Football
2024 Copa América in US to start on June 20
Next year's Copa América in the United States will kick off on June 20 and the final will be played on July 17.
South American soccer body CONMEBOL confirmed the dates on Tuesday and said tournament organizers have yet to pick the host cities.
Read: Lionel Messi scores, gets hugged by a fan during Argentina’s 2-0 win over Australia
Ten South American teams plus six from North and Central America and the Caribbean will take part in the 2024 Copa América. The four semifinalists in the 2023-24 CONCACAF Nations League will qualify along with two winners from play-in games among the four quarterfinal losers.
Argentina is the defending champion.
Read: FIFA Int'l Friendly: Bangladesh beat Cambodia 1-0 to maintain their unbeaten record
The previous Copa América held in the U.S. from June 3-26 in 2016 also included 16 teams. Games were played at Chicago; East Rutherford, New Jersey; Foxborough, Massachusetts; Glendale, Arizona; Houston; Orlando, Florida; Pasadena, California; Philadelphia; Santa Clara, California; and Seattle. The final was at East Rutherford.
CONMEBOL president Alejandro Domínguez said in a statement that the “a new edition will invite (fans) to celebrate and live the passion that this competition makes us feel.”
Lionel Messi scores, gets hugged by a fan during Argentina’s 2-0 win over Australia
Lionel Messi got hugged by a fan who ran onto the field wearing a No. 10 Argentina shirt Thursday during a 2-0 friendly win over Australia in which the World Cup champion scored the fastest goal of his career.
Messi was standing near the corner flag in the second half when the fan ran onto the field and embraced him. The seven-time Ballon d’Or winner appeared to be surprised as the fan approached, but then put his arm around the interloper’s back before security guards quickly moved in.
The fan bolted across the field and high-fived Argentina goalkeeper Emiliano Martinez on the other end before doubling back across the grass and tripping. The invader was eventually carried off the field.
READ: Messi, Argentina set to pull a big crowd in Beijing exhibition game against Australia
Moments later, Messi helped set up the second goal for German Pezzella in the 68th minute at the Worker’s Stadium in Beijing.
Earlier, Messi had scored with almost his first touch, only a week after deciding to leave Paris Saint-Germain for Inter Miami.
Emerging to massive cheers from the Chinese fans, many of them wearing the famous blue-and-white national team shirts, Messi scored after 1 minute, 19 seconds in Argentina’s third game since beating France in the World Cup final in December.
READ: Messi’s move to Inter Miami: Debut, Contract, Salary and more in MLS
Australia midfielder Mathew Leckie slipped inside his own half, allowing Enzo Fernandez to feed Messi, who stepped around Aiden O’Neill on the edge of the area and curled the ball past the diving Mat Ryan. With 103 international goals, Messi trails only Portugal’s Cristiano Ronaldo (122) and Iran’s Ali Daei (109).
Messi came close again minutes later but Australia soon worked itself into the match, much like it did in the 2-1 loss to Argentina at the World Cup in Qatar. Mitch Duke’s shot was pushed onto the post by Martinez.
Messi then had another chance before halftime but the 35-year-old forward shot over with only the goalkeeper to beat.
READ: No homecoming for Messi as Barcelona again fails to do enough to lure him back
In the second half, Messi again went close, this time from a free kick in the 65th minute. He was then involved in his team’s second goal, passing the ball near the corner flag to Rodrigo De Paul, who crossed for Pezzella to head home.
A short time later, Messi found Julian Alvarez in the area but his low shot was pushed past the post by the diving Ryan.
Argentina will next travel to Jakarta to face Indonesia on Monday, while Australia will face England in October as it prepares for the Asian Cup in Qatar in January.
FIFA Int'l Friendly: Bangladesh beat Cambodia 1-0 to maintain their unbeaten record
Bangladesh national football team beat hosts Cambodian national side by 1-0 goal in a keenly contested FIFA Tier-1 International Friendly match at the 30,000 crowd-packed Olympics Stadium in Phnom Penh on Thursday (June 15) evening.
Cambodian Television (BTV) telecast the match live.
With the day's feat, Touring Bangladesh (FIFA Ranking 192) maintained their unbeaten run against upper ranked Cambodia (Ranking 176) by winning five matches in their 6th meetings.
The remaining match between two teams ended in 1-1 draw in an international friendly in August 2007.
Read: FIFA Int'l Friendly : Bangladesh to play Cambodia on Thursday
In the day's match, Mojibur Rahman Jony, a midfielder of premier league team Fortis FC, scored the match-winning goal for Bangladesh in the 24th minute by a running placing shot from danger zone, utilizing a long cross of Foysal Ahmed Fahim (1-0).
