Human Interest

Saudi Arabia will host the men's soccer World Cup in 2034 while the 2030 edition will be held in Spain, Portugal and Morocco, with one-off matches in three South American countries, world soccer's governing body FIFA confirmed on Wednesday.

The decision was announced by FIFA President Gianni Infantino following a virtual extraordinary Congress. The 2030 and 2034 World Cups each had only a single bid and both were confirmed by acclamation.

The Norwegian Football Federation (NFF) on Tuesday said it will vote against FIFA's awarding of hosting rights for the 2030 and 2034 World Cups by acclamation, adding that it had formally criticized the process in a letter to the world governing body.

Votes are due to be held at FIFA's virtual extraordinary Congress on Wednesday to approve the 2030 and 2034 World Cups, though each has only a single bid, which are both expected to be confirmed by acclamation.

West Ham United forward Michail Antonio is conscious and in a stable condition in hospital after he was involved in a road traffic accident on Saturday, the Premier League club said.

"West Ham United can confirm that Michail Antonio is in a stable condition following a road traffic accident this afternoon in the Essex area," the club posted on social media.

"Michail is conscious and communicating and is currently under close supervision at a central London hospital."

Michail Antonio car crash

Fiorentina midfielder Edoardo Bove is awake and alert in hospital, his club said on Monday, providing reassurance on his condition after he collapsed during a Serie A match against Inter Milan on Sunday.

Fiorentina said that the 22-year-old had spent a peaceful night in the Careggi University Hospital in Florence and no longer required assistance with his breathing. Further tests would be conducted in the coming days in order to establish the cause of his illness.

Edoardo Bove update

Following are the 32 teams that have qualified for the expanded 2025 Club World Cup to be held in the United States from June 15 to July 13.

Apart from the winners of each confederation's premier club competitions, teams also qualified based on their ranking that was calculated based on their performances over a four-year period.

All 32 clubs playing in the 2025 Club World Cup

UEFA (12 TEAMS)

Chelsea: 2020-21 Champions League winners

Real Madrid: 2021-22 and 2023-24 Champions League winners

Nov 30 (Reuters) - Saudi Arabia's 2034 World Cup bid received a higher technical score from FIFA than the 2026 joint bid by the United States, Canada and Mexico even though the Middle East nation has yet to construct several stadiums proposed for the tournament.

2034 World Cup in Saudi Arabia receives higher bid score than 2026 World Cup

FIFA released its bid evaluation report and said the 2034 bid received an overall average score of 4.2 out of 5 even though eight stadiums are still to be built.

Miami is the new Barcelona.

Javier Mascherano to become Inter Miami new manager for 2025 MLS Season

Former FC Barcelona and Argentine national team player, Javier Mascherano, is to become Inter Miami’s new head coach for the 2025 MLS Season. He is set to sign a long-term contract with the MLS club.

Javier Mascherano will be the new head coach of Inter Miami, as @CLMerlo reports.

Lionel Messi wants to return to Barcelona. The city, that is.

In an interview with FC Barcelona, the club’s all-time goalscorer and greatest player of all time, Lionel Messi, joined the blaugrana’s for a quick chat, taking a listen and judging the three finalist songs of the club’s 125th anniversary.

Messi has officially listened to the three finalists of FC Barcelona's 125th Anniversary song! pic.twitter.com/nvCGJhms6N