Today's top Malaysian news, sport and lifestyle.
UEFA has accused FIFA's current leadership of losing the confidence of the global football community after the world governing body shelved plans to sell stakes in major competitions to private investors.
FIFA president Gianni Infantino's grip on power has weakened considerably after his ambitious plan to sell a 20% stake in World Cup operations to private investors collapsed under fierce international opposition, particularly from UEFA and the Asian Football Confederation.
FIFA President Gianni Infantino faces mounting pressure as the Asian Football Confederation rejects his controversial plan to privatize World Cup operations, joining UEFA and CONCACAF in opposition that now covers 137 member nations.
UEFA and its 55 European member nations have voted to boycott all FIFA tournaments in response to the governing body's proposal to sell a stake in the World Cup to external investors, citing serious governance and procedural concerns.
FIFA has initiated formal disciplinary proceedings against the Argentine Football Association following several incidents during the 2026 World Cup, including the display of a Falkland Islands banner by players during their semi-final celebration against England.
FIFA serves as world soccer's supreme authority across 211 nations, yet UEFA's control of Europe's most valuable competitions—generating billions annually—creates a delicate balance of power that shapes football's future.
FIFA is establishing a new subsidiary to raise up to US$4.2 billion from private investors, expanding funding for its 211 member federations. The move has sparked controversy from UEFA over governance of global football.
Mexico attracted three million foreign tourists to its World Cup host cities, exceeding government forecasts and generating an estimated 40 billion pesos in tourism spending, offering lessons for future Southeast Asian mega-events.
Johor police have arrested 12 individuals, including a 15-year-old, following a serious brawl that erupted during a World Cup final screening in Johor Bahru.
Newly appointed Wallabies coach Les Kiss has indicated he will not shy away from selecting overseas-based players if it enhances Australia's chances of winning, signalling a more flexible recruitment strategy as the team prepares for the World Cup.
FIFA has initiated a formal disciplinary investigation into a post-match brawl that erupted after Spain defeated Argentina 1-0 in extra time during the World Cup final, appointing specialized prosecutors to examine the incident.
Kuala Lumpur City Hall will clean up Dataran Merdeka after over 25,000 football fans gathered to watch Spain defeat Argentina 1-0 in the 2026 FIFA World Cup final, leaving behind significant litter at the historic venue.
Twelve men, one a teenager, were arrested by Johor Baru police following a violent altercation at a restaurant in Taman Daya early Monday. The incident occurred during a World Cup final live screening.
Mexican President Claudia Sheinbaum's journey to New York for the World Cup final was disrupted by smoke from Canadian wildfires, forcing her to reschedule her flight from Cancún and travel overnight via military aircraft instead.
FIFA's technical analysis of the 48-team World Cup format reveals the expansion was successful, with smaller nations performing strongly and competitive gaps narrowing across international football.
United Nations experts have demanded impartial investigations into claims that authorities disrupted protests highlighting Mexico's disappearance crisis during the recent football World Cup.
Hundreds of security and police dogs, including the friendly Labrador Kali, have been deployed across North American World Cup venues to detect explosives and prevent threats, with private contractors and government agencies coordinating a multi-layered canine defence strategy.
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American authorities have confiscated more than 700 drones around FIFA World Cup stadiums and fan zones since the tournament began in June, with operators facing severe penalties for unauthorised airspace intrusion.
Atlanta police are implementing heightened security measures for the Argentina-England World Cup semi-final, with separate fan entrances and proactive deployment due to longstanding tensions between the nations rooted in the 1982 Falkland Islands conflict.
France's World Cup title defence crumbled spectacularly in a 2-0 semi-final defeat to Spain in Arlington, Texas. Despite being tournament favourites, the French side proved technically outmatched against a Spanish team that controlled the match with clinical precision.
Human rights organisation FairSquare has lodged a formal complaint with the International Olympic Committee against FIFA President Gianni Infantino, alleging multiple breaches of the Olympic Charter's political neutrality provisions linked to his handling of World Cup disciplinary matters.
Spain's government has formally apologised for a column by former Prime Minister Mariano Rajoy that questioned whether France's soccer team contained actual French players, with Foreign Minister Jose Manuel Albares calling the remarks xenophobic and unrepresentative of Spanish values.
Senegal's football federation president has questioned the qualifications of the national team's doctor, claiming he was trained as a gynaecologist rather than a sports medicine specialist, raising player concerns during the World Cup campaign.
South African international midfielder Jayden Adams, 25, who featured in the 2023 FIFA World Cup, has died. His body was discovered in Cape Town on Saturday morning. Police have launched an investigation.
Spain advanced to the World Cup semi-final with a 2-1 victory over injury-depleted Belgium, with substitute Mikel Merino scoring the decisive goal. They will face France in the last four.
Penang authorities are escalating enforcement efforts against unlicensed betting operations as the FIFA World Cup progresses toward its climax, having detained 31 individuals across the state so far.
Argentina and Switzerland renew their World Cup rivalry after 12 years, meeting in the knockout stage with vastly different circumstances. The defending champions face a resurgent Swiss side seeking their first quarter-final appearance since 1954.
FIFA's refereeing chief has rebuffed Egypt's claims of unfair officiating in Argentina's disputed 3-2 World Cup knockout win, asserting that match officials operated independently and VAR decisions were correctly applied.
Morocco's coach Mohamed Ouahbi has rejected suggestions that his team should celebrate reaching the World Cup quarter-finals, insisting the only acceptable outcome is winning the tournament ahead of Thursday's match against France.
FIFA's refereeing chief has publicly backed Brazilian referee Raphael Claus, whose controversial red card decision drew criticism from US President Donald Trump during the World Cup.