Bangladesh custodian Anisur Rahman Zico displayed his brilliance under the bar foiling at least three good attempts of the opponent team.
Although the Cambodia team conceded defeat in the day's match, but they dominated over Bangladesh all through with their attacking football and did everything except scoring goal.
Bangladesh's most reliable Finland-based defender Tariq Kazi got marching order just few minute the final whistle.
Read: Two Bangladeshi booters reach Phnom Penh to join squad
Earlier, Bangladesh made a good practices in Phnom Penh beating 3rd ranked Cambodian Premier league side Tiffy Army FC 1-0 in a preparatory match last Monday, by a goal by Abahani medio Mohammad Sohel Rana.
However, Bangladesh team will fly for India directly from Cambodia on Friday (June 16) to compete in the eight-nation 14th SAFF Championship scheduled for June 21 to July 5 at the Sree Kanteerava Stadium in Bengaluru.
Earlier, Bangladesh have been drawn in Group B of the (SAFF) Championship 2023 with top seed and invitee Lebanon, two times champions Maldives and Bhutan while Group A team comprises eight-time champions India, invitee Kuwait, Nepal and Pakistan. .
Bangladesh, the champions of 2003, will start their campaign taking on favorite and top seed Lebanon on the following day (June 22) at 3:30 pm at the same venue.
Read: No homecoming for Messi as Barcelona again fails to do enough to lure him back
Bangladesh, who did not overcame the group stage barrier in the last five editions, will play Maldives on June 25 at 3:30 pm and meet Bhutan on June 28 at 7:30 pm in their remaining group matches
After the round-robin league matches, top two teams from each groups, will play in the semifinals on July 1 while the final billed for July 4.
Jude Bellingham given Zidane's No. 5 after completing move to Real Madrid
Holding up the same No. 5 shirt once donned by Zinedine Zidane, Jude Bellingham completed his move to Real Madrid on Thursday after signing a six-year deal with Europe's most successful club.
Bellingham posed with his new shirt before Madrid's packed trophy case after he passed his medical exam and signed the contract alongside club president Florentino Pérez.
Following his presentation, Bellingham finished a brief speech where he thanked his family and former teams with Madrid's battle cry: "Hala Madrid!"
Also read: Messi’s move to Inter Miami: Debut, Contract, Salary and more in MLS
Despite reportedly being a transfer target for several top European clubs, including Manchester City and Manchester United, Bellingham opted to move to the Spanish club that has won the European Cup a record 14 times.
Pérez called Bellingham one of the "best players in the world" and underscored that while he had other clubs after him, "he is here because this is where he wanted to be."
Madrid did not confirm the transfer fee, but Dortmund said in a statement to the stock exchange last week that it could reach more than 130 million euros ($139 million).
Also read: Mission completed: Man City beats Inter Milan to end wait for first Champions League title
Only 19 years old, Bellingham joins a youth movement at Madrid that includes 22-year-old Brazil forwards Vinícius Júnior and Rodrygo, French internationals Eduardo Camavinga (20) and Aurélien Tchouaméni (23), and Uruguay midfielder Federico Valverde (24).
While he won't be asked to replace the scoring void left by the exit of Karim Benzema, Bellingham may still have some very big boots to fill. Veteran midfielders Luka Modric, a former Ballon d'Or winner, and Toni Kroos, both have contracts that expire at the end of this month.
Bellingham joined Dortmund from second-division English club Birmingham in 2020. His three-season stay at Dortmund ended after the team lost the German title to Bayern Munich on goal difference. He debuted for England in 2020 and has played 24 times for his national team.
Also read: No homecoming for Messi as Barcelona again fails to do enough to lure him back
Madrid has also made small deals to buy back former players Brahim Díaz and Fran García as it seeks to recover the Champions League and Spanish league titles that it relinquished last season.
The powerhouse team is expected to attempt to make another big signing to replace Benzema after his departure for Saudi Arabia. Madrid is in the middle of rumors of a possible exit of Kylian Mbappé from Paris Saint-Germain or Harry Kane from Tottenham.
FIFA Int'l Friendly : Bangladesh to play Cambodia on Thursday
Bangladesh national football team will play a FIFA International Friendly match with Cambodian national team in Phnom Penh on Thursday as a part of their preparation for the eight-nation SAFF championship' 2023 in India.
The lone FIFA Tier-1 International Friendly match between two teams will kick off at 6 pm (Bangladesh time) at the Phnom Penh Olympics Stadium.
