Nigeria Premier League

FIFA opens up bids for 2034 World Cup with Saudi Arabia in spotlight

Saudi Arabia has now officially entered the race to host the 2034 FIFA World Cup after the football body opened the process last week.

In an unprecedented move, FIFA has not only started to accept hosting bids for an event that is taking place 11 years from now, but has also given countries only four weeks to apply.

Moreover, after the governing body of global football recently announced plans to place the 100th-year anniversary edition of the World Cup across Europe, Africa, and South America (with the 26’ WC scheduled to play out in the US, Mexico and Canada), the continental rotation rule has restricted the 2034 bidding process to only countries from Oceania and Asia.

“In line with the principle of confederation rotation and of securing the best possible hosting conditions for the tournaments, the bidding process for the 2034 edition will be conducted concurrently with the 2030 edition,” FIFA stated.

“With the FIFA World Cup 2026 in Canada, Mexico and the United States, the Centenary Celebration in Argentina, Paraguay and Uruguay (subject to approval by the FIFA Congress), the FIFA World Cup 2030 in Morocco, Portugal, and Spain (subject to approval by the FIFA Congress) and the invitation to the AFC and OFC member associations to bid for the FIFA World Cup 2034, every continent of the world will have the opportunity to host the FIFA World Cup over an 8-year cycle.”

With the above approvals more likely to happen than not, Saudi Arabia could have a high chance of being accepted to host as it has been on relatively good terms with FIFA President Gianni Infantino for quite some time now.

Even more, the Kingdom might benefit further from relaxed FIFA requirements on the number of stadiums a country needs to become a bidder – lowering the criteria from 14 suitable stadiums of which seven are existing, to only four existing stadiums.

President of the Saudi Arabian Football Federation (SAFF), Yasser Al Misehal, commented: “This is the second step of a hugely exciting journey that the nation is embarking on. Last week we announced our ambitions to host the 2034 Fifa World Cup, and this official submission continues our journey to make the dreams of our people a reality.

“The 2034 FIFA World Cup is our invitation to the world to witness Saudi Arabia’s development, experience its culture and become part of its history.

“We are extremely committed to presenting the most competitive bid possible that will also help unite the world through football.”

Despite the FIFA men’s World Cup being expanded from 32 teams to 48, the deadline set for countries to express interest in hosting the 34’ edition has raised a few eyebrows – all bids need to be submitted by 31 October 2023.

And while the short notice seemingly does not correspond to the careful governmental planning required for a state to become a bidder, Saudi Arabia’s application has been in the making for a long time, with the SAFF claiming that it has already gained the support of 70 voting nations.

If true, this has most certainly been the result of the rapidly growing Saudi influence in global football evident from the domestic Saudi league arrival of world-class footballers like Cristiano Ronaldo, Neymar, and Benzema, as well as the signing of multiple Memorandums of Understanding (MoUs) with influential football tournaments such as the one with LaLiga from August.

The strongest sentiment so far in support of Saudi Arabia hosting the 34’ FIFA World Cup has come from Sheikh Salman bin Ebrahim Al Khalifa, the President of the Asian Football Confederation, who said: “The entire Asian football family will stand united in support of the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia’s momentous initiative.”

Criticism of the country’s bid to host however is undoubtedly piling, particularly because of beliefs that Saudi Arabia is using the facade of sports to hide its questionable human rights record – a practice known as ‘sportswashing’ which the Saudi Crown Prince recently addressed directly.

One of the top concerns for human rights activists is the safety of LGBT people who currently possess limited freedoms in Saudi Arabia.

In an interview with Sky News, Saudi Minister of Sport Prince Abdulaziz bin Turki Al-Faisal tried to calm down tensions around this issue by saying: “They are welcome. I’m sure they’ve come to some of our events. We don’t go around asking, ‘Are you gay or straight?’ Everyone’s welcome. There are rules that everyone respects.

“There are rules that everyone respects about our culture and how they have to abide by the culture that we have.

“So even men and women – they can’t show affection in public places, and so on. And that’s a regulation that we have that we need to respect. And we have to respect the culture.”

After all, respect sits at the core of FIFA’s and all of its subsidiaries’ commitment to human rights.

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Nigeria Premier League

NPFL 2025/26 Season Set To Kick Off

The Nigeria Premier Football League (NPFL) is gearing up for another exciting season as top clubs across the country resume pre-season activities ahead of the 2025/26 campaign. With the official kickoff set for Friday, August 22, 2025, anticipation is building among fans, pundits, and players who are eager to see how the new season unfolds.

Enyimba FC, one of the most successful clubs in the league’s history, resumed training on June 20 at the Enyimba International Stadium in Aba. The team is looking to bounce back from a disappointing sixth-place finish last season, which saw them miss out on continental football. According to the club’s Sporting Director, Ifeanyi Ekwueme, all players and officials were instructed to report on schedule as preparations intensify for the new campaign.

Rivers United also returned to camp under the guidance of newly appointed Technical Manager Finidi George. Twenty-five players reported to the Adokiye Amiesimaka Stadium in Port Harcourt, where they were welcomed by Finidi and his technical crew. Rivers United, who finished second in the 2024/25 season, will compete in the CAF Champions League alongside NPFL champions Remo Stars. The team is expected to play several friendly matches as part of its build-up to the season.

