Fifa

Subterms

    More stories

    • 213 Shares99 Views

      in Soccer

      Ex-Germany star Kevin Kuranyi rushed to hospital after suffering injury in Fifa Legends game at World Cup

      by

      KEVIN KURANYI has been rushed to hospital in Doha after suffering a knee injury.The former Germany striker, 40, was taking part in a Fifa Legends game when he sustained a serious issue.
      Kevin Kuranyi was in action in DohaCredit: Getty
      Kuranyi was featuring in a team alongside the likes of Paulo Wanchope, Oswaldo Sanchez and Jorge Campos when he felt intense pain in his knee.
      According to Bild, Kuranyi had to be immediately rushed to hospital in an ambulance.
      The full extent of his injury is yet to be determined, but it has been reported that he has likely suffered damage to his meniscus and cruciate ligament.
      Speaking after the incident, Kuranyi said: “I noticed right away that something broke in my knee. I can’t say more at the moment.”
      READ MORE ON THE WORLD CUP
      The forward earned 52 caps for Germany between 2003 and 2008 – featuring at two European Championships.
      He bagged 19 goals for his country, and also enjoyed a prolific club career with Stuttgart, Schalke and Dynamo Moscow.
      Kuranyi is just one of many former stars to have been invited to Qatar to play in the Fifa Legends Cup competition.
      His “Northern Bears” team was up against Nigeria icon Sunday Oliseh’s Africa Lions side when the injury was sustained.
      Most read in Football
      BETTING SPECIAL – BEST OFFERS FOR EXISTING CUSTOMERS FOR DECEMBER 2022
      Other legends of the game to have featured in the competition this week include Kaka, Didier Drogba, John Terry, Roberto Carlos and Francesco Totti.
      Matches are being played at Doha’s Khalifa International Tennis & Squash Complex.
      The venue is primarily used for the ATP and WTA Qatar Opens.
      John Terry played alongside Tim CahillCredit: Getty
      Kaka and Roberto Carlos have been in action at the Fifa Legends CupCredit: Getty More

    • 213 Shares139 Views

      in Soccer

      Jamie Carragher slams Fifa’s 32-team Club World Cup as ‘ridiculous’ and says players are ‘treated like cattle’

      by

      LIVERPOOL legend Jamie Carragher has slammed Fifa’s 32-team Club World Cup as “ridiculous” and says players are being “treated like cattle”.Fifa president Gianni Infantino revealed the controversial 2025 plans on Friday as they look to compete with Uefa’s Champions League.
      Carragher has slammed plans for a 32-team Club World CupCredit: Getty
      Infantino insists player welfare is being consideredCredit: Getty
      It means the Fifa-run club tournament will more than quadruple in size from the current format with seven sides.
      The world football governing body initially wanted to increase the size of the Club World Cup from seven teams to 24 for China in 2021 – before the pandemic hit.
      Big clubs have already rejected the proposal – and the Premier League has also followed suit.
      And Liverpool legend Carragher has taken aim at Infantino and Co, saying players “need rest at some point”, and that they’re being “treated like cattle”.
      READ MORE IN FOOTBALL
      Carragher also slammed the idea of a 32-team Club World Cup as “ridiculous” after recently discussing the possibility of a World Cup every two years.
      The Champions League winner fumed: “Like the ridiculous idea of the @FIFAWorldCup every two years, this is another one from Infantino.
      “Players need rest at some point, they are getting treated like cattle.
      “FIFA hate the Champions League and want something similar themselves. 
      Most read in Football
      HOW TO GET FREE BETS ON THE WORLD CUP
      “European clubs should boycott it.”
      However, Infantino says Fifa are considering “the health and wellbeing of players” in their decision to create and expand competitions.
      In his lengthy press conference, Infantino said: “We have to take into consideration the health and wellbeing of players.
      “We need to ensure there is a rest period for players, a holiday period, ideally 72 hours between games.
      “Of course we need to be pragmatic on these topics. We will now consult on all these topics and elaborate.” More

    • 200 Shares129 Views

      in Soccer

      Fifa president Gianni Infantino hints at MORE winter World Cups with Saudi Arabia 2030 bid expected

      by

      FIFA president Gianni Infantino has hinted there will be more winter World Cups on the horizon.The tournament in Qatar caused great controversy when it was announced that it would be played in November and December.
      FIFA President Gianni Infantino has hinted that more World Cup tournaments could be played in the winter monthsCredit: AP
      It had to be played in winter to tackle the extreme heat, with temperatures still regularly exceeding 30C, even in December.
      Infantino has claimed the World Cup in Qatar has been the “best ever” and even suggested the level of football has been higher.
      He has put this down to the fact it is being played in the middle of the season rather than players having to perform “at the end of an exhausting campaign”.
      He added: “A very important element, is we have to take into consideration is the health and well-being of players hence four-game window, rather than two-game windows.
      READ MORE WORLD CUP NEWS
      “We need to make sure there is a rest period for the players.
      “We will consult on these topics and elaborate.”
      The next bid that could be played in the winter, should it be successful, is the Saudi Arabia-Egypt-Greece bid for the 2030 competition.
      Saudi Arabia are believed to be the lead contributor to the tournament and would pay for at least some of the other two countries’ costs.
      Most read in Football
      BETTING SPECIAL – BEST BETTING APPS FOR THE WORLD CUP
      While praising the ongoing tournament – ahead of Sunday’s final between France and Argentina – Infantino admitted he was happy with the “joyful atmosphere”.
      He said: “The World Cup has been an incredible success on all fronts.
      “The main one being the fans, the behaviour, the joyful atmosphere, the bringing of people together.
      “The fans meeting the Arab world, it has been very important for the future of all of us.” More

