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Roy Keane has accused Manchester United of being “frightened” when presented with Premier League challenges, with the Red Devils not “nasty enough” to grind out wins in games where collective standards are allowed to slip. That was the case in a home date with West Ham, as the Hammers were able to leave Old Trafford with a share of the spoils in a 1-1 draw.

• Two points dropped: Man Utd held by West Ham

  Ruben Amorim’s side looked to be in control of a meeting with relegation-threatened West Ham when Diogo Dalot fired them in front just before the hour mark – with the ball breaking kindly for the Portuguese defender inside the box as he registered his first Premier League goal on home soil.

  United were, however, unable to see the game out – with a lack of control costing them dear. Noussair Mazraoui produced a goal-line block to keep Jarrod Bowen out in the 83rd minute, but Soungoutou Magassa was on hand to slot in the rebound and snatch a priceless point for the visitors.

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  Keane delivers scathing assessment of Man Utd

  Ex-Red Devils captain Keane was scathing in his post-game assessment, with the Irishman less than impressed with the collective effort being put in by United – with too many players hiding when the going gets tough.

  Keane told : “After they get the goal, you are playing against a team in the bottom three, they take their foot off the gas. You're 1-0 up! Take nothing away from West Ham, and they just about deserved the equaliser. You are just putting yourself under pressure. Every time I watch this United team, they are disappointing. They aren't clinical, they weren't nasty enough to get the job done.

  “People will be scratching their heads. One minute they are making progress, win and you go fifth. There will be a lot of frustration. Show your quality. In their last three or four games, I think it has been desperate. Really poor. An opportunity to get the job done and they were almost frightened. We are talking about fifth here by the way. Same old problems.”

  Keane added on United’s lack of intensity, with Amorim contributing to that: “United are making substitutions, and he is entitled to do that, but I was watching people come off and it was like they had won the league! Show some intensity. It was all a bit, 'this is cool'. You cannot be cool when you're 1-0 up. Get the job done! United have better players than West Ham but this is not a good United team. It was too relaxed, get the job done!”

• Amorim angry with performance against the Hammers

  Amorim told reporters when offering his take on a third stalemate for United in their last five games: “Frustrated, angry, that is it. After the first goal, we lost some second balls. We tried to defend all the time far from the goal. It happened long ball, they win the second ball against three guys of us so we need to be better in the second half. We are losing because of the second balls, sometimes it is not more men in front. We are really inconsistent but if you look at the goal, we have a long ball, we have everything under control, we need to do better. I always have the feeling that we have to score more goals and I'm sure about that.”

  He told : “We should have closed the game with the ball because the game was there to win. I think the overall performance was not perfect. We had our moments but we lost control in the game in some minutes in the first half and in the second half, especially after the goal. The game was clearly ours to win and we had an opportunity with Cunha to finish the game off. It is really frustrating because you look at the game, you have the game under control and we didn't win.”

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  Man Utd fixtures 2025-26: Rock-bottom Wolves next up

  United will face lowly opposition again when returning to Premier League action on Monday, with a trip to Molineux for a meeting with rock-bottom Wolves next on the agenda for Amorim’s troops.

Last year, Arne Slot won the sprawling Liverpool fanbase over with his incredible success in replacing the irreplaceable Jurgen Klopp and establishing a clear and compelling identity.

But last season’s Premier League title triumph is a far cry from this current Liverpool crop, who have been battered away from title-defending contention after a run of six losses and just one win across eight league fixtures.

So much has gone awry, but Slot’s failure to get a tune out of £125m summer signing Alexander Isak has got to be among the biggest worries.

Isak's start to life at Liverpool

Isak, 26, left Newcastle as one of the most devastating forwards in world football, instrumental in the rise of Eddie Howe’s Tyneside team over the past three years.

But there’s no question that he’s struggled to adapt so far this season, having only scored twice so far and routinely drifting on the edge of matches. After Liverpool’s recent draw to Sunderland, Slot admitted that providing the 26-year-old was among his priorities to fix.

But, for now, his impact has been nominal, failing to bring the completeness and sharpness that his predecessor, Darwin Nunez, failed over three years to sustain with consistency.

