Fifa

Subterms

    More stories

    • 238 Shares149 Views

      in Soccer

      UK to host 2035 Women’s World Cup as Fifa chief Gianni Infantino confirms just ‘one valid bid’ for tournament

      by

      THE UK is set to host the 2035 Women’s World Cup.Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland joined forces with the English Football Association earlier this year in a bid for the major tournament.FIFA President Gianni Infantino has revealed that the UK submitted the ‘only valid bid’ for the competitionCredit: GettySpain are the reigning Women’s World Cup champions having won the tournament in 2023Credit: GettyEngland’s Lionesses won the European Championship on home soil in 2022Credit: PAThe deadline for initial submissions came earlier this week on Monday afternoon.And while the UK lodged their interest on time, rival nations did not.Therefore, there is no real competition for the 2035 tournament.FIFA chief Gianni Infantino has described the UK’s interest as the “one valid bid” for the event.READ MORE IN FOOTBALLSpain, Portugal and Morocco had previously expressed a desire to host on a joint basis, but all three countries withdrew from the running.Speaking at the UEFA Congress on Thursday morning, Infantino said: “I can also confirm that, as part of the bidding process, we received one bid for 2031 and one valid bid for 2035.”The 2031 bid is from the United States of America and potentially some other Concacaf members together.”And the 2035 bid is from Europe, from the home nations.Most read in FootballCASINO SPECIAL – BEST CASINO BONUSES FROM £10 DEPOSITS”So the path is there for the Women’s World Cup to be taking place in 2031 and 2035 in some great countries, some great nations, to boost the women’s football movement even more.”The UK will now need to submit a compliant bid by the end of this year in order to guarantee the tournament will be played on British soil.England women’s clash suspended as lights GO OUT at Wembley with pitch plunged into darknessInfantino also revealed that FIFA intend to increase the number of teams competing in the Women’s World Cup from 32 to 48 by 2031.The number of teams was increased from 24 to 32 for the 2023 tournament in Australia and New Zealand, where England reached the final for the very first time.The Lionesses narrowly missed out on the trophy following a 1-0 defeat to Spain in Sydney.English FA CEO Mark Bullingham said: “We are honoured to be the sole bidder for the FIFA Women’s World Cup 2035.”Hosting the first FIFA World Cup since 1966 with our home nations partners will be very special.”The hard work starts now, to put together the best possible bid by the end of the year.”UK football chiefs are yet to announce which stadiums would likely be earmarked for the tournament.However, it can almost be guaranteed that Wembley Stadium in London will host the final – as it did for the men’s European Championship in 2021 and the women’s Euros in 2022.Read More on The SunManchester United’s proposed £2billion, 100,00-seater venue could also be used as it is set to be fully completed before the tournament year.In addition, Hampden Park in Glasgow, the home of the Scottish national team, would likely be used as a venue.Man Utd’s proposed new £2bn stadium could be a potential host venueCredit: AFP More

    • 213 Shares179 Views

      in Soccer

      Chelsea set to learn Club World Cup opponents with emergency playoff after Fifa break their own rule

