Global Pulse

分类： sports

  • Japan’s Kuwaki wins women’s British Open to clinch first major title

    Japan’s Kuwaki wins women’s British Open to clinch first major title

    On a sun-baked, tension-charged weekend at Royal Lytham & St Annes, 23-year-old Japanese golfer Shiho Kuwaki etched her name into golf history, clinching her first-ever major championship title at the 50th edition of the Women’s British Open. The victory came after a nerve-wracking two-hole playoff against Germany’s Esther Henseleit, capping a pulsating finale that lived up to the tournament’s milestone anniversary.

    Kuwaki entered the final day of regulation play locked in a tight battle for the top spot, wrapping up four rounds at an impressive five under par. It was Henseleit who forced the overtime showdown, sinking a stunning long-range birdie putt on the 18th green to match Kuwaki’s final score, sending the crowd into a frenzy and setting the stage for the dramatic playoff.

    The first extra hole ended with both players tied: Kuwaki landed a precise wedge shot to secure par, while Henseleit’s 15-foot title-winning putt rolled just wide of the cup. On the second playoff hole, a costly miscue derailed Henseleit’s bid: her tee shot deflected off a course marshal and landed deep in thick gorse bushes, leaving her with an impossible recovery that only resulted in a bogey. Kuwaki stayed calm under pressure, rolling in a short putt to seal the historic win.

    This breakthrough comes as a stunning rise for the young Japanese pro, who only turned professional in 2021. Her previous best finish at a major was a tie for 14th place at this year’s Women’s US Open, and she missed the halfway cut in her only prior Women’s British Open appearance last year. Ahead of the tournament, she already claimed one title in 2024, winning the Japan LPGA Tour Championship Ricoh Cup. Renowned for her bold fashion choices, Kuwaki turned heads all week in a bright mint green top paired with a luminous green golf ball—an eye-catching look that matched her standout performance on the course.

    With the win, Kuwaki extends Japan’s recent dominance at the Women’s British Open, becoming the second consecutive Japanese golfer to lift the trophy after Miyu Yamashita’s 2023 victory in Porthcawl. She is also the fourth Japanese woman to claim the title overall, following Ayako Okamoto and Hinako Shibuno alongside Yamashita. Beyond the glory of the major title, Kuwaki also takes home a tournament record $1.5 million in prize money, a payout that pales in comparison to the achievement for the rising star.

    In the wake of her win, Kuwaki took a moment to send support to her home country, which recently faced a devastating earthquake that killed at least 36 people. “Recently we had an earthquake in Japan and I’d like to wish people a speedy recovery and best wishes,” she told reporters after the win, adding, “It’s an amazing feeling to win again as a Japanese player. I hope as team Japan we can continue to light up the golf world.”

    Overnight leader Yealimi Noh saw her three-shot lead slip away on Sunday, finishing the tournament in third place at four under par. World number one Nelly Korda, who was chasing a historic third major title of 2025 after winning the Chevron Championship and Women’s US Open earlier this year, settled for a share of fourth place alongside Thailand’s Jeeno Thitikul at two under par. South Korea’s Ryu Hae-ran, also vying for a third 2025 major title after clinching the Women’s PGA Championship and Evian Championship, finished tied for sixth at one under par.

    Speaking after her win, Kuwaki shared she stayed focused on one shot at a time throughout the tense final round and playoff. “I just can’t believe it. To be on a stage like this is an honour and every hole I was just focused on shot by shot. I just tried to enjoy it as much as I could,” she said, capping a transformative trip to the UK that confirms her status as one of golf’s most exciting rising stars.

  • Australia name 16-strong under-19 squad for multi-format tour of India

    Australia name 16-strong under-19 squad for multi-format tour of India

    One of cricket’s most demanding environments is about to become a critical training ground for Australia’s most promising young cricket talent, as Cricket Australia has confirmed a 16-player under-19 squad will travel to the Indian subcontinent next month for a high-stakes bilateral series against India’s age-group side.

