The 2022 World Cup is less than three years from now and hosts Qatar have continued to push through the construction of various infrastructures for the showpiece. One of the stadiums billed to host some matches in the World Cup Al Wakrah Stadium is set to be ready for launch on 16 May.
FIFA is strongly in favour of expanding the World Cup 2022 to 48 teams and the feasibility study conducted by the world football organisation has revealed that it is indeed possible to increase the capacity of the World Cup from 32 teams to 48. However, this restructure is expected to open the possibility of a multicountry World Cup, as Qatar alone will not be able to handle the increased capacity.
A number of Middle East nations are expected to be brought into the fold. FIFA is very keen on this increase since such a big tournament will provide an increased revenue of up to $ 400 million. Read More “FIFA Stand to Gain Additional $400 Million”
England manager Gareth Southgate believes that the national team will be more competitive at the next World Cup in 2022. He said that the squad is a relatively young one and that they have learned a lot during the last World Cup in Russia.
Former Arsenal player Emmanuel Petit believes that France can retain their crown at the next World Cup in 2022 if they continue to develop as a team. He said that there are some young players in the team and that they have to believe that they can do it again in Qatar. He said that it was a surprise for them to win the World Cup as they were not the favorite last year but this time it will be different.
FIFA president Gianni Infantino says that football has entirely adopted his expansion plan to take the World Cup to 48 teams. An additional 16 teams have been added to the traditional format of 32 teams, which already maintain a lot of games at the World Cup.
Now, the expanded tournament is expected to be introduced for 2026 World Cup. It is also expected that the planned to introduce 48 teams could be made as early as the 2022 World Cup in Qatar, but the decision on this proposal will be taken only in next spring. Read More “Qatar Can Still Host 48-Team World Cup”
Former Tottenham Hotspur and Republic of Ireland striker, Robbie Keane has announced his retirement from football as a player.
The 38 year old captained his country for more than 10 years, scoring 325 goals in 737 appearances for 10 different club for a football playing career spanning 23 years.
Keane said in a statement, “Today, after 23 wonderful years, I am formally announcing my retirement as a professional footballer. From Crumlin United around the world to the likes of Milan, London and Los Angeles, I could never have imagined the path my football life would take. It has exceeded all hopes I had as a football-mad boy growing in Dublin”.
Robbie Keane played for the likes of Wolves, Tottenham, Inter Milan, Leeds, Liverpool and LA Galaxy since arriving England aged just 15.
He also serves as Ireland’s all-time leading goal scorer with 68 goals in 146 appearances before retiring from international duty two years ago in 2016.
Ireland’s new head coach decided to appoint Keane as his assistant last week alongside Terry Connor following the recent departure of Martin O’Neill.
Keane said, “To all those who believed in me, supported me and picked me up when I needed a hand, you can never know how much that has all meant. It was an honour to represent you”.
The all-time Ireland leading goal scorer had been enhancing his footballing education applying for UEFA coaching badges while still in LA, so it doesn’t come as a surprise seeing the former football player prolong his career by teaming up with manager Mick McCarthy, the man who coached Keane when he scored his most famous goal during the 2002 World Cup.
Robbie Keane will now be looking to settle quickly as the new assistant manager of Republic of Ireland and partner with Mick McCarthy to bring glory to the country.
FA Chief Martin Glenn has suggested that England have a good chance of going all the way at the 2022 World Cup in Qatar. The Three Lions were impressive during the recent edition of the tournament in Russia where they reached the semi-final stage and Glenn believes the team are capable of securing the global crown in the not too distant future.
Meanwhile, the chief executive highlighted the intention to extend the contract of current manager Gareth Southgate and the renewal could be processed before the Three Lions head into the next set of internationals. Southgate’s appointment was initially questioned with most of his managerial experience being with the younger age groups but they has supposedly offered him as an advantage, given he has been able to trust some of those players who have risen through the ranks.
Read More “FA chief Martin Glenn fancies England winning the 2022 World Cup”
Sweden coach JanneAndersson said that he wants improvement from his players. He said that he is building a team for the World Cup 2022 qualifiers and that he wants all his players to be focused on his objective.
Former Arsenal striker John Hartson has stated that Liverpool was right to sign Roma goalkeeper Alisson. He said that Karius was making too many errors at the back and that if Liverpool is serious about winning the title then it was important for Klopp to sign a new goalkeeper.
