MCA Aspirant Abdiwahab Nurow Slams Nairobi County For Poor Fire Response in Eastleigh’s Yare Plaza

March 4, 2026

By Andrew Kariuki

Chaos erupted in Nairobi’s Eastleigh area on Tuesday afternoon after a fire broke out at Yare Plaza, triggering frantic rescue efforts and scenes of panic as thick smoke billowed from the building.

Videos circulating online showed residents being evacuated from the burning structure while emergency responders and members of the public attempted to rescue those trapped inside. Some occupants were reportedly reluctant or unable to leave the building even as the flames rapidly spread.

In one dramatic moment captured on video, a man was seen descending from the building using a rope in a daring attempt to escape the inferno. The man executed what onlookers described as a “James Bond-style” escape, carefully lowering himself down the building as anxious crowds gathered below.

Within moments he safely reached the ground, prompting loud cheers and applause from residents who had been watching the tense rescue.

Authorities have since launched investigations to establish the cause of the fire.

Following the incident, Airbase Ward MCA aspirant Abdiwahab Mohamed Nurow expressed sympathy to traders and families affected by the blaze, noting that many businesses and livelihoods had been destroyed.

“I am deeply saddened by the tragic fire incident that gutted parts of Yare Plaza this afternoon. My heartfelt sympathies go to the proprietor Haji Ahmed Abdullahi, popularly known as Hajji Yare, and to all the traders who have incurred heavy losses following the destruction of their businesses and livelihoods,” he said.

Nurow described the incident as devastating for the local business community.

“This is a painful moment for our business community. Many families depend on these enterprises, and the impact of this disaster is far-reaching,” he said.

He also thanked firefighters, emergency responders and volunteers who worked to contain the blaze and assist those affected.

“I sincerely appreciate the swift response of the firefighters, emergency teams and the many volunteers from our community who worked tirelessly to contain the blaze and support those affected,” he added.

Nurow further called for prayers for Haji Adan Moh’d Omar, the Imam of Yare Plaza Mosque, who was injured during the incident.

“We also pray for our father, Haji Adan Moh’d Omar, the Imam of Yare Plaza Mosque, asking Allah to grant him a full and speedy recovery for the injuries sustained during this unfortunate incident,” he said.

The MCA aspirant also criticized the preparedness of emergency services in Nairobi, blaming what he termed as inadequate fire response infrastructure in the city.

“It is a deliberate failure by Nairobi City County Government that in a city of 17 constituencies, not even one fully equipped fire station serves each constituency,” Nurow said.

He called for unity and support for victims as the community begins the process of recovery.

“May we stand together in solidarity and support the victims as they begin the journey of recovery and rebuilding,” he added.

DCI Dismisses Reports that Ruto’s Aide Farouk Kibet is Wanted

John Mutiso

March 4, 2026

The Directorate of Criminal Investigations (DCI) has broken its silence over a viral poster claiming that President William Ruto’s aide, Farouk Kibet, is wanted by the agency.

In a statement dated Wednesday, March 4, 2026, the DCI flagged the poster circulating on social media as fake.

The viral poster, which circulated widely on Wednesday, alleged that President Ruto’s aide was wanted for questioning over claims of organised criminal activity, including abductions, abuse of office, and obstruction of justice.

The fake notice claimed that Farouk Teigut Kibet, born March 31, 1965, former Presidential Chief of Protocol, is wanted for questioning in connection with ongoing investigations into allegations of organised criminal activity, abductions, abuse of office, and obstruction of justice.

It further alleged that Kibet was evading law enforcement and moving between undisclosed locations within Kenya, with his last known sighting reportedly at JKIA Terminal 1.

The fabricated poster also claimed that a reward of Ksh 20 million had been offered for credible information leading to his arrest and successful prosecution.

The viral poster surfaced just a day after a letter claiming that Farouk Kibet had been dismissed by President William Ruto was also flagged as fake.

The Office of the President dismissed the information as false and misleading reports circulating on social media alleging that Farouk Kibet had been dismissed or removed from his role at State House.

