FIFA president: All 104 World Cup matches will be 'sold out'

FIFA president Gianni Infantino said all 104 matches of the 2026 World Cup will be "sold out" despite tickets available for the tournament running from June 11 to July 19.

"The demand is there. Every match is sold out," Infantino told CNBC in an interview Wednesday from U.S. President Donald Trump's Mar-a-Lago resort in Palm Beach, Fla.

Infantino said there had been 508 million ticket requests in four weeks from more than 200 countries for about seven million available tickets.

"(We've) never see anything like that -- incredible," he said.

The 48-team World Cup is taking place across 16 host cities in the United States, Mexico and Canada, with MetLife Stadium in East Rutherford, N.J., as the site of the World Cup final.

The head of the sport's governing body said that tournament locations contribute to what soccer supporters' associations have complained are exorbitant ticket prices.

"I think it is because it's in America, Canada and Mexico," he said. "Everybody wants to be part of something special."

Also affecting prices are resale websites, which take the official ticket that has a fixed price and use "dynamic pricing" leading to the cost to fluctuate.

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"You are able as well to resell your tickets on official platforms, secondary markets, so the prices as well will go up," Infantino said. "That's part of the market we are in."

A report in the Straits Times said that a Category 3 seat -- the highest section in the stadium -- for Mexico's match against South Africa in the tournament opener on June 11 in Mexico City was listed at $5,324 in the secondary market. The original price was $895.

The same seat category for the World Cup final on July 19, originally priced at $3,450, was advertised for $143,750 on Feb. 11, per the report.

In December, FIFA designated "supporter entry tier" tickets with a $60 price to be allocated to the national federations whose teams are playing. Those federations are expected to make those tickets available "to loyal fans who are closely connected to their national teams," FIFA said in a press release.

The last time the U.S. served as a World Cup host in 1994, tickets ranged from $25 to $475. At the 2022 World Cup in Qatar, prices ranged from $70 to $1,600 after the matches were announced.

Infantino in his comments this week estimated that the 2026 World Cup will raise $11 billion in revenue for FIFA, with "every dollar" to be reinvested in the sport in the 211 member countries.

He said the economic impact for the United States would be around $30 billion "in terms of tourism, catering, security investments and so on." Infantino also estimated the tournament will attract 20 million to 30 million tourists and create 185,000 full-time jobs.

--Field Level Media

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February 19, 2026

FIFA president: All 104 World Cup matches will be 'sold out'

FIFA president Gianni Infantino said all 104 matches of the 2026 World Cup will be "sold out" despite ticket...

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Hornets guard LaMelo Ball is expected to play against the Rockets a day after being in a car crash

CHARLOTTE, N.C. (AP) — Charlotte Hornets point guard LaMelo Ball is not listed on the team's injury report and is expected to play Thursday night against the Houston Rockets, one day after beinginvolved in a two-car crashin Charlotte.

The Hornets are one of the NBA's hottest teams having won 10 of their last 11 games and Ball is a big reason for that success.

Ball appeared to be driving through an intersection when his camouflage-colored, custom-made Hummer collided with another vehicle Wednesday, according tovideo obtained by WSOC-TVin Charlotte. The station later posted video of Ball, wearing anaqua-colored Hornets hoodie, getting out his truck and into another car before being driven away. Police were on the scene at the time.

A police report has not been made available.

There was no information available on the person in the other car involved in the collision, although video showed that driver calmly get out of his car and begin walking toward Ball's truck after the crash.

Video showed the left front tire of Ball's truck was missing.

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Ball is just the latest professional sports athlete to be involved in a car crash in Charlotte.

Former Carolina Panthers quarterback Cam Newtonfractured his backin a 2014 crash in which he flipped his pickup truck near Bank of America Stadium — less than a mile from where Ball's crash occurred.

And in 2024, Panthers current backup quarterback Andy Daltoninjured his thumbwhen he was involved in a two-car crash in Charlotte.

Former Hornets guard Bobby Phills was killed in a car crash at age 30 following a practice on Jan. 12, 2000.

