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ICC World Cup 2023: Preview of BAN vs. AFG ODI
Bangladesh is set to begin their ICC World Cup 2023 journey by facing off against South Asian rival Afghanistan today (October 7). The clash between these two teams, both representing Asia, is scheduled to take place at the HPCA Stadium in Dharamshala at 11 am Bangladesh time. Let’s see what to expect from this Bangladesh vs Afghanistan World Cup match.
Preview of BAN vs. AFG ODI in ICC World Cup 2023
In recent years, Bangladesh has emerged as a powerful contender in white-ball cricket, boasting an impressive 47% win rate in 2023 (matches with no result were not counted). Nevertheless, their performance has experienced a slight decline in the past few months.
Table: Bangladesh's performance in ODI matches in 2023 So far
Matches
Win
Loss
No Result
20
8
9
3
This year, Bangladesh played 20 matches in total and won 8 of them while losing 9 matches. However, three matches came out with no result.
Read more: Tamim opted to stay out of Bangladesh's World Cup squad: Mashrafe
Further, Bangladesh faced elimination in the Super Four stage of the recent Asia Cup and encountered a setback with a 2-0 loss against New Zealand in the lead-up to the current event. Despite these challenges, their victory against India in the Asia Cup highlights that the Tigers should not be underestimated at any point.
Heading to the World Cup 2023, Bangladesh has a tough batting lineup, relying on it to counter the spin-heavy Afghan bowling attack. Key batsmen include Najmul Hossain Shanto, who showcased brilliant form in the Asia Cup 2023, partnering with Litton Das as the opening duo.
Read more: Bangladesh vs Afghanistan ICC World Cup 2023 Live Streaming: How to Watch Online, Predicted XI
Towhid Hridoy has solidified his position as a dependable middle-order batsman, complemented by the experienced Mushfiqur Rahim in the lower order. The team features two outstanding all-rounders, Shakib Al-Hasan and Mehidy Hasan Miraz, known for their impactful contributions across all facets of the game.
In the spin department, Mahmudullah is likely to join the ranks. Shoriful Islam and Taskin Ahmed, both in good bowling form, will support Mustafizur Rahman in the bowling department, while Hasan Mahmud might secure a spot as the fourth bowler. The collective strength of this well-rounded squad positions Bangladesh as a challenging force in the upcoming matches.
Read more: ICC World Cup 2023: Schedule, Fixtures, Venues, Team List
On the other hand, Afghanistan's track record in the World Cup has been less than satisfactory, securing victory in only one out of the 15 matches played across their two appearances. In the last edition, they came remarkably close to defeating teams such as India and Pakistan. However, their relative lack of experience on the grand stage led them to surrender to pressure in critical moments.
Nevertheless, the Afghan players bring valuable experience from their participation in T20 leagues worldwide, providing them with a notable advantage. Afghanistan is particularly renowned for its spin-bowling options.
The crucial figure in the team's bowling lineup is Rashid Khan. With an impressive track record in the IPL and a deep understanding of Indian conditions, Khan is sure to play a crucial role in this match. Supporting him in the spin department are Mohammad Nabi and Mujeeb Ur Rahman.
While batting has historically been a vulnerable aspect for Afghanistan, the opening pair of Ibrahim Zadran and Rahmanullah Gurbaz has displayed excellent form in recent months, aiming to provide the team with a robust start. The middle order comprises Rahmat Shah, Hashmatullah Shahidi, and Najibullah Zadran, whose consistency in scoring runs will be essential in this BAN vs AFG World Cup match.
Read more: ICC World Cup 2023 Venues: Cities and Stadiums in India
This year, Afghanistan played 11 ODI matches so far and won three of them. Two of the wins came against Bangladesh and one against Sri Lanka.
Table: Afghanistan's performance in ODI matches in 2023 So far
Matches
Win
Loss
No Result
11
3
8
0
So, regarding experience and performance, the Tigers are ahead of the Afghans.
Bangladesh and Afghanistan stats in ICC ODI World Cups So farSo far, Bangladesh appeared in 7 ICC World Cups, including the 2023 tournament. Among these, the 2007 and 2015 World Cups were quite successful for them. Bangladesh reached Super Eights in 2007 and reached the quarter-finals in 2015. And they were eliminated in the group stage in 1999, 2003, 2011, and 2019.
Read more: Bangladesh's Fixtures for ICC World Cup 2023
On the other hand, the Afghans began their World Cup appearance in 2015 and appeared in another one in 2019. In these two World Cups, Afghanistan played 15 matches and won only one game against Scotland in the 2015 World Cup.
