UFC BOSS DANA WHITE ON BECOMING TRUMP’S PRESS SECRETARY: "I FLY TO WASHINGTON DC AND MEET TRUMP ON MONDAY "

 

UEFA VOTES TO BOYCOTT WORLD CUP AHEAD OF PRIVATE INVESTOR FUND

The core investor would be a US investment firm created by Joshua Kushner, the brother of US President Trump’s son-in-law Jared Kushner

US President Donald Trump (right) and Fifa president Gianni Infantino get ready to present the World Cup to Spain in New Jersey. Photo: dpa

Uefa member federations agreed on Thursday to boycott all Fifa competitions in protest of Gianni Infantino’s plan to sell stakes in the World Cup to private equity investors.

“Uefa and its national associations will not participate in Fifa competitions,” the European football body said after an urgent online meeting of the 55 members.

“Some things are simply too important to sell,” Uefa said in a statement. “The Fifa World Cup belongs to football. It always will. And so long as Europe has a voice, it will never be for sale.”

The strategy meeting was called to counter Fifa president Infantino’s offer of US$20 million to each of Fifa’s 211 global members that has to be accepted by mid-September.

Infantino’s secret proposal was revealed on Tuesday to spin off its commercial operations in a new US$20 billion subsidiary 20 per cent owned by private investors. The core investor would be a New York investment firm created by Joshua Kushner, the brother of US President Donald Trump’s son-in-law Jared Kushner.

Fifa president Gianni Infantino has presented the private equity offer as a chance to “turbocharge” funding development of football. Photo: Reuters

“This is not merely a profound failure of leadership, but an abdication of Fifa’s duty as the custodian of world football,” said Uefa, where Infantino was a long-time staffer and its CEO-like general secretary when he was first elected to lead Fifa in 2016.

- Associated Press

FIFA 'CROSSED A LINE' OVER DECISION TO REVERSE STRIKER FOLARIN BALOGUN' ONE-MATCH BAN, SAYS UEFA

 

United States' Folarin Balogun was given a red card against Bosnia and Herzegovina.
Credit: AP

Uefa hit back at Fifa’s ruling to suspend a red card shown to United States striker Folarin Balogun against Bosnia and Herzegovina after reported intervention from Donald Trump, saying it "crossed a red line".

Fifa has allowed Balogun to play against Belgium in the knock-out clash on Monday evening despite receiving a red card and a one-match ban last week, a move that led to a furious response from Uefa and praise from the US president.

If Fifa's decision stands, it will be the first time since 1962 that a red card during a World Cup did not result in a suspension.

The Monaco forward, who has scored three goals at the tournament, was dismissed for his challenge on Tarik Muharemovic during the second half of their 2-0 win over Bosnia and Herzegovina.

But his single-match ban has now been suspended for a probationary period of one year.

In response, the European football governing body said on Monday: “Yesterday’s decision to suspend for a probationary period of a year the implementation of the one-match automatic suspension following the red card issued to the player Folarin Balogun crossed a red line."

Trump called Fifa President Gianni Infantino after the Bosnia game, asking the football body to review the red card, according to AP, who spoke to a person familiar with the call who spoke on condition of anonymity.

On Sunday, Trump hailed the decision by Fifa's disciplinary committee to allow Balogun to participate in the World Cup co-hosts' last-16 clash.

Writing on his Truth Social account, President Trump said: “Thank you to FIFA for doing what was right, and reversing a great injustice!”

According to Fifa's disciplinary code, should the 25-year-old commit "another infringement of a similar nature and gravity during the probationary period, the suspension shall be revoked and the sanction enforced without prejudice to any additional sanction imposed for the new infringement".

A Fifa disciplinary committee statement read: “By operation of Article 27 FDC, the implementation of the automatic match suspension for USA player Folarin Balogun is suspended for a probationary period of one (1) year.”

The Belgian football federation was preparing an appeal in Seattle in the early hours of Monday to challenge the Balogun ruling before a Fifa-appointed appeals judge.

