United News of Bangladesh

Italy has withdrawn from the race to host the 2029 Women’s European Championship, leaving four contenders for the 16-team tournament. Germany, Poland, Portugal, and a joint bid from Denmark and Sweden will face a vote by UEFA’s executive committee on Dec. 3, UEFA announced Friday. Italy is set to co-host the men’s Euro 2032 with Turkey, but is under pressure to complete five modern stadiums on time. Germany is seen as a strong contender, with plans for a 31-match tournament at venues including Bayern Munich and Borussia Dortmund stadiums, which each hold around 70,000 fans. The successful Euro 2025 in Switzerland drew over 650,000 spectators, a tournament record. England retained its title, defeating Spain on penalties after a 1-1 draw in Basel, and could aim for a third consecutive title in 2029 if it qualifies.

England coach Thomas Tuchel has apologized to midfielder Jude Bellingham for describing his behavior as “a bit repulsive.” Tuchel said the remark, made in a radio interview after England’s 3-1 friendly loss to Senegal in June, was unintentional and carried “no hidden agenda.” He expressed regret for any upset it caused. “I used this word unintentionally and I’m sorry for the upset that I created,” the German coach told talkSPORT. Tuchel added he contacted Bellingham immediately after the comment. He explained the term referred to the intensity and competitive edge Bellingham brings to the team. “Sometimes you see the rage, the hunger and the fire, and it comes out in a way that can be a bit repulsive,” Tuchel said, adding that even his mother sometimes struggles to see the well-behaved side of the player on TV. Reflecting on the incident more than two months later, Tuchel admitted: “I am experienced enough, I should have known better, I should have done better. It is my responsibility. I used the wrong word, I didn’t want to use this word.” Bellingham, currently recovering from shoulder surgery, was not included in Tuchel’s latest England squad for upcoming World Cup qualifiers against Andorra and Serbia.

Arsenal will be without winger Bukayo Saka for several weeks after he picked up another hamstring injury, manager Mikel Arteta confirmed Friday ahead of the Premier League clash with Liverpool. Sunday’s match at Anfield is an early test between title contenders, but the Gunners are hampered by injuries to key players, including captain Martin Odegaard. The midfielder injured his shoulder during Arsenal’s 5-0 win over Leeds last weekend. “He hasn’t trained yet, and if he does it will be tomorrow,” Arteta told reporters. “He’s doing everything possible, we’re doing everything possible to make him available, but we’ll have to wait and see.” Odegaard was also called up this week by Norway for their upcoming matches. Saka, who was forced off during the Leeds game, previously missed over three months last season after hamstring surgery. Arteta stressed that surgery will not be required this time, saying the problem is less serious and affects the other leg. Meanwhile, forward Kai Havertz faces a long spell on the sidelines after undergoing knee surgery Thursday following an injury sustained in the season opener against Manchester United. “I think it will be weeks, but I don’t know how many months,” Arteta said. “We’ve lost another big player for many weeks, but surgery was the right option.” Havertz, who also struggled with injuries last season, shared on social media: “Small setback, thanks to the medical team for all the care and attention. Back soon.” Arsenal signed Eberechi Eze from Crystal Palace to strengthen the squad after Havertz’s latest setback. The Gunners finished second to Liverpool last season.

As the Saudi Pro League kicked off its new season this week, Cristiano Ronaldo continues to be the most prominent name associated with the competition. Earlier this month, more than 30,000 fans packed a stadium in Hong Kong to watch Al-Nassr, Ronaldo’s team, defeat Al-Ittihad in the Saudi Super Cup semifinal. Local fan Chris KL Lau said the atmosphere was electric whenever Ronaldo touched the ball, describing the crowd as largely his supporters. The Portuguese star was also mobbed the next day during a visit to the city’s Cristiano Ronaldo museum. Since Ronaldo’s arrival in December 2022, other global stars such as Karim Benzema, Neymar and Riyad Mahrez have followed. Saudi Arabia’s Public Investment Fund took control of the league’s “Big Four” — Al-Nassr, Al-Ittihad, Al-Hilal and Al-Ahli — last year, giving them massive budgets to pursue talent. Champions League giants and debutants brace for opponent reveal in draw Despite Ronaldo’s star power, analysts say the league still struggles to attract wider attention when he isn’t playing. Crowds for other matches, including Al-Ahli’s recent game in Hong Kong, were far smaller than announced figures. League officials argue global reach is expanding, with matches broadcast in 180 countries and sponsorships up 200%. They say Saudi clubs aim to become Asia’s dominant football power, with Al-Hilal already making a mark in last season’s Club World Cup.

Europe’s top clubs and debutants will discover their Champions League opponents when the league-phase draw takes place Thursday in Monaco. The ceremony, set for 6 p.m. local time (1600 GMT), brings together defending champions Paris Saint-Germain, record 15-time winners Real Madrid, English champions Liverpool, as well as first-timers Pafos of Cyprus and Kairat Almaty of Kazakhstan. Norway’s Bodo/Glimt will also feature, with their Arctic Circle venue promising some of the coldest matches in competition history. Notably, former champions AC Milan and Manchester United missed out this season. This is the second year under the new league-phase format with 36 teams, each facing eight different opponents. The seeding system ensures teams draw two rivals from each of four pots, determined by UEFA rankings over five seasons. The competition kicks off Sept. 16, with the league phase concluding Jan. 28. The top eight teams advance directly to the round of 16, while those ranked ninth to 24th will contest knockout playoffs in February. The bottom 12 will exit the tournament.

