logo
FIFA World Cup draw in Vegas on December 5: reports

FIFA World Cup draw in Vegas on December 5: reports

LOS ANGELES: Las Vegas will play host to the 2026 World Cup draw on December 5, according to multiple reports on Tuesday.
ESPN and TUDN'Mexico said Vegas had been picked for the draw of the expanded 48-team event, which will be hosted by the United States, Canada and Mexico.
In all, 12 groups of four nations will be drawn.
When the United States played host to the 1994 World Cup, the draw ceremony was also conducted in Las Vegas.
ESPN's original report said that The Sphere, a 17,500-seat venue which opened in 2023, was seen as the front-runner for the draw site.
But Sphere sources confirmed to AFP the World Cup draw would not take place there, and ESPN later reported Sphere sources told the sports network it would not be held there.
In 1994, the draw was staged in Las Vegas even though it was not a host city for any matches, a situation that is also the case for next year's event.
Orange background

Try Our AI Features

Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:

Comments

No comments yet...

Related Articles

Achraf Hakimi rape trial latest: Will PSG soccer star, Morocco footballer go to jail?
Achraf Hakimi rape trial latest: Will PSG soccer star, Morocco footballer go to jail?

Economic Times

timean hour ago

  • Economic Times

Achraf Hakimi rape trial latest: Will PSG soccer star, Morocco footballer go to jail?

Agencies Morocco's Achraf Hakimi (Image Source: Getty) French prosecutors on Friday called for Paris Saint-Germain star Achraf Hakimi to face trial for the alleged rape of a woman in 2023 which the Moroccan international denies. The Nanterre prosecutor's office told AFP that they had requested that the investigating judge refer the rape charge to a criminal court."It is now up to the investigating magistrate to make a decision within the framework of his order," the prosecutor's office told AFP in a statement. Hakimi, 26, played a major role in PSG's run to their first Champions League title, the full-back scoring the opener in the 5-0 rout of Inter Milan in the final in May. Hakimi, who helped Morocco to their historic progress to the semi-finals of the 2022 World Cup, was charged in March, 2023 with raping a 24-year-old woman. Hakimi allegedly paid for his accuser to travel to his home on February 25, 2023, in the Paris suburb of Boulogne-Billancourt while his wife and children were away on holiday. The woman went to a police station following the encounter alleging rape and was questioned by police. Although the woman refused to make a formal accusation, prosecutors decided to press charges against the player. She told police at the time that she had met Hakimi in January 2023 on the night in question she said she had travelled to his house in a taxi paid for by Hakimi. She told police Hakimi had started kissing her and making non-consensual sexual advances, before raping her, a police source told AFP at the time. She said she managed to break free to text a friend who came to pick her by AFP after Friday's development Hakimi's lawyer Fanny Colin described the call by prosecutors for a trial as "incomprehensible and senseless in light of the case's elements". "We, along with Achraf Hakimi, remain as calm as we were at the start of the proceedings. "If these requisitions were to be followed, we would obviously pursue all avenues of appeal," she continued. According to Colin, her client had "been the target of an attempted extortion". "Nothing in this case suggests an attempted extortion," Rachel-Flore Pardo, the lawyer representing the woman, said. "My client welcomes this news with immense relief," she told AFP."We will not tolerate any smear or destabilisation campaign, as is unfortunately still too often the case for women who have the courage to report the rape of which they are victims," she added. Who is Hakimi? The son of a cleaning lady and a street vendor, both Moroccans who have lived in Spain since the 1980s, Hakimi was born in Getafe, a southern suburb of Madrid. Hakimi came through the youth system at Real Madrid before joining Bundesliga side Borussia Dortmund in 2018. He went on to make 73 appearances for the German moved to Inter Milan in 2020 and then on to PSG in 2021 where he has established himself as an integral part of the Qatar, Hakimi was a cornerstone of the Morocco team that became the first African or Arab nation to reach the semi-finals of a World Cup.Q1. Name clubs for which Achraf Hakimi has played?A1. Achraf Hakimi came through the youth system at Real Madrid before joining Bundesliga side Borussia Dortmund in 2018. He went on to make 73 appearances for the German club. He moved to Inter Milan in 2020 and then on to PSG in 2021 where he has established himself as an integral part of the team.Q2. What did Achraf Hakimi's parents do?A2. Achraf Hakimi is son of a cleaning lady and a street vendor, both Moroccans who have lived in Spain since the 1980s.

Achraf Hakimi rape trial latest: Will PSG soccer star, Morocco footballer go to jail?
Achraf Hakimi rape trial latest: Will PSG soccer star, Morocco footballer go to jail?

Time of India

timean hour ago

  • Time of India

Achraf Hakimi rape trial latest: Will PSG soccer star, Morocco footballer go to jail?

