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2 days ago
- Politics
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Canada, US, Mexico brace for World Cup extravaganza
The MetLife Stadium in New Jersey will host the World Cup final next year, the climax of the largest and most complex edition of the finals ever staged (AL BELLO) The largest and most complex World Cup in history kicks off in just over a year's time, with the United States, Canada and Mexico co-hosting the football extravaganza against a backdrop of political tension triggered by Donald Trump. Forty-eight teams and millions of fans are set to descend on North America for the first ever World Cup shared by three nations, with the tournament getting under way on June 11 next year. Advertisement In theory, the 23rd edition of the most popular sporting spectacle on the planet has all the makings of a successful tournament. An array of venues ranging from Mexico's iconic Estadio Azteca to the glittering $5 billion SoFi Stadium in Los Angeles will play host to 104 games spread over nearly six weeks. The United States will host the bulk of those fixtures -- 78 -- with Canada and Mexico staging 13 each. All games from the quarter-finals onwards will be held in the United States, with the tournament culminating in the final at New Jersey's 82,500-seater MetLife Stadium on July 19, 2026. Advertisement - 'Like 104 Super Bowls' - American officials believe the return of the World Cup to the country -- 32 years after the United States hosted the 1994 finals -- could represent a watershed moment for football in the country. "The World Cup is going to raise the attention of the sport in ways that nobody ever dreamed of," said Don Garber, the commissioner of Major League Soccer. FIFA's President Gianni Infantino meanwhile has been hyping next year's finals as the equivalent of "104 Super Bowls", contrasting the World Cup's estimated six billion viewers to the 120 million or so who tune in for the climax of the NFL season. Advertisement There are historical precedents which suggest the hype might be justified. The 1994 World Cup in the United States remains the best attended World Cup in history, with an average of 68,600 fans flocking to each game. Yet while organisers eagerly anticipate a commercial success, with one FIFA estimate suggesting it could generate a mammoth $11 billion in revenues, questions over other aspects of the tournament remain. The 48 teams -- up from 32 in 2022 -- will be spread into 12 groups of four, with the top two teams in each group advancing to the knockout rounds, and the eight best third-placed teams joining them to make up a last 32. That expansion is likely to reduce the sense of jeopardy in the first round, a problem seen in other major championships which have increased in size in recent years. Advertisement - Visa backlog - There is also the question of how the polarising policies of US President Trump may impact the tournament. Since taking office, Trump has launched a global trade war, repeatedly threatened to annex World Cup co-host Canada and launched an immigration crackdown at US borders which has seen overseas visitors from countries like France, Britain, Germany and Australia either detained or denied entry in recent months. Trump this week signed a travel ban on 12 countries including Iran, who have qualified for the World Cup, but the ban will not apply to players taking part in the tournament. Advertisement Trump, who is chairman of a White House task force overseeing preparations for the World Cup, says overseas fans travelling to the tournament have nothing to fear. "Every part of the US government will be working to ensure that these events are safe and successful, and those traveling to America to watch the competition have a seamless experience during every part of their visit," Trump said last month. FIFA chief Infantino, who has forged a close relationship with Trump, echoed that point, insisting that America was ready to "welcome the world." "Everyone who wants to come here to enjoy, to have fun, to celebrate the game will be able to do that," Infantino said. Advertisement With one year to go however, it is by no means clear that Infantino's pledge will hold up. US Secretary of State Marco Rubio said last month that some embassy staff may be required to work double-shifts to expedite visa processing, citing the example of