Latest news with #RafaelLouzán
Egypt Today
20-05-2025
- Sport
- Egypt Today
Madrid to Host 2027 UEFA Champions League Final at Metropolitano Stadium
CAIRO, 20 May 2025: Spain has been officially selected to host the 2027 UEFA Champions League final, with the match set to take place at Atlético Madrid's Metropolitano Stadium on June 5, 2027. The announcement was made by Sports Minister Pilar Alegría, confirming Spain's return as a host nation for Europe's top club competition. The Metropolitano previously staged the 2019 final, where Liverpool claimed a 2-0 victory over Tottenham Hotspur. The stadium will once again become the center of European football as fans from across the continent gather for the prestigious event. The decision comes after UEFA reopened the bidding process due to Milan's San Siro being withdrawn from consideration amid concerns about ongoing renovations. While other contenders such as Baku's Olympic Stadium were in the running, Spain's bid ultimately won approval. Rafael Louzán, president of the Royal Spanish Football Federation (RFEF), welcomed the decision and expressed optimism for future opportunities. He mentioned the potential of cities like Seville to host major European finals, saying, 'We will propose this to UEFA because both the city and stadium are fully capable of delivering a great event.' As attention builds toward future finals, fans are also eagerly awaiting this year's climax. The 2025 UEFA Champions League final is scheduled for June 1 at the Allianz Arena in Munich, where Paris Saint-Germain (PSG) will take on Inter Milan. Inter earned their spot after a gritty semi-final battle against Barcelona, while PSG advanced by overcoming Arsenal. The upcoming final is expected to be a thrilling encounter, with PSG chasing their first Champions League title and Inter hoping to extend their rich legacy in European football.
Morocco World
04-04-2025
- Sport
- Morocco World
After UK Took 2035 Women's World Cup, Portugal, Spain, Morocco Eye 2039 Bid
Doha – The Portuguese Football Federation (FPF) announced Thursday it is exploring a joint bid with Spain and Morocco to host the 2039 FIFA Women's World Cup, following England's confirmation as the 2035 host country. 'The Portuguese Football Federation and its two counterparts aim to submit a joint bid to organize the World Cup scheduled for 2039,' the Portuguese federation stated in an official communication. The announcement comes after an earlier bid for 2035 fell through when UEFA backed the United Kingdom's solo candidacy. Spanish Football Federation (RFEF) President Rafael Louzán had announced last Friday their intention to bid for 2035 alongside Morocco and Portugal, but the proposal faced immediate obstacles. According to sources within UEFA, Louzán's announcement caught European football officials off guard, as they were already aligned with England's bid. 'Given that the concurrent participation of the three 2030 host countries would not be possible, it was decided not to continue and to pursue other alternatives to strengthen women's football,' officials from Las Rozas explained. FIFA President Gianni Infantino confirmed during the 49th UEFA Congress in Belgrade that only one valid European bid was received for 2035. The English FA's Chief Executive Mark Bullingham welcomed their unopposed status. 'Hosting the first World Cup since 1966 with our friendly nations will be very special. The hard work starts now,' he stated. The three countries' renewed focus on 2039 builds upon their existing collaboration for the 2030 men's World Cup. Spain currently ranks second in FIFA's women's rankings, with Portugal at 22nd and Morocco at 60th. Spanish national women's team coach Montse Tomé, speaking before the bid withdrawal, had supported hosting the tournament. 'It would be a great joy if Spain could be among the options to bring the Women's World Cup to our country,' she had said. 'Having experienced the 2019 World Cup in France, I've seen how it increased attention to our national team.' The FIFA timeline for the 2035 World Cup host selection will conclude during the organization's 76th Congress in the second quarter of 2026, marking the first instance where two tournaments – 2031 and 2035 – will be assigned simultaneously. The United States and Mexico remain the sole bidders for 2031. Tags: MoroccoPortugalSpainWomen's World Cup
The Guardian
03-04-2025
- Sport
- The Guardian
United Kingdom poised to host Women's World Cup in 2035
The United Kingdom looks almost certain to host the 2035 Women's World Cup after Fifa's president, Gianni Infantino, described its interest as the 'one valid bid' for those finals. The football associations of England, Northern Ireland, Scotland and Wales announced last month they would submit a joint expression of interest in hosting the finals in 10 years' time. The deadline for initial expressions of interest passed on Monday and, although Spain's federation president, Rafael Louzán, last week announced his country's intention to bid alongside Portugal and Morocco, Infantino indicated the UK bid was the only one being considered. 'We received one bid for 2031 and one bid – one valid bid I should add – for 2035,' he said at the Uefa Congress in Belgrade. 'The 2035 bid is from Europe, from the home nations.' More details soon …
