Sports Bulletin

ISLAMABAD (Sports Desk): Following the much-anticipated draw that revealed the eight groups that comprise the FIFA Club World Cup 2025™, football fans around the world now also know exactly where and when to follow their clubs at FIFA's new global club showpiece which is taking place in the United States from Saturday, 14 June to Sunday, 13 July 2025.FIFA has published the 63-game match schedule with dates and kick-off times for the groundbreaking tournament, revealing a tantalizing set of fixtures for the 32 club teams that will aim to become the first ever champions of world football’s inaugural elite club competition.It has also been decided that the opening match will be a stand-alone fixture, with the host country’s representative, Inter Miami CF, kicking off the new FIFA Club World Cup™ in style at their hometown 65,500-seat Hard Rock Stadium against Al Ahly FC on Saturday, 14 June 2025 at 21:00 local time. MetLife Stadium in New York New Jersey will not only see the new FIFA Club World Cup Trophy lifted on Sunday, 13 July 2025, but will also host the two semi-finals and one of the quarter-finals.FIFA President Gianni Infantino said: “The paths for the 32 teams have been set and we now know at what time and where, among 12 top-class stadiums, we will enjoy the 48 exciting group stage clashes. Together with another 15 matches in the knockout stage, this match schedule sets 63 dates in the diary of every football fan – those living in the US, traveling from abroad to these beautiful cities to support their clubs, or following live and for free from every corner of the world via DAZN and FIFA+.“This match schedule is much more than a list of thrilling fixtures involving the best clubs in the world – it shows that club football can, and will be, truly global. Let’s take it to the world.” 

ISLAMABAD (Sports Desk): FIFA has announced the shortlist of nominees for The Best FIFA Football Awards™ 2024, which will recognise the leading lights in another thrilling year of women’s and men’s football at both club and national-team levels.Voting is now open on FIFA.com across a number of award categories, with fans set to play a key role in choosing the winners. Voting for The Best FIFA Men’s Player, The Best FIFA Women’s Player, The Best FIFA Men’s Coach, The Best FIFA Women’s Coach, The Best FIFA Men’s Goalkeeper and The Best FIFA Women’s Goalkeeper will be equally weighted between fans, the current captains and coaches of all women’s/men’s national teams, and media representatives.The winner of the FIFA Fan Award will be chosen entirely by fans, while the recipient of the FIFA Fair Play Award will be decided by an expert panel. Voting for the new FIFA Marta Award and the FIFA Puskás Award will be split equally between fans and a panel of FIFA Legends.The biggest change in terms of voting for this year’s edition of The Best FIFA Football Awards is that fans will have their say in selecting The Best FIFA Men’s 11 and The Best FIFA Women’s 11. They will be able to choose from a list of 77 nominated players – 22 defenders, midfielders and forwards apiece, plus 11 goalkeepers – slotting them into one of several preset tactical formations to build their team. Votes will be weighted equally between fans and an expert panel.The FIFA Puskás Award has been redefined as being bestowed on the scorer of the best goal in men’s football regardless of championship or nationality. To honour the best goal scored in women’s football in any league around the world, the FIFA Marta Award, named after the Brazilian legend, will be presented for the very first time.The Best FIFA Women’s Player nomineesAitana Bonmatí (Spain), BarcelonaBarbra Banda (Zambia), Shanghai Shengli/Orlando PrideCaroline Graham Hansen (Norway), BarcelonaKeira Walsh (England), BarcelonaKhadija Shaw (Jamaica), Manchester CityLauren Hemp (England), Manchester CityLindsey Horan (USA), Olympique LyonnaisLucy Bronze (England), Barcelona/ChelseaMallory Swanson (USA), Chicago Red StarsMariona Caldentey (Spain), Barcelona/ArsenalNaomi Girma (USA), San Diego WaveOna Batlle (Spain), BarcelonaSalma Paralluelo (Spain), BarcelonaSophia Smith (USA), Portland ThornsTabitha Chawinga (Malawi), Paris Saint-Germain/Olympique LyonnaisTrinity Rodman (USA), Washington SpiritThe Best FIFA Men’s Player nomineesDani Carvajal (Spain), Real MadridErling Haaland (Norway), Manchester CityFederico Valverde (Uruguay), Real MadridFlorian Wirtz (Germany), Bayer LeverkusenJude Bellingham (England), Real MadridKylian Mbappé (France), Paris Saint-Germain/Real MadridLamine Yamal (Spain), BarcelonaLionel Messi (Argentina), Inter MiamiRodri (Spain), Manchester CityToni Kroos (Germany), Real Madrid (now retired)Vinícius Jr (Brazil), Real MadridThe Best FIFA Women’s Coach nomineesArthur Elias (Brazil), BrazilElena Sadiku (Sweden), CelticEmma Hayes (England), Chelsea/USAFutoshi Ikeda (Japan), JapanGareth Taylor (England), Manchester CityJonatan Giráldez (Spain), Barcelona/Washington SpiritSandrine Soubeyrand (France), Paris FCSonia Bompastor (France), Olympique Lyonnais/ChelseaThe Best FIFA Men’s Coach nomineesCarlo Ancelotti (Italy), Real MadridLionel Scaloni (Argentina), ArgentinaLuis de la Fuente (Spain), SpainPep Guardiola (Spain), Manchester CityXabi Alonso (Spain), Bayer LeverkusenThe Best FIFA Women’s Goalkeeper nomineesAlyssa Naeher (USA), Chicago Red StarsAnn-Katrin Berger (Germany), Chelsea/NJ/NY GothamAyaka Yamashita (Japan), INAC Kobe Leonessa/Manchester CityCata Coll (Spain), BarcelonaMary Earps (England), Manchester United/Paris Saint-GermainThe Best FIFA Men’s Goalkeeper nomineesAndriy Lunin (Ukraine), Real MadridDavid Raya (Spain), ArsenalEderson (Brazil), Manchester CityEmiliano Martínez (Argentina), Aston VillaGianluigi Donnarumma (Italy), Paris Saint-GermainMike Maignan (France), AC MilanUnai Simón (Spain), Athletic Club.