    • 238 Shares159 Views

      in Soccer

      Fifa to launch new Club World Cup in 2025 with THIRTY-TWO teams, setting themselves on collision course with clubs

      by

      THE CLUB WORLD CUP is being expanded to 32 teams in a major shake-up.It means the Fifa-run club tournament will more than quadruple in size from the current format with seven sides.
      Fifa president Gianni Infantino revealed the details of the new Club World Cup plansCredit: PA
      Chelsea beat Palmeiras in the 2021-22 edition in FebruaryCredit: AFP
      The major changes are set to come into effect from 2025, as revealed by Fifa president Gianni Infantino today.
      The world football governing body initially wanted to increase the size of the Club World Cup from seven teams to 24 for China in 2021 – before the pandemic hit.
      The new format of the 32-team tournament will take place every four years with an extended international break merging the current September and October slots to facilitate the changes.
      It is unclear at this stage how the 32 teams will be comprised – currently each continent sends one team with the host nation’s league champions making up the seven.
      read more on WORLD CUP
      Chelsea won the 2021-22 version as reigning Champions League winners, beating Copa Libertadores champs Palmeiras in the February final.
      The European and South American clubs joined in the semi-finals with the teams from the other confederations in Africa, Asia, Oceania and North, Central America and Caribbean as well as the host nation’s league champions joining earlier.
      Real Madrid will be the European representative at the 2022-23 edition following their victory over Liverpool in Paris in May.
      And Infantino confirmed that tournament will be hosted in Morocco, just as it was in 2013 and 2014.
      Most read in Football
      BETTING SPECIAL – BEST WORLD CUP BETTING OFFERS AND FREE BETS
      The Club World Cup was launched in 2000 with Chelsea becoming the third English team to win it after Manchester United in 2008 and Liverpool in 2019.
      Real Madrid are the most successful side in the tournament’s history with four titles, one more than rivals Barcelona.
      Brazilian side Corinthians and Bayern Munich have won two each while 14 of the last 15 have been won by the European team.
      Infantino also added that a Women’s Club World Cup will be launched – although no further details were given at this stage.
      And a Fifa World Series will also start, with the friendly tournament taking place in even years to “increase the possibilities for teams from different confederations to play each other”.
      There was a hint, too, of future winter World Cups following the success of Qatar 2022. More

    • 200 Shares99 Views

      in Soccer

      Arsenal legend Arsene Wenger slammed for being ‘brainwashed’ and ‘making most STUPID statements’ by Norway boss

      by

      ARSENAL icon Arsene Wenger has been “brainwashed” into making “stupid statements” since joining Fifa, according to Norway manager Stale Solbakken.The Gunners legend, 73, who joined football’s world governing body in 2019, is currently the organisation’s head of global development.
      Arsene Wenger made some controversial comments during the World CupCredit: Getty
      Norway coach Stale Solbakken is not impressed with Wenger’s commentsCredit: Reuters
      He hit the headlines during the World Cup for claiming the teams that had focused on football over politics had fared better on the pitch.
      This was viewed as a pointed dig at Germany and Denmark – who were vocal in their opposition of the competition going to Qatar and subsequently lost their first game.
      They both went on to exit the tournament in the group stage.
      Wenger said: “You know when you go to a World Cup, you know you can’t lose the first game.
      READ MORE ON ARSENAL
      “The teams who have the experience to perform in tournaments like France and England played well in the first game.’ 
      “The teams who were mentally ready, with a mindset to focus on competition, and not the political demonstrations.”
      Many issues around Qatar had been discussed before and continued throughout the competition, namely the treatment of migrant workers, the LGBTQ community, and human rights abuses.
      Now Norway head coach Solbakken, whose country categorically opposed the Qatar tournament even before they failed to qualify, has slammed ex-Arsenal boss Wenger’s decision to support the event.
      Most read in Football
      HOW TO GET FREE BETS ON THE WORLD CUP
      Speaking to Norwegian channel TV 2, he said: “It shudders to see that the smartest man in the world, Arsene Wenger, who has been looked up to over the years, has somehow been brainwashed and is now making the most stupid statements.
      “It’s scary with all the people we’ve looked up to in the football world for years.
      “There’s a polarisation going on right now, and I’m afraid it’s going to get worse.”
      Earlier this year, Norway’s president Lise Klaveness criticised the decision to award the tournament to Qatar.
      And in 2021, the team, which included Erling Haaland, wore protest T-shirts ahead of their World Cup qualifiers. More

