Football

FIFA's decision to expand the 2026 World Cup to 48 teams has sparked excitement among football fans worldwide, particularly in Scotland. The Scots have not qualified for the global tournament since 1998, but the expanded format offers them a renewed opportunity to return to the grandest stage.FIFA President Gianni Infantino, in a tongue-in-cheek remark, suggested that the expansion was partly motivated by Scotland's absence from recent World Cups. "We decided to increase from 32 to 48 to allow Scotland to participate," Infantino told BBC Scotland.Scotland's recent qualification for Euro 2024 has boosted their hopes of making it to the 2026 World Cup. The Scots have a proud footballing history, with the second oldest national FA in the world after England. However, they have never progressed beyond the group stages in their eight previous World Cup appearances.The expanded format of the 2026 World Cup will feature 16 groups of three teams, with the top two teams from each group advancing to the knockout stages. This format increases Scotland's chances of qualifying, as they will only need to finish in the top two of their group to reach the round of 16.Scotland's qualification for Euro 2024 is a testament to their progress under manager Steve Clarke. The Scots finished second in their qualifying group behind Spain, ahead of Israel, Norway, Cyprus, and Romania. They will face Croatia, Czech Republic, and England in Group D of Euro 2024.If Scotland can qualify for the 2026 World Cup, it will be a major achievement for the nation. The tournament will be co-hosted by the United States, Canada, and Mexico, and will be the first World Cup to feature 48 teams.

Cristiano Ronaldo's girlfriend, Georgina Rodriguez, made a bold fashion statement at Paris Fashion Week by wearing a dress inspired by his Manchester United jersey. The dress, designed by athleisure brand Vetements, featured a special message from Ronaldo himself.On the front of the dress, Ronaldo had signed his name to Vetements, while the back bore a heartfelt message: "To the love of his life" with the signature "Gio x Vetements." The dress quickly became a viral sensation on social media, with many users commenting on the couple's love and admiration for each other.Meanwhile, Ronaldo has been suspended for one game and fined $8,000 by the Saudi Arabian Football Federation for a gesture he made during a match last weekend. The gesture, which involved a repeated thrusting motion towards his groin, was deemed a "provocation" by the federation.Ronaldo's suspension and fine come after a video emerged showing him making the gesture in response to crowds taunting him by chanting the name of his rival, Lionel Messi. The incident sparked controversy on social media, with some criticizing Ronaldo's behavior while others defended him.Despite the suspension, Ronaldo remains a popular figure in Saudi Arabia. He is the first major star to move to the kingdom, having signed a lucrative deal with Al-Nassr in January 2023. The 39-year-old has been a key player for Al-Nassr, scoring goals and helping the team to success.Ronaldo's suspension is a reminder that even the biggest stars are not immune to disciplinary action. However, it is unlikely to have a significant impact on his career or his popularity among fans.

Liverpool's relentless pursuit of victories continues despite facing a barrage of injuries and relying heavily on academy prospects. In a thrilling encounter at Nottingham Forest, Darwin Nunez emerged as the hero, scoring a dramatic header in the ninth minute of stoppage time to secure a 1-0 victory. This triumph marks Liverpool's sixth consecutive win across all competitions and their fourth in an 11-day span, including an extra-time victory over Chelsea in the English League Cup final.Jurgen Klopp, who will depart Liverpool at the end of the season, expressed his astonishment at the team's recent success. "If you'd told me 12 days ago we would win all four games, I would have said no chance," he remarked. "In the circumstances, winning the games is ridiculous."Manchester City, currently in second place, will aim to close the gap to Liverpool to one point when they face Manchester United in the derby on Sunday. The highly anticipated clash between Liverpool and City at Anfield on March 10 looms large on the horizon.Despite Liverpool's injury woes gradually easing, key players such as Mohamed Salah, Trent Alexander-Arnold, Diogo Jota, and Curtis Jones remain sidelined. Klopp opted to start 19-year-old Bobby Clark in midfield alongside Joe Gomez, who was deployed as a defender. Jayden Danns, an 18-year-old forward, made his league debut as a second-half substitute."What the boys have squeezed out was special," Klopp said. "This game didn't go easy for us. We didn't have a great rhythm and the boys felt the intensity for the first time."Post-match scenes at Nottingham Forest were marred by anger among players and coaching staff, with club owner Evangelos Marinakis expressing his displeasure on the touchline. Forest's complaints stemmed from the eight minutes of added time awarded by the referee and the fact that they were not given the ball back after Liverpool defender Ibrahima Konate sustained a head injury just before the goal.In other Premier League action, Arsenal, who trail City by a point in third, will visit last-placed Sheffield United on Monday. Chelsea's hopes of giving Mauricio Pochettino a victory on his 52nd birthday were dashed as they were held to a 2-2 draw at Brentford. The Blues' away contingent expressed their dissatisfaction with Pochettino, chanting the name of former manager Jose Mourinho and calling for the Argentine's departure.Aston Villa maintained their grip on fourth place with an 89th-minute winner at Luton, responding to Tottenham's come-from-behind 3-1 victory over Crystal Palace. Lucas Digne's header sealed a 3-2 win for Villa, who remain five points ahead of Tottenham but have played one game more.

