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FIFA

FIFA and TikTok partner to deliver unique digital experience for World Cup

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FIFA and TikTok

Zurich: The International Federation of Association Football (FIFA) and TikTok have signed a first-of-its-kind “Preferred Platform” agreement to expand coverage of the FIFA World Cup 2026 and offer football fans a unique digital experience worldwide.

The partnership is designed to make football’s biggest event more accessible to millions of fans through innovative digital engagement. Under the agreement, TikTok becomes FIFA’s first official preferred platform, providing fans with exclusive behind-the-scenes footage and digital content.

A dedicated “FIFA World Cup 2026 Hub” will be launched on TikTok, featuring match ticket information, viewing details, and interactive gaming features. Broadcasters and official media partners will be able to live stream content, post match clips, and generate revenue through advertising on the platform.

To safeguard FIFA’s intellectual property, TikTok will implement strict anti-piracy measures. For the first time, FIFA and TikTok will also launch a comprehensive Creator Program, granting selected TikTok creators from around the world direct access to press conferences and training sessions to deliver immersive World Cup content to their followers.

FIFA Secretary General Mattias Grafström said the goal is to bring the excitement of the 2026 World Cup closer to fans than ever, emphasizing TikTok as the ideal platform for this mission.

TikTok’s Global Head of Content, James Stafford, highlighted the platform’s growing football audience, noting that 42 percent of sports content viewers on TikTok show increased interest in live matches. He added that the company aims to engage younger audiences and women in particular.

The agreement builds on the success of the FIFA Women’s World Cup 2023, whose videos on TikTok garnered billions of views. The collaboration has now been significantly expanded for the 2026 World Cup, featuring 48 teams, with the aim of taking the tournament to new digital heights.

FIFA introduces $60 supporter tickets after fan backlash over prices

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FIFA introduces $

PARIS: World Cup organisers unveiled a new lower-priced ticket category for the 2026 FIFA World Cup following widespread criticism from fans over soaring ticket prices for the tournament to be hosted by the United States, Canada and Mexico.

In a statement, football’s global governing body FIFA announced the introduction of a limited “Supporter Entry Tier,” priced at a fixed $60 for all 104 matches, including the final. FIFA said the initiative is aimed at supporting travelling fans who wish to follow their national teams throughout the competition.

According to FIFA, the $60 (€51) tickets will be reserved exclusively for supporters of teams that have qualified for the tournament and will account for 10 per cent of each national federation’s ticket allocation.

However, fan group Football Supporters Europe (FSE), which last week described ticket prices for the 2026 World Cup as “extortionate” and “astronomical,” said the move falls short of addressing the wider issue of affordability.

“While we welcome FIFA’s apparent recognition of the damage its original plans were likely to cause, the revisions do not go far enough,” FSE said in a statement.

FSE had earlier noted that ticket prices for 2026 are nearly five times higher than those at the 2022 World Cup in Qatar, calling FIFA’s pricing strategy a “monumental betrayal of the tradition of the World Cup.” The group estimated that a fan following their team from the opening match to the final would need to spend at least $6,900, despite a 2018 bid document promising ticket prices starting from $21.

Reacting to Tuesday’s announcement, FSE described FIFA’s decision as an appeasement measure in response to global backlash, arguing that ticket pricing had been set hastily and without proper consultation.

 The group also warned that only a few hundred fans per match and team would realistically benefit from the $60 tickets, while most supporters would still face record-high prices. FSE further criticised the lack of provisions for supporters with disabilities and their companions.

Britain’s Prime Minister Keir Starmer echoed those concerns, saying FIFA should do more to ensure affordability. “I welcome FIFA’s announcement of some lower priced supporters tickets,” Starmer wrote on X, “but I encourage FIFA to go further so that the World Cup does not lose touch with the genuine supporters who make the game so special.”

FIFA said national federations have been asked to ensure the discounted tickets are allocated to loyal supporters closely connected to their national teams. It also announced that fans who purchase knockout-stage tickets but see their team eliminated earlier will have administrative fees waived when refunds are processed.

The governing body added that the announcement comes amid unprecedented global demand, with around 20 million ticket requests already submitted. The first-round draw for tickets across all price categories is scheduled to take place on Tuesday, January 13.

FIFA reduces Cristiano Ronaldo’s ban following meeting with Trump

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FIFA reduces

International Federation of Association Football (FIFA) has issued a special ruling for Portuguese football star Cristiano Ronaldo, reducing his suspension to one match after receiving a red card, just days after the striker met with U.S. President Donald Trump.

Ronaldo, 40, was initially facing a three-match ban for violent conduct during Portugal’s recent match against Ireland, which would have sidelined him for Portugal’s 2026 World Cup opener.

However, FIFA cited that this was the first red card of Ronaldo’s international career spanning more than two decades, leading to the shortened suspension.

The striker had already served his ban in the subsequent match against Armenia, making him eligible for Portugal’s opening World Cup fixture.

Portugal’s head coach Roberto Martinez previously defended Ronaldo, arguing that his on-field outburst did not constitute violent conduct.

FIFA clarified that if Ronaldo commits a similar offense during the probationary period, the remaining two-match suspension will be enforced immediately.

The special ruling comes shortly after Ronaldo’s high-profile meetings with President Trump and Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman during the latter’s visit to the United States.