Table: Bangladesh and Afghanistan stats in ICC ODI World Cups
Team
Appearances
Total Matches Played
Wins
Losses
No Result
Bangladesh
1999, 2003, 2007, 2011, 2015, 2019, 2023
42
14
25
3
Afghanistan
2015, 2019, 2023
15
1
14
0
Bangladesh vs. Afghanistan Head-to-Head ODI Matches So Far
Bangladesh and Afghanistan met in 15 ODI matches, and Bangladesh won 9 matches, while Afghans emerged victorious in 6 matches. However, in the World Cup, Bangladesh faced the Afghans two times and won both of the matches.
Read more: ICC World Cup 2023 Tickets: How to Buy Online, Booking, Prices, Starting Dates and Timings
Table: BAN vs. AFG Head-to-Head ODI Matches So Far
Matches
Bangladesh Won
Afghanistan Won
No Result
15
9
6
0
Probable Bangladesh XI
Litton Das, Tanzid Hasan Tamim, Mehidy Hasan Miraz, Najmul Hossain Shanto, Mushfiqur Rahim (wk), Shakib Al Hasan (C), Mahmudullah, Mahedi Hasan, Taskin Ahmed, Mustafizur Rahman, Tanzim Hasan Sakib.
Probable Afghanistan XI
Rahmanullah Gurbaz (wk), Ibrahim Zadran, Rahmat Shah, Najibullah Zadran, Mohammad Nabi, Hashmatullah Shahidi (C), Rashid Khan, Mujeeb ur Rahman, Noor Ahmad, Fazalhaq Farooqi, Naveen ul Haq.
Read more: Rabbithole's World Cup package just Tk60 for Nagad customers
Bangladeshi Players to Watch
Najmul Hossain Shanto
The Bangladeshi top-order batsman has had an outstanding year, beginning with a memorable Bangladesh Premier League. This year, in 2023, Shanto played 15 matches and scored 698 runs, which could have been increased if he was not injured in the Asia Cup 2023.
Shakib Al Hasan
Appearing in the 2007 World Cup first, Shakib Al Hasan’s World Cup record filled with 1146 runs and 34 wickets from 29 matches. And in 2023, Shakib maintained his impressive performance. In the 16 ODI matches he played this year, he accumulated 549 runs, achieving the highest score of 93 runs and securing five half-centuries. Additionally, he showcased his bowling skill by taking 14 wickets across these 16 matches, with his best bowling figures being 4/35.
Towhid Hridoy
Towhid Hridoy has displayed admirable form in recent matches. In the current year, he participated in 17 matches, scoring a total of 518 runs with an impressive strike rate of 86.33. Hridoy first garnered attention with notable performances, scoring 82 and 54 runs in the 2023 Asia Cup. So, he will surely have some impact on the Afghans.
Read more: Banglalink to Livestream ICC Men’s Cricket World Cup 2023 with Unbeatable Internet Offers and World-Class Streaming Experiences
Afghan Players to Watch
Ibrahim Zadran
The Afghan opener has been the standout batsman for his team in the current year, accumulating 478 runs from 11 innings at an impressive average of 47.8. Teaming up with Rahmanullah Gurbaz, he has established a formidable opening partnership for the Afghan team. So, we might see Zadran’s tremendous performance in the next match.
Rahmanullah Gurbaz
He is among the more aggressive batsmen in the Afghan lineup and complements his partner Zadran effectively. His notable strength lies in his attacking approach, showcasing the ability to unleash shots right from the outset, thereby putting opposing bowlers under pressure. This year, he scored 376 runs from 11 matches.
Fazalhaq Farooqi
Farooqi is anticipated to be Afghanistan's key bowler in the ICC Men's ODI World Cup 2023. He has stood out as their leading wicket-taker over the last two years, securing 32 wickets from 14 innings while maintaining a bowling average of 27.5.
Read more: ICC World Cup 2023 Live Streaming: How and Where to Watch all matches Online
Final Words
Statistically, Bangladesh has a competitive edge over Afghanistan. However, in recent times, Afghans have been fighting back and getting positive results. Considering the recent and historical performance, Bangladesh has a great chance to win the BAN vs. AFG ICC World Cup 2023 match.
Read more: Analysis of Bangladesh Squad for ICC World Cup 2023
Tigers ready to kick off World Cup Campaign
The Bangladesh cricket team is set to embark on their ICC World Cup journey against Afghanistan on Saturday, with Afghanistan proving to be formidable rivals for the Tigers in recent encounters.
The match will kick off at the picturesque Himachal Pradesh Cricket Association Stadium in Dharamsala.
In this 10-team World Cup, each team will play a total of nine matches during the initial phase. Bangladesh's first two matches are slated for Dharamsala, with the first clash against Afghanistan, followed by a showdown with reigning world champions England, on October 10.
