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48 TEAMS, NEW VAR RULES: THE 2026 WORLD CUP REVOLUTION
The 2026 World Cup in the US, Mexico, and Canada brings a 48-team format and potential VAR expansion for corner kicks and second yellows. Get the analysis on FIFA's accuracy push and the IFAB vote.
The United States, Mexico, and Canada will host the 23rd edition of the world's most-watched soccer competition from June 11 to July 19. Argentina, led by Lionel Scaloni, will try to defend their title.
France, Spain, Brazil, and England, all past winners, are already in and eager to take Argentina's crown. This World Cup will be the first to have 48 teams, up from 32, and there might be other changes too.
FIFA, with Infantino at the helm, may give VAR more power, like influence over corner-kick calls, according to The Times. Infantino will present the first FIFA Peace Prize at the draw on Friday. The World Cup group could use these extra powers on a trial basis.
FIFA leaders want VAR to step in if they think a corner was wrongly given. Besides corners, they want VAR to check second yellow cards to ensure a sending-off was correct.
FIFA believes the World Cup should be very accurate in its calls, as it's a top sporting event. This change would lower the chance of mistakes. They worry a bad corner call could change the World Cup final's result, which is to be held at MetLife Stadium.
This kind of exemption has happened before. FIFA tested VAR at the Confederations Cup and Club World Cup in 2017 before the International FA Board (IFAB) approved it. FIFA's leaders, including Infantino, seem ready for a rule change.
IFAB Needs to Approve VAR Power Boost
With domestic seasons ending soon, the 48 nations will prepare for the World Cup. Any rule changes would start on June 1, perfect for the tournament. However, IFAB must be sure that giving VAR more power won't cause more delays and that video officials will make quick choices, says The Times.
IFAB includes the four British groups, each with one vote, and FIFA, with four votes. Any rule change needs at least six votes to pass. The Sun says IFAB will likely let VAR officials check second yellow cards next summer, but the corner-kick change may face pushback.
WILFRIED NANCY: CELTIC BOSS BLOCKS OUT ALL "NOISE" AND CRITICISM AFTER HEARTS LOSS
After the heat following the Hearts' loss, Celtic manager Wilfried Nancy stated he has "blocked everything out," including social media criticism, to focus solely on the team's performance.
Celtic's head coach, Wilfried Nancy, said he tunes out all the noise when making decisions as a manager.
This comes after the Frenchman faced some heat after a 2-1 loss to Heart of Midlothian in his first game with the Glasgow team.
Before the Europa League match against AS Roma, Nancy said he doesn't pay attention to what others think.
When asked if those opinions bother him, he told a press conference, "That's a good question."
I'll be honest.
Every team I've coached—when I decided to become a coach—well, when I had the chance to become a coach, I'd been an assistant for seven years, working with many coaches.
I always told myself that when I became a coach, I'd block everything out. And that's exactly what I did.
He said he's built a wall between himself and any outside opinions, even online criticism.
I've blocked anything on Twitter that mentions my name, the club, or what people are saying.
People can say what they want. It's part of the job, and that's what we prepare for. I'm not here to comment on everything.
The manager explained that ignoring public opinion helps him focus on what he can control to improve how the team plays.
He used an analogy about how everyone has different tastes, like when people have different experiences with the same food.
We could visit a restaurant together, and you might love the food, while I don't.
Get what I mean? You like it, and I don't.
Nancy made his goals clear: he's focused on his players and the club and wants to do his best to give good performances.
He wrapped up by saying, At the end of the day, it's part of the job. I control what I can to be good with my players, my club, and the people I work with and to make sure we have the best chance of winning by playing well.
His team will play AS Roma in the Europa League tomorrow.
PEACE PRIZE SCRUTINY: FIFA FACES FORMAL COMPLAINT ABOUT UNILATERAL DONALD TRUMP AWARD
FIFA President Gianni Infantino is accused of four breaches of the ethics code by FairSquare, including awarding the first FIFA Peace Prize to Donald Trump at the World Cup draw.
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After the World Cup draw last week, FIFA is facing a formal complaint about political neutrality. FairSquare, a nonprofit, sent FIFA’s Ethics Committee a detailed letter pointing out four possible violations by FIFA President Gianni Infantino during the event, one of which was giving out the FIFA Peace Prize.
Calls for FIFA to Look Into It
FairSquare's complaint follows the World Cup draw. At the event, the awarding of the first-ever FIFA Peace Prize was part of several mentions of President Donald Trump. FIFA said the award recognised Trump’s work in promoting peace and unity around the world.
FairSquare believes that giving the prize, along with other things that happened during the event, might have gone against FIFA’s policy of being politically neutral. They've requested the ethics committee to look into the decision to create and give out the FIFA Peace Prize and whether it followed FIFA’s rules.
Infantino and Trump
Infantino and Trump have met a few times over the years, which isn't unusual, as FIFA presidents often meet with leaders from different countries. During the draw, Infantino made some comments about Trump.
He said he was surprised by negative comments about Trump. He stated that, regardless of not being American, Trump was elected in the United States, and one should respect the results of a democratic election.
FairSquare's complaint argues that these statements show a political stance, breaking FIFA’s neutrality rules.
FIFA's Ethics Code
FIFA's ethics code says that the organisation should stay neutral when it comes to politics. It specifically says FIFA remains neutral in matters of politics and religion, also requiring everyone bound by the code to remain politically neutral when dealing with government groups.
Infantino has met with Trump a few times, including an invitation to the presidential inauguration and visits to the Oval Office.
Acting Alone
The Peace Prize given to Trump has been questioned, as it seems it was decided on and awarded without talking to senior FIFA officials. High-ranking FIFA officials were unaware of the award before its announcement. The award was revealed on the same day Infantino spoke at an event in the United States.
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