World Cup Daily Report - 2026-04-26

FIFA has agreed in principle to increase prize money and participation fees for the 2026 World Cup after several national associations warned that travel, accommodation, operations and taxes in the United States could leave teams losing money even with a strong run. The final details are set to go before the FIFA Council in Vancouver later this week.

The move adds to a record financial package already announced for the tournament and reflects how expensive a 48-team World Cup across the US, Canada and Mexico has become for federations. The issue is significant because prize money is not just a bonus: for many associations it helps cover the real cost of taking part in football's biggest event.

Mohamed Salah has suffered a hamstring injury in Liverpool's 3-1 win over Crystal Palace and, according to an Egyptian football official, will miss the rest of his club season. The setback arrives just weeks before the World Cup and immediately raises alarm for Egypt, who are back at the tournament after missing the previous edition.

Salah remains Egypt's central attacking figure, so any extended absence would be a major blow to their preparation and hopes of competing against the world's best. The timing is especially damaging because he has been one of the most reliable high-end performers in European football and Egypt need him fit for their tournament push.

Bruno Fernandes has said he wants to win the 2026 World Cup for Cristiano Ronaldo, calling it the ideal tribute to the Portugal captain's career. The Manchester United midfielder said wrapping up Ronaldo's final World Cup with a title would be 'something amazing' and that Portugal should do it for 'everything Cristiano gave to football and the world.'

The comments underline how central Ronaldo remains to Portugal's tournament hopes at 41, with Fernandes framing the campaign as both a sporting mission and a legacy project. Ronaldo has already won Euro 2016 and nearly everything else in the game, but the World Cup remains the major title missing from his collection.

Iran's national team has pushed back after Donald Trump suggested the US could not guarantee the players' safety, insisting that 'no one can exclude' them from the 2026 World Cup. The team even suggested on Instagram that perhaps the US side should be excluded instead.

The exchange adds a political edge to a tournament already shaped by host-country tensions, with Iran returning to a World Cup staged in the United States. With safety, diplomacy and sport now colliding, the story has moved far beyond football.

Namibia's government says it will not extend trading hours for sports bars during the World Cup, despite public calls for later opening times while matches kick off at 03h00 and 04h00. Current licences run from 09h00 until 02h00, meaning many fans would be forced out before games finish.

The decision is likely to frustrate supporters, especially in rural areas where a single bar may be the only shared viewing venue. It highlights how the tournament's global schedule is affecting everyday life far from the host stadiums.

Dundee United defender Dario Naamo has confirmed that Iraq are trying to line him up for a surprise World Cup role after talks with the Iraq Football Association and coach Graham Arnold. Naamo, who currently represents Finland's Under-21s, is being courted by two national setups at the same time.

Iraq's qualification has already been a major story, with the team beating Bolivia to reach their first World Cup finals since 1986. Their group includes France, Norway and Senegal, so adding a young defender like Naamo would be a notable boost to depth and competition for places.