FIFA is being urged to make big changes to the 2026 World Cup amid concerns around extreme heat in the United States.

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FIFA urged to make 2026 World Cup changesConcerns over extreme heat in United StatesRevised kick-off times encouragedFollow GOAL on WhatsApp! 🟢📱WHAT HAPPENED?

The international players' union, FIFPRO, says the conditions at this summer's Club World Cup in the United States, which have been in the high 30s, are likely to be replicated at next year's World Cup and, therefore, changes should be made for footballers' welfare. The union wants FIFA to increase drinks breaks, extend half-time intervals from 15 to 20 minutes, and consider moving kick-off starts to cooler times.

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FIFPRO's chief medical officer, Professor Vincent Gouttebarge, told The Times: "Only giving players 15 minutes is not enough at these temperatures – you cannot ingest enough in such a short time. If we anticipate the biggest tournament on earth next year and in Mexico as well there are some venues where games played during the afternoon are likely to be very extreme for health and performance of the players. We are anticipating that there are going to be more problems for the coming years in the 2030 World Cup in Spain and Portugal, perhaps even worse."

The union's director of global policy, Alexander Bielefeld, added: "What we have seen in the Club World Cup has to be a wake-up call for FIFA. It’s clear that certain areas in the USA, especially in Florida, where there is a higher risk and a need to avoid midday kick-offs – so games scheduled in these cities should be moved to a later time. The health and safety of players must take priority over commercial interests, including the broadcasters."

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The United States, Mexico, and Canada are preparing to host the 2026 World Cup but this extreme weather could provide them with a real issue. FIFPRO state that nine of the 16 host cities have "very high" or "extremely high" risk of heat stress injuries during the tournament, which could force the competition organisers into a rethink.

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AFPWHAT NEXT?

As concerns mount about high temperatures at the Club World Cup, questions will continue to fester over whether or not changes will be made for next year's World Cup – which gets underway on June 11, 2026, and runs until July 19, 2026.

Carlo Ancelotti has delivered a clear challenge to Neymar Jr, insisting the veteran forward has enough time to get back to his best and become a "very important player" for Brazil ahead of the 2026 World Cup. The former Real Madrid boss, who has officially taken charge of the Selecao, believes Neymar still has a role to play if he can stay fit and focused.

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• Ancelotti urges Neymar to focus on full recovery
• Neymar still central to Brazil’s 2026 World Cup plans
• Return likely in September qualifiers if fit again

• WHAT HAPPENED?

  Ancelotti began his tenure as Brazil's head coach earlier this month and has addressed one of the biggest questions surrounding the team, Neymar’s future. The 32-year-old has been out of international action since suffering an ACL injury in October 2023. The former Paris Saint-Germain and Barcelona forward returned to Santos in 2025 but has continued to battle recurring injuries, missing recent qualifiers for the Selecao in March and June.

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  Brazil have struggled for attacking consistency in Neymar’s absence and are looking for experienced leadership as they begin shaping their squad for the 2026 World Cup. Still, Ancelotti’s belief in the superstar underscores just how influential he remains when healthy. The Italian confirmed he has already spoken directly with Neymar and told the forward that he still has time to prepare for a comeback.

• WHAT ANCELOTTI SAID

  Speaking to CONMEBOL’s official website, Ancelotti said: "Yes, I’ve spoken with him. He’s a very important player for our national team, for the World Cup. He needs to prepare well—he has the time to do it. I’ve spoken with him about this, that he should prepare properly, because we have the idea that he will become a very important player for the Brazilian national team."

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  WHAT NEXT FOR BRAZIL?

  If Neymar stays on track with his recovery, he is expected to make his long-awaited Brazil return in September’s World Cup qualifiers. Brazil host Chile on September 9 before travelling to face Bolivia on the 14th, two matches that could mark Neymar’s first appearance for the Selecao in nearly two years.

