In this report about the opening days of the World Cup in Russia, Andreas Selliaas discusses the Saudi Arabian influence in international football, Gianni Infantino’s announcement of running for a new term as FIFA president and the ghost of Sepp Blatter.

USA, Canada and Mexico will host the 2026 World Cup. That was the result after the vote at today’s FIFA Congress that secured the ‘United bid’ 67% of the votes against Morocco.

The 2018 World Cup has been labelled the most expensive World Cup ever, but the exact costs are hard to determine. It is, however, not that hard to find a line of people who benefit from it.

The FIFA Council has designated the United bid and Morocco as the two possible candidates to host the 2026 FIFA World Cup. A decision regarding the bids will be taken this Wednesday by the 68th FIFA Congress.

New doubts about the safety of LGBTQ tourists coming to Russia to follow this year’s FIFA World Cup raised by Footballer Supporter’s Federation and others.

Russian authorities made a step back on their decision regarding Hajo Seppelt's visa, the German investigative journalist that divulged information on doping in Russian athletics.

One month before the first match kicks off in Russia, a campaign calling for international leaders to secure a ceasefire in Syria ahead of the World Cup, is launched.

In spite of a FIFA accreditation to cover the 2018 World Cup, German journalist Hajo Seppelt has been denied access to the host country, Russia. German officials are calling on both Russia and FIFA to act.