Reporter David Lynch actually claimed last month that “Isak is currently offering less than Nunez did during his final year at Anfield”, and the few games he has played since have offered little encouragement that such a bold claim is without legs.

However, this is a time for cool heads, as far as the Swedish striker’s future on Merseyside is concerned.

Isak is one of the best strikers in the world, and he will surely come good at the Anfield spearhead.

Liverpool's new version of Darwin Nunez

Liverpool have enjoyed Cody Gakpo’s services for almost three years now, purchasing PSV Eindhoven’s talisman for a fee rising to £45m in late December 2022.

The left-sided forward is well regarded as one of the most prolific wingers in European football, but his overall performances do leave something to be desired. In fact, his samey efforts down the wing have irked some Liverpool fans across the campaign, and it is for this reason that he, and not Isak, is becoming the club’s new version of Nunez.

Liverpool have been too predictable this season, and the sight of Gakpo claiming the ball on the left flank and proceeding to cut inside has become a too-regular occurrence, something opponents are clearly cottoning onto.

The Netherlands international does offer something, but he isn’t dynamic enough, and the absence of Luis Diaz’s electric threat is accentuated by his sustained starting role on the left wing.

Looking at the data could leave a few fans feeling rather incredulous. Gakpo is statistically among the most creative players in the Premier League this season, and his return of four goals and three assists from 12 top-flight starts is pretty good for an outfit so far out of sorts.

But he has also fallen into the trap of predictability, and many are questioning why someone like Federico Chiesa is not getting a chance to show what he can do in his stead (reminder: Chiesa has not started in the Premier League or Champions League for Liverpool this year).

Nunez left Anfield a popular figure, but it was clear that Liverpool needed to level up at number nine after three terms of inconsistency from the Uruguayan.

Gakpo isn’t inconsistent, per se, but he is undoubtedly frustrating in his inswinging repetition, and this is why he is becoming a picked-on figure in the same vein as Nunez before him.

Huge Gakpo upgrade: £70m "superstar" now keen to join Liverpool in January

Arne Slot’s Liverpool frontline is not quite right this season.

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By
Angus Sinclair

Dec 5, 2025

The New York Yankees are mired in a prolonged skid and the losing ways are starting to put some serious stress on the team's quest to make the postseason. Aaron Boone's side had a golden opportunity to get a much-needed win Monday night in Texas against the Rangers go by the wayside after Devin Williams blew a save opportunity in the ninth, allowing a pinch-hit game-tying home run to Joc Pederson in the ninth inning. Jake Bird surrendered a game-winning blast to Josh Jung in extra innings to prolong the slide.

Every loss is tough when you're struggling and the regular season is rapidly shrinking in size but this one was particularly rough considering Pederson's lack of production this year. There's not much reason to fear a pinch hitter carrying a .126 batting average and .473 OPS to the dish with everything on the line.

Yankees announcers Ryan Ruocco and David Cone tried to convey how much Pederson, a two-time All Star, had fallen off. They also pointed out that his body looks a bit different than it did during his prime.

And a matter of seconds later the Rangers reserve delivered the biggest hit of the game.

Do the two events have anything to do with each other? A logical person would tell you they most certainly do not. But it does make for some compelling footage as a guy who didn't even know his body was being put up for regional discussion enacted some revenge.

Chelsea and Arsenal have reportedly intensified their pursuit of Lille sensation Ayyoub Bouaddi, with both Premier League giants pushing to position themselves ahead of Paris Saint-Germain in the race for one of Europe’s brightest youngsters. Lille are determined to extend the teenager’s contract and protect a fee that could soar past €50 million (£43.6m/$58.2m) next summer.

• Chelsea and Arsenal interested in Lille's Bouaddi

  As per Fabrice Hawkins, Chelsea and Arsenal have emerged as leading contenders in the growing race to sign Lille midfielder Bouaddi, whose reputation has soared after breaking through as one of Ligue 1’s most exciting young talents. The report has indicated that Arsenal are pushing aggressively, while Chelsea have stepped up their monitoring as they explore reinforcements in midfield ahead of next summer. Lille are aware of the competition and anticipate bids surpassing €50 million, with some earlier valuations even suggesting the figure could rise closer to €100 million. Paris Saint-Germain, who have long tracked Bouaddi, remain linked, though sources close to the player insist that no talks with the Paris club are currently taking place.  