Sri Lanka batter Danushka Gunathilaka has been found not guilty of sexually assaulting a Tinder date through the act of “stealthing”.Judge Sarah Huggett acquitted the 32-year-old as he sat at Sydney’s Downing Centre District Court on Thursday listening to the decision. He said he was looking forward to returning to playing after his acquittal.”The evidence establishes that there was no opportunity for the accused to remove the condom during intercourse because that intercourse was continuous,” the judge said in handing down the verdict.Judge Huggett found the complainant, who cannot be legally named, appeared to be an intelligent, calm and responsive witness who did not deliberately give false evidence.However, at times the woman gave the impression she was “motivated by a desire to paint the cricketer in an unfavourable light”, the judge said.”I find that the evidence regarding the complaint far from supports the complainant. Rather it undermines the reliability of her evidence.”The cricketer’s defence team signalled he will apply for the Crown to pay his legal costs of defending the allegation.Outside court, Gunathilaka thanked his lawyers, parents and others who supported him during what he described as a very hard 11 months.”I’m happy my life is normal again,” he said. “I can’t wait to go back and play cricket.”Gunathilaka and the woman matched on the dating app and met for drinks at Opera Bar in November 2022 before having pizza together in the Sydney CBD and then catching a ferry to the woman’s eastern suburbs home.Police initially brought four charges against Gunathilaka, who was arrested at the Hyatt Regency hours before the Sri Lankan cricket team was due to fly out of the country. Prosecutors later dropped three of those charges.In statements to police and the court, the woman accused the batsman of various acts of aggression and violence such as slapping her buttocks, forcefully kissing her and bruising her lips and choking her during sex.There was no suggestion by prosecutors at trial that any of these acts constituted an offence, although the woman in her evidence said the sex was non-consensual.Gunathilaka always maintained his innocence, pleading not guilty to one count of sexual intercourse without consent relating to the cricketer’s alleged “stealthing”, or removing his condom during sex without the woman’s consent.During the judge-alone trial, defence lawyers questioned the credibility of the complainant, claiming her story shifted over time and that she edited her version of events to paint Gunathilaka as an aggressive person.Judge Huggett also heard evidence from two of the woman’s friends who described her as fragile and distraught the day after the cricketer attended her home.Police officers who spoke to the woman were also questioned about the way they handled the case, including omitting crucial details, throwing out notes and potentially contaminating witnesses.Judge Huggett on Thursday described the conduct of police in prosecuting Gunathilaka as “very concerning” and “far from satisfactory”.Gunathilaka has been on bail during the trial but was unable to play international cricket or return to his hometown of Colombo.

Pair of centuries underpin dominant display as champions seek to finish in style

ECB Reporters Network26-Sep-2023Graham Clark and David Bedingham both scored hundreds as Division 2 winners Durham looked to end the season with a victory as they piled on the runs on day 1 of their LV=Insurance County Championship Division 2 fixture against Leicestershire.Leicestershire looked to have made the correct decision at the toss to bowl as they dismissed Alex Lees for 6. However, Michael Jones and Scott Borthwick put on 99 for the second wicket to check their progress at Seat Unique Riverside.The visitors then fought back in the early afternoon as they dismissed Borthwick and Jones either side of lunch, before Ollie Robinson fell in a spell of 3 for 34.Bedingham and Clark stole the initiative and the momentum of the day, as they shared a 208-run partnership in the mid-afternoon and early evening as Durham looked to finish the season on a high after being confirmed as winners last week.On a week of celebration for the North East outfit as they ended their seven-year absence from Division 1, the sun hid away early on as Leicestershire won the toss and decided to bowl on an overcast morning at Chester-le-Street.They were rewarded early on when Chris Wright pinned Lees to dismiss the leading run scorer in the County Championship for 6 in the fifth over of the game.The ball moved around early on, Jones very fortunate to not be bowled by an absolute snorter by Wright that somehow didn’t take the edge of the bat or remove his off stump.However, Durham were not dissuaded by this and carried on in the same way they have done all season, applying pressure back onto the bowlers with their positive approach to batting with Jones and skipper Scott Borthwick.Borthwick took the aggressor role in the partnership and went to 50 off 45 balls with a clip through midwicket as Leicestersire tried desperately for a breakthrough to try and keep their slim promotion hopes alive.The visitors broke the partnership on 99 when Tom Scriven had Borthwick caught behind by Ben Cox standing up to the stumps just before lunch for a punchy 63, following his unbeaten 134 against Worcester.One brought two as Jones was bowled by Scriven first ball after the lunch break for 37, after surviving the moving ball earlier on in the day as the lights were intermittently.Their resistance continued as Ollie Robinson clipped Scriven to mid wicket in a burst of 3 for 34 as they looked to make the most of their decision to bowl first.However, the afternoon momentum then turned back to the hosts as Bedingham and Clark shared a 50-run partnership as the change bowlers failed to exert the same control and pressure.Clark moved to 50 off 52 balls as his comeback season in red ball continued in fine fettle, and Bedingham got his half century off 67 deliveries as the pair shifted momentum back towards the champions.The pair moved past the 100 partnership with ease, bringing Durham their 50th batting bonus point and thus a new club record for most batting points achieved in a single season.Leicestershire looked devoid of bowling options outside of Wright and Scriven as the pitch favoured batting, as Bedingham and Clark eased through the gears in the afternoon session following the loss of Robinson.Clark then moved to his third century of the season with a pull through the leg side Louis Kimber’s off spin, before Wright returned with the new ball to pin him LBW for a superb 119.Bedingham went to his fifth century of the season and 10th in a Durham shirt off 158 balls with a gentle push through the covers as Durham looked to assert total dominance of the game, before bad light brought a slightly premature end to the day.