    Scheduled to run from September 13 through October 9, the series will split across two host cities – Rajkot and Ahmedabad – and pit the young Australians against their Indian counterparts in three 50-over contests and two four-day red-ball matches. The tour will be led by experienced Australian cricket coach Tim Nielsen, who already guided this core group of players to a semi-final finish at last summer’s Under-19 Cricket World Cup, a resume that officials say makes him the ideal leader for the developmental trip.

    Regular tours of India for under-19 squads have long been a core part of Cricket Australia’s youth development strategy, designed to expose the nation’s top emerging players to the unique subcontinent conditions – from spinning pitches to high heat and humidity – that test even the most seasoned international cricketers. This year’s squad brings a mix of proven youth talent and comeback stories: pace bowlers Will Byrom and Kasey Barton are tapped to lead the Australian bowling attack, while New South Wales batter Neel Patel is expected to anchor the top of the batting order. One of the most compelling narratives surrounds Victorian batter Jack Czosnek, who missed all of last domestic summer recovering from a major ACL injury, but has worked his way back to full fitness and found form in Darwin grade cricket during the Australian winter to earn his spot in the side.

    Sonya Thompson, Head of National Development at Cricket Australia, emphasized that the tour is far more than just a series of exhibition matches – it is a foundational step in building the next generation of Australian senior international cricketers. “We believe this group has the talent, resilience and character to represent Australia strongly, and this tour will provide an outstanding opportunity for our players to continue their development,” Thompson said in a statement announcing the squad. “Touring India will be a valuable experience for these aspiring cricketers. Playing against high-quality opposition in challenging conditions will test our players both technically and mentally across formats.”

    Thompson also highlighted the unique value Nielsen brings to the program, pointing to his long track record of player development and prior success at the international level as a senior Test coach and most recently with the under-19 program. “We are also delighted to have Tim Nielsen leading the program. Tim brings a wealth of coaching experience and has a deep understanding of player development with him,” Thompson added.

    The full 16-player squad for the tour is: Kasey Barton (TAS/Mosman CC), Hayden Barbulovic (SA/Tea Tree Gully DCC), Eli Brain (QLD/Northern Suburbs District Cricket Club), Will Byrom (NSW/Northern District CC), Blake Cattle (NSW/Keira CC, Illawarra), Jack Czosnek (VIC/Richmond CC), Spencer Green (QLD/Toombul District Cricket Club), Connor Gregory (SA/Sturt DCC), Charlie Henderson (QLD/University of Queensland Cricket Club), Zed Hollick (WA/Scarborough CC), Matthew Lough (WA/Claremont Nedlands Cricket Club), Neel Patel (NSW/University of NSW Cricket Club), Jacob Pietz (VIC/Camberwell Magpies CC), Patrick Sullivan (VIC/Geelong CC), Theo Tsingos (QLD/Sandgate Redcliffe District Cricket Club), Thomas Vaseo (QLD/Redlands Tigers Cricket Club).

  • Shiho Kuwaki of Japan wins the Women’s British Open on second playoff hole

    Shiho Kuwaki of Japan wins the Women’s British Open on second playoff hole

    At the iconic Royal Lytham & St. Annes links in Lytham St. Annes, England, Japanese golfer Shiho Kuwaki secured the biggest win of her professional career on Sunday, outlasting Germany’s Esther Henseleit in a dramatic sudden-death playoff to claim her first major championship at the Women’s British Open.

    Kuwaki entered the final round positioned to contend for the title, and she delivered a steady final round carding a 1-under-par 70. For much of the final 18 holes of regulation play, it appeared her consistent performance would be enough to seal an outright victory. However, Henseleit produced a moment of incredible clutch putting on the 18th green: sinking a 40-foot birdie putt to also finish with a round of 70, which forced the playoff after both players ended regulation tied at 5-under-par 279 overall.

    The first extra hole brought a stroke of good fortune for Henseleit, as Kuwaki found herself in thick deep rough just short of a greenside bunker. Left with no clear path to the putting surface, Kuwaki was forced to lay up well short of the green, setting up what looked to be an easy opportunity for Henseleit to claim the title. But Kuwaki responded under pressure, hitting a crisp wedge shot that left her ball within 3 feet of the hole, allowing her to save par and extend the playoff. When Henseleit narrowly missed a 15-foot birdie putt that would have given her the win, the two competitors moved on to the second extra hole.

