Footballing powerhouses Germany and Spain will face each other in the group stages of the 2022 World Cup in Qatar later this year as the group stage draw was held this evening. Elsewhere England will face the USA and could potentially face Wales or Scotland depending on how their playoff matches finish.
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Belgium goalkeeper Thibaut Courtois has accused football authorities of prioritising revenue over player welfare in a damning assessment of the global football calendar. Courtois, 29, was speaking after his country lost 2-1 against Italy in UEFA’s Nations League third-place play-off on Sunday – a match he described as “pointless” in the build-up.
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Fifa will hold an online summit with its member associations on 30 September to discuss the international men’s and women’s calendar. A World Cup every two years rather than four is part of Fifa’s plans. The current match calendar for the women’s game runs to the end of 2023, while the men’s expires in 2024.
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The Japanese FA has opted to relinquish its right to host this year’s FIFA Club World Cup, which is due to begin in December. the decision comes after the Japanese government extended emergency coronavirus restrictions on Thursday.
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UEFA have issued a damning statement declaring “enough is enough” in response to fresh proposals for a breakaway European Super League. They have joined the Premier League, Serie A, La Liga and FIFA in condemning a cabal of European football’s elite clubs.
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