Islamabad (Sports Desk): Thirty-two qualifiers for the FIFA World Cup 26™, 47 for the CAF Africa Cup of Nations 2025, 79 Nations League matches and 17 friendlies were played during the recent international window, making October 2024 a particularly busy month of football and one that has led to a number of changes in the FIFA/Coca-Cola Men’s World Ranking.The top three teams are also bunching up. Argentina (1st) are still on top, but their lead over France (2nd) and Spain (3rd) has been cut. England (4th), Brazil (5th) and Belgium (6th) have all held on to their positions. Portugal (7th, up 1) and Italy (9th, up 1) are the only climbers within the top ten, which is completed by the Netherlands (8th, down 1) and Colombia (10th, down 1), with Germany (11th, up 2) now knocking on the door.Elsewhere, Algeria (37th, up 4), Peru (38th, up 5) and Greece (42nd, up 6) have all made moves worthy of note, and Cameroon (49th, up 4) have returned to the top 50. Other African teams to have made significant progress in the ranking include Equatorial Guinea (88th, up 6), Zimbabwe (117th, up 7), The Gambia (128th, up 7) and Botswana (140th, up 7), the last of whom, the Zebras, have posted the biggest jump overall in terms of points gained (up 38.30 points).There is further cause for celebration for Africa as two other CAF teams have climbed the most places (ten) in this edition of the ranking, namely Comoros (108th) and Sudan (110th), who came out on top against Tunisia and Ghana, respectively, in their recent home-and-away duels as part of the Africa Cup of Nations 2025 qualifiers. 

ISLAMABAD (Sports Desk): The FIFA Council today approved the formation of a working group to gather further information and issue recommendations to the Council regarding potential amendments to the FIFA Regulations Governing International Matches (FRGIM).The working group will consist of 10 to 15 members from a variety of different football stakeholders, including representatives from member associations, confederations, clubs, leagues, players, supporter organisations, and also private entities engaged in organising international matches or competitions. The FIFA Council anticipates that the working group will make its recommendations in the following months.The primary objective of the working group will be to study the FRGIM and the press release issued following the October 2018 FIFA Council meeting regarding out-of-territory matches (cf. art 8.2 of the FRGIM), and to consider a revised legal framework at FIFA level dealing with i) rules, procedures and processes for authorising interclub football matches or competitions, and ii) criteria to be applied for authorising such matches or competitions. While the working group will independently formulate its own recommendations, the FIFA Council has requested that it base its proposals on the principles of transparency, objectivity, non-discrimination and proportionality, taking into account the following, non-exhaustive factors in making its recommendations:Fairness, including adequacy of advance notice to fans who may miss the opportunity to attend a home or away match in the home territory. Whether adequate provision has been made for fans of the teams playing a proposed out-of-territory match to attend the match in the host country.

