FIFA makes major announcements, awarding host nations for the next two men's World Cups - Saudi Arabia for 2034 and a joint bid from Morocco, Portugal and Spain for the 2030 edition. Additionally, the 2027 Women's World Cup will be held in Brazil and the 2025 FIFA U-17 World Cup will take place in Qatar. These decisions were made at the virtual Extraordinary FIFA Congress meeting on Wednesday. A reminder is also given that the USA, Canada and Mexico will co-host the 2026 World Cup.
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FIFA has announced that Saudi Arabia will host the 2034 World Cup, while the 2030 tournament will be co-hosted by Spain, Portugal, and Morocco with the opening three matches in South America. The decision has sparked controversy due to "sportswashing" claims against Saudi Arabia and the combined vote for both tournaments with no separate vote available. The bid was uncontested and received support from the English, Scottish, and Welsh Football Associations. Football fans and critics alike are divided on the decision, with some questioning the fairness and integrity of FIFA's bidding process.
After a resounding 5-1 victory against Mallorca, FC Barcelona's Lamine Yamal's comment in a post-match interview with Esport3 has many dubbing him as a video game-like player. The 17-year-old's fantastic performance led to his coach Hansi Flick admitting the team's dependence on him. With Lamine in the starting lineup, Barca has a significant lead over Real Madrid at the top of the table, showcasing his undeniable talent as a player. His impressive assist with the outside of his foot further solidified his skills, earning him the Kopa Trophy and Golden Boy awards. In a humorous exchange, Esport3 reporter Francesc Latorre even asked Lamine for tips on how to make such a pass in the popular FIFA soccer video game.
In a thrilling match at Abu Dhabi's Al Nahyan Stadium, the UAE national football team, "Al Abyad," secured a resounding 5-0 victory over rival Qatar, "Al Annabi." Led by Fabio Lima's impressive super hat-trick, the UAE dominated the game and secured third place in the group standings. Their chances of directly qualifying for the World Cup have been significantly bolstered, with the team delivering their best performance in years. Elsewhere, Saudi Arabia suffered a defeat while Palestine drew with South Korea in other group matches.
During the club's annual general meeting, Real Madrid's outspoken president, Florentino Perez, criticized top football governing bodies UEFA and FIFA for the new Champions League format and increased number of matches. He also blamed these changes for the injury woes of several players in the team. Perez's strong words emphasize the ongoing tension between club owners and the authorities, and highlight the potential consequences of prioritizing commercial interests over the well-being of players and the sport itself.
Despite missing star striker Neymar, Brazil maintained their unbeaten record at home against Uruguay in the South American FIFA World Cup Qualifiers with a 1-1 draw. The visitors took an early lead but Brazil's Gerson equalized just seven minutes later. Despite having the better possession and chances, Brazil couldn't secure the win, leaving them at fifth place in the standings while Uruguay sits at second.
Brazil and Uruguay clashed in an intense FIFA World Cup 2026 qualifier at Arena Fonte Nova, with Gerson's goal securing Brazil's victory. This win places Brazil in fifth position in the CONMEBOL standings, just one point behind Colombia and Ecuador. Fans and experts alike await the next round of matches in this highly competitive tournament.
In an intense FIFA World Cup 2026 qualifier match at the iconic La Bombonera Stadium, Lautaro Martinez's impressive goal gave Argentina the lead against Peru. Despite Peru's efforts for an equalizer, Argentina's solid defense led by Medina ultimately secured the win for the team. With this victory, Argentina continues to dominate the South American qualifiers and solidifies its position for the upcoming World Cup.
Fans around the world are gearing up for a crucial CONMEBOL World Cup qualifier match between Chile and Venezuela. La Roja desperately need a win to keep their hopes alive, while La Vinotinto is in a tough battle for the intercontinental playoff spot. With star players and high stakes, the match promises to be an intense one. Here's how to watch it for free on SBS On Demand, Chilevision, and Venevision.