Latest news with #WorldCup2026
Yahoo
7 hours ago
- Sport
- Yahoo
🚨 Date set: 2026 World Cup draw to take place on 5 December
TyC Sports reports this after receiving official confirmation from FIFA. According to Gastón Edul, the draw for the group stage of the 2026 World Cup already has a date and location. It will be on December 5th in Las Vegas, in one of its most iconic venues, The Sphere at The Venetian Resort. The so-called 'city of sin' will host the draw for the group stage of the 2026 World Cup at the beginning of December. A tournament for which some teams like Argentina, Brazil, Japan or debutants like Uzbekistan and already have confirmed tickets, pending the start of the bulk of the World Cup qualification in Europe and Africa. This will be a draw that involves 48 teams for the first time in the history of the FIFA World Cup. A draw that will take place in a venue that has recently become an icon of Las Vegas, The Sphere at The Venetian Resort, a venue that has already hosted major world-class events such as the NBA All-Star Game or UFC and boxing cards with disputes for world titles. 📸 JOHN GRUZINSKI Once again, FIFA is trusting Las Vegas to host an event like the draw for the group stage of the World Cup. On the last occasion that this event was held in the city, in 1993, the ceremony took place at the Las Vegas Convention Center.📸 Chris Graythen - 2023 Getty Images
Yahoo
9 hours ago
- Sport
- Yahoo
‘Ter Stegen will be our number one if he is for Barcelona' – Germany manager Julian Nagelsmann
Barcelona goalkeeper Marc-Andre ter Stegen has been told that in order to guarantee a starting spot at the 2026 World Cup, he must be the number one at club level. It cranks up the pressure on the 33-year-old, who had surgery on his back on Tuesday. Ter Stegen has been forced to undergo an operation on his back, coming at a difficult time for him, as he watches Barcelona try to oust him as number one, following the signing of Joan Garcia. Hansi Flick has told ter Stegen he will be their third-choice goalkeeper, but he had vowed to fight on for his spot, with three years left on his deal. Germany position puts ter Stegen under pressure Meanwhile one of Barcelona's bargaining chips with which to persuade ter Stegen to leave was to bench him, with the 33-year-old desperate to play the 2026 World Cup with Germany, having sat behind Manuel Neuer for many years. Yet in Germany, BILD report that Bayern Munich veteran Manuel Neuer could return to international duty to play in the USA if he is asked, as doubts grow about ter Stegen. Image viaHis injury complicates his route to the number one spot in the USA, Canada and Mexico. Hoffenheim goalkeeper Oliver Baumann is also a candidate to compete for the number one spot next summer, and he will be given a chance in Germany's remaining fixtures in 2025. Nagelsmann sets ter Stegen condition However speaking to the German press, Germany manager Julian Nagelsmann stated that in order for ter Stegen to retain his number one spot, he must be playing regularly at Barcelona. 'He is our number one if he is healthy and he is number one at his club. In my thoughts, I know that Marc will return in December, he will play both matches in March, in June too, and then he will compete in the World Cup,' he told Sky DE, as quoted by MD. ' 'The rhythm of games and training is very important, and he knows it. If he's his club's starting goalkeeper again, he can certainly be our starting goalkeeper, because he deserves it, but he must meet the necessary conditions like any other player.' Neuer story denied by Nagelsmann 'We have many good ideas and solutions,' he responded when asked if that scenario did not play out. From ter Stegen's point of view, one positive was that a return for Neuer was ruled out, with Nagelsmann stating that 'this possibility does not exist'. Germany position could change Barcelona equation Ter Stegen has thus far been adamant that he will not leave Barcelona, who are keen on an exit, and willing to reach an agreement to terminate his deal. However ter Stegen may well be more willing to consider a permanent or loan exit, be it now or in January, if he knows he will not play at Barcelona, thus jeopardising his international future. The Catalan giants will certainly feel that benching ter Stegen will have more of an impact given Nagelsmann's stance.