State House Spokesperson Hussein Mohamed stated that Kibet continues to serve in his capacity as a Presidential Adviser and remains actively engaged in supporting the administration’s programmes and policy coordination efforts.

He further stated that the claims being circulated online are entirely unfounded and appear to be the work of individuals seeking to create unnecessary speculation and confusion. He advised the public to rely only on official communication channels of the Government of the Republic of Kenya for accurate information.

The Office also reiterated that any changes in government appointments are formally communicated through official gazette notices or authorised press releases issued by State House.

He urged members of the public and the media to exercise responsibility and verify information before sharing it.

Afreximbank raises Caribbean Community (CARICOM) financing cap to $5 billion to accelerate regional transformation

Editor

March 4, 2026

Dr. Elombi reaffirmed Afreximbank’s commitment to the development of the Afreximbank African Trade Centre in Bridgetown, Barbados, in order to consolidate its presence in the region

BASSETERRE, St. Kitts and Nevis, March 3, 2026/ — Pan African Multilateral Bank, African Export-Import Bank (Afreximbank) (www.Afreximbank.com), has announced a major expansion of its engagement with the Caribbean Community (CARICOM), increasing its regional financing limit from US$3 billion over the next four years.

The enhanced commitment builds on more than $750 million already disbursed across the region and a robust pipeline of over $2 billion in transactions currently under execution, signaling a decisive scale-up of support to governments and the private sector.

Addressing the 50th Regular Meeting of the Conference of Heads of Government of the CARICOM in Basseterre, St. Kitts and Nevis, on 25 February, Dr. Elombi said that the Bank’s aim in the years ahead was to significantly expand that support.

“We will, therefore, increase the global limit to this region from the current US$3 billion to US$5 billion, with the hope of achieving full utilisation over the next three to four years,” he told the audience.

Dr. Elombi announced that the Bank’s vision for the next decade was “to change the structure of our economies,” saying that it would invest in value addition or processing of agricultural outputs and natural resources with the aim “to retain significant value from these resources in our economies, generate wealth for our people, create jobs, and improve their livelihoods, with spillover impacts on government revenues and investments.”

The President said that specific interventions by the Bank would include developing healthcare facilities in Barbados, Guyana, and Grenada; supporting tourism projects in Barbados, Grenada, Bahamas, and Antigua and Barbuda; financing agro-processing projects and logistics facilities in Barbados, Guyana, Antigua and Barbuda, and St. Kitts and Nevis; and supporting infrastructure development, including power generation and distribution and road projects, conferencing facilities and trade centres, in Grenada, Jamaica, the Bahamas, and Suriname.

Others were providing financing support for banks in Suriname, St Lucia, Grenada, and Dominica, including an SME-focused on-lending facility to development banks in the region; supporting local content promotion in natural resource rich countries to retain maximum value in the region by empowering local entrepreneurs to participate actively in the sectors; working on a framework for the implementation of sea and air interconnectivity within the Caribbean to boosting movement of people, goods and investments; and promoting the cultural and creative industries through expansion of the Creative Africa Nexus Programme to support financing, capacity building and trade of creative goods and services between Africa and the Caribbean.

Dr. Elombi added that, following a meeting with the leadership of the Eastern Caribbean Central Bank, Afreximbank had agreed to support the implementation of the regional development strategy aimed at doubling the size of the region’s economy within a decade. That support would include investments in infrastructure development, power generation and distribution, agricultural production, and production processing.

He said that the Bank was are already working with African entities, such as Access Bank, Oando and Arise Integrated Industrial Platforms (Arise IIP), to enable them establish their presence in the region and that Arise IIP was already exploring the establishment of special economic zones in a number of countries.

Dr. Elombi reaffirmed Afreximbank’s commitment to the development of the Afreximbank African Trade Centre in Bridgetown, Barbados, in order to consolidate its presence in the region. He added that the Bank would continue the process towards the establishment of the Caribbean Eximbank as an institution that could make the difficult investments “necessary to change the structure of our economies”.

He welcomed the decision of the Committee of CARICOM Central Bank Governors to proceed with the CARICOM Payment and Settlement System, modelled on PAPSS, which Afreximbank pioneered in 2022, describing it as a real opportunity to deepen regional trade and integration as it would be a low cost, real time cross border payment system in local currencies.