This impending match against Afghanistan marks Bangladesh's return to ODI cricket in India after a 17-year hiatus, their last ODI match in India dating back to 2006.
New Zealand routs England in Cricket World Cup opener to gain measure of revenge after 2019 final
Leading up to the main event, Bangladesh contested two warm-up matches against Sri Lanka and England. While they clinched the first, they faced a defeat against England in the second, held in Guwahati.
Shakib Al Hasan, Bangladesh's captain, was sidelined from the warm-up matches due to a minor injury sustained during a football session in practice. However, he has been declared fit for the Afghanistan encounter.
Prior to the World Cup, Bangladesh hosted an ODI series at home against the current World Cup runners-up, New Zealand, and ended up losing the series 2-0, with one match succumbing to heavy rain.
The Bangladesh captain expressed confidence, emphasising the significance of the upcoming World Cup matches.
The squad comprises a blend of seasoned campaigners and young talents. Shakib, Mushfiqur Rahim, Mahmudullah Riyad, Taskin Ahmed, Mustafizur Rahman, and Litton Das form the backbone of the Bangladesh team. The side also features promising talents in Najmul Hossain Shanto, Tanzid Hasan Tamim, and Tanzim Hasan Sakib, along with Nasum Ahmed and Mahedi Hasan.
Bangladesh also boasts Mehidy Hasan Miraz, a talented all-rounder who has excelled in recent years and possesses the potential to shine in this World Cup being held in India.
Analysis of Bangladesh Squad for ICC World Cup 2023
The Tigers may grapple with uncertainty regarding their opening combination, given that star opener Tamim Iqbal will miss the World Cup due to injury-related issues. The void left by the renowned opener has been filled by Tanzid Tamim, another left-handed opener. While he impressed in the warm-up matches, he lacks experience in major events.
Litton, standing in for Tamim’s experience, has been experiencing a rough patch in recent matches and will need to take responsibility for providing a solid start alongside his young partner.
Mehidy Miraz might be entrusted with opening the innings alongside Litton, should the team management opt for this strategy. He previously executed this role in the Asia Cup against Afghanistan, delivering a century, potentially prompting the management to stick with the same plan.
In the pace department, Bangladesh flaunts a formidable attack compared to other areas. Taskin and Mustafiz lead the charge, with Shoriful Islam and Hasan Mahmud also poised to make a significant impact. The Tigers boast an additional pacer in Tanzim Hasan Sakib, who made an impressive debut in the Asia Cup, securing three wickets.
In essence, Bangladesh possesses a robust squad capable of challenging any opponent in the World Cup. The key lies in the team's unity and collective performance.
ICC World Cup 2023 Live Streaming: How and Where to Watch all matches Online
New Zealand routs England in Cricket World Cup opener to gain measure of revenge after 2019 final
The Cricket World Cup opened Thursday with New Zealand gaining a measure of revenge for how the last one ended four years ago.
The rematch of the extraordinary 2019 final got a very different result as the Blacks Caps powered to a nine-wicket thrashing of England, whose title defense is off to an alarming start.
England, without star batter Ben Stokes because of a hip injury, was put into bat and posted 282-9 — a score that always seemed well below par at Narendra Modi Stadium in Ahmedabad.
Read: Analysis of Bangladesh Squad for ICC World Cup 2023
That’s how it proved as New Zealand raced to its target in just 36.2 overs, with Devon Conway (152 not out) and Rachin Ravindra (123 not out) putting on a virtually chanceless second-wicket stand of 273 to help the team to 283-1. The chase was achieved without captain Kane Williamson, who still has yet to recover from a knee injury.
Conway's 83-ball hundred was the Black Caps' fastest at a World Cup — but only until the 23-year-old allrounder Ravindra went quicker, off 82 balls, to also become New Zealand's youngest century-maker.
Read: Stokes to miss defending champion England's Cricket World Cup opener against New Zealand
Joe Root top-scored with 77 for England, which at least made some history after all batters scored double figures. It’s the first time that has happened in the history of ODIs, totaling 4,658 matches.
There was a sparse crowd for the start of the 13th edition of the 50-over World Cup, though the cavernous 134,000-seater stadium was slightly fuller by the time the one-sided match ended.
Asian Games Cricket: Bangladesh to play India in first semifinal Friday
Former Asian Games gold medalist Bangladesh Men's Cricket team will play their giant neighbor India in the first semifinal of the 19th Asian Games Men's Cricket on Friday (October 6).
The match will kick-off at 7 am Bangladesh time at the Zhejiang University of Technology Cricket ground in Hangzhou.
