GM football fans. It’s Friday, Mar. 07 - an expanded World Cup proposal, Neymar’s return to the Brazil national team, and everything else you need to know. Forwarded this email? Sign up here.
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KEY FIXTURES
Premier League MW28: Nottingham Forest vs. Manchester City, Sat 08, 12:30 / 7:30. City have won their last three Premier League games against Forest by an aggregate score of 7-0. Liverpool vs Southampton, Sat 08, 15:00 / 10:00. There are 58 points between Liverpool and Southampton coming into this match–the biggest points difference between two Premier League sides since July 2020 when Liverpool (86) beat Aston Villa (27) 2-0. Manchester United vs. Arsenal, Sun 09, 16:30 / 11:30. United have lost their last four league games against Arsenal, their longest losing run against the Gunners in their league history. See the full list of Premier League fixtures here.
Results…
Europa League: AZ 1-0 Spurs | FCSB 1-3 Lyon | Fenerbahce 1-3 Rangers | Sociedad 1-1 Man Utd (Full Results / Bracket)
Conference League: Kobenhavn 1-2 Chelsea (Full Results / Bracket)
TOP TALKING POINTS
Expanded World Cup
Fifa is considering expanding the 2030 World Cup to 64 teams for a one-off expansion to mark the event's centenary. This tournament edition will be held across six countries—and three continents—for the first time, hosting matches in Spain, Portugal, Morocco, Uruguay, Argentina, and Paraguay.
The World Cup has already been expanded from 32 to 48 teams for next year's edition in the United States., Mexico and Canada. The proposal to further expand in 2030 was introduced by Ignacio Alonso, president of the Uruguayan Football Association, at the end of a Fifa Council meeting. The idea was reportedly met with mixed reactions, with some expressing concerns over logistical challenges and the potential impact on the tournament's quality. However, the proposal did catch the attention of the governing body’s president, Gianni Infantino.
Fifa is analysing the proposal more closely and will be guided by the “financial and political benefits” of expanding the tournament.
Neymar Brazil Nod
Neymar Jr has been called up to Brazil’s national team for the first time in 17 months. The country’s all-time leading scorer was named in the squad for the upcoming World Cup qualifiers against Colombia (20 Mar) and Argentina (25 Mar).
Without Neymar, Brazil have been inconsistent in the qualifying rounds. They are fifth in their World Cup qualifying group, seven points behind leaders Argentina after 12 games. The top six teams, after 18 rounds, will qualify for the upcoming World Cup.
Elsewhere, Barcelona sporting director Deco has played down the chances of re-signing Neymar. Shortly after returning to his boyhood club Santos on a short-term deal, it was rumoured that the 33-year-old could re-sign for Barcelona. Neymar has scored three goals and provided three assists in seven appearances since re-joining Santos.
See the full 23-man Brazil squad here.
Home Nations Bid
The Home Nations of England, Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland have expressed an interest in hosting the 2035 Fifa Women’s World Cup tournament. It would be the first time the tournament would be held on UK soil.
The official declaration of interest will take place later this month, with a decision on the 2031 and 2035 Women’s World Cup tournaments expected in the middle of 2026. The UK could face competition from South Africa, which pulled out of the 2027 vote. UK Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer supported the bid, saying: “Football is and always will be at the core of our country's identity. The FIFA Women's World Cup 2035 on home turf would be another monumental moment in our sporting history.”
The United States are the favourites to host the 2031 tournament after pulling out of the vote for 2027, which was won by Brazil.
POLL
Do you view the Club World Cup as a major tournament?
