1 week ago The Breakdown | Rugby World Cups aren’t adding up for major unions and there is no easy fix

South Africa no longer see hosting as viable and World Rugby is under pressure to deliver for its membersThe starting gun has been fired on the race to host the 2035 and 2039 Rugby World Cup tournaments. Expressions of interest have been made: Spain’s proposal has piqued interest, Italy’s too, while the Middle East stalks along as the elephant in the room. The idea of going back to Japan within 20 years of a first World Cup in Asia is a popular proposition.News came over the weekend, however, that South Africa has all but ruled out a bid for either edition of the tournament. South Africa threw its hat into the ring in 2011, 2015, 2019 and 2023 but was overlooked on each occasion and the SA Rugby president, Mark Alexander, was brutally honest when asked about the prospect of doing so again. Continue reading...

Politics

2 w. ago FIFA chief Infantino praises impact of expanded tournaments in speech to Asian soccer group

FIFA president Gianni Infantino has praised the impact of expanded tournaments in the development of soccer around the world in a video message to the Asian Football Confederation (AFC) Congress

Sport

2 w. ago FIFA president Infantino promises 'the world will be welcomed' as Club World Cup preps for US debut

The United States is getting ready to host the Club World Cup

Politics

2 w. ago Spain want club in URC and propose 'Eight Nations' as they close in on Wales

Spanish rugby bosses have big plans after the country emerged as the frontrunner to host the 2035 Rugby World Cup

Politics

2 w. ago Fifa has used US soccer as a cash cow – and gives very little back | Leander Schaerlaeckens

It is Fifa’s own policies and hunger for monetization that has helped prevent American soccer from growing organicallyColin Cowherd peered down from his studio desk perched high above the chairs assigned to the guests on his Fox Sports talkshow. He had a simple question for Fifa president Gianni Infantino. More of a demand, really.“Give me something about America that you really love,” Cowherd said. Continue reading...

Politics

2 w. ago There's only one worthy candidate to host 2035 Rugby World Cup

CHRIS FOY: The people have spoken. The response has been emphatic. Since news broke that Spain want to host the 2035 men's World Cup, there has been a deluge of support.

Politics

3 w. ago Alex Scott breaks silence as UK scores Women's World Cup 2035 bid

Football Focus host and former England player Alex Scott has hailed the UK's sole bid to host the 2035 Women's World Cup tournament

Politics

3 w. ago Spain could include Camp Nou final in bid to host 2035 Rugby World Cup

Real Madrid’s Bernabéu also offers appeal to federationItaly expected to be Spain’s closest rival for tournamentThe 2035 Rugby World Cup final could be staged at the revamped Camp Nou in Barcelona with the Spanish rugby federation in discussions with La Liga over using celebrated football stadiums as part of its bid to host the tournament.Delegates from the Spanish federation met with World Rugby executives last weekend to demonstrate their intentions to host the tournament in 2035 and discussions are said to have piqued interest. Continue reading...

Sport

3 w. ago New Manchester United stadium could stage games at 2035 Women’s World Cup – FA

FIFA president Gianni Infantino said the UK had submitted the only ‘valid bid’ for 2035.

Sport

3 w. ago UK set to host FIFA Women's World Cup after Gianni Infantino statement

There has only been one "valid bid" for the 2035 tournament according to FIFA president Gianni Infantino, coming from the Home Nations

Politics

3 w. ago UK to host Women's World Cup for first time ever in 2035 as rivals drop out to leave England, Northern Ireland, Scotland and Wales as sole bidders

The UK will host the Women's World Cup for the first time ever in 2035 after a rival bid from Spain, Portugal and Morocco dropped out.

Politics

3 w. ago UK to host World Cup as FIFA chief Gianni Infantino says 'one valid bid'

The UK is set to host the 2035 World Cup after FIFA president Gianni Infantino called the nation's interest in hosting the finals as the 'one valid bid'

Politics

3 w. ago UK almost certain to host Women’s World Cup 2035 as ‘one valid bid’

Fifa president Gianni Infantino described the UK as ‘one valid bid’ for the finals, with the USA set to host the 2031 Women’s World Cup

Politics

3 w. ago UK poised to host 2035 Women’s World Cup and US lands 2031 tournament

Fifa president Infantino says UK is the ‘one valid bid’US may host in 2031 alongside other Concacaf nationsThe United Kingdom appears certain to host the 2035 Women’s World Cup after Gianni Infantino, the Fifa president, announced it is the sole bidder for the tournament.Infantino confirmed in an address to Uefa’s annual congress in Belgrade that the UK had a clear path to staging the event. He also named the USA, probably alongside other Concacaf members, as the only candidate for the 2031 edition. Fifa intends to expand the Women’s World Cup to 48 teams, mirroring the new look of the men’s competition, from 2031. Concacaf covers North and Central America and the Caribbean. Continue reading...

Politics

3 w. ago What Liverpool would get from buying Malaga: Taking their pick of a world

A squad packed with young talent including three Under 19 internationals, a recently inaugurated new training complex, the ninth-best attendance in the whole of Spain, and the promise of a new stadium that will host the 2030 World Cup.

Politics

last month Infantino’s $1bn prize: act of commercial disruption disguised as benevolence | Barney Ronay

Fifa president’s talk of the Club World Cup promoting access and equity is simply double-think to disguise another land grabIt takes a while for the voice to emerge from the background haze, a mist of generically noodling electronic music, the kind of music that comes filled with a comforting sense of death, hold music from the executive euthanasia clinic.Finally the voice emerges, whispering through your headphones in that familiar rich, reverent Euro-tone, like being spoken to by the sun. This is a voice that says: I am here to command. But I am also just a conduit for a divinity that flows through me and into you. Although mainly, and let’s be absolutely clear, through me. Continue reading...

Politics