    There, Kuwaki once again held her nerve and carded a par to secure the major crown, capping off a memorable week of golf at one of the sport’s most prestigious venues.

  • Lorena Wiebes sprints to second straight win at Women’s Tour de France

    Lorena Wiebes sprints to second straight win at Women’s Tour de France

    GENEVA, Switzerland – Dutch cycling star Lorena Wiebes delivered another masterclass in sprinting on Sunday, claiming her second consecutive victory at the 2024 Women’s Tour de France on the event’s second stage. The win marked Wiebes’ seventh overall Tour de France victory, extending her legacy as one of the race’s most dominant sprinters.

    The second stage of this year’s edition unfolded across a flat 147.9-kilometer route, stretching from the Swiss town of Aigle to the finish line in Geneva – the second consecutive stage held entirely on Swiss soil. Wiebes crossed the line in a total time of 3 hours, 42 minutes and 8 seconds, launching her decisive attack with just 250 meters remaining in the stage to outpace the peloton.

    This dominant performance came just one day after Wiebes claimed victory in the Tour’s opening stage, delivering back-to-back wins in equally commanding fashion. Speaking after her victory, Wiebes credited her SD Worx-Protime team for the strategic support that made the win possible. “It’s special to win in the yellow jersey, but also because again, my team worked really hard for this,” she said. “The girls were chasing full gas in the final to bring back Riejanne Markus. That makes it even more beautiful to finish it off.”

    Markus, who had held a solo breakaway for nearly 40 kilometers across the latter half of the stage, was caught by the chasing peloton just 500 meters short of the finish line, ending her bid for a stage win. Following Wiebes across the finish line, Lidl-Trek’s Elisa Balsamo secured second place, while Marianne Vos of Team Visma-Lease a Bike rounded out the top three.

    With two stages complete, Wiebes holds a 14-second overall lead over second-place rider Kim Le Court Pienaar. 2023 Tour champion Demi Vollering sits two seconds further back in third place, keeping her within striking distance of the overall lead as the race moves into its third day.

    On Monday, the peloton will face a 156.5-kilometer hilly stage, kicking off in Geneva before crossing the French border to finish in the town of Poligny. This year’s edition, the fifth running of the modern Women’s Tour de France, covers a total distance of 1,175 kilometers over nine days of racing. The Women’s Tour comes just one week after Tadej Pogacar claimed his fifth overall title at the men’s Tour de France.

  • Body of famed international climber Nirmal Purja and 3 more found after Pakistan avalanche

    Body of famed international climber Nirmal Purja and 3 more found after Pakistan avalanche

    A devastating avalanche that struck an international climbing expedition on Pakistan’s Broad Peak — one of the world’s tallest 8,000-meter mountains — has left at least eight mountaineers dead, with rescue teams still searching for two remaining missing climbers as of Sunday, Pakistani officials confirmed. Search and recovery teams operating on foot have located the bodies of celebrated British-Nepali climber Nirmal Purja, alongside three other members of the 10-person expedition: Chinese climber Wang Zhong, and Nepali guides Nima Sherpa and Kili Pemba Sherpa.

    The avalanche hit the expedition on the upper slopes of Broad Peak earlier last week, triggering a large-scale multinational rescue operation coordinated by Pakistani authorities and mountaineering organizations. Two days before the recovery of Purja’s remains, rescuers first spotted four other bodies trapped in snow and debris, but dangerous wind and snow conditions forced helicopter operations to ground, allowing only three of those bodies to be evacuated. The three recovered earlier have been identified as Omani climber Nathira Ahmed, American climber Mallory Geis, and Nepali climber Bahadur Gurung.

    As of Sunday, military-supported search teams had restarted operations to locate the two still-unaccounted-for climbers: Pakistani guide and photographer Sohail Sakhi, who was set to retire after this expedition, and one additional team member. Crews are also working to extract the newly recovered remains of Purja and his three teammates from the high-altitude disaster zone, a slow and dangerous process given the harsh mountain conditions.

