FIFA's Club World Cup previews U.S. readiness to host 2026 World Cup
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Times
an hour ago
- Times
Premier League to launch ‘RefCams' in TV matches this weekend
Broadcasters will be able to show replays of goals and key incidents in the Premier League from a camera worn by the referee from this weekend. The 'RefCams' will be used from Friday, when Liverpool take on Bournemouth at Anfield, after their successful launch at the Club World Cup and the Premier League's Summer Series in the United States. The Premier League has yet to confirm details but it is expected that matches being screened live by Sky Sports and TNT Sport will have access to RefCam footage. It will also be available to VARs, if required, after a decision by the International FA Board (Ifab) in March. Pierluigi Collina, the chairman of Fifa's refereeing committee, said the use of RefCam at the Club World Cup 'went beyond our expectations', adding: 'We thought it would have been an interesting experience for TV viewers and we received great comments. 'We were asked, 'Why not in all the matches?' and even more, 'Why not in all sports?' 'We had the possibility to see what the referee sees on the field of play. And this was not only for entertainment purposes, but also for coaching the referees and to explain why something was not seen on the field of play.' The first use of a RefCam took place in the Premier League at the end of the 2023-24 season when the Australian referee Jarred Gillett wore a head-mounted camera in the match between Crystal Palace and Manchester United. The video from that was not released until some weeks later, because the use of the camera was part of a programme to promote match officials, but it did capture a stunning angle of Michael Olise's goal. Players will be told about the camera before the match — unlike in 1989 when the referee David Elleray secretly wore a microphone for an Arsenal v Millwall match for an ITV programme, which showed the Arsenal captain Tony Adams calling the match official 'a f***ing cheat'.
Glasgow Times
2 hours ago
- Glasgow Times
The Marshall Islands gearing up for historic international football match
The Marshall Islands have long claimed to be 'the last nation on earth without a football team', and did not even have a federation until 2020, let alone the national set-up which has only existed for the last two and a half years. For some members of the squad, Thursday's meeting with the US Virgin Islands at the Outrigger Challenge Cup in Arkansas will be their first competitive game of 11 v 11 football – ever. The Marshall Islands are preparing to play their first ever international football match (Marshall Islands Soccer Federation/PA) 'There's a sort of unrealness to it that we can't believe it's actually happening,' Leicestershire-born Walley, who now lives in Bosnia and Herzegovina, told the PA news agency. 'But we've been working very hard and we're really focused on what's ahead of us. We've already had several days of hard work and planning. Hopefully we will be as ready as we can be.' Springdale, Arkansas might seem like an odd choice of location for the Marshall Islands-hosted four-team tournament, but it is an area which, as of 2019, boasted the highest concentration of Marshallese in continental United States. Some members of the squad have been recruited from Majuro, the Kwajalein Atoll, and other parts of the Marshall Islands itself, with its population of around 37,500 – and no club football. Amazing support from the public and lots of football clubs around the world following us ahead of our first-ever games this week. Please keep the follows and love coming! It makes us feel stronger — Marshall Islands Soccer Federation (@SoccerFedMI) August 12, 2025 Several team members have moved to the United States, where some play for US colleges, while others have Marshallese heritage. Their technical director and head coach, Lloyd Owers, who joined in 2022, is based in Oxfordshire. As far as they are aware, the Marshall Islands is the only recognised UN member state not to have played an 11 v 11 international fixture. Some local to Majuro participated in an initial team meeting 18 months ago, but, revealed Walley: 'In terms of an actual national team training camp, this is the first one we have ever done. Players have gathered in Arkansas for their first training camp (Marshall Islands Soccer Federation/PA) 'The guys flew in on Friday and Saturday, the first training session ever was on Saturday. We're trying to cram in five days of camp to be ready. 'We try to train like we would with any normal club side. We just try to develop what we've got. Some of the guys do play club football, some have never played 11-a-side. They've played futsal. 'We've been developing that all week, we've played a few sort of mini-games, so it's not as if they (will have) never played 11-a-side before, they will be ready.' The federation hopes to be recognised by FIFA in the next five years (Marshall Islands Football Federation/PA) Walley hopes what started out as a group of men with a vision – but no infrastructure – will lead to FIFA recognition by 2030 at the latest, though the first step is acceptance into a confederation. Funding for their big international debut has come from sponsorship, a £21,573 crowdfunding campaign, and about 2000 shirts sold over the last couple of years. 'I think people weren't taking us seriously,' admits Walley, who says the side want to give 'the best account of themselves possible' in their historic match. He added: 'They weren't thinking that we could possibly pull this off, playing national teams. We've come a long, long way in a short time.'
