Commentary: Indonesian talks to co-host the 2034 World Cup was an ASEAN mirage

09.11.2023 - 23:11 channelnewsasia.com

SINGAPORE: News last week that Australia had dropped out of the bidding process for the 2034 World Cup came as no surprise to anyone following the proceedings.

Australia’s 11th-hour pull-out left Saudi Arabia as the lone candidate for the World Cup that really had been long in the bag for them.That Saudi Arabia had designs to host the World Cup comes as no surprise.

They have shown their footballing ambitions with aggressive moves in recent years to lure the world’s best players to their domestic league, spearheaded by superstar Cristiano Ronaldo and to a lesser extent by the likes of former Liverpool skipper Jordan Henderson and Brazilian star Neymar.Qatar’s historic World Cup last year - with a scoring record of 172 goals - showed in no uncertain terms that the world’s biggest football tournament can most definitely be held in the Middle East, hostile climate notwithstanding.

As the first in the region to hold the mega event, Qatar spared no expense, spending US$220 billion over a dozen years to build roads, stadiums and hotels, and a completely new rail network.With Saudi Arabia’s untold wealth, who can stop them if they really, really want to host the World Cup?

Football FIFA Sporting record show STARS bill Commentary cup Cristiano Ronaldo Qatar Brazil Usa Australia Indonesia Saudi Arabia Jordan Malaysia Singapore

RIYADH: The 2023-24 season’s first principal Riyadh derby kicks off this weekend, with Roshn Saudi League leaders Al-Hilal hosting second-placed Al-Nassr. As such, the stakes couldn’t be much higher.

Watch: Commentator, Crowd Go Bonkers As Cristiano Ronaldo Scores 'Goal Of The Season Contender' From Long-Range

Cristiano Ronaldo's Al-Nassr closed the gap on Saudi Pro League leaders Al-Hilal to just one point on Friday after easing to a 3-0 win over Al-Akhdoud at the King Saud University Stadium in Riyadh. Heading into the match, Al-Nassr were in second in the table, four points behind leaders Al Hilal. Sami Al Naji put the hosts in front in the 13th minute with a clinical finish from close range. Ronaldo came close to scoring himself multiple times in the first half, with the Al-Akhdoud keeper in top form.

Saudi showjumping championships prepares international equestrians for World Cup finals

RIYADH: The three-star category of the Saudi Equestrian Federation Cup for Show Jumping began on Thursday and ended on Saturday evening.

Mancini’s Saudi Arabia taking shape: 5 things learned from Asian World Cup qualifiers

RIYADH: The journey toward qualifying for the 2026 FIFA World Cup is underway, with Asia’s big guns kick-starting their campaigns over the past week.

What a year: How Saudi football has flourished since World Cup win over Argentina

On Nov. 22, 2022, Saudi Arabia’s footballers pulled off a sporting miracle.

English soccer club Barnsley removed from the FA Cup after fielding an ineligible player

LONDON: English soccer club Barnsley were kicked out of this season’s FA Cup on Wednesday for fielding an ineligible player. The third-division team said an “administrative error” was to blame for fielding the unnamed player in their first round replay against Horsham on Nov. 14.