    Purja, a former British Army soldier born in Nepal who was affectionately known to the global mountaineering community as Nims Dai, earned worldwide fame for his groundbreaking 2019 achievement: climbing all 14 of the planet’s peaks over 8,000 meters in just 189 days, a world record at the time that was later broken in 2023. His feat was chronicled in the popular Netflix documentary *14 Peaks: Nothing Is Impossible*, which introduced his story to millions of non-climbers and inspired a new generation of outdoor adventurers.

    In a statement released Saturday, Purja’s own expedition company paid tribute to the legendary climber, saying “the world has lost one of mountaineering’s greats.” The statement called Purja “a leader who inspired millions through his courage, humility and unwavering belief that human potential is far greater than we often imagine.”

    Irfan Arshad Khan, president of the Alpine Club of Pakistan, which led the coordination of recovery efforts, echoed that sentiment, calling the disaster “an immeasurable loss to the global mountaineering fraternity.” He also extended the organization’s gratitude to military and civilian rescuers, local Sherpa guides, and volunteer teams that risked their own safety to carry out the search in lethal high-altitude conditions.

    Family of the fallen American climber Geis also released a statement honoring their loved one: “Mallory was a bright light who was loved deeply by her family and friends. She will be profoundly missed.”

    Sakhi, the still-missing Pakistani guide, worked for Moving Mountains, a Pakistan-based adventure travel operator. Beyond guiding expeditions, he was an accomplished geographer and high-altitude photographer who had already summited many of the world’s most famous major peaks, and this expedition was planned to be his last before retirement.

    Mountaineering accidents are a persistent risk in the mountain ranges of northern Pakistan, where unpredictable weather, high altitude, falling rock and ice, and frequent avalanches create constant danger for even the most experienced climbers.

  • 2,000km, eight countries, 29 days – the fastest runner to cross the Alps

    2,000km, eight countries, 29 days – the fastest runner to cross the Alps

    One of the world’s most punishing endurance challenges has a new record holder: New Zealand ultra-runner Sophie Woods has conquered the 2,000-kilometer Via Alpina route across eight European countries in just 29 days, cutting six full days off the previous fastest mark set earlier this year.

    The iconic trail stretches the entire length of the Alps, starting in Italy and winding through Slovenia, Austria, Germany, Liechtenstein, Switzerland and France before reaching the finish line on Monaco’s Mediterranean coast. For context, the total elevation gain along the route equals climbing Mount Everest 12 times over. Only a small handful of runners have ever attempted the route under formal timing, given its extreme technical difficulty and physical demand.

    Woods launched her attempt on July 4, but from the start, her journey was beset by unforeseen challenges. This summer, a series of record-breaking heatwaves and extreme weather have swept across southern Europe, sparking widespread wildfires that have forced hundreds of thousands of evacuations across France, Spain and Portugal. On Italy’s hottest weekend, nearly all major cities were placed on the highest red heat alert. These conditions forced Woods and her support crew to detour around active fire zones, adding an extra 5 kilometers and 200 meters of dangerous, unplanned climbing to her already grueling route. On top of wildfires and extreme heat, the team also fought through severe storms, a biting horsefly swarm, and constant physical discomfort.

    The 42-year-old runner shared that the first two weeks of the attempt were brutal. “The first week was horrendous – everything was swollen, everything was sore. I was sure I was going to pull 15 million muscles,” she told BBC Sport in a post-run interview. By the third week, however, her body adapted, and she found a steady rhythm. “It was like I was eating mountains for breakfast,” she joked.

    To sustain 15 to 18 hours of nonstop running each day, Woods relied on a practical diet of McDonald’s meals, pasta, and energy gels, with constant support from her husband George, friend Zoe, and their dog Nila along the route. In the final push to the finish, she pushed through on just 90 minutes to two and a half hours of sleep per night to secure the sub-30 day completion she had targeted from the start.

