ZURICH: FIFA can afford to have Morocco host the 2026 World Cup, according to President Gianni Infantino, even if the rival North American bid promises billions of dollars more in revenue.
Ahead of next week’s vote by FIFA member federations in Moscow, Infantino said on Monday: “FIFA can afford whatever the congress decides.”
“We have to live with that and to make the best of any decision which is taken,” said the FIFA leader, who Moroccan bid leaders have publicly suspected of favoring the joint United States-Canada-Mexico bid.
In a FIFA panel’s evaluation of the candidates, the North American bid got the only maximum mark for its tickets and corporate hospitality sales plan.
A difference in projected ticket sales of $1.3 billion between the two bids helped lead the report to note “significantly higher” forecast revenue of $14.3 billion from North Americans and $7.2 billion from Morocco.
“Money is one element (but) not the only element” in the report, Infantino said, revealing that FIFA will top $6 billion income during the four-year financial period for the 2018 World Cup.
The evaluation team also emphasized a significant overall risk posed by Morocco’s plan to build or renovate all of its stadiums, almost all team training sites, and many hotels.
“What our task has been is to make sure the process is as objective, as clear as possible, and to highlight the pros and the cons of everything,” Infantino said.
Up to 207 voting federations, many of whom rely on the $1.5 million annual grant promised by FIFA over the next four years, can ignore the panel’s work.
Infantino would not be drawn on whether US President Donald Trump’s public comments could be a factor in the June 13 poll — either driving voters toward Morocco, or winning them with veiled threats of consequences for countries not supporting the American bid. FIFA will publish how federations voted.
“I hope when they vote they think what is best for football, definitely not on other subjective criteria that they might have for themselves,” Infantino said.
FIFA is heavily focused on two future World Cups at its annual congress even before the 2018 tournament kicks off one day later.
Infantino will ask members for permission to open talks on adding 16 more teams to the 2022 World Cup in Qatar. Hosting 48 teams could mean sharing games with other Middle East nations to find up to four extra stadiums Qatar currently does not plan to build.
“Whether this is possible to be done only in Qatar, of course, is a question mark,” Infantino acknowledged, adding Qatar was never formally asked to host a 48-team event alone.
Any consultation on the 2022 World Cup must reach a decision by FIFA’s June 2019 congress, he said. The one-year deadline would begin during a blockade of Qatar begun one year ago by regional rivals including Saudi Arabia, who in that time have seemed more influential in FIFA’s business.
“I think I have good relations with everyone in the (Gulf) region because I focus on football, and not on politics,” Infantino said.
However, Infantino insisted his Club World Cup proposal — part of a $25 billion offer by unidentified investors to back new FIFA competitions — was “nothing to do with Saudi Arabia.”
He said other investors have approached now it is known FIFA could enter a 12-year partnership with commercial interests to run the club event, and a global Nations League.
“It’s fantastic,” Infantino said. “We should be proud and happy for that. We need to get away in FIFA from having just one tournament, one month, every four years and thinking that this is enough to develop football in the world.”
The $25 billion offer is on hold until after a Russian World Cup that Infantino said has only “minor, minor things” left to organize.
“I have never seen a country that has done so much for welcoming the fans as Russia is doing,” he said.
Infantino says FIFA can afford Morocco to host 2026 World Cup
Infantino says FIFA can afford Morocco to host 2026 World Cup
Shubman Gill and Sai Sudharsan centuries send Gujarat to vital win over Chennai in IPL
Captain Gill, left out of India’s T20 World Cup squad, made 104 off 55 balls and left-hander Sudharsan was equal to the task in raising his maiden IPL hundred with a splendid 103 off 51 balls.
Their total of 231-3 was briefly challenged while Daryl Mitchell (63) and Moeen Ali (56) were batting, but Chennai fell short at 196-8.
Medium-pacer Mohit Sharma dismissed both half-century-makers in his 3-31.
Chennai’s loss tightened up the race to the playoffs. Chennai remained in the fourth and last playoff spot while Gujarat was just outside but needs to win its last two matches by big margins to drastically improve its net run rate.
Chennai sorely missed its frontline injured pacer Matheesha Pathirana and departed Mustafizur Rahman as Gill and Sudharsan paced the Gujarat innings.
Except for Shardul Thakur, who conceded only 25 runs, the other Chennai bowlers couldn’t stem the flow. Fast bowler Simarjeet Singh, in his second game of the season, was smashed for 60 off his four overs and Ravindra Jadeja was taken out of the attack after conceding 29 off his two overs of left-arm spin.
Both Gujarat openers reached their centuries off 50 balls and raised the joint-highest first wicket stand of 210 runs in IPL history. Chennai recovered briefly in the death overs and conceded just one boundary in the last three overs.
