Match story
- Mexico fired more attempts (15 vs 12 shots).
- Mexico was more accurate in front of goal (60% on target vs 42%).
- Mexico held more of the ball (62% possession).
Mexico defeated Dominican Republic 3-2 in the CONCACAF Gold Cup. The fixture is part of the Group Stage - 1 stage in the 2025 season. The match was played at SoFi Stadium in Inglewood, California. Oshane Anthony Nation officiated the match. The full-time result capped a Mexico vs Dominican Republic meeting in CONCACAF Gold Cup with detailed post-match statistics available on Sportra. This match centre covers lineups, live events, player ratings, team statistics, xG, head-to-head history, and related news for Mexico and Dominican Republic. On Sportra you can view xG, lineups, match statistics, events, player ratings, predictions, head-to-head history, and related news for this fixture.
CONCACAF Gold CupRecorded meetings: 0 (available previous meetings, not necessarily all-time).
Mexico defeated Dominican Republic 3-2 in the CONCACAF Gold Cup. The fixture is part of the Group Stage - 1 stage in the 2025 season. The match was played at SoFi Stadium in Inglewood, California. Oshane Anthony Nation officiated the match. The full-time result capped a Mexico vs Dominican Republic meeting in CONCACAF Gold Cup with detailed post-match statistics available on Sportra. This match centre covers lineups, live events, player ratings, team statistics, xG, head-to-head history, and related news for Mexico and Dominican Republic. On Sportra you can view xG, lineups, match statistics, events, player ratings, predictions, head-to-head history, and related news for this fixture.
CONCACAF Gold Cup
Harry Kane remains optimistic on his chances of winning the 2026 Ballon d'Or after reaching the second highest mark of goals scored in a single season only behind Lionel Messi. Harry Kane stood as one of the defining figures of the 2025-26 season, elevating himself into the front-runner conversation for the 2026 Ballon d’Or. Following a historic, record-breaking campaign where he finished second only to Lionel Messi for the most goals scored in a single season, the English striker keeps his hopes of capturing soccer’s top individual honor firmly intact. On Monday, ahead of Bayern Munich’s preseason friendly against FC Heidenheim the following day, Kane addressed reporters regarding his performance over the past year: “Again, extremely proud to have put in the season I did last year. I think the Ballon d’Or is as big as it gets from an individual point of view. I know I had a great season last season, but as always, like I said already, the focus is on this new season.“ Kane’s campaign with Bayern proved to be one of the most prolific goalscoring runs in modern European soccer history. Despite coming up short in the UEFA Champions League, the English captain bagged 61 goals in 51 appearances for the Bavarian giants, including 36 in the Bundesliga to claim the 2025-26 European Golden Shoe, the second of his career. The striker, who also led England to a third-place finish at the 2026 World Cup, took a measured approach when asked about his chances of securing the sport’s highest individual honor. “The Ballon d’Or is not in my hands. I’ve done what I can do in terms of putting in the performances. It’s now down to votes and other people and the media. Stuff I can’t control. We’ll see what happens.“ 🔴⚪️🌕 Harry Kane on the Ballon d’Or: “It’s the biggest award you can get. The Ballon d'Or isn't in my hands”.“I've done what I could in terms of performing. Of course, it would be fantastic if it happens. But ultimately, there's still 2-3 months until a decision is made”. pic.twitter.com/7GhoYitgqE— Fabrizio Romano (@FabrizioRomano) August 17, 2026 While maintaining that team goals remain his priority, Kane acknowledged the significance of potentially capturing the award: “Obviously, it’d be amazing if it was to happen, but ultimately it’s still two or three months away before that’s decided. It’s not something that’s on the front of my mind right now.“ The 70th edition of the Ballon d’Or will take place on Monday, October 26, at The London Palladium in London, marking the first time the prestigious ceremony will be hosted outside of France. With the event set in his home country, Kane will aim to become the fifth English player to win the award, and the first since Michael Owen in 2001. Messi’s single-season goalscoring record remains untouched The 2025-26 campaign presented Kane with an ideal platform to cement his legacy among the game’s legendary center forwards, starring for a dominant Bayern side and leading the line for England. He swept all domestic silverware in Germany by winning the Bundesliga, DFB-Pokal, and DFL-Supercup, but ultimately fell just short of eclipsing Messi’s all-time single-season mark. Combining his output for Bayern Munich and England across all competitions, including UEFA World Cup qualifiers and the 2026 World Cup, Kane finished with 73 goals in 2025-26, surpassing Cristiano Ronaldo’s 69-goal mark from 2011-12 to move into second place all-time. His final tally was capped in the World Cup round of 16 against Mexico, as he went goalless in subsequent fixtures against Norway, Argentina, and France in the third-place match. As a result, Lionel Messi’s mythical record of 82 goals in 69 total appearances during the 2011-12 season remains intact for another year. Wearing the Barcelona shirt that year, Messi scored 73 club goals across all competitions while adding nine goals in nine appearances for Argentina, setting a benchmark that remains unmatched in modern soccer history.
