logo
Iraq applies to host Asian World Cup qualifying group

Iraq applies to host Asian World Cup qualifying group

CNA09-06-2025
The Iraqi Football Association‮ ‬(IFA) has submitted an official request to host one of the two groups in the fourth round of Asian qualifiers for next year's World Cup in North America.
Iraq will finish third or fourth in Group B in the third round, with 12 points ahead of their final match against Jordan in Amman on Tuesday.
"We had sent a letter to International Federation of Association Football‮ ‬(FIFA) and the Asian Football Confederation (AFC) calling for the highest levels of transparency and fairness in the process of selecting the host country or countries for the fourth round of the Asian qualifiers," IFA said in a statement on Facebook.
The IFA has said it is fully prepared to assume all organisational, security and financial obligations associated with hosting matches, with support from the Iraqi government and state institutions.
In the fourth round of qualifying, the six teams who finished third and fourth in the third-stage groups will be divided into two groups.
The top team in each group will qualify directly for the World Cup finals and the two teams finishing second will compete in a playoff to decide who will represent Asia in an international playoff.
Orange background

Try Our AI Features

Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:

Comments

No comments yet...

Related Articles

Messi leads Argentina's revamped squad for Venezuela and Ecuador qualifiers
Messi leads Argentina's revamped squad for Venezuela and Ecuador qualifiers

CNA

time2 days ago

  • CNA

Messi leads Argentina's revamped squad for Venezuela and Ecuador qualifiers

BUENOS AIRES :Argentina's national team unveiled a revamped 31-man squad on Monday, led by Lionel Messi, for the South American qualifiers against Venezuela and Ecuador for the 2026 World Cup. Alongside captain Messi, the squad features several young Argentine talents, including Manchester City striker Claudio Echeverri, Porto midfielder Alan Varela, and recent Real Madrid signing Franco Mastantuono. Coach Lionel Scaloni also called up striker Jose Manuel Lopez from Brazilian club Palmeiras for the first time. Argentina will play Venezuela at the Monumental Stadium in Buenos Aires on September 4, before traveling to Guayaquil to play Ecuador five days later. Having already qualified for the World Cup, the "Albiceleste" lead the qualifiers with 35 points, 10 points ahead of Ecuador in second place and Brazil in third. Argentina squad: Goalkeepers: Emiliano Martinez, Walter Benitez and Geronimo Rulli Defenders: Cristian Romero, Nicolas Otamendi, Nahuel Molina, Gonzalo Montiel, Leonardo Balerdi, Juan Foyth, Nicolas Tagliafico, Marcos Acuna, Julio Soler and Facundo Medina Midfielders: Alexis Mac Allister, Exequiel Palacios, Alan Varela, Leandro Paredes, Thiago Almada, Nicolas Paz, Rodrigo De Paul, Giovani Lo Celso, and Valentin Carboni

Diarra restarts damages claim against FIFA, Belgian FA after CJEU ruling
Diarra restarts damages claim against FIFA, Belgian FA after CJEU ruling

Straits Times

time2 days ago

  • Straits Times

Diarra restarts damages claim against FIFA, Belgian FA after CJEU ruling

Sign up now: Get ST's newsletters delivered to your inbox Former France midfielder Lassana Diarra is restarting legal proceedings seeking 65 million euros ($75.93 million) in damages from FIFA and the Belgian FA after the European Union's top court (CJEU) ruled in October that some world soccer body rules breached EU laws. FIFA handed Diarra a fine of 10 million euros after the former Arsenal, Chelsea and Real Madrid player left Lokomotiv Moscow one year into a four-year contract in 2014. That prompted the player to sue FIFA and Belgian FA for damages before a local court. Diarra said on Monday that he had waited a few months before restarting proceedings in Belgium hoping FIFA and the Belgian FA approached him for an amicable settlement, which did not happen. "I have been forced to fight this legal battle since August 2014. That's more than 11 years," Diarra said in a joint press release from players' unions FIFPRO, FIFPRO Europe and France's UNFP (National Union of Professional Footballers), who had all backed him in the case. "I am doing this for myself ... but I have also done it for all the up-and-coming, lesser-known players who do not have the financial and psychological means to challenge FIFA before real judges." FIFA amended its transfer regulations after the CJEU ruling, adopting an interim framework on the calculation of compensation payable and burden of proof if there is a breach of contract. Top stories Swipe. Select. Stay informed. Singapore Jobs, infrastructure and homes at the core of Singapore's resilience: Economists Business New online tools by SkillsFuture Singapore help companies plan and curate staff training Life Chinese EV brand Nio to be launched in Singapore in first quarter of 2026 Asia 2 firefighters die in building fire at Osaka's Dotonbori tourist district Singapore Driver hurt after car turns turtle in Upper Thomson accident Sport National tennis player Shaheed Alam serves up charity event to benefit migrant workers Life New Blackpink album scheduled for November, YG Entertainment confirms Singapore Jail for driver of 11-tonne garbage truck that ran over cyclist in Woodlands "FIFA has been working with its stakeholders to amend its regulations following the guidance offered by the ECJ (European Court of Justice). FIFA does not comment on ongoing legal matters," a FIFA spokesperson said. The Belgian FA did not respond to a request for comment. Earlier this month, a Dutch soccer players' group announced it was preparing a Europe-wide class action claim against FIFA and other associations, seeking compensation over alleged loss of income due to restrictive transfer rules. REUTERS

Diarra restarts damages claim against FIFA, Belgian FA after CJEU ruling
Diarra restarts damages claim against FIFA, Belgian FA after CJEU ruling

CNA

time2 days ago

  • CNA

Diarra restarts damages claim against FIFA, Belgian FA after CJEU ruling

Former France midfielder Lassana Diarra is restarting legal proceedings seeking 65 million euros ($75.93 million) in damages from FIFA and the Belgian FA after the European Union's top court (CJEU) ruled in October that some world soccer body rules breached EU laws. FIFA handed Diarra a fine of 10 million euros after the former Arsenal, Chelsea and Real Madrid player left Lokomotiv Moscow one year into a four-year contract in 2014. That prompted the player to sue FIFA and Belgian FA for damages before a local court. Diarra said on Monday that he had waited a few months before restarting proceedings in Belgium hoping FIFA and the Belgian FA approached him for an amicable settlement, which did not happen. "I have been forced to fight this legal battle since August 2014. That's more than 11 years," Diarra said in a joint press release from players' unions FIFPRO, FIFPRO Europe and France's UNFP (National Union of Professional Footballers), who had all backed him in the case. "I am doing this for myself ... but I have also done it for all the up-and-coming, lesser-known players who do not have the financial and psychological means to challenge FIFA before real judges." FIFA amended its transfer regulations after the CJEU ruling, adopting an interim framework on the calculation of compensation payable and burden of proof if there is a breach of contract. "FIFA has been working with its stakeholders to amend its regulations following the guidance offered by the ECJ (European Court of Justice). FIFA does not comment on ongoing legal matters," a FIFA spokesperson said. The Belgian FA did not respond to a request for comment. ($1 = 0.8560 euros)

DOWNLOAD THE APP

Get Started Now: Download the App

Ready to dive into a world of global content with local flavor? Download Daily8 app today from your preferred app store and start exploring.
app-storeplay-store