Dr. Elombi attended the meeting, held under the theme “Beyond Words: Action Today for a Thriving, Sustainable CARICOM”, as a special guest. The meeting, which lasted from 24 to 27 February, also featured addresses by regional leaders, the Secretary-General of the Commonwealth, Dr. Carla Barnett, and the Minister of State for Foreign Affairs of Saudi Arabia, Mr. Adel al-Jubeir.

St Kitts and Nevis is set to host the fifth Afric-Caribbean Trade and Investment Forum (ACTIF2026) in July this year, bringing together Global Africa. It will feature panel discussions, business matchmaking sessions, cultural showcases, and deal signings.

By Anthony Solly

KFC honours 55 women who give Africa more

Editor

March 4, 2026

To mark International Women’s Day in 2024 it celebrated 53 female firsts across its 22 markets, and last year it honoured 54 women who were accelerating action towards gender equality

JOHANNESBURG, South Africa, March 3, 2026/ — When Lesego Chombo was crowned as Miss Botswana in 2022, she immediately set up a foundation to support disadvantaged youngsters and their parents in rural areas.

After ending her term as Miss World Africa in November 2024, the 26-year-old became the youngest cabinet minister in Botswana’s history when she was appointed as Minister of Youth and Gender Affairs and she is now leading the charge on a Gender-Based Violence Bill focusing on protection, care and support of victims, as well as prevention.

Raïssa Banhoro realised that lack of literacy, limited numeracy and a lack of accessible digital tools were standing in the way of women’s digital literacy in Côte d’Ivoire, so she developed Lucie, the country’s first mobile literacy app with local-language vocal assistance that addressed all three challenges.

Then she pioneered a model of free, intensive digital training for youth not in employment, education or training, achieving a 100% employment rate for graduates.

Chombo and Banhoro are two of the 55 women KFC Africa is celebrating to mark International Women’s Day on Sunday 8 March and honour the occasion’s global theme of Give to Gain.

“These are not just stories of individual achievement,” says Akhona Qengqe, General Manager of KFC Africa. “These are stories of women who give Africa more.

“They give access where there was exclusion. They give opportunity where prospects were limited. They give hope where there was none.”

Power of giving

For 55 years, KFC Africa has been giving to communities and empowering women, who make up 60% of its workforce.

To mark International Women’s Day in 2024 it celebrated 53 female firsts across its 22 markets, and last year it honoured 54 women who were accelerating action towards gender equality.

This year the focus shifts to the power of giving, often by women who embody this spirit daily without recognition, resources or fanfare.

The 55 women honoured, one for each year the brand has been in Africa, also include:

Nice Leng’ete from Kenya, who in 2014 persuaded Maasai elders to formally abandon female genital mutilation. Working with Amref Health Africa and her own foundation, she has helped over 21,000 girls escape the practice.
Dr. Germaine Retofa from Madagascar, who has transformed maternal care in one of the country’s most impoverished regions into a life-saving system that ensures a woman’s location or income does not affect her chances of survival.
Alexandra Machado from Mozambique, who is pioneering a circular mentorship model that has impacted 25,000 Mozambican women, tripling school transition rates and proving that investing in female leadership is a high-return strategy for national development.

From visibility to voice

“For this year’s list of Africa’s female firsts we deliberately sought out women whose influence may not fill stadiums but whose impact fills hearts,” says Qengqe.

“They include women who have built tech networks for their female peers, expanded access to healthcare, made menstrual care a national priority, targeted girls for improved education access and tackled the gender pay gap.

“These are women from diverse backgrounds – lawyers, politicians, healthcare workers, entrepreneurs, authors, technologists and community organisers. Some are well-known figures. Many are not.

“What unites them is what they give: mentorship, protection, access, knowledge, visibility, opportunity, resources and time.”

The ripple effect of giving

Chief People, Culture and Purpose Officer, Nolo Thobejane, says the Give to Gain theme resonates deeply with KFC’s approach to empowerment.

“For years, we’ve seen how giving creates exponential returns,” she says. “When KFC Add Hope gives meals to vulnerable children through women-led feeding centres, communities gain nutrition and dignity.