Pakistan will play the 2nd semifinal also on Friday at 12 noon against Afghanistan, who eliminated Sri Lanka by 8 runs in the day's 3rd quarterfinal.
Read: Asian Games Kabaddi: Bangladesh complete assignment with consolation win over Thailand
Bangladesh men's cricket team brought laurel for the country by winning the first Asian Games gold medal in the Guangzhou Asian Games 2010 and clinched the bronze medal at the Incheon Asiad in 2014.
In case of a win against India on Friday, then Bangladesh entered the gold battle like the Guangzhou games, otherwise they will join the bronze race in the 3rd place deciding match.
Ahead of Friday's vital match against India, Bangladesh team made the final practice session on Thursday.
Earlier, Bangladesh mens cricket team managed a semifinal berth in the ongoing Games Cricket with a dramatic two-run victory over Malaysia in a nailbiting 4th quarterfinal on Wednesday (Oct 4).
Read: Analysis of Bangladesh Squad for ICC World Cup 2023
Earlier, India made a semifinal berth eliminating Nepal by 23 runs while Pakistan qualified for the last four stage eliminating Hong Kong by 68 runs in the quarter final match on Tuesday.
Bangladesh women's cricket team lifted the lone medal, a bronze, for the country beating Pakistan in 3rd place deciding match.
Asian Games Kabaddi: Bangladesh complete assignment with consolation win over Thailand
Three-time Asian Games silver medalists Bangladesh Men's Kabaddi team completed the 19th Asian Games assignment with a consolation victory over Thailand by 45-29 points in their last Group A match at the Xiaoshan Guali Sports Center in Hangzhou on Thursday.
Earlier, Bangladesh team was eliminated from the race losing to India 18-55 points and to Chinese Taipei 18-31 by points despite beating Japan by 52-17 points in the opening match.
After the day's match, Bangladesh finished 3rd to be eliminated from the five-team group securing four points playing all the four group matches.
In Friday's semifinals, India will play Pakistan while Iran face Chinese Taipei.
Bangladesh Women's Kabaddi team also eliminated from the bronze race losing to Nepal by 24-37 points in the first match and suffered 16-54 points defeat against defending champion Iran in the last match.
Analysis of Bangladesh Squad for ICC World Cup 2023
ICC World Cup starts today (October 5, 2023), and Bangladesh announced the squad on September 26. While other nations revealed their squads early, Bangladesh was the final team to make the announcement.
The day before the announcement of the World Cup team, a midnight meeting took place at the residence of the BCB president. Speculations regarding Tamim Iqbal's fitness in the media, and decisions involving Hathurusingha and Shakib Al Hasan all unfolded in a dramatic manner. In this intense situation, the Bangladesh Cricket Board revealed the final Cricket World Cup team, notably without the experienced batsman Tamim.
Bangladesh Squad for ICC World Cup 2023
Shakib Al Hasan (c), Litton Das, Tanzid Hasan Tamim, Najmul Hossain Shanto (vc), Tawhid Hridoy, Mushfiqur Rahim, Mahmudullah Riyad, Mehidy Hasan Miraz, Nasum Ahmed, Mahedi Hasan, Taskin Ahmed, Mustafizur Rahman, Hasan Mahmud, Shoriful Islam, Tanzim Hasan Sakib.
Read more: ICC World Cup 2023 Tickets: How to Buy Online, Booking, Prices, Starting Dates and Timings
Analysis of Bangladesh ODI Squad
Heading into the 2023 World Cup, Bangladesh is positioned as the underdog; however, they possess the capability to challenge the tournament favourites. Throughout this year, their performance in ODIs has been respectable, securing eight victories out of 20 matches, and one didn’t have a winner. Before the Asia Cup 2023, the captaincy responsibilities were handed over to Shakib Al Hasan, a decision prompted by Tamim Iqbal's fitness concerns.
Now that Tamim Iqbal is left out of the World Cup, fans are not seeing the Tamim-Litton pair in the opening. However, the absence of Tamim may not hamper Bangladesh’s performance. This year, Tamim Iqbal played 11 ODIs for Bangladesh and scored 283 runs. He did not have a significant contribution in most of the matches. His highest score in 2023 was 69 runs against Ireland at Chelmsford on May 14, 2023. Since Bangladesh is starting the World Cup with a balanced team, Tigers can do well without Tamim.
Read more: ICC World Cup 2023: India ODI Squad Analysis
The change in leadership could prove beneficial for the Bangladeshi team, considering Shakib's standing as arguably the best player in the squad. Renowned for leading from the front with his exceptional all-rounder skills, the veteran is expected to bring a fighting spirit to the team in the upcoming competition. Under their stylish all-rounder, Bangladesh aims to show some power against other tough opponents.