Yahoo
3 days ago
- Sport
- Yahoo
Gabriel Jesus close to a return to Brazil
Gabriel Jesus close to a return to Brazil Gabriel Jesus's adventure at Arsenal could be coming to an end. According to RTI Esporte in Brazil, the international striker is in advanced talks with Flamengo over a loan deal. The arrival of Viktor Gyökeres at Arsenal has shaken up the Gunners' attacking hierarchy. Already sidelined by injuries (out until November), Gabriel Jesus now sees his playing time under threat. With less than a year to go until the 2026 World Cup, he is considering a departure. RTI Esporte also reports that both clubs are negotiating a loan deal in which Arsenal would cover half of his weekly salary, estimated at £265,000. Motivated by the chance to regain match fitness ahead of the World Cup, the former Manchester City forward is said to be open to a move back home. This is a transfer saga to watch closely in the coming days.
National Post
3 days ago
- Politics
- National Post
How Trump could complicate Canada's 2026 World Cup hosting plans
With less than a year to go until the 2026 World Cup, political tensions and U.S. policy threaten to pose problems as Canada, the United States and Mexico prepare to co-host the tournament. Article content Next year's FIFA World Cup will be the biggest ever, with the three countries hosting a record 48 teams. Between June 11 and July 19, they will play 104 matches, most of them in the U.S. Article content Article content Article content With millions of fans expected to cross borders to attend the games, U.S. President Donald Trump's harsh immigration policies — which include travel bans on some countries, immigration raids and mass deportations — are generating anxiety. Article content 'This is all being driven by the United States. And we're entirely the guilty party here,' said Victor Matheson, a professor at College of Holy Cross in Massachusetts who specializes in sports economics. Article content 'You could have significant immigration problems with fans and players going across borders.' Article content The U.S. has travel bans in place for 12 countries and restrictions in place for seven, and is considering banning travellers from another 36 countries. Article content Though there are exemptions for athletes, staff and families, the unpredictability of Trump's administration means no one knows for certain what kind of rules might be in place by the time the tournament starts. Article content Economist Andrew Zimbalist, who wrote a book on the economics of hosting the World Cup, said Trump has the ability to make it difficult for people to travel, but it's not clear whether he will actually do so. Article content Article content 'I think probably Trump himself might not have the answers because … he responds very impetuously to changes in his environment,' he said. Article content Article content Concerns about visas or political opposition to Trump might lead some soccer fans to decide not to attend at all, while others opt to attend the games in Canada instead, Zimbalist suggested. But he also pointed out that the quarter, semifinals and final are all taking place in the U.S. Article content A spokesperson for Canadian Heritage said Canada could see a million international visitors during the tournament. Article content 'Given the tri-national nature of the event, it is anticipated that international and domestic travellers will move back and forth between Canada and the United States. The focus will continue to be on the flow of movement, the safety of travellers and the security of the borders,' the spokesperson said. Article content A spokesperson for the Canada Border Services Agency said the agency is working closely with federal government departments, host cities and FIFA 'in the safety and security planning for this international event.'
CTV News
4 days ago
- Politics
- CTV News
U.S. politics threaten to complicate Canada's co-hosting of 2026 World Cup
U.S. President Donald Trump, centre right, and FIFA president Gianni Infantino, centre left, hand Chelsea's Reece James (24) the championship trophy following the Club World Cup final soccer match between Chelsea and PSG at MetLife Stadium in East Rutherford, N.J., Sunday, July 13, 2025. (AP Photo/Jacquelyn Martin) OTTAWA — With less than a year to go until the 2026 World Cup, political tensions and U.S. policy threaten to pose problems as Canada, the United States and Mexico prepare to co-host the tournament. Next year's FIFA World Cup will be the biggest ever, with the three countries hosting a record 48 teams. Between June 11 and July 19, they will play 104 matches, most of them in the U.S. With millions of fans expected to cross borders to attend the games, U.S. President Donald Trump's harsh immigration policies — which include travel bans on some countries, immigration raids and mass deportations — are generating anxiety. 'This is all being driven by the United States. And we're entirely the guilty party here,' said Victor Matheson, a professor at College of Holy Cross in Massachusetts who specializes in sports economics. 