التقى الدولي الإنجليزي ماركوس راشفورد، المنتقل حديثًا إلى صفوف الفريق الأول لكرة القدم بنادي برشلونة بزملائه، في ملعب التدريب اليوم، الثلاثاء.

ومن المقرر أن يعلن برشلونة غدًا الأربعاء، تعاقده رسميًا مع مهاجم مانشستر يونايتد السابق على سبيل الإعارة، لتعزيز الفريق الأول لكرة القدم خلال الموسم المقبل.

ويرغب الألماني هانز فليك، المدير الفني للفريق في تعزيز تشكيلته التي ستخوض الموسم المقبل ولمواجهة التحديات المنتظرة ولمواصلة اعتلاء منصات التتويج.

اقرأ أيضًا | كادينا كوبيه: راشفورد ضحى من أجل الانتقال إلى برشلونة.. والكشف عن موعد تدريبه الأول

ونشرت صحيفة “موندو ديبورتيفو” الإسبانية، صورًا قام أحد مستخدمي تيك توك بالتقاطها، وكان راشفورد خلالها في ملعب التدريب بالمدينة الرياضية أثناء تسجيله فيديو يعلن فيه انضمامه إلى برشلونة.

في المقطع يظهر المهاجم الإنجليزي واقفًا بجوار كشك هاتف إنجليزي كلاسيكي، في إشارة إلى أصوله الكروية، مرتديًا الزي الرسمي لـ برشلونة ويتضح من الفيديو أن راشفورد لم يستقر على رقم حتى الآن.

🔴 𝐔́𝐋𝐓𝐈𝐌𝐀 𝐇𝐎𝐑𝐀 | ¡Marcus Rashford ya posa con la camiseta del Barça!

🏴󠁧󠁢󠁥󠁮󠁧󠁿 Al inglés se le ha visto haciéndose la sesión de fotos para la presentación oficial pic.twitter.com/Wz6AOdftjT — SocBlaugrana (@SocBlaugranaFC) July 22, 2025

وتعاقد برشلونة مع راشفورد، على سبيل الإعارة لمدة موسم مع خيار الشراء ولم يُلزم برشلونة على شرائه بعد انتهاء الموسم المقبل، كما تنازل مهاجم مانشستر يونايتد عن 30% من راتبه لإتمام الصفقة.

Injury just 20 days away from New Zealand’s ODI World Cup opener; timeline for recovery yet to be established

Vithushan Ehantharajah15-Sep-2023

Tim Southee will fly home to New Zealand with his World Cup involvement in doubt, after scans revealed he had dislocated and fractured a bone in his right thumb while dropping a catch during the fourth ODI against England.Southee suffered the injury trying to take a catch off Joe Root (on 8 at the time) while fielding at a wide first slip off the last delivery of the 14th over at Lord’s, bowled by Ben Lister. He signalled his discomfort immediately before being escorted off the field by a member of the touring medical team.After leaving the ground for a scan, he did not play any further part in New Zealand’s 100-run loss – Trent Boult replaced him as a substitute fielder, while he didn’t come out to bat in the latter stages of the innings.With just 20 days before New Zealand begin their World Cup campaign, against England in Ahmedabad in the opening game of the tournament, New Zealand will hope the further assessment can allow Southee to keep his place in the 15-man squad for what will be his fourth ODI World Cup.”It’s not ideal for Timmy,” Tom Latham, New Zealand’s captain, said. “He’s a massive leader amongst the group and obviously he’ll be assessed over the coming days when we get back home to see how bad it is, but we do have a bit of time leading into those first couple of games, so we’ll know more over the next couple of days.”He’s a pretty resilient character, so I’m sure he’ll be doing all he can to be on the plane, ready for that first game. But it’s hard to know at this point what the timeframe will be. Once he gets home and has a few more scans, we’ll know the extent of what’s going on.”Remarkably, Southee was the third of three injuries sustained in New Zealand’s cordon, and their fourth of the match overall. Daryl Mitchell dislocated his ring finger taking a smart low catch to dismiss Jonny Bairstow, before Finn Allen – on for Mitchell – suffered a laceration on the little finger of his right hand when giving Root his first life on 7 after a misjudged late cut, again off Lister. Root was unable to make the most of the two bits of fortune, eventually bowled by Rachin Ravindra for 29. However, Allen was later cleared of any further damage to his finger.Lister’s misery was compounded when he hobbled off with a hamstring issue after bowling six overs, an injury that has now ended his stint with Kent, for whom he was due to play in the remainder of their County Championship campaign. Neither Allen nor Lister, who was drafted into this series as a replacement for Adam Milne, are in the World Cup squad.Mitchell was able to return to the field and cover for the loss of two quicks with seven overs of medium pace. He finished with figures of 2 for 40, removing Jos Buttler for 36 with his fourth delivery, and then snaring David Willey in the final over as England reached 311 for 9. However, he made just 4 from 14 balls with the bat as New Zealand’s series hopes faded.