Liverpool are interested in signing Midtjylland winger Dario Osorio during the summer transfer window. According to a report from Campo, Everton and Leeds United are also following the 22-year-old attacker. Osorio is also on the radar of Arsenal. Dario Osorio’s potential move to Liverpool Liverpool have reportedly made enquiries to sign the player, and they […] The post Liverpool eye £17m move for South American sensation on Everton & Leeds radar appeared first on CaughtOffside.
OLIVER HOLT: After the opening game of the World Cup in Mexico City, I bumped into Jurgen Klopp. I told him that English football missed him. 'You don't know what you've got till it's gone,' he said.
Cristiano Ronaldo and Al-Nassr make their debut in the 2026–27 Saudi Pro League season against Al Fateh on Saturday, August 15, and here is all the information you need to know to watch this match live in the United States. Here are all of the details of where you can watch Al Nassr vs Al Fateh on US television and via legal streaming: WHO Al Nassr vs Al Fateh WHAT Saudi Pro League WHEN 2:00pm ET / 11:00am PT • Saturday, August 15, 2026 WHERE Fubo STREAM WATCH NOW Match Overview Cristiano Ronaldo debuts in the 2026–27 Saudi Pro League season following a demanding summer with Portugal at the 2026 FIFA World Cup. Al Nassr will try to defend their title, but the Saudi Pro League has proven to be fiercely competitive and every point counts—which is why a victory against Al Fateh is vital to start the campaign with confidence. More details on how to watch With Fubo, you can watch Al Nassr vs Al Fateh and tons more games. With the legal streaming service, you can watch the game on your computer, smartphone, tablet, Roku, Apple TV or hook it up to your TV with Google Chromecast. Now with Fubo, you can stream USA Network, ESPN, ESPN2, CBS, CBS Sports Network, FS1, FS2, beIN SPORTS, beIN SPORTS en Español, beIN SPORTS Connect, beIN SPORTS XTRA, NBC, CNBC, USA, FOX, FOX Soccer Plus, FOX Deportes, Telemundo, Universo and Galavision. Plus Fubo, the legal streaming service, also streams Liga MX, World Cup, Women’s World Cup, MLS, UEFA Champions League (in Spanish), Europa League (in Spanish), Primeira Liga, Ligue Un, World Cup qualifiers, NWSL, select USMNT games, select USWNT games, select Mexico games, select England games and more. The Fubo app is available for Windows PC, Mac, Apple iPhones, Android phones, Amazon Fire TV, Android Mobile, Android TV, Apple TV, Chromecast, Hisense TVs, iOS devices, LG TVs, Samsung Smart TVs, Vizio Smartcast TVs and Xbox One. If you’re planning to follow more games on this platform, you can check out the full Fubo soccer schedule to stay up to date with upcoming matches available via the service. How to watch anywhere with VPN If you’re abroad, you may need to use a virtual private network (VPN) in order to watch games using your usual streaming service. A VPN, such as NordVPN, allows you to establish a secure connection online when streaming. If you are not sure which VPN to use, check out World Soccer Talk’s guide to the best VPNs for streaming soccer. Free resources available to you Courtesy of World Soccer Talk, download a complimentary copy of The Ultimate Soccer TV And Streaming Guide, which features details on where to watch all of the leagues from around the world on US TV and streaming. To find out when soccer games are on, download the free Soccer TV Schedules App which includes listings of all of the live soccer matches available in the United States (available on Apple iOS devices and Android devices).
