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FIFA picks 8 host cities for the 2027 Women’s World Cup in Brazil

FIFA picks 8 host cities for the 2027 Women’s World Cup in Brazil
This combination of file pictures shows (top) Maracana stadium, Mineirao stadium, Neo Quimica Arena (bottom) Arena BRB Mane Garrincha stadium, Beira-Rio stadium and Castelao Arena. The eight cities that will host the 2027 Women's World Cup in Brazil are Sao Paulo, Rio de Janeiro, Brasilia, Belo Horizonte, Porto Alegre, Salvador, Fortaleza y Recife. (AFP)
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Updated 08 May 2025

FIFA picks 8 host cities for the 2027 Women’s World Cup in Brazil

FIFA picks 8 host cities for the 2027 Women’s World Cup in Brazil
  • Infantino: From stunning beaches to cosmopolitan cities, the world will experience the energy, color and warmth that only Brazil can offer
  • The host city selection process started in August of last year

SAO PAULO: Football’s international governing body has confirmed eight host cities for the 2027 Women’s World Cup to be held in Brazil.

FIFA announced the venues for the month-long tournament on Wednesday but hasn’t decided yet where the opening match and the final will take place.

All eight sites were among the 12 used for the men’s World Cup in 2014: Rio de Janeiro (Maracana Stadium), Sao Paulo (NeoQuimica Arena), Belo Horizonte (Mineirao Stadium), Brasília (Nacional Stadium), Fortaleza (Arena Castelao), Porto Alegre (Beira-Rio Stadium), Recife (Arena Pernambuco), and Salvador (Arena Fonte Nova).

“From stunning beaches to cosmopolitan cities, the world will experience the energy, color and warmth that only Brazil can offer,” FIFA President Gianni Infantino said in a statement.

Some members of Brazil’s soccer confederation have said they want to hold the opening match at Sao Paulo and the final at the 78,000-seat Maracana, as it did in the 2014 World Cup.

Curitiba, Manaus and Natal, all venues for the men’s World Cup, were not included in the women’s tournament bid book. Belem was also left out.

The host city selection process started in August of last year. At the 2014 World Cup, players, fans and coaches criticized the choice of 12 host cities for a tournament that was widely spread across the country.

For this tournament, set for June 24-July 25, 2027, almost all host cities are either on the Brazilian coast or close to it, with the exception of the capital, Brasilia, and Belo Horizonte, two of the nation’s most populous cities.

Brazil will host the women’s tournament for the first time. Brazil is a five-time World Cup champion in men’s football but has never won the women’s global title.


Dyche demands substance over style to get Forest going

Dyche demands substance over style to get Forest going
Updated 2 min 37 sec ago

Dyche demands substance over style to get Forest going

Dyche demands substance over style to get Forest going
  • Dyche will take charge for the first time against Porto in the Europa League on Thursday
  • “I have seen enough fashionistas come in and out of this division,” said Dyche

LONDON: Sean Dyche said Nottingham Forest have to get back to basics if he is to turn around a disastrous start to the season that has already seen Nuno Espirito Santo and Ange Postecoglou sacked.
Dyche will take charge for the first time against Porto in the Europa League on Thursday, returning to the City Ground where he began his playing career nearly 40 years ago.
The former Burnley and Everton boss’ direct playing style has been criticized in the past for lacking flair.
But those tactics are now in vogue in the Premier League with long throw-ins and long punts down the field from kick-off becoming commonplace this season.
“I have seen enough fashionistas come in and out of this division,” said Dyche on Wednesday.
“You’ve got to win the games, it’s as simple as that.
“Long ball, short ball? You’ve just got to play effective football. That will never go out of fashion.”
Forest tried to switch styles from Nuno’s more conservative counter-attacking approach to a more attack-minded manager in Postecoglou.
The Australian lasted just 40 days as he failed to win any of his eight games in charge.
After finishing seventh under Nuno last season to qualify for Europe for the first time in 30 years, Forest currently sit in the Premier League relegation zone and have just one point from their opening two Europa League matches.
“As a football manager, a football coach and football players you should be wanting more but the first thing is can we just stabilize the situation,” he added.
“It still needs the basics put back into the team from my point of view, because they have lost sight of that a little bit.”
Dyche added that Forst owner Evangelos Marinakis is realistic about the club’s prospects and recognizes that Premier League survival is now their main priority for the campaign.
“He’s well aware of the challenges,” said Dyche. “I don’t think he thinks it’s a gimme just because of last season.”