Vinicius Junior's brace rescued Real Madrid from a potential defeat, salvaging a 2-2 draw against Valencia at the Mestalla on Sunday. The hosts stunned the visitors with two goals in quick succession during the first half. Hugo Duro headed in Fran Perez's shot, while Roman Yarermchuk capitalized on Dani Carvajal's loose pass to score into an empty net.Vinicius ignited Madrid's comeback just before halftime, reducing the deficit with a close-range finish. He completed his brace in the 76th minute, heading home from close range to level the score. The match remained a thrilling affair until the final whistle, with both teams pushing for a winner.In a dramatic climax, Jude Bellingham thought he had secured victory for Valencia with a header in the dying moments. However, the referee blew the whistle for full-time before the cross entered the box, nullifying the goal. Madrid players protested vehemently, but the decision stood. Amid the chaos, Bellingham was shown a red card for his protests.Vinicius' return to the Mestalla was marked by a hostile reception from the home fans. He was racially abused last season at the same stadium, and on Sunday, he faced chants of "Vinicius is stupid" and constant booing.In response, Vinicius celebrated his first goal by raising his fist towards the Valencia fans. After his equalizer, he cupped his ears, seemingly asking for more from the jeering crowd.Despite the adversity, Vinicius remained unfazed and played a pivotal role in Madrid's comeback. His performance underlined his resilience and determination, proving that he is not easily deterred by hostile environments.Madrid's draw maintains their seven-point lead at the top of the La Liga standings. They are now nine points clear of Barcelona, who have a game in hand.

Bengaluru FC secured a crucial 1-0 victory over Kerala Blasters at the Sree Kanteerava Stadium on Saturday, marking their first consecutive win in the ongoing Indian Super League (ISL) campaign. The triumph propelled Gerard Zaragoza's side to sixth place in the standings, securing the final playoff spot.Midfielder Javi Hernandez emerged as the hero for Bengaluru, scoring the decisive goal in the 89th minute. The Spaniard's clinical strike came off a precise cross from substitute Shivaldo Singh, sending the ball into the bottom-right corner.Despite Kerala Blasters entering the match in fifth place, it was Bengaluru FC who dominated the proceedings. Ryan Williams, operating on the left flank, played a pivotal role, creating numerous scoring opportunities.In the first half, Naorem Roshan and Sunil Chhetri came close to breaking the deadlock for Bengaluru. However, Roshan's cut-back found no takers, while Chhetri failed to connect with a dangerous free-kick from Hernandez.The second half witnessed an even more spirited performance from Bengaluru. Chhetri had another chance in the 68th minute, but Williams' pass eluded the skipper's outstretched leg.As the match neared its conclusion, Kerala Blasters forward Fedor Cernych missed a golden opportunity to equalize. After a save from Bengaluru goalkeeper Gurpreet Singh Sandhu, Cernych sent the rebound over the crossbar from close range.Hernandez's late strike proved to be the difference, handing Bengaluru FC a much-needed three points. The victory not only boosted their playoff hopes but also marked a significant improvement in their recent form.

Barcelona coach Xavi Hernandez has declared that his team is entering a "moment of truth" as they prepare for crucial matches in La Liga and the Champions League. The Catalan giants have enjoyed a resurgence in form, winning six consecutive matches in all competitions.Xavi's comments come after a turbulent period for Barcelona, who were written off as title contenders following a string of poor results in January. However, the team has since turned things around, with Xavi crediting the players' improved performances and positive mindset."We are much better than a few matches ago," Xavi said. "We have good feelings and this is the moment of truth. To measure ourselves against direct rivals as the Champions League approaches, this is the decisive moment."Barcelona currently trail league leaders Real Madrid by eight points, but have a game in hand. A victory at Athletic Bilbao on Sunday would be a significant step towards closing the gap. Athletic Bilbao, who are undefeated at home this season, will provide a stern test for Xavi's side."If we win, it'll be a big step forward," Xavi said. "We need to find the continuity in our game which we are lacking."Xavi also addressed speculation about his future, stating that his focus remains on the present. "Today nothing has changed, it's not an issue," he said.Barcelona's resurgence has been built on a solid defensive foundation and a more attacking approach in midfield. Pedri and Gavi have been instrumental in the team's recent success, providing creativity and energy in the center of the park.Robert Lewandowski continues to be a potent threat in front of goal, having scored 25 goals in all competitions this season. The Polish striker will be looking to add to his tally against Athletic Bilbao.With the Champions League knockout stages approaching, Barcelona will be eager to maintain their momentum. They will host Napoli in the second leg of their last-16 tie on March 15, with a place in the quarterfinals at stake.