Raúl Jiménez marked his return to Wolves with the stoppage-time equaliser that saved them from an embarrassing start to their return to the Championship. The Mexico striker, who scored against England during the World Cup, came off the bench to convert a penalty given for handball by Ryan Alebiosu that would have had VAR questioning whether the defender was in the area when Jackson Tchatchoua’s cross struck his arm.One minor consolation from Wolves’ relegation is that the video assistant referee is no longer their problem. Jiménez, who had bought scarves for all supporters in the South Bank in gratitude for their welcome home, tucked away his first goal in this second spell for the club he graced during their recent heyday before leaving for Fulham. Continue reading...
After joining LA Galaxy in look for minutes, Hirving "Chucky" Lozano has used Lionel Messi's success in the 2026 World Cup as an inspiration to eventually return to the Mexico national team. Hirving “Chucky” Lozano completed his transfer to the LA Galaxy seeking the consistent minutes he was unable to secure at San Diego FC, aiming to relaunch his career on the international stage. Looking for a blueprint to return to the Mexico national team, Lozano cited Lionel Messi‘s success during the 2026 World Cup while competing in MLS as a primary source of inspiration. Since Messi arrived at Inter Miami in 2023, critics questioned his physical conditioning and competitive edge playing outside the European spotlight. However, the forward defied expectations by delivering a standout performance at 39 years old following his preparation in MLS. Speaking to reporters during his introductory press conference, Lozano was asked by Bolavip‘s Martin O’Donnell about a potential return to the Mexico squad after witnessing Messi’s longevity: “Well, Lionel Messi is a great player. He was named the world’s best many times, so I think that with him it’s a whole different story. I admire and respect him a lot.” The forward made his intentions clear that earning a spot back with El Tri remains a primary goal at his new club. “Of course, as long as I continue playing, I will be available for Mexico. If they believe it’s the best for the national team for me to be there supporting and helping the team, of course I will be there. I will never say no (to Mexico). But well, this is a process,” Lozano added. Welcome to Los Ángeles, @HirvingLozano70 💫 pic.twitter.com/Ggc7WkHRhI— LA Galaxy (@LAGalaxy) August 7, 2026 Lack of match fitness cost Lozano a World Cup roster spot While injuries proved to be an obstacle in recent years, Lozano earned a recall to the Mexico national team in late 2025 while featuring for San Diego FC. However, internal friction with former head coach Mikey Varas and club executives left the forward sidelined, training individually throughout 2026 without making a single competitive appearance. Lozano’s last appearance for San Diego FC came during the 2025 MLS Cup Playoffs, and going months without game action led head coach Javier Aguirre to exclude him from Mexico’s 2026 World Cup roster. Now settled with the Galaxy, Lozano expects regular playing time to revive his international candidacy. “Now that I’ll have the opportunity to play, I believe that they’ll see what I can do, how I find myself, and that way they’ll decide if it’s good having me on the national team or not. I will work a lot to be there, I love to be with the national team, I’m passionate about it, but only time will tell,” he added, noting that final squad selection rests with team management. Extended fall window presents immediate opportunity for El Tri comeback Lozano joined the LA Galaxy as a Designated Player on loan through December 2026, with an option to make the transfer permanent. During that stretch, he will have an immediate platform to prove his form to Mexico’s new manager, legendary defender Rafael Marquez. El Tri‘s upcoming fixture list and Marquez’s touchline debut will take place during an expanded international window between September and October. Playing across a four-game tour in the United States, Mexico are scheduled to face Colombia (Sept. 26), Peru (Sept. 29), the USMNT (Oct. 3), and Chile (Oct. 6). Amid a demanding schedule with minimal recovery time between matches, the autumn fixtures offer a natural environment for Lozano to regain match sharpness and rejoin the national team setup. His last appearance for El Tri came in November 2025 during a friendly against Uruguay, where he played the opening 45 minutes before exiting with an injury.
