Latest news with #ChampionsLeague
Hamilton Spectator
14 minutes ago
- Sport
- Hamilton Spectator
More than 1 million empty seats for Club World Cup group stage. Knockout rounds up next
After a group stage played in front of more than 1 million empty seats, the Club World Cup moves on to knockout rounds that could soon resemble a Champions League clone. Nine teams that advanced to the round of 16 are from Europe along with four from Brazil and one each from Major League Soccer, Mexico and Saudi Arabia. About 56.7% of publicly listed capacity was filled for the 48 group stage matches, which included crowds of 3,412 and 6,730 in Orlando, Florida; 5,282 and 8,239 in Cincinnati. FIFA did not provide specific capacities for the tournament despite repeated requests from The Associated Press. Total announced attendance was 1.67 million from 2.95 million capacity, an average of 34,759. Just 44.9% was filled for five matches at MetLife Stadium in East Rutherford, New Jersey, the site of next year's World Cup final, and 50% at the Rose Bowl in Pasadena, California, where the 1994 championship game was played. Among other 2026 sites, 81.8% of capacity was filled in Miami Gardens, Florida, 61.6% in Philadelphia, 52% in Seattle and 44.3% in Atlanta. FIFA spokesman Bryan Swanson did not respond to a request for FIFA President Gianni Infantino to discuss the tournament and attendance. FIFA issued a statement that said: 'The appetite of the tournament speaks for itself: fans from 168 countries have already purchased tickets ... a clear sign of global anticipation and reach.' The 12 games televised with English commentary on TNT, TBS and truTV averaged 360,000 viewers through Monday, including 409,000 for seven matches on nights and weekends. Seven of eight quarterfinal spots could be European clubs The second round opens Saturday with an all-Brazilian matchup of Palmeiras and Botafogo, followed by Chelsea-Benfica later in the day. Sunday starts with the high-profile meeting of Inter Miami and Lionel Messi against European champion Paris Saint-Germain and is followed by Bayern Munich-Flamengo. Inter Milan-Fluminese and Manchester City-Al Hilal are on Monday, and Real Madrid-Juventus and Borussia Dortmund-Monterrey on Tuesday. European teams won 16 of the 17 previous editions of an eight-team Club World Cup, the lone exception a 2012 victory by Brazil's Corinthians over Chelsea. Manchester City is the only team that went 3-0 in the group stage. Watching the weather Five of the 12 stadiums being used are sites for next year's World Cup, which will have 104 matches instead of 64 and many more games lacking prestigious teams and players. There were five weather delays in the Club World Cup group stage and temperatures at times rose well over 90 degrees (32 Celsius), a sign that climate change could impact next year's World Cup. However, four of the stadiums for next year's tournament have roofs and climate control. Mbappe's been a no show Real Madrid's Kylian Mbappe, among soccer's top stars, didn't play a minute of the group stage, having been hospitalized and treated for acute gastroenteritis. He drew attention this week when the Paris prosecutor's office said he filed a moral harassment case against PSG , his former club. 'I don't want to be optimistic and get ahead of myself, but we need him because he's a top player, one of the best in the world. We hope he's back soon,' Real Madrid coach Xabi Alonso said Thursday. Messi back on the world stage Messi, the eight-time Ballon d'Or winner who turned 38 on Tuesday, has helped Miami reach the knockout phase with moments of brilliance. He hit the goal frame twice in the opening draw against Al Ahly, then scored his 68th free kick goal for club and country in the 2-1 win over Porto. Next up is the game against PSG, Messi's team from 2021-23. Brilliant Brazil All four entrants from Brazil have advanced to the round of 16, with Botafogo beating PSG 1-0 in a matchup of current European and South American champions. Flamengo , Palmeiras and Fluminense are also through to the next stage. ___ AP soccer:
Winnipeg Free Press
17 minutes ago
- Sport
- Winnipeg Free Press
More than 1 million empty seats for Club World Cup group stage. Knockout rounds up next