PSV coach says Sergiño Dest failed to start in Champions League game after turning up late

PSV coach says Sergiño Dest failed to start in Champions League game after turning up late
Updated 22 October 2025

PSV coach says Sergiño Dest failed to start in Champions League game after turning up late

PSV coach says Sergiño Dest failed to start in Champions League game after turning up late
  • “Sergino was late today, so he won’t be playing,” said Bosz
  • “If you’re not on time, you know the consequences”

EINDHOVEN: American international Sergiño Dest failed to start in PSV Eindhoven’s stunning win against Napoli on Tuesday because he turned up late for the Champions League match, his coach Peter Bosz said.
Bosz said in an interview with broadcaster Ziggo Sport that Dest had to face the consequences for breaching team rules.
“Sergino was late today, so he won’t be playing,” said Bosz, in quotes reported by Dutch outlet nu.
“This isn’t a difficult decision. We made agreements three years ago. Everyone has to abide by them, and so does he. Unfortunately, he didn’t.
“If you’re not on time, you know the consequences.”
PSV went on to record a famous win in the Dutch club’s history by beating Italian champion Napoli 6-2 for their first victory in the Champions League this season.
The 24-year-old Dest, who has played for Barcelona and AC Milan, eventually came on as a substitute in the 84th minute of the game at Philips Stadion.


La Liga chief laments Miami match collapse as others celebrate

La Liga chief laments Miami match collapse as others celebrate
Updated 22 October 2025

La Liga chief laments Miami match collapse as others celebrate

La Liga chief laments Miami match collapse as others celebrate
  • La Liga said their promoter for the match decided to cancel the organization of the event because of “uncertainty generated in Spain in recent weeks“
  • Tebas took to X to express regret at not being able to seize “this historic opportunity”

MADRID: The cancelation of La Liga’s plan to hold a Barcelona match in Miami in December is a “missed opportunity” for Spanish football, the league’s president said Wednesday, while elsewhere its collapse was celebrated.
Champions Barca were set to face Villarreal in the United States on December 20, which would have been the first European league fixture to be played abroad.
The match will now be held at Villarreal’s Estadio de la Ceramica home as normal.
La Liga said their promoter for the match decided to cancel the organization of the event because of “uncertainty generated in Spain in recent weeks.”
The league’s president Javier Tebas took to X to express regret at not being able to seize “this historic opportunity,” adding that Spanish football had missed a chance to “develop, to project itself in the world and reinforce its future.”
Villarreal were furious about the timing of the announcement to cancel the plans — the news breaking during their Champions League defeat by Manchester City on Tuesday — and also blasted La Liga’s management of the whole event.
“(We) wish to express our deep displeasure with La Liga over the poor handling of the match scheduled to be played in Miami,” said the club in a statement.
Villarreal said there had been “no progress” in terms of organization and the club would have “withdrawn from the project” themselves later in the week if various issues were not resolved to their satisfaction at a planned meeting with La Liga.
The plan to hold the match in the United States had also been criticized by various parties within Spain, contributing toward its cancelation.
The Spanish Footballers’ Association (AFE) organized protests against it last weekend, with players from every team remaining immobile for 15 seconds at the start of each league match.
Spanish giants Real Madrid also railed against it institutionally, while goalkeeper Thibaut Courtois said Tuesday it would adulterate the competition.
Madrid captain Dani Carvajal told Tebas the game being held abroad would be “a stain” on the competition.
Tebas added: “We are appealing to the ‘integrity of the competition’ from those who have been questioning this same integrity for years, putting pressure on referees and managers, constructing distorted narratives or using political and media pressure as a sporting tool.”
The president of Spain’s Sports Council (CSD), Jose Manuel Rodriguez Uribes, said La Liga had not gone the right way about trying to arrange the game.
“The episode we experienced with Miami... shows that this is not the way to do things,” he said on Wednesday.
“Before taking an initiative of this nature — a decision so significant that it could undoubtedly have affected the integrity of the competition — it was necessary to have dialogue, an agreement among the participants, all the clubs.
“Of course, the players should be considered, as well as the fans.”
- ‘Seismic victory’ -