Bangladesh has landed in India for the 2023 World Cup with a well-balanced squad. The team comprises a mix of experienced players and promising newcomers, a combination that holds potential advantages. The veterans like Shakib, Mushfiqur Rahim, and Mahmudullah take charge and motivate emerging talents such as Tanzid Hasan, Towhid Hridoy, Shoriful Islam, and Hasan Mahmud to deliver their best for the team.
Read more: Bangladesh's Fixtures for ICC World Cup 2023
Strengths
Bangladesh remains competitive in cricket due to its proficient spin-bowling attack. Shakib Al Hasan's dual role as an all-rounder provides a crucial balance, particularly with his strategic bowling. Supported by Mehidy Hasan Miraz, the team benefits from a blend of off-break and left-arm spin. Shakib's experience, especially in Indian conditions, and impressive World Cup track record make him pivotal for key matches in subcontinental settings.
Weakness
Heading to the ICC Men's Cricket World Cup 2023, several teams, including Bangladesh, are dealing with injuries. Ebadot Hossain, a key fast bowler for Bangladesh, has been sidelined due to a significant knee injury, posing a substantial setback. Despite the team's management expressing the desire to include Tamim Iqbal in the squad, a persistent back injury has ultimately prevented his inclusion in the final lineup.
The Tigers' passionate displays are admirable, but their ability to control emotions during critical moments is crucial. Past controversies, like animated celebrations and verbal conflicts, raise concerns.
Read more: ICC World Cup 2023 Venues: Cities and Stadiums in India
Also, Bangladesh occasionally lacks a winning mentality, exemplified by Shakib Al Hasan's prior comment. Shifting towards a confident belief in winning, rather than a defensive approach, is vital for success in the upcoming games.
Key Players in Bangladesh ODI World Cup 2023
Shakib Al Hasan
In the 2019 World Cup, Shakib Al Hasan emerged as a standout performer, picked by many people as the unofficial player of the Tournament. He consistently surpassed fifty in seven out of eight innings, achieving two centuries. Remarkably, he became the first cricketer to score 500 runs and take 10 wickets in a single top-level ODI tournament.
Shakib also continued his performance in 2023. This year, he played 16 ODI matches so far and scored 549 runs with the highest runs of 93 and 5 fifties. He also took 14 wickets from 16 matches with 4/35 best bowling score. So, the Bangladesh team will greatly depend on Shakib’s performance as an all-rounder and a captain.
Read more: ICC World Cup 2023: Schedule, Fixtures, Venues, Team List
Mehidy Hasan Miraz
25-year-old all-rounder Mehidy Hasan Miraz is an important member of the Bangladesh team. He has shown that he has the ability to play big innings when given a chance by scoring a century to open the Afghanistan match in the Asia Cup. And he is a proven name with the ball. So far, he has played 82 ODI matches for Bangladesh and grabbed 91 wickets with 4/25 best bowling innings. So, Miraz has a good chance to do some magic.
Towhid Hridoy
Despite his recent debut, Hridoy is swiftly becoming a prominent figure in Bangladesh cricket. Across various series and tournaments, he consistently makes an indelible mark with his remarkable talent. As an under-19 World Cup winner in 2020, he played a crucial role in steering Bangladesh towards its dream of winning the World Cup.
Towhid Hridoy has been impressive in the latest matches. This year, he played 17 matches and scored 518 runs with an 86.33 strike rate. Hridoy came to the limelight after his 82 and 54 runs in the 2023 Asia Cup. However, he could not give his best in the New Zealand series in September 2023. But, still, Towhid can change the game in top order.
Read more: Banglalink to Livestream ICC Men’s Cricket World Cup 2023 with Unbeatable Internet Offers and World-Class Streaming Experiences
Taskin Ahmed
This year, Taskin appeared in 10 innings and grabbed 21 wickets. His tremendous performance in the Asia Cup 2023, taking 9 wickets from 4 matches, made him one of the players to watch in the 2023 World Cup. Notably, the 28-year-old fast bowler played a great role in Bangladesh's triumph against Afghanistan in the Asia Cup 2023, delivering an impressive performance with bowling figures of 4 for 44 in 8.3 overs. However, Taskin got 1 wicket in the World Cup match against Against se.
Final Words
The Bangladesh cricket squad possesses considerable talent and the potential to make a strong showing in the 2023 ICC ODI World Cup. Nonetheless, there have been instances where the team appears to lack unity. If each player maximizes their individual talents, Bangladesh stands a chance of causing an upset in the tournament.
