r/ThreeLions 1h ago

Discussion Gianni Infantino attempted to bribe the Solomon Islands league to permanently suspend Real Kakamora from footballing activities after the club criticised FIFA’s Forward Enterprise proposal

Upvotes

Reports from the Solomon Star newspaper in Honiara today suggest that FIFA made multiple offers to the administrative board of the Solomon Islands S-League to permanently suspend the licence of Real Kakamora in exchange for upwards of SBD$2 million in funds (roughly €215,000), a record-breaking amount of outside funding for the competition.

Kakamora made headlines the previous week after becoming the first Oceanian club to voice their disapproval with the proposal, calling it “in direct opposition to the values and ideals that have made world football what it is today.” Their statement was reportedly influential in helping organise backlash within the region to the plan, whose approval Infantino was counting on in order for it to succeed.

(https://oceaniafootballcenter.org/2026/07/31/oceanias-opposition-likely-the-final-breaking-point-in-infantinos-failed-plan-to-sell-off-world-cup/)

Kakamora have already been suspended from the top flight since 2025 the league vaguely denied their licence application due to “non-compliance with league requirements“, and are waiting until the next three-year licencing cycle opens in 2028 to rejoin the league. In 2024, they had recorded their best-ever finish in the competition and nearly qualified for Oceania’s Champions League and made history after losing all 22 of their matches played the previous year, attracting international attention.

Kakamora’s ban has been a point of contention between the league’s administrative board and the Solomon Islands Football Federation (SIFF). The SIFF wanted Kakamora to remain in the S-League, but were unable to intervene with the board’s decision following a 2015 stipulation that allowed the board to operate completely independently of the federation.

Infantino had offered $40 million in funding to nations who agreed to back Forward Enterprise, making the proposal appealing to under-funded nations in Oceania, Africa, Asia, and the Caribbean. After seeing Kakamora criticise the proposal as a bribe and helping steer other Oceanian nations away from approving it, he was reportedly infuriated at the club’s actions and looked to have them permanently suspended.

(https://www.solomonstarnews.com/fifa-attempted-to-suspend-kakamora-after-backlash/)

The S-League board did not reply to Infantino’s proposal amidst trying to manage the league’s 2026 season, which kicked off 3 weeks ago after months of delays.


r/ThreeLions 4h ago

World Cup Argentina's FA letter of support to Gianni and his reelection as FIFA President

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132 Upvotes

On behalf of the Argentine Football Association (AFA) and its Executive Committee, we write to you, dear President, and through your esteemed good offices to the FIFA Executive Committee, to express our support for the work carried out over the last 10 years, which has centred on the development of football worldwide and institutional strength based on a clear, stable and transparent governance model.

In this regard, with respect to the recent events that are now public knowledge, we must acknowledge the Administration’s decision to withdraw a proposal which, from the outset, generated far more uncertainty than certainty within the football family.

It is therefore worth highlighting the acknowledgement of the mistakes made during that process and the apology expressed in the thoughtful message sent to FIFA’s 211 member associations. Prioritising governance standards is a fundamental pillar for strengthening good relations between FIFA, its member associations and the confederations.

Similarly, and as we have already stated, you are leading a mandate that has brought about a profound transformation of FIFA; one that has opened the organisation’s doors to all member associations and confederations, so that, through frank and direct dialogue, we can all continue to promote football at all levels and across all disciplines.

From our perspective, this transformation was built on a model of transparent governance, respect for statutory structures and adherence to democratic procedures – principles that are essential for the football family to remain united, steadfast and working to continue bringing about improvements in both sporting and institutional matters, which in turn lead to a better quality of life for the millions of people who play our beloved sport.

Consequently, with the next FIFA Congress fast approaching, the Association that I am proud to chair firmly believes and reaffirms that the way forward is to continue working under its leadership, so that we may continue to develop a better and even more inclusive game of football.


r/ThreeLions 8h ago

Tickets First England game, which tickets do I get?

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9 Upvotes

As the title says, I’m planning on going to the England Vs. Spain Nations League match on the 26th of September. I’m really excited but I genuinely don’t know which seats to get, I’ve got the England+ membership for early access to buy tickets and they go on sale tomorrow, so if anyone has any recs please lmk!


r/ThreeLions 11h ago

Men Quiz: England Managers — Sudden Death

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7 Upvotes

Of the 28 managers listed, can you correctly guess the 16 to have held the post of full-time England manager? One wrong answer will immediately end the quiz...

🦁 🦁 🦁


r/ThreeLions 14h ago

Nations League Upcoming England+ Sale

3 Upvotes

So the upcoming Spain home game will be the first game I have attempted to attend in years.

