Not at all surprising but still extremely depressing the direction of international football (the club game is long gone already...). Can only assume this will be another winter world cup, although that might well end up being the norm with climate issues going forward anyway. Just open corruption changing the world cup bidding on a whim to rule out almost every possible country, and then moving the bidding date up by years to make it impossible for the few countries left to compete anyway. The behind the doors corruption of the Russia/Qatar fiasco was preferable even to that. Disappointed in the FA for backing it. FIFA will never let the UK win a bid in the next few decades at least so trying to get in their good graces is pointless. Infantino has somehow been even worse than Blatter.
I feel like the FA is trying to keep in with FIFA for other reasons rather than hosting a Men’s World Cup. Women’s game, the IFAB, maybe even the upcoming court case the PL is taking against FIFA which could cause major issues for the international game.
No I don't. It's very unlikely that England alone will bid for a world cup. It'd almost certainly be a home nations bid or some other combo of nations. Actually if England actually want to win a bid then something like a England/France bid probably also has a decent chance of being mooted at some point in the future also.
It be interesting how the next two world cups go with lots of co -hosting between countries that don’t always have good political relationships.
Going by the press it seems a big own goal for the FA to be backing the Saudi World Cup. Puts them at odds with fans and the league for little gain.
1867559897287864666 is not a valid tweet id FA Chair Debbie Hewitt, speaking in Zurich has told @5liveSport of the FA’s decision to back Saudi Arabia’s bid to host 2034 WC: “It wasn’t a difficult decision, I think it was a very thorough process. We asked (SA) a lot of questions…a tournament is not just about the hosts.”
News coming out Youssoufa Moukoko’s age is really 24 instead of 20.. coming from his father, who also says isn’t his real father
America plans to Axe DST time. Could mean matches at the 2026 World Cup could be even later in UK night.
Debbie Hewitt, the chairwoman of the FA and Britain's Fifa vice-president, is not expected to run for Uefa's executive committee when the former Manchester United chief executive David Gill steps down in April, having come to the end of this term limit. (The Times)
Not sure if this has been posted anywhere but only just seen this incredibly sad and heartbreaking news. RIP Oscar 1867608053178413561 is not a valid tweet id
Pep Guardiola: “Rodri is injured because he played 75 games last season”. “Give him one month and a half, two months holiday after the Euros, like in the NBA”. “Tell him and he’d be perfect, and after he can play 80 games if you want. But give him three months...”. 1868221459149283494 is not a valid tweet id
1868291308818972859 is not a valid tweet id ‘ Wolves working on deal to appoint Vitor Pereira as new boss. #WWFC ready to pay release clause in Al Shabab contract + personals no issue as 56yo keen on move. Well regarded, vastly experienced, won titles, disciplined, good English’ Suspect we going to see a lot of No English starters for Wolves line ups then.
We didn’t exactly see a big difference under O’Neil so not sure it would make a difference whoever they get in.
1868265027876323472 is not a valid tweet id If this is true surprised Kelly Cates has left Sky for the BBC. Like the line up btw.
I suspect she has been promised the main live match role post 2026 World Cup. Plus more hours on BBC Radio Five Live. (She does CL nights at the moment).
1868931922766053809 is not a valid tweet id Mykhailo Mudryk could face a four-year ban after testing positive in a doping test The 'B' sample should confirm or invalidate the results. (Source: TRIBUNA via @RMCsport)
Southampton are considering making an approach for Sheffield Wednesday's 35-year-old German manager Danny Rohl after sacking boss Russell Martin. (Times - subscription required), external Liverpool are poised to raid Sunderland and try to sign their academy starlet Trey Ogunsuyi, 18. (Daily Mail)
Super league back in the news. The regulator bill will block PL clubs joining through. Cant see German clubs joining either nor PSG due to how close to Uefa they are. Still think if Real joins the FA will be under a lot of pressure to leave out Bellingham
https://www.theguardian.com/football/2024/dec/17/european-super-league-uefa-fifa Skme of this is wrong. The CJEU rulling has no baring on the PL league now as result of Brexit. PL can find what it likes if it’s legal under UK law to do so.
What an headline. https://www.thesun.co.uk/sport/32367188/fury-four-divisions-european-super-league-eu-flag/
The Sun back page and the Sun’s website have complete different takes. The Sun’s back page seems supportive of the new Super League the website has sent two push notifications that are very hostile and has filled articles with every negative reaction they can find. Weird.