Sports
Club World Cup, World Cup to deliver $62bn global GDP boost- FIFA
The 2026 tournament will kick off on June 11 and conclude with the final on July 19 at MetLife Stadium. U.S. host cities include Atlanta, Dallas, Houston, Kansas City, Miami, Philadelphia, Seattle, and metropolitan areas around Boston, Los Angeles, and San Francisco.
FIFA estimates that its next two flagship summer tournaments – the 2025 Club World Cup and the 2026 World Cup, will generate a staggering $62 billion in global economic impact and $47 billion for the United States.
Business Day reports that the soccer governing body, alongside the World Trade Organization (WTO) Secretariat, unveiled two comprehensive socioeconomic reports highlighting the projected financial and social benefits of hosting the tournaments, both set to be primarily staged in the U.S.
The expanded 32- team Club World Cup, scheduled for June 14 to July 13, 2025, is projected to contribute up to $21.1 billion in global GDP, with $9.6 billion of that within the U.S.
Domestically, the tournament could also generate $17.1 billion in gross output and unlock $3.36 billion in social benefits, while supporting the creation of approximately 105,000 full-time equivalent (FTE) jobs.
FIFA’s revamped Club World Cup is no longer a low-profile exhibition. With Inter Miami and Lionel Messi headlining the opening match against Egyptian giants Al Ahly at Hard Rock Stadium in Miami, the month-long competition is being billed as a major global football event.
The final will take place at MetLife Stadium in New Jersey, with other host cities including Atlanta, Charlotte, Cincinnati, Los Angeles, Orlando, Nashville, Philadelphia, Seattle, and Washington D.C.
World Cup 2026: Global GDP boost and nearly 1 million jobs
Looking ahead to the 2026 FIFA World Cup, which will be co-hosted by the United States, Mexico, and Canada, the economic projections are even more significant.
The tournament is expected to drive up to $40.9 billion in global GDP, while generating $8.28 billion in social benefits.
Globally, nearly 824,000 jobs could be created, with 185,000 of those expected in the U.S. alone. Domestically, the World Cup could bring in $30.5 billion in gross output and $17.2 billion in GDP.
The 2026 tournament will kick off on June 11 and conclude with the final on July 19 at MetLife Stadium. U.S. host cities include Atlanta, Dallas, Houston, Kansas City, Miami, Philadelphia, Seattle, and metropolitan areas around Boston, Los Angeles, and San Francisco.
Matches will also be played in Guadalajara, Mexico City, and Monterrey in Mexico, and Toronto and Vancouver in Canada.
Sports
Super Eagles captain Ndidi mourns father’s death
” We are deeply saddened to learn of the tragic passing of our footballer Wilfred Ndidi’s esteemed father, Sunday Ndidi, in a fatal traffic accident,” the club said in a statement released via their official X account.
• Super Eagles captain Wilfred Ndidi
Sunday Ndidi – the father of Super Eagles captain, Wilfred Ndidi, died today in a road accident at Umunede, Delta State.
The retired military officer was confirmed dead after being rushed to a hospital at Agbor, also in Delta State.
Ndidi’s club, Besiktas, confirmed the incident on Tuesday.
“We are deeply saddened to learn of the tragic passing of our footballer Wilfred Ndidi’s esteemed father, Sunday Ndidi, in a fatal traffic accident,” the club said in a statement released via their official X account.
Ndidi recently captained Nigeria to a third-place finish at the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations in Morocco, where he also scored his first international goal for the country.
While celebrating his headed goal against Tunisia in Nigeria’s second group match, the midfielder referenced his father and his admiration for former Nigeria captain Kanu Nwankwo.
The celebration came from my dad because he was always talking about Kanu Nwankwo,” Ndidi told journalists in Morocco.
“So I just thought about my dad. I had seen the video before, but it came to my head, and I said I was going to do it for my dad.”
Ndidi, who often speaks about growing up with his father in the barracks, was born and raised in Lagos.
Sports
Lagos to host Davis Cup World Group II playoff
Oyekanmi emphasised that with the world’s attention on Lagos in February, the stage is set for a thrilling showdown that promises to elevate Nigerian tennis to new heights.
The Lagos Lawn Tennis Club will host Davis Cup World Group II playoff between Nigeria and Uzbekistan from 6–8 February 2026.
The President of the Nigeria Tennis Federation, Victor Ochie, who disclosed this, said that hosting the event will significantly contribute to the development of lawn tennis in the country.
Prince Kunle Oyekanmi, publicity secretary of the Lagos Lawn Tennis Club, expressed confidence in the club’s ability to host a world-class tournament.“We are committed to ensuring a successful championship that will leave a lasting mark on the sport globally,” he said.
Oyekanmi added that the Davis Cup will inspire young and upcoming Nigerian players to pursue lawn tennis more passionately.
Oyekanmi emphasised that with the world’s attention on Lagos in February, the stage is set for a thrilling showdown that promises to elevate Nigerian tennis to new heights.
Sports
US opens priority visa appointments for 2026 World Cup ticket holders
FIFA President Gianni Infantino said that the organisation expects “between five and ten million people” to travel to North America to enjoy the World Cup.
The United States on Tuesday, opened a priority visa appointment system for holders of tickets to the 2026 FIFA World Cup, allowing fans to seek earlier appointments ahead of the tournament.
The World Cup will be hosted by the US, Canada and Mexico from June 11 to July 19.
BBC reported that visa appointment scheme will enable ticket holders to access prioritised visa slots before the competition begins on June 11.
The US will host 78 of the 104 matches at the 2026 World Cup across 11 cities, including the final at MetLife Stadium in New Jersey.”
In November, President Donald Trump said the Departments of State and Homeland Security had been working “tirelessly” to ensure football fans from around the world are properly vetted and able to travel to the United States for the summer tournament.
“I’ve directed my administration to do everything within our power to make the 2026 World Cup an unprecedented success. We are setting records on ticket sales,” Trump said.
FIFA President Gianni Infantino said that the organisation expects “between five and ten million people” to travel to North America to enjoy the World Cup.
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