Colombia, where US visa wait times are currently 15 months. "If you haven't applied for a visa from Colombia already, you probably won't get here in time for the World Cup unless we go to double shifts," Rubio told lawmakers on Capitol Hill. Those fans who do make the trip to North America may also find themselves having to fork out a small fortune due to FIFA's reported decision to use dynamic pricing to determine ticket prices. Advertisement That system, where prices on ticketing websites fluctuate according to demand, may well force fans to shell out thousands of dollars to obtain tickets for the highest profile games. "Dynamic pricing does not belong in football because it is an exploitation of fans' loyalty," Ronan Evain, the executive director of the Football Supporters Europe fan group told The Times. "It would be a fiasco for FIFA to use it for the World Cup." rcw/gj
Yahoo
02-05-2025
- Sport
- Yahoo
Russell clocks second fastest 100m hurdles in history at Miami meeting
Masai Russell won the 100m hurdles at the Miami Grand Slam Track meeting with the second fastest time in history (AL BELLO) Olympic champion Masai Russell scorched to victory with the second fastest 100m hurdles time in history at the Grand Slam Track meeting in Miami on Saturday, clocking a world leading 12.17sec. The 24-year-old American star finished just ahead of compatriot Tia Jones, who was second 12.19sec -- the third fastest time in history. Advertisement Russell and Jones, who benefited from a strong following wind which was just on the legal threshold of +2.0 m/s, only narrowly missed out on Tobi Amusan's world record of 12.12sec set at the World Championships in Eugene in 2022. "I dont even know what to say, these girls bring the best out of me every time," Russell said after her victory at the Ansin Sports Complex in Miramar. Russell's time was also a new American record, and also a significant improvement on her previous season best of 12.62sec set in Gainesville, Florida last month. Ackera Nugent was third in 12.34sec with former world record holder Keni Harrison fourth in 12.40sec. rcw/bb
Yahoo
26-04-2025
- Sport
- Yahoo
Olympic champs Russell, Davis-Woodhall win at Drake Relays
Reigning Olympic 100m hurdles champion Masai Russell of the United States won the event at the 115th Drake Relays (AL BELLO) Reigning Olympic champions Masai Russell and Tara Davis-Woodhall won in solid early season fashion at the 115th Drake Relays on Saturday at Des Moines, Iowa. US star Russell won the women's 100m hurdles in 12.74 with a 1.4 m/sec tailwind with Bahamian Denisha Cartwright second in 12.93. Advertisement "It felt good," Russell said. "It's a little windy so I was just glad to make it to the finish line first. I just wanted to stay tight, stay clean and get it over the last five (meters). "I'm just getting that groove back so we can bring that momentum into the US championships and the worlds." The meet's elite events were an early tuneup for September's World Athletics Championships in Tokyo. American Davis-Woodhall won the women's long jump by clearing 6.75m to beat compatriot Sydney Willits by .21m. "I feel great," Davis-Woodhall said. "The wind was the most insane. The wind and me are not friends." Advertisement Jamaica's Zandrion Barnes won the men's 400 in 45.29 seconds, edging American Khaleb McRae by 0.09 of a second with Nigerian Chidi Okezie third in 45.46. Two Americans completed impressive doubles with Saturday triumphs. Vincent Ciattei, fourth at last year's US Olympic trials to barely miss a Paris berth, won the men's 1,500 in 3:39.49, edging countryman Damien Dilcher by half a second. Defending champion Ciattei won the US one-mile road title in 3:55 on Tuesday and completed a double he barely missed last year by winning the 1,500 in relaxed style. "Really great start to the season," Ciattei said. "It feels good to close a race that strong. I really felt relaxed in the middle. I really tried to focus on staying relaxed at speed. That was my only goal going in. I feel like I executed." Advertisement Also pulling off a Drake double was American Krissy Gear, who won the US one-mile crown Tuesday in 4:24 and took the Drake Relays mile in a meet record. Fifty years to the day after the women's mile was last contested at Drake before a switch to the 1,500, Gear won the mile in 4:23.69 to beat the 50-year-old mark of 4:40.2 set by Francie Larrieu Smith