request to Trump for ICE’s role surrounding the World Cup to be reduced, per the report. It has not yet been reported if Infantino has formally made the request or how Trump and the U.S. administration would respond.
During Trump’s second term, ICE has raided multiple U.S. cities in an effort to deliver on the President’s message of mass deportation he campaigned on ahead of the 2024 election. In addition to deportations, these raids have led to conflicts with protestors, including the killings of Renee Good and Alex Pretti earlier this year in Minneapolis.
Acting ICE (U.S. Immigrations and Customs Enforcement) director Todd Lyons previously said agents would be involved in security at matches for this summer’s event, the largest World Cup in FIFA history with 48 teams.
Members of Congress have raised concerns about ICE’s presence surrounding the World Cup leading instead to immigration-enforcement raids. Los Angeles-based workers at SoFi Stadium — where the U.S. team will play two of its three group-stage games — threatened to strike last week over similar concerns.
ALSO READ: Matt Crocker quits as US football federation sporting director just 2 months before World Cup
According to the report, a number of FIFA member federations, particularly in Europe, have shared their concerns about the presence of ICE agents around the event.
FIFA originally believed that limiting ICE activity in the 11 American cities that will be hosting matches would suffice. However, with travel expanding well beyond those locations with teams setting up base camps across the country in cities that won’t be hosting matches, FIFA now desires a total suspension of all ICE raids during the entire World Cup, which is being held from June 11 through July 19.
Trump and Infantino have struck up a relationship which could pay off with the request being honored. FIFA has an office in New York’s Trump Tower and the organization gave the President the inaugural FIFA Peace Prize in December during the World Cup draw event.
Published on Apr 14, 2026
FIFA’s leadership discussed the possibility of its president, Gianni Infantino, asking United States President Donald…
