Governing Bodies
On June 16, 16 host cities are confirmed for World Cup 2026
A significant milestone on the road to the FIFA World Cup 2026 was reached 16 June as the 16 host cities that are due to stage matches at the first edition of football’s showpiece to feature 48 teams were unveiled by FIFA
Los Angeles and Vancouver have been announced among the 16 host cities for the World Cup in 2026.
The globe is currently gearing up for the 2022 edition in Qatar this winter – the first World Cup to be held outside of its usual summer window. In four years time though the competition will again in the summer and be played across the USA, Canada and Mexico.
A joint bid by the three North American countries, which was put forward under the name ’United’, saw off a proposal from Morocco, winning over two-thirds of the vote, back in 2018. The United bid commanded 134 of the 203 delegates eligible to vote at the 68th annual FIFA congress.
Along with LA and Vancouver, the cities of Atlanta, Boston, Dallas, Guadalajara, Houson, Kansas, Los Angeles, Mexico City, Miami, Monterrey, New York/New Jersey, Philadelphia, San Francisco Bay, Seattle, Toronto and Vancouver will all host action in the 2026.
11 of the host cities named are in the USA, with three in Mexico and two in Canada. The likes of Cincinnati, D.C., Denver, Edmonton, Nashville, Orlando were all candidates to host games but failed to make the cut.
The USA, Mexico and Canada were separated into western, central and eastern regions to ensure the competition was spread right across the vast area. The World Cup in 2026 will be the first to include 48 teams – up from its current 32 – with the tournament expanding. Mexico will also be the first country to be three-time hosts after being the venue back in 1970 and 1986.
Upon winning the bid Carlos Cordeiro, the president of US Soccer, told the FIFA congress: “It’s a bit emotional for us today. Thank you so, so very much for this incredible honour. Thank you for entrusting us with the privilege of hosting the FIFA World Cup in 2026. The beautiful game transcends borders and cultures. Football today is the only victor. And in that spirit we wish all Russian hosts and all the teams competing here the very best of luck.”
America hosted the World Cup back in 1994. England were not present at that competition after failing to qualify. Brazil eventually triumphed, seeing off Italy in a penalty shootout at the Rose Bowl in Los Angeles.
The full list of venues is as follows:
Atlanta (Mercedes-Benz Stadium: 74,295 capacity)
Boston (Gillette Stadium: 65,878 capacity
Dallas (AT&T Stadium: 80,000 capacity)
Guadalajara (Estadio Akron: 46,355 capacity)
Houston (NRG Stadium: 72,220 capacity)
Kansas City (Arrowhead Stadium: 76,416 capacity)
Los Angeles (SoFi Stadium: 70,000 capacity)
Mexico City (Estadio Azteco: 87,523 capacity)
Miami (Hard Rock Stadium: 65,326 capacity)
Monterrey (Estadio BBVA: 51,000 capacity)
New York/New Jersey (MetLife Stadium: 82,500 capacity)
Philadelphia (Lincoln Financial Field: 67,594 capacity)
San Francisco Bay Area (Levi’s Stadium: 68,500 capacity)
The president of the Confédération of African Football, Dr. Patrice Motsepe, has announced five new CAF Vice Presidents. They are:
- CAF First Vice President: Mr Fouzi Lekjaa (Morocco)
- CAF Second Vice President: Mr Kurt Okraku (Ghana)
- CAF Third Vice President: Mr Pierre-Alain Mounguengui (Gabon)
- CAF Fourth Vice President: Ms Bestine Kazadi Ditabala (Democratic Republic of Congo)
- CAF Fifth Vice President: Mr Feizal Sidat (Mozambique)
In addition, the CAF President has co-opted Yacine Idriss Diallo, President of Fédération Ivoirienne de football, into the CAF Executive Committee.
The CAF Executive Committee also approved the names to fill vacant positions on several CAF Committees.
Organising Committee for the African Nations Championship (CHAN)
- President: Pierre-Alain Mounguengui (Gabon)
CAF Technical and Development Committee
- President: Samuel Eto’o (Cameroon)
- Vice President: Malouche Belhassen (Tunisia)
CAF Medical Committee:
- President: Dr. Mohammed Bouya (Mauritania)
- Vice President: Dr. Thulani Ngwenya (South Africa)
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Governing Bodies
Nigeria becoming an epicentre of global badminton as Francis Orbih enters the Badminton World Federation Council
Laurels on the courts and now glory in the boardroom sums up the mark that badminton is making in Nigeria.
The President, Badminton Federation of Nigeria (BFN), Francis Orbih, has been elected as a council member of the Badminton World Federation (BWF).
The election took place during the BWF Annual General Meeting on Saturday in Xiamen, China.
Orbih emerged victorious over top contenders from other African countries.
He will join Cameroon’s Odette Assembe Engoulou on the council, while Chipo Zumburani (Zimbabwe) and Hadia ElSaid (Egypt) missed out.
An elated Orbih expressed his gratitude to fellow badminton presidents across the globe for their trust and support.
He said, “I am deeply honoured by the trust placed in me by my peers across the badminton world.
“I look forward to quality representation, driving development initiatives, and strengthening badminton’s global reach over the next four years.”
Orbih also acknowledged the support of the Federal Government of Nigeria, particularly the National Sports Commission (NSC), which he said played a significant role in his successful bid.
“The Chairman and the Director General of the NSC monitored the entire process. I’m grateful for their involvement and confident Nigeria will benefit from this,” he stated.
He further appreciated the BFN board members and the Nigerian badminton community for their prayers and continued belief in his leadership.
“From the day I declared my intentions, the board members of BFN have been supportive, and I promise not to disappoint them,” Orbih concluded.
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A former member of the FIFA Council, Mamoutou Toure, has been released from jail in Mali after almost two years in detention for alleged corruption, Malian media reports said on Wednesday.
Toure, president of the Malian Football Federation since 2019, was released after 622 days in prison on Tuesday.
He served on the FIFA Council, world football’s all-powerful decision-making body, for four years until last month when he lost his seat after failing to contest new elections.
The 67-year-old was arrested in August 2023 on allegations of embezzling $28 million of public funds but was granted a provisional release order by the Malian courts, reports said.
He was accused of misconduct during his time as the National Assembly’s financial and administrative director from 2013-2019.
Toure denied all charges and, during his time in jail, was last August re-elected as Malian Football Federation president for a second consecutive term, with his supporters claiming he was a victim of a conspiracy fuelled by detractors.
While in jail, he received a letter of support from FIFA president Gianni Infantino. However, as of last month, Toure is no longer a member of the FIFA Council or the Confederation of African Football’s executive committee.
-Reuters
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