AC Milan’s struggles have carried over from last season, while defending Serie A champion Napoli and 2023-24 winner Inter Milan have emerged as top contenders. Newly promoted Como also showed it could challenge the league’s elite in the opening round. Milan lost its opener to Cremonese at San Siro and faces Lecce on Friday, with coach Massimiliano Allegri still searching for a reliable striker. Como, led by Real Madrid product Nico Paz, beat Lazio and will visit Bologna on Saturday. Roma, coached by Gian Piero Gasperini, faces promoted Pisa in the city’s first Serie A match in 34 years. Juventus striker Dusan Vlahovic, the league’s highest-paid player, scored in Juve’s 2-0 opener over Parma. Inter’s 20-year-old Francesco Pio Esposito could make his Serie A debut against Udinese. Bologna’s Ciro Immobile is out for eight weeks with a leg injury, while Juventus midfielder Andrea Cambiaso received a two-match ban. Off the field, Napoli is reportedly close to signing Manchester United striker Rasmus Hojlund to replace the injured Romelu Lukaku. Serie A authorities are investigating racist abuse toward Juventus midfielder Weston McKennie by Parma fans. League president Ezio Simonelli warned that Italy could risk co-hosting the 2032 European Championship with Turkey if stadiums are not updated.

UEFA has announced that the men’s Champions League final will now kick off at 6 p.m. Central European Time, three hours earlier than before. The change aims to make the match more family-friendly, ease post-game travel using public transport, and allow fans to celebrate safely in host cities. The new kickoff will debut at the next final on Saturday, May 30, at Budapest’s Puskas Arena. Previously, a 9 p.m. start often meant late finishes after extra time and penalties. UEFA said the earlier timing also provides a better television window to reach a wider, especially younger, audience. The decision followed consultations with Football Supporters Europe, UEFA’s official fan liaison. FSE executive director Ronan Evain said the move makes day trips easier, reduces travel stress, and lets fans enjoy the event without worrying about late-night logistics.

Lionel Messi struck twice on his return as Inter Miami beat Orlando City 3-1 on Wednesday night to book a place in the Leagues Cup final. Inter Miami will now travel to face either LA Galaxy or Seattle Sounders in Sunday’s title decider. Messi, back in action for the second time in two weeks after a hamstring setback, played a decisive role in turning the game around. Orlando went ahead late in the first half when Marco Pašalić found the net, with the goal standing after a VAR check for handball. Messi equalized in the 77th minute, converting a penalty after Tadeo Allende was brought down in the box. Eleven minutes later, he combined neatly with Jordi Alba to fire Miami into the lead. Suarez’s brace helps Inter Miami edge Tigres 2-1 in Messi’s absence Telasco Segovia then linked up with Luis Suárez before sealing the win with a finish that mirrored Messi’s earlier strike. The tense semifinal produced nine yellow cards and a red for Orlando defender David Brekalo. Miami are aiming for another Leagues Cup trophy after winning the competition in 2022. Source: Agency 

France handed Maghnes Akliouche his first senior call-up on Wednesday for the upcoming World Cup qualifiers against Ukraine and Iceland, while in-form Liverpool striker Hugo Ekitike was left out of the squad. Akliouche, 23, is an attacking midfielder for Monaco. He previously represented France at last year’s Olympic football tournament on home soil and has played across the youth levels. France coach Didier Deschamps named him among seven forwards selected as Les Bleus prepare to open their World Cup qualifying campaign. However, there was no place for 23-year-old Ekitike, who has quickly made his mark at Liverpool after joining from Eintracht Frankfurt in the offseason. He has scored in each of his first three Premier League appearances for the defending champions. As expected, star forwards Kylian Mbappe and Ousmane Dembele were included in the squad. Defender William Saliba also returned after missing the Nations League finals earlier this summer due to injury.

Sweden on Wednesday named Alexander Isak in its squad for the upcoming World Cup qualifiers, even though the striker has yet to feature for Newcastle this season amid uncertainty over his future. Isak was included in a 24-man squad announced by Sweden coach Jon Dahl Tomasson for matches against Slovenia and Kosovo. “I am very happy that Alexander Isak wants to be in the squad, he is a huge player,” Tomasson said. “The situation he is in is not perfect and he has not trained with the team. But he is a player who can decide matches and he wants to be part of our squad. The World Cup is important for Alexander Isak.” Regarded as one of the world’s leading forwards, Isak expressed frustration with Newcastle in a social media post last week, claiming the club broke promises regarding an agreement that would allow him to leave, with Liverpool reportedly interested. He has been absent from Newcastle’s opening two Premier League fixtures — against Aston Villa and Liverpool — and has been training away from the first team. According to Sweden’s football federation, Isak is expected to join the national team in Stockholm on Monday, coinciding with the closing of the transfer window.