Cambodian Television (BTV) will telecast the match live.
All the 30,000 tickets of the Thursday's match have already been sold out, said a BFF media release on Wednesday.
In their last meeting in the FIFA Friendly, Bangladesh beat Cambodia by 1-0 goal in Phnom Penh in September 22 last year.
Ahead of the match, the morale of Bangladesh team is now high as the they made good practices in Phnom Penh beating the 3rd ranked Cambodian Premier league side Tiffy Army FC 1-0 in a preparatory match last Monday, featuring a first half goal by Abahani medio Mohammad Sohel Rana.
Read: Bangladesh football team leave Dhaka for Cambodia Saturday to play FIFA Int'l Friendly
Meanwhile, Bangladesh passed a very busy day on Wednesday.
Bangladesh team is scheduled to make their one hour long final practice session at the match venue Wednesday evening from 7:15 pm to 8:15 pm.
After playing the Thursday's match, touring Bangladesh team will fly for India on the next day (June 16) to compete in the 14th SAFF Championship '2023 scheduled for June 21 to July 5 at the Sree Kanteerava Stadium in Bengaluru.
Earlier, Bangladesh have been drawn in Group B of the (SAFF) Championship 2023 with top seed and invitee Lebanon, two times champions Maldives and Bhutan while Group A team comprises eight-time champions India, invitee Kuwait, Nepal and Pakistan.
In the SAFF Championship, hosts India will play their arch-rivals Pakistan in one of the two opening day's matches at 7:30 pm local time on June 21 while invitee Kuwait will face Nepal in the other inaugural day's match at 3:30 pm.
Read:Women's football coach Golam Rabbani Choton sends resignation letter to BFF
Bangladesh, the champions of 2003, will start their campaign taking on favorite and top seed Lebanon on the following day (June 22) at 3:30 pm at the same venue.
Bangladesh, who did not overcame the group stage barrier in the last five editions, will play Maldives on June 25 at 3:30 pm and meet Bhutan on June 28 at 7:30 pm in their remaining group matches
After the round-robin league matches, top two teams from each groups, will play in the semifinals on July 1 while the final billed for July 4.
Read more:Indonesia to Host Argentina In a Friendly Football Match on June 2023
Messi, Argentina set to pull a big crowd in Beijing exhibition game against Australia
Lionel Messi and his World Cup-winning Argentina teammates are expected to draw almost 70,000 fans to Beijing Worker’s Stadium for an exhibition against Australia.
With tickets starting at around $80 for Thursday’s game, local supporters are excited to see Messi and continue the World Cup celebrations. Fans have flocked to all opportunities to see the Argentine star since the team arrived in China, with large crowds angling for photographs and chanting his name.
Read: Messi’s move to Inter Miami: Debut, Contract, Salary and more in MLS
Messi’s move to “continue my path” in Miami last week made global headlines after he turned down extremely lucrative offers from Al-Hilal in Saudi Arabia in favor of Major League Soccer.
He said that after winning the World Cup, it was his time to go the United States and “live football in another way.”
Before then, he’s with the Argentina squad that is scheduled to play Australia in the Chinese capital and take on Indonesia in Jakarta four days later.
Australia coach Graham Arnold said he was looking forward to giving a selection of young players some valuable experience.
“There's no better team to test yourself against than he best in the world,” Arnold said in an interview for Chinese TV. “It's going to be great for the players — not only the players, but for everyone here in China and back in Australia — to see Lionel Messi play.
Read: No homecoming for Messi as Barcelona again fails to do enough to lure him back
"He's such a wonderful player and obviously best in the world. To have those privileges to test yourself against him, it's important.”
Messi led Argentina to a 2-1 win over the Australians in the Round of 16 at the World Cup last year in Qatar.
For the Socceroos, though, this rematch is not about revenge for a defeat but more the journey to the next Asian Cup, at Qatar in January, and beyond.
“It’s a younger squad but I’m also looking with one eye on the World Cup in 2026 and getting players ready for that,” Arnold said. “I don’t believe there’s a better way to test them out."
Australia, which joined the Asian Football Confederation in 2006 and won the regional title on home soil in 2015, will take on India, Syria and Uzbekistan at the Asian Cup.
Arnold has handed first call-ups to Italian-based defender Alessandro Circati and Melbourne City goalkeeper Thomas Glover, and has recalled Gianni Stensness and Denis Genreau.
Read: Lionel Messi picks MLS's Inter Miami in a move that stuns soccer after exit from Paris Saint-Germain
In other international friendlies this week, Japan will play El Salvador and South Korea, led by former U.S. head coach Jurgen Klinsmann, will take on Peru on Friday.
