Tag: FIFA

  • Big name missing from FIFA Player of the Year award nominees

    Big name missing from FIFA Player of the Year award nominees

    The International Association Football Federation (FIFA) has announced final nominees for the men’s and women’s players of the year awards but one prominent name is missing from the list. Portuguese footballer Cristiano Ronaldo is not included in the nominations.

    According to FIFA, this award will be given to the player who has shown the most outstanding performance in the game from December 19, 2022, to August 20, 2023.

    The nominees for the men’s Footballer of the Year award include Argentina’s Lionel Messi, Norway’s Erling Haaland, and France’s Kylian Mbappé.

    The nominees for the Women’s Footballer of the Year award include Aitana Bonmatí, Linda Caicedo, and Jenni Hermoso.

    The FIFA Footballers of the Year award ceremony will take place on January 15 in London.

  • Cambodian football team receives pathetic reception in Islamabad

    Cambodian football team receives pathetic reception in Islamabad

    The Cambodian football team coming to Pakistan for the qualifying round of the FIFA World Cup 2026 was given a shameful reception in Islamabad.

    The Cambodian team coming to Pakistan to play the World Cup 2026 qualifying round under the leadership of the officials who received crores of rupees from FIFA. As members of the Pakistan Football Federation’s normalization committee, the team received a poor reception.

    According to sources, a local coaster and Shahzoor truck were hired to take the team players and their belongings to the hotel in a shameful manner. Pakistan Football Federation’s Normalization Committee (NC) gave a unique welcome to the Cambodian football team, setting a high example of indiscipline.

    Read More: Petrol price in Pakistan slashed by Rs40 to Rs283

    On behalf of Daily Jang, NC member Shahid Khokhar and Chairman Haroon Malik tried to inquire about the situation over the phone, but they did not answer the call.

  • Could Pakistan host the World Cup? Twitter makes some hilarious guesses on what could go down

    Could Pakistan host the World Cup? Twitter makes some hilarious guesses on what could go down

    We’ve seen the football and cricket world cups hosted in different countries around the world, and seen how the host would integrate their culture to bring a refreshing take. The internet went absolutely wild when Qatar topped the FIFA world cup ceremony by rewarding Messi with the bisht, a black cape that is given to Arab conquerers to symbolize them as revolutionary heroes.

    Now this Twitter user did ask his followers a simple question: how would the world cup in Pakistan take place?

    and Twitter users brought forth some hilarious scenarios

    https://twitter.com/alishbarajpoott/status/1606195292038201345?s=20&t=EF0uisS4gtsP6-OTDQS6kQ

    https://twitter.com/RangnarL7/status/1606135700390219777?s=20&t=EF0uisS4gtsP6-OTDQS6kQ

    https://twitter.com/thekidshazy/status/1606085206175141888?s=20&t=EF0uisS4gtsP6-OTDQS6kQ

  • US Open Cup bans Salt Bae for his annoying FIFA World Cup 2022 antics and breaking rules

    US Open Cup bans Salt Bae for his annoying FIFA World Cup 2022 antics and breaking rules

    Turkish chef Nusr-et Gokce, better known as ‘Salt Bae’, has been banned from the US Open Cup final after his antics at FIFA World Cup celebrations angered football fans across the globe.

    Founded in 1914, US Open Cup is the oldest and most prestigious soccer tournament in America.

    The development has been confirmed on the official Twitter handle of the US open cup.

    For some reason, he was allowed onto the field with the players in the immediate aftermath of Argentina’s victory over France. He was seen with the trophy, which he even slapped and did his little “salt and pepper” trick on as well.

    Lionel Messi was witnessed being approached by the owner of the steakhouse, who seemed irritated when Salt Bae grabbed his arm and dragged him off for a photo. The Turkish chef has received strong criticism as a consequence, especially from former Watford goalkeeper Ben Foster.

    “Its current design dates back to 1974,” FIFA’s website reads. “As one of the most recognised sports symbols in the world and a priceless icon, the original FIFA World Cup Trophy can only be touched and held by a very select group of people, which includes former winners of the FIFA World Cup and heads of state.”

