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For Morocco, the 2030 World Cup is a national project

6Aug

By Europe WorldNo Comments

Sports, World

For Morocco, the 2030 World Cup is a national project

For Moroccan fans, one thing is certain: The national team's 1-1 draw against Brazil in its opening 2026 World Cup match was just the beginning. They hope that their team will make history once again after its historic run to the semifinals at the 2022 World Cup. However, while attention is currently focused on this month's tournament, Morocco is already looking ahead to 2030. Along with Spain and Portugal, the kingdom will host the World Cup that year. For Morocco, hosting the World Cup means more than just having a global sporting event in the country. The North African country had unsuccessfully put in five bids to host the tournament before FIFA finally awarded the contract in December 2024. Observers say that the World Cup is regarded as one of King Mohammed VI's most important pres...

How Gianni Infantino rose to rule football

6Aug

By Europe WorldNo Comments

Sports

How Gianni Infantino rose to rule football

Despite strong pressure for him to resign, particularly from UEFA, Gianni Infantino convinced FIFA's Board of Management to express their full support for him following a crisis meeting in Rabat on Wednesday. It was the latest development in a crisis that began with news last week of a FIFA plan to create a subsidiary, FIFA Forward Enterprise (FFE), to run the men's World Cup and its other events, with a stake of up to 20% to be offered to external investors. Where did Gianni Infantino come from? Giovanni Vincenzo Infantino was born on March 23, 1970, in the southwestern Swiss town of Brig to Italian parents. Many years later, as FIFA president, he would speak of the discrimination he said he experienced as he grew up for being of Italian heritage in Switzerland. Infantino studied law at...

FIFA president Infantino to stay on after crisis meeting

6Aug

By Europe WorldNo Comments

News, Sports

FIFA president Infantino to stay on after crisis meeting

FIFA's leadership on Wednesday apologized for President Gianni Infantino's plan to open the World Cup to private investment, in a crisis meeting held after growing outrage at the plan and Infantino. In a statement, the FIFA management board acknowledged "that errors were also made after the proposal was leaked to media." Infantino has since scrapped the plan. The football body stressed it supported Infantino in staying on as president.FIFA accused of blackmail in exchange for Infantino supportTo view this video please enable JavaScript, and consider upgrading to a web browser that supports HTML5 video What did FIFA say? "Following a meeting in Rabat, Morocco, the FIFA Secretary General and members of the FIFA Management Board in attendance reaffirmed their full support for FIFA Preside...

Tennis star Sabalenka supports sport’s new sex test policy

4Aug

By Europe WorldNo Comments

Sports

Tennis star Sabalenka supports sport’s new sex test policy

"I think it's really important to keep the fairness in our tour," said Sabalenka on Monday. "Obviously, biologically, men are way stronger than women, so I feel like it would be not really fair for a woman to compete against a biological man. "I believe it took them a little while to make this decision and I support it," the Belarussian continued. "If they want to test us all, I'm happy to do that; it's pretty fair, and let's keep it that way." Fact check: Trans athlete ban — fair or not?To view this video please enable JavaScript, and consider upgrading to a web browser that supports HTML5 video WTA introduces genetic testing In July 2026, the WTA (Women's Tennis Association) introduced a one-time, mandatory genetic test for all players. As part of the protocol, players will be tested...

What happens next for Infantino and FIFA?

3Aug

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Sports

What happens next for Infantino and FIFA?

Now that Gianno Infantino has shelved his plans to create a commercial subsidiary for the World Cup and other FIFA events, UEFA's boycott of FIFA events is over and matches now appear less in danger. Nevertheless, the European governing body says it is now "rebuilding trust" with FIFA — and the story continues to develop rapidly. As a result, increased focus will be put on women's football when the U20 World Cup starts on September 5 in Poland, and when the U17 World Cup starts in October in Morocco. There are also matches around the world that will decide the qualifiers for next summer's World Cup in Brazil in the same month. Despite there being scant mention in FIFA's subsidiary proposal of the women's game, it will be the first test of life after it. While a boycott is now off the tab...