Moroccan defender Issa Diop, who previously refused to switch from France, now faces his former nation and star striker Kylian Mbappé in a World Cup quarter-final, adding intrigue to Thursday's clash.
Nigerian-born striker Folarin Balogun, who gained US citizenship by birth, has become the unexpected focal point of America's birthright citizenship debate after President Trump intervened to help overturn his World Cup red card.
UEFA has strongly condemned FIFA's decision to suspend American striker Folarin Balogun's World Cup red card ban, arguing the move compromises sporting integrity after US President Donald Trump lobbied for a review.
Controversial comments by Belgium coach Rudi Garcia about Senegal have reignited debate over racially coded language in football coverage, with academics and players highlighting how commentary often attributes Black players' abilities to athleticism rather than tactical intelligence.
FIFA has suspended an automatic red card ban for US striker Folarin Balogun following intervention by President Trump, prompting fierce criticism from European football associations over political interference in tournament integrity.
Malaysian police have arrested 34 individuals following a dawn raid on an illegal betting call centre operating from a commercial venue in Kuala Lumpur's Taman Wahyu area, dismantling what authorities describe as an unlicensed entertainment establishment.
Chinese football fans have taken to social media to criticize Paraguay's aggressive tactics during their World Cup round-of-16 loss to France, with many wishing that renowned Chinese referee Ma Ning had officiated the match instead.
The expanded 48-team FIFA World Cup drew 4.6 million fans across 72 group-stage matches, surpassing the 1994 US tournament by over one million spectators. The event also set records for goals and food consumption at stadiums.
Morocco's head coach Mohamed Ouahbi has declared his team a legitimate World Cup powerhouse rather than a surprise package, following a commanding 3-0 victory over Canada that propels them into the quarterfinals.
England take on Mexico at the historic Estadio Azteca in a World Cup last-16 clash, while Norway's Erling Haaland attempts to upset Brazil in New Jersey. The winners advance to Miami quarter-finals.
The US Embassy in Mexico City has cautioned American citizens to exercise heightened vigilance during Sunday's World Cup knockout match between Mexico and England, citing historical safety concerns at public viewing events.
The United States enters a World Cup knockout clash against Belgium in Seattle with surging confidence, having exceeded initial tournament expectations through impressive group-stage performances.
Morocco eliminated Canada 3-0 in the World Cup last 16 on Saturday, with midfielder Azzedine Ounahi scoring twice. The North Africans advanced to the quarter-finals for the second consecutive tournament.
Three people died from asphyxiation in Mexico City following celebrations of Mexico's 2-0 victory over Ecuador that secured their World Cup round-of-16 spot.
England manager Thomas Tuchel is keen to provide an inspiring performance for young fans watching the World Cup knockout match against the Democratic Republic of Congo, scheduled for an early afternoon kickoff in Atlanta.
Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton has launched an investigation into StubHub following widespread complaints from World Cup attendees whose tickets were never delivered despite prior purchase through the resale platform.
Toronto health authorities are cautioning spectators attending the Portugal-Croatia World Cup round of 32 match to take precautions against extreme heat, with temperatures expected to feel like 40°C due to humidity.
England narrowly escaped World Cup embarrassment when Harry Kane struck twice in the second half to overturn a deficit against the Democratic Republic of Congo, winning 2-1 in the round of 32 and advancing to face Mexico.
Portugal will face Croatia in the World Cup round of 32 on Thursday, with the match coinciding with the anniversary of forward Diogo Jota's death exactly one year ago. The team has woven commemorations throughout their campaign.
FIFA's social media monitoring uncovered a dramatic 13-fold increase in online abuse during the World Cup group stage, with racial harassment accounting for 11% of detected offensive posts—a worrying trend for football governance.
Three Netherlands players who missed penalties in their World Cup loss to Morocco have been subjected to racist abuse on social media, prompting the Dutch football association to file a formal complaint with authorities.
A Penang magistrate's court has rejected a police remand application for four suspects, including a woman, who were detained over illicit World Cup football betting activities, marking a setback in the investigation.
Brazil secured a dramatic 2-1 victory over Japan in the World Cup round of 32 when Gabriel Martinelli struck deep into stoppage time in Houston, advancing the five-time champions to face either Côte d'Ivoire or Norway in the last 16.
France enters its World Cup knockout encounter against Sweden as overwhelming favourites, having dominated the group stage with clinical attacking football. Yet coach Didier Deschamps recognises vulnerabilities on the left flank that require adjustment.
Iran has accused tournament organizers of unfair treatment as the team departs the World Cup after elimination. The squad faced travel restrictions and logistical complications throughout their campaign.
South Korea's President Lee Jae Myung has ordered a government investigation into the national football team's unexpected World Cup elimination, blaming flawed appointment processes and suggesting the coach selection lacked merit-based criteria.
Hundreds of World Cup fans purchased tickets through resale platform StubHub only to face cancellations hours before matches, leaving them without entry and questioning the reliability of secondary ticket markets during major sporting events.
France claimed top spot in World Cup Group I with a dominant 4-1 victory over Norway, powered by Ousmane Dembele's rapid-fire hat-trick. The winger netted three times in just 25 minutes as Les Bleus prepared for a challenging knockout stage.
Ecuador pulled off a stunning 2-1 victory over Germany in their final Group E match, overturning an early deficit to secure a place in the World Cup knockout round despite arriving as underdogs.
France will pursue top spot in World Cup Group I against Norway on Friday to remain based in Boston and avoid lengthy travel disruptions across the United States during the tournament.