  The 18-year-old has drawn increased attention following standout performances in domestic and European competition, most notably his display in Lille’s famous Champions League win over Real Madrid on his 17th birthday. His rapid rise has made him a key figure for Lille, prompting renewed attempts by the club to secure a contract extension beyond 2027.

  Despite the mounting interest, Lille have yet to receive concrete proposals, and sporting director Olivier Letang is expected to hold firm until their valuation is met. Bouaddi’s camp also remains calm about the situation, with the teenager fully focused on his development and his club’s ambitions this season. Still, the intensity of the pursuit suggests that Lille face a defining summer as Europe’s elite prepare to circle.

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  Lille view Bouaddi's sale as a massive financial opportunity

  Bouaddi’s emergence as a top-tier midfield prospect has positioned him at the heart of a broader strategic battle between Premier League clubs seeking long-term control in midfield. Chelsea and Arsenal both view him as a rare profile: technically secure, physically mature, and tactically advanced for his age. 

  For Lille, the midfielder represents both sporting value and major financial leverage at a time when retaining their top prospects is increasingly difficult. The club’s determination to extend his deal reflects a belief that another season of development could elevate his price well beyond the €50m threshold. Bouaddi’s contractual situation is locked in until 2027, but without a renewal, Lille risk losing negotiating power next year if progress on an extension stalls. 

  PSG’s position further shapes the landscape, as their interest persists despite denials of active talks. The Ligue 1 champions have historically battled both Arsenal and Chelsea for emerging French talent, and Bouaddi’s profile fits their long-term recruitment model. Whether or not they join the bidding, their shadow looms large over negotiations involving one of France’s most sought-after prospects.

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  PSG also interested in Bouaddi — no concrete talks yet

  Bouaddi’s rise has been so rapid that it has redefined expectations for teenage midfielders in France, with his maturity and tactical awareness drawing widespread acclaim. He made history as the youngest player ever to appear in a UEFA club competition at 16 years and three days, before becoming one of the youngest to start a Champions League match, against Real Madrid, just over a year later.

  His style of play makes him an ideal candidate for Premier League football, though Lille remain convinced he should continue developing in Ligue 1 for at least another season. Scouts highlight his versatility as another major asset, as he can operate as a deep-lying playmaker, defensive anchor or advanced link player depending on tactical demand.

  While ESPN suggested Bouaddi was nearing a move to PSG, sources linked to the player and journalist Sacha Tavolieri have dismissed those claims, asserting that no concrete discussions have taken place. For now, the real momentum sits with Chelsea and Arsenal, whose recruitment teams see Bouaddi as a generational opportunity. 

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• All three clubs expected to make move in the summer of 2026

  Chelsea and Arsenal are expected to continue tracking Bouaddi closely ahead of the summer window, with both clubs preparing for negotiations that could become one of next year’s major transfer stories. Lille will focus on securing a contract extension, knowing that their leverage hinges on tying the midfielder down before rival clubs formalise their interest. With PSG still lurking in the background and valuations rising, Bouaddi’s future looks set to spark a fierce continental battle in 2026. 

Everton are now ready to pounce to sign an “insane” Premier League striker in the January transfer window, and his club are open to offers.

Toffees' January transfer window plans taking shape

The Toffees are flying high in the Premier League, moving up to seventh place after winning four of their last five matches, but one position in which they arguably need to strengthen next month is centre-forward, considering they have scored just 18 goals this season.

No side above 17th place has scored fewer goals than David Moyes’ side, although they were impressive going forward in the last match, breezing past Nottingham Forest with a 3-0 victory at the Hill Dickinson Stadium.

Thierno Barry scored the second goal in the rout, with the Frenchman finally managing to get off the mark, having failed to score in his previous 14 outings for the Merseyside club.

Beto hasn’t fared any better, however, with the 27-year-old also on just one Premier League goal, which will be a worry for Moyes, given that we are now approaching the half-way stage of the season.

Consequently, Everton are now looking at bringing in a new striker next month, according to a report from TEAMtalk, which states they are ready to pounce to sign Joshua Zirkzee, should Manchester United be willing to lower their £35m asking price.