      by

      CHELSEA’S opening Club World Cup replacement opponents are set to be decided by an emergency playoff – as Fifa break their own rules.And they could be handed a reunion with former Blues striker Olivier Giroud – and ex-Spurs skipper Hugo Lloris.Chelsea will discover who they will face at the Club World Cup through an emergency playoffCredit: GettyFifa are breaking their own rules to for the clashCredit: EPAFifa have confirmed it is now “considering” a one-off tie involving Mexico’s Club America and Los Angeles FC of the USA to fill the void after Leon were booted out of the tournament.Chelsea were due to play the Mexican side in their opening game in Atlanta on June 16.But Leon fell foul of Fifa’s multi-club ownership regulations as they are part of the group that also owns fellow Mexicans Pachuca, who also qualified as Concacaf Champions Cup winners.In a statement, a Zurich spokesperson said: “Fifa can confirm that it is considering a playoff match between LAFC and Club América for the right to participate in the 2025 FIFA Club World Cup, replacing Club León. “LAFC would participate in the match because they were the runners-up in the 2023 Concacaf Champions’ Cup, which León won.“America would participate because they are the highest-ranked team in Concacaf in the Fifa Club World Cup rankings. Further details will be provided in due course.”Suggestions that Fifa would open the door for Club America, the most widely supported club in Mexico, have grown in recent weeks.Mexican fans ensured sell-outs for the Concacaf Nations Cup finals in Los Angeles last week, even though Mauricio Pochettino’s USA side played the afternoon games in half-empty stadiums before the supporters arrived en masse.Most read in FootballJoin SUN CLUB for the Chelsea Files every Tuesday plusin-depth coverage and exclusives from Stamford BridgeBut under the regulations Fifa announced when they confirmed the tournament, NEITHER side should be considered.Fifa rules state that no country is allowed more than two representatives UNLESS those clubs were all winners of their confederation’s major club prize in the four-year qualification period.Todd Boehly gives major Chelsea stadium update and vows to leave Stamford BridgeThose regulations meant Liverpool, who would have qualified through Uefa’s coefficient system, were among the major European sides to miss out at the expense of Austrians Salzburg.But Fifa then designated Lionel Messi’s Inter Miami as a “host” team representing Concacaf rather than the USA, whose only official club involved is Seattle Sounders.Mexico already have Monterrey as well as Pachuca, filling their quota, with the measures against Leon instigated by a complaint from Costa Rica’s Liga Deportiva Alajuelense, who argued they should be handed their place as the next eligible side in the coefficient standings.Lloris joined LAFC, part-owned by US actor and comedian Will Ferrell, in December 2023 after more than 11 seasons at Spurs while Giroud, also 38, went to the MLS when he left AC Milan last summer.Leon have already appealed Fifa’s ban decision to the Court of Arbitration for Sport and any playoff cannot be scheduled until after the result of the legal proceedings are known.Chelsea’s other two opponents in Group D are Brazilians Flamengo, who they meet in Philadelphia on June 20 and Tunisian outfit Esperance, with the final group game in the same venue four days later.The Blues have already been assured of around £30m in appearance money for the inaugural version of the expanded 32-team competition, with a further £67m up for grabs in potential prize money.England’s other representatives, Manchester City, start against Morocco’s Wydad in Philadelphia on June 18.READ MORE SUN STORIESThey then meet Abu Dhabi outfit Al Ain in Atlanta before finishing against Juventus in Orlando on June 26.If they win their respective groups, the two Prem sides cannot meet until the final in New York on July 13. More

    • 263 Shares169 Views

      in Soccer

      ‘Football is stained by this’ – James Rodriguez furious as his team kicked out of Club World Cup for rule breach

      by

      REAL MADRID flop James Rodriguez lashed out at Fifa after his current club were kicked out of the Club World Cup.Rodriguez, 33, now plays for Mexican outfit Leon, qualified for this summer’s competition and were placed in Group D with Chelsea, Flamengo and Esperance de Tunis.James Rodriguez lashed out at Fifa after his current club Leon was kicked out of the Club World CupCredit: GettyRodriguez described the decision as a ‘grave injustice’ and claimed football will be ‘stained’Credit: ReutersAccording to The Mail, however, the Liga MX giants were removed from the Club World Cup due to a breach of Fifa’s regulations regarding multi-club ownership.Leon and Mexican rivals Pachuca are both owned by Grupo Pachuca, and thus their participation was challenged.Rodriguez’s side will be replaced by Costa Rican outfit Alajuelense, while Pachuca will remain in the competition. The Colombia international, though, is raging with that decision, which he described as a “grave injustice”.Read More on FootballThe former Everton ace also stated that Leon’s replacements Alajuelence as well as football as a whole will be “stained”.Rodriguez said: “I think it’s a grave injustice. We all believe that. We won on the pitch.”The club and the players are hurt by this. Thinking about this, if we’re out, it’s not fair. “The team that would replace us would be stained, football would be stained.Most read in Football”So many fans have planned to travel to the tournament, how do you tell them that they can’t go? I have a lot of questions about all this. It’s odd. “I think Fifa has to get their things together. Football is stained by this.”Glamorous Colombia fan who went viral for going braless in eye-popping outfit sends message to ‘hottie’ James RodriguezRodriguez joined Leon in January and one of the key motivations behind his move was to play in the Club World Cup.But the playmaker, who is on a one-year contract, stated that he is “happy” with his current team and suggested he wishes to stay regardless.Rodriguez added: “I’m happy to be here. Whether or not we play in the Club World Cup does not change the fact that I want to stay here.”This is something new for me. I never qualified for a Club World Cup, and weeks before they tell you that you are out. I hope Fifa can do something.”More criticism piles upLeon share Rodriguez’s anger and addressed their elimination with a stern statement.It read: “Club Leon expresses its disagreement with the decision made by FIFA, which could exclude us from the next Club World Cup. “In recent months, we have presented each piece of evidence and documents confirming that Club Leon operates autonomously in all economic, administrative, and sporting aspects.”Should Club Leon be prevented from participating in the 2025 Club World Cup with the same rights with which it earned a place on the pitch, we will pursue the matter to the fullest extent possible in the highest sporting courts.”The restructured Club World Cup competition has attracted immense criticism from players, pundits and fans for several reasons.One of them was the fact that it will take place this summer after a busy season and could lead to exhaustion for a raft of players.READ MORE SUN STORIESThe competition also came under fire when Inter Miami qualified despite not winning the MLS, with many claiming it was down to Fifa attempting to get Lionel Messi in the revamped tournament.The world governing body’s president Gianni Infantino pointed to Miami winning the Supporters Shield, awarded to the American club who perform the best over the regular season, as the reason for their qualification. More