President Donald Trump showed his support for Gianni Infantino, following the joint letter from UEFA, AFC and CONCACAF criticizing the FIFA president. Donald Trump has thrown his support behind Gianni Infantino as the FIFA president faces mounting pressure to step down, warning that removing him would be a costly mistake for the organization. The U.S. president made his position clear in a post on Truth Social, defending Infantino’s leadership amid the growing revolt from some of football’s most powerful governing bodies. In his post, Trump wrote: “FIFA would be making a terrible mistake if, for any reason, they even considered replacing President Gianni Infantino. He is fantastic, having just presided over the most successful World Cup, by four times, ever presented. If he is gone, it will never be as successful or profitable again!” The backing comes in the middle of a crisis triggered by Infantino’s now-scrapped FIFA Forward Enterprise plan, which would have sold private investors a 20% stake in the World Cup’s commercial rights for a reported $4.2 billion. FIFA President Gianni Infantino and U.S. President Donald Trump. (Getty Images) The proposal sparked accusations that Infantino was attempting to privatize a central pillar of the sport, and although FIFA has since abandoned the plan and admitted it mishandled the rollout, the fallout has only deepened divisions within soccer governing structure. UEFA, the AFC and CONCACAF jointly released a letter in response, stating that “trust” had been “broken through deception” and calling for new leadership at FIFA that serves football rather than commands it. Argentina, Mexico and Africa’s CAF rally behind embattled Infantino Not everyone within soccer governing bodies has turned against Infantino. The Argentine Football Association (AFA) issued a letter backing him directly, pointing to FIFA’s work over the past decade as having “centred on the development of soccer worldwide and institutional strength based on a clear, stable, and transparent governance model”. Mexico’s federation broke ranks with its own regional confederation, CONCACAF, to back Infantino as well, saying it “supports President Infantino’s leadership in continuing to promote the development of football through institutional strengthening”. That backing was reinforced by the African Football Confederation (CAF), which unanimously endorsed Infantino across its 54 member nations — a significant show of support led by CAF president Patrice Motsepe, long considered a close ally of the FIFA chief.