After a group stage played in front of more than 1 million empty seats, the Club World Cup moves on to knockout rounds that could soon resemble a Champions League clone. Nine teams that advanced to the round of 16 are from Europe along with four from Brazil and one each from Major League Soccer, Mexico and Saudi Arabia. About 56.7% of publicly listed capacity was filled for the 48 group stage matches, which included crowds of 3,412 and 6,730 in Orlando, Florida; 5,282 and 8,239 in Cincinnati. FIFA did not provide specific capacities for the tournament despite repeated requests from The Associated Press. Total announced attendance was 1.67 million from 2.95 million capacity, an average of 34,759. Just 44.9% was filled for five matches at MetLife Stadium in East Rutherford, New Jersey, the site of next year's World Cup final, and 50% at the Rose Bowl in Pasadena, California, where the 1994 championship game was played. Among other 2026 sites, 81.8% of capacity was filled in Miami Gardens, Florida, 61.6% in Philadelphia, 52% in Seattle and 44.3% in Atlanta. FIFA spokesman Bryan Swanson did not respond to a request for FIFA President Gianni Infantino to discuss the tournament and attendance. FIFA issued a statement that said: 'The appetite of the tournament speaks for itself: fans from 168 countries have already purchased tickets … a clear sign of global anticipation and reach.' The 12 games televised with English commentary on TNT, TBS and truTV averaged 360,000 viewers through Monday, including 409,000 for seven matches on nights and weekends. Seven of eight quarterfinal spots could be European clubs The second round opens Saturday with an all-Brazilian matchup of Palmeiras and Botafogo, followed by Chelsea-Benfica later in the day. Sunday starts with the high-profile meeting of Inter Miami and Lionel Messi against European champion Paris Saint-Germain and is followed by Bayern Munich-Flamengo. Inter Milan-Fluminese and Manchester City-Al Hilal are on Monday, and Real Madrid-Juventus and Borussia Dortmund-Monterrey on Tuesday. European teams won 16 of the 17 previous editions of an eight-team Club World Cup, the lone exception a 2012 victory by Brazil's Corinthians over Chelsea. Manchester City is the only team that went 3-0 in the group stage. Watching the weather Five of the 12 stadiums being used are sites for next year's World Cup, which will have 104 matches instead of 64 and many more games lacking prestigious teams and players. There were five weather delays in the Club World Cup group stage and temperatures at times rose well over 90 degrees (32 Celsius), a sign that climate change could impact next year's World Cup. However, four of the stadiums for next year's tournament have roofs and climate control. Mbappe's been a no show Real Madrid's Kylian Mbappe, among soccer's top stars, didn't play a minute of the group stage, having been hospitalized and treated for acute gastroenteritis. He drew attention this week when the Paris prosecutor's office said he filed a moral harassment case against PSG, his former club. 'I don't want to be optimistic and get ahead of myself, but we need him because he's a top player, one of the best in the world. We hope he's back soon,' Real Madrid coach Xabi Alonso said Thursday. Messi back on the world stage Messi, the eight-time Ballon d'Or winner who turned 38 on Tuesday, has helped Miami reach the knockout phase with moments of brilliance. He hit the goal frame twice in the opening draw against Al Ahly, then scored his 68th free kick goal for club and country in the 2-1 win over Porto. Winnipeg Jets Game Days On Winnipeg Jets game days, hockey writers Mike McIntyre and Ken Wiebe send news, notes and quotes from the morning skate, as well as injury updates and lineup decisions. Arrives a few hours prior to puck drop. Next up is the game against PSG, Messi's team from 2021-23. Brilliant Brazil All four entrants from Brazil have advanced to the round of 16, with Botafogo beating PSG 1-0 in a matchup of current European and South American champions. Flamengo, Palmeiras and Fluminense are also through to the next stage. ___ AP soccer:
Washington Post
22 minutes ago
- Sport
- Washington Post
More than 1 million empty seats for Club World Cup group stage. Knockout rounds up next
After a group stage played in front of more than 1 million empty seats, the Club World Cup moves on to knockout rounds that could soon resemble a Champions League clone. Nine teams that advanced to the round of 16 are from Europe along with four from Brazil and one each from Major League Soccer, Mexico and Saudi Arabia.