    An internal investigation is being conducted to find out how the chef was authorized to be so near to the players. It is unclear how Salt Bae was permitted on the field. Additionally, he violated World Cup rules by holding the trophy.

  • The significance behind the black cape Lionel Messi wore at the FIFA world cup ceremony

    The significance behind the black cape Lionel Messi wore at the FIFA world cup ceremony

    The most significant part of the FIFA world cup ceremony was when Messi had been invited to the stage to receive the trophy, the King of Qatar had given him a black cape to wear before he lifted up the world cup to celebrate with his team members.

    Since yesterday social media users, mostly people in the West, were mostly expressing disappointment about Messi’s pictures being ruined by a black cape and even saying that it had ruined a significant moment for the football player. Many Arab critics and journalists were quick to highlight the racism in the media coverage of the West, and its overt disregard for Eastern culture and tradition.

    As Eastern journalists and critics had shared, every time the FIFA world cup would take place in different countries, the winner would be crowned according to the traditions of the host. For instance in 2004 when the Olympics were hosted in Athens, the winners were crowned with an olive wreathe. But the negative coverage over Messi wearing the bisht is proof of how racism in the Western media will remain an unresolved issue

    The black cape that Messi had worn on the final ceremony is called the bisht and historically, it holds a lot of significance within Arabic culture. The bisht is worn by Arabian warriors after a victory. At the ceremony, when the King of Qatar had given Messi the cloak, it was giving someone the highest form of respect and signified him as the King of Football.

  • ‘What a nail-biting economic situation of Pakistan under your government’: Pakistanis react to PM’s tweet congratulating Argentina

    ‘What a nail-biting economic situation of Pakistan under your government’: Pakistanis react to PM’s tweet congratulating Argentina

    Tweeting about the “nailbiting” final, Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif praised Messi for his performance. The PM also added that the “upsets” by Saudi Arabia and Morocco are the highlights of the tournament for him.

    It is worth noting that Saudi Arabia defeated World Cup winner Argentina early in the tournament, and Morocco shocked everyone as they finished fourth, defeating the likes of Spain, Belgium, Portugal, and Canada in the tournament.

    Pakistan’s PM added, “Congratulations to Qatar for successfully holding the mega event…Upsets by Saudi Arabia and Morocco remain highlights of the tournament for me.”

    Following his post, a number of users began to say that he should focus on the situation of the country instead of enjoying sports. Some recommended that he concentrate on the economy, while others advised him to pay attention to what was happening in Bannu.

  • Croatian-born YouTuber finds Muslim shower the ‘best thing ever’ during his stay in Qatar for FIFA World Cup

    Croatian-born YouTuber finds Muslim shower the ‘best thing ever’ during his stay in Qatar for FIFA World Cup

    Croatian-born YouTuber David Vujanić, who is in Qatar for the FIFA World Cup 2022, tried using a Muslim shower during his stay and praises it as “the best thing ever” he has ever used.

    Vujanić took to Twitter to describe the convenience of the Muslim showers he was using in Qatar and expressed disappointment that the British restrooms do not have these showers.

    “Lmao people were beefing over toilet paper during the pandemic when they could have just installed a bum shower,” Vujanić wrote.

    In another tweet, the football fan said, “I want this image printed on a T-shirt… I am now the self-proclaimed founder of the Shatafa Ultras group… “Bum Shower Fanatics, Let’s Go!”

    Vujanić, a devoted Liverpool FC fan, currently resides in London.

    On November 23, 2010, Vujani created his first YouTube channel. He posts a variety of videos, such as mock music videos and vlogs on football.

    The song parody “EASTERN EUROPE STYLE! (PSY GANGNAM STYLE PARODY) by BRICKA BRICKA!” is his most popular video.

    He formerly had a job with the football-focused channel Copa90. He also co-owns a YouTube channel called Poet & Vuj with his close friend and coworker Poet, where they post a series called “Comments Under,” in which they converse in public regarding football-related news and subjects.