“When Women on the Move provides leadership development for women in our business, the entire organisation gains stronger, more diverse leadership. When our Streetwise Academy gives young women accredited qualifications, families gain economic mobility.”

Thobejane says many women in the KFC Africa team are giving back to their communities in meaningful ways. “We have restaurant managers who mentor young women entering the workforce. We have team members who run after-school programmes in their communities. We have franchisees who create pathways for other women to access business ownership. Their giving happens quietly, consistently, and with deep purpose.”

When communities gain, Africa rises

The International Women’s Day 2026 theme challenges the world to recognise that giving has a multiplier effect. When women are given respect, visibility, opportunity, mentoring, resources and access, communities benefit.

Qengqe says that while progress towards gender equality in sub-Saharan Africa has stalled – the World Economic Forum Global Gender Gap Report 2025 (https://apo-opa.co/3OYsxIp) projects that gender parity is 107 years away – KFC’s list of African female firsts prove that transformation is possible.

“These 55 women are not prepared to wait more than a century,” she says. “They are giving now so their communities can gain now. And when communities gain, Africa rises.”

The full list of 55 Women Who Give Africa More is available at: https://apo-opa.co/3MZ2rEs

By Anthony Solly

ES-KO Turns 70: Seven Decades of Integrated Catering, Logistics & Facility Management Services in Challenging Environments

Editor

March 4, 2026

Founded as an onboard catering business, ES-KO was established in 1955 and has since grown into a multinational group with 6,000 employees operating across Africa, the Middle East, and Europe

LUANDA, Angola, March 3, 2026 a global leader in catering, facility management, procurement and supply-chain solutions, along with camp construction for remote environments, proudly celebrates its 70th anniversary in 2026.

Founded as an onboard catering business, ES-KO was established in 1955 and has since grown into a multinational group with 6,000 employees operating across Africa, the Middle East, and Europe, serving the Energy, Mining, Business & Industry, Defense, Governments, IGOs, and NGOs sectors.

A legacy of reliability and growth from its beginnings serving the maritime industry, ES-KO quickly diversified into large-scale logistics and peacekeeping operations, building a reputation as a dependable partner in difficult times.

In 1974, the company managed one of the world’s largest catering and logistics contracts for the Trans-Gabonese railway, and by 1988 it was supporting 8,000 multinational UN troops in Namibia. Throughout the 1990s, ES-KO became a trusted partner for NATO and UN missions across the Balkans and Afghanistan, continuing this mission-driven work into the new millennium in the Democratic Republic of Congo, Israel, Syria, Haiti, Somalia, South Sudan, and Cyprus.

Other landmark projects include Madagascar’s national anti-malaria center (2009), a school for 400 children in Haiti after the devastating earthquake (2012), and the fast-track construction of presidential villas for the 2017 Africa-France Summit in Mali.

Since the 2020s, the Group has continued to expand strategically, establishing ES-KO Congo, ES-KO Mozambique and ES-KO Gabon, acquiring International Facilities Services (IFS) in 2024 to strengthen its Sub-Saharan footprint, and Campania Alimentare in Italy in 2025.

Trusted by Industry Leaders & Purpose-Driven Organizations over seven decades, ES-KO has earned the confidence of some of the world’s most demanding organizations. In Gabon and Congo, Perenco relies on ES-KO to deliver nutritious meals, maintain onshore and offshore living quarters, and manage waste and hygiene under harsh conditions.

In Mozambique, Coca-Cola entrusts ES-KO with the management of its plant canteens in Maputo and Chimoio, ensuring consistent catering quality and workforce well-being. In Angola, we work with Barloworld, a global leader in earth moving and heavy machinery.

Furthermore, ES-KO has extensive experience delivering robust engineering and camp build-up services in extreme environments. Notable projects include the construction of warehouses, offices, and accommodation facilities for UNMISS in Juba, and the development of the site compound for the Mosul Dam rehabilitation works in Iraq amid ISIS-related security threats.

