The Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) is planning to launch its bid to host the 2034 FIFA World Cup, Thai Prime Minister Prayuth Chan-ocha said at a news conference during the 34th ASEAN Summit in Bangkok, Thailand, on June 23. The FIFA World Cup trophy. “The leaders have support of the region to host the FIFA World Cup in 2034, if possible. I would like to invite the people of ASEAN to support the football federations in their countries in order to make the dream come true,” the Thai leader stated. The ASEAN nations include Brunei, Cambodia, Indonesia, Laos, Malaysia, Myanmar, Philippines, Singapore, Thailand and Vietnam. The region is home to more than 640 million people, many of whom are football enthusiasts, even though none of their national teams have ever qualified for the World Cup finals thus far. The idea of ASEAN hosting a World Cup edition was initiated a few years ago with the expectation that the move could help raise member … [Read more...] about ASEAN nations to launch joint bid to host 2034 FIFA World Cup
Fifa world cup final
FIFA World Cup Qatar Asian Qualifiers draw to be held next month
Asia's top football teams will soon start their quest for the FIFA World Cup Qatar 2022 after they find out their opponents when the draw of Asian Qualifiers Round 2 is to be held in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia next month. The 40 teams will be drawn into eight groups of five teams and compete in a double round robin format both home and away, with matches to be held from September 5, 2019 to June 9, 2020, the Asian Football Confederation said Monday. * Ferrari have formally asked for the decision that cost Sebastian Vettel victory in the Canadian Grand Prix to be reviewed. a team spokesperson said on Monday. Vettel was handed a five-second time penalty during the race on June 9 for going off track and returning in what was deemed to be an unsafe fashion. The German had led the race from start to finish but lost out to Mercedes’ championship leader Lewis Hamilton after the addition of the penalty. * Kevin Anderson rallied from a set down to beat Briton Cameron Norrie 4-6 … [Read more...] about FIFA World Cup Qatar Asian Qualifiers draw to be held next month
Al Ain upset River Plate to reach Club World Cup final
Al Ain will now face the winners of Real Madrid and Kashima Antlers, who play each other in the other semi-final on Wednesday. * Holders Manchester City held their nerve to beat Leicester City 3-1 on penalties and reach the League Cup semi-finals after an entertaining last-eight tie ended 1-1 on Tuesday. City's Oleksandr Zinchenko fired the winner in the shootout after hosts Leicester missed three of their four spot kicks. * Caen scored a stoppage-time penalty to beat Toulouse 2-1 in a Ligue 1 relegation battle on Tuesday, while League Cup holders Paris St Germain won their opening tie to reach the last eight. * Bundesliga pacesetters Borussia Dortmund suffered a shock 2-1 loss at promoted Fortuna Duesseldorf on Tuesday that snapped their unbeaten league start and cut their lead to six points. Goals from Dodi Lukebakio and Jean Zimmer in either half secured an unexpected three points against the overwhelming title favourites Dortmund, who remain on 39 points. * AC Milan played out a … [Read more...] about Al Ain upset River Plate to reach Club World Cup final
World Cup expansion possible for 2022, says Infantino
World Cup expansion possible for 2022, says InfantinoThe Saigon Times Daily FIFA President Gianni Infantino attends a news conference in Kigali, Rwanda October 26, 2018 – PHOTO: REUTERS KUALA LUMPUR (REUTERS) - FIFA President Gianni Infantino said on Wednesday that football’s governing body is looking into the possibility of increasing the number of teams at the 2022 World Cup and sharing the hosting rights of an expanded tournament with other nations in the region. FIFA decided earlier this year to expand the 2026 World Cup, to be held in the United States, Canada and Mexico, to 48 teams from 32 while leaving the door open to raising the number playing in Qatar in four years’ time. “We have decided to increase the number of teams participating in the World Cup final tournaments from 32 to 48 and this will happen in 2026,” Infantino said in an address to the Asian Football Confederation’s annual congress. “Will it happen in 2022? We … [Read more...] about World Cup expansion possible for 2022, says Infantino
Less running, less possession paid off for France at World Cup
Less running, less possession paid off for France at World CupThe Saigon Times Daily France's Kylian Mbappe and Raphael Varane celebrate with the World Cup trophy during a ceremony after the match at Stade de France, Saint-Denis, France September 9, 2018 – PHOTO: REUTERS ZURICH (REUTERS) - France let their opponents do the hard work on their way to winning the World Cup, running less than most teams and enjoying less than 50% possession throughout the tournament, a FIFA technical report showed on Tuesday. The report also showed that the French scored once in every six shots on goal — compared with once in 36 shots for Germany, who were knocked out in the first round. The two sides meet in the UEFA Nations League on Tuesday night. As expected, the FIFA report showed that Spain enjoyed the most possession at an average of 69%, but the style of play that brought them great dividends from 2008 to 2012 proved their undoing in Russia as they were knocked out in the … [Read more...] about Less running, less possession paid off for France at World Cup