AP NBA:https://apnews.com/hub/NBA

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February 19, 2026

Hornets guard LaMelo Ball is expected to play against the Rockets a day after being in a car crash

CHARLOTTE, N.C. (AP) — Charlotte Hornets point guard LaMelo Ball is not listed on the team's injury report and is exp...

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O's INF Jordan Westburg physically 'unable to participate'

Baltimore Orioles infielder Jordan Westburg was not on the field with the team for a spring training workout on Thursday, and manager Craig Albernaz doesn't know when his status will change.

"He's unable to participate right now," the first-year manager said Thursday. "Getting evaluated by our medical team and also outside people. See what's going on with Jordan and get him ready to go."

Westburg, 27, felt his oblique tighten on the right side early in spring training. Albernaz did not specifically point to the muscle injury as the reason for his absence and wouldn't say if he had a different injury.

Orioles president of baseball operations Mike Elias said earlier this month that Westburg's oblique injury dates to January.

The Baltimore Banner reported Thursday, however, that Westburg had imaging done on his elbow.

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"Just physically unable to go," Albernaz said. "We want to make sure we do our due diligence. Make sure Jordan has the best chance to play this year."

Injuries have been a hindrance in Westburg's three seasons in Baltimore, which drafted him 30th overall in 2020 out of Mississippi State.

He played 85 games last season and required injured list stints due to a left hamstring injury and a sprained ankle. He also missed parts of 2025 spring training with back tightness. He played 107 games in 2024 and was named an All-Star, but also missed seven weeks with a fractured hand.

In 260 career games, Westburg has a .264 batting average with 38 home runs and 127 RBIs.

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February 19, 2026

O's INF Jordan Westburg physically 'unable to participate'

Baltimore Orioles infielder Jordan Westburg was not on the field with the team for a spring training workout on Thursd...

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Hailey Bieber Opens Up About the 'Mentally Exhausting' Battle of Dealing with Scrutiny in the Public Eye

Amy Sussman/Getty

NEED TO KNOW

• Hailey Bieber is revealing how she deals with scrutiny

• The Rhode founder appeared on the Therapuss with Jake Shane podcast, where she opened up about the "mentally exhausting" battle of dealing with wide-scale scrutiny

• Bieber talked about how she's learned to protect her peace with boundaries while also leaning back on her people-pleasing tendencies

Hailey Bieber's road to finding a healthy relationship with fame is ever evolving.

The mom and beauty mogul, 29, appeared on an episode of theTherapuss with Jake Shanepodcastreleased on Feb. 18 and opened up about dealing with the scrutiny of being in the public eye.

During the interview, the Rhode founder said it's "mentally exhausting" to appease everyone commenting on her life and that sometimes, it feels like, "what the f--- did I ever do to you? It's that times a millions of people. Then you get caught up in a cycle of constantly trying to prove yourself."

Pascal Le Segretain/Getty

Bieber admitted that it's still a "struggle" to quiet her people-pleasing tendencies because she wants to be "understood." Over the years, however, she's learned that over-explaining herself gets her nowhere.

"I think it's so easy to misunderstand people and pick things apart, see a tiny sliver of such a bigger picture. I've realized there's no amount of explaining yourself," she said, adding, "It really doesn't make a difference at all."

That's all to say, it doesn't mean that the criticism doesn't "hurt any less," but Bieber has found solace in setting boundaries and protecting her peace. Besides, she's "happy and grateful" to have people around her who can "totally relate to" what she's feeling.

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In the same episode, Bieber alsoopened up about motherhoodsince welcoming her little one, Jack Blues, now 16 months, with husbandJustin Bieber.

"It is so fun. I always knew I wanted kids; I always wanted to be a mom. And then when it happens, you never know what to expect, and you don't know what it's going to be like. And it honestly, it's so much fun."

