People speak near an interactive installation, promoting the soccer 2022 World Cup Qatar, in the Gorky Central Park of Culture and Leisure in Moscow, Russia July 6, 2018. Photo by Reuters/Sergei Karpukhin FIFA President Gianni Infantino had proposed expanding the tournament and explored the idea of adding additional host nations. But the sport's world ruling body said in statement: "Following a thorough and comprehensive consultation process with the involvement of all the relevant stakeholders, it was concluded that under the current circumstances such a proposal could not be made now." FIFA and Qatar also looked at whether the Gulf state could host an expanded tournament alone by changing the normal requirements for facilities. "A joint analysis, in this respect, concluded that due to the advanced stage of preparations and the need for a detailed assessment of the potential logistical impact on the host country, more time would be required and a decision could not be taken before … [Read more...] about FIFA to stick with 32 teams for Qatar World Cup
Betting for rugby world cup
Qatar puts community first for World Cup
Keeping active: Men play football outside one of the 44,000-seat Al Rayyan stadium in Doha. VNS Photos Nguyễn Mỹ Hà Viet Nam News By Nguyễn Mỹ Hà Mini football pitches have sprung up around new stadiums being built for the World Cup in Qatar in 2022. On a spring day, with temperatures between an ideal 21 to 24 degrees Celsius, the spaces are full of people playing the beautiful game. “Football is the national sport here in Qatar,” says Huan He, 24, from China who works in Doha. “If you are a professional player, and your team won the Asian Cup just last month, you get a mansion, a luxury car and a huge amount of cash.” Then he sighs, “I dreamed of becoming a professional player, but I injured my knees, and had to stop.” Huan may not be able to play, but if he stays to work in Doha until 2022, he may be able to join millions of other football fans to celebrate the World Cup. The event marks the first in the … [Read more...] about Qatar puts community first for World Cup
Heroes a plenty in Samara as England qualify for the World Cup semifinals for the first time in 28 years
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Viet Nam News Football SAMARA — The city of Samara, so closely linked to the Russian space programme, has had its share of heroes over the years and there plenty of the city’s high-rise blocks with murals of Yuri Gagarin, the first man in space on their sides. Just for a short time on Saturday, however, Gagarin was no longer the biggest hero for England fans in Samara and they could be forgiven for thinking a painting of Harry Maguire would very nice on the side of one of those buildings. Maguire rose like the Soyuz rocket that stands in the main street of Samara to power Kieran Trippier’s corner into the Swedish net after half an hour to open the scoring as England beat Sweden 2-0 to qualify for the semifinals of the World Cup for the first time since 1990. England have other candidates for a mural: goalkeeper Jordan Pickford built on his penalty save against Colombia with three vital stops to keep the Swedes at bay, while full back Trippier produced two … [Read more...] about Heroes a plenty in Samara as England qualify for the World Cup semifinals for the first time in 28 years
Two Vietnamese men commit suicide after losing World Cup bet
Thong Nhat Hospital yesterday announced to succeed in treating two men who committed suicide by taking rat poison and pesticide after they lost a big sum on world cup bet. The first man, 33, is a delivery tricycle driver in Hoc Mon District. The gambler admitted to loss VND300 million ($13,077) in bets on several World Cup games. Because it was a big sum, he couldn’t pay back leading to a decision of suicide to release the family’s burden. However, after drinking three rat poison packs, he thought again and phoned his relatives to take him to the infirmary. Another man in Tan Binh District was taken to the hospital’s emergency treatment department on the day when he was unconscious because of taking pesticide. His relative revealed that he lost money on world cup betting. The first man underwent colon cleanse while the second underwent stomach cleanse, said Dr. Hoang Ngoc Anh, deputy head of the Intensive Care Unit of the hospital. Two will be discharged in a few … [Read more...] about Two Vietnamese men commit suicide after losing World Cup bet
World Cup gamblers descend on pawnshops
Viet Nam News HÀ NỘI — Football fans who have lost money betting on the World Cup have been rushing to pawnshops to take out loans or pawn their belongings. And some dealers have been cashing in – by upping interest rates to take advantage of the trend. Police last Friday smashed a huge gambling ring worth around a VNĐ 600 billion ($26 million) in HCM City, arrested four people and summoned several others for questioning . The suspects allegedly admitted to operating transactions using a website hosted in the Philippines. "Since early 2017, the total transactions of the gambling ring have been worth more than VNĐ600 billion," the Vietnam Television reported, adding that thousands of people across Việt Nam had used its services. A pawnbroker on Nguyễn Oanh Street in HCM City told vtc.vn that gamblers whose bets paid off arrived in the morning to pick up their goods, while those who wanted to have a flutter and were short of cash arrived … [Read more...] about World Cup gamblers descend on pawnshops
