News

Million CWC Tickets Gone, FIFA Aims For More

FIFA has announced a total attendance of 556,369 for the first 16 matches of the Club World Cup at an average gate of 34,773.

FIFA also said that fans from more than 130 countries have bought nearly 1.5 million tickets.

The figures bear some scrutiny as broadcast pictures have stadiums that have been half full and that has generated comment worldwide. The attendance figures also stress test the popularity of a competition that FIFA and its president Gianni Infantino have said is already a fantastic success in its first edition of being expanded to 32 teams.

If FIFA is reporting its figures accurately – and for this article the numbers are being taken as reported by FIFA – then while FIFA sold 556,369 tickets there were 426,000 tickets unsold.

Total tickets available for the first 16 matches were 982,000.

Stadiums on average for the first 16 games were about 56% full. Eight of the 16 matches had significantly less than 50% of the stadium capacity sold.

Of the 556,369 tickets sold for the first 16 matches, three matches account for just under 204,000 of the tickets sold (about 37%), Two of those matches (80,619 – Paris Saint-Germain v. Atlético de Madrid, Rose Bowl Stadium, and 60,927 – Al Ahly FC v. Inter Miami CF, Hard Rock Stadium, Miami), saw ticket prices massively discounted at the last minute.

As the group stages have progressed the ticket sales would have likely dropped off as some teams will have qualified for the next round rendering some matches of less significance.

This is not unusual as fans this is a very different tournament and club dynamic to the national team World Cup where fans will follow their country’s whatever their results, and many other fans will fill stadiums to be part of the World Cup experience. If FIFA reports another set of attendance numbers they will make an interesting comparison to the set they have reported, and will provide interesting data and learnings for future tournaments.

One thing is clear, generally club fans have not flocked to the US to follow their teams this summer, hence the ticket sales are highly reliant on local fan engagement.

FIFA said it has sold 1.5 million and announced their millionth fan through the gate for the 29th match – Juventus vs Wydad.

In total there were about 3.5 million tickets available of which 1.5 million had been sold by the end of the first round of 16 group games.

It is not an insignificant number, but whether that number justifies the hype of the tournament which is being played in some of the world biggest and most spectacular stadia is a matter of personal interpretation.

Insideworldfootball.com

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Local News

Beckham Joins Bellingham & Trent to Unveil Retro Gunmetal Adidas Predator Mania

David Beckham Jude Bellingham and Trent Alexander-Arnold posing with the gunmetal adidas Predator Mania boots

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.

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News

Galatasaray Vs Samsunspor: Can Cimbom Break Samsunspor’s Unbeaten Run In A Heated Super Lig Clash?

Galatasaray players celebrating a goal ahead of their match against Samsunspor.

Galatasaray Vs Samsunspor Match Preview

The Turkish Super Lig title race is heating up, and Friday’s clash between Galatasaray and Samsunspor carries huge implications for both ends of the table. Cimbom remain top, but their recent dip in form has opened the door for rivals — and Samsunspor are arriving in Istanbul with confidence and a 14-game unbeaten streak.

This matchup promises intensity, tactics, and a battle of resilience versus home dominance.

Galatasaray Searching For Lost Spark

Galatasaray head into this fixture frustrated after conceding a 95th-minute equaliser in the derby against Fenerbahce — a result that denied them a chance to go four points clear.

Their early-season sharpness has faded:

9 wins in their first 10 games
Only 1 win in their last 4
Three matches without scoring during Victor Osimhen’s absence

The Nigerian striker’s return instantly improves their attack, but Okan Buruk’s side still need to rediscover the fluid, cohesive football that put them top of the table.

Samsunspor’s Incredible Unbeaten Run

Samsunspor enter the match in fantastic form:

Unbeaten in 14 across all competitions (7W, 7D)
10 straight games unbeaten in the league
A habit of rising to big games — drawing against Besiktas, Fenerbahce, and Trabzonspor

However, three consecutive draws — including a late 1-1 against Alanyaspor — show they sometimes struggle to finish opponents off.

Thomas Reis’s men sit 5th with 25 points, but defeat could drop them down the table. Still, their discipline and structure make them one of the most difficult teams to break down this season.

Head-to-Head: A Fixture Dominated By Galatasaray

History heavily favours the hosts:

Galatasaray have won the last eight meetings
Samsunspor’s last victory over Cimbom feels like a lifetime ago
Recent games have been high scoring and entertaining

With form and past meetings combined, Galatasaray remain favourites — but Samsunspor’s current resilience cannot be ignored.

Team News

Galatasaray

Out injured:

Ismail Jakobs
Wilfried Singo

Suspended (betting scandal):

Eren Elmali
Metehan Baltaci

Osimhen is fit but still regaining full sharpness.

Samsunspor

Long-term absentees:

Olivier Ntcham
Ebrima Ceesay
Bedirhan Cetin
Tanguy Coulibaly
Afonso Sousa

Also missing:

Lubomir Satka (injured)
Celil Yuksel (betting scandal)
Joe Mendes (red card suspension)

Probable Lineups

Galatasaray:

Cakir; Sanchez, Bardakci, Lemina, Karatas; Torreira, Sara; Sane, Gundogan, Yilmaz; Osimhen

Samsunspor:

Kocuk; Yavru, Borevkovic, Van Drongelen, Tomasson; Makoumbou; Musaba, Aydin, Holse, Kilinic; Ndiaye

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AFCON 2025

Ben Iroha Says Super Eagles Squad Has Depth And Quality Ahead Of AFCON 2025

Nigeria’s Super Eagles players training ahead of their World Cup qualifier against Gabon

Former Super Eagles star Ben Iroha believes Nigeria has the depth, quality, and experience needed to compete for the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations title — as long as the right decisions are made.

Speaking from his base in Texas, the 1994 AFCON champion reacted to the 54-man provisional squad released by Head Coach Eric Sekou Chelle, describing it as a strong foundation for a title-winning team.

“The Talent And Quality Are There” — Iroha

Although he emphasized that the real test comes when the list is trimmed to 23 players, Iroha said the current roster reflects Nigeria’s impressive global football presence.

“Nigeria is very rich in talent production. Apart from one or two NPFL players, the rest are in top leagues across Europe. The talent, quality and experience are there,”
Iroha told Completesports.com.

He noted that the squad’s strength lies not just in big names, but in the blend of competition, versatility, and international exposure among the players.

Hard Work And Proper Planning Will Decide Everything

According to Iroha, Nigeria’s path to a fourth AFCON crown depends on more than raw ability.

He stressed the importance of:

Hard work
Organisation
Tactical discipline
Proper preparation

“With proper preparation and the right selection, this team has what it takes to deliver the AFCON title in Morocco.”

Iroha also acknowledged that Nigerian fans will accept nothing less than the trophy, especially after the disappointment of failing to qualify for the 2026 FIFA World Cup.

He believes the renewed energy shown late in the qualifiers is a sign of what the team can achieve if they maintain — or surpass — that level at AFCON.

Nigeria Chasing A Fourth AFCON Title

The 2025 Africa Cup of Nations kicks off on 21 December 2025 in Morocco, with the final set for 18 January 2026.

Nigeria’s three previous AFCON triumphs came in:

1980
1994
2013

With expectations sky-high and a hungry squad available, Coach Eric Chelle will be aiming to write his name in history by guiding the Super Eagles to AFCON glory once again.

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