Indian court acquits ex-wrestling chief of harassment

3Aug

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News, Sports

Indian court acquits ex-wrestling chief of harassment

An Indian court on Monday acquitted the former head of the country's wrestling federation of sexual harassment and stalking charges brought by female athletes. Brij Bhushan Sharan Singh, a former lawmaker from Prime Minister Narendra Modi's Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP), had denied allegations that he groped wrestlers and demanded sexual favors. What was the reaction to Singh's acquittal? Singh's lawyer Rajiv Mohan said the New Delhi court found "inconsistencies" in witness statements and "contradictions on major issues." "I had complete faith that justice would be done," Singh told reporters after the verdict. "I never considered myself a criminal at all." Supporters celebrated outside the court by setting off firecrackers, showering Singh with flower petals and offering him sweets. ...

Famed climber Nirmal Purja among 10 killed in avalanche

1Aug

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News, Sports

Famed climber Nirmal Purja among 10 killed in avalanche

Celebrated climber Nirmal Purja and nine other mountaineers have been confirmed dead after an avalanche on Pakistan's Broad Peak, his expedition company said on Saturday. The confirmation came a day after rescuers located four bodies while searching for the 10-member expedition. How did Purja and the other mountaineers die? "It is with profound sadness and immense heartbreak that we confirm that Nirmal Purja tragically lost his life following the avalanche on Broad Peak," Purja's company Elite Expeditions said in a social media post. "We have also received confirmation that other members of the expedition sadly did not survive." The climbers had been missing since Thursday, when an avalanche struck the expedition at around 6,600 meters (21,650 feet) on Broad Peak. The party is believe...

UEFA ‘rebuilding trust’ after FIFA scraps World Cup plans

1Aug

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News, Sports

UEFA ‘rebuilding trust’ after FIFA scraps World Cup plans

FIFA President Gianni Infantino has withdrawn his plans to sell stakes in FIFA competitions to private investors after widespread condemnation from across the football world. European football's governing body UEFA welcomed the news on Saturday, calling it a "victory for the whole game." In a statement on Saturday, Infantino said: "Having listened carefully to all the views, it has become clear that the project has created divisions of a nature that, regardless of the level of support, are no longer in the interest of the objective set out in the first place." What did UEFA say about Infantino's scrapped plans? FIFA president Gianni Infantino has lost the "confidence" of UEFA after his plan to allow private investment in the World Cup was withdrawn following a global backlash. "The ...

1Aug

By Europe WorldNo Comments

News, Sports

FIFA chief Infantino abandons World Cup sell-off plans

FIFA President Gianni Infantino has withdrawn his plans to sell stakes in FIFA competitions to private investors. Infantino's plans had been met with widespread condemnation from across the football world. In a statement on Saturday, Infantino said: "Having listened carefully to all the views, it has become clear that the project has created divisions of a nature that, regardless of the level of support, are no longer in the interest of the objective set out in the first place." What were FIFA chief's Infantino's private investor plans? Infantino's proposal would have created a commercial subsidiary, the FIFA Forward Enterprise (FFE), to run competitions like the World Cup, selling broadcasting and sponsorship, tickets and hospitality. Under the plans, FIFA would sell minority stake...

Infantino under pressure as senior advisor quits

31Jul

By Europe WorldNo Comments

Sports

Infantino under pressure as senior advisor quits

FIFA President Gianni Infantino was under increasing pressure on Friday as global opposition grew to his controversial private investment plans and one of his senior advisors resigned in protest. The football world was rocked earlier this week when it was reported that FIFA, the sport's global governing body, was planning to sell a stake in a new commercial subsidiary to private equity investors close to US President Donald Trump, prompting widespread outrage. European football's governing body, UEFA, quickly condemned the plans with its 55 member associations voting unanimously to boycott future FIFA competitions — including the next men's World Cup in 2030 but potentially starting with the under-20 Women's World Cup on September 5 — were the plans to be implemented. The Europeans soon...