    The previous record for the fastest Via Alpina crossing was set by British runner Jake Catterall, who finished the route in 35 days in 2024. Reflecting on her achievement after crossing the finish line Saturday night, Woods said she was both overjoyed and completely exhausted. “I am ecstatic but knackered,” she said. “There were a few points where I felt like I don’t know how I’m going to get to the finish of this. I never wanted to stop but the enormity of the task was overwhelming at times.”

    Woods added that her grit for long, punishing mountain efforts is what set her apart, even if she is not the fastest sprinter on the ultra circuit. “I might not be the fastest person out there but I know how to do big, long days in the mountains and just keep moving when everything hurts,” she said.

    Woods’ record-breaking run caps a standout year for women in ultra-running, coming just months after Rachel Entrekin set a new course record at the grueling Cocodona 250 race back in May. For Woods personally, the challenge came after a difficult multi-year fertility journey that included IVF treatment. She explained that after that experience, she wanted to push her boundaries and build a life that felt fully her own, setting her sights on the Via Alpina record from the moment she signed up for the attempt. “I didn’t want to be running for more than 30 days – 30 days is enough,” she said. “I knew that I was strong and capable. But this has taken it over and beyond that.”

    She summed up the core of ultra-endurance running as equal parts preparation and mental toughness: “Ultra-running is about preparation, mental strength and being able to continue to persevere when things go wrong. I think women are really good at adapting and continuing.”

    Now that she has secured her place in endurance running history, Woods says she is ready for a much-deserved break. “I intend to spend quite a lot of time on the couch and watch Netflix – and eat some vegetables,” she joked.

  • Runner on smashing Alps ultramarathon record by 6 days

    Runner on smashing Alps ultramarathon record by 6 days

    In an extraordinary display of human endurance and mental fortitude, British ultra-runner Sophie Woods has etched her name into the history books of long-distance trail running by obliterating the existing record for the iconic Via Alpina ultramarathon by a staggering six days.

    Stretching across more than 2,600 kilometers through the heart of the European Alps, the route cuts through eight different countries, presenting runners with some of the most punishing and unpredictable terrain on the planet. Over the course of her journey, Woods faced a relentless barrage of extreme weather challenges that would have stopped most athletes in their tracks. Severe storm systems rolled through mountain passes, bringing lashing rain, high winds, and reduced visibility that turned narrow alpine trails into dangerous slippery tracks. When the skies cleared, she was forced to confront sweltering heat that pushed temperatures as high as 37 degrees Celsius, testing her body’s ability to regulate temperature and maintain hydration over thousands of meters of elevation gain.

    Beyond temperature extremes, Woods also had to navigate rapidly changing environmental hazards, dodging widespread flood zones in low-lying valleys and shifting wildfire smoke and burn areas that emerged across parts of the alpine region during her run. The multi-country route exposed her to a wide range of trail conditions and regional climate variations, requiring constant adaptability and quick decision-making to stay on course and safe.

    Her achievement has sent shockwaves through the global ultra-running community, where the Via Alpina record is widely regarded as one of the most challenging markers of elite long-distance performance. The six-day margin of improvement over the previous record is far larger than most experts predicted possible, highlighting both Woods’ exceptional preparation and her extraordinary resilience in the face of unforeseen challenges.

  • Oshoala revives Nigeria’s Wafcon and World Cup bid

    Oshoala revives Nigeria’s Wafcon and World Cup bid

    The 2026 Women’s Africa Cup of Nations (WAFCON) in Morocco delivered a tense, pivotal Group C clash on Saturday, as defending champions Nigeria pulled off a hard-fought 1-0 victory over Zambia to reignite their campaign to qualify for the 2027 FIFA Women’s World Cup. This edition of continental women’s football’s premier tournament doubles as a World Cup qualification pathway: all four semi-finalists earn automatic spots in next year’s global competition in Brazil, while beaten quarter-finalists get a second chance via inter-confederation play-offs.

    Nigeria entered the match against Zambia, nicknamed the Copper Queens, on the brink of an unexpected early exit. A stunning 3-2 opening defeat to tournament debutants Malawi just four days prior left the Super Falcons facing elimination before they could hit their stride, putting immense pressure on the side to deliver a result.