The Toffees are joined by three other Premier League clubs in the race for Zirkzee’s signature, but AS Roma are currently in pole position, and the Serie A side have recently opened direct negotiations over a January deal.

Man United are now open to offers for the Dutchman, who is the Red Devils’ second choice striker behind Benjamin Sesko, and he has struggled for game time, starting only three Premier League games this term.

"Insane" Zirkzee would be risky signing for Everton

Moyes will be hoping Barry scoring against Forest can be a turning point for the 23-year-old, but the early signs haven’t exactly been encouraging, so a new striker may be required if the Merseysiders are to make a serious push for Europe.

There are some indications Zirkzee could be a solid replacement, having been lauded for his “insane” quality by scout Ben Mattinson, while also scoring a very well-taken goal in United’s recent 2-1 triumph against Crystal Palace.

Much like Barry and Beto, however, the Netherlands international has struggled to find the back of the net on a regular basis this season, having scored just one goal in the Premier League, following up a debut campaign in which he scored three.

Everton launch enquiry to sign "superb" £40m South American forward for Moyes

The Toffees are on the hunt for a striker.

By
Tom Cunningham

Dec 6, 2025

As such, with Everton in a strong position to make a real success out of this season, should they get their January recruitment right, they should look to bring in a striker who is much more prolific in front of goal.

Los Angeles Dodgers rookie pitcher Roki Sasaki was placed on the 15-day injured list as he deals with right shoulder impingement.

In turn, the Dodgers called up right-handed reliever J.P. Feyereisen from Triple A.

Sasaki last started on Friday, May 9, where he pitched four innings and recorded zero strikeouts for the first time in his rookie season. Arizona Diamondbacks players hit two home runs and five hits off of him during his appearance. Dodgers manager Dave Roberts revealed that Sasaki felt soreness in his right arm after that game. He ended up not throwing at his bullpen session on Tuesday.

"Physically, he was a little bit sore afterwards, and that's something that we're still kind of trying to figure out,” Roberts said, via MLB.com. “You know, what's normal, what's kind of not normal. … We want to make sure that he's in a good spot, physically and mentally."

Sasaki has posted a 4.72 ERA in eight starts for the Dodgers over 34 1/3 innings. The Japanese star pitcher hasn't necessarily lived up to the high expectations surrounding him thus far.

Sasaki is the third Dodgers pitcher to land on the IR for shoulder concerns after Blake Snell, who's been out since April 2, and Tyler Glasnow, who's been out since April 28, are both on the list right now.

The Dodgers will get Clayton Kershaw back on their roster on Saturday, though, as the three-time Cy Young Award winner will return after missing most of the 2024 season due to left knee and left toe injuries.

Real Madrid legend David Beckham has joined forces with current Blancos stars Jude Bellingham and Trent Alexander-Arnold to help launch the new throwback Predator Mania from adidas. The ex-England captain is mingling with Three Lions performers of the present as an iconic design is brought back to life in a stunning colourway that will stand out on the field.

• Beckham & Zidane helped to make Predator boots iconic

  Beckham, alongside the likes of Steven Gerrard and Zinedine Zidane, helped to build the Predator brand back in his heyday. While turning out for Manchester United, Real Madrid and England, the legendary No.7 sported the most recognisable of boots.

  Known for setting trends and breaking the mould, Becks became synonymous with fabled footwear that has gone down in football folklore. He is now bringing an iconic boot back, as another era is defined by superstars of the present.

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• Historic colourway delivered by adidas

  The Predator Mania for 2025, which is delivered in ‘Gunmetal’ grey, is said to blend “early-2000s nostalgia with modern construction”. The colourway itself is steeped in history. Beckham sported it during his early days in Madrid – with a striking combination of siler, white and an "unmistakable red tongue” allowing him to stand out from the crowd.

  Said boot is considered to have been “one of the most photogenic of its time” and adidas are reviving it with “care.” The modern Predator “once again features a steely, metal-optic sheen that reads as both polished and aggressive, contrasted sharply by crisp white Three Stripes”. Adidas also point out how “the fold-over tongue, a visual trademark of the Mania series, returns in vivid red leather with embroidered adidas detailing, completing a look that defined a generation of playmakers”.