ON THE BALL
Europe
> Everton has agreed to long-term financing for its new stadium totalling £350m, saving the club £50m a year in interest payments (More); see a tour of the new stadium (Watch) | Alexander Isak’s house was burgled and his car was stolen, a court has heard (More)
> Bayern Munich’s Manuel Neuer is out for a while after injuring himself while celebrating Jamal Musiala’s goal (More) | Joshua Kimmich has reportedly agreed a contract renewal with Bayern into a new four-year deal until 2029 (More)
> A Rangers supporter passed away in a road traffic accident in Istanbul before the team’s Europa League last-16 game with Fenerbahce (More) | The Old Firm will have their ticket allocations for their next Scottish League Cup game reduced as punishment after pyrotechnics were let off by supporters (More)
> La Liga has launched a media rights tender for free-to-air coverage of games in the UK (More)
> Chelsea captain Millie Bright has signed a contract extension until summer 2026 with the option for an extra year (More)
Americas
> Columbus will host Houston on Saturday to begin Matchday 3 of the MLS Regular Season; Inter Miami will host Charlotte on Sunday (Full Fixture List / Conference Tables)
> Portland Thorns and USWNT forward Sophia Wilson has announced she is pregnant shortly after she married her college sweetheart, Arizona Cardinals wide receiver Michael Wilson (More)
> The United States Women's National Team remains top of Fifa’s latest world ranking, followed closely by Spain, Germany and England (More)
Rest of the World
> Mason Greenwood has chosen to switch his allegiance from England to Jamaica, the FA confirms (More)
> Fifa will introduce a Women's Club World Cup competition that will run every four years starting from 2028 (More)
> Fiji is preparing to qualify for the World Cup with a squad assembled of policemen, builders and transport workers (More)
> The former Gabon youth team coach Patrick Assoumou Eyi has been banned for life after being found guilty of sexual abuse against multiple players (More)
ROUTERS’ VOICE
Yesterday’s Poll: Do you think a Super Bowl-style halftime show at the World Cup final is a good idea?
🟨 🟨 🟨 ⬜️ ⬜️ ⬜️ 🎤 Absolutely... (20%)
🟩 🟩 🟩 🟩 🟩 🟩 🙅 Nope... (78%)
🟨 ⬜️ ⬜️ ⬜️ ⬜️ ⬜️ ✍️ Other... (2%)
Your punditry takes:
🎤 D.M: “It's being hosted in North America, let them put their flair on it (but don't bring it into other World Cups).”
🙅 D.J: “So many reasons why this is dumb: there has been NO demand for it from fans, so it will be an excuse to hike ticket prices. People use halftime for refreshments and comfort breaks, and this will disrupt that, this is the most watched sporting event on the planet, so the argument that it will 'increase viewers' is a non-starter, and what's the betting that the artists will be predominantly American/Western so it won't actually reflect the global nature of the sport.”
🙅 G.H: “15 minutes isn't enough time to do anything. HT is for hitting the head and getting food/drink. If they really feel they need something, show a pre-recorded, or even live from another location performance, or just bring out a Frisbee catching dog, or local high school or college marching band.”
✍️ G.W: “It’s a "meh" from me. Football is moving away from the sport it once was (and yes, I am a man of a certain age!). At this point, we're just looking for other ways to sanitise the working-class sport we grew up loving. It's not the Super Bowl and never will be.”
EXTRA TIME
PSG director’s halftime outburst is met by Virgil van Dijk.
Opta’s latest Europa League predictions.
Denmark’s women’s team have a unique new kit design.
This fan won’t cut his hair until Man Utd win five consecutive matches.
Segundo Castillo is the best-dressed manager in the game. (via X)
Vote for your Premier League Goal of the Month.
Jose Mourinho’s first interview since racism accusations. (video)
The ancient form of football that has a rule forbidding players not to murder.
When Gazza joined the hunt for a serial killer. (via X)
Football supporter map of London.
The biggest abandoned stadiums in the world.
GAME FACE ON
Who Am I…
I played for Valencia between 2004-2010.
I’ve won four Premier League titles, two FA Cups and five League Cups.
I assisted goals in two Euro finals and was a key part of my country’s first World Cup win.
Scroll below for the answer.
ON TODAY
Scottish Cup Quarter-Finals
Hearts vs Dundee (19:45)
Bundesliga
Borussia M’gladbach vs Mainz 05 (19:30)
Serie A
Cagliari vs Genoa (19:45)
Ligue 1
Toulouse vs Monaco (19:45)
EFL Championship
Norwich City vs Oxford United (20:00)
*All time in UK. ET -5. CST -6. PST -8. MST -7. CET +1.
Answer
David Silva.
I don't think I've worked with a goalkeeper that has played at this level. He's the best in the world.