World Cup participation a distant dream in football-crazy Vietnam
A 16-team boost to participation in the 2026 World Cup has raised many fans’ hopes, but Vietnam is a long way away from getting there, football pundits say. “The 2026 World Cup will increase participation slots from 32 to 48 national teams, which means Vietnam has to be in Asia’s top 10 teams to appear in the tournament,” said football commentator Doan Minh Xuong. "The Vietnamese football scene currently lacks development and promotion, as well as basic factors to grow, like stadiums and coaches. To be in Asia’s top 10, Vietnam needs a lot of improvement," he said. Xuong noted that young players have contributed a lot to the recent success of Vietnamese football, so the focus has to be on training them. Several young players have already experienced international competitions since they were teenagers, he told Tuoi Tre. Vietnam’s national football team coach, Korean Park Hang-seo, echoed Xuong: “Vietnam is not ready for the World Cup yet. … [Read more...] about World Cup participation a distant dream in football-crazy Vietnam
FIFA to choose between North America or Morocco for 2026 World Cup
The North American bid leader Carlos Cordeiro (centre) has urged FIFA voters not to let politics cloud their decision AFP/Anders Kjaerbye The choice is clear - between a slick bid based on gleaming stadiums in the United States, Mexico and Canada or an ambitious attempt from Morocco based on as-yet largely unbuilt facilities. On the eve of the 2018 World Cup in Russia, 207 FIFA member nations will cast their vote in a congress of world football's governing body. Morocco's bid for 2026 was only cleared to advance to the runoff vote earlier this month, despite a FIFA evaluation report which classified the north African nation's stadia, accommodation and transport as "high risk." The report left the US-Canada-Mexico bid as the clear front-runner after giving it a rating of four out of a possible five. Morocco received only 2.7 out of five, but advanced despite red flags being raised over several critical components of the bid. A FIFA summary of the bid task force's findings warned that … [Read more...] about FIFA to choose between North America or Morocco for 2026 World Cup
Iran first World Cup team to arrive in Russia
First World Cup team Iran arrive in Russia. — Photo urdupoint.com Viet Nam News Football MOSCOW — Iran became the first team on Tuesday to arrive in Russia for the World Cup, a month-long celebration of football that kicks off in Moscow’s historic Luzhniki Stadium on June 14. Playing in their fifth finals and ranked 36 by FIFA, Iran begin their campaign against Group B rivals Morocco on June 15 in Nizhny Novgorod. They then travel to Kazan for a June 20 clash against former World Cup winners Spain, before concluding their group stage matches against Portugal on June 25. The three-time Asian Cup winner easily qualified for their second successive World Cup, going unbeaten in 10 matches in their Asian group. Iran lost 2:1 to Turkey in their last friendly on May 28, and have one last World Cup warmup against Lithuania on June 8. Coached by Portugal’s Carlos Queiroz, who has also managed his national side, Iran are long-shots to make their first … [Read more...] about Iran first World Cup team to arrive in Russia
Russia qualify for World Cup as Spain, Romania and Belgium disqualified
Russia have been awarded a place at the 2019 World Cup in Japan after World Rugby sensationally disqualified Spain, Romania and Belgium, the rugby union international governing body said on Tuesday (May 15). After the disqualification of Spain, Romania and Belgium in the 2019 World Cup, Russia will compete in Japan. (AFP/Dave ROGERS) Russia had finished third in European qualifying for the World Cup but head to the tournament after Romania, who originally won the section, second-placed Spain and fourth-placed Belgium were all docked points for fielding ineligible players. "World Rugby notes the outcome of the independent disputes committee review into matters relating to the 2017 and 2018 Rugby Europe Championship, competitions that doubled as a Rugby World Cup 2019 qualification event," said a statement issued on Tuesday. "In line with the decision, Russia will qualify for Rugby World Cup 2019 as Europe 1, joining Ireland, Scotland, Japan and the play-off winner in Pool A, … [Read more...] about Russia qualify for World Cup as Spain, Romania and Belgium disqualified
French football manager to help Vietnamese football enter World Cup
Knowledge: Football manager Philippe Troussier (left) will help the national team reach the World Cup in 2030. — Photo bongda24h.vnViet Nam News HÀ NỘI — A former professional footballer and manager from France is coming to Việt Nam to help the national team qualify for the World Cup in 2030. Philippe Troussier played in the second division of the French league in the seventies and eighties before moving into coaching. He has managed a number of teams including Marseille at club level and national teams in Africa. A spokesman for the Promotion Fund of Vietnamese Football Talents Football Club (PVF) said Troussier has a wealth of experience managing teams at high levels. “We asked Troussier to be our strategic adviser to train and develop players with aim at helping Vietnamese football to enter World Cup. “We believe with his rich experience as head coach of seven national teams, leading many teams to become champions, runner-ups, top … [Read more...] about French football manager to help Vietnamese football enter World Cup