News
Football Ferns Could Play World Cup Qualifiers At Home
New Zealand will host the FIFA Women’s World Cup 2027 Oceania Qualifiers semi-finals and final in April next year.
The Football Ferns will get home advantage if they make it beyond the group stages, as they try to qualify for a sixth World Cup in a row. Much like the All Whites did in March when they defeated New Caledonia in Auckland to secure a place at the men’s tournament in Canada, Mexico and the US next year.
The women’s matches will take place between 7 to 18 April next year, with host cities still to be announced. The winner of the final will automatically qualify for the FIFA Women’s World Cup 2027 in Brazil.
Prior to the finals, group games will be played in the February and March international window, in Fiji and the Solomon Islands, with the top two sides in each pool qualifying for the semi-finals.
New Zealand Football chief executive officer Andrew Pragnell said getting hosting rights was “significant”.
“Bringing our senior national teams home on a regular basis is a big priority for us as an organisation, so it is great to be able to confirm these very significant games will be played in Aotearoa.
“The game is in a great place right now at all levels, from community football, where numbers are exploding, to the professional level, with the introduction of Auckland FC and their rivalry with Wellington Phoenix, and of course at international level with the All Whites returning to the FIFA World Cup next year and, all going well, the Ferns doing the same in 2027.”
The 2027 World Cup will have 32 teams, the same as the 2023 edition in Australia and New Zealand, which was the first to have 32 teams, up from 24 in the 2019 tournament hosted by France.
From the 2031 edition onwards it will be a 48-team World Cup with a 12-group format, increasing the total number of matches from 64 to 104 – the same as the expanded men’s World Cup in 2026 – and extending the tournament by one week.
Rnz.co.nz
News
Roy Keane Blasts ‘Frightened’ Manchester United After West Ham Draw
Manchester United thought they had the job wrapped up at Old Trafford… until they didn’t.
Diogo Dalot’s tidy finish just before the hour mark looked like the moment that would push the Red Devils to a much-needed victory. But in classic 2025 Manchester United fashion, control slipped, intensity dipped, and West Ham pounced.
And of course—when things go wrong—Roy Keane is never far from the verbal action.
“They Weren’t Nasty Enough!” – Keane Fires Shots
After the 1-1 draw, Keane wasted zero time calling out what he sees as the real issue at United: timidity.
According to him, United “took their foot off the gas” right after scoring. Against a team in the bottom three, he expected more authority, more aggression, and definitely more hunger.
Instead, what he saw was a team “almost frightened” of finishing the job.
He slammed the players for hiding when pressure kicked in, criticized their lack of killer instinct, and even called out the relaxed body language during substitutions.
In typical Keane fashion, the message was simple:
United should never be this soft.
Amorim Also Frustrated: “The Game Was Ours To Win”
Manager Ruben Amorim didn’t sugarcoat anything either.
While he didn’t go full-Keane, he admitted:
-
United lost control after scoring
-
They failed to win second balls
-
They should have killed the match earlier
-
The inconsistency is becoming a real problem
For a team chasing European places, three draws in five games simply isn’t good enough.
West Ham Deserved Their Point
To be fair, West Ham didn’t just sit back and wait. They fought, pressed, countered, and eventually got their reward when Soungoutou Magassa slotted home the 83rd-minute equaliser.
United had late chances, but the story of their season resurfaced again:
moments created, moments wasted.
Where Do United Go From Here?
Sitting eighth on the table, United’s inconsistency continues to be their biggest opponent. Keane believes the team lacks bite. Amorim believes the team lacks control.
Fans believe the team lacks… well, everything except drama.
What’s clear is this: until United find their identity and intensity, nights like this will keep happening.
Want To Advertise With Us?
Email: sales@ventolitemarketing.com
Local News
Beckham Joins Bellingham & Trent to Unveil Retro Gunmetal Adidas Predator Mania
Beckham Links Up With The New Generation
Adidas just pulled off the ultimate fusion of eras — pairing Real Madrid legend David Beckham with modern-day stars Jude Bellingham and Trent Alexander-Arnold to unveil the new throwback Predator Mania Gunmetal.
The visual alone is powerful:
Beckham, the man who helped define the Predator legacy, standing alongside the players shaping a new generation at the Santiago Bernabéu.
It’s nostalgia meeting modern football culture in the cleanest way possible.
How Beckham & Zidane Made The Predator A Cultural Icon
In the 2000s, football boots had personalities — and none louder than the Predator.
Thanks to players like:
-
David Beckham
-
Zinedine Zidane
-
Steven Gerrard
…the Predator brand became more than footwear — it became a symbol of confidence, control, and creativity.
Beckham’s signature whip-your-free-kick technique and the unforgettable fold-over tongue made Predator Mania one of the most legendary boots ever created.
And now in 2025, it’s back — reborn with purpose.
A Historic Gunmetal Colourway Returns
The 2025 Predator Mania comes in a stunning Gunmetal grey, blending early-2000s nostalgia with fresh modern flair.
Adidas describes it as:
-
“Metallic, polished and aggressive”
-
Featuring crisp white Three Stripes
-
And the iconic red fold-over tongue — embroidered and unapologetically bold
Beckham famously wore this colourway during his early Real Madrid days.
It quickly became a cult favourite, often called “one of the most photogenic boots of its era.”
Now it’s back — and it looks better than ever.
Engineered For Today’s Game
While the look is faithful, adidas didn’t simply remake the past — they improved it.
The 2025 Predator Mania is crafted in the historic Scheinfeld factory in Germany, the birthplace of many legendary Predator lines.
Key enhancements include:
-
Upgraded comfort
-
Subtle structural refinement
-
Increased responsiveness
-
Modern fit for today’s style of play
In short:
Old-school swagger meets high-performance engineering.
Back On The Bernabéu Grass
The revival feels even more fitting because two current Real Madrid stars — Bellingham and Alexander-Arnold — will bring the Gunmetal Mania back to the Santiago Bernabéu pitch.
From Beckham’s free-kick artistry to Bellingham’s midfield dominance and Trent’s laser passing…
the Predator legacy remains in elite company.
Adidas couldn’t have scripted a better generational handover.
Want To Advertise With Us?
News
Galatasaray Vs Samsunspor: Can Cimbom Break Samsunspor’s Unbeaten Run In A Heated Super Lig Clash?
-
In The Other News3 days agoDollar To Naira Exchange Rate Today, December 2, 2025
-
Premier League1 day agoArne Slot Explains Bold Salah Decision As Liverpool Drop Points Against Sunderland
-
CHAMPIONS LEAGUE2 days agoChampions League Top Scorers 2025-26: Mbappe, Haaland, Osimhen Lead The Golden Boot Race
-
Serie A3 days agoDele Alli Sent Trial Warning After Scary Fall From Grace As Ex-Tottenham Midfielder Faces Slim Opportunities
-
LaLiga3 days agoStop the Messi Comparisons: Yamal Faces Dangerous Pressure
-
World Cup 20262 days agoFIFA To Expand VAR Rules For The 2026 World Cup With New Corner-Kick Reviews
-
AFCON 20252 days agoAFCON 2025: Chelle Names 5 Misfiring Strikers in Super Eagles 54-Man List
-
Local News16 hours agoWilliam Troost-Ekong Bows Out: An Emotional Farewell That Shakes Up The Super Eagles Camp