It would probably be the first time in the history of the soccer world cup that so many discussions have been taken place in last couple of months and still there is no consensus over whether world cup would visit in the middle east or not. Though, both UEFA and FIFA presidents are now agreed on playing the event in winter, Qatar still want to organize the mega event during its traditional time period. As far dates change is concerned, FIFA has asked Qatar to submit a formal request to shift the timing while Qatar look nowhere interested in accepting their inability to host the world cup during the month of June. According to recent media reports, Qatar has planned a comprehensive plan to convert all world cup sites into fully conditioned ones so both players and fans could enjoy the game without fearing heat of the dessert. In fact, Qatar organizers have replied Blatter’s advice to submit a formal request by saying that they are still committed to what they had promised when they were … [Read more...]
Women Football: FIFA unveils 2015 World Cup schedule
So, ready to witness the two consecutive years of football extravaganza: one is coming Brazil men football World Cup and another is just next year’s women football World Cup going to be hosted by North American nation. This will be the first time when 24 teams will fight together for the trophy in a 30 day’s long mega soccer event. There are 52 matches in total and its final is also the first world cup final to be played on an artificial turf of Vancouver’s B.C. stadium that has been shortlisted to host 2015 women world cup final. Other sites to host the matches include Edmonton, Moncton, Montreal, Ottawa, Winnipeg and Vancouver while FOX Sports has been given an exclusive right to live broadcast all the matches. FIFA’s executive committee responsible for conducting world cup matches approved the matches’ timings on Thursday. While announcing the schedule, Steve Reed, the member of national organizing committee, said, “There's a lot of factors that go into. The final match, … [Read more...]
FIFA agrees on Brazil slow world cup preparations
Everyone knows how the stadiums’ renovation work is going on in Brazil which is the host of June 2014 FIFA world cup, and surprisingly after many promises, Brazil has not been able to deliver number of stadiums it said before. There is going to be Confederations Cup in June 2013 and FIFA has asked Brazilian football association to at least ready six stadiums by the end of March, but Brazil has only made two stadiums available by the deadline. The slow moving renovation work could be dangerous looking at the labor problem back in Brazil, moreover, coming world cup would be the first one to use a goal line technology which also needs extra infrastructure work there. Likewise, Brazil has also not completed the work on Maracana stadium in Rio de Janeiro which is going to host Confederations cup final in June 30; it had April 27 deadline. Recently, FIFA inspection team had to cancel its trip to Brazil citing heavy rain on ground zero. Despite all the allegations of slow work in there, … [Read more...]
Rio Ferdinand axes from England’s squad for WC qualifiers
In an important makeshift in England’s national soccer team, Steven Caulker is set to replace Rio Ferdinand for the next two world cup qualifiers against San Marino and Montenegro. They would have been Rio’s first games for his national team since almost two years had he been a part of them, but the good news is, 34-year-old center-back still has lots of soccer within him so he is most likely to be played in a future for English national team. His replacement decision was taken on Sunday during a meeting which was attended by Rio and England boss Roy Hodgson. Notwithstanding his absence from next two matches, Hodgson confirmed his chances to play for his nation in near future, he said about his likelihoods, “I'm disappointed Rio will not be available, but due to the detailed pre-planned training and medical programme he must follow it's not possible. However, I was pleased that Rio called and asked to meet with me. It was important to hear from him personally about the way he must … [Read more...]
2014 World Cup to have special seats for obese fans
There is something to cheer about for thousands of obese fans who find it difficult in messing here and there to find a confirmed seat for their favorite soccer match. Brazil recently passed a legislation which makes it compulsory for organizers to reserve some seats for physically challenged fans including obese ones. It would be the first world cup to have such an arrangement for obese as well other disabled. New legislation also allows international players to take advantage of this facility. According to a recently passed legislation, 1% of the stadium capacity needs to be reserved for disabled fans that includes obese, however, for having such a leverage, a fan requires to pass some formalities, like for obese quota, a fan needs to provide a medical certificate mentioning his BMI of more than 30 which is also the global definition of obesity, while for others, a state certificate will be required mentioning his impairment details. Cost wise too, obese fans can enjoy tickets at … [Read more...]