When asked by host Jake Shane what is the "one thing" no one warned her about and she wasn't expecting, she replied, "It's a whole bunch of you just don't know what's going to happen until you get there. I think something that I feel did surprise me, though, was I feel like I'm a lot more relaxed as a mom than I thought I would be. I think especially as a first-time mom."

And she hopes that she can grow her family one day. "I definitely do want one more [kid]," she said, "I'm not in a rush, but I definitely want one more. Maybe I'll have four more. Maybe I'll have three. I don't know, I really don't know. I'm just taking it one day at a time."

Read the original article onPeople

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February 19, 2026

Hailey Bieber Opens Up About the 'Mentally Exhausting' Battle of Dealing with Scrutiny in the Public Eye

Amy Sussman/Getty NEED TO KNOW Hailey Bieber is revealing how she deals with scrutiny The Rhode founder appea...

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FCC chairman says the agency is investigating ABC's 'The View' over equal time rule

The Federal Communications Commission is investigating ABC's "The View" over possible violations of the requirement that broadcast stations giveequal timeto political candidates when they appear on-air, according to the head of the agency that oversees U.S. broadcast airwaves.

"The FCC has an enforcement action underway on that," Chairman Brendan Carr told reporters after an agency meeting Wednesday, in response to a question about whether there were an investigation into the daytime series over potential violations of the "equal time" rule. "And we're taking a look at it."

James Talarico, a Democratic candidate for the Senate in Texas, appeared on "The View" on Feb. 2. U.S. Rep.Jasmine Crockett, who is running against Talarico for the nomination, has also been on the show.

The Trump administration has taken steps to clamp down on talk shows, which the FCC has suggested may be "motivated by partisan purposes." Earlier in the week, late-night host Stephen Colbert said CBS executives hadpulled an appearanceby Talarico on his program over fears it ran afoul of equal time provisions.

The FCC issuednew guidancein January to late-night and daytime hosts that they needed to give political candidates equal time. There are exceptions to the rule, including for newscasts, "bona fide" interview programs, and coverage of live events or documentaries. Carr has raised questions about the talk show exemption and whether it should stand.

"The FCC has not been presented with any evidence that the interview portion of any late night or daytime television talk show program on air presently would qualify for the bona fide news exemption," according to the agency's public notice last month.

Carr, a Trump appointee, suggested last year that investigating "The View," whose hosts have frequently been critical of the Republican president, might be "worthwhile."

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The FCC has not responded to a message seeking comment on "The View" or Colbert's show.

On Wednesday, Carr said watching the fallout from Colbert's characterization of what happened with Talarico "was probably one of the most fun days I've had in the job," adding that the candidate "took advantage" of media attention "apparently for the purpose of raising money and getting clicks."

Theequal time provision appliesonly to broadcast, not streaming or internet programs. Colbert later posted the Talarico interview to YouTube, where it's been viewed more than 7.5 million times — several times what the comic's CBS program draws each night.

Talarico reported that he had raised $2.5 million in campaign donations in the 24 hours after the Colbert interview.

A spokesperson for "The View" on Thursday declined to comment on Carr's statement.

CBS says Colbert was provided "legal guidance" that broadcasting the interview with Talarico could trigger the equal time rule. Colbertsaid on his show Tuesday nightthat while Carr said in January he was thinking about getting rid of the exemption for late-night talk shows, "CBS generously did it for him."

Meg Kinnard can be reached athttp://x.com/MegKinnardAP

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FCC chairman says the agency is investigating ABC's 'The View' over equal time rule

The Federal Communications Commission is investigating ABC's "The View" over possible violations of the req...

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FBI in touch with Mexico about Nancy Guthrie's disappearance, sources say

The FBI has been in touch with the Mexican government and Mexican law enforcement regarding the disappearance ofNancy Guthrie, the mother of "Today" show co-host Savannah Guthrie, law enforcement sources told CBS News.

Authorities believe Nancy Guthrie, 84, was forcibly taken from her Tucson, Arizona, home in the middle of the night before she was reported missing Feb. 1. Pima County Sheriff Chris Nanostold CBS News partner network BBC Newsthis week that he believes Guthrie was targeted in the apparent abduction.

