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Football - Fifa News

FOOTBALL - FIFA News 24 Oct, 2024

FIFA Ranking: Argentina still on top, Comoros continue their climb

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.

FOOTBALL - FIFA News 15 May, 2024

FIFA appoints working group to recommend rule changes

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.

FOOTBALL - FIFA News 15 Feb, 2024

FIFA Men’s World Ranking: No changes in the top ten

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.

FOOTBALL - FIFA News 06 Apr, 2023

Argentina spot on top in new FIFA World Ranking after 6 years

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)

FOOTBALL - FIFA News 01 Mar, 2023

FIFA World Cup for Women 2023: Fan Festival

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.

FOOTBALL - FIFA News 11 Feb, 2023

FIFA unfolds final three names for FIFA male and female player awards

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.

FOOTBALL - FIFA News 10 Feb, 2023

Finalists for The Best FIFA Coaches males and females revealed

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.

FOOTBALL - FIFA News 09 Feb, 2023

FIFA announces final three nominees for The Best FIFA Goalkeepers

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)

FOOTBALL - FIFA News 09 Jan, 2023

FIFA appoints 33 referees, 55 assistant referees for Women World Cup

Sports Bulletin Report ISLAMABAD: FIFA Referees Committee announced the names of the match officials selected for the FIFA Women’s World Cup Australia & New Zealand 2023™. A total of 33 referees, 55 assistant referees and 19 video match officials (VMOs) will form FIFA Team One and have been chosen in close cooperation with the six confederations, based on the officials’ quality and the performances delivered at FIFA tournaments as well as at other international and domestic competitions in recent years. For the first time in the history of the FIFA Women’s World Cup, six female VMOs have also been selected. “As always, the criteria we have used is ‘quality first’ and the selected on-field match officials represent the highest level of refereeing worldwide,” said the chairman of the FIFA Referees Committee, Pierluigi Collina. “We all remember the very successful FIFA Women’s World Cup 2019 in France. The high standard of refereeing contributed significantly to that success. The aim for the FIFA Women’s World Cup Australia & New Zealand 2023 is to repeat that success and to convince again with excellent referees’ performances.” “Even though the pandemic affected our activities, we had enough time to provide the candidates with good preparation. As we did for the FIFA World Cup Qatar 2022, we are announcing these selections well in advance to be able to work in a purposeful and focused manner with all those who have been appointed for the FIFA Women’s World Cup, monitoring them over the coming months. From the selected referees, we expect a rigorous and focused preparation for the Women’s World Cup, a competition that FIFA and its president hold in the highest of regards,” said Collina.

FOOTBALL - FIFA News 25 Oct, 2022

FIFA World Cup 2023: Single match passes on sale today

Sports Bulletin Report ISLAMABAD: Single match passes will be on sale from today in Australia (AEDT) and in Aotearoa New Zealand (NZDT) with prices starting at AUD/NZD$20 for adults and AUD/NZD$10 for children Visa cardholders will have priority access from 25 to 31 October 2022, with all fans being able to secure single match passes from 1 November 2022 Single match passes are available on a first-come, first-served basis so fans are urged to act quickly to secure tickets to the biggest women’s sporting event in the world Two-time FIFA Women's World Cup winner Carli Lloyd encourages fans not to miss out on this once-in-a-lifetime opportunity With the FIFA Women’s World Cup 2023™ Draw complete, and 29 of the 32 teams confirmed to be heading to Australia and Aotearoa New Zealand in 2023, single match passes are now available to fans at FIFA.com/tickets. Kicking off on 20 July 2023, the ninth edition of the FIFA Women’s World Cup™ is set to be an unmissable experience with 32 teams competing in 64 matches across Australia and Aotearoa New Zealand. Tickets are being made available first with a Visa Presale period from 25 to 31 October 2022, before going on sale to the general public from 1 November 2022 until 3 March 2023. The 25 October sales phase will commence at midday in Australia (AEDT) and 2pm in Aotearoa New Zealand (NZDT). For further information on what time tickets will go on sale in your country click here.