  • Ronaldo a ‘gift from god’, Virat Kohli expresses love after football legend leaves in tears

    Ronaldo a ‘gift from god’, Virat Kohli expresses love after football legend leaves in tears

    Former India Cricket team captain Virat Kohli has come out in support of star footballer Cristiano Ronaldo after his Portugal side exited the ongoing FIFA World Cup on Saturday.

    Ronaldo is now more likely to complete his career without a World Cup trophy as a result of Portugal’s elimination from the competition. The popular Portuguese player, who is now 37, was seen crying on Saturday and was warmly embraced by the crowd.

    “No trophy or any title can take anything away from what you’ve done in this sport and for sports fans around the world. No title can explain the impact you’ve had on people and what I and so many around the world feel when we watch you play. That’s a gift from god. A real blessing to a man who plays his heart out every single time and is the epitome of hard work and dedication and a true inspiration for any sportsperson. You are for me the greatest of all time,” Virat posted on Twitter on Monday.

    According to India Times, Ronaldo’s elimination from the competition means that he will likely miss out on winning the World Cup because the following time it is held in the USA, in 2026, he would be 41. The five-time Champions League champion was a substitute in all of his team’s knockout stage games as Fernando Santos decided against starting him.

    While the great player has been struggling with his form, Virat has thrived in his position. On Saturday against Bangladesh, he was seen enjoying his 72nd ODI century. Virat moved up to second place in the list of players with the most hundreds at the international level with the tonne, passing Ricky Ponting, who had 71 hundred to his credit.

    Similar to Ronaldo, the former captain of India might play in his final World Cup in the ODI format the following year as India gets ready for the major tournament. Contrary to Ronaldo, Virat did win the World Cup in 2011 when India defeated Sri Lanka in the championship game.

    Lionel Messi is quietly going about his job as his Argentina team, who is in the final four and will play Croatia on Tuesday night, while all eyes are on Cristiano Ronaldo’s disappointment. Harry Kane, a close friend of Virat’s and the England captain, also experienced a disappointing departure when the English team fell to France.

  • Neymar out of Brazil’s next World Cup match with ankle injury

    Neymar out of Brazil’s next World Cup match with ankle injury

    After suffering an ankle ligament injury in his team’s opening victory over Serbia, Neymar will miss Brazil’s next World Cup match against Switzerland, the team doctor announced on Friday.

    After being replaced during Thursday’s 2-0 victory over Serbia, the Paris Saint-Germain forward was spotted with a swollen ankle.

    he 30-year-old sustained “ligament damage,” according to the Brazilian Football Federation’s (CBF) physician Rodrigo Lasmar.

    Due to an ankle strain, Danilo, the right back for Brazil, will also miss Monday’s game against Switzerland.

    “We will not have these two players for our next match but they continue their treatment with the aim of recovering in time for the rest of the competition,” the doctor said in a video released by the CBF.

  • Saudi Crown Prince Salman ‘sajday mein chalay gaye’ after historic victory against Argentina

    Saudi Crown Prince Salman ‘sajday mein chalay gaye’ after historic victory against Argentina

    Saudi Arabia’s football team pulled off one of the biggest upsets in the history of the sport by defeating Argentina with two second-half goals in their opening FIFA World Cup match in Qatar on Tuesday.

    The victory did not just drive Saudi fans into a frenzy but was also celebrated by the Kingdom’s normally staid and reserved royal family.

    Saudi Crown Prince, Mohammed bin Salman Al Saud, watched the match along with family members. Following the victory, the crown prince got overwhelmed and prostrated before God.

    It’s a public holiday tomorrow in Saudi Arabia after FIFA win

    The Saudi government has declared tomorrow, Wednesday, a holiday to mark the historic FIFA win.

    The holiday will be applicable to all employees in both public and private sectors, as well as all students across the country.

    This isn’t the first time a public holiday has been declared after a World Cup win. Cameroon’s stellar performance against Argentina in the opening match of the 1990’s tournament also received similar reactions after the Central African nation pulled off a miraculous win.