FIFA President Gianni Infantino has again taken centre-stage by storm as the world prepares to welcome the 2026 FIFA World Cup to its heart as joint hosts Mexico entertain South Africa at the Azteca Stadium in Mexico City on Thursday night.
Speaking at his final press conference before the tournament begins, the FIFA President told critics of his regime and this tournament’s eccentricities to date, and there are many, to chill and relax.
As the Irish Sun reports, the under-fire FIFA boss also claimed that nobody could have done any more than Infantino to ensure the World Cup’s return to America is a success.
Addressing the issues of interference by US President Donald Trump, the Somalian referee’s ban from entering the States, Iran’s issues around having to move their base to Mexico and everything from ticket prices to water bottles, Infantino remained adamant that all will be good with the World Cup over the next six weeks.
Speaking in Mexico City, Infantino said: “When we are confronted with challenges, we have to deal with them. Sometimes we can solve them and other times we cannot and we try just to make the best.
“I don’t regret anything. I’ve been organising events for the last 30 years and I’m pretty much used to dealing with issues, big and small. What happened to Omar (the Somalian referee) was unfortunate but we don’t control everything.
“We try, we discuss, we speak and we see. Maybe sometimes it’s good as well to just, you know, chill, relax. Sometimes to immediately start screaming and shouting has the opposite effect of finding a solution.
“We always try to find solutions but we need to respect that we are not the kings of the world who can rule over Governments. We don’t live on the moon, we live on Planet Earth, and we’ve tried to do our best.”
Fermanagh native Kieran McKenna is to take a break from professional football and take time out with his family following his resignation as Ipswich Town manager on Wednesday.
The decision was announced just weeks after McKenna guided Ipswich back to the Premier League, one of three promotions won in the past four seasons.
McKenna had been linked with the Fulham job but is adamant he is leaving the Suffolk club to spend more time with his family,
In a statement reported by the BBC, McKenna said: “I feel this is the right time for me to step aside. I do so with great pride at the incredible progress we have made and with huge hope and optimism for the future of the club.
“After giving so much to the role over the previous five seasons, I now look forward to taking a break from management and dedicating some time to my family, who have been with me every step of my career so far.”
Roy Keane has confirmed he recently chatted on the phone with Manchester United captain Bruno Fernandes and discussed their recent spat over comments made by the Irishman.
Fernandes had accused Keane of telling a lie about him but the pair kissed and made up in a recent phone call according to a report on the BBC website.
“He apologised, I forgave him, no problem, but no it was a good chat,” Keane joked on the Stick to Football podcast, according to the report.
“No, there was a reaction after what we said on the podcast a few weeks ago and he reached out to me and wanted a chat… I called him and we had a lovely chat. We had a nice, mature conversation. It was lovely. A lovely chat.”
Corkonian Denise O’Sullivan has said she wants Ireland to bring the FIFA Women’s World Cup play-offs to Pairc Ui Chaoimh ahead of next week’s draw.
Seeded going into the draw, the Irish squad has enjoyed their run of games on Leeside and made it three wins from three at the GAA ground with the win against the Netherlands last Friday.
“Yeah, of course,” O’Sullivan said about a return to Cork, as reported by the Irish Examiner’s John Fallon. “Three wins in three in Cork and last Friday was absolutely fantastic.
“I think the fans stuck behind us for 90 minutes. They were dancing and loud as ever at the end of the game. It’s a great atmosphere down there. I hope we can continue playing there.”
Celtic will play their first game of the new season in Dublin after Shels announced a July 7th friendly against the double winners at Tolka Park - with Martin O’Neill expected to take charge of the visitors.
O’Neill has yet to be confirmed for a return to the Celtic job full-time but it is believed he will be in the dug-out for the trip to Dublin ahead of a training camp in Portugal.