BBC News
24 minutes ago
- Sport
- BBC News
Nygren: Celtic's new Swedish forward with echoes of Larsson
Talk of signing another Swedish international forward will naturally have Celtic fans reminiscing about the legend that was - and is - Henrik for a pittance from Feyenoord in 1997, he would spend seven trophy-filled seasons with the Glasgow club before going on to perform admirably for Barcelona and Manchester United in his twilight Nygren will be dreaming of making a similar impact at Celtic Park after completing his transfer from Nordsjaelland for a fee reportedly less than £ 23-year-old has spent three and a half years in the Danish Superliga but said in a recent Swedish television interview that he believes it is time for him to move to a bigger club, in front of a packed stadium, and to play in the Champions tick those boxes, at least if they can negotiate a play-off, but what about his profile has attracted the Scottish champions? Nygren came through IFK Goteborg's youth ranks before making his competitive debut as a 16-year-old in came shortly after he agreed professional terms with his local club despite reported interest from Bayern Munich, Inter Milan and Manchester was still only 17 when he moved on to Genk in Belgium's top flight for a reported fee of £4.2m - a record sale by had only made 15 appearances by that time, but he had already displayed his scoring prowess with six goals - with four coming in 12 appearances during his second season with the first-team as they finished seventh in Sweden's top would only play seven times for Genk, scoring once, but his European travels had meantime taken him to the Netherlands on scored seven times in 32 appearances as Heerenveen finished 12th in the Eredevisie and reached a national cup second season on loan was not quite as fruitful, failing to find the net in 19 appearances, and he joined Nordsjaelland in January 2022 after having his loan spell terminated - and cutting short his contract with Genk by two Danish venture, alongside current Rangers midfielder Mohamed Diomande, started modestly has they helped his new club avoid Nygren's career was back on track as six goals in 31 games in his first full campaign in the Superliga took Nordsjaelland to the top of the table by the end of the regular season only to be overtaken by Copenhagen after the runners-up at least led to Conference League group stage football the following season and, although they would finish third behind Fenerbahce and Ludogorets Razgrad, it would thrust Nygren into the European Swede grabbed a double in a 7-1 thrashing of the Bulgarians and upstaged that with a hat-trick in a 6-1 drubbing of the Turks - results that no doubt helped draw Nygren to Celtic's Nordsjaelland, now minus Ibrox-bound Diomande, finishing fourth in the Superliga, Nygren would chalk up 12 goals from 31 appearances overall and, although his side were only fifth this past season, he would surpass that personally by finding the net 16 times in 32 leaves Denmark having scored 35 goals in 107 appearances overall for Nordsjaelland over three and a half seasons - the fourth-highest scorer in their history and not a bad return for someone viewed as primarily a right winger. Comparisons with Kuhn and Cerny With Scotland defender Kieran Tierney back at Celtic Park on a free transfer from Arsenal and Ross Doohan returning as back-up goalkeeper from Aberdeen, Nygren becomes Brendan Rodgers' first proper new face of the is no surprise that Celtic's first outgoing fee since the opening of the transfer window has been paid for a player with Nygren's Kyogo Furuhashi sold to Rennes near the end of the January window, fellow Japan forward Daizen Maeda had - at times - been pushed up front from his normal wide left Maeda proved to be a highly effective striker, outshining specialist Adam Idah, it left Celtic short of options on the wings, especially when Jota, who had returned in January from Rennes, was the Portuguese ruled out until the end of the year and right winger Nicolas Kuhn - and, indeed, Maeda - reportedly attracting attention from clubs around Europe, another wide man with a goal threat was badly needed. Not that Nygren should be seen as an out-and-out right winger. Nygren's style is not too disimilar to that of Vaclav Cerny, the Czech international who impressed on loan to Rangers from Wolfsburg last season, often drifting infield to fire for goal with his favoured left IFK sporting director Mats Gren was quoted in a recent interview as saying that he is best as a number first two goals against Fenerbahce, for example, came after picking the ball up centrally and dribbling into the penalty his third against the Turks and his first for Sweden - as he earned his second cap in a 5-1 thumping of Northern Ireland in March - were poacher tap-ins inside the six-yard box and he has since added a curled finish against wonder Celtic manager Brendan Rodgers has described Nygren as an "exciting" player who will be a crowd to Kuhn, the German has more dribbles and creates more chances for others, but while their statistics are broadly similar, the Swede is ahead in attempts on goal, goals per game and, given his greater height, aerial duels like Larsson, Nygren will arrive as a cut-price winger, external and leave a legendary goalscorer.