The company’s long-standing partnership with the United Nations — supporting peacekeeping and humanitarian missions since 35 years —demonstrates its proven capability to operate at scale and deliver services to large, complex, multinational communities in conflict zones and infrastructure-limited environments.

For seventy years, ES-KO has been defined by resilience, trust, and commitment to the well-being of those we serve. We are honored to celebrate this milestone and to continue building environments where people thrive, and operations never stop.

By Anthony Solly

Court Halts Gikomba Market Demolition

Editor

March 4, 2026

By Andrew Kariuki

The Environment and Land Court at Milimani has issued orders preserving the current status of land linked to Gikomba Market pending the hearing of a case filed by traders challenging a planned demolition.

In directions issued on March 4, 2026, Lady Justice L.G. Kimani certified the matter as urgent after considering a Notice of Motion dated March 3, 2026.

The case, filed as ELC Petition No. E012 of 2026, was brought by Paul Karanja Kamunge, Justus Kinyua and three others against Nairobi City County and the Water Resources Authority, among other respondents.

In the directions, the court ordered that the application be served immediately on the respondents ahead of an inter partes hearing scheduled for March 10, 2026.

“The application is hereby certified as urgent,” the court directed.

Justice Kimani further ordered the respondents to file and serve their responses within two days of being served, while the petitioners were granted leave to file a supplementary affidavit within two days after receiving the respondents’ responses.

The court also directed that the current status quo on the disputed land be maintained until the matter is heard.

“The current status quo on the suit land be maintained,” the court ordered.

The case arises from a dispute concerning land associated with Gikomba Market, one of Nairobi’s largest open-air markets that supports thousands of traders and informal businesses.

Meanwhile, Embakasi East MP Babu Owino claimed credit for moving to court to stop the demolition through his legal team.

In a statement posted on social media, Owino said;

“Through our legal team, we moved to court to stop the demolition of Gikomba Market, and the Court has issued orders to stop the demolition.”

He further described Gikomba as an important economic hub for thousands of traders

“Gikomba is not just a marketplace. It is the heartbeat of thousands of families, small traders, and hardworking Kenyans who depend on it every single day,” Owino said.

He also urged all parties to comply with the court’s orders as the legal process continues.

“As we comply fully with the Court’s directions, we call on all parties to respect the orders issued and allow due process to take its course,” he added.

The matter is expected to be mentioned before the Environment and Land Court on March 10, 2026, when the court will hear arguments from both sides regarding the dispute over the land.

Elon Musk’s Starlink expands in Kenya with Mawingu partnership

John Mutiso

March 4, 2026

Billionaire Elon Musk’s internet firm Starlink has teamed up with Mawingu Networks to expand high-speed satellite internet access to rural and peri-urban areas of Kenya.

The partnership will see 450 community hubs, including schools, farmer cooperatives, and digital resource centres, connected to reliable, affordable internet for the first time.

Through the initiative, Mawingu will lead deployment, integration, and operations management, ensuring that Starlink’s low-Earth orbit satellite capacity translates into tangible, community-level benefits.

According to Mawingu Networks CEO, Farouk Ramji, the hubs are designed to advance online education, strengthen agricultural value chains, support entrepreneurship, and provide access to AI-powered tools and services.

“Access is the foundation of opportunity. By combining satellite technology with community-led deployment, we are securing affordable, high-quality connectivity that allows communities to fully participate in education, enterprise, and the digital economy. Our goal is to positively impact one million Africans by 2028,” said the CEO.

Mawingu Networks’ approach will go beyond providing internet access. The company will oversee last-mile network integration, site deployment, and ongoing management, while also enabling digital skills training and fostering institutional partnerships to ensure sustainable adoption.

The partnership will use Starlink’s low-Earth orbit satellites alongside Mawingu’s existing rural broadband network to provide scalable internet access in areas where traditional infrastructure is limited or too costly to deploy.

Through the Starlink partnership, Mawingu aims to bring sustainable, high-speed connectivity to some of Kenya’s most remote areas, helping bridge the digital divide and create economic and educational opportunities across rural communities.

The Kenyan internet firm says it will continue developing reliable and inclusive connectivity solutions that support national development goals and expand access for rural and underserved communities.