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Harry Kane remains optimistic on his chances of winning the 2026 Ballon d'Or after reaching the second highest mark of goals scored in a single season only behind Lionel Messi. Harry Kane stood as one of the defining figures of the 2025-26 season, elevating himself into the front-runner conversation for the 2026 Ballon d’Or. Following a historic, record-breaking campaign where he finished second only to Lionel Messi for the most goals scored in a single season, the English striker keeps his hopes of capturing soccer’s top individual honor firmly intact. On Monday, ahead of Bayern Munich’s preseason friendly against FC Heidenheim the following day, Kane addressed reporters regarding his performance over the past year: “Again, extremely proud to have put in the season I did last year. I think the Ballon d’Or is as big as it gets from an individual point of view. I know I had a great season last season, but as always, like I said already, the focus is on this new season.“ Kane’s campaign with Bayern proved to be one of the most prolific goalscoring runs in modern European soccer history. Despite coming up short in the UEFA Champions League, the English captain bagged 61 goals in 51 appearances for the Bavarian giants, including 36 in the Bundesliga to claim the 2025-26 European Golden Shoe, the second of his career. The striker, who also led England to a third-place finish at the 2026 World Cup, took a measured approach when asked about his chances of securing the sport’s highest individual honor. “The Ballon d’Or is not in my hands. I’ve done what I can do in terms of putting in the performances. It’s now down to votes and other people and the media. Stuff I can’t control. We’ll see what happens.“ 🔴⚪️🌕 Harry Kane on the Ballon d’Or: “It’s the biggest award you can get. The Ballon d'Or isn't in my hands”.“I've done what I could in terms of performing. Of course, it would be fantastic if it happens. But ultimately, there's still 2-3 months until a decision is made”. pic.twitter.com/7GhoYitgqE— Fabrizio Romano (@FabrizioRomano) August 17, 2026 While maintaining that team goals remain his priority, Kane acknowledged the significance of potentially capturing the award: “Obviously, it’d be amazing if it was to happen, but ultimately it’s still two or three months away before that’s decided. It’s not something that’s on the front of my mind right now.“ The 70th edition of the Ballon d’Or will take place on Monday, October 26, at The London Palladium in London, marking the first time the prestigious ceremony will be hosted outside of France. With the event set in his home country, Kane will aim to become the fifth English player to win the award, and the first since Michael Owen in 2001. Messi’s single-season goalscoring record remains untouched The 2025-26 campaign presented Kane with an ideal platform to cement his legacy among the game’s legendary center forwards, starring for a dominant Bayern side and leading the line for England. He swept all domestic silverware in Germany by winning the Bundesliga, DFB-Pokal, and DFL-Supercup, but ultimately fell just short of eclipsing Messi’s all-time single-season mark. Combining his output for Bayern Munich and England across all competitions, including UEFA World Cup qualifiers and the 2026 World Cup, Kane finished with 73 goals in 2025-26, surpassing Cristiano Ronaldo’s 69-goal mark from 2011-12 to move into second place all-time. His final tally was capped in the World Cup round of 16 against Mexico, as he went goalless in subsequent fixtures against Norway, Argentina, and France in the third-place match. As a result, Lionel Messi’s mythical record of 82 goals in 69 total appearances during the 2011-12 season remains intact for another year. Wearing the Barcelona shirt that year, Messi scored 73 club goals across all competitions while adding nine goals in nine appearances for Argentina, setting a benchmark that remains unmatched in modern soccer history.
Liverpool are interested in signing Midtjylland winger Dario Osorio during the summer transfer window. According to a report from Campo, Everton and Leeds United are also following the 22-year-old attacker. Osorio is also on the radar of Arsenal. Dario Osorio’s potential move to Liverpool Liverpool have reportedly made enquiries to sign the player, and they […] The post Liverpool eye £17m move for South American sensation on Everton & Leeds radar appeared first on CaughtOffside.
OLIVER HOLT: After the opening game of the World Cup in Mexico City, I bumped into Jurgen Klopp. I told him that English football missed him. 'You don't know what you've got till it's gone,' he said.