Rodriguez Uribes said “absolute transparency” was necessary, as well as “appropriate regulations” in place for this kind of game, which do not currently exist.
“At the CSD we will always prefer — as we have said from the very beginning — to bring sporting events to Spain rather than take them out,” he added.
The AFE released a statement highlighting “the lack of transparency, dialogue, and coherence” from La Liga around the game.
“The players spoke out unanimously on the pitch last week to send a powerful message: without players, there is no football,” added the footballers’ association.
In February, Serie A still plan to hold a match between AC Milan and Como in Perth, Australia, despite a similar backlash from both fans and players.
Football Supporters Europe (FSE), a representative body on fan issues, celebrated the cancelation of the Miami match as a “seismic victory,” and warned the Italian top flight to abandon their plans.
“Doubling down on this failed idea would be an act of self-inflicted damage to the league’s reputation, to Italian football, and to the game as a whole,” said FSE in a statement.


Kuwait and the UN launch ‘Football for Humanity’ initiative to support Palestinian children

Kuwait and the UN launch ‘Football for Humanity’ initiative to support Palestinian children
Updated 22 October 2025

Kuwait and the UN launch ‘Football for Humanity’ initiative to support Palestinian children

Kuwait and the UN launch ‘Football for Humanity’ initiative to support Palestinian children
  • Campaign, under the patronage of Kuwait’s Minister of Foreign Affairs, is supported by nine embassies and private-sector partners in Kuwait
  • Initiative will channel proceeds from a youth football tournament, charity auction, and community activities to provide essential aid to Palestinian children

DUBAI: Football for Humanity, a Kuwaiti UN-backed humanitarian diplomacy initiative, announced the launch of its inaugural edition at a press conference on Wednesday at Al-Hamra Shopping Center in Kuwait City.

Under the patronage of Foreign Minister Abdullah Al-Yahya, and with the support of nine embassies and four UN bodies — including UNICEF, WHO, UNESCO and the Office of the UN Resident Coordinator in Kuwait — as well as Kuwait’s private sector, the initiative will channel proceeds from a youth football tournament, charity auction, and community activities to provide essential aid to Palestinian children through the Kuwait Red Crescent Society.

Abdulaziz Saud Al-Jarallah, assistant foreign minister for international organizations’ affairs and a member of the initiative’s board of trustees, said: “The ministry of foreign affairs’ patronage of Football for Humanity reflects Kuwait’s role as an international hub for humanitarian action and its steadfast commitment to supporting nations in times of crisis, alleviating human suffering around the world, and maintaining its principled position in support of the brotherly Palestinian people.

“This initiative presents an innovative model of humanitarian diplomacy as a means to promote lasting peace and strengthen international cooperation,” he added. “We also commend the United Nations for supporting this humanitarian initiative and extend our appreciation to the participating embassies for their collaboration in advancing the initiative’s message and supporting children worldwide.”

Ghada Hatem ElTahir, representative of the UN secretary-general and resident coordinator in the State of Kuwait, and a member of the initiative’s board of trustees, said: “On behalf of the United Nations in the State of Kuwait, I am pleased to express our sincere interest in co-organizing the Football for Humanity initiative in partnership with Alnowair. This initiative aligns with the principles of the UN, promoting humanitarian values and global solidarity through youth participation in sport. Together, we aim to amplify Kuwait’s message of peace and humanity — both locally and on the international stage.”