Founded in 2012 in Nanyuki, Kenya, Mawingu Networks provides internet connectivity to rural and peri-urban areas using a mix of wireless, fibre, and green-energy infrastructure, now complemented by satellite technology.

The company operates in 39 markets across East Africa following the acquisition of Habari Tanzania in 2025, reaching over four million people. Mawingu connects more than 35,000 homes and businesses and manages over 200 base stations, with a fibre network that has grown from 85 km to 370 km.

Through its network of community hubs, schools, farmer cooperatives, and aggregation centres, Mawingu supports access to education, agricultural services, entrepreneurship, and digital tools in underserved communities.

FIFA puts World Cup playoff tickets on sale for less than $17 for matches in Mexico

John Mutiso

March 4, 2026

Tickets for the playoffs in Mexico that will determine two of the final World Cup berths are being sold by FIFA for less than $17, far less than the $4,185 to $8,680 FIFA is charging for this year’s final in New Jersey.

FIFA put tickets on sale Tuesday for the games on March 26 and 31 in Guadalajara and Monterrey involving Bolivia, Congo, Jamaica, New Caledonia and Suriname.

Tickets are priced at 200 Mexican pesos ($11.30) for the March 26 semifinals and 300 pesos ($16.95) for the March 31 finals.

In Guadalajara, Jamaica plays New Caledonia on March 26 and the winner plays Congo on March 31 for a World Cup berth.

In Monterrey, Bolivia faces Suriname on March 26 and the winner goes up against Iraq five days later.

The Ministry of Health is spearheading the development of the Kenya Healthcare Referral Policy

Editor

March 4, 2026

The Ministry of Health is spearheading the development of the Kenya Healthcare Referral Policy to strengthen coordination across levels of care and improve patient outcomes.

The initiative, being led by the Division of National Health Referral and Emergency Services under the Directorate of Curative and Nursing Services, aims to address fragmentation within Kenya’s referral system by enhancing continuity of care and improving maternal and child health outcomes.

The proposed policy will institutionalise clear governance structures, digital interoperability standards, accountability mechanisms, and sustainable financing linkages to ensure efficient referral pathways and a resilient nationwide referral ecosystem.

Development of the policy is being undertaken with technical leadership from Futures Health, with support from AfyaReach, Johnson & Johnson MedTech, Living Goods, Jhpiego, and Amref Health Africa.

The policy drafting is currently underway during a five-day consultative workshop in Naivasha, officially opened this week by Dr Andrew Toro, Director of Curative and Nursing Services.

Key areas under consideration include defining levels of care, strengthening port health services, clarifying backward and forward referral pathways, improving the movement of patients, specimens, and specialised expertise, and aligning referral processes with Social Health Authority (SHA) service entitlements.

By Anthony Solly

With 100 days to go, World Cup faces new challenges with Iran war and Mexico violence

John Mutiso

March 4, 2026

(AP) — With 100 days to go until the World Cup, the Iran war has added a new layer of complexity to the tournament co-hosted by the United States, Mexico and Canada.

How the conflict will affect the world’s most watched sporting event is the latest issue facing organizers already grappling with cartel violence in one of Mexico’s host cities, scaled-back plans for fan festivals in the U.S. and criticism from fans against soaring ticket prices.

Officials of the qualified teams are meeting with FIFA staff in Atlanta this week. The tournament kicks off on June 11 when Mexico plays South Africa in Mexico City. It will be the biggest World Cup ever with 48 participating teams, up from 32 at the previous tournament in Qatar.

Here’s a look at some of the issues drawing scrutiny as the countdown began.

A backdrop of geopolitical tension

It’s not unusual for international politics to overshadow a global sports event like the World Cup — at least in the early stages before the soccer action takes over the headlines.

In 2022, Qatar’s treatment of migrant workers and the LGBTQ+ community drew headlines off the field. LGBTQ+ rights, the annexation of Crimea and the poisoning of a spy in Britain were in focus when Russia hosted the tournament in 2018.

In Brazil in 2014 and South Africa in 2010 there were concerns about crime and security.

The 2026 tournament looks set to kick off amid a backdrop of political tensions involving the U.S. and the participating nations.