Cristiano Ronaldo and Al-Nassr make their debut in the 2026–27 Saudi Pro League season against Al Fateh on Saturday, August 15, and here is all the information you need to know to watch this match live in the United States. Here are all of the details of where you can watch Al Nassr vs Al Fateh on US television and via legal streaming: WHO Al Nassr vs Al Fateh WHAT Saudi Pro League WHEN 2:00pm ET / 11:00am PT • Saturday, August 15, 2026 WHERE Fubo STREAM WATCH NOW Match Overview Cristiano Ronaldo debuts in the 2026–27 Saudi Pro League season following a demanding summer with Portugal at the 2026 FIFA World Cup. Al Nassr will try to defend their title, but the Saudi Pro League has proven to be fiercely competitive and every point counts—which is why a victory against Al Fateh is vital to start the campaign with confidence. More details on how to watch With Fubo, you can watch Al Nassr vs Al Fateh and tons more games. With the legal streaming service, you can watch the game on your computer, smartphone, tablet, Roku, Apple TV or hook it up to your TV with Google Chromecast. Now with Fubo, you can stream USA Network, ESPN, ESPN2, CBS, CBS Sports Network, FS1, FS2, beIN SPORTS, beIN SPORTS en Español, beIN SPORTS Connect, beIN SPORTS XTRA, NBC, CNBC, USA, FOX, FOX Soccer Plus, FOX Deportes, Telemundo, Universo and Galavision. Plus Fubo, the legal streaming service, also streams Liga MX, World Cup, Women’s World Cup, MLS, UEFA Champions League (in Spanish), Europa League (in Spanish), Primeira Liga, Ligue Un, World Cup qualifiers, NWSL, select USMNT games, select USWNT games, select Mexico games, select England games and more. The Fubo app is available for Windows PC, Mac, Apple iPhones, Android phones, Amazon Fire TV, Android Mobile, Android TV, Apple TV, Chromecast, Hisense TVs, iOS devices, LG TVs, Samsung Smart TVs, Vizio Smartcast TVs and Xbox One. If you’re planning to follow more games on this platform, you can check out the full Fubo soccer schedule to stay up to date with upcoming matches available via the service. How to watch anywhere with VPN If you’re abroad, you may need to use a virtual private network (VPN) in order to watch games using your usual streaming service. A VPN, such as NordVPN, allows you to establish a secure connection online when streaming. If you are not sure which VPN to use, check out World Soccer Talk’s guide to the best VPNs for streaming soccer. Free resources available to you Courtesy of World Soccer Talk, download a complimentary copy of The Ultimate Soccer TV And Streaming Guide, which features details on where to watch all of the leagues from around the world on US TV and streaming. To find out when soccer games are on, download the free Soccer TV Schedules App which includes listings of all of the live soccer matches available in the United States (available on Apple iOS devices and Android devices).
Raúl Jiménez marked his return to Wolves with the stoppage-time equaliser that saved them from an embarrassing start to their return to the Championship. The Mexico striker, who scored against England during the World Cup, came off the bench to convert a penalty given for handball by Ryan Alebiosu that would have had VAR questioning whether the defender was in the area when Jackson Tchatchoua’s cross struck his arm.One minor consolation from Wolves’ relegation is that the video assistant referee is no longer their problem. Jiménez, who had bought scarves for all supporters in the South Bank in gratitude for their welcome home, tucked away his first goal in this second spell for the club he graced during their recent heyday before leaving for Fulham. Continue reading...
After joining LA Galaxy in look for minutes, Hirving "Chucky" Lozano has used Lionel Messi's success in the 2026 World Cup as an inspiration to eventually return to the Mexico national team. Hirving “Chucky” Lozano completed his transfer to the LA Galaxy seeking the consistent minutes he was unable to secure at San Diego FC, aiming to relaunch his career on the international stage. Looking for a blueprint to return to the Mexico national team, Lozano cited Lionel Messi‘s success during the 2026 World Cup while competing in MLS as a primary source of inspiration. Since Messi arrived at Inter Miami in 2023, critics questioned his physical conditioning and competitive edge playing outside the European spotlight. However, the forward defied expectations by delivering a standout performance at 39 years old following his preparation in MLS. Speaking to reporters during his introductory press conference, Lozano was asked by Bolavip‘s Martin O’Donnell about a potential return to the Mexico squad after witnessing Messi’s longevity: “Well, Lionel Messi is a great player. He was named the world’s best many times, so I think that with him it’s a whole different story. I admire and respect him a lot.” The forward made his intentions clear that earning a spot back with El Tri remains a primary goal at his new club. “Of course, as long as I continue playing, I