    • 238 Shares179 Views

      in Soccer

      Fifa could rip up World Cup 2026 group-stage changes over fears of ‘dead games’ following success of Qatar tournament

      by

      FIFA are reportedly re-thinking their format for the next World Cup after the group stage success of Qatar.They are due to have 48 nations competing at the showpiece in North America.
      Fifa are re-thinking their plans for the format of the 2026 World CupCredit: Rex
      The governing body came up with the plan to 16 groups of three teams at the next tournament in 2026.
      That would result in two from each moving on to the next stage.
      However, there are fears that it could be “dangerously dull” and also encourage unsporting behaviour.
      The risk of “dead” matches is also worrying. If the final group game was between two countries that had already won one apiece and were therefore already qualified there would be no motivation or point to the match.
      READ MORE WORLD CUP NEWS
      Ahead of this World Cup, Fifa did admit their concern about the possibility of contrived results as teams may engineer a result that would ensure they both progress while the non-playing member of the group would be eliminated.
      Vice president Victor Montagliani admitted: “It’s an issue that has been raised.”
      48 teams are due to start the 2026 World Cup tournament, which will then be reduced to 32 following the group phase as the knockouts begin.
      But alternative formats are now on the table and Fifa’s Council will decide next year which one to go with.
      Most read in Football
      BETTING SPECIAL – BEST WORLD CUP BETTING OFFERS AND FREE BETS
      According to Fifa’s head of global football development Arsene Wenger, they are 12 groups of four teams, with the best third-placed teams advancing alongside the first and second.
      Another is the World Cup being split into two separate halves of 24, with each having six groups of four teams. 
      That would result in the winner of each half eventually meeting in the final.
      And given the number of dramatic final group games that we witnessed in Qatar, a report from Reuters claims that is the “more viable proposition” for chiefs.
      The only issue with that would be the increase in the number of matches.
      There were 32 teams that entered Qatar which had a total of 64 games being completed in the space of 29 days.
      And, at least for now, the 2026 edition will have 80 games in 32 days.
      But it would need at least an extra week for four team groups as there would be 104 matches to be played.
      However, the extra TV revenue that would bring is also something that could tempt Fifa. More

    • 250 Shares109 Views

      in Soccer

      World Cup 2022 stars including Luka Modric taking advantage of new tech to track match stats just MINUTES after games

      by

      WORLD CUP stars have taken advantage of new technology to discover exactly how they have performed – before they leave the Qatar 2022 stadium.More than 400 players at the tournament signed up for the Fifa Player App to get the rundown.
      More than 400 World Cup stars signed up to the app to track their match stats
      Luke Modric is just one big-name star to use the app to monitor his performanceCredit: Reuters
      The application uses limb-tracking technology – which enables the new semi-automated offside system.
      And it has enabled players to access information within minutes of the final whistle.
      World Cup stars now have access to stats including distance covered and passing figures, as well as video clips.
      High-profile players to take advantage have included Croatia schemer Luka Modric and Switzerland’s former Liverpool star Xherdan Shaqiri.
      READ MORE WORLD CUP STORIES
      Although Modric will hope to not have to be reminded of his Michy Batshuayi moment in the 3-0 semi-final loss against Argentina.
      Shaqiri said: “To see how your performance was, you have pictures in there as well…
      “So it was a very good idea by Fifa to introduce it.
      “I really like it and it’s just something new that didn’t exist before.” 
      Most read in Football
      Former Arsenal boss and Fifa global development chief Arsene Wenger added: “The players get analysis of their performances and will get used to the way we analyse the game. 
      “The players are very intelligent and, usually, they adapt quickly.
      “We will make the quality of their performances available.” More

    • 150 Shares119 Views

      in Soccer

      Who is Morocco vs Portugal referee Facundo Tello at World Cup 2022?

      by

      FACUNDO TELLO is no stranger to dishing out yellow and red cards.And the experienced Argentinian referee is in charge for Morocco’s quarter-final clash against Portugal.
      Facundo Tello is one of 39 referees officiating at Qatar and is not afraid of dishing out red cardsCredit: AFP
      Argentina’s Facundo Tello makes up a group of six South American officials travelling to the Middle East and is in charge as the Swiss take on the Indomitable Lions.
      Here is some more information on the Argentine’s career.
      Who is Facundo Tello?
      Facundo Tello was born in the Buenos Aires Province in 1982.
      Tello was quick to gain prominence in his homeland, officiating in the Primera Division after just four games in Argentina’s second tier.
      Read More on World Cup
      He was asked to officiate the first-ever Superclassic in 2018, returning the same year to referee the final, defining Sarmiento’s promotion to the Primera Division.
      In 2019, the 40-year-old gained recognition on the international stage, joining FIFA’s refereeing list.
      Most read in Football
      Tello was summoned to Chile where he was appointed the fourth official at the South American Under-20 Championship.
      A call-up to the 2021 Arab Cup followed, where he took charge of a match between Jordan and Morocco.
      He became infamous in Argentina for giving out 10 red cards during the Champions Trophy final where Racing Club played Boca Juniors and there was a massive melee.

      World Cup 2022Everything you need to know about the World Cup More