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O elenco do Corinthians voltou a treinar na manhã desta sexta-feira (23). O time se prepara para o compromisso da próxima quarta-feira (28), contra o Atlético-GO, na Neo Química Arena, pelo Campeonato Brasileiro.

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+Manto do Corinthians: veja os modelos finalistas para quarta camisa do Timão em 2023

Em processo de transição física, o lateral-direito Rafael Ramos, o meia Maycon, e o atacante Júnior Moraes ainda não treinaram com bola. Mas a expectativa é que eles fiquem à disposição da comissão técnica nos próximos dias. A presença do trio contra o Dragão ainda é dúvida, mas nas finais da Copa do Brasil, contra o Flamengo, nos dias 12 e 19 de outubro é quase certeza.

Entre os três atletas, aquele que mais gera expectativa de retorno antes das decisões da Copa do Brasil é Maycon, que tem tudo para ser titular. Já Rafael Ramos e Moraes vivem à sombra de Fagner e Yuri Alberto, respectivamente.

Na atividade realizada nesta manhã, o técnico Vítor Pereira promoveu uma atividade de passes e finalização, seguido de um treino de enfrentamento em campo reduzido ao mesmo tempo que um outro grupo esboçava jogadas em situações ofensivas.

+ Confira a tabela do Brasileirão e simule a reta final

Como ganhou três dias de folga no início da semana, o Timão treina neste fim de semana.

Além do Atlético-GO, o Corinthians também enfrentará o Cuiabá, Juventude e Athletico-PR antes do primeiro jogo da final da Copa do Brasi, contra o Flamengo.

Paris Saint-Germain president Nasser Al-Khelaifi says there is a "problem" with the Ballon d'Or if Ousmane Dembele does not win this year's award.

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Dembele favourite to win Ballon d'Or Barca's Yamal one of the contendersPSG president issues verdict on matterFollow GOAL on WhatsApp! 🟢📱WHAT HAPPENED?

PSG star Dembele is the favourite to win this year's Ballon d'Or after leading his side to Champions League, Ligue 1, and Coupe de France glory last season. Barcelona's Lamine Yamal is also in the running to claim the 2025 Golden Ball but Al-Khelaifi insisted the 28-year-old deserves this prestigious accolade.

AdvertisementGetty Images EntertainmentWHAT THE PSG PRESIDENT SAID

Al-Khelaifi told DAZN: "Ousmane’s season is magnificent. There is no doubt that he won’t win the Ballon d’Or. If he doesn’t win it, there is a problem with the Ballon d’Or. He has done everything."

Dembele himself added: "I’m thinking about [the Ballon d’Or]. I know that, with the season that I have had, I am not far [from the Ballon d’Or], but I am focused on the objectives, before thinking about myself."

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Ex-Barcelona man Dembele has had the season of his life, scoring 33 goals and adding 15 assists in 49 matches in all competitions. He would be a worthy winner but last year, Real Madrid's Vinicius Junior was tipped to win the Ballon d'Or, only to be pipped by Manchester City's Rodri in a surprise pick. So it is not a given that he wins the award.

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Former Rennes and Borussia Dortmund star Dembele will not have too long to wait to find out if he will be crowned the world's best player in 2025, with the prestigious ceremony taking place in Paris on September 22.

The allrounder will undergo a fitness test on Thursday before the medical team decides on his return date

ESPNcricinfo staff25-Oct-2023India allrounder Hardik Pandya will miss a second consecutive game at this World Cup – Sunday’s match against England – as he continues to recover from the ankle injury he suffered against Bangladesh in Pune.ESPNcricinfo has learned that Hardik has slight ligament damage. He will undergo a fitness test on Thursday before the BCCI medical team decides on his return date.After the Bangladesh match, India’s captain Rohit Sharma had said there was “no major damage” to Hardik, and the allrounder was referred to the National Cricket Academy in Bengaluru for treatment. Hardik subsequently missed the New Zealand game, with the BCCI expecting him to join the team in Lucknow.Related

Unbeaten India look to push England further towards elimination

How will India fill the Hardik Pandya hole?

Hardik Pandya ruled out of New Zealand game with ankle injury

To make up for Hardik’s all-round skills, India played Suryakumar Yadav and replaced Shardul Thakur with Mohammed Shami against New Zealand. Suryakumar was run out for 2 but Shami, playing his first match of this World Cup, picked up a five-for to help India restrict New Zealand to under 300.However, with the Lucknow pitch expected to help spinners, India could consider bringing in R Ashwin for Shami. The move will also provide the batting cushion down the order.India are currently at the top of the points table, and the only unbeaten side in the tournament, with five wins from as many matches. After England, they are to play Sri Lanka, at the Wankhede on November 2.