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GM football fans. Itâs Tuesday, Oct. 28 - Fifaâs issues another 1 million tickets for the World Cup, an investigation into referees betting on matches, and everything else you need to know. Forwarded this email? Sign up here.
TOP TALKING POINTS
World Cup Ticket Draw
FIFA has released 1 million additional tickets for next yearâs World Cup, marking the start of the second sales phase. The draw runs until Friday, October 31, at 11:00 ET (15:00 GMT), and fans can apply via Fifaâs official websiteâsee here.
This phase includes a domestic exclusivity window for residents of the United States, Canada, and Mexico. Selected applicants will receive a dedicated purchase time slot beginning November 12, with notifications sent at least 48 hours in advance. Once the exclusivity period ends, remaining tickets will go on sale globally from November 17. Residents in the host nations purchased more tickets than from other nations in the initial phase of ticket sales, followed by England, Germany, Brazil, Spain, Colombia, Argentina and France.
In the first phase, data shows the lowest-priced seats, starting at $60, were available for around 40 matches, while most games are listed at significantly higher prices. Tickets for the U.S. opening match in Inglewood, California, ranged from $560 to $2,735 when sales opened.
Referee Betting Investigated
Around 65% of referees in the Turkish football leagues have betting accounts, and 27% are actively placing bets, a new investigation by the Turkish Football Federation (TFF) has found. Thatâs 371 of 571 referees with betting accounts, and 152 placing bets. The investigation was part of what TFFâs president, Ibrahim Haciosmanoglu, described as a ânew eraâ to establish "clean and ethical Turkish football," starting with the referee community, which he described as both the "apple of football's eye and its pain point."
The investigation found that 10 referees placed more than 10,000 bets, including one who made 18,227 wagers. Among the numbers released by the TFF are seven elite referees qualified to officiate in the Super Lig, the country's top division. Fifa and Uefa have been notified, and the referees could be fined 100,000 Swiss francs (ÂŁ94,246) and banned for up to three years from all football-related activities.
In another attempt to combat betting in the game, the Danish government is set to implement a âwhistle-to-whistleâ ban on gambling-related advertisements during sports broadcasts. Under the revised rules, gambling advertising will be prohibited from ten minutes before a sporting event starts until ten minutes after it ends.
Player Nominated XI
The finalists for FIFProâs World XI, the only football award voted for exclusively by players, have been announced. More than 26,000 players from 68 countries have selected their team of the year, with a shortlist of 26 players having been announced on Mondayâsee the full menâs list here.
Lionel Messi and Cristiano Ronaldo, who are the most featured players since the award began in 2005, have made the list again. The shortlist also includes seven Premier League players, six Paris Saint-Germain players, and five Real Madrid players. A notable omission is Harry Kane, who boasted 55 goal involvements in the 2024-25 season.
Amongst the womenâs 26-player shortlist, Euro 2025 winners England dominated the list with nine nominees. While seven Spanish women made the list, Ballon dâOr runner-up Mariona Caldentey did not feature. Plus, for the second successive year, there will be no player from the United States selected in the womenâs category. See the full womenâs list here.
The final XIs will be announced on Monday, November 3.
POLL
Around 28% of Premier League goals this season have come from set piecesâup 7% from last season. Do you like this trend?
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ON THE BALL
Europe
> Former Crystal Palace co-owner John Textor has reportedly tabled a ÂŁ400m bid to acquire Wolves (More)
> Brendan Rodgers has resigned as Celtic manager, with Martin O'Neill agreeing a temporary return to the club as his replacement (More)
> Sheffield Wednesday could face two further points deductions for breaching EFL regulations, but the administrators of the club are optimistic there are âfour or fiveâ credible bidders (More)
> Juventus have sacked manager Igor Tudor, having lost their last three matches, not scoring in four, and are winless across eight consecutive matches (More) | Napoliâs Kevin De Bruyne could be out for the rest of the year with a severe lesion to his thigh muscle (More)
Americas
> Top seeds Philadelphia, Vancouver, and San Diego won their opening MLS Cup play-off matches; Cincinnati vs. Columbus to conclude shortly after publication (Live Result) | The Colorado Rapids and head coach Chris Armas announced Monday they have mutually parted ways after two seasons (More)
> The USL Championship has honoured Oakland Roots SCâs Peter Wilson as the Golden Boot winner, Louisville City FCâs Damian Las as the Golden Glove winner, and Indy Elevenâs Aodhan Quinn as the Golden Playmaker (More)
Rest of the World
> Russian police have detained several suspects accused of attempting to kidnap Zenit St. Petersburg midfielder Andrei Mostovoy (More)
ROUTERSâ VOICE
Yesterdayâs Poll: Do you think El Clasico still carries the same excitement it once did?
đ¨ đ¨ đ¨ đ¨ âŹď¸ âŹď¸ 𤊠Yes (39%)
đŠ đŠ đŠ đŠ đŠ đŠ đ ââď¸ No (57%)
đ¨ âŹď¸ âŹď¸ âŹď¸ âŹď¸ âŹď¸ âď¸ Other (4%)
Your punditry takes:
𤊠T.S: âFor a few years, it has been on the decline, but I feel the Clasico is back to its best this season. The calibre of players on the field finally looks like a Clasico from the early 2010s. Plus, the emergence of Lamine Yamal finally gives Real Madrid players and fans a new villain and the Barcelona fans a new hero. The narrative is great, and I canât wait for the reverse fixture already.â
đ ââď¸ J.L: âWhen Real Madrid and Barcelona were the two top teams in Europe, El Clasico seemed like a championship knockout game every time, with the winner going on to win the league and have the greater momentum in Champions League play. It just doesn't have that same feel now.â
âď¸ N.A: âIt would if they could get the atrocious VAR under control. Mbappe was offside by the thickness of his sock? Get real. The handball called against Eric Garcia was wild. VAR and officiating in general are killing the game.â
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EXTRA TIME
The first-ever âsky stadiumâ concept, 1,150 feet above ground.
Will all three EPL-promoted clubs stay up?
Why Messiâs MLS season might be the best ever.
Every VAR call from the EPL weekend, reviewed.
Birmingham City plan Peaky Blinders-inspired stadium.
City have worn 9 different kits in 2025âranking them all.
Why Central Europe once ruled football. (video)
GAME FACE ON
Who Am IâŚ
I have played for Manchester City, Chelsea, and Liverpool.
I have won the Champions League twice, but did not play in either finals.
I was the first Liverpool player in the Premier League era to score in seven games in a row.
Scroll below for the answer.
Daily Wordle: Guess the football-related word, from player names to classic phrases, in six tries or fewer. Play it here.
Salah is the worst player to be named the best in the world. He did some of the worst stuff youâll see from a forward, but he was scoring goals.
Answer
Daniel Sturridge.