Tushar Deshpande dismissed both century-makers in the 18th over. Sudharsan, who hit seven sixes and five fours, holed out at extra cover and Gill was deceived by a slower ball and holed out at deep midwicket after hitting six sixes and nine fours.
Chennai slumped to 10-3. David Miller ran out Rachin Ravindra in the first over, Sandeep Warrier dismissed Ajinkya Rahane, and Gaikward went for a duck after a splended catch by Rashid Khan on the boundary.
Mitchell and Ali shared a 109-run stand for the third wicket but they were bagged by Sharma in his first two overs and Chennai couldn’t recover.
China dominates table tennis doubles at Saudi Smash
- Chinese players continued to show their pedigree in Jeddah
JEDDAH: Chinese table tennis players maintained their domination of the Saudi Smash event in Jeddah by sweeping the men’s and women’s doubles titles on Friday.
In the men’s doubles, Wang Chuqin and Ma Long were victorious as they defeated the Japanese pair of Shunsuke Togami and Hiroto Shinozuka (11-6, 11-5, 11-9).
In the women’s doubles final, Wang Manyu and Chen Meng went back to back as a winning doubles combination on the WTT Grand Smash stage by closing out a marvelous 3-0 victory over Jeon Jihee and Shin Yubin on the penultimate day at Saudi Smash 2024 (11-6, 11-6, 12-10).
Singapore Smash 2024 champions Wang and Chen traveled to Jeddah as the pair to beat, carrying the biggest possible targets on their backs as the No.1 seeds, but came through the challenging playing field unscathed.
“We don’t always get to play together, but winning the title at an important event like this Smash helps us to build confidence and chemistry,” Chen said.
It was an extra special victory for Wang as it meant she picked up her fourth consecutive women’s doubles title at a WTT Grand Smash event — an extraordinary run in the discipline.
“Today we performed well. We also had clear and smooth preparation, and execution of our techniques and tactics. I’m very happy about this win with Chen Meng,” she said.
Saudi’s Yazeed Al-Rajhi storms into the lead of Tabuk Toyota Rally
- Al-Mogheera and Al-Tuwaijri top motorcycle and quad standings after stage one
TABUK: Saudi pilot Yazeed Al-Rajhi and German co-driver Timo Gottschalk took a commanding 4 minute and 21 second lead in the Tabuk Toyota Rally on Friday.
The Overdrive Racing Toyota Hilux crew led the opening 245 km selective section, a scenic and demanding route through the Zaita desert, from start to finish.
“No issues, no problems, all is good,” said Al-Rajhi afterwards.
The pair’s team-mates, Dania Akeel and Stephane Duple, also had a strong run that left the two Ultimate P class cars at the top of the leader board.
“It was spectacular and a lot of fun, amazing views and a really nice race,” Akeel said.
“The first 85 km were open and fast and the remainder were more technical between the rocks and the mountains and canyons. We took care to pass without any surprises. I love this car a lot and I feel more confident every kilometer.”
Saleh Al-Saif was the best of the rest with Qatari co-driver Nasser Al-Kuwari. The Saudi moved into a comfortable category lead over fourth-placed Can-Am driver Abdullah Al-Haydan.
“The stage is different to last year. A lot of new terrain and tracks. It was a little bit tricky and rocky and we had a puncture at the beginning,” Al-Saif said.
“About 10 km before the end, we had another puncture and decided not to change it. My aim is to be second in the championship.”
MX Ride Dubai’s Mohammed Al-Balooshi claimed the stage win in the motorcycle category on his Husqvarna with a time of 3 hours, 7 minutes and 42 seconds.
But the Emirati still trails local rider Abdulhalim Al-Mogheera by 1 minute 50 seconds in the overall standings after the Saudi won the Prologue stage.
“Today, it was a very long stage and quite busy. I am really happy. I picked the strategy to start 10th and I knew if everything went right, I would win,” Al-Balooshi said.
“I didn’t expect to catch everybody at 60km. Then I led to the finish. That’s why I’m here to improve my navigation. I am really happy with that overall and I am happy to be able to compete in the championship.
“I have won in Kuwait, Qatar and Oman but I don’t have a Saudi title. This would make my list complete. I did win something in KSA in 2009 but it would be special to win this title.”
Hamdan Al-Ali and Kuwait’s Abdullah Al-Shatti were classified third and fourth, with Ahmed Al-Jaber rounding out the top five.
Hyo-Joo Kim’s dazzling finish gives South Korean star Seoul lead
- World No.12 leads Aramco team Series-Korea after hole out eagle from 60 yards on penultimate hole
- Team Gustavsson (-13) lead the way with a three-stroke lead at New Korea Country Club
SEOUL: The Hyo-Joo Kim fan club was treated to a clinic at the New Korea Country Club, as an eagle-birdie finish catapulted the world No. 12 to the top of the leaderboard at the Aramco Team Series presented by PIF–Korea.