• Predators gracing the field at Santiago Bernabeu again

  While the look of the latest Predator remains “faithful” to its roots, “the craftsmanship has been elevated”. The remake has been produced at the historic Scheinfeld factory in Germany, with said facility adding “a layer of authenticity that mirrors how high-end Predators were once built”.

  The Mania has seen “subtle refinements in structure, comfort, and responsiveness” that make the boot “feel prepared for today’s game without losing the weight of its past”. It will be gracing the field at Santiago Bernabeu again as Bellingham and Alexander-Arnold form part of adidas’ current stable of talent.

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• Bellingham helps return Real to winning ways

  Bellingham has followed in the footsteps of legendary Frenchman Zidane at Real, inheriting the No.5 jersey that the World Cup winner once wore with such distinction. He has drawn comparisons to Beckham throughout his career, with both able to blend on-field ability with off the pitch marketing appeal.

  All-action midfielder Bellingham wore the gunmetal Predators when Madrid returned to winning ways in their latest La Liga fixture – with a 3-0 victory away at Athletic Club ensuring that they remain just one point adrift of Clasico rivals Barcelona in another thrilling title race.

Thomas Frank’s appointment as Tottenham Hotspur boss brought about a newfound sense of excitement, with the Dane tasked with building on last season’s Europa League triumph.

He was brought into the club to replace Ange Postecoglou, even being handed over £100m by the hierarchy to make the desired changes he wanted to his first team squad.

Whilst his tenure in North London started off in excellent fashion, even remaining as the only side unbeaten away from home in the Premier League, but that came crashing down against Arsenal last week.

The Lilywhites have now failed to win any of their last three outings, shipping a total of 11 goals in that time – with five coming against PSG in the Champions League on Wednesday.

As a result, the hierarchy have since been targeting added reinforcements for the January transfer window to try and bolster Frank’s current first-team squad.

Spurs’ hunt for added reinforcements in January

During the past couple of weeks, Spurs have been targeting a move for Bournemouth winger Antoine Semenyo – with the Ghanaian seen as the perfect man to improve the frontline.

He’s already scored six times and registered three assists in the Premier League this campaign, leading to interest from other sides such as Arsenal and Liverpool.

However, his asking price has already been revealed, with the 25-year-old available for £65m as his release clause becomes active from the start of 2026.

He’s not the only player currently in their sights, with Juventus centre-back Gleison Bremer a defensive option being targeted ahead of the upcoming window.

According to TuttoJuve, Frank’s men are “ready to make” a €40m (£35m) bid for the Brazilian, who has been restricted to just four Serie A appearances this campaign.

The report states that the Lilywhites see the 28-year-old as the perfect option to bolster their backline, but it’s unclear if his current employers will sanction his transfer.

Why Spurs’ £35m target would be an upgrade on Romero

After Frank’s appointment in the summer, the Dane made a swift decision to create a leadership group that would lead Spurs forward under his guidance in North London.

Centre-back Cristian Romero was named as one of the players in the aforementioned group, with the Argentine wearing the armband in every game he’s featured in.

Whilst many have heaped praise on the 27-year-old in recent times, he’s endured somewhat of a slump in form over recent weeks – as seen by the club’s poor defensive record.

He was even responsible for two of PSG’s goals on Wednesday night, as he gave the ball to Pape Sarr in a dangerous position, before blocking Vitinha’s shot with his hand – resulting in a penalty for the hosts.

His underlying stats have also taken a hit as a result in recent weeks, which has led to numerous areas becoming a cause for concern to the manager and his staff.

When comparing Romero’s stats to those of Bremer in 2025/26 to date, the Brazilian has managed to better his fellow South American in key areas – highlighting why he’d be an upgrade on the Lilywhites defender.

Bremer, who’s been dubbed “world-class” by Matteo Bonetti, has completed more of the passes he’s attempted, whilst also notching more key passes per 90.

Such numbers highlight his incredible ball-playing ability, with such numbers handing Frank an added option to play out from the back and through the thirds when needed.

