The 2026 FIFA World Cup is just over a week old and it's already delivering on and off the pitch. From policy U-turns to more geopolitical drama playing out in real time, the headlines happening around the pitch have the whole world captivated. FIFA Reverses Language Policy After Hakimi Incident
When Mexican journalist Rodrigo Ornelas of TV Azteca attempted to ask Morocco's Achraf Hakimi a question in Spanish ahead of the Morocco vs. Brazil Group C clash in New Jersey, a FIFA moderator blocked it because no interpreter was available. Hakimi, who was born and raised in Madrid, tried to intervene himself, telling the official "It's OK, I understand," and was still told to answer in English. Spanish interpretation has since been added to all official World Cup press conferences. Japan Fans Do It Again
Japan's fans are once again winning praise online for cleaning up after themselves, this time tidying the Dallas Stadium following their 2-2 draw with the Netherlands. The national team also left their locker room spotless, as they always do. This isn't new. It’s something they’ve been spotted doing every tournament, and it’s become a tournament footballing tradition. Trump Set to Lift the Trophy
According to several reports, FIFA wants Donald Trump to hand the World Cup trophy to the eventual champions. This follows the US president's appearance at the Club World Cup final, where he stood beside Chelsea captain Reece James during the trophy lift, raising eyebrows given that FIFA protocol typically keeps the trophy on a plinth until it is carried up by a member of the winning team. VAR Official Cleared of Racist Gesture Allegations
FIFA's disciplinary committee has cleared Australian video assistant referee Shaun Evans after he was accused of making a hand gesture associated with white supremacy during the World Cup. An investigation found no breach of FIFA's ethics code, and Evans issued a statement saying he had been unaware of making the sign. Anti-discrimination group Fare had called for his removal from the tournament. “Oppressed” Iran forced to leave California immediately after game
The most politically charged story of the tournament. Iran's head coach Amir Ghalenoei revealed that his squad was ordered to head back to Tijuana, Mexico immediately after their 2-2 draw with New Zealand, despite having expected to stay overnight in Los Angeles for recovery. Iran's base camp was moved from Arizona to Tijuana weeks before the tournament amid uncertainty over US visas and a growing sense that the squad's presence in the US should be kept to a minimum. Captain Mehdi Taremi revealed FIFA president Gianni Infantino visited the dressing room after the match, but the deeper issues remain. As Ghalenoei put it bluntly: "I think perhaps our team is the most oppressed one in the whole World Cup."