FIFA president Gianni Infantino announced on Thursday that it has planned to increase the number of participating teams at the Women’s World Cup from 32 teams to 48 in time for the 2031 tournament. The United States is the sole bidder for the 2031 Women’s World Cup, and the United Kingdom is set to host the 2035 tournament, Infantino also said at the UEFA Congress in Belgrade on Thursday.
Bangladesh up two places in FIFA ranking
Bangladesh have taken a small but encouraging step forward in the latest FIFA Men’s World Ranking, climbing from 185th to 183rd after their goalless draw against India in a AFC Asian Cup 2027 qualifiers fixture on March 25.
Prosecutors demand jail term for Ancelotti for tax fraud
Real Madrid coach Carlo Ancelotti’s tax fraud trial wrapped up Thursday in Spain, with public prosecutors maintaining their demand he be jailed for four years and nine months for allegedly hiding income from the tax office. Ancelotti denied having intentionally committed tax fraud when he took the stand on Wednesday on the opening day of the trial at the High Court of Justice in Madrid, saying he “never considered committing fraud”.
Messi and Miami stunned by LAFC
Los Angeles FC sent Lionel Messi and Inter Miami spinning to their first defeat of the season on Wednesday, scoring an upset 1-0 victory in their CONCACAF Champions Cup quarter-final first-leg clash. A 57th-minute strike from Los Angeles-born El Salvador international Nathan Ordaz handed LAFC a precious advantage heading into next Wednesday’s return leg in Florida.
Mourinho grabs Galatasaray coach’s nose after losing Istanbul derby
Fenerbahce manager Jose Mourinho could be in trouble again after grabbing the nose of the Galatasaray manager at the end of another fiery Istanbul derby in which his side lost 2-1 at home in the Turkish Cup quarter-final on Wednesday. A mass scuffle had broken out between both sets of players, with the referee sending three players off, two from Galatasaray, and after the final whistle Mourinho appeared to pinch Okan Buruk’s nose who then fell dramatically to the ground.
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