The FBI maintains dedicated border liaison agents stationed along the border who work directly with their Mexican law enforcement counterparts on these kinds of situations.

The FBI's legal attaché office in Mexico City serves as the bridge between FBI headquarters, the U.S. Embassy and Mexico's federal attorney general's office.

One source told CBS News the FBI suboffice most relevant to the Guthrie case is in Hermosillo, Sonora, the Mexican state that shares a border with Arizona. Tucson is about 60 miles from the Nogales crossing.

The U.S. State Department has issued aLevel 3 travel advisoryfor Sonora, which is one level beneath its most severe advisory. The State Department urges Americans to reconsider travel to the area, noting a risk of violence from terrorist groups, cartels, gangs and criminal organizations.

Hermosillo is roughly 170 miles intoMexicoon the other side of the border. When something happens in this geographic corridor, that is the suboffice that gets the call.

Nanos has said there's no indication Guthrie was taken into Mexico, but that doesn't necessarily mean that an investigation in the area has not been launched.

Attorney General of the State of Sonora Gustavo Rómulo Salas Chávez said Thursday, "We have no information to suggest that this person is in Mexican territory, specifically in Sonora."

Carlos Flores, the commissioner general of Mexico's Criminal Investigation Agency, said Thursday, "The FBI informed us that they currently have no leads to suggest that this person could be in Mexico."

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One source said border protocols are already in place for situations like this, whether or not there is a confirmed lead.

Meanwhile, the local organization Madres Buscadoras De Sonora (Searching Mothers of Sonora) told CBS News they were contacted by a Guthrie family member and asked to help in the search. The organization, which is well known in Sonora, posted amessage on social mediaasking for information about Guthrie's whereabouts.

A reward from the 88-CRIME tipline was increased on Wednesday to $102,500 — thanks to a $100,000 anonymousdonation, the organization said — for information leading to the arrest of the person or persons involved in Guthrie's disappearance. That reward is in addition to a $100,000 reward the FBI is offering.

According to Nanos, investigators havenot ruled outthat an accomplice aided the suspected kidnapper seen in doorbell camera video outside Nancy Guthrie's home the night of her disappearance.

The videorecovered from Guthrie's Google Nest doorbell camera, which was shared by the FBI last week, is the only footage that Google has been able to recover from the cameras at Guthrie's home, according to the Pima County Sheriff's Department. There are additional cameras from the property that engineers are still working through as they try to recover usable video. Investigators are hopeful that tech companies working on the videos will uncover more.

Savannah Guthrie, her two siblings and their spouses were allcleared as suspectsin the case, the sheriff's department announced Monday as the high-profile investigation entered its third week.

Nanos told BBC News the Guthrie family has cooperated with investigators.

"We really put them through the wringer," Nanos said. "We take their cars, we take their houses, we take their phones, all this stuff — and we're not taking it. They're giving it to us voluntarily. They have been 100% cooperative with us through everything we've asked. They are victims. They are not suspects."

Massive avalanche sweeps away skiers in California

H.R. McMaster reacts to Trump's efforts to stop Iran's nuclear progress

King Charles reacts after former Prince Andrew's stunning arrest on his 66th birthday

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February 19, 2026

FBI in touch with Mexico about Nancy Guthrie's disappearance, sources say

The FBI has been in touch with the Mexican government and Mexican law enforcement regarding the disappearance ofNancy Gut...

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Skier missing amid brutal weather near Lake Tahoe. Latest updates.

Two days after tragedy struck in California's Sierra Nevada mountain range whenat least eight skiers were killed in an avalanche and one remains missing, search teams facing brutal winter conditions and the threat of more avalanches, will not be able to recover the bodies of the victims, officials said Feb. 19.

The skiers were part of a group of 15 guides and clients of a mountain guide company in the Lake Tahoe area. They were backcountry skiing from remote huts in an avalanche-prone area on Feb. 17 when the incident happened. Six people survived and were rescued hours later, and eight people have been located deceased. One was still missing but is presumed dead as of the latest update from authorities on Feb. 18.

