World Cup
Osimhen may be fit for Nigeria’s World Cup Matchday 2 duel with Zimbabwe
In Napoli, fans and officials are anxiously awaiting Victor Osimhen’s speedy recovery.
According to a news outlet in Naples, Italy, Tuttonapoli, the rumour mill has it that there is no delay in the player’s recovery.
They are looking forward to 25 November for him to feature in a very important away match at Atalanta.
If Osimhen is fit enough for the 25 November Serie A match, he may as well be available for Nigeria’s potentially challenging World Cup qualifying duel away to Zimbabwe six days to the Atalanta versus Napoli Match.
He is certain to miss the Super Eagles’ opening World Cup qualifying match against Lesotho in Uyo.
Gazzetta dello Sport quoted his club’s coach, Rudi Garcia saying he hoped Osimhen would be available sooner than expected.
“I didn’t deal with this thing, the doctors and the managers did. I’ve exchanged messages with Victor, because for now I’ve been taking care of those who can play. After these two games there is a break and I think he will be ready for Atalanta when the league resumes”, said Garcia.
It however reports that “obviously it will be the training sessions that will make it clearer.”
Osimhen has been in Nigeria for a while and is being expected back in Napoli on Wednesday and could watch his club’s Champions League match with Union Berlin.
FIFA is in discussions with national associations to increase prize money for all 48 teams participating in the 2026 World Cup, soccer’s global governing body said on Sunday.
The proposal must be approved at Tuesday’s FIFA Council meeting, being held ahead of the 76th FIFA Congress in Vancouver.
In December, FIFA said prize money for this year’s World Cup would be 50% higher than for the previous edition at $655 million after agreeing a record $727 million financial contribution to the tournament.
However, FIFA has told Reuters that the prize money on offer is set to increase, with the world governing body projected to surpass $11 billion in revenue in the current four-year cycle from 2023 to 2026.
“FIFA can confirm it is in discussions with associations around the world to increase available revenues,” said a FIFA spokesperson.
“This includes a proposed increase of financial contributions to all qualified teams for the FIFA World Cup 2026 and of development funding available to all 211 member associations.
“The FIFA World Cup 2026 will be groundbreaking in terms of its financial contribution to the global football community, and FIFA is proud to be in its strongest ever financial position to benefit the global game through its FIFA Forward programme.”
The biggest slice of FIFA’s initial funding package for the North American showpiece – $655 million – was to be performance-based payments to the 48 participating nations.
FIFA’s December announcement on prize money said the champions would take home $50 million and the runners-up $33 million, while the 16 nations that failed to advance from the initial group phase were set to earn $9 million.
Additionally, each qualified nation would be entitled to $1.5 million to cover preparation costs.
FIFA’s 2025 annual report said 93% of its total budgeted revenue had already been contracted by the end of 2025, thanks to the success of the inaugural 32-team Club World Cup held in the United States last year.
The 2026 World Cup runs from June 11 to July 19 in the U.S., Mexico and Canada
-Reuters
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Toronto reversed course on plans to charge fans to attend its World Cup fan festival, with the city council approving a revised plan to create a free general admission option after some councillors objected that the $10 fee broke a promise.
City staff had proposed a plan last week for $10 general admission tickets for the event. The festival, which is set to include live game broadcasts, food and entertainment, was originally promoted by the city last year as a “free and inclusive space” for fans to enjoy games during the June 11-July 19 World Cup.
But after objections from some councillors, who raised concerns about affordability for residents, Toronto Mayor Olivia Chow asked staff this week to revisit the ticketing idea.
City staff issued a report on Wednesday proposing that of the 20,000 general admission tickets available every day, 15,600 will be free and 500 will be reserved for community groups at no cost. There will be 3,900 premium tickets available daily that will range from $100 to $300.
In the original report last week, staff said the ticketing plan was required as a crowd control measure and to help cover costs related to an “enhanced fan experience.”
“Fan Fest should be free for general admission,” Chow told reporters this week before council voted 18-3 to create a free general admission ticket option. “We can offer VIP packages for those who want them, but the gates should be open for everyone.”
Toronto, one of 16 cities across Canada, the United States and Mexico hosting games for the 48-team World Cup, will stage six matches.
-Reuters
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Portugal midfielder Bruno Fernandes expressed hope that he and his teammates can help crown Cristiano Ronaldo’s international career by winning the 2026 World Cup.
The 41-year-old Ronaldo is set to appear in a record sixth World Cup in June, a tournament expected to be the final major chapter of the forward’s career.
“Wrapping up all this last World Cup with Cristiano (Ronaldo) winning it would be something amazing,” Fernandes told Wayne Rooney in a BBC report published on Friday.
“I really hope we can make it happen, not just for Portugal, but for everything Cristiano gave to football and the world,” the Portuguese midfielder and Manchester United captain said.
Ronaldo, considered one of the greatest players ever to have not won a World Cup, is the record scorer in international football with 143 goals.
The five-time Ballon d’Or winner was part of Portugal’s Euro 2016-winning team and has lifted the Nations League twice.
Portugal’s opening Group K game is on June 17 against the Democratic Republic of the Congo, followed by Uzbekistan on June 23, with both games in Houston. They play Colombia on June 27 in Miami in their final group game.
The World Cup runs from June 11 to July 19 in Canada, the United States and Mexico.
-Reuters
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