Abia Warriors, another top-performing side last season, have launched their own pre-season program. Having secured third place, the Umuahia-based club will be making its debut in the CAF Confederation Cup. Coach Imama Amapakabo is leading the first phase of training with the current squad while awaiting the arrival of new signings. Nigeria’s fourth continental slot will be decided in the final of the President Federation Cup between Kwara United and Abakaliki FC.

As clubs finalize their preparations, conversations around Nigeria Premier League predictions are beginning to surface among fans and analysts. Unlike European leagues where form guides can often be predictable, the NPFL is widely known for its volatility. Home advantage plays a significant role, and away victories are often hard-fought. This makes the league a compelling subject for fans who enjoy forecasting match outcomes and tracking shifts in form. Interest in predictions has grown significantly in recent years, with platforms like BetsLoaded.com offering detailed previews, statistical breakdowns, and weekly match tips to help fans make more informed calls.

What sets the NPFL apart is its intense regional rivalries and passionate fan bases. From the Oriental Derby between Enyimba and Rangers International to North Central clashes involving Lobi Stars, the energy and unpredictability of matchdays keep the league dynamic. This unpredictability also contributes to the growing demand for reliable NPFL betting tips, as more Nigerian fans seek analysis that goes beyond surface-level commentary.

With the new season approaching, clubs will be fine-tuning their squads while fans gear up for what promises to be a fiercely contested title race. Whether it’s Remo Stars defending their title or underdogs pushing for a surprise finish, this season is shaping up to be one of the most engaging in recent years. For supporters eager to follow the action closely and gain a sharper insight into the game, the role of predictions will no doubt be more relevant than ever.

The NPFL is not just a football league; it’s a movement that continues to evolve. As attention grows and coverage expands, the blend of tradition, talent, and analysis is helping to elevate the league’s profile both at home and across the continent.

Scorenigeria.com.ng

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Nigeria Premier League

“It’s My Time,” Says Ikorodu City Star After Eagles Snub

Ikorodu City star Waliu Ojetoye has expressed optimism that he will break into the Super Eagles and become a regular, according to Soccernet.ng.

Ojetoye is coming off a brilliant campaign with Ikorodu United in the Nigeria Premier Football League. The 20-year-old was arguably the best left-back in the Nigerian top-flight last season, with a league-high nine assists.

He was key to Ikorodu City finishing 4th on the NPFL table after a very poor start to the campaign.

Ojetoye’s brilliance not only earned him a place in Nigeria’s CHAN Eagles. He was also named in Eric Chelle’s Super Eagles squad for the 2025 Unity Cup four weeks ago.

Unfortunately for him, the Ikorodu City man did not get minutes at the competition. Ojetoye was named on the bench in the first game against Ghana. But he did not even make the matchday squad for the final against Jamaica.

However, despite the disappointment, Ojetoye has expressed optimism that he will get game time with the Super Eagles eventually.

“I had a very nice experience in the Super Eagles team. It was a different exposure for me,” Ojetoye told ACL Sports.

“I was not disappointed not getting any minutes on the pitch because I know my time will come. Things are being done gradually, so I don’t need to jump into it. I believe that when it’s my time, I will play and give it my best.”

Ojetoye is currently on break. But it might be a busy holiday for him, as there have been speculations that he will leave Ikorodu City soon.

The Ikorodu City star is still young, at 21. If he continues to work on his game, he could get a move that will consistently put him in the eyes of the Super Eagles coaches.

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Nigeria Premier League

Ogunmodede: Global Club Cup Too Soon For Nigerian Teams

Remo Stars head coach Daniel Ogunmodede has issued a realistic assessment of Nigerian football’s place on the global stage, saying it may take between five to ten years for Nigerian clubs to reach the level required to compete at major international tournaments such as the FIFA Club World Cup.

Speaking after guiding Remo Stars to their first-ever Nigeria Premier Football League (NPFL) title, Ogunmodede praised his players’ efforts but stressed that significant structural and developmental reforms are necessary if Nigerian clubs are to thrive internationally.

“Winning the league is a step in the right direction, but we are still far behind the elite clubs,” he said. “If we want to get to the level of the Club World Cup, it will take five to ten years of consistent planning and execution.”

He cited key areas requiring improvement, including youth development, infrastructure, coaching education, and management professionalism. “We need to go back to the drawing board. The gap in fitness, tactics, and match exposure is wide. It’s not impossible, but we must be deliberate,” Ogunmodede added.

As NPFL champions, Remo Stars will represent Nigeria in the CAF Champions League next season. The club’s rapid rise has been one of the most talked-about stories in Nigerian football, but Ogunmodede insists that more systemic changes are needed beyond domestic success. “It’s not about one club. For Nigerian football to grow, all clubs must invest in structures that develop talent sustainably,” he said.

He also called on the League Management Company (LMC) and the Nigeria Football Federation (NFF) to prioritize long-term reforms. “If we want to compete with the likes of Al Ahly, Wydad, or even clubs from Asia and South America, we must modernize.”

The FIFA Club World Cup expands in 2025, and no Nigerian team has qualified to date.

Sports247.ng

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