He’s also won more of the tackles he’s entered in 2025/26, whilst making more clearances per 90 – offering the needed defensive quality the side has lacked in recent weeks.

Other numbers, such as a higher aerial success rate and more recoveries made, highlight his all-round dominance without the ball – with Bremer looking like an incredible addition at £35m.

Such a move may feel somewhat harsh on Romero, but ultimately, it’s clear that the hierarchy have identified a player who is a level above the Argentine international.

If the board can complete a deal for Bremer, it would be a superb deal and one that could finally hand Frank the answer to their recent struggles in the defensive third.

As bad as Romero: Frank must instantly drop 5/10 Spurs flop after PSG

Thomas Frank will have some huge calls to make on some players after Tottenham Hotspur’s latest defeat.

By
Ethan Lamb

Nov 27, 2025

The Cincinnati Reds lost to the Miami Marlins 4-3 on Tuesday. The loss was not without highlights for the Reds as Noelvi Marte hit the hardest home run of the season to tie the game in the third inning.

Leading off the third Marte hit a rocket to left field off Edward Cabrera that was clocked with an exit volocity of 116.7MPH. The ball hit an empty seat about eight rows back and bounced back onto the field. Thank goodness for weekday games in Miami because that could have hurt someone.

After the game Reds manager Terry Francona was informed about how hard Marte had hit the ball as a reporter told him it was tied for the hardest hit home run of the year. His response was perfectly old school.

"OK," Francona seemed to ask in response. "We get one run. That's fine."

With opening day third baseman Jeimer Candelario struggling early in the year and moving to first to replace injured Christian Encarnacion-Strand, Marte has found his way into the lineup. After a slow start going 1-for-12 in his first few games, Marte is 7-of-14 over his last three games with three doubles and two home runs, including this one. That's fine indeed.

FIFA World Cup 2026 ticket holders traveling to matches in the United States will be able to receive prioritized U.S. visa interview appointments under a new initiative announced at the White House on Monday. The program – the FIFA Priority Appointment Scheduling System (FIFA PASS) – was introduced by the U.S. Department of State in coordination with the White House Task Force and FIFA.

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  White House event announces new FIFA PASS program

  FIFA PASS will allow fans who have purchased World Cup tickets through FIFA to request priority visa interview slots at U.S. embassies and consulates. The State Department said the system will launch in early 2026 and emphasized that all applicants must still complete the standard vetting and eligibility process required for a U.S. visa.

  “If you have a ticket for the World Cup, you can have prioritized appointments to get your visa,” Infantino said at the event. Rubio added that the government has deployed more than 400 additional consular officers worldwide to help meet expected demand ahead of the tournament.

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  Program gives ticket holders access to priority visa interviews

  More than six million tickets are expected to be made available for the 2026 World Cup, which will feature 104 matches across 16 host cities in the United States, Mexico and Canada. Eleven U.S. cities will host a combined 78 matches, including group-stage games, knockout rounds and the final.

  Fans who need a visa and live in countries with available appointments are encouraged to apply as soon as possible, the State Department said. Travelers from Visa Waiver Program (VWP) countries may instead seek authorization through ESTA. 

  Infantino has repeatedly emphasized that “the world is welcome in America,” offering public reassurances that international fans will be safe and supported when traveling to the United States for both the 2025 Club World Cup and the 2026 World Cup. His comments follow meetings with the White House Task Force and come amid ongoing scrutiny over the U.S. government’s immigration policies, security concerns, and visa challenges. Human Rights Watch has urged FIFA to be prepared to reconsider hosting if traveler safety cannot be guaranteed, even as Infantino maintains that U.S. officials have assured him that all fans who come to “celebrate football” will be welcomed.

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  FIFA World Cup 2026's economic impact

  Earlier this year, a joint study from FIFA and the World Trade Organization projected that hosting the 2026 tournament could generate 185,000 full-time jobs in the United States and contribute USD 17.2 billion to the economy.

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  Looking ahead

  Additional guidance for ticket holders on how to access FIFA PASS will be provided in early 2026, and updated entry information for all three host nations is available on FIFA’s official website.

  "The kick-off is coming up, so now is the time to apply. We’re honored to host the greatest and safest World Cup in history," Rubio said.