    • 213 Shares109 Views

      in Soccer

      World Cup scandal as major La Liga stadium is left out of hosting tournament after report ‘manipulated’

      by

      THE Spanish Football Federation (RFEF) has been embroiled in a bizarre scandal over its stadiums for the 2030 World Cup. Spain, Morocco and Portugal have been selected as hosts for the tournament in five years time. The Estadio Balaidos has reportedly been overlooked for the 2030 World CupCredit: GettyReal Sociedad’s Anoeta Stadium has instead been chosenCredit: AlamyEleven venues were announced last week by the RFEF, including Real Madrid’s Bernabeu and Barcelona’s Nou Camp.In the original list, Celta Vigo’s Balaidos Stadium was ranked No. 11 ahead of Anoeta Stadium, home to Real Sociedad.But Spanish outlet El Mundo alleges “the RFEF manipulated the scores to exclude Vigo and include San Sebastian.”According to the report, a team “evaluated the Spanish stadiums in a meeting held on June 25, 2024.”READ MORE ON FOOTBALLThe stadiums were selected using a ranking system, which scored the “technical project, operational capacity, financial structure and facilities of the host cities.” The outlet claims “just 48 hours later, the evaluation team tweaked the Excel spreadsheet.”In the revised document, Sociedad’s San Sebastian stadium was given a score of 10.6026, up from 10.1226.That moved it past Vigo on the list, leaving the Balaidos Stadium eliminated from World Cup hosting contention. Most read in FootballBEST FREE BET SIGN UP OFFERS FOR UK BOOKMAKERSA Spanish Football Federation source told Footboom the adjustment was made “in accordance with Fifa’s directives.”But Abel Caballero, the Mayor of Vigo, has publicly urged the RFEF to disclose the criteria used to exclude their stadium.Barcelona forced into major stadium decision as Nou Camp reopening delayed AGAINHe said: “All I am asking for is transparency. “Let the public know what data was used to remove Vigo from the running.”He added, directly addressing RFEF president Rafael Louzan: “I demand that Louzan explain all of this immediately.”[He must] explain who made the decisions, how they were made, why they were made, with electronically signed minutes. “I don’t trust anything. This is extremely serious. “The fact that selection criteria have been changed is of the utmost seriousness.”READ MORE SUN STORIESThe 2030 World Cup will be the first with three countries from two continents hosting the competition. Spain last hosted the tournament way back in 1982. More