    The West African side got off to a dream start, with six-time African Women’s Player of the Year Asisat Oshoala breaking the deadlock in just the eighth minute. After Zambia goalkeeper Hazel Nali saved Oshoala’s first shot on goal, the ball ricocheted off the former Liverpool, Arsenal and Barcelona forward’s right thigh and looped into the net, putting Nigeria ahead early.

    The game shifted dramatically five minutes before halftime at Rabat’s Al Medina Stadium, however, when Nigeria centre-back Oluwatosin Demehin was shown a red card following a Video Assistant Referee (VAR) review. Demehin had dragged down Zambia star striker Barbra Banda, and referee Josphine Wanjiku upgraded her initial yellow card to a red after ruling Demehin was the last defender between Banda and the goal. Replays cast doubt on the call, showing Nigeria teammate Rofiat Imuran appeared to be in a covering position behind Demehin.

    Down to 10 players for the entire second half, Nigeria withstood wave after wave of Zambia pressure, but the Copper Queens failed to convert their numerical advantage into an equalizer. Zambia’s best chance came in stoppage time, when Grace Chanda fired a volley over the crossbar from close range, letting Nigeria off the hook. Earlier in the half, a long-range free kick from Racheal Kundananji was pushed around the post by Nigeria goalkeeper Chiamaka Nnadozie to keep the clean sheet intact. Banda, once the most expensive female player in African football, was largely held in check by the depleted Super Falcons defense after halftime.

    For Nigeria, a side that has qualified for every edition of the Women’s World Cup in history – reaching the quarter-finals in 1999 and the round of 16 at the past two tournaments – Oshoala once again proved to be their match-winner when it mattered most.

    Following the result, Nigeria and Zambia both sit level on three points in Group C, trailing surprise early leaders Malawi, who notched a second consecutive win with a 3-1 defeat of Egypt earlier on Saturday to hold a maximum six points from two matches. The final round of group stage matches will take place next Wednesday, with Nigeria facing Egypt and Zambia taking on Malawi to decide which sides advance.

    In other WAFCON 2026 action, host nation Morocco has already secured its place in the quarter-finals with one group match remaining. But 2022 tournament champions South Africa are in serious danger of missing out on World Cup qualification, having picked up just one point from their opening two Group B matches. The two-time World Cup participants must beat Burkina Faso in their final group match on Tuesday, and hope Ivory Coast defeats Tanzania to advance.

  • Lorena Wiebes wins opening stage of Women’s Tour de France

    Lorena Wiebes wins opening stage of Women’s Tour de France

    The fifth edition of the prestigious Women’s Tour de France kicked off in dramatic fashion on Saturday, with Dutch cycling star Lorena Wiebes of the SD Worx-Protime squad claiming the opening stage win on the roads surrounding Switzerland’s Lausanne.

    The opening 137-kilometer route, which started and finished in the heart of Lausanne, treated spectators and competitors alike to stunning Alpine scenery, with the peloton winding past two glacial lakes set against the backdrop of the snow-dusted Swiss Alps. By the final sprint to the line, Wiebes outmatched the field to take the first yellow jersey of this year’s race, with Luxembourg’s Kim Le Court crossing just behind in second place.

    Third place went to pre-race favorite Demi Vollering, who has already notched multiple major victories this season, including an overall win at the women’s Giro d’Italia. Vollering’s late attack forced Wiebes to make a tough chase, setting up one of the most dramatic opening stage sprints in recent race history.

    In a post-race interview, an elated Wiebes shared her surprise at the result: “I can’t believe it. The entire SD Worx-Protime team worked incredibly hard to put me in this position. When Demi attacked, I immediately knew I had to stick with her. That sprint felt like it went on forever, but I’m so proud we pulled this off.”

    Notable finishers in the opening stage include last year’s overall winner, French rider Pauline Ferrand-Prévôt, who crossed the line in eighth place, while Vuelta champion Paula Blasi claimed 12th position overall.