Fox Sports
24 minutes ago
- Sport
- Fox Sports
More than 1 million empty seats for Club World Cup group stage. Knockout rounds up next
Associated Press After a group stage played in front of more than 1 million empty seats, the Club World Cup moves on to knockout rounds that could soon resemble a Champions League clone. Nine teams that advanced to the round of 16 are from Europe along with four from Brazil and one each from Major League Soccer, Mexico and Saudi Arabia. About 56.7% of publicly listed capacity was filled for the 48 group stage matches, which included crowds of 3,412 and 6,730 in Orlando, Florida; 5,282 and 8,239 in Cincinnati. FIFA did not provide specific capacities for the tournament despite repeated requests from The Associated Press. Total announced attendance was 1.67 million from 2.95 million capacity, an average of 34,759. Just 44.9% was filled for five matches at MetLife Stadium in East Rutherford, New Jersey, the site of next year's World Cup final, and 50% at the Rose Bowl in Pasadena, California, where the 1994 championship game was played. Among other 2026 sites, 81.8% of capacity was filled in Miami Gardens, Florida, 61.6% in Philadelphia, 52% in Seattle and 44.3% in Atlanta. FIFA spokesman Bryan Swanson did not respond to a request for FIFA President Gianni Infantino to discuss the tournament and attendance. FIFA issued a statement that said: 'The appetite of the tournament speaks for itself: fans from 168 countries have already purchased tickets ... a clear sign of global anticipation and reach.' The 12 games televised with English commentary on TNT, TBS and truTV averaged 360,000 viewers through Monday, including 409,000 for seven matches on nights and weekends. Seven of eight quarterfinal spots could be European clubs The second round opens Saturday with an all-Brazilian matchup of Palmeiras and Botafogo, followed by Chelsea-Benfica later in the day. Sunday starts with the high-profile meeting of Inter Miami and Lionel Messi against European champion Paris Saint-Germain and is followed by Bayern Munich-Flamengo. Inter Milan-Fluminese and Manchester City-Al Hilal are on Monday, and Real Madrid-Juventus and Borussia Dortmund-Monterrey on Tuesday. European teams won 16 of the 17 previous editions of an eight-team Club World Cup, the lone exception a 2012 victory by Brazil's Corinthians over Chelsea. Manchester City is the only team that went 3-0 in the group stage. Watching the weather Five of the 12 stadiums being used are sites for next year's World Cup, which will have 104 matches instead of 64 and many more games lacking prestigious teams and players. There were five weather delays in the Club World Cup group stage and temperatures at times rose well over 90 degrees (32 Celsius), a sign that climate change could impact next year's World Cup. However, four of the stadiums for next year's tournament have roofs and climate control. Mbappe's been a no show Real Madrid's Kylian Mbappe, among soccer's top stars, didn't play a minute of the group stage, having been hospitalized and treated for acute gastroenteritis. He drew attention this week when the Paris prosecutor's office said he filed a moral harassment case against PSG, his former club. 'I don't want to be optimistic and get ahead of myself, but we need him because he's a top player, one of the best in the world. We hope he's back soon,' Real Madrid coach Xabi Alonso said Thursday. Messi back on the world stage Messi, the eight-time Ballon d'Or winner who turned 38 on Tuesday, has helped Miami reach the knockout phase with moments of brilliance. He hit the goal frame twice in the opening draw against Al Ahly, then scored his 68th free kick goal for club and country in the 2-1 win over Porto. Next up is the game against PSG, Messi's team from 2021-23. Brilliant Brazil All four entrants from Brazil have advanced to the round of 16, with Botafogo beating PSG 1-0 in a matchup of current European and South American champions. Flamengo, Palmeiras and Fluminense are also through to the next stage. ___ AP soccer: recommended
