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
Benue Governor Alia dissolves Lobi Stars FC board
The decision is aimed at repositioning the club for greater efficiency, accountability, and better performance in both the Nigeria Premier Football League and other competitions.
Benue State Governor, Hyacinth Alia, has dissolved the Board and Management of the state-owned Lobi Stars FC, Makurdi.
Lobi Stars FC were relegated last season after a 27-year stay in the Nigeria Premier Football League, following a run of poor performances.
The Chief Press Secretary to the governor, Sir Tersoo Kula, announced the governor’s approval of the dissolution in a statement issued on Thursday and made available to journalists in Makurdi.
The move was described as part of ongoing reforms to reposition the club for “greater efficiency, accountability, and better performance” in the Nigeria Premier Football League and other competitions.
The decision is aimed at repositioning the club for greater efficiency, accountability, and better performance in both the Nigeria Premier Football League and other competitions,” the statement read.
Governor Alia directed that “all members of the dissolved management should hand over all official documents, assets, and responsibilities to the Commissioner for Youth, Sports and Creativity with immediate effect.”
Sports
Davido Chairs Osun Sports Trust Fund
“Davido has been appointed to chair the Sports Trust Fund, and he did not hesitate in accepting the appointment. His intervention would attract funds that would impact Osun sports positively.”
•Davido and Osun Governor, Ademola Adeleke. Photo Credit: X
The Osun State Government has appointed Afrobeats star, David Adeleke, popularly known as Davido, as chairman of the Osun Sports Trust Fund.
The government said that the move was aimed at raising funds to transform the state sports sector.
It also reaffirmed its commitment to completing the ongoing renovation and rehabilitation of the Osogbo Township Stadium, assuring that the upgraded facility will meet Olympic standards upon completion.
The Guardian Nigeria reports that the state deputy governor, Kola Adewusi, who doubles as the Commissioner for Sports, said the state government under Governor Ademola Adeleke is determined to transform the stadium into a world-class sports arena that will not only host national events but also attract international competitions.
He said, “Ongoing renovation and rehabilitation of the Osogbo Township Stadium to meet Olympic standards — a project that will be completed in the shortest possible time.
“I am pleased to inform you that plans are in advanced stages towards the establishment of the Osun State Sports Commission, which will serve as a central body for sports administration, development, and policy implementation.
“Davido has been appointed to chair the Sports Trust Fund, and he did not hesitate in accepting the appointment. His intervention would attract funds that would impact Osun sports positively.”
Sports
Dembele returns for PSG after six weeks out
Dembele, 28, has been out since injuring a hamstring while on international duty with France in early September.
• Dembele
Ballon d’Or winner Ousmane Dembele was on Monday included in Paris Saint-Germain’s squad to face Bayer Leverkusen in the Champions League after a six-week injury layoff.
According to AFP, Dembele’s return for Tuesday’s league stage game will come as a welcome boost for coach Luis Enrique, whose side has been struggling with injuries this season.
Dembele, 28, has been out since injuring a hamstring while on international duty with France in early September.
He had been recuperating at a specialist clinic in Qatar and returned to training last week.
He missed out on PSG’s entertaining 3-3 draw against Strasbourg on Friday but could play some role in Germany as the European champions seek to make it three wins out of three in the Champions League so far this season.
Leverkusen centre-back Loic Bade, Dembele’s teammate in the France squad, told reporters Monday there was “no secret recipe” to stopping the PSG forward, calling him “a complete player with several qualities”.
“He won the Ballon d’Or — of course he’s got a lot of quality. He’s good with both feet. I don’t think he’s got a weak side,” Bade said.
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