International Football
NORTH AND SOUTH KOREA TO LAUNCH JOINT BID FOR 2023 FIFA WOMEN’S WORLD CUP
- BY LIAM MORGAN
South Korea is considering proposing a joint bid for the 2023 Women’s World Cup with North Korea after FIFA suggested the possibility of the two countries hosting the tournament.
Korea Football Association (KFA) secretary general Hong Myung-bo told South Korean news agency Yonhap that FIFA had approached the organisation regarding a potential joint bid.
Hong revealed South and North Korea staging the event was first mentioned by world football’s governing body a month ago when KFA President Chung Mong-gyu was attending a FIFA meeting.
FIFA President Gianni Infantino claimed it would be “great” for the two nations, still technically at war after conflict ended in armistice rather than a peace treaty, to co-host the event and said he was aware of the possibility.
“I have been hearing for the Women’s World Cup in 2023, the two Koreas,” Infantino said following a meeting of the International Football Association Board in Scotland.
Hong said the KFA had informed the South Korean Government of the potential for the countries to join forces to bid for the 2023 Women’s World Cup.
He added that the governing body had not yet received a response from the Government, while the idea has not yet been discussed with their North Korean counterparts.
Should a bid materialise, it would mark the latest show of sporting diplomacy and cooperation between South and North Korea.
The two nations are set to jointly bid for the 2032 Olympic and Paralympic Games and officials from the countries presented their idea to the International Olympic Committee at a meeting last month.
It follows softening of tensions between the two countries following last year’s Winter Olympic Games in Pyeongchang, where South and North Korean athletes took part in a joint march at the Opening Ceremony.
They also competed in a combined women’s ice hockey team.
Further demonstrations of cooperation have occurred at events such as last year’s Asian Games, while talk of joint teams in several sports at the 2020 Olympic Games in Tokyo remain ongoing.
The race for the 2023 Women’s World Cup has begun to heat up in recent months, with Australia, Japan, South Africa, Colombia and New Zealand among possible contenders.
FIFA officially opened the bidding process for the tournament last month and gave interested countries until March 15 to submit an expression of interest.
World football’s governing body also announced the FIFA Council, rather than the full Congress, would select the location for the competition, with a decision expected at a meeting next March.
International Football
Former Chelsea manager, Pochettino takes over US men’s team
Former Chelsea manager Mauricio Pochettino has been named new coach of the United States men’s team, U.S. Soccer announced on Tuesday.
Pochettino, who parted ways with Premier League side Chelsea in May after one season in charge, will take the reins of the national team ahead of the 2026 World Cup, which will be co-hosted by Mexico, Canada and the United States.
The Argentine, a former Paris St Germain and Tottenham Hotspur manager, said his decision to join U.S. soccer was not just about football, but about the journey the country was on and he could not pass up the opportunity.
“The energy, the passion, and the hunger to achieve something truly historic here – those are the things that inspired me,” he said in a statement.
“I see a group of players full of talent and potential, and together, we’re going to build something special that the whole nation can be proud of.”
U.S. Soccer Sporting Director Matt Crocker said Pochettino was a “serial winner with a deep passion for developing players”.
“His track record speaks for itself, and I am confident that he is the right choice to harness the immense potential within our talented squad. We are thrilled to have Mauricio on board as we embark on this exciting journey to achieve success on the global stage.”
The U.S. have been without a permanent coach since a humiliating early exit from the Copa America on home soil in July led to the sacking of Gregg Berhalter after his second stint as head coach.
The 51-year-old boss was first appointed in 2018 and led the Americans to the knockout stages of the 2022 World Cup, but just weeks later found himself embroiled in a bitter public row with one of the team’s brightest emerging talents, Gio Reyna.
U.S. Soccer’s search for a new coach when Berhalter’s contract expired at the end of 2022 included names such as Canada coach Jesse Marsch, but they ultimately rehired Berhalter in June last year with the full support of the players.
However, it proved unsuccessful as the U.S. failed to progress beyond the group stages of the Copa America after a shock 2-1 defeat to Panama and a crushing 1-0 loss to Uruguay.
Pochettino will take over after Mikey Varas, who has been appointed interim coach, oversaw friendlies against Canada last Saturday and New Zealand on Tuesday.
The U.S. drew 1-1 with New Zealand in Cincinnati after Christian Pulisic’s goal was cancelled out by Ben Waine’s late equaliser.
The U.S. will next play friendlies against Panama on Oct. 12 and Mexico three days later.
-Reuters
International Football
BREAKING – Video: Osimhen accepts to join Galatasaray
At last, Nigeria’s striker Victor Osimhen is out of the limbo. He has accepted to join Galatasaray on loan.
He is now asking for a release clause at Napoli to become €75m instead of €130m
He also wants a break clause for January in case top clubs approach him over move.
The final points are being discussed. He has been videoed celebrating with the Turkey club’s fans.
International Football
Uruguay striker Suarez to play last international match on Friday
Uruguay striker Luis Suarez announced his international retirement on Monday, ending a 17-year career with his national team as their top scorer with 69 goals.
The 37-year-old, who has 142 caps for his country, made his international debut in 2007 and was key in the squad that reached the semi-finals of the 2010 World Cup and won the Copa America a year later.
“Friday will be my last match with my country’s national team,” an emotional Suarez told a press conference.
“The fact that is my decision to retire and that I’m not retired because of injuries or that they stop calling me for one thing or another, that gives me a lot of comfort, it helps me individually.
“It’s difficult but it gives me peace of mind that until the last game I have given my all, and that flame has not been extinguished little by little,” the striker added.
Uruguay take on Paraguay at the Centenario stadium in Montevideo on Friday in the South American qualifiers for the 2026 World Cup before facing Venezuela four days later.
Suarez scored the stoppage-time goal against Canada that secured third place at the Copa America in July and the striker added that one of his aims was to show he could continue to contribute to the national team.
“My dream was for my children to see me win something important with the national team … that last goal was very nice for them and even though it wasn’t a trophy to take home, it was very nice for them,” he said.
“I wanted to show people again that I can continue to contribute to the national team and, well, I had the Copa America and yes, I could have done it (retired) perfectly after that, but having analysed the situation, I want to do it with my people, in my stadium.
“I want my children to live this experience. Saying goodbye with the people here is something that I don’t know if many have done.”
Suarez has already said Inter Miami will be his last club after joining the Major League Soccer side last year to reunite with former Barcelona teammates Lionel Messi, Sergio Busquets and Jordi Alba.
-Reuters
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