Overview
- Football’s lawmaking body approved Tuesday in Vancouver two World Cup measures that allow red cards for players who cover their mouths during confrontations or leave the field in protest, with FIFA confirming they will be used this summer.
- IFAB also cleared a two-stage yellow-card wipe specific to this tournament to reduce bans in later rounds, clearing single bookings after the group stage and again after the quarterfinals.
- FIFA raised total distributions to the 48 teams to about $871 million, lifting preparation money from $1.5 million to $2.5 million per team and increasing qualification payments to $10 million, with added support for delegation costs and ticket allocations.
- Human Rights Watch warned Monday that U.S. immigration enforcement and new pressures on media freedom could chill attendance and reporting, urging FIFA to seek a public pause on ICE operations near games and to detail protections for journalists.
- Vancouver police refused a requested level‑four motorcade for Gianni Infantino, saying any transport will be measured and in line with normal event practice, a sign of host‑city pushback over costs and VIP protocols before kickoff on June 11.