    Over the next eight days, riders will compete across a total 1,175-kilometer route that travels from Switzerland into southern France. The race’s most challenging test comes on Friday, when competitors will tackle the iconic climb of Mont Ventoux, before the overall winner is crowned in Nice on the French Riviera on the final Sunday. The opening of the women’s race comes one week after Slovenian cycling great Tadej Pogačar secured his fifth overall title at the men’s Tour de France, wrapping up the men’s competition last weekend.

  • UEFA target Infantino after FIFA shelve World Cup private investment plan

    UEFA target Infantino after FIFA shelve World Cup private investment plan

    Gianni Infantino, the embattled president of global football governing body FIFA, has failed to defuse rising tensions over his leadership despite announcing the withdrawal of a deeply divisive plan to bring private investment into World Cup operations on Saturday. The controversial proposal, which sparked widespread backlash across international football’s governing bodies, was first unveiled to stakeholders earlier that week, and the decision to scrap it marks a humiliating reversal for the FIFA leader just 12 months before he was expected to cruise to an unopposed final third term.

    FIFA’s original initiative would have established a new commercial subsidiary, FIFA Forward Enterprise (FFE), to manage flagship competitions including the men’s World Cup and Club World Cup. The governing body framed the plan as a transformative funding play, projecting that a private investment stake could unlock as much as $4.2 billion in new capital based on a $20 billion valuation of the new entity. If approved, the windfall would have delivered a one-off $20 million payment to each of FIFA’s 211 member associations by early 2027, and nearly tripled core funding allocations for the 2027-2030 cycle from $8 million to $20 million per member.

    But the proposal drew immediate and fierce pushback from European football’s governing body UEFA, which had threatened to boycott all FIFA competitions if the plan moved forward. Even after Infantino backed down, UEFA doubled down on its criticism, issuing a blistering statement that the 56-year-old Swiss executive had lost the confidence of UEFA and a wide swath of the global football family over what it called a “shabby, back room, opaque deal.”

    The rebuke comes less than two weeks after Infantino celebrated the widely praised 2026 World Cup, the first edition of the tournament expanded to 48 teams and co-hosted by the United States, Canada and Mexico. UEFA argued that Infantino has broken core commitments he made when he was first elected FIFA president in 2016: to run the organization with full transparency, and to uphold the principle that FIFA’s financial assets belong to its member associations, not the sitting president.

    “On both these promises, he has failed to deliver,” UEFA said in its statement. “The shabby, back room, opaque deal he hatched and tried to force through were anything but transparent. And with reserves standing at over $5bn, he has also failed to use associations’ money for the benefit of the game.”

    Other continental confederations echoed the criticism, albeit in more measured terms. The Asian Football Confederation (AFC), which represents 47 member nations across Asia and Oceania, said any major change affecting global football must be “presented and discussed with the Confederations, the FIFA Council, Member Associations and other stakeholders in a timely, transparent and meaningful manner.” The confederation of North American, Central American and Caribbean football (CONCACAF) — which counts the 2026 World Cup co-hosts the U.S., Canada and Mexico among its members — also joined the condemnation of the original plan.

    UEFA’s sharp opening salvo was followed by equally blunt statements from two of Europe’s most powerful national football associations. England’s Football Association called for “a full and robust review of FIFA’s leadership and governance to ensure that the global game is run transparently.” The German Football Association (DFB) pushed for sweeping cultural reform at FIFA’s highest levels. “Together with UEFA and other confederations, we must ensure that a fundamentally different culture takes hold at FIFA — a culture where, above all, decisions are once again discussed and made by members within the governing bodies,” the DFB said.

    In his official statement announcing the plan’s cancellation, Infantino framed the proposal as a well-intentioned effort to deliver greater resources to member associations, noting that it was never intended to proceed without majority support from stakeholders. “Having listened carefully to all the views, it has become clear that the project has created divisions of a nature that, regardless of the level of support, are no longer in the interest of the objective set out in the first place,” he said.

    The beleaguered FIFA president added that he would now prioritize repairing rifts within the global football community and continuing efforts to grow the sport worldwide. “Moving forward, my intent is to bring all interested parties back together in the coming days and weeks in the spirit of shared interest in our game, and with the objective to continue growing football everywhere, particularly in those countries that mostly need our support,” he said.