Many have been hit by tariffs. Some are facing travel restrictions. Denmark, which can still qualify through playoffs in March, has been shaken by President Donald Trump’s calls for the U.S. to take over Greenland. And with 100 days to go, the U.S. was in a military conflict with Iran, one of the first teams to qualify.

Iran’s status at the World Cup is unclear

Iran is set to play two group stage games in Inglewood, California, and one in Seattle.

However, whether the Iranian team will come to the U.S. is uncertain.

“What is certain is that after this attack, we cannot be expected to look forward to the World Cup with hope,” Iran’s top soccer official, Mehdi Taj, said last weekend as the U.S. and Israel launched coordinated attacks that killed Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei and dozens more senior officials.

Still, Iran has not announced it is withdrawing from the tournament, which no team that qualified has done in the past 75 years. Iran, the second-highest ranked team in Asia, was drawn in a group with Belgium, Egypt and New Zealand.

FIFA did not immediately respond to a request on whether Iran federation officials attended the Atlanta workshop.

Fan festivals are being slimmed down

Fan festivals have been a key part of the World Cup experience in the past two decades. They offer a chance for thousands of fans without match tickets to take part in the World Cup atmosphere by coming together to watch games on a big screen.

Some of those plans are now being scaled back in the U.S.

New York/New Jersey eliminated its Fan Fest in Jersey City, New Jersey, even though it had started selling tickets for an event scheduled to be open every day of the tournament.

Planning to sell tickets was itself unprecedented for World Cup fan zones, which were free to enter since being launched at the 2006 edition in Germany.

Seattle cut down its original plan and rescheduled it for smaller venues and Boston trimmed its event to 16 days.

The chief operating officer of Miami’s FIFA World Cup host committee said during a congressional hearing on Feb. 24 that it might cancel its event if it did not receive federal funding within 30 days. Kansas City, Missouri, Police Deputy Chief Joseph Maybin said the city had an immediate need for federal funds to prepare security.

House Republicans said federal money may be held up by the partial government shutdown of the Department of Homeland Security, caused by Democrats insisting restrictions be placed on Immigration and Customs Enforcement agents.

Foxborough games threatened

The New England Patriots’ stadium in Foxborough, Massachusetts, is due to host seven World Cup games, starting with Haiti-Scotland on June 13 and ending with a quarterfinal on July 9. That is FIFA’s plan.

The Select Board of Foxborough has refused to issue a permit for World Cup matches at the stadium and set a March 17 deadline to be paid $7.8 million — what the town estimates will be the cost of police and other expenses. Foxborough said it was not part of FIFA’s hosting agreement with Boston.

Pushback against FIFA’s ticket prices

FIFA has about 7 million seats to fill for the World Cup matches and said last month it received 500 million ticket requests. FIFA president Gianni Infantino has proclaimed all 104 games are sold out and yet some fans received emails last week offering an extra 48-hour window for tickets sales.

FIFA’s prices in December ranged up to $8,680 per ticket. After criticism, FIFA said it will offer a few hundred $60 tickets for every game to the 48 national federations in the tournament. Those federations will decide how to distribute them to their most loyal fans who attended previous games.

Most seats on FIFA’s ticket resale platform — seeking to cut out the secondary market and earn FIFA extra 15% fees from buyers and sellers — are well past the $1,000 mark.

Cartel violence in Mexico

Mexico’s ability to co-host the World Cup has been under scrutiny after a surge in violence last week in the state of Jalisco following the military’s killing of a powerful cartel boss.

The state’s capital, Guadalajara, is set to host four matches during the group stage.

Mexico’s government insists the World Cup won’t be affected and President Claudia Sheinbaum said there’s no risk for fans coming to the tournament.

Infantino told Sheinbaum that he has full confidence in Mexico as a World Cup host.

The FIFA leader has repeatedly promised the 2026 World Cup will be the greatest and most inclusive.

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A backdrop of geopolitical tension

Iran’s status at the World Cup is unclear

Fan festivals are being slimmed down

Foxborough games threatened

Pushback against FIFA’s ticket prices

Cartel violence in Mexico

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