in 1975. "It's nice to come out on top," Gear said. "You're just racing. Who cares if it's 1,500m or a mile? I had a lot of fun." American De'vion Wilson won the men's 110 hurdles in 13.46, 0.16 ahead of compatriot Jamal Britt, and said his season goals are to crack 13 seconds and make the worlds team. Advertisement "Felt pretty smooth," Wilson said. "Just focused on staying into the hurdles, being aggressive and it worked out." - Kazimierska wins 800 - Poland's Klaudia Kazimierska, 10th at last year's Paris Olympics, won the women's 800 in 2:02.03 with American Mallory Lindaman second in 2:02.75. Zimbabwe's Ashley Miller edged Tia-Adana Belle of Barbados at the line to capture the women's 400 hurdles in 56.07 seconds, winning by .02 of a second with Puerto Rico's Grace Claxton third in 56.51. American Chris Robinson won the men's 400 hurdles in 48.92 seconds, beating compatriot James Smith II by .19 of a second. Advertisement Nigerian Charles Godfred won the men's long jump on a leap of 8.13m with American Cameron Crump second at 8.07. Roger Steen won the men's shot put on his final attempt with an effort of 21.62m with fellow American Tripp Piperi second at 21.52. js/bb
Yahoo
31-03-2025
- Sport
- Yahoo
Mensik upsets Djokovic to win Miami Open
Czech teen Jakub Mensik celebrates after defeating Novak Djokovic of Serbia to win the Miami Open ATP Masters title (AL BELLO) Czech teenager Jakub Mensik upset Novak Djokovic 7-6 (7/4), 7-6 (7/4) to win the Miami Open at Hard Rock Stadium on Sunday. The 19-year-old, ranked 54th in the world, claimed his first title on the ATP Tour and denied Djokovic his 100th professional title. Advertisement The final was delayed by almost six hours due to heavy rain and when the players emerged it was clear that Djokovic had an eye infection. Mensik started strongly breaking Djokovic's first serve game to go 2-0 up and the tall, big-serving Czech was dominating until, at 4-2 Djokovic broke back when Mensik found the net. The set remained on serve from then on, but in the tie-break Mensik's powerful serve, with two aces, put him in charge from the outset. He opened up a 5-0 lead and although Djokovic fought back the youngster sealed the set with an overhead volley. It was the first set that Djokovic had lost in the entire tournament. Advertisement The second set was a nip and tuck affair with neither player able to break. Once again Mensik's power proved decisive in the tie-break and when Djokovic went long on a return to hand him victory he fell to his back. The match between the 37-year-old Djokovic and Mensik was the biggest age gap difference in a Masters 1000 final and the biggest age gap of any tour-level since 1976. sev/bb
Yahoo
29-03-2025
- Sport
- Yahoo
Sabalenka sinks Pegula to win Miami Open
Aryna Sabalenka celebrates after defeating Jessica Pegula of the United States in the women's final of the Miami Open. (AL BELLO) World number one Aryna Sabalenka won the Miami Open on Saturday, beating American Jessica Pegula 7-5 6-2 in the WTA 1000 final at Hard Rock Stadium. The title was the Belarusian's first at Miami and her second of the season following her January triumph in Brisbane. Advertisement Having lost the final at Indian Wells to Russian 17-year-old Mirra Andreeva earlier this month, Sabalenka was determined not to fall at the last hurdle again. "Winning this trophy is super special," said Sabalenka, who paid tribute to Pegula's performance. Both players struggled to hold their serve in the first set, with Pegula causing Sabalenka some trouble when she brought her up to the net. But the momentum shifted when Pegula was serving to stay in the set at 6-5 down and Sabalenka produced a delicate forehand drop and then a superb down the line winner to take the set. Once she recovered from being broken on her first service game of the second set, it was easier going for Sabalenka, whose bid for a third straight Australian Open title was thwarted in the Melbourne final by Madison Keys earlier this year. Advertisement Sabalenka broke twice to go 3-1 up and never looked in danger from that point on as she wrapped up the win in one hour 27 minutes. It was the third time that Pegula has faced Sabalenka in a final and she has lost on all three occasions. The men's final on Sunday will feature Novak Djokovic up against Czech 19-year-old Jakub Mensik with the Serb looking for his 100th professional title. sev/bb