Read more: ICC World Cup 2023 Live Streaming: How and Where to Watch all matches Online
2030 World Cup set to be hosted by Spain-Portugal-Morocco with 3 South American countries added
The 2030 men's soccer World Cup is set to feature games in six countries on three continents in a unique format that will allow the tournament to celebrate its 100th anniversary in Uruguay.
FIFA reached an agreement Wednesday between soccer’s continental leaders to accept a bid spearheaded by co-hosts Spain, Portugal and Morocco as the only candidate for the hosting rights. The agreement also includes staging games in South American countries Argentina, Paraguay and Uruguay, which had earlier promoted a rival co-hosting bid.
Those three countries will each host one match to start the tournament, which allows FIFA to stage the opening game in the Uruguayan capital of Montevideo, where the Centenario Stadium hosted the inaugural 1930 World Cup final.
Read: 2030 World Cup set to be hosted by Spain-Portugal-Morocco with 3 South American countries added
The bid had started out as a joint venture between Spain and Portugal before expanding to include Morocco, in northern Africa, earlier this year.
All six host nations will get automatic entry to the 48-team tournament, FIFA said. It is the first time the World Cup will be played on more than one continent.
“The centennial World Cup could not be far from South America, where everything began,” said Alejandro Dominguez, the president of South American soccer body CONMEBOL. “The 2030 World Cup will be played in three continents.”
The consensus reached by the continental soccer bodies also allowed FIFA to open bidding for the 2034 World Cup, with only member federations from Asia and Oceania eligible to bid for the hosting rights.
Read: 8th edition of BGMEA Cup 2023 to kick off on November 9
Saudi Arabia immediately entered that contest and Australia is also interested after successfully co-hosting the Women’s World Cup this year with New Zealand. Either way, the 2034 tournament will almost certainly be played in November and December — like last year's World Cup in Qatar, in the heart of the European club soccer season.
Accelerating the choice of a 2034 host to the end of next year will be widely seen as a victory for Saudi Arabia and Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman, who has built close ties to FIFA president Gianni Infantino in the past six years.
"We want to celebrate our football culture and share our country with the world,” Yasser Al Misehal, the president of the Saudi soccer federation and a member of the FIFA Council, said in a government statement announcing its intention to bid.
The FIFA Council’s acceptance of a unified 2030 candidacy still needs formal approval next year at a meeting of the 211 member federations. That should be just a formality. The 2034 pick will be made at a separate congress, FIFA said.
“In 2030, we will have a unique global footprint, three continents — Africa, Europe and South America — six countries — Argentina, Morocco, Paraguay, Portugal, Spain and Uruguay — welcoming and uniting the world while celebrating together the beautiful game, the centenary and the FIFA World Cup,” Infantino said in a statement.
Read: Asian Games Football: Bangladesh play out goalless draw with much higher-ranked China
The 48-team tournament scheduled for June-July 2030 is set to start in Uruguay, Argentina and Paraguay — which FIFA branded as “Centenary Celebration Matches” — before the action moves to the core host nations Spain, Portugal and Morocco.
The plan involves an unprecedented amount of travel across distances and time zones, including 13-hour flights from Buenos Aires to Madrid.
It was not popular with Football Supporters Europe, the fan group officially recognized by European soccer body UEFA.
“FIFA continues its cycle of destruction against the greatest tournament on earth,” FSE said in a statement. “Horrendous for supporters, disregards the environment and rolls the red carpet out to a host for 2034 with an appalling human rights record.”
Saudi Arabia and Australia both are members of the Asian Football Confederation yet the organization's president, Bahraini royal Sheikh Salman bin Ebrahim Al Khalifa, stated a clear preference Wednesday.
“The entire Asian football family will stand united in support of the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia’s momentous initiative,” Sheikh Salman said in an AFC statement, adding it was committed to working for its win. Australia was a losing candidate when Qatar won its hosting vote in 2010.
The South American co-host bid has been promoted since the 2018 World Cup in Russia and had included Chile, which was not mentioned Wednesday.
Ukraine was also dropped after it was added to the European bid a year ago at a news conference at UEFA headquarters in Switzerland. However, Ukraine had not been mentioned in official comments about the UEFA-backed bid this year.
The first 48-team men's World Cup will be hosted in 2026 by the United States, Canada and Mexico.
The 2030 decision marks a victory for Morocco, which has invested heavily in infrastructure in its largest cities and was last week chosen to host the 2025 African Cup of Nations. The men's national team helped push its case by reaching the World Cup semifinals in Qatar, eliminating Spain and Portugal in the previous rounds. It will be the second African nation to host the tournament after South Africa in 2010.
In a statement on Wednesday, Moroccan King Mohammed VI’s Royal Cabinet said the selection “recognized Morocco’s choice place in the ranks of great nations.”