    • 213 Shares109 Views

      in Soccer

      Chelsea and Man City’s Club World Cup prize money confirmed with Premier League giants raking in millions

      by

      CHELSEA and Manchester City have been dangled a near £100million carrot for taking part in this summer’s controversial expanded Club World Cup.City aces including Rodri and Kevin de Bruyne, as well as England skipper Harry Kane, have been among the global stars accusing football chiefs of piling even more games on a congested calendar, without thinking about player welfare.Manchester City or Chelsea could claim almost £100million in prize money if they win this summer’s Club World CupChelsea qualified as 2021 Champions League winnersAnd Man City are part of it after winning Europe’s elite competition in 2023But Fifa President Gianni Infantino believes his latest pet project will become a huge event.And Zurich officials have now outlined exactly how the £775m prize fund – with Fifa insisting every penny will go to clubs around the world – will be split.Fifa say the winners will earn up to $125m – which is a fraction over £97m – under a heavily performance-related prize structure.Clubs can earn a maximum £68m if they win all three group games and go all the way to lift the trophy in New York’s MetLife Stadium on July 13, with the final itself worth £31m to the winners and £23m to the runners up.READ MORE ON CHELSEAThat adds up to a total £368m in performance-related cash, with the remaining £407m split between the 32 competing teams as entrance money.However, to prevent the enormous sum warping the competitive balance in smaller countries, there will not be an even split – which would have seen each club earn around £13m.Instead, the majority of the pool will go to the 12 European qualifiers, with Real Madrid understood to have taken the biggest individual fee of around £30m and Austrian outfit Salzburg taking £10m.Chelsea and City, who qualified as Champions League winners between 2021 and 2024 and who are both also high in the Uefa coefficient table, are each understood to be taking slightly less than Madrid.Most read in FootballJoin SUN CLUB for the Chelsea Files every Tuesday plusin-depth coverage and exclusives from Stamford BridgeBut New Zealand’s Auckland City, representing Oceania, will be handed just £2.8m while the six South American qualifiers – four from Brazil and Boca Juniors and River Plate from Argentina – will get £11.8m each.The tournament, which has been publicly backed by US President Donald Trump, will kick off on June 14 with Lionel Messi’s Inter Miami playing Egypt’s Al-Ahly in the Hard Rock Stadium home of the Miami Dolphins.Argentina humiliate Brazil 4-1 with Emi Martinez even doing keepy ups in his own box in fiery World Cup qualifier Chelsea’s opening opponents remain unclear after Mexican side Leon were bored out of the tournament by Fifa because they are part of the same Multi Club Ownership group as Pachuca.Leon have appealed to the Court of Arbitration for Sport to be readmitted but Fifa will not confirm a replacement team for the match in Atlanta on June 16 until the resolution of the legal issues.Chelsea’s other opponents for the group stage are Brazilians Flamengo and Tunisian side Esperance.City will open against Morocco’s Wydad in Philadelphia on June 18 before matches against Al Ain of Abu Dhabi and Juventus.If both Prem clubs win their groups they cannot meet in the competition before the final. More

    • 200 Shares139 Views

      in Soccer

      Harry Kane claims players are being ignored over burnout fears as Thomas Tuchel shares break concerns

      by

      HARRY KANE claims the world’s top stars are being ignored over burnout fears.England captain Kane faces another summer without a proper break as Fifa’s month-long Club World Cup starts five days after the Three Lions’ friendly with Senegal on June 10.Harry Kane has expressed concerns about player burnoutCredit: GettyThomas Tuchel is also concernedCredit: PAThe Bayern Munich striker, 31, is one of at least a dozen England stars who are due to play in the revamped £600million 32-team tournament in the US — with boss Thomas Tuchel also  concerned.Players’ unions, including the PFA, have filed a legal complaint against Fifa over the tournament amid  welfare worries.But Kane said: “There’s nothing we can really do about it. I don’t think the players are listened to that much, if I’m honest.“We’re getting used to it but it’s another summer where you do not have a break.  There are arguments from the clubs — to generate more money.READ MORE IN FOOTBALL“But there’s also a player welfare point where there’s only so much you can do without more injuries. It is a really hard balance.”Kane, who had less than four weeks off after Euro 2024, previously urged Prem chiefs to bring back a winter break to combat the crazy calendar.While Manchester City’s Ballon d’Or winner Rodri, 28, warned stars were close to going on STRIKE before his heartbreak ACL injury in September.He insisted: “Someone has to take care of us. We are the main characters of this sport.”Most read in FootballCASINO SPECIAL – BEST CASINO BONUSES FROM £10 DEPOSITSRodri’s City team-mates Manuel Akanji and Bernardo Silva, Liverpool keeper Alisson and Aston Villa boss Unai Emery have also pleaded for a reduction in the number of games.City and Chelsea are England’s representatives in the Club World Cup, while Kane’s Bayern and Jude Bellingham’s Real Madrid will also take part.Harry Kane scores from a distance in Bayern Munich training And Kane added: “If we get to the Champions League final on May 31, you’ll go straight into England then straight into the Club World Cup. So there won’t be any time.”England boss Tuchel also expressed his fears about the tournament, which runs from June 15 to July 13.Tuchel’s side face Andorra in a World Cup qualifier on June 7, then Senegal three days later.And the German boss admitted: “I am worried about the players being able to have a break.“I am not so concerned about the amount of games they play, I am more concerned they never have a real break of four weeks. That’s the problem.”PFA chief Maheta Molango wants players limited to a MAXIMUM of 60 games per season.And Tuchel added: “The Fifa June window is not ideal for anyone, especially the players. Maybe Fifa can put this window somewhere else for the benefit of players.”Rodri previously claimed that players could go on strikeCredit: Getty More