Klinsmann is sweating on the fitness of Tottenham star player Son Heung-min, who had a hernia operation after the end of the English Premier League season. According to Korea Football Association officials, Son wants to play but it has yet to be decided.
Oh Hyeon-gu, who helped Celtic to the Scottish championship, could make the step up in Son’s absence.
“I don’t know about playing time, but whether I am given one minute or 90 minutes, I will do my best,” Oh said. “I traveled to Qatar for the World Cup. I was so desperate to play and I know all the stadiums … I want to make those dream moments if I can go to the Asian Cup.”
Oh’s Celtic teammate Kyogo Furuhashi did not make Japan’s roster at the World Cup but the Scottish Premiership Player of the Year has been recalled by Japan coach Hajime Moriyasu.
“He has been contributing to the team’s victories with consistent performance and a strong presence on the field,” Moriyasu, who is looking to lead Japan to a fifth continental title, said of the striker. “We expect him to score goals and be involved in creating goal-scoring opportunities.”
As well as the Asian Cup, Qatar is preparing for a second successive guest appearance later this month at the CONCACAF Gold Cup, the tournament that determines the champion of the region that encapsulates North and Central America as well as the Caribbean.
It starts with a friendly against Jamaica in Austria on Thursday. At the World Cup, Qatar lost all three of its group games but appointed former Real Madrid and Portugal boss Carlos Queiroz in February.
The defending Asian champion, which also reached the semifinals of the 2021 Gold Cup, will take on Haiti, Honduras and Mexico in the tournament hosted by the United States.
Two Bangladeshi booters reach Phnom Penh to join squad
Two Bangladeshi national footballers-- Bishwanath Ghosh and Isa Faisal --reached Phnom Penh on Tuesday (June 13) to play a FIFA Tier-1 International Friendly match with hosts Cambodia as a part of their preparation for the eight-nation 14th SAFF championship 2023 in India.
The two players-- Bishwanath Ghosh and Isa Faisal--who failed to accompany the team last Thursday as they did not got Indian in time and finally they got visa Monday and left for Cambodia in the night to join the team.
Bangladesh team will play a FIFA Int'l Friendly against Cambodia on June 15 at 7 pm at the Phnom Penh National Stadium and will fly for India on the next day (June 16) to compete in the SAFF Championship 2023 scheduled for June 21 to July 5 at the Sree Kanteerava Stadium in Bengaluru.
Read more: Bangladesh beat Tiffy Army FC by 1-0 goal in lone practice match
Bangladesh team made good practices in Cambodia beating local Premier Division side Tiffy Army FC 1-0 in a preparatory match at the Army Stadium in Phnom Penh in Monday, featuring a first half goal by Mohammad Sohel Rana.
Meanwhile, Bangladesh team made gym, recovery and pool sessions at the team hotel Tuesday noon, but they did not do field practices on Tuesday.
Bangladesh will attend the team' s managers meeting Wednesday morning and later will address the official press conference before making their final practice session in the afternoon.
Read more: Bangladesh booters will play Tiffy Army FC in lone practice match in Cambodia on Monday
Earlier, Bangladesh have been drawn in Group B of the (SAFF) Championship 2023 with top seed and invitee Lebanon, two times champions Maldives and Bhutan while Group A team comprises eight-time champions India, invitee Kuwait, Nepal and Pakistan.
In the SAFF Championship, hosts India will play their arch-rivals Pakistan in one of the two opening day's matches at 7:30 pm local time on June 21 while invitee Kuwait will face Nepal in the other inaugural day's match at 3:30 pm.
Bangladesh, the champions of 2003, will start their campaign taking on favorite and top seed Lebanon on the following day (June 22) at 3:30 pm at the same venue.
Read more: Bangladesh football team leave Dhaka for Cambodia Saturday to play FIFA Int'l Friendly
Bangladesh, who did not overcame the group stage barrier in the last five editions, will play Maldives on June 25 at 3:30 pm and meet Bhutan on June 28 at 7:30 pm in their remaining group matches
After the round-robin league matches, top two teams from each groups, will play in the semifinals on July 1 while the final billed for July 4
Bangladesh beat Tiffy Army FC by 1-0 goal in lone practice match
Bangladesh national football team beat Cambodian Premier League side Tiffy Army FC by 1-0 goal in their lone practice match on Monday (June 12) at the Tiffy Army Stadium in Phnom Penh ahead of their FIFA Tier-1 International Friendly with Cambodian national team.