The 2030 deal was clinched six weeks after the former president of Spain’s soccer federation became an international embarrassment for his behavior at the Women’s World Cup final.
Read: Asian Games Football: Sunil Chhetri's late penalty goal guides India to eliminate Bangladesh 1-0
Luis Rubiales was was suspended by FIFA and eventually forced to resign after kissing a player on the lips during the awards ceremony in Sydney, Australia on Aug. 20, which drew attention away from the greatest achievement of Spain’s women’s soccer team. He is now under criminal investigation.
Spain’s Prime Minister Pedro Sánchez had expressed public concern that Rubiales could derail the bid to host the men's World Cup if he remained in office.
Sánchez said in Spanish on X, the social media platform formerly known as Twitter: “We will show the strength of our country as champions of the men’s and women’s world titles, and we will defend the values of equality, solidarity and fair play that should always be present in sports.”
Spain previously hosted the 1982 World Cup, Argentina was the 1978 host and Uruguay had the inaugural 1930 tournament. Portugal, Morocco and Paraguay will be first-time hosts.
Stokes to miss defending champion England's Cricket World Cup opener against New Zealand
New Zealand won the toss and sent England into bat Thursday in a 2019 final rematch to open Cricket World Cup.
Both teams were missing key protagonists from that epic finale four years ago.
England star Ben Stokes is skipping the 2023 opener because of a hip strain. New Zealand skipper Kane Williamson is sidelined owing to insufficient recovery from his knee injury.
Read: Asian Games Cricket: Bangladesh to start campaign taking on Malaysia Wednesday
England won its first World Cup title when it hosted the last tournament in 2019, awarded the trophy on a countback of boundaries after the final and the subsequent Super Over ended in ties against New Zealand.
Stokes, voted player of that final at Lord's, came out of ODI retirement in August in a bid to play at the World Cup but was always a doubtful starter after straining his left hip. Selectors opted to save him for later in the tournament.
Harry Brook is expected to bat at No. 4 in his absence.
Read: Total absence from warm-ups fuels concern over Shakib's fitness
Opener Dawid Malan boasts a stellar recent record against New Zealand, scoring two half-centuries and a century against the Black Caps in the recent ODI series victory at home in September.
But Joe Root’s current form remains a concern for England — he has scored only one half-century in his past nine ODI innings. But he has a distinguished World Cup record with an average of 54.54 and is expected to bat at No. 3.
England picked a balanced attack with Adil Rashid and Moeen Ali in the spin department, and Mark Wood leading the quicks.
Tom Latham is leading New Zealand in the absence of Williamson. Pace bowler Tim Southee, recovering from a thumb injury, was also unavailable for selection.
Read: Bangladesh fall to England in final warm-up before World Cup
New Zealand opted for both Glenn Phillips and Mark Chapman in the middle order, with left-arm bowling all-rounder Rachin Ravindra also gaining selection.
The Black Caps have bolstered their batting by leaving out wrist spinner Ish Sodhi and pacer Lockie Ferguson, with allrounder James Neesham slotted to bat at No. 9.
The pitch at the 134,000-seater Narendra Modi Stadium is expected to be batting friendly. There could be some spin on offer through the day with little chance of dew later on. Pacer bowlers tend to find movement when the lights come on for the second innings.
Read: World Cup 2023: Bangladesh Team Departs for India
India fans will have to wait through four games before the host nation opens its campaign in a day-night match against five-time champion Australia at Chennai on Sunday.
2030 World Cup set to be hosted by Spain-Portugal-Morocco with 3 South American countries added
A unique 2030 World Cup is set to be played in Europe and Africa with the surprising addition of South America in a deal to allow the men’s soccer tournament to start with a 100th birthday party in Uruguay.
FIFA reached an agreement Wednesday between soccer’s continental leaders to accept only one candidate for hosting the 2030 tournament, the sport's governing body said.
The Spain-Portugal bid grew to add Morocco this year and now also includes long-time bid rivals Argentina, Paraguay and Uruguay.
Read: ICC World Cup 2023 kicks off tomorrow
A key lure of the unprecedented three-continent project is being able to open in the Uruguayan capital of Montevideo, where the Centenario Stadium hosted the inaugural 1930 World Cup final.
“The centennial World Cup could not be far from South America, where everything began," said Alejandro Dominguez, the president of South American soccer body CONMEBOL. "The 2030 World Cup will be played in three continents.”
The consensus reached by once-rival soccer continents also let FIFA fast-track the opening of the 2034 World Cup bidding contest, limited to member federations from Asia and Oceania.