French prosecutors on Friday called for Paris Saint-Germain star Achraf Hakimi to face trial for the alleged rape of a woman in 2023 which the Moroccan international denies. The Nanterre prosecutor's office told AFP that they had requested that the investigating judge refer the rape charge to a criminal court. "It is now up to the investigating magistrate to make a decision within the framework of his order," the prosecutor's office told AFP in a statement. Hakimi, 26, played a major role in PSG 's run to their first Champions League title, the full-back scoring the opener in the 5-0 rout of Inter Milan in the final in May. by Taboola by Taboola Sponsored Links Sponsored Links Promoted Links Promoted Links You May Like Greece: New Container Houses (Prices May Surprise You) Container House Search Now Hakimi, who helped Morocco to their historic progress to the semi-finals of the 2022 World Cup, was charged in March, 2023 with raping a 24-year-old woman. Hakimi allegedly paid for his accuser to travel to his home on February 25, 2023, in the Paris suburb of Boulogne-Billancourt while his wife and children were away on holiday. Live Events The woman went to a police station following the encounter alleging rape and was questioned by police. Although the woman refused to make a formal accusation, prosecutors decided to press charges against the player. She told police at the time that she had met Hakimi in January 2023 on Instagram. On the night in question she said she had travelled to his house in a taxi paid for by Hakimi. She told police Hakimi had started kissing her and making non-consensual sexual advances, before raping her, a police source told AFP at the time. She said she managed to break free to text a friend who came to pick her up. Contacted by AFP after Friday's development Hakimi's lawyer Fanny Colin described the call by prosecutors for a trial as "incomprehensible and senseless in light of the case's elements". "We, along with Achraf Hakimi, remain as calm as we were at the start of the proceedings. "If these requisitions were to be followed, we would obviously pursue all avenues of appeal," she continued. According to Colin, her client had "been the target of an attempted extortion". "Nothing in this case suggests an attempted extortion," Rachel-Flore Pardo, the lawyer representing the woman, said. "My client welcomes this news with immense relief," she told AFP. "We will not tolerate any smear or destabilisation campaign, as is unfortunately still too often the case for women who have the courage to report the rape of which they are victims," she added. Who is Hakimi? The son of a cleaning lady and a street vendor, both Moroccans who have lived in Spain since the 1980s, Hakimi was born in Getafe, a southern suburb of Madrid. Hakimi came through the youth system at Real Madrid before joining Bundesliga side Borussia Dortmund in 2018. He went on to make 73 appearances for the German club. He moved to Inter Milan in 2020 and then on to PSG in 2021 where he has established himself as an integral part of the team. In Qatar, Hakimi was a cornerstone of the Morocco team that became the first African or Arab nation to reach the semi-finals of a World Cup. FAQs Q1. Name clubs for which Achraf Hakimi has played? A1. Achraf Hakimi came through the youth system at Real Madrid before joining Bundesliga side Borussia Dortmund in 2018. He went on to make 73 appearances for the German club. He moved to Inter Milan in 2020 and then on to PSG in 2021 where he has established himself as an integral part of the team. Q2. What did Achraf Hakimi's parents do? A2. Achraf Hakimi is son of a cleaning lady and a street vendor, both Moroccans who have lived in Spain since the 1980s.

Amari Cooper fooled the internet as fake retirement post sends fans into chaos
Amari Cooper fooled the internet as fake retirement post sends fans into chaos

Time of India

time2 hours ago

  • Time of India

Amari Cooper fooled the internet as fake retirement post sends fans into chaos

Amari Cooper fooled the internet as fake retirement post sends fans into chaos (Image via Getty) A viral post on X (formerly Twitter) recently claimed that Amari Cooper had retired from football. The post rapidly caught internet attention. One parody account purporting to be ESPN reporter Adam Schefter shared it. The message had been viewed over 250,000 times in a few hours, which puzzled supporters. Amari Cooper has not declared his retirement despite the excitement. He is still a free agent and hopes for the ideal squad to contact. Here is what started the gossip and where things stand today. Amari Cooper shuts down rumors of retirement Born on June 17, 1994, Amari Cooper of Alabama was picked fourth overall in the Raiders' 2015 NFL Draft. He collected seven 1,000-yard seasons and five Pro Bowl nods with the Raiders, Cowboys, and Browns. In October 2024, he was moved from Cleveland to the Buffalo Bills. In eight games for Buffalo, he concluded the 2024 season with two touchdowns, 20 catches for 297 yards. On August 1, 2025, online fans saw a post, timestamped around 10:47 a.m., from a parody account claiming Cooper retired. Todd Archer, who reports for ESPN on Cowboys news, retweeted that post, helping it reach over 250,000 views in under four hours. News outlets confirmed the story was false: Cooper has not retired. by Taboola by Taboola Sponsored Links Sponsored Links Promoted Links Promoted Links You May Like 60 Year Old Actress Reveals 3 Foods That Help Her Look & Feel Years Younger Terra Marre Learn More Undo He remains an unrestricted free agent and is still looking to keep playing. Also Read: Dallas Cowboys Could Sign Amari Cooper After George Pickens Trade Why teams still see value in Amari Cooper and where he might land Despite aging and a slow 2024, Cooper is still seen as a precise route runner and expert in contested catches. Teams in need of veteran depth at wide receiver are reportedly interested. The Dallas Cowboys have been linked to a possible reunion, as they did not draft any receivers in 2025 and could use experience behind CeeDee Lamb. The Buffalo Bills may also look into Cooper's comeback following the 2025 draft, which would reduce their receiving depth. Writers and experts, meanwhile, note his potential match with teams like the Los Angeles Chargers and Denver Broncos, which would gain from his red zone presence and leadership. Sources say Cooper is still training and open to offers before or during training camp. He hasn't ruled out playing again even as teams make rookie moves and depth charts shift. Amari Cooper did not retire. He continues to be a free agent, still looking for possibilities in the NFL. Though a fake post started the internet rumor, facts prove he still trains and looks for the perfect team to call. For real-time updates, scores, and highlights, follow our live coverage of the India vs England Test match here. Catch Rani Rampal's inspiring story on Game On, Episode 4. Watch Here!

DOWNLOAD THE APP

Get Started Now: Download the App

Ready to dive into a world of global content with local flavor? Download Daily8 app today from your preferred app store and start exploring.
app-storeplay-store