It is thedeadliest avalanche in the United Statesin almost 45 years, according to theColorado Avalanche Information Center.

The Nevada County Sheriff's Office said Feb. 19 that "hazardous weather conditions" were preventing the recovery of the victims, and the efforts are expected to stretch into the weekend. Forecasters on Feb. 19 warned ofanother winter stormexpected to bring heavy snow and a heightened avalanche risk. Officials previously said on Feb. 18 that none of the eight bodies were removed from the mountain because it has been too difficult for crews to access them.

"Due to the ongoing challenges of the weather, the avalanche conditions, the effort remains ongoing, as well as our search for the remaining skier," Sheriff Shannan Moon said on Feb. 18.

Visual story:See how six skiers survived the deadly Tahoe avalanche

The region is under a winter storm advisory and an avalanche warning. Another over a foot of snow could fall on Feb. 19, after2 to 4 feet have already fallenin the Lake Tahoe area, according to the National Weather Service office in nearby Reno, Nevada.

"The longer that we continue to have people out there and exposed, the higher chance we put our rescuers in danger," Capt. Rusty Greene of the Nevada County Sheriff's Department said.

Inside the search for missing skiers after California avalanche

Avalanche was the deadliest in decades

The group of 15 skiers included four guides from the Blackbird Mountain Guides company and 11 clients, officials said. They were at the end of a three-day trip to the remote Frog Lake huts, which require miles of skiing, snowboarding or snow shoeing to access. The company said the group was returning to the trailhead at the end of the trip.

The avalanche happened in the Castle Peak area northwest of Lake Tahoe at about 11:30 a.m. on Feb. 17. Six people who survived had to shelter for hours until search and rescue crews could reach them. Two had injuries that weren't life threatening and were taken to hospitals later that evening.

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The surviving group located three of the missing people deceased, and rescuers found another five people deceased. One was still missing, officials said Feb. 18.

It was thedeadliest avalanche since 11 people were killed in 1981while attempting to climb Mount Rainier in Washington state.

Harsh conditions, threat of avalanches as recovery continues

The Feb. 17 avalanche came amid the strongest winter storm in the region of the year, reported the Reno Gazette Journal, part of the USA TODAY Network. Officials said the weather conditions, which included heavy snow and gusty winds creating whiteout conditions, made it extremely difficult to reach the survivors and find the victims.

Moon described the weather conditions as "horrific." At times, it was "impossible" to see in the conditions, Moon said on Feb. 18. The eight bodies that were located were not yet removed from the mountain because of the conditions and the risks to the search crews, authorities said. Search teams used a snowcat vehicle but had to ski the remaining 2 miles to reach the people stranded to avoid triggering another avalanche, she said.

On Feb. 19, forecasters said another 12 to 18 inches of snow could fall at elevations over 7,000 feet and 6 to 12 inches in the Lake Tahoe Basin. Ridge-top wind gusts will reach 45 mph, the weather service said.

There is also a high risk for large avalanches in backcountry areas of the Tahoe region, according to the Sierra Avalanche Center. Greene said on Feb. 18 that there was a concern that additional avalanches could rebury the victims' bodies, but officials also have to weigh the safety of the search team, which consists of volunteers.

"We've done everything we can to make it so that given the opportunity, we can get in and do a fast recovery if the weather gives us that chance," Greene said.

The searchers placed avalanche poles, probes that can help them later find the bodies' exact locations, but recovery will depend on how the weather acts over the next few days, he said.

"We want to really make sure that our first responders are safe and have all of the confidence that they can get there," Moon said.

Contributing: The Reno Gazette Journal

This article originally appeared on USA TODAY:Latest on missing skier after avalanche at California's Lake Tahoe

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February 19, 2026

Skier missing amid brutal weather near Lake Tahoe. Latest updates.

Two days after tragedy struck in California's Sierra Nevada mountain range whenat least eight skiers were killed in a...

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