- itvX

GRAND OPENING CEREMONY AT THE OBAMA PRESIDENTIAL CENTER

 

TRUMP WANTS ITALY TO REPLACE IRAN AT WORLD CUP SAYS US SPECIAL ENVOY ZAMPOLLI

Azzurri have the 'pedigree' to be included says Paolo Zampolli

© ANSA/EPA

US President Donald Trump's special envoy for global partnerships, Paolo Zampolli, has said that he had asked FIFA President Gianni Infantino to give Italy Iran's place at this summer's World Cup, which the United States is hosting with Mexico and Canada.

    Four-time world champions Italy failed to qualify for the tournament for a third consecutive time after they lost to Bosnia and Herzegovina in the qualifying playoff final last month, while Iran's participation is in doubt because of the war in the Gulf.

    "I confirm I have suggested to Trump and Infantino that Italy replace Iran at the World Cup," Zampolli told the Financial Times.

    "I'm an Italian native and it would be a dream to see the Azzurri at a US-hosted tournament.

    "With four titles, they have the pedigree to justify inclusion".

    The report said the move was aimed at making peace between Trump and Italian Premier Giorgia Meloni, after the US president reacted angrily to her saying his criticism of Pope Leo XIV was unacceptable.

- ANSA English Desk

'IRAN WELCOME AT WORLD CUP BUT..': TRUMP ISSUES LIFE-AND-SAFETY WARNING AFTER TEHRAN'S BOYCOTT DECLARATION

In a post on Truth Social, the US President said, "The Iranian National Soccer Team is welcome to The World Cup, but I really don't believe it is appropriate that they be there, for their own life and safety."

US President Donald Trump (Photo/Reuters)

US President Donald Trump welcomed the Iranian national football team to participate in the upcoming 2026 FIFA World Cup but also warned them to ‘not be there for their own life and safety’.

In a post on Truth Social, the US President said, “The Iranian National Soccer Team is welcome to The World Cup, but I really don’t believe it is appropriate that they be there, for their own life and safety.”

Trump’s comments came just a day after the Iranian Sports Minister Ahmad Donyamali said that the country cannot participate in the 2026 FIFA World Cup as the United States killed the country’s Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, reported Al Jazeera, citing Reuters.

“Considering that this corrupt regime [the US] has assassinated our leader, under no circumstances can we participate in the World Cup,” Ahmad Donyamali told state television, according to the report.

The current round of conflict between Israel and the United States on one side and Iran on the other started on February 28. The West Asia conflict has caused disruption in global energy supply chains.

United States will co-host the 2026 FIFA World Cup alongside Canada and Mexico. The tournament will feature 104 matches, beginning at Mexico City Stadium on June 11 and culminating at New York New Jersey Stadium with the final on 19 July.

All of Iran’s group-stage fixtures are in American cities, including Los Angeles and Seattle.

Donyamali’s statement comes after FIFA President Gianni Infantino, in his Instagram post on Wednesday, said that Iran’s participation in the World Cup would be welcomed by US President Donald Trump.

“President Trump reiterated that the Iranian team is, of course, welcome to compete in the tournament in the United States,” Gianni Infantino said in the social media post.

Mehdi Taj, president of the Football Federation of the Islamic Republic of Iran (FFIRI), had also said earlier that Iran cannot be expected to look forward to the 2026 FIFA World Cup with optimism after the recent attacks, questioning why any country would send its national team to such a situation.

“After this attack [on Iran], we cannot be expected to look forward to the World Cup with hope. If the World Cup is like this, who in their right mind would send their national team to a place like this?” Taj said on Iranian state television. 

-Ani

JAVIER MASCHERANO CLAIMS INTER MIAMI WERE MISLEAD OVER DONALD TRUMP MEETING ASPECT

The Inter Miami squad visited the White House and President Donald Trump on Thursday to commemorate their MLS Cup win.