CAF and AFC nations make moves: Angola and Qatar make biggest stridesSports DeskISLAMABAD: Although it is a case of as you were amongst the ten teams that lead the way in the latest edition of the FIFA/Coca-Cola Men’s World Ranking, there is plenty of movement further down the standings following the matches contested in the CAF Africa Cup of Nations and the AFC Asian Cup.Amongst the African sides, Côte d’Ivoire (39th, up 10) reap the rewards of their continental triumph on home soil, secured following an eventful tournament campaign. Beaten finalists Nigeria (28th, up 14) make significant strides but are no match for the Angola side they ousted in the last eight (93rd, up 24), who are the biggest climbers in the latest instalment of the global ranking.In the points stakes, two-time Asian Cup winners Qatar (37th, up 21) chalk up the biggest tally (92.04 points) after capitalising on home comforts to successfully defend their continental crown. Elsewhere, Jordan (70th, up 17), who were edged out by the Maroons in the final, make good ground, as do Thailand (101st, up 12), whose journey came to an end at the last-16 stage.Qatar’s rise sees them enter uncharted territory, with two other teams also recording best-ever rankings. Senegal (17th, up 3), who suffered shoot-out heartbreak at the hands of the eventual winners Cote d’Ivoire in the Africa Cup of Nations round of 16, break new ground, while Tajikistan (99th, up 7) mark their maiden Asian Cup campaign by making a first-ever appearance in the top 100.

Sports Desk ISLAMABAD: Six years after last topping the FIFA/Coca-Cola World Ranking, Argentina (1st, plus 1) are once again at the summit of world football. Recent friendly wins against Panama (2-0) and Curaçao (7-0) helped the world champions dethrone Brazil (3rd, minus 2), who paid a high price for defeat in their friendly against Morocco (2-1). Not only did A Seleçao surrender top spot, but they also saw France (2nd, plus 1) move ahead of them. Les Bleus’ ascent to second is down to back-to-back wins in UEFA EURO 2024 qualifying against the Netherlands (4-0) and Republic of Ireland (1-0). Outside the leading trio, there were no other movers among the Top 10. Belgium (4th, -) remain just outside the podium places, closely followed by England (5th, -). In fact, the swapping of places by Senegal (18th, plus 1) and Denmark (19th, minus 1) were the only other notable changes in the Top 20. Further down the Ranking, however, there has been no shortage of movement, with the strides made by Serbia (25th, plus 4), Algeria (34th, plus 6), Egypt (35th, plus 4), and Scotland (36th , plus 6) among the most significant. No less impressive is the progress of Romania (46th, plus 6) and Canada (47th, plus 6), who move into the Top 50 at the expense of Mali (53rd, minus 8) and Saudi Arabia (54th, minus 5). However, the most improved side in this edition are Central African Republic (122nd, plus 10). By twice beating Madagascar, at the time ranked 30 places above them, Les Fauves du Bas-Oubangui rose 10 places in the global standings, outperforming other notable movers such as Namibia (106th, plus 7), Malaysia (138th, plus 7) and The Gambia (120th, plus 6)