Saudi Arabia has targeted the 2034 edition and Australia also is interested after successfully co-hosting the Women’s World Cup this year with New Zealand. Either way, the 2034 tournament will almost certainly played in November and December — like last year's World Cup in Qatar.
The FIFA Council’s acceptance of a unified 2030 candidacy still needs formal approval next year at a meeting of the 211 member federations. That should be just a formality.
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“In 2030, we will have a unique global footprint, three continents — Africa, Europe and South America — six countries — Argentina, Morocco, Paraguay, Portugal, Spain and Uruguay — welcoming and uniting the world while celebrating together the beautiful game, the centenary and the FIFA World Cup,” FIFA president Gianni Infantino said in a statement.
The 48-team, 104-game tournament scheduled for June-July 2030 is planned to start with games in Uruguay, Argentina and Paraguay before the action moves to the core host nations Spain, Portugal and Morocco. It involves an unprecedented amount of travel across distances and time zones.
The South American co-host bid has been promoted since the 2018 World Cup in Russia and had included Chile, which was not mentioned Wednesday.
Ukraine was also dropped after it was added to the European bid a year ago at a news conference at UEFA headquarters in Switzerland. However, Ukraine not been mentioned in official comments about the UEFA-backed bid this year.
The first 48-team men's World Cup will be hosted in 2026 by the United States, Canada and Mexico.
ICC World Cup 2023 Live Streaming: How and Where to Watch all matches Online
The 2023 ICC Men's Cricket World Cup will be the 13th edition of the Cricket World Cup, a quadrennial One Day International (ODI) cricket tournament contested by men's national teams and organized by ICC. The tournament will be hosted by India, beginning on 5 October and concluding on 19 November 2023. While tickets for most of the matches have been sold out, fans can watch the tournament of the year from anywhere in the world on TV as well as online. Here are the live streaming and telecast details of the upcoming ODI World Cup 2023.
ICC Cricket World Cup 2023 Live Streaming Online: Where and How to Watch from all countries
ICC ODI World Cup 2023 Broadcast And Live Streaming In India
Star Sports Network in India will telecast the ODI World Cup 2023 matches live. Cricket fans can tune into the following channels:
Star Sports 1, Star Sports 1 HD , Star Sports 1 HINDI , Star Sports 1 HINDI HD , Star Sports 1 TELUGU , Star Sports 1 TELUGU HD , Star Sports 1 TAMIL , Star Sports 1 TAMIL HD , Star Sports 1, KANNADA
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ICC ODI World Cup 2023 Live Streaming In Afghanistan: Ariana TV
ICC ODI World Cup 2023 Live Streaming In Sri Lanka: Maharaja TV
ICC ODI World Cup 2023 Live Streaming In Bangladesh: Gazi TV
ICC ODI World Cup 2023 Live Streaming In Australia: Fox Sports
ICC ODI World Cup 2023 Live Streaming In South Africa and Sub-Saharan Africa: SuperSport
ICC World cup Live Streaming in New Zealand: Sky Sport NZ
ICC World cup Live Streaming in Pakistan: PTV, ARY
ICC World cup Live Streaming in Singapore: StarHub
UK ICC World cup Live Streaming in Sky Sports
ICC World cup Live Streaming in USA: ESPN+ Willow
ICC World cup Live Streaming in Canada: Willow TV
ICC World cup Live Streaming in Caribbean Islands: ESPN Caribbean
ICC World cup Live Streaming in Central & South America and Mexico: ESPN
ICC World cup Live Streaming in Hong Kong: PCCW
ICC World cup Live Streaming in Maldives, Nepal, Bhutan: Star Sports
ICC World cup Live Streaming in Malaysia: MEASAT
ICC World cup Live Streaming in Middle East and North Africa: Etisalat
Read more: ICC World Cup 2023 Tickets: How to Buy Online, Booking, Prices, Starting Dates and Timings
ODI World Cup 2023 Official Broadcasters
In England, Sky Sports will broadcast the ODI World Cup 2023 matches on linear and digital. In Afghanistan, all the matches will be telecast on Ariana TV, while in Bangladesh, the matches of the Tigers will be broadcast on Gazi TV.
In Pakistan, the World Cup 2023 matches will be broadcast on live television by PTV and ARY. In Sri Lanka, the World Cup fixtures will be shown by Maharaja TV. Sky Sports NZ in New Zealand will broadcast the matches, while Fox Sports will showcase the matches in Australia on both linear and Kayo.
ICC ODI World Cup 2023: Teams And Format
The 10 teams - India, England, Pakistan, Australia, South Africa, New Zealand, Bangladesh, Sri Lanka, Afghanistan and Netherlands will play against each other once in a single round-robin format.
Read more: Bangladesh's Fixtures for ICC World Cup 2023