Football for Humanity is guided by a board of trustees comprising leaders from Kuwait’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs, the UN, ambassadors from nine countries, and senior Kuwaiti officials, ensuring its diplomatic standing and humanitarian credibility. The initiative represents a unique UN-diplomatic-sports alliance, with Kuwait serving as the host nation for a global movement that transforms football’s unifying power into tangible support for children affected by crises. It also lays the foundation for future editions that will expand each year to address broader humanitarian causes.

Sheikha Antiwar Salem Al-Ali Al-Sabah, chairperson of Alnowair Non-Profit Foundation, chair of the organizing committee, and member of the initiative’s board of trustees, said: “Today, from Kuwait, we launch Football for Humanity with a clear message, to create a global movement that unites governments, corporations, athletes, and communities by turning the passion for football into hope and opportunity for children, year after year. This initiative is especially meaningful because it is children supporting children, young players using their love of the game to help those whose lives have been upended by crisis.

“We believe in the power of the world’s most popular sport to transcend borders, connect cultures, and inspire compassion,” she said. “From this platform, we extend our gratitude to all our partners for their generous support, and we invite everyone in Kuwait to join us at the youth tournament and cheer for the young players, because every cheer, every presence, and every bid in the charity auction helps ease the suffering of Palestinian children.”

The youth tournament will take place on Nov. 6-7, featuring 32 teams and 256 boys and girls aged 9 to 11. The opening ceremony will be held at Jaber Al-Mubarak Stadium in Sulaibikhat, with family activities and a vibrant retail village surrounding the venue. Attendance for the event is free.

Tarek Sultan, vice chairman of sponsors Agility Logistics, said: “Agility KSCP’s support for Football for Humanity reflects our enduring commitment to community and humanitarian initiatives. We believe the private sector has a vital role to play in supporting communities, both in times of crisis and through long-term investment in youth, education, and public health.

“Through our support for Football for Humanity, we reaffirm our dedication to helping those most in need, working alongside the Kuwait Red Crescent Society, aid agencies, and other Kuwaiti companies.”

The press conference was followed by a media tour of the exclusive football memorabilia on display at Al-Hamra Shopping Center, featuring original items to be auctioned and provided by the embassies of participating countries, directly sourced from their national teams and clubs. The collection features major contributions from Brazil’s and Italy’s national teams, Paris Saint-Germain captain Marquinhos, and Spanish and Barcelona legend Andres Iniesta. Visitors can view the display at Al-Hamra Shopping Center and take part in the online charity auction through Nov. 7.

Mrs. Abrar Abdulaziz Al-Habeeb, general manager of Al-Hamra Real Estate Company and a sponsor of the initiative, said: “At Al-Hamra, we believe that our true success is not measured solely by our architectural or commercial achievements, but by the positive impact we create within our community. Support and empowerment are at the heart of our mission, and we constantly strive to innovate and open new horizons that foster a sustainable, integrated environment where people, especially children, are at the center of everything we do.

“Through our sponsorship of the Football for Humanity initiative, we are putting our social responsibility into action and strengthening a culture of institutional and community solidarity,” she said.


PSG score seven and Barcelona hit six on a goal-filled night in the Champions League

PSG score seven and Barcelona hit six on a goal-filled night in the Champions League
Updated 22 October 2025

PSG score seven and Barcelona hit six on a goal-filled night in the Champions League

PSG score seven and Barcelona hit six on a goal-filled night in the Champions League
  • In all, there were 43 goals in nine games, with six teams scoring four or more
  • PSV Eindhoven routed Italian champion Napoli 6-2, while Arsenal and Inter Milan also had big wins to maintain their perfect starts in Europe
  • Haaland’s goal helped Manchester City to a 2-0 win at Villarreal

MANCHESTER, England: Paris Saint-Germain scored seven, Barcelona hit six and Erling Haaland struck his 24th goal of the season on an action-packed night in the Champions League on Tuesday.

In all, there were 43 goals in nine games, with six teams scoring four or more.

PSV Eindhoven routed Italian champion Napoli 6-2, while Arsenal and Inter Milan also had big wins to maintain their perfect starts in Europe.

But it is defending champion PSG that lead the way at the top of the standings after a wild 7-2 win against Bayer Leverkusen in a match that saw both teams reduced to 10 men in the first half.