The All India Football Federation (AIFF) has been rocked by allegations of corruption, with Principal Legal Advisor Nilanjan Bhattacharjee accusing President Kalyan Chaubey of misusing funds and awarding tenders in a non-transparent manner.In a letter to Prime Minister Narendra Modi, Bhattacharjee alleged that Chaubey had created "corruption avenues" through non-transparent tender processes and preferential allotment of contracts. He claimed that Chaubey had attempted to "siphon off money from the federation's exchequer" and used AIFF funds for personal expenses.Bhattacharjee specifically cited the awarding of broadcasting rights for the I-League, IWL, and Santosh Trophy to a single company that he alleged was close to Chaubey. He also claimed that crores of rupees had been spent on Chaubey's personal trips and hotel stays.Chaubey has denied the allegations, calling them "baseless" and stating that he would take legal action. He said that he had gone through the allegations and would respond legally.Bhattacharjee, who was appointed as Principal Legal Advisor after Chaubey took charge in September 2022, said that he had suggested safeguards in subsequent tenders, but Chaubey had attempted to "malign" his image and professional integrity.The allegations have raised concerns about the transparency and accountability of the AIFF, which is the governing body for football in India. The federation has been under scrutiny in recent months, with several former officials facing corruption charges.The Prime Minister's Office has not yet commented on the allegations, but the Sports Ministry has said that it is aware of the matter and is looking into it.

Eric Dier's loan move from Tottenham Hotspur to Bayern Munich has been made permanent after he completed the required number of appearances mentioned in his contract, the German Bundesliga club announced on Saturday. The 30-year-old England midfielder joined Bayern on loan in January in a deal to the end of the season after spending a decade with Spurs, reuniting with former team mate Harry Kane.Bayern confirmed that Dier's contract has been extended until June 2025. Max Eberl, Bayern's board member for sport, praised Dier's contributions, stating that the 30-year-old England international provided "valuable support" in defense.Dier has made seven appearances for Bayern in the Bundesliga, including five starts. He has impressed with his versatility, playing both as a center-back and a defensive midfielder."I'm happy in Munich," Dier said. "Now my future is sorted and I can focus on playing well for the club and trying to help the club to win games, win competitions, even though it's been a difficult period for us."Bayern, who have won the Bundesliga 11 years in a row, are currently second in the standings this season, seven points behind unbeaten Bayer Leverkusen who have a game in hand. Bayern will host Lazio on Tuesday in the Champions League last 16 with the German side trailing 1-0 from the first leg.Dier's permanent move to Bayern Munich is a significant development for both the player and the club. Dier brings experience and leadership to a Bayern team that is looking to regain its dominance in the Bundesliga and make a deep run in the Champions League.

Saudi Arabia has officially launched its bid to host the 2034 FIFA World Cup, becoming the sole contender for the tournament after no other expressions of interest were received before FIFA's deadline. With Morocco, Portugal, and Spain set to co-host the 2030 World Cup, FIFA restricted the 2034 bidding process to nations from the Asian and Oceania confederations.Saudi Arabia's bid, titled "Growing. Together.," aims to highlight the nation's growing international partnerships through sports. The Saudi Arabian Football Federation (SAFF) emphasizes the country's significant investments in high-profile sports, including football, Formula One, boxing, and golf.Critics have accused Saudi Arabia of "sportswashing," using major sporting events to improve its human rights image. However, the country denies these allegations, stating that it protects its national security through its laws.SAFF President Yasser Al Misehal expressed the importance of showcasing Saudi Arabia's football story to the world. He highlighted the nation's progress in both men's and women's football, inviting the world to join them on this exciting journey.The next step in the bidding process involves submitting full bid documents to FIFA in July. The hosts for both the 2030 and 2034 World Cups will be announced at a FIFA Congress later this year.The 2026 World Cup will be jointly hosted by the United States, Mexico, and Canada.