Metro
4 hours ago
- Metro
Ally McCoist praises Chelsea for completing 'bargain' transfer signing
Ally McCoist has predicted where Chelsea will finish in the Premier League after a productive summer transfer window and the 'bargain' signing of Joao Pedro. Hopes have been raised that Chelsea can mount a title challenge after the Blues spent another £250m on new signings this summer. Brazil international Pedro is Chelsea's most expensive signing of the summer at £60m but McCoist believes even that represents a 'bargain'. Pedro spent two promising seasons at Brighton before moving to Stamford Bridge last month and hit the ground running for Chelsea, starring in the latter stages of their Club World Cup win. The 23-year-old continued to impress in pre-season, scoring two goals in the friendlies against Bayer Leverkusen and AC Milan. In The Mixer: Exclusive analysis, FPL tips and transfer talk sent straight to your inbox every week – sign up, it's an open goal. Pedro will need to be at his best this season, however, given the competition he is likely to face from the likes of Liam Delap, who joined Chelsea for £30m at the start of the summer. Nicolas Jackson is also still on Chelsea's books for the time being but there is a sense the Senegal international will be sold before the transfer window shuts. 'Joao Pedro will be a fantastic signing for Chelsea,' McCoist told talkSPORT Bet. 'They have got a bit of a bargain there. 'I'll be honest with you, I thought Pedro would be a good signing but having seen the start he has had, he could be a great signing for Chelsea, he really could.' As well as signing Pedro and Delap this summer, Chelsea have welcomed Jamie Gittens, Jorrel Hato and Estevao Willian to Stamford Bridge. Jamie Gittens – £48m from Borussia Dortmund Joao Pedro – £55m from Brighton Liam Delap – £30m from Ipswich Town Mamadou Sarr – £12m from Lyon Dario Essugo – £18m from Sporting CP Estevao Willian – £29m from Palmeiras Kendry Paez – £17m from Independiente del Valle Jorrol Hato – £37m from Ajax The Blues are currently working on a deal for RB Leipzig playmaker Xavi Simons and are also lining up a bid for Manchester United winger Alejandro Garnacho. Another productive summer in the transfer market has raised hopes that Chelsea can challenge for the title this season after finishing fourth last term. As well as qualifying for the Champions League, Chelsea won the Conference League under Enzo Maresca before causing an upset and becoming Club World Cup champions. But McCoist believes there is still a gap between Chelsea and the top-two from last season, Liverpool and Arsenal. 'I think Liverpool will win the league again this year and Arsenal will finish second again,' the former Scotland striker added. 'I went the other way last year and had Arsenal winning it, but I just think Liverpool have done some great business this summer. 'Arsenal I am looking forward to seeing. The Club World Cup will have an effect on Chelsea and Man City at some stage. I know they have big squads, but that was a long season. More Trending 'I think Chelsea will finish third and Man City will be fourth, which is a bizarre thing to say as that could come back and slap me in the face as they could easily go and win it. 'But [Kevin] De Bruyne has gone, probably at the right time to be fair, and there is a bit of a worry about them defensively. The fear factor is gone so that's why I have got them finishing fourth. 'I've got Aston Villa to finish fifth. They haven't had much activity this summer but Unai Emery is a top-class coach and I fully expect them to continue their improvement.' Chelsea's first Premier League match of the season is a London derby against FA Cup and Community Shield holders Crystal Palace on Sunday. For more stories like this, check our sport page. Follow Metro Sport for the latest news on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram. MORE: Barcelona planned transfer move for Manchester United summer signing MORE: Tottenham icon makes Mikel Arteta sack prediction if Arsenal finish second again MORE: Mikel Merino reveals what has 'surprised' him about Arsenal signing Viktor Gyokeres
