Nigeria Premier League
Argentina, Spain among six countries to host 2030 World Cup
A unique 2030 World Cup is set to be played in Europe and Africa with the surprising addition of South America in a deal to allow the men’s soccer tournament to start with a 100th birthday celebration in Uruguay.
FIFA reached an agreement Wednesday between soccer’s continental leaders to accept only one candidate for hosting the 2030 tournament, the sport’s governing body said.
The Spain-Portugal bid grew to add Morocco this year and now also includes long-time bid rivals Argentina, Paraguay and Uruguay.
A key lure of the unprecedented three-continent project will open in the Uruguayan capital of Montevideo, where the Centenario Stadium hosted the inaugural 1930 World Cup final.
“The centennial World Cup could not be far from South America, where everything began,” said Alejandro Dominguez, the president of South American soccer body CONMEBOL. “The 2030 World Cup will be played in three continents.”
The consensus reached by once-rival soccer continents also let FIFA fast-track opening the 2034 World Cup bidding contest Wednesday which is limited to member federations from Asia and Oceania.
Argentina became three-time world champions when they won the tournament in Qatar last year. Juan Ignacio Roncoroni/EFE via ZUMA Press
“In a divided world, FIFA and football are uniting,” said FIFA President Gianni Infantino.
“The FIFA Council, representing the entire world of football, unanimously agreed to celebrate the centenary of the FIFA World Cup, whose first edition was played in Uruguay in 1930, in the most appropriate way.
“As a result, a celebration will take place in South America and three South American countries — Uruguay, Argentina and Paraguay — will organise one match each of the FIFA World Cup 2030. The first of these three matches will of course be played at the stadium where it all began, in Montevideo’s mythical Estádio Centenário, precisely to celebrate the centenary edition of the FIFA World Cup.”
“The FIFA Council also agreed unanimously that the only bid to host the FIFA World Cup 2030 will be the joint bid of Morocco, Portugal and Spain,” the FIFA president added. “Two continents — Africa and Europe — united not only in a celebration of football but also in providing unique social and cultural cohesion. What a great message of peace, tolerance and inclusion.
“In 2030, we will have a unique global footprint, three continents — Africa, Europe and South America — six countries — Argentina, Morocco, Paraguay, Portugal, Spain and Uruguay — welcoming and uniting the world while celebrating together the beautiful game, the centenary and the FIFA World Cup.”
Saudi Arabia has targeted the 2034 edition and Australia also is interested after successfully co-hosting the Women’s World Cup this year with New Zealand.
The FIFA Council’s acceptance of a unified 2030 candidacy still needs formal approval next year at a meeting of the 211 member federations. That should be just a formality.
The 48-team, 104-game tournament scheduled for June-July 2030 is expected to start with games in Uruguay, Argentina and Paraguay before the action moves to the core host nations Spain, Portugal and Morocco.
The South American co-host bid has been promoted since the 2018 World Cup in Russia and had included Chile, which was not mentioned Wednesday.
Ukraine also was added to the European bid a year ago at a news conference at UEFA headquarters in Switzerland. However, Ukraine has not been mentioned in official comments about the UEFA-backed bid this year.
The first 48-team men’s World Cup will be hosted in 2026 by the United States, Canada and Mexico.
Nigeria Premier League
Rangers Secure 2-0 Win Over Abia Warriors As NPFL Action Heats Up
Rangers International put on a show in Enugu on Wednesday, sealing a convincing 2-0 victory over Abia Warriors in their rescheduled Nigeria Premier Football League (NPFL) matchday five encounter.
The Flying Antelopes got off to a bright start as Chigozie Iwundu struck in the 13th minute, sending the home fans into wild celebrations. Just before the half-hour mark, Godwin Obaje doubled the lead, showcasing his fine form with two goals in his last two matches.
The win catapulted Rangers into fifth place on the NPFL table with 11 points from seven games, keeping them within touching distance of the top four. Meanwhile, Abia Warriors, despite the loss, remain in fourth place with 12 points from the same number of matches.
Elsewhere at the Sani Abacha Stadium, Kano Pillars secured a hard-fought 1-0 win over Kwara United in a rescheduled matchday six fixture. Club legend Rabiu Ali rolled back the years, scoring the only goal in the 23rd minute to give Pillars a much-needed victory.