Telegraph
02-04-2025
- Sport
- Telegraph
UK's Women's World Cup hopes boosted after confusion about rivals' bid
The United Kingdom's chances of hosting the 2035 Women's World Cup have been given a significant boost amid confusion at Fifa over a rival bid. The football associations of England, Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland announced last month that they intended to submit a joint bid to host the tournament. The deadline for expressions of interest was on Monday afternoon. It is understood the UK met that deadline but Fifa has not yet confirmed rival candidates, and it is unclear whether the UK will face any competition. The president of the Spanish FA (RFEF), Rafael Louzán, said his association was 'working on' a joint bid with Portugal and Morocco, with the three countries due to co-host the 2030 men's World Cup. But there is confusion over Spain and Portugal's position, as it has been reported that the Portuguese FA registered its expression of interest without mentioning Morocco. It is understood Fifa is attempting to clarify the situation. The governing body has been approached for comment. There is a possibility the UK could emerge as the only bid and the confusion over a possible rival will have done its chances of being successful no harm. Formal bids must be submitted by the end of November, with the vote taking place at Fifa's congress in 2026. Only countries in Europe or Africa can bid for the tournament because of Fifa's rotation rules. Brazil will host the 2027 World Cup while the United States, which pulled out of the bidding process for that tournament, is the favourite to be host for 2031. England will lead the UK's bid, with Mark Bullingham, the Football Association's CEO, saying in March that the success of the Women's Euros in 2022 had proven the UK's credentials. 'Hosting the Fifa Women's World Cup in 2035 would be an honour,' Bullingham said. 'We strongly believe that we could organise a fantastic tournament, building on the success of the Uefa Women's Euro in 2022 and the subsequent rapid growth of the women's game in England. 'We're excited about the opportunity to welcome the world, and hosting participating nations and fans in sold-out stadiums. There is outstanding support for the women's game in this country and we want to maximise this, not only for women's and girls' football here, but also for the benefit of the global game.'
Morocco World
28-03-2025
- Sport
- Morocco World
Spain Announces Joint 2035 Women's World Cup Bid with Morocco, Portugal
Doha – Spain, Morocco, and Portugal are set to submit a joint bid to host the 2035 FIFA Women's World Cup, Spanish Football Federation (RFEF) President Rafael Louzán announced on Friday at Madrid's Rey Juan Carlos University. 'There is no better way to give visibility to women's sports than by contributing to the world's leading sporting event, a World Cup. We are working on this,' Louzán stated during the presentation of an Observatory on Equality. The three countries are already collaborating to host the 2030 men's World Cup, and this new initiative aims to strengthen their partnership in women's football. The bid must be submitted by April 5, with detailed project proposals due one month later. FIFA will decide the hosts for both the 2031 and 2035 Women's World Cups during its 76th Congress in the second quarter of 2026, marking the first time two tournaments will be assigned simultaneously. Under FIFA's regulations, confederations are restricted in their bidding options, with CAF and UEFA eligible for the 2035 edition. The potential bid faces competition from a joint United Kingdom proposal involving England, Northern Ireland, Scotland, and Wales. South Africa has also expressed interest in hosting either the 2031 or 2035 tournament, having withdrawn its candidacy for the 2027 edition, which was awarded to Brazil. Spain's national women's team coach, Montse Tomé, welcomed the announcement: 'It would be a great joy if Spain could be among the options to bring the Women's World Cup to our country. Having experienced the 2019 World Cup in France, I've seen how it increased attention to our national team.' The three bidding countries currently hold different positions in the FIFA rankings, with Spain coming in second place, Portugal ranking 22nd, and Morocco in 60th place. The joint bid builds on Morocco's growing presence in women's football, following the national team's first World Cup appearance in 2023, where Spain emerged as the tournament champions. During the second quarter of 2025, FIFA will conduct workshops and working meetings to discuss requirements and initial concepts. Final bids must be submitted in the fourth quarter of 2025, followed by evaluation processes including on-site inspection visits. Tags: FIFA women world cupMoroccoPortugalSpain
