Premier League leaders Liverpool will face Paris St-Germain in the Champions League last 16, while Arsenal take on PSV Eindhoven and Aston Villa face Club Brugge. Holders Real Madrid – who knocked out Manchester City in the knockout phase play-offs – face local rivals Atletico Madrid and Bayern Munich play Bayer Leverkusen in an all-Germany affair.
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The Republic of Ireland will face some familiar foes in the qualifiers for the 2026 World Cup as they have been drawn in the same group as Hungary and Armenia, as well as the winners of the Nations League playoff between Portugal and Denmark While there will be relief in the Irish camp at having avoided a five-team group, which would have complicated the calendar planned for 2025 by manager Heimir Hallgrimsson, the prospect of facing either Portugal or Denmark will be daunting although with that comes some hope that results could be managed against Hungary and Armenia.
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Referee David Coote has had his employment terminated following the emergence of a video where he made derogatory remarks about Liverpool and their former manager Jurgen Klopp. PGMOL confirmed the decision in a statement saying that a thorough investigation had concluded he was “in serious breach of the provisions of his employment contract, with his position deemed untenable”.
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Lionel Messi’s Inter Miami will face Egyptian club Al Ahly in the opening game of the 2025 FIFA Club World Cup while Premier League champions Manchester City will face Juventus in the opening group stage of FIFA’s controversial restructuring of the tournament. Chelsea will take on Brazil giants Flamengo in the United States next summer.
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The Republic of Ireland will do battle with Bulgaria in March in a promotion/relegation play-off in the Nations League. Today’s draw at UEFA HQ for the play-off had Ireland with four potential opponents from League C, in a two-legged clash to stay in League B. Ireland avoided Kosovo, Slovakia and Armenia but have been paired with Bulgaria.
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