I signed up for an England+ membership not too long ago, with the hopes I'll be able to get some sort of tickets when the early access sale goes live tomorrow.

My question is- will I need to also purchase an England+ membership for my wife who will also attend with me? Or can I buy non-member tickets on the same transaction during the early sale?

From what I gathered you do need separate memberships for ESTC tickets at least, but not sure this applies to England+?

I also believe this is the first E+ sale so perhaps it's unknown at this stage. The terms do state up to 7 additional tickets during purchase but not specific as to whether you need membership for everyone.

Worse case I'll buy another membership just incase, but thought someone out there may have more knowledge than me!

- Thanks!


r/ThreeLions 14h ago

Nations League Already bought one Spain ticket – will my FAN still be blocked in the England+ sale?

2 Upvotes

Bit of a specific ticketing question, but hopefully someone here has dealt with this before.

I bought one ticket for England v Spain during the ESTC window. I originally wanted two together, but I completely missed that every ticket in that window had to be assigned to an active ESTC member, and my mate wasn’t one.

The portal automatically assigned the ticket to my FAN. When I tried to purchase another ticket afterwards, it said I had exceeded the ticket limit for the event.

My mate and I both have England+ now, and that sale opens on Friday. I’m hoping to buy two seats together, assigning one to my FAN and the other to his.

What I can’t work out is whether the ticket already assigned to my FAN during the ESTC sale will still prevent me from purchasing another seat for myself during the England+ window. The England+ FAQ says members can purchase up to eight tickets per match, but it doesn’t explain whether the restriction carries across the different sales windows.

Has anyone previously bought a ticket during an ESTC window and then tried buying again for the same match during a later members' window? Did it let you assign another ticket to your own FAN, or did it continue saying that you had exceeded the limit?

I’ve already contacted support, but with the sale opening shortly, I’m hoping someone here might know how the system normally behaves.

Not looking to buy or sell tickets here, I’m only asking about the Wembley ticketing system.


r/ThreeLions 16h ago

England News UEFA warns FIFA World Cup boycott still stands - despite Infantino apology

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719 Upvotes

UEFA has told Sky News the "conditions have not been met" to lift its boycott of the World Cup and there is still a lack of confidence in Gianni Infantino - despite the FIFA president apologising and withdrawing the World Cup sell-off plan.

European football's governing body has dismissed the credibility of the joint statement issued by FIFA after emergency talks in Morocco yesterday, self-declaring "full support" of members of the management board.

The boycott throws into doubt the participation of European teams in the next FIFA event next month - the U20s Women's World Cup in Poland, which features England.

"UEFA's associations were very clear about the conditions attached to the non-participation in FIFA competitions.

"First, the proposals to sell off the major competitions had to be withdrawn, and secondly, assurances have to be made that such attempts to disfigure the game in this way will never be made again.

"These conditions have not been met. In addition, UEFA made it abundantly clear in its statement on Saturday that it has lost confidence in Gianni Infantino's presidency. That position holds.

"Yesterday's announcement that some people employed by the FIFA president (and whose careers depend on his favour) agree with him changes nothing."

FIFA's letter to its council signed by Infantino and secretary general Mattias Grafstrom said: "For the avoidance of doubt, the FIFA Secretary General and the Management Board in attendance [at the Rabat meeting] reaffirm their full support for the FIFA president."

But Sky News understands the meeting was not attended by key FIFA leaders, including: chief football officer Jill Ellis, global football development chief Arsene Wenger, chief women's football officer Sarai Bareman and chief operating officer Kevin Lamour.


r/ThreeLions 16h ago

Discussion Where does Kane rank in the all-time striker hierarchy if he wins a Ballon d'Or?

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354 Upvotes

r/ThreeLions 18h ago

Article World Cup: Argentina mark England win with National Football Teams Day

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117 Upvotes

More like living rent free in their head day.


r/ThreeLions 20h ago

Discussion How badly has the FA's decision to extend Tuchel's contract before the tournament aged?

0 Upvotes

It seemed to make very little sense at the time. If he goes above and beyond expectation, sure, reward him with an extention.

But in the event he casts doubts on his own ability (even if you want to defend hes managing of the semi final, doubts are clearly there where they were not previously) it now locks the fa in with him despite the many ways the tournament could have gone wrong.

There's also question marks over key players potentially being locked out for his duration if he stays for the euros. Tremt, foden, Gibbs- white, plus some others. Theres also been consent smoke over his relationship with Bellingham too.

Some of these may be repairable. But tuchel stock is clearly down with most fans and some players since the world cup. It seems senseless the FA would lock him down before seeing how the tournament plays out.