FIFA SEE SPONSORSHIP BOOM AHEAD OF 2023 WOMEN’S WORLD CUP NEXT YEAR

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FIFA have been inundated with offers of sponsorship for next year’s women’s World Cup in the wake of the Euros after deciding to sell commercial rights to the tournament as a standalone event for the first time. For the previous World Cup in the United States in 2019, FIFA did not offer bespoke packages to sponsors, with all the branding provided by companies who are long-term commercial partners of the men’s World Cup such as Adidas, Coca-Cola and Visa.

FIFA are convinced that the women’s World Cup now has sufficient commercial appeal to stand on its own two feet, with the strong expressions of interest shown so far indicating that they are likely to be vindicated. The protracted Birmingham City takeover is being further delayed amid concerns that the bid from local businessman Paul Richardson and former Barcelona striker Maxi Lopez may be backed by Russian money. Continue reading       FIFA SEE SPONSORSHIP BOOM AHEAD OF 2023 WOMEN’S WORLD CUP NEXT YEAR →

                       USWNT ROUT JAMAICA, SEAL QUALIFICATION FOR WORLD CUP

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Sophia Smith scored in the fifth and eighth minutes to give her eight goals in 18 international matches. A pair of early goals by Sophia Smith lifted the U.S. women’s national team to a 5-0 victory over Jamaica in the CONCACAF W Championship in Guadalupe, Mexico, on Thursday. The victory, coupled with Mexico’s 3-0 loss to Haiti later Thursday night, seals a berth in the 2023 Women’s World Cup in Australia and New Zealand for the two-time defending champion U.S. women.

The top two teams in the two four-team W Championship groups automatically qualify. The U.S. leads Group A with six points with a match remaining vs. host Mexico on Monday before the knockout rounds begins. Jamaica and Haiti are tied for second on three points apiece after wins over Mexico, which sits last with no points. Continue reading                        USWNT ROUT JAMAICA, SEAL QUALIFICATION FOR WORLD CUP →

UKRAINE SUFFER W/CUP HEARTBREAK IN WALES

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Ukraine suffered World Cup heartbreak in Wales after they were beaten in the European playoffs at the Millennium Stadium in Cardiff on Sunday evening. The Ukrainians have gone through a lot of troubles in recent months with the invasion of their cities from Russia and the World Cup 2022 playoffs was a welcomed distraction. However, they won’t be going to the tournament in Qatar after they lost out to Wales.


The Ukrainians finished second behind world champions in their qualifying group for the World Cup 2022 tournament from the European section thus making the playoffs. They were in the same playoff path as Wales, Scotland and Austria after the draw was held. Ukraine ended up in path A of the European playoffs with the aforementioned countries on the back of the draw. Continue reading UKRAINE SUFFER W/CUP HEARTBREAK IN WALES →

TUNISIA HANDED TOUGH WORLD CUP GROUP

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North African team Tunisia might have to do things the hard way if they are to make the round of 16 stage at the World Cup 2022 tournament in Qatar after they were drawn in a tough group. The Tunisians have been handed a group that includes world champions France. France emerged world champions for the second time in their history when they edged a six-goal thriller against Croatia in the final of the 2018 FIFA World Cup tournament in Russia. Manchester United midfielder Paul Pogba, Atletico Madrid forward Antoine Griezmann and Paris Saint Germain (PSG) superstar KylianMbappe all found the back of the net as France beat Croatia 4-2 to win their second World Cup title.


Tunisia and France are in Group D alongside Denmark and the winner of the inter-confederation playoffs involving Australia, Peru and the United Arab Emirates (UAE). Continue reading TUNISIA HANDED TOUGH WORLD CUP GROUP →

QATAR: WALES TO POTENTIALLY FACE ENGLAND

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Welsh fans will have to wait for some weeks to know whether they will face England at the World Cup 2022 tournament in Qatar just like they did at Euro 2016. Wales still have work to do if they are to take on England at the World Cup tournament later this year.


At Euro 2016, England came from behind to beat Wales 2-1 with goals from Jamie Vardy and Daniel Sturridge in the second half. Real Madrid star Gareth Bale has scored for the Welsh team three minutes before the half-time interval only for the Roy Hodgson-led England side to overturn the deficit in the second half to secure three points at the end of the Group B encounter. Despite the defeat, Wales finished ahead of England in the group and went all the way to the semifinals before they were eliminated by eventual champions Portugal. For England, their Euro 2016 journey ended with a disappointing exit at the last 16 stage. Continue reading QATAR: WALES TO POTENTIALLY FACE ENGLAND →