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FIFA World Cup 2026 sets new attendance records, 2030 expansion to 64 teams considered
via SeneNews3 min read
The FIFA World Cup 2026 achieved a historic attendance of 6.81 million spectators, surpassing the 1994 record of 3.58 million. This record was driven by the new 48-team format. FIFA projects record revenues of over 7 billion euros for 2026, a 56% increase from 2022 and 67% from 2018. FIFA President Gianni Infantino noted that seven million people were in stadiums, ten million in the streets of the United States, Canada, and Mexico, and billions watched on television. Stadiums maintained a 99.7% occupancy rate despite high ticket prices. Television audience records were also broken globally, though specific figures were not yet released. The 2022 World Cup final in Qatar had 1.5 billion viewers. For 2026, TV rights were expected to increase by 34% to nearly 4 billion dollars, and partnerships by 21%. FIFA estimates that 5.2 billion people interacted with the competition by the round of 16. Of the 3.7 billion dollars FIFA planned to spend, a quarter was allocated to participating teams and clubs, with the overall tournament prize money increased by 15% to 871 million dollars. The winner was set to receive 50 million dollars, and each participating team guaranteed a minimum of 12.5 million dollars. Discussions are underway for a potential expansion to a 64-team format for the 2030 World Cup, which will be hosted across multiple countries including Spain, Portugal, Morocco, Paraguay, Uruguay, and Argentina. UEFA President Aleksander Ceferin has expressed concerns about such an ex
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Must ReadFatou Binetou Guèye, daughter of Mame Matar Guèye, president of the NGO Jamra, has been referred to the public prosecutor's office in Dakar along with her companion, RS Guissé, son of a university professor, and two Nigerian nationals. They are implicated in an investigation into alleged international cocaine trafficking and unnatural acts. The case began with an infiltration operation by gendarmes from the Faidherbe Research Brigade, which uncovered a suspected cocaine network. Guèye, born December 26, 2001, is accused of criminal association, possession and use of cocaine, alleged international cocaine trafficking, and unnatural acts. The investigation reportedly revealed pornographic videos and private messages from Guèye's phone, where she sought a "lively girlfriend." The inquiry started months ago based on intelligence suggesting Guèye consumed cocaine and had connections to suppliers. An intermediary, working with gendarmes, facilitated a controlled purchase where Guèye allegedly provided one gram of cocaine. This led to further investigation, including a planned gathering for drug consumption. During an arrest on July 14, a gram of cocaine was found in Guèye's handbag. She then cooperated, leading gendarmes to RS Guissé, who was found consuming cocaine during a search of his room. Guissé also cooperated, identifying his supplier, KM Ogbu, a Nigerian national. Ogbu was arrested on July 15 during a controlled delivery of cocaine. Exploitation of Ogbu's phone led to the
Must ReadMacky Sall, former President of Senegal, met with Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov in Moscow as part of his campaign for the position of United Nations Secretary-General. During the meeting, Lavrov outlined Russia's expectations for the next Secretary-General, focusing on the challenges facing the UN, strengthening its central role in global governance, and the need for more effective multilateralism. Both officials reaffirmed their commitment to the UN's coordinating role in international affairs amidst geopolitical crises. Sall stated they discussed "subjects of common interest concerning the major challenges that the Organization must address to better manage the global issues of multilateralism for the present and the future." This visit to Russia is part of Sall's diplomatic tour, which includes engagements with various capitals. Russia, as a permanent member of the Security Council with veto power, is a key player in the selection process. Sall's candidacy has received official support from Senegal, with President Bassirou Diomaye Faye mobilizing the government and diplomatic network to promote it as Senegal's bid to serve Africa. His candidacy, presented by Burundi, is officially registered with the UN General Assembly to succeed António Guterres, whose term ends on December 31, 2026. Consultations and indicative votes by the Security Council are expected to enter a decisive phase soon.
Upcoming public hearings by the National Assembly on Senegal's participation in the 2026 World Cup are facing controversy due to administrative ambiguities. El Hadji Gueye, President of the National Assembly's Education, Youth, Sports, and Leisure Commission, announced the hearings would begin this Wednesday, with practical details to follow. However, as the deadline approaches, no official communication has been issued. Reports indicate that as of Sunday, no correspondence had been sent to the Senegalese Football Federation FSF, the primary entity involved. A source within the FSF expressed surprise, learning about the hearings through the press and questioning the short notice. Federal officials also highlight a legal concern, stating that the National Assembly can only question agents under the Ministry of Sports, while the FSF, as an independent FIFA affiliate, is not directly under its authority. They warn that summoning federal leaders could be seen by FIFA as political interference, potentially leading to severe consequences for Senegalese football, suggesting that only consultation is possible. Furthermore, several deputies claim the Commission never met to decide on these public hearings, which, if true, would raise questions about the legitimacy of the President's announcement and could spark a new dispute between Parliament and Senegalese football stakeholders.