Sports Bulletin Report ISLAMABAD: The FIFA Fan Festival™ will be rolled out in Australia and Aotearoa New Zealand this year 2023 for the first time ever at a FIFA Women’s World Cup. All nine Host Cities across the two countries will offer a FIFA Fan Festival, all of which will be free to enter. The FIFA Fan Festival goes beyond football, offering fans a vibrant setting to enjoy the best in football, music, entertainment, local culture, food and games FIFA has confirmed that all nine Host Cities will have a FIFA Fan Festival during the FIFA Women’s World Cup Australia & New Zealand 2023. This is the first time that FIFA Fan Festivals will be rolled out at a FIFA Women’s World Cup, in keeping with the tournament’s theme of firsts. All FIFA Fan Festivals will offer free entry to people of all ages, providing a vibrant destination to celebrate the global game and experience the best in football, music, entertainment, local culture, food and games. Fans will be able to watch the tournament drama unfold on big screens at each venue. FIFA Secretary General Fatma Samoura said: “Whether you are an avid fan or a football newcomer, the FIFA Fan Festival provides an exciting entertainment space that brings people together beyond football." “Our mission is to make football truly global, accessible and inclusive, and these exciting events provide an opportunity to experience football in new ways in a fun festival environment.” There will be a FIFA Fan Festival in every Host City at various times during the tournament, which will run from 20 July to 20 August 2023. To provide the best possible experience for visitors, the events at each venue will be tailored to the local climate, matchdays and kick-off times.

Sports Bulletin ISLAMABAD: FIFA has announced the finalists for both The Best FIFA Women’s Player and The Best FIFA Men’s Player awards as well as for The FIFA Puskás Award ahead of the 2022 edition of The Best FIFA Football Awards™. Names of final three nominees women Beth Mead (England / Arsenal WFC) Alex Morgan (USA / Orlando Pride / San Diego Wave) Alexia Putellas (Spain / FC Barcelona) Names of final three nominees men Karim Benzema (France / Real Madrid CF) Kylian Mbappé (France / Paris Saint-Germain FC) Lionel Messi (Argentina / Paris Saint-Germain FC) These two awards are given to the outstanding players in women’s and men’s football as voted for by an international jury respectively comprising the current coaches of all women’s/men’s national teams (one per team), the current captains of all women’s/men’s national teams (one per team), one specialist journalist from each territory represented by a national team and fans registered on FIFA.com. The full voting and award process is detailed in the Rules of Allocation.

Sports Desk ISLAMABAD: FIFA has announced the finalists for The Best FIFA Women’s Coach and The Best FIFA Men’s Coach awards for the 2022 edition of The Best FIFA Football Awards™. The final three nominees (female coach) Sonia Bompastor (Olympique Lyonnais) Pia Sundhage (Brazilian National Team) Sarina Wiegman (English National Team) The final three nominees (male coach) Carlo Ancelotti (Real Madrid CF) Pep Guardiola (Manchester City FC) Lionel Scaloni (Argentinian National Team) These two awards are given to the outstanding coaches in women’s and men’s football as voted for by an international jury respectively comprising the current coaches of all women’s/men’s national teams (one per team), the current captains of all women’s/men’s national teams (one per team), one specialist journalist from each territory represented by a national team and fans registered on FIFA.com. The full voting and award process is detailed in the Rules of Allocation. All the winners of The Best FIFA Football Awards 2022 will be crowned at a special ceremony on Monday, 27 February 2023 in Paris. 

Sports Desk ISLAMABAD: FIFA has announced the finalists for The Best FIFA Women’s Goalkeeper and The Best FIFA Men’s Goalkeeper awards for the 2022 edition of The Best FIFA Football Awards™. These two awards are given to the outstanding goalkeepers in women’s and men’s football as voted for by an international jury respectively comprising the current coaches of all women’s/men’s national teams (one per team), the current captains of all women’s/men’s national teams (one per team), one specialist journalist from each territory represented by a national team and fans registered on FIFA.com. The full voting and award process is detailed in the Rules of Allocation. All the winners of The Best FIFA Football Awards 2022 will be crowned at a special ceremony on Monday, 27 February 2023 in Paris.  Nominees for The Best FIFA Women’s Goalkeepers: Ann-Katrin Berger (Germany / Chelsea FC Women) Mary Earps (England / Manchester United WFC) Christiane Endler (Chile / Olympique Lyonnais) Nominees for The Best FIFA Men’s Goalkeepers: Yassine Bounou (Morocco / Sevilla FC) Thibaut Courtois (Belgium / Real Madrid CF) Emiliano Martínez (Argentina / Aston Villa FC)