Getty Images 

Head coach Javier Mascherano has claimed that Inter Miami were told something different to what actually occurred prior to their White House meeting with US President Donald Trump.

Inter Miami were invited to meet President Trump to commemorate their MLS Cup win at the end of 2025.

The entire squad, including Lionel Messi and Luis Suarez, joined the President on-stage as he addressed the media at the White House.

Trump then presented Messi with a signed pink football.

Speaking to the Argentinian legend directly, Trump said that Messi 'may be better than Pele', before declaring that son Barron is a 'big fan' of his.

Messi was handed a signed football by Trump (Image: Getty)

"He thinks you're just a great person," he said. "He's a tremendous fan of yours, as well as a gentleman named Ronaldo.

"Cristiano is great. Some big champions, some great, great athletes in that sport."

Shortly after their arrival, the Inter Miami squad listened on stage as Trump gave updates on the ongoing US and Israel attacks on Iran.

Among other topics, Trump repeated his baseless claim that the 2020 presidential election was 'rigged and stolen', before he turned to secretary of state Marco Rubio and appeared to ask him to prepare for a war on Cuba.

He also discussed the Dow Jones stock market, the political situation in Venezuela, and baseball icon Alex Rodriguez.

During a media conference on Friday, Mascherano has claimed that he and his squad were told they would 'only talk about football' before their White House meeting.

He admitted, however, that the visit had been scheduled around 'two months ago', long before the US and Israel began their 'major combat operation' on Iran.

"I thought we were going to talk football," he said (via the Miami Herald).

Mascherano stood on stage as Inter Miami were welcomed by Trump (Image: Getty)

"We complied with a protocol that is a tradition to come to the White House for being the championship team. It was planned a long time ago for the week we would play here in Washington.

"We were there a few hours, got to see a little bit of the White House, not much, what we could.

"The contact with President Trump was what was seen on TV, not much more than that.

"The White House visit was planned between a month and a half and two months ago."

- Ryan Smart

WHAT IS THE FIFA PEACE PRIZE AND WHY DID DONALD TRUMP WIN?

FIFA President Gianni Infantino hands the Jules Rimet trophy to Donald Trump in the Oval Office on 22 August. Photo: Andrew Caballero-Reynolds/AFP/Getty Images via CNN Newsource

As billions of fans around the world tuned in to watch the World Cup draw this week, they also got the opportunity to watch FIFA president Gianni Infantino present a new, somewhat puzzling award.

In November, world soccer's governing body announced this year would see the introduction of the FIFA Peace Prize - a new annual accolade given to someone who FIFA said had taken "exceptional and extraordinary actions for peace and by doing so have united people across the world".

No-one was surprised that US President Donald Trump received the inaugural prize on stage before the draw took place, but while FIFA said the award was presented on behalf of more than 5 billion soccer fans worldwide, how the winner was chosen wasn't exactly clear.

Here is everything you need to know about the new award and why Trump winning was so controversial.

When and where was it awarded?

The new prize was awarded before the World Cup draw took place on 5 December. The ceremony was held at the John F Kennedy Centre for the Performing Arts in Washington DC.

Trump now sits as the board chair of the Kennedy Center, after an overhaul of the previous leadership group.

US President Donald Trump (L) gestures alongside US First Lady Melania Trump during the draw for the 2026 FIFA Football World Cup Photo: AFP/SUPPLIED

Why did Trump win the award?

FIFA had remained tight-lipped over who would be bestowed the inaugural Peace Prize, amid rumours it was destined for the US president.

Predictably, though, Trump was named the winner.

Infantino presented Trump with the new trophy, a medal and a certificate, before thanking the US president for helping end wars and save lives.

While Trump has certainly contributed to brokering several agreements between longstanding foes, his role in securing ceasefires in some of the conflicts he has boasted about ending has been disputed by some of the countries involved.

That includes the conflict between India and Pakistan, which he mentioned in his acceptance speech.

Trump said winning the prize was "truly one of the great honours of my life", before thanking his family.

