>Today: FIFA Congress in Vancouver>11 May: final day for NTs to submit a provisional release list of between 35 and 55 players (FIFA keep these private but they're frequently leaked to the press)>25 May: clubs release players>1 June: deadline for the final list of at most 26 and at least 23 players>11 June: World Cup opener, Mexico v South AfricaEstadio Azteca is in a high-stakes race against time, with renovations behind schedule, raising concerns about its readiness for the opening match. The USA's opener v Paraguay on June 12 in LA should have been a sold-out celebration yet with only 6 weeks to go roughly 30,000 tickets remain unsold. FIFA and US Soccer are facing significant reputational embarrassment in case there are rows of empty seats in this game, more so than in last year's unpopular CWC.
FIFA Congress headlines>FIFA's presidential election season has now opened ahead of next year’s FIFA CongressInfantino shored up his power base by announcing more money for the member associations.>FIFA is poised to secure a last-minute tax exemption for all 48 World Cup qualifiers after intensive negotiations with the US treasury.FIFA themselves are already exempt and left it till the last moment to try and extend this favour to NTs after the FAs told FIFA they'd lose money without a deep run.>Iran visa issues delay arrival at FIFA Congress as war looms over Vancouver summitIranian football federation officials arrived at Toronto airport and decided to immediately return home, citing “unacceptable behaviour of immigration officials”. Earlier this week, US Secretary of State Marco Rubio said that Iran's NT is welcome to participate at the World Cup this summer, with a catch. “They can’t bring a bunch of IRGC terrorists into our country and pretend that they are journalists and athletic trainers”.>Norway's FA and its vocal president Lise Klaveness have called for the abolishment of the FIFA Peace PrizeThe White House has however hit back at the criticism: “There is no one else in the world more deserving of FIFA’s first ever Peace Prize than President Trump. Anyone who thinks otherwise clearly suffers from a severe case of Trump Derangement Syndrome”.
>>154443943Iran lined up IRGC terrorist as football officials, now they’re upset at Canada for protecting their country. Well done Canada!
>>154443937Klvaeness doesn't slurp any semen though: She's lesbian.
>Infantino: "Of course Iran will be at the World Cup. And of course Iran will play in the USA".Trump: "Well if Gianni said it I'm okay. Did Gianni say it? Johnny Infantino. That's a piece of work." What if Iran win? "Well, they wouldn't have to worry about that...that's not. I'm going to have to worry about that one...Look, look. You know what? Let them play well. Johnny's fantastic. You know he's a friend of mine. He talked about it and said (to Trump): "you do whatever you want. You can have them. You don't have to have them".>Palestinian FA chief Rajoub: "Gianni does not understand or does not know the deep suffering of the Palestinian people".Infantino put his hand on Rajoub's arm and invited him with a gesture to come closer to Israel's VP Suliman, but in vain. "I cannot shake the hand of someone the Israelis have brought to whitewash their fascism and genocide. We are suffering".>Infantino to seek fourth term as FIFA presidentThree terms is the limit but Infantino's appointees “clarified” to him that his first term in office didn't count. CONMEBOL were the first to back Infantino's re-election a month ago. Now AFC and CAF promised their unanimous and unwavering support. The only resistance Infantino faces has come from Europe. Infantino will therefore be the favorite and likely to run unopposed once again.>Protesters rally outside FIFA CongressProtesters from an anti-FIFA coalition said a displacement of homeless people had already begun, citing street sweeps, restrictions on tents and the loss of belongings. Whitecaps supporters in turn called for their team to remain in the city. While another group of protesters chanted: “IRGC is terrorists. No deal with terrorists.” “Hey FIFA, oi FIFA, no deal with terrorists.”
40 days to gobump
