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ENGLAND RISK MISSING THE FORTHCOMING WORLD CUP

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England risk losing the forthcoming World Cup as MPs vote that they have no confidence in the country’s Football Association.


The vote is one that could hamper the preparation of the Three Lions for the forthcoming World Cup in Russia as it would be an offence considering FIFA’s political interference stance.

Though a ban is unlikely as it is expected that they would sit up when FIFA warns but the oldest Football Association in the world face a risk. Culture, Media and Sport committee MPs are not satisfied with the FA and could cut £30-40 million in funding, at the very least. The committee chair has said that a change in the way things are done is a guarantee.

However FIFA rules forbid interference from the political class of any country. The world football body has moved to suspend several countries in recent years for violating the rule. The vote of no confidence means the government would reform the governance of the association, directly against FIFA’s mandate. Continue reading ENGLAND RISK MISSING THE FORTHCOMING WORLD CUP →

ANTI-DOPING AGENCIES BLAST RUSSIA’S INCOMPETENCE

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The world’s leading anti-doping organisations have suggested that Russia should be deprived of the privilege of hosting the 2018 World Cup seeing their failure to properly tackle the prevailing challenge of doping in the country.

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The Anti-Doping Agencies have called for Russia to be banned from participating and also be stripped of hosting further international sporting events, including the 2018 World Cup, until she has shown that she abides by the World Anti-Doping Agency (WADA) code.

The recently released McLaren report shows that the country has failed several dope tests owing to a state-sponsored doping programme for over 1000 athletes spanning from 2011 to 2015.

Travis Tygart, United States Anti-Doping Agency chief executive has assured other agencies and organisations that he believes Russia can show that they are co-compliant with the WADA regulations and that the world cup host should not be taken from them. He said this at a summit of anti-doping organisations in Dublin.

Meanwhile, the country had already lost their bid to host the 2017 Bobsleigh and Skeleton World Championships as well as the World Cup Biathlon event Continue reading ANTI-DOPING AGENCIES BLAST RUSSIA’S INCOMPETENCE →

WORLD CUP TEAMS TO EXPAND TO 48

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World football body FIFA is set to increase the number of participating teams in the World Cup from 32 to 48 after the body voted in that regard during a meeting in Zurich.


The change is expected to start taking effect during from the 2026 tournament.

At the moment, the number of games is about 64 games but it is set to rise to 80 when the expansion plans kicks in. however, eventual winners of the tourney play same seven games only. Also, the whole affair would be within 32 days in a bid to appease the concerns of those who opposed it – mainly European clubs. Continue reading WORLD CUP TEAMS TO EXPAND TO 48 →

Victor Montagliani says that the next World Cups will clean up football

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In recent times, FIFA has been undergoing a string of scandals, briberies and things of this nature which has led to a number of FIFA executives either deciding to resign from their position in the football governing authority.


It’s even believed that some countries have been able to host the worldwide competition for the simple reason that they paid certain officials in order to get enough votes to make it happen, even if this nation does not have enough technological resources or top stadiums to host an event of this magnitude, it has been discovered that it does not matter as long as the nation paid for their bids and votes.

However, there still is hope as the former FIFA vice-president Victor Montagliani believes that the upcoming editions of the World Cup will clean up everything that has recently been going on and will help in trying to restore the image of the sport which has been tainted by all of these defamations. Continue reading Victor Montagliani says that the next World Cups will clean up football →

Scotland Happy with Underdog Status, Says Russell Martin

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Russell Martin believes that Scotland are better off with an underdog status when it comes to the World Cup 2018 qualification campaign. Scotland were one of the home nations to miss out on the Euro 2016 final tournament.

Despite having a top manager like Gordon Strachan, the team was unable to make it through whereas the likes of Wales and Northern Ireland featured in this major tournament. As a result, there is a lot of pressure on Scotland to qualify for the World Cup 2018. The more number of teams taking part in this tournament does give them a great chance, but Martin says that Scotland should approach games with an underdog feeling.

Strachan’s team are in the group containing England and Slovakia. Both these teams are expected to be the favourite when it comes to fighting for qualification. Only the top two teams will be able to qualify for the World Cup. In fact, even the runners up in the group will have to go through a play-off in order to determine their participation in the final. England are the overwhelming favourites to top the group despite undergoing a managerial change. Scotland, though, will be relishing their underdog status according to Martin, who saw the team secure an impressive 5-1 win over minnows Malta in the opening group match. Continue reading Scotland Happy with Underdog Status, Says Russell Martin →