U.S. President Donald Trump receives the FIFA Peace Prize during the FIFA World Cup 2026 official draw. Photo: Dan Mullan/Getty Images

This, then, is just the latest moment that highlights how close Trump and Infantino have become in recent months.

On several occasions, the two had been seen together, not least at Trump's inauguration and at the Sharm El-Sheikh peace summit earlier this year.

Infantino was also a vocal supporter of Trump's bid to win the Nobel Peace Prize, an award ultimately given to Venezuela opposition leader María Corina Machado.

A day before the award was announced, Infantino took to Instagram to say that Trump "definitely" deserved it.

It's perhaps not a co-incidence, then, that FIFA created its own peace prize this year

US President Donald Trump receives the FIFA Peace Prize during the draw for the 2026 FIFA Football. Photo: AFP/SUPPLIED

Why are human rights groups concerned?

Before Trump was officially named the recipient, several human rights groups were concerned that Infantino was cosying up to the president at the expense of political neutrality.

Advocacy group FairSquare told CNN Sports that the introduction of the prize "is just the latest example of serious misgovernance at FIFA and further proof that the organisation urgently needs to be reformed".

FairSquare director Nick McGeehan added: "Gianni Infantino's decision to hitch FIFA to Trump's MAGA project might make short-term commercial sense for FIFA, but it is obviously very harmful to the integrity and reputation of the game."

In a news conference on Wednesday (local time), Human Rights Watch (HRW) director of global initiatives Minky Worden said her organisation had reached out to FIFA to better understand the process behind how the prize was decided.

"We do not have an answer to that, which you could infer that there is no process, there are no other nominees, there was no judging," she said.

CNN Sports reached out to FIFA regarding the process of deciding the Peace Prize, but has yet to receive a response.

What does FIFA say?

In November, FIFA responded to queries from CNN regarding Infantino's relationship with Trump amid concerns from human rights groups that it's become too close for comfort.

The global soccer governing body told CNN that it's part of the role of its president to maintain good relationships with leaders of co-host nations.

"Since the awarding of the United Bid for Canada, Mexico and United States to host the FIFA World Cup 2026, the FIFA president has enjoyed a strong relationship with President Trump, along with leaders from fellow co-hosts Canada and Mexico," FIFA said.

"This has resulted in close collaboration, leading to the formation of the White House Task Force for the FIFA World Cup."

Now that Trump's win is official, it perhaps raises further questions about FIFA's relationship with the US president before next year's already controversial World Cup.

- Ben Church, CNN

US PRESIDENT DONALD TRUMP COULD MAKE MAJOR CHANGES TO 2026 WORLD CUP

US President Donald Trump wears a 'Trump Was Right About Everything!' hat while holding the FIFA World Cup trophy, as he makes an announcement on the 2026 FIFA World Cup on August 22, 2025 [Jonathan Ernst/Reuters]
 

Donald Trump has threatened to move matches for next summer’s 2026 men’s World Cup away from what he called “left-wing lunatic” cities this week. Speaking from the Oval Office, the US president first guaranteed that football's showpiece tournament would be “very secure,” but then suggested he might intervene if cities do not co-operate with his administration.

It’s been a turbulent week for US politics and football. The 79-year-old also downplayed any suggestion that Israel could be banned from next summer’s event, declaring that the USA would block any potential UEFA or FIFA decision to exclude the Middle Eastern nation. This comes as international pressure grows for sanctions against Israel, similar to those imposed on Russia after the Gaza conflict was deemed genocide.

With just over nine months until the World Cup kicks off, it’s clear Trump is using the US hosting rights to advance his political influence. While changing which cities host matches at this stage seems improbable, it has not been entirely ruled out.

Trump Threatens To Change Host Cities For 2026 World Cup

As per the Athletic, a reporter asked Trump what he would do if cities “did not cooperate” with the administration. “Well, that’s an interesting question,” said the president, who continued (watch the full segment below):

“We’re going to make sure they’re safe. They’re run by radical left lunatics who don’t know what they’re doing. As you probably know, we’re going into Memphis and we’re going into some other cities. Very soon, we’re going into Chicago. It will be safe for the World Cup. If I think it isn’t safe, we’ll move into a different city, absolutely. It’s actually a very fair question."