    • 213 Shares139 Views

      in Soccer

      Chelsea handed major fixture change as Club World Cup opponents are kicked OUT of competition by Fifa

      by

      CHELSEA have been handed a major fixture change in the Club World Cup. some three months out from the competiton.The Blues were set to face Mexican side Leon in their opening match of the summer tournament, but will now take on a different side after Fifa have KICKED OUT the Liga MX side.Chelsea will face new opponents in the Club World CupCredit: GettyClub Leon have been kicked out of the competitionCredit: GettyLeon, who are currently second in Liga MX, have failed multi-club ownership rules relating to the competition – meaning they are now banned from competing.Leon are part of a multi-club ownership group – Grupo Pachuca – that also includes fellow Liga MX side CF Pachuca.Due to Pachuca’s involvement in the Club World Cup too, Fifa have decided that Leon must be ejected from the tournament.A Fifa statement read: “Following disciplinary proceedings opened against CF Pachuca and Club Leon, the chairman of the FIFA Disciplinary Committee decided to refer the case directly to the FIFA Appeal Committee in accordance with article 56 paragraph 3 of the FIFA Disciplinary Code.READ MORE ON CHELSEA”After having evaluated all evidence on file, the chairman of the FIFA Appeal Committee has decided that CF Pachuca and Club León failed to meet the criteria on multi-club ownership defined under article 10 paragraph 1 of the Regulations for the FIFA Club World Cup 2025.”In line with article 10 paragraph 4 of the Regulations for the FIFA Club World Cup 2025M, FIFA has determined that Club León will be removed from the competition, with the club to be admitted as a replacement to be announced in due course.”No replacement has been decided for Leon yet, but is expected soon.Leon have a released a statement of their own outlining their plans to appeal the decision in court if they are prevented from playing.Most read in FootballCASINO SPECIAL – BEST CASINO BONUSES FROM £10 DEPOSITSIt read: “Club Leon expresses its disagreement with the decision made by FIFA, which could exclude us from the next Club World Cup.”The decision on which team will not attend the tournament is the responsibility of the organization’s Secretary General, who will notify us in the coming days.’This is a joke’ – Danny Drinkwater reveals moment he was told he had ONE HOUR to leave Chelsea”In recent months, we have presented each piece of evidence and documents confirming that Club Leon operates autonomously in all financial, administrative, and sporting aspects.”Should Club Leon be prevented from participating in the 2025 Club World Cup with the same rights with which it earned a place on the pitch, we will pursue the matter to the fullest extent possible in the highest sporting courts.”CF Pachuca have also released a statement claiming they will be taking action.It added: “In our case, we will defend what was won on the field in a fair, professional manner, and in compliance with the rules of the competition.”The CONCACAF contingent for the Club World Cup now stands at three sides – Monterrey, Seattle Sounders FC and Pachuca.And a replacement for Leon would likely have to come from North America too.Grupo Puchuca owner Jesus Martinez said last year that he would be willing to sell his controlling stake in Leon if it allowed them to compete in the Club World Cup.Martinez said: “We told them [Fifa] that we informed at the last Liga MX owners’ meetings that Leon is the team we are going to sell control of.”We plan to give up the majority stake in the club before 2027. However, I think we’re going to maintain some kind of sports control.”What we want is to contribute to the growth of the Mexican league, and if they see that multi-property can have a negative impact, we’re willing to help in every way”.The other teams remaining in Chelsea’s group are Brazilian side Flamengo and Tunisian outfit ES Tunis.READ MORE SUN STORIESThe revamped tournament, which is taking place across North America, will begin in June.MORE TO FOLLOW…THIS IS A DEVELOPING STORY..The Sun is your go to destination for the best football, boxing and MMA news, real-life stories, jaw-dropping pictures and must-see video.Like us on Facebook at https://www.facebook.com/TheSunFootball and follow us from our main Twitter account at @TheSunFootball. More