'You could have significant immigration problems with fans and players going across borders.' The U.S. has travel bans in place for 12 countries and restrictions in place for seven, and is considering banning travellers from another 36 countries. Though there are exemptions for athletes, staff and families, the unpredictability of Trump's administration means no one knows for certain what kind of rules might be in place by the time the tournament starts. Economist Andrew Zimbalist, who wrote a book on the economics of hosting the World Cup, said Trump has the ability to make it difficult for people to travel, but it's not clear whether he will actually do so. 'I think probably Trump himself might not have the answers because … he responds very impetuously to changes in his environment,' he said. Concerns about visas or political opposition to Trump might lead some soccer fans to decide not to attend at all, while others opt to attend the games in Canada instead, Zimbalist suggested. But he also pointed out that the quarter, semifinals and final are all taking place in the U.S. A spokesperson for Canadian Heritage said Canada could see a million international visitors during the tournament. 'Given the tri-national nature of the event, it is anticipated that international and domestic travellers will move back and forth between Canada and the United States. The focus will continue to be on the flow of movement, the safety of travellers and the security of the borders,' the spokesperson said. A spokesperson for the Canada Border Services Agency said the agency is working closely with federal government departments, host cities and FIFA 'in the safety and security planning for this international event.' Matheson said fans — particularly those from countries that have found themselves in Trump's crosshairs — have good reasons to be worried. 'I would be very concerned about planning a vacation that has you travelling from Mexico or from Canada into the United States and back. I don't think that you can guarantee that vacation of a lifetime is actually going to be there for you to actually take,' he said. He said it's one thing to be denied entry, another to end up in jail and deported — potentially to a prison in El Salvador. 'No one wants to go to the World Cup to watch some soccer games and then end up in jail,' he said. Trump's moves to impose tariffs on much of the world, including Canada, could also affect the World Cup. Matheson offered the example of someone who makes jerseys for a country's team who would want to ship those jerseys across the border with the team. 'Tariffs make that type of inventory management pretty challenging,' he said. Tim Elcombe is a professor at Wilfrid Laurier University whose areas of expertise include sports, politics and international affairs. He said 'there was a sense that having the event in Canada, the United States and Mexico would almost be a bit of a calming of the political waters,' as the cup returned to Western countries. Instead, he said, the 2026 tournament may be even more politically charged than the 2022 World Cup in Qatar. Canada is co-hosting one of world's biggest sporting events with a country whose president has instigated a trade war and threatened annexation. Canadians have cut travel to the U.S. and stopped buying American products — and it's not clear what all of that might mean for the World Cup. While Vancouver and Toronto will host some games, 'really this is an American-centric competition,' Elcombe said. 'So how will Canadians feel about this? Will we get behind it? Will it become the event I think they were hoping it would be?' In early July, labour and human rights groups, including Human Rights Watch, wrote to FIFA president Gianni Infantino to say U.S. policies under Trump pose a 'serious threat' to individuals, especially non-citizens. The letter accused FIFA of ignoring 'the clear evidence of the significant deterioration of the rights climate in the United States.' Elcombe said while the United States is likely to take the brunt of scrutiny, Canada is not immune. 'Canada is going to have to be prepared for a very critical eye in terms of focus on some of the issues in Canada from a human rights perspective, because I think they will be exposed,' he said, citing Canada's relationship with Indigenous Peoples as one example. MacIntosh Ross, a fellow at the Scott McCain and Leslie McLean Centre for Sport, Business and Health at Saint Mary's University, said Canada should put pressure on the U.S. government 'to make sure that things happen in a safe or as safe a manner as possible.' 'The Canadian organizers and the Canadian government need to be very clear about their expectations for their partners in this World Cup and reiterate them and state them over and over again,' he said. Elcombe noted Infantino, who has 'very much established himself as a friend and supporter of President Trump,' could be a key player in determining how the coming months unfold. It's difficult to predict what Trump might do, Zimbalist said. If there are political issues in the United States that he wants to distract people from, 'you can see him doing crazier and crazier things internationally to get people's minds off of what's actually happening.' But Trump also has shown that he cares about the World Cup and looking good as he hosts the tournament. 'I think he does care about image and he does care about being on the world stage,' Zimbalist said. 'So I can see that being a significant deterrent, actually.' This report by The Canadian Press was first published July 27, 2025. Anja Karadeglija, The Canadian Press