Barcelona’s 6-1 win against Olympiakos saw them bounce back from a loss to PSG at the start of the month.

Premier League leader Arsenal beat Atletico Madrid 4-0, with Viktor Gyokeres scoring twice, and last season’s Champions League runner-up Inter beat Union Saint-Gilloise by the same score.

Haaland’s goal helped Manchester City to a 2-0 win at Villarreal.

PSG run wild in Leverkusen

By halftime at the BayArena PSG was 4-1 up — but that didn’t come close to telling the full story of a chaotic first period, which included a red card for each team and two penalties for Leverkusen.

Two goals for Desire Doue put the French champion well in control and the action continued after the break with Nuno Mendes extending the lead within five minutes of the restart. Ousmane Dembele also came off the bench to make a scoring return after injury.

“That’s three games, three wins, and crucially we’re at the top of the UEFA Champions League table,” Dembele said. “We’ve started this campaign really well, especially considering how difficult it was last season.”

Spare a thought for Aleix Garcia, though. As well as his first half penalty, he scored the goal of the game in the second half with a swerving long range effort that was nothing more than a footnote.

Lopez treble

Fermin Lopez scored a hat trick and Marcus Rashford hit two goals as Barcelona blew away 10-man Olympiakos.

Barca took full advantage when Santiago Hezze was shown a contentious red card in the second half — scoring four goals to complete the rout.

It was Lopez’s first hat trick of his career, with Lamine Yamal also on the scoresheet from the penalty spot.

Olympiakos had no answer when Hezze was shown a second yellow card in the 57th minute, despite replays appearing to show he did not make contact with Marc Casado, who was trying to pull him back.

Just three minutes earlier, the visitors had got back into the game at 2-1 after Ayoub El Kaabi’s penalty.

Then with the extra man Barcelona overwhelmed Olympiakos with four goals in 11 minutes.

Rashford, on loan from Manchester United, now has four goals in three games in the Champions League this season.

“Sometimes it’s difficult to break opponents down, but we have so many goalscoring players in different areas that getting goals is the least of our worries,” he said.

Arsenal power past Atletico

Top of the Premier League and perfect in Europe, Arsenal are flying high.

A powerful second half at the Emirates saw Mikel Arteta’s team brush aside Atletico with summer signing Gyokeres sealing the victory with two goals in three minutes. Those goals ended the striker’s seven-game scoring drought for Arsenal.

“I am delighted as he fully deserves it. The workrate he brings to the team is outstanding. We value a lot of things that he does for the team and it was the biggest smile on his face today,” Arteta said.

Goals from Gabriel Magalhaes and Gabriel Martinelli had given Arsenal a 2-0 lead before Gyokeres struck.

Arsenal are third in the standings — behind PSG and Inter on goal difference.

Red-hot Haaland

Haaland just can’t stop scoring right now.

The Norway international’s opener at Villarreal was his 24th in 14 games this season and extended his current scoring streak to 12 games in a row. He now has 53 goals in the Champions League in just 51 appearances.

The only game he didn’t score in this term was City’s 2-0 defeat to Tottenham in August.

Bernardo Silva was also on target as City moved up to fifth.

Napoli stunned in Eindhoven

The biggest shock of the night was Napoli’s defeat at PSV.

That’s back-to-back losses for Antonio Conte’s team, following Saturday’s 1-0 defeat at Torino. And such a heavy loss in Europe will be particularly humbling for the Italian champion, with three goals conceded in the last 10 minutes after going down to 10 men when Lorenzo Lucca was sent off in the 76th.

Napoli have just one win from three games in Europe so far.

It’s going better for Inter, who have a 100 percent record after three games and comfortably overcame Union Saint-Gilloise, with Lautaro Martinez scoring for the third time in the Champions League this season.

Newcastle and Dortmund win

Harvey Barnes scored twice in Newcastle’s 3-0 win against Benfica and Borussia Dortmund won 4-2 in Copenhagen.

Kazakhstani team Kairat picked up their first point in European soccer’s elite club competition with a 0-0 draw against Pafos.