With the NPFL season still taking shape, fans can expect more drama, goals, and big performances as the race for the top intensifies.
At Sports Market International, we continue to bring you the best coverage, analysis, and insights from the world of football and beyond. Stay tuned — the NPFL is only just getting started!
Local News
Nasarawa United Head Coach Mbwas Mangut Hails Players After 2-1 Victory At Bayelsa United
Nasarawa United Head Coach Mbwas Mangut Has Praised His Players For Their Impressive Performance Following A Hard-Fought 2-1 Away Victory Against Bayelsa United In The Nigeria Premier Football League (NPFL).
The Solid Miners Showed Resilience At The Samson Siasia Stadium, Yenagoa, On Sunday, Rallying From A Goal Down To Secure Their First Away Win Of The 2024/25 NPFL Season.
How The Game Unfolded
Bayelsa United Took The Lead In The 36th Minute Through Jawad Mustapha, Putting The Hosts In Control. However, Nasarawa United Responded Bravely, With Ekeson Okorie Restoring Parity Just Before Half-Time.
Substitute Victor Onovuke Then Delivered The Decisive Moment In The 89th Minute, Scoring The Winning Goal To Hand Nasarawa United A Memorable Victory On The Road.
Mangut Talks Up Massive Win
Speaking After The Match, Coach Mbwas Mangut Highlighted The Determination And Discipline Of His Team Despite Difficult Playing Conditions.
“It Was A Very Tight Game Based On The Condition Of The Field As It Was Water-Logged Due To A Heavy Downpour,” Mangut Told The Club’s Media.
“We Conceded Through An Error, But We Played Our Way Back And Got What We Worked For. After Losing Their Last Home Game, Bayelsa United Were More Under Pressure In Today’s Game. So, We Came With A Game Plan To Frustrate Them The More, And It Worked For Us.
“I Give Credit To My Boys For Being Able To Get The Job Done, Without Sounding Disrespectful To The Bayelsa United’s Side, Because They Gave Their All, But Unfortunately Couldn’t Get Any Positive Result.”
What The Result Means
The Win Marks A Significant Step Forward For Nasarawa United In Their NPFL Campaign. Securing An Away Victory Against A Tough Opponent Like Bayelsa United Underscores Their Ambition To Climb Higher Up The Table And Compete With The League’s Best.
Sports Market International Continues To Deliver The Best Sport Blog Content Across The World, Highlighting NPFL Action, Tactical Insights, And Inspirational Stories That Shape The Sports Market.
Local News
Rivers United Offer Free Jerseys And Free Admission Ahead Of NPFL Clash With Shooting Stars
Former Super Eagles Coach Finidi George’s Rivers United Are Raising The Stakes Ahead Of Their Nigeria Premier Football League (NPFL) Clash With Shooting Stars By Offering Fans Free Replica Jerseys And Free Admission To The Match. The Rivers State Outfit Will Host Ibadan Warriors At Adokiye Amiesimaka Stadium On Sunday, In One Of The Biggest Fixtures Of Week Four.
Both Teams Are Eager For A Win After Dropping Points Last Weekend. Rivers United Settled For A Goalless Draw With El-Kanemi Warriors, While Shooting Stars Were Held By Nemesis Ikorodu City In Ibadan.
To Ignite Fan Support And Boost Their Chances, Rivers United Announced On Social Media A Special Giveaway:
“FREE Replica Jerseys For FANS! Gate Fee: FREE! Don’t Miss Out! Show Your Team Pride & Join Us For An Electrifying Match.”
This Bold Move Highlights The Pride Of Rivers’ Determination To Secure All Three Points In This Crucial Encounter As Finidi Looks To Challenge For The NPFL Title Again.
The History Between The Two Clubs Adds Extra Spice To The Fixture. Rivers Have Claimed Four Wins In The Last Eight Meetings, While Shooting Stars Have Three. Notably, In Their Last Four Meetings In Port Harcourt, Rivers United Have Been Dominant With Four Clean-Sheet Victories, Including A 2-0 Win In Shooting Stars’ Last Visit.
Finidi George’s Rivers United Will Be Hoping To Rely On The Unwavering Support Of Their Energised Home Crowd, Boosted By The Free Jersey Offer, To Continue Their Strong Home Form And Shoot Down Oluyole Warriors This Weekend.
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