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Prediction market platform Kalshi more than doubled its expectations during the 2026 FIFA World Cup, capturing $27 billion in trading volume and attracting 3 million users. The success underscores growing appetite for event wagering but raises regulatory concerns.
Malaysia harbours ambitions to host the FIFA World Cup and field a competitive national team at the tournament, Deputy Prime Minister Ahmad Zahid Hamidi said while attending a World Cup final screening in Bangi.
Human rights organizations have challenged FIFA's assertion that the expanded 48-team World Cup represents the most inclusive tournament ever, pointing to restrictive US visa policies that prevented thousands of international fans and workers from attending matches.
FIFA's controversial decision to suspend Folarin Balogun's automatic one-match red card ban following US President Donald Trump's intervention has triggered accusations of political interference and breaches of competitive integrity from multiple European football associations.
FIFA has firmly backed Brazilian referee Raphael Claus following US President Donald Trump's criticism of his handling of a red card incident during the World Cup, with the organisation's leadership expressing full confidence in the match official.
FIFA's digital monitoring service detected a dramatic 13-fold increase in abusive social media posts during the World Cup group stage compared to Qatar 2022, with racial abuse making up 11% of all offensive messages identified across six million posts.
Canada reached the World Cup knockout rounds for the first time in their history, with Stephen Eustaquio scoring in stoppage time to defeat South Africa 1-0 at Los Angeles Stadium on Sunday.
FIFA president Gianni Infantino has defended mandatory three-minute hydration breaks introduced at the World Cup, maintaining they serve only sporting purposes despite criticism from coaches and broadcasters benefiting from additional advertising time.
FIFA confirmed that 1,028,429 spectators attended the first 16 matches of the World Cup in North America, with stadiums operating at 99.34% capacity despite earlier concerns about ticket affordability and sparse crowds.