Sports
Saudi Arabian club, Al-Hilal offers £260 million deal to Lionel Messi
Saudi Saudi Arabian club, Al-Hilal, has offered about £260 million a year deal for Argentina captain and Paris Saint-Germain player, Lionel Messi, who is only waiting to end the season with PSG before accepting the Al-Hilal’s offer. The offer has been on the table for over a month.
Messi’s father, Jorge, has informed PSG that the player does not wish to accept their offer for another year’s contract.
Barcelona and Inter Miami hold strong interest but in Barca’s case they have yet to clear the financial hurdles necessary to bring their former idol back to the Camp Nou.
The 35-year-old Argentine World Cup winner will depart PSG at the end of the season and, according to reports in Spain, will snub Bercelona and head to the Middle East.
El Chiringuito TV say Messi will accept the proposal tabled by the four-time Asian Champions League winners and follow his old rival Cristiano Ronaldo to Saudi.
Remarkably, they also report he will be joined there by his former Barcelona team-mate Sergio Busquets, who will accept a two-season deal, and potentially also Jordi Alba.
It emerged last week that Messi will end his two-season stay in Paris at the end of the campaign, with Barcelona’s interest no secret and MLS club Inter Miami also linked.
Sports
2026 World Cup: FIFA probes 8,000-ticket resale scheme in Miami
While Ticket Kings claims it aims to “democratise access to live entertainment”, FIFA has vowed to block unauthorised investment schemes and prevent black-market practices from affecting the integrity of the World Cup ticket market.
FIFA has opened an investigation into a ticket resale plan promoted by Miami-based firm Ticket Kings, which allegedly sought investors with promises of high profits from reselling tickets for the 2026 World Cup.
In the promotional documents, Ticket Kings aimed to raise $5.5 million to buy around 8,000 tickets for matches involving England, Brazil, and Scotland. Investors were promised returns of 50% to 87% within six months.
The company described the scheme as a “unique investment opportunity” capitalising on global demand for World Cup tickets.FIFA said bulk ticket reselling for profit violates its rules.
A spokesperson confirmed that the enforcement team is reviewing the case and will take “appropriate action”, stressing that the ticketing system is designed to protect fans and prevent price manipulation.
The probe comes amid growing frustration over record-high ticket costs for the tournament, which will be hosted across the United States, Canada, and Mexico from June 11 to July 19.
Reports show resale prices for the final in East Rutherford, New Jersey, have reached $8,600, with one listing on FIFA’s platform reportedly hitting $230,000.
Critics warn schemes like Ticket Kings could fuel speculation, widening the gap between face-value and resale prices and making matches less accessible to ordinary supporters.
While Ticket Kings claims it aims to “democratise access to live entertainment”, FIFA has vowed to block unauthorised investment schemes and prevent black-market practices from affecting the integrity of the World Cup ticket market.
Sports
FIFA proposes one‑minute off‑field rule for injured players
If approved, the measure would be incorporated into football’s global rulebook.
FIFA on Monday proposed a new rule that would require players who receive on-field medical treatment to remain off the pitch for at least one minute.
BBC Sport reported that the proposal which is aimed at reducing time-wasting on the pitch, will be discussed during the annual general meeting of the International Football Association Board, the body responsible for the Laws of the Game.
If approved, the measure would be incorporated into football’s global rulebook.
At present, the Laws of the Game do not specify a mandatory period that injured players must stay off the field after treatment. Domestic competitions are allowed to implement their own guidelines.
Sports
48 nations to compete as FIFA releases schedule for Series 2026
Twelve groups of four teams each—nine men’s groups and three women’s groups—will compete, hosted by 11 FIFA Member Associations.
FIFA has released the full match schedule for the FIFA Series 2026, the expanded edition of its international friendly tournament, which will bring together 48 national teams from all six confederations.
The fixtures, published on the association’s website on Monday, are scheduled for the March and April 2026 international match window.
Twelve groups of four teams each—nine men’s groups and three women’s groups—will compete, hosted by 11 FIFA Member Associations.
Rwanda will stage two groups, while other hosts include Australia, Azerbaijan, Brazil, Côte d’Ivoire, Indonesia, Kazakhstan, New Zealand, Puerto Rico, Switzerland, Thailand, and Uzbekistan.
All matches are official international friendlies and will be broadcast globally, providing fans worldwide with access and giving participating teams valuable exposure, particularly for those that rarely face opponents from other confederations.
According to FIFA, participating Member Associations have chosen their preferred competition formats within each group, either a semi-final and final structure.
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