Sports
Saudi Arabia Confirmed as 2034 FIFA World Cup Hosts
Saudi Arabia will host the 2034 men’s FIFA World Cup, while the 2030 tournament will be jointly hosted by Spain, Portugal, and Morocco, with additional centenary matches in Argentina, Paraguay, and Uruguay. FIFA finalized these decisions during an Extraordinary Congress meeting, attended by representatives from all 211 member associations via video link.
The announcements included a unique nod to the competition’s origins: three matches in 2030 will be held in South America to honor the tournament’s 100-year history, with Uruguay hosting one of the opening games, commemorating its role as the inaugural World Cup host in 1930.
The voting process, conducted by “acclamation” via video, had only one option for each decision. FIFA confirmed that votes were effectively cast beforehand. Despite general agreement, Norway abstained from voting, citing concerns over FIFA’s current bidding process.
Switzerland’s football association also voiced reservations, calling for human rights monitoring in Saudi Arabia and urging FIFA and the International Labour Organization to oversee compliance. Similarly, Denmark supported the bids but criticized the limited number of contenders and called for greater transparency in future selections.
Saudi Arabia’s selection has reignited debates about “sportswashing,” with critics accusing the kingdom of using major sporting events to improve its global reputation amid concerns over human rights and environmental issues.
Currently, only four of the 15 proposed stadiums for the 2034 tournament have been constructed, highlighting the substantial infrastructure development required in the coming decade.
FIFA Secretary General Mattias Grafstrom reassured members that their concerns were noted, stating, “All 211 member associations effectively cast their votes prior to the congress.”
Sports
Home Nations Learn 2026 World Cup Qualifying Opponents
The road to the 2026 FIFA World Cup has been laid out for England, Wales, Scotland, and Northern Ireland following the qualifying draw held in Zurich on Friday. Each nation now knows the challenges ahead as they vie for a spot in the tournament, set to be hosted by the United States, Canada, and Mexico.
England
Under the guidance of newly appointed manager Thomas Tuchel, England will face Serbia, Albania, Latvia, and Andorra in their group. With a blend of competitive and less formidable opponents, England will look to assert dominance and secure automatic qualification.
Wales
Wales finds itself in a group with familiar rivals Belgium, alongside North Macedonia, Kazakhstan, and Liechtenstein. The clash with Belgium is expected to be a key fixture, as the Welsh aim to secure their place in the expanded tournament.
Scotland
Scotland faces Greece, Belarus, and the loser of the Nations League quarter-final between Portugal and Denmark. The Scots also have a separate challenge in March, with a two-legged Nations League promotion-relegation play-off against Greece, providing an early taste of their group dynamics.
Northern Ireland
Northern Ireland has been drawn alongside Slovakia, Luxembourg, and the winner of the Nations League quarter-final between Germany and Italy. With a compact group, every match will carry added significance as they aim to contend for qualification.
The Qualifying Format
The qualifiers will take place during five international breaks between March and November 2025. The winner of each of the 12 groups will automatically secure a place in the 2026 World Cup, while the second-placed teams will advance to the play-offs. From Europe, a total of 16 teams will qualify for the tournament.
For Scotland and Northern Ireland, who are in four-team groups, the qualifying games will begin in September 2025. Until then, both teams have a critical focus on their Nations League campaigns, which could set the tone for their qualification journey.
Sports
Swedish Rape Inquiry Linked to Kylian Mbappé Closed for Lack of Evidence
Swedish prosecutors have closed an investigation into an alleged rape in Stockholm, a case that Swedish media had linked to French football star and Real Madrid player Kylian Mbappé. Marina Chirakova, a senior prosecutor with the Swedish Prosecution Authority, announced the decision, citing insufficient evidence to proceed further.
Mbappé, one of football’s most renowned figures, was never formally named or notified as a suspect by Swedish authorities. The allegations, which emerged in October, included claims of a rape and two cases of sexual harassment reportedly occurring at a hotel in Stockholm on October 10.
Swedish media outlets, including Aftonbladet, Expressen, and public broadcaster SVT, had speculated about Mbappé’s involvement, noting his presence in Stockholm during the time of the alleged incident. Police were seen collecting evidence from the Bank Hotel, where he stayed, including clothing.
Mbappé vehemently denied the allegations, dismissing the reports as “fake news.” His lawyer, while confirming plans to file a defamation claim, declined to comment on the closure of the case. Speaking publicly for the first time on the matter on French TV show Clique, Mbappé reiterated his innocence. “I haven’t received anything, no summons… I’m not involved,” he stated.
The prosecutor’s decision brings an end to the preliminary investigation, leaving the allegations unsubstantiated.
Sports
Former Chinese National Football Coach Jailed for Bribery in Major Anti-Corruption Push
Li Tie, the former coach of China’s national men’s football team and a former Premier League player for Everton, has been sentenced to 20 years in prison for bribery. Chinese state media reports that Li admitted to accepting and offering bribes, as well as match-fixing, during his career.
Li’s sentencing marks a significant moment in President Xi Jinping’s ongoing anti-corruption campaign, which has targeted sectors including sports, banking, and the military. Earlier this week, three former Chinese Football Association (CFA) officials were also convicted of bribery, bringing the total to over a dozen coaches and players investigated.
From 2015 to 2021, Li reportedly accepted over $16 million in bribes, starting as an assistant coach for Hebei China Fortune Club and continuing through his tenure as national coach. In return, he favored certain players for the national team and helped clubs secure victories in competitions.
In a state-televised anti-corruption documentary aired earlier this year, Li publicly apologized for his actions, saying, “I should have kept my head to the ground and followed the right path. There were certain things that at the time were common practices in football.”
Li, who led China’s national team from January 2020 to December 2021, had been a celebrated figure in Chinese football, making 92 appearances for the national team and playing at the country’s only World Cup finals in 2002.
This scandal follows the earlier conviction of former CFA president Chen Xuyuan, who was sentenced to life imprisonment for accepting $11 million in bribes.
President Xi Jinping’s vision to make China a global football powerhouse, including aspirations to host and win a World Cup, has faced repeated setbacks. The detentions and convictions of football leaders, some of whom were responsible for driving reforms, mirror a similar anti-graft campaign in 2010 when several players, referees, and officials were jailed for corruption.
Author and grassroots football advocate Rowan Simons described the current crackdown as reminiscent of the 2010 efforts, remarking, “It looks exactly the same as it was 10 years ago with a different set of characters.”
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