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FIFA confirms centre-circle anthem ceremony for all players at 2026 World Cup
FIFA has introduced a new pre-match ceremony for the 2026 World Cup, requiring both starting XIs and substitutes to gather around the centre circle during national anthems, giving stadium crowds a 360-degree view of every squad member.
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FIFA revamps World Cup 2026 anthem ceremony to include all squad members
FIFA has announced a redesigned pre-match ceremony for the 2026 World Cup in which every player in the matchday squad, not just the starting eleven, will gather around the centre circle during national anthems. The 360-degree format also introduces flag banners, player entry arches, and pyrotechnics for later rounds.
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Real Madrid Ready to Offer €150M for Vitinha, but PSG Has No Intention to Sell
Florentino Perez announced Thursday an offer of €150 million for a Ligue des Champions player without revealing the name. Spanish media unanimously identify Vitinha, PSG midfielder, as Real Madrid's primary target.
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No publishable article found — source is a betting advertisement
The source material is entirely a sponsored betting promotion for Coral, containing no original sports journalism. There is no news content to rewrite.
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Rice, Fernandes and Haaland among six nominees for PFA Player of the Year
The PFA Players' Player of the Year shortlist features three Arsenal men — Declan Rice, Gabriel Magalhaes and David Raya — alongside Manchester United's Bruno Fernandes, Erling Haaland and Rayan Cherki of Manchester City.
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Marx injury blow leaves Kubota Spears undermanned for Japan League One final against Kobe
Kubota Spears face Kobelco Kobe Steelers in the Japan Rugby League One championship final on 7 June without World Rugby Player of the Year Malcolm Marx, who is sidelined by a bicep injury, while backrower Tyler Paul is also doubtful with a toe problem.
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Cherki shines in France's defeat to Ivory Coast with goal and impressive first half
Despite France's loss to Ivory Coast (1-2) in Nantes, Rayan Cherki dominated the first half, scoring the opening goal and earning praise from manager Didier Deschamps and observers.
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Verstappen says Red Bull learned its lesson after Canada set-up disagreement
Max Verstappen has revealed that Red Bull internally discussed his public criticism following the Canadian Grand Prix, where he stated the team had ignored his set-up feedback. The four-time world champion says a lesson has been learned, though he expects another difficult weekend in Monaco.
Formula 1 -
FIFA cancels free World Cup 2026 tickets issued by pricing error, offers repurchase
Around 60 fans who secured World Cup 2026 tickets at zero cost due to a checkout glitch on FIFA.com have had their orders cancelled and refunded. FIFA has reserved the same seats for them to buy at the correct price within seven days.
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Carragher questions whether Iraola can adapt his Bournemouth style to Liverpool's squad
Jamie Carragher has raised doubts about Liverpool's appointment of Andoni Iraola, questioning whether the Basque coach can convince a high-profile, expensively assembled squad to adopt his pressing-based philosophy after his success with Bournemouth.
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Nine Manchester City players facing uncertain futures under Enzo Maresca
Manchester City enter a summer of significant transition as Enzo Maresca prepares to take charge. From goalkeeper James Trafford to midfielder Mateo Kovacic, at least nine first-team players face unclear futures at the Etihad Stadium.
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Bruno Genesio set to sign with Marseille to replace Habib Beye
Olympique de Marseille is close to finalizing the arrival of Bruno Genesio as its new head coach. A preliminary agreement has already been reached between the two parties, with only a few contractual details remaining to be settled.
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2026 World Cup: All players gathered at centre circle during anthems
FIFA is modifying the pre-match protocol for the 2026 World Cup: starters and substitutes will group together around the centre circle during national anthems, a first in the competition's history.
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Ross targets upset of former club Chiefs as Reds chase history in Hamilton
Aidan Ross swapped the Chiefs for the Queensland Reds a year ago and now faces his old club in a Super Rugby Pacific qualifying final in Hamilton on Saturday, where Australian teams have never won a post-season game in New Zealand.
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Sheikh Jassim unlikely to return as Glazers weigh partial Manchester United sale
Members of the Glazer family are reportedly considering selling their individual holdings in Manchester United, but Sheikh Jassim — who led a £4.5bn Qatari bid in 2023 — is not expected to re-enter the picture, with a minority stake holding little appeal for the billionaire.
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Spain held by Iraq in World Cup warm-up as De la Fuente rests ten players over fitness concerns
European champions Spain were frustrated to a 1-1 draw by Iraq in A Coruña, with Luis de la Fuente omitting up to ten players — including Lamine Yamal, Pedri and Rodri — due to fitness concerns ahead of the 2026 World Cup.
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Amad scores late winner for Ivory Coast as France fall in World Cup warm-up
Manchester United winger Amad Diallo struck an 84th-minute first-time finish to give Ivory Coast a comeback victory over France in a World Cup warm-up, reviving confidence in the forward after a difficult domestic season.
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Deschamps warns France over pace problem after 2-1 friendly defeat to Ivory Coast
France fell to a 2-1 defeat against Ivory Coast in a World Cup warm-up in Nantes on Thursday, with Didier Deschamps conceding his side lost control after half-time and warning the same pace-based threat awaits them at the tournament.
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Sheikh Jassim rules out fresh Man Utd bid as Glazers weigh partial sale
The Qatari consortium that failed to buy Manchester United in 2023 will not return with a new offer, despite reports that some Glazer family members are open to selling their stakes in the club.
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Digne and Théo Hernandez struggle: France's left flank concerns mount ahead of World Cup
France lost 2-1 to Côte d'Ivoire on Thursday in a warm-up match, exposing defensive weaknesses on the left flank where neither Lucas Digne nor Théo Hernandez impressed just twelve days before their World Cup opener against Senegal.
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