He continued: “If I think it’s not safe, we’re going to move it out of that city. So if any city we think is going to be even a little bit dangerous for the World Cup, or for the [2028] Olympics, you know where they have Olympic overthrow right, but for the World Cup in particular, because they’re playing in so many cities, we won’t allow it. We’ll move it around a little bit."

Trump does not have explicit authority to move World Cup games out of any city. He does, however, have a direct line to FIFA president and his “great friend,” Gianni Infantino.

FIFA’s contracts with host cities - some obtained via public records requests - stipulate that FIFA “shall not have the right for ordinary termination” of the agreements, but generally grant the organisation broad powers and protection against legal claims if it were to terminate or violate the contracts.

- Robin Mumford

TRUMP IS CONVINCED THAT THE FIFA WORLD CUP COULD BE AN INCENTIVE FOR RUSSIA TO END THE WAR

Donald Trump stated that Russia's participation in the 2026 FIFA World Cup could contribute to peace in Ukraine. Russia has been suspended from FIFA and UEFA competitions following the invasion.

US President Donald Trump has said that the possibility for Russia to play in the 2026 FIFA World Cup could be an "incentive" to end the war in Ukraine. The Russian national football team was suspended from international competitions by FIFA and UEFA after the invasion of Ukraine in 2022, reports the BBC, writes UNN.

Details

According to current rules, Russia will not play at the 2026 FIFA World Cup, which is co-hosted by the United States, Canada and Mexico. Qualification began in September 2023, and in addition to the three host countries, 45 places were available.

But speaking at the first meeting of his administration's working group to prepare for the 2026 World Cup, Trump said that Russia's return to the tournament could end the war in Ukraine.

Sitting next to FIFA President Gianni Infantino, Trump said he did not know that Russia had been suspended from the tournament.

That's true. They are currently banned from playing, but we hope that something will happen and peace will come, and Russia will be allowed to compete again, Infantino said.

Trump said: "It's possible. It could be a good incentive, couldn't it? We want them to stop. We want them to stop. Five thousand young people are killed every week - you can't even believe it."

2026 FIFA World Cup in the USA

The US will host 78 of the 104 matches, including the final. The World Tourism Forum Institute has warned that strict immigration policies in the US and global political tensions could "significantly" affect international arrivals.

The Club World Cup, which starts next month, is being held in 12 US stadiums. The tournament is expected to be attended by around two million foreign guests.

We are already processing these travel documents and visa applications. Obviously, this will be a prerequisite for what we can do next year to host the FIFA World Cup

- said Secretary of Homeland Security Christie Noem.

Addition

Earlier this year, the administration of US President Donald Trump called on the Ukrainian government to accept an unspecified number of migrants deported from the country.

A Ukrainian diplomat informed the US Embassy that the government would offer a response when it formulates its position

- The Washington Post reports.

- Pavlo Zinchenko 

DONALD TRUMP LEAVES SUPER BOWL LIX EARLY AFTER PATRICK MAHOMES, KANSAS CITY CHIEFS SUFFER EARLY BLOWOUT

President Donald Trump waves after arriving on Air Force One to Palm Beach International Airport in West Palm Beach, Florida on February 7, 2025. Trump is expected to stay at his Mar-a-Lago home in Palm Beach before traveling to New Orleans on Sunday for the Super Bowl.

US President Donald Trump reportedly left the Super Bowl between the Kansas City Chiefs and the Philadelphia Eagles when the score was 34-0. Trump had already predicted that the Chiefs would win the game and also came out to show his support and admiration for quarterback Patrick Mahomes and his family.