will be available for Mexico. If they believe it’s the best for the national team for me to be there supporting and helping the team, of course I will be there. I will never say no (to Mexico). But well, this is a process,” Lozano added. Welcome to Los Ángeles, @HirvingLozano70 💫 pic.twitter.com/Ggc7WkHRhI— LA Galaxy (@LAGalaxy) August 7, 2026 Lack of match fitness cost Lozano a World Cup roster spot While injuries proved to be an obstacle in recent years, Lozano earned a recall to the Mexico national team in late 2025 while featuring for San Diego FC. However, internal friction with former head coach Mikey Varas and club executives left the forward sidelined, training individually throughout 2026 without making a single competitive appearance. Lozano’s last appearance for San Diego FC came during the 2025 MLS Cup Playoffs, and going months without game action led head coach Javier Aguirre to exclude him from Mexico’s 2026 World Cup roster. Now settled with the Galaxy, Lozano expects regular playing time to revive his international candidacy. “Now that I’ll have the opportunity to play, I believe that they’ll see what I can do, how I find myself, and that way they’ll decide if it’s good having me on the national team or not. I will work a lot to be there, I love to be with the national team, I’m passionate about it, but only time will tell,” he added, noting that final squad selection rests with team management. Extended fall window presents immediate opportunity for El Tri comeback Lozano joined the LA Galaxy as a Designated Player on loan through December 2026, with an option to make the transfer permanent. During that stretch, he will have an immediate platform to prove his form to Mexico’s new manager, legendary defender Rafael Marquez. El Tri‘s upcoming fixture list and Marquez’s touchline debut will take place during an expanded international window between September and October. Playing across a four-game tour in the United States, Mexico are scheduled to face Colombia (Sept. 26), Peru (Sept. 29), the USMNT (Oct. 3), and Chile (Oct. 6). Amid a demanding schedule with minimal recovery time between matches, the autumn fixtures offer a natural environment for Lozano to regain match sharpness and rejoin the national team setup. His last appearance for El Tri came in November 2025 during a friendly against Uruguay, where he played the opening 45 minutes before exiting with an injury.
President Donald Trump showed his support for Gianni Infantino, following the joint letter from UEFA, AFC and CONCACAF criticizing the FIFA president. Donald Trump has thrown his support behind Gianni Infantino as the FIFA president faces mounting pressure to step down, warning that removing him would be a costly mistake for the organization. The U.S. president made his position clear in a post on Truth Social, defending Infantino’s leadership amid the growing revolt from some of football’s most powerful governing bodies. In his post, Trump wrote: “FIFA would be making a terrible mistake if, for any reason, they even considered replacing President Gianni Infantino. He is fantastic, having just presided over the most successful World Cup, by four times, ever presented. If he is gone, it will never be as successful or profitable again!” The backing comes in the middle of a crisis triggered by Infantino’s now-scrapped FIFA Forward Enterprise plan, which would have sold private investors a 20% stake in the World Cup’s commercial rights for a reported $4.2 billion. FIFA President Gianni Infantino and U.S. President Donald Trump. (Getty Images) The proposal sparked accusations that Infantino was attempting to privatize a central pillar of the sport, and although FIFA has since abandoned the plan and admitted it mishandled the rollout, the fallout has only deepened divisions within soccer governing structure. UEFA, the AFC and CONCACAF jointly released a letter in response, stating that “trust” had been “broken through deception” and calling for new leadership at FIFA that serves football rather than commands it. Argentina, Mexico and Africa’s CAF rally behind embattled Infantino Not everyone within soccer governing bodies has turned against Infantino. The Argentine Football Association (AFA) issued a letter backing him directly, pointing to FIFA’s work over the past decade as having “centred on the development of soccer worldwide and institutional strength based on a clear, stable, and transparent governance model”. Mexico’s federation broke ranks with its own regional confederation, CONCACAF, to back Infantino as well, saying it “supports President Infantino’s leadership in continuing to promote the development of football through institutional strengthening”. That backing was reinforced by the African Football Confederation (CAF), which unanimously endorsed Infantino across its 54 member nations — a significant show of support led by CAF president Patrice Motsepe, long considered a close ally of the FIFA chief.
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