FIFA news: 42 million fans want World Cup star kicked out

World Cup 2026 Weekly news. We will bring you the latest from around the world as we countdown to the 2026 FIFA World Cup.

Death, taxes and a drama following the French side into a major World Cup.

Why can’t it be smooth sailing for the European side who have one of their biggest names caught up in a fan revolt just weeks out from the 2026 edition of the tournament.

More than 33 million Real Madrid fans have signed a petition for Kylian Mbappe to be kicked out of the club.

Tensions are rising at the La Liga club after they were eliminated from the Copa del Rey and the Champions League and look likely to hand the domestic title to Barcelona this weekend.

There is a social media storm surrounding the 27-year-old, who, despite injury and criticism, remains Real’s top scorer this season.

While expected to be fit for the tournament which starts on June 12 (AEST) fans may start to have concerns about his head space as well as his recovery.

It’s a fitting build up to the French team given its history with major events and drama.

Remember the coach sacking on the eve of the tournament back in 2010? Even getting to South Africa had been a drama for the national side who got in by the skin of their teeth via the play-offs.

Then came the confusion around why Patrick Vieira, Samir Nasri and Karim Benzema were left out of the final squad.

Once in South Africa, a mutiny inside Les Bleus camp led to training camp fisticuffs and explosive public rants at coach Raymond Domenech. Players were held back from physically aggressing the coach at one stage.

After their second group match, Domenech kicked Nicolas Anelka out of the squad following an expletive laden rant. The squad went into meltdown, they lost their third match and went home. Domenech was sacked for gross misconduct.

Before South Africa there was Japan and South Korea 2002. France arrived as defending champions and strong favourites. The went out at the first hurdle becoming the first holders of the Jules Rimet trophy not to score a single goal in a campaign.

Four years later came the infamous headbutt.

It was the 110th minute of the World Cup final, France were just as likely as Italy to claim the title.

Zinedine Zidane, who had already confirmed his retirement, was playing his last match in a French jersey. He scored France’s opening goal, only for Italy to respond.

And then came the headbutt seen around the world.

It was historic in a way no one could have predicted. A straight red card in the dying seconds of the World Cup final to end his international career.

France went on to lose on penalties.

TRUMP CRITICISES TICKET PRICES

It's been months of headlines about the insane prices fans are being forced to pay for World Cup tickets.

While FIFA has stood firm on its take that this is a fair reflection of the event, Donald Trump has raised eyebrows by suggesting he can see why fans are put off.

With some regular group matches charging upwards of $1000, the US president said: "I did not know that number. I would certainly like to be there, but I wouldn't pay it either, to be honest with you.

"I would have to take a look at it.

"If people from Queens and Brooklyn and all of the people that love Donald Trump can't go, I would be disappointed, but, you know, at the same time, it's an amazing success.

"I would like to be able to have the people that voted for me to be able to go."

ARGENTINA STAR BANNED

If Gianluca Prestianni is selected for Argentina this World Cup, he will spend the first two group matches watching on from the sidelines after FIFA officials confirmed the Benfica winger's UEFA ban would stand.

Prestianni copped a six-game ban for verbal abuse on Real's Vinícius Júnior during their Champions League clash last month.

Prestianni covered his mouth as he delivered the abuse.

“The FIFA Disciplinary Committee has decided to extend the six-match ban imposed by Uefa on Benfica player Gianluca Prestianni to have worldwide effect,” the football body said in a statement.

Argentina get their World Cup defence started against Algeria before playing Austria five days later.