The 2014 Evian Championship winner was trailed by her devoted fans across the undulating landscape of New Korea Country Club, with the climax coming on the last two holes. A remarkable 60-yard eagle on the eighth hole, followed by a birdie on nine, propelled her to a four-under-par score, secured top spot at the close of play.
With the course proving tough for the field, Hyo-Joo Kim was able to use her knowledge of the course to her advantage, taking sole lead into the second day of the tournament, in her Aramco Team Series presented by PIF debut.
“I wish they had played the music a bit louder, but it was quite enjoyable,” said the leader of her debut. “Also, it was the first time playing with four people in a match. I’m working on the things that I wanted to improve this year and I feel like it’s getting better and better.”
Colombian Mariajo Uribe posted an impressive early score, with an opening round of three-under-par keeping her hot on the heels of Hyo-Joo Kim.
Uribe, who won her first LET event in Australia in March, is looking to make the most of her final year on tour before retiring after the 2024 Paris Olympics.
“It’s a tough course, so it’s good to be taking advantage of those opportunities, and we’re happy to be close to the (top of the) leaderboard,” said Uribe.
“This is my last year traveling the world, so I’m taking advantage of it. My sister-in-law came with me, so we’ve been buying a lot of Korean skincare products and just going around eating my favorite foods, like Korean barbecue.”
On the team side of the event, Team Gustavsson stormed into an early lead, with a score of 13-under-par placing them atop the leaderboard at the close of play. Made up of Johanna Gustavsson, Laura Beveridge, Gemma Clews and amateur Jaeho Shin, the team sit in pole position to claim the team trophy on Saturday.
“I hit a lot of fairways,” said captain Gustavsson, who finished the day one-under-par. “I drove it very well, putted OK, but missed a few chances, so hopefully tomorrow there’s a chance to be even better.”
World No. 8 Charley Hull finished the day even par, after an up-and-down day recording four birdies and four bogeys, while LPGA star Danielle Kang struggled, recording a score of eight-over-par, with two double-bogeys on the front nine an unfortunate start.
It was a tough day of golf for the most part, with high scores on the leaderboard demonstrating the challenge that New Korea County Club will pose this weekend.
Indeed, only 14 players finished the day on even par or lower. However, forecast rain for day two could improve scores, helping slow the action around the greens, and offering more birdie opportunities.
DP World ILT20 season 3 to begin Jan. 11 next year
Dubai: The third season of the DP World International League T20 will begin on Jan. 11 next year, organizers have announced.
The 34-match tournament will run for a month with the final to be played on Feb. 9.
The season three window announcement follows the hugely successful second season, which concluded with the MI Emirates lifting the iconic DP World ILT20 trophy in front of a capacity crowd at the Dubai International Stadium in the final on Feb. 17 this year.
The broadcast numbers for season two received a major boost with a total of 348 million unique viewers from around the world via the linear and online platforms of tournament broadcast rights holder Zee Network, and its broadcast syndication partners in different territories.
Season two also saw a major increase in crowds across the three tournament venues in Abu Dhabi, Dubai and Sharjah. There was a phenomenal increase in crowd numbers across the three sites, with a cumulative increase of almost 300 percent in comparison to the first season of the tournament.
Season three will once again provide spectators at the three stadiums and fans from around the world — using the Zee Network and partner platforms — enthralling cricket action with a lineup of world-class T20 talent and exciting entertainment offerings for fans from all age groups.
DP World ILT20 CEO David White said: “We are delighted to confirm the window for DP World International League T20 season three. The window has been finalized after discussions with our stakeholders. We have begun our preparations for season three with an aim of making the league even bigger and better.
“Season two was a massive success in terms of all relevant metrics and helped further strengthen the league’s reputation, making it one of the most sought after T20 leagues for players, fans and broadcasters from around the world. Having considered all aspects, the January-February window for season three has turned out to be the most suitable.
“The DP World ILT20 is also proving to be a successful platform for the development of the UAE players as seen in their recent outstanding performance in the ACC Premier Cup in Oman, which helped them qualify for the prestigious Asia Cup (2025, T20 format) for the first time in eight years. Most of the players who excelled in Oman had gained invaluable experience and exposure in season two.
“The cricket fans in the UAE and those who travel to our wonderful destinations Abu Dhabi, Dubai and Sharjah from across the globe will have a lot to look forward to in season three. We have a series of exciting announcements lined up as our six world-class franchises and their coaching staff put their heads together for retention of players while eying new local and international talent for season three signings.”