    • 150 Shares169 Views

      in Soccer

      Champions League giants ‘ready to WITHDRAW 70,460-seater stadium from hosting World Cup’

      by

      ATLETICO MADRID are prepared to pull out of hosting games at the 2030 World Cup, reports claim.As many as 23 venues have been proposed for the biggest show in sport in five years’ time- which will be held across a record SIX countries.Atletico Madrid are prepared to withdraw from hosting games at the 2030 World CupThe club won’t push for the Metropolitano to be one of the 32 stadium venuesSpain, Portugal and Morocco will be the main hosts in 2030 in a year where the World Cup will celebrate its 100th anniversary. It is the first time the competition will be played in Spain for 48 years, and its first time ever in the latter two.For its centenary celebrations, the first three matches of the 2030 World Cup will be held in Uruguay, Argentina and Paraguay.This is to commemorate the first World Cup final in 1930, where hosts Uruguay beat Argentina 4-2 in the final.READ MORE FOOTBALL NEWSThe final venues for the tournament have not been confirmed, although most grounds are bidding for a spot.But Atletico Madrid are reportedly shelving their 2030 World Cup hosting bid.The LaLiga club won’t push for the Metropolitano to be one of the 32 stadium venues, according to Spanish outlet Relevo.It comes as Fifa requires stadiums to be available more than a month before the 2030 tournament for its preparations.Most read in FootballCASINO SPECIAL – BEST CASINO BONUSES FROM £10 DEPOSITSBut Atletico are keen to exploit the commercial benefits of hosting concerts and events during the peak summer calendar.Reports claim that Atletico would lose around £20million by not being able to use its stadium during June and July.Inside £49m ‘Stadium of the Year’ which saw world record set and is more popular than the Bernabeu And club believe that hosting one or two group stage matches is not worth losing out on the concert money.Meanwhile, Atletico are also predicting that they’ll likely play second fiddle to fierce city rivals Real Madrid in 2030.The new and iconic Bernabeu will compete with Barcelona’s Nou Camp to host the World Cup final. Meanwhile, Valencia’s Nou Mestalla Stadium is set to have its World Cup hosting rights restored after work restarted following 16 years.The skeleton of what had been dubbed “the world’s best stadium” had been lying dormant as construction work halted in 2009.The aim is to complete the 70,000-capacity stadium by the summer of 2027 after the club unveiled its sixth set of plans since the original announcement in 2006.READ MORE SUN STORIESAnd the president of the Royal Spanish Football Federation (RFEF), Rafael Louzan, has now suggested the ground will be one considered for 2030.Meanwhile. the Metropolitano has all-but been confirmed as the host stadium for the 2027 Champions League final, according to the president of the Spanish football federation (RFEF).2030 FIFA World Cup venues – proposed full listAnoeta Donostia, SpainCamp Nou Barcelona, SpainGran Canaria, SpainLa Cartuja, SpainLa Rosaleda SpainRiyadh Air Metropolitano, SpainNueva Romareda, SpainRCDE Stadium, SpainEstadio Riazor, SpainSan Mamés, SpainSantiago Bernabéu, SpainEstádio da Luz, PortugalEstádio do Dragão, PortugalEstádio José Alvalade, PortugalAdrar Stadium, MoroccoHassan II Stadium, MoroccoFez Stadium, MoroccoMarrakesh Stadium,MoroccoPrince Moulay Abdellah Stadium, MoroccoIbn Batouta Stadium, MoroccoEstadio National del Paraguay, ParaguayEstadio Monumental, ArgentinaEstadio Centenario, Uruguay More