However, things didn’t go as most people expected and predicted with the Chiefs losing embarrassingly to the Eagles with a final score of 40-22. Quarterback Patrick Mahomes managed to score three touchdowns in that game, while passing for 257 yards, completing 21 passes out of 32 attempts, while managing a pair of interceptions.

On the Eagles’ side, quarterback Jalen Hurts attempted 22 passes and completed 17 of them for 221 yards, scoring two touchdowns, with a solo interception. Hurts also led the team on the ground with 11 carries for 72 yards, with a single TD, while DeVonta Smith took charge of the defense with four receptions for 69 yards, scoring once.

Feb 9, 2025; New Orleans, LA, USA; President Donald Trump and Ivanka Trump attend Super Bowl LIX between the Philadelphia Eagles and the Kansas City Chiefs at Ceasars Superdome. Mandatory Credit: Stephen Lew-Imagn Images

Newly elected US President Donald Trump was the first active president to attend a Super Bowl, making history in the country. Trump also gave an interview with Fox News during the pre-show, and discussed a number of topics related to his plans for the country.

Donald Trump Was Cheered Loudly By Crowd During Super Bowl

On another note, US President Donald Trump easily became everyone’s favorite president as the crowd cheered loudly for him during the national anthem. As Jon Batiste performed the national anthem before the game could commence, the camera panned on President Trump and the crowd reacted with a loud cheer.

Feb 9, 2025; New Orleans, LA, USA; President Donald Trump waves as he walks on the field before Super Bowl LIX between the Philadelphia Eagles and the Kansas City Chiefs at Ceasars Superdome. Mandatory Credit: Mark J. Rebilas-Imagn Images

While Trump was certainly the first sitting president to attend the Super Bowl, he is definitely no stranger to the nail-biting game. Even during his presidential campaign last year, Trump was seen at an NFL game in Pittsburgh.

In the comments section of the video where the crowd can be seen cheering for President Trump, more and more fans poured out their admiration and praise for him. Fans of the president commented that they love him, while some of them went on to remark that the president of the United States was certainly trying his best for the common people of America and not exactly the elite class.

Feb 9, 2025; New Orleans, LA, USA; President Donald Trump and Ivanka Trump during the playing of the national anthem in Super Bowl LIX at Ceasars Superdome. Mandatory Credit: Mark J. Rebilas-Imagn Images

Jon Batiste brought some jazz influence into the national anthem which was appreciated by the crowd. However, the real star of the game was US President Donald Trump who showed up to support and cheer for the Kansas City Chiefs. 

- Ernest Leo Hernandez

TRUMP TAKES AIM AT SWIFT AFTER SUPER BOWL BOOS

US President Donald Trump salutes the crowd from the field at the New Orleans Superdome at Sunday's Super Bowl - Copyright AFP ROBERTO SCHMIDT

Donald Trump mocked pop star Taylor Swift after the singer was booed Sunday at the Super Bowl during the Kansas City Chiefs defeat to the Philadelphia Eagles.

Trump — who became the first sitting US President to attend the Super Bowl in Sunday’s showpiece in New Orleans — left the game shortly after half-time.

However the US President could not resist posting a social media dig at Swift, who was in the crowd to watch her boyfriend, Chiefs star Travis Kelce.

The Chiefs would go on to suffer a bruising 40-22 defeat at the Superdome. 

“The only one that had a tougher night than the Kansas City Chiefs was Taylor Swift,” Trump wrote in a post on his Truth Social platform. 

“She got BOOED out of the Stadium. MAGA is very unforgiving!”

Trump had earlier shared a post from a different account mocking Swift, which contrasted Trump’s reception by Super Bowl fans with that of the singer.

Trump was given loud roars of applause when he was shown on the giant screen inside the stadium, saluting while singing the US national anthem.

“Trump gets massive cheers at the Super Bowl while Taylor Swift gets booed – the world is healing!” the post read.

Swift was a prominent celebrity backer of Trump’s US presidential election rival Kamala Harris last year.

Her endorsement prompted Trump to post on Truth Social: “I hate Taylor Swift.”

- AFP