Mohammad Sohel Rana scored the match-winning goal for Bangladesh in the 12th minute of the match.
Read: ACC Women’s Emerging Teams Cup: Tigresses outplay Malaysia
Touring Bangladesh team will play their lone FIFA International friendly match on June 15 at 7 pm at the Phnom Penh National Stadium as a part of their preparation for the SAFF Championship 2023 in India.
After playing the FIFA friendly, Bangladesh team will fly for India on the next day (June 16) to compete in the eight-nation 14th SAFF Championship' 2023 scheduled for June 21 to July 5 at the Sree Kanteerava Stadium in Bengaluru.
Earlier, Bangladesh have been drawn in Group B of the (SAFF) Championship with top seed and invitee Lebanon, two times champions Maldives and Bhutan while Group A team comprises eight-time champions India, invitee Kuwait, Nepal and Pakistan.
Read: Uncertainty surrounds Tamim's availability for Afghanistan Test
In the SAFF Championship, hosts India will play their arch-rivals Pakistan in one of the two opening day's matches at 7:30 pm local time on June 21 while invitee Kuwait will face Nepal in the other inaugural day's match at 3:30 pm.
Bangladesh, the champions of 2003, will start their campaign taking on favorite and top seed Lebanon on the following day (June 22) at 3:30 pm at the same venue.
Bangladesh, who did not overcame the group stage barrier in the last five editions, will play Maldives on June 25 at 3:30 pm and meet Bhutan on June 28 at 7:30 pm in their remaining group matches.
Read: Asian Continental Chess: Bangladesh GM Enamul Hossain Razib finishes 25th
After the round-robin league matches, top two teams from each groups, will play in the semifinals on July 1 while the final billed for July 4
Bangladesh booters will play Tiffy Army FC in lone practice match in Cambodia on Monday
Bangladesh national football team, now in Cambodia, will play the lone practice match against Tiffy Army FC on Monday (June 12) at 5 pm local time (4:pm Bangladesh time) at the Army Stadium in Phnom Penh ahead of their FIFA Tier-1 International Friendly with Cambodia.
Bangladesh Football team, which reached Cambodian capital Phnom Penh Saturday night, made their gym and recovery session at the team hotel Sunday noon before participating in the two and half hour long first practice session at the Army Stadium in the afternoon.
Read: Bangladesh football team leave Dhaka for Cambodia Saturday to play FIFA Int'l Friendly
Touring Bangladesh team will play their lone FIFA International friendly match on June 15 at 7 pm at the Phnom Penh National Stadium as a part of their preparation for the SAFF Championship 2023 in India.
After playing the FIFA friendly, Bangladesh team will fly for India on the next day (June 16) to compete in the eight-nation 14th SAFF Championship' 2023 scheduled for June 21 to July 5 at the Sree Kanteerava Stadium in Bengaluru.
Read: National footballers practise at Kings Arena for 3nd consecutive day
Earlier, Bangladesh have been drawn in Group B of the (SAFF) Championship with top seed and invitee Lebanon, two times champions Maldives and Bhutan while Group A team comprises eight-time champions India, invitee Kuwait, Nepal and Pakistan.
In the SAFF Championship, hosts India will play their arch-rivals Pakistan in one of the two opening day's matches at 7:30 pm local time on June 21 while invitee Kuwait will face Nepal in the other inaugural day's match at 3:30 pm.
Bangladesh, the champions of 2003, will start their campaign taking on favorite and top seed Lebanon on the following day (June 22) at 3:30 pm at the same venue.
Read: National footballers make first practices at Kings Arena on Monday
Bangladesh, who did not overcame the group stage barrier in the last five editions, will play Maldives on June 25 at 3:30 pm and meet Bhutan on June 28 at 7:30 pm in their remaining group matches
After the round-robin league matches, top two teams from each groups, will play in the semifinals on July 1 while the final billed for July 4.
Messi’s move to Inter Miami: Debut, Contract, Salary and more in MLS
The football community was shaken on June 7 by the announcement that Lionel Messi, widely regarded as one of the all-time greats in the sport, will be joining Major League Soccer (MLS) and playing for Inter Miami CF following his departure from Paris Saint-Germain.
The Argentine football star is set to become the newest addition to the star-studded roster of Major League Soccer. Despite rumored offers from Saudi Arabia and a potential return to Barcelona, Messi has decided to make his way to Miami, Florida in the US, for the concluding phase of his illustrious career.
Messi’s Contract and Salary Detail at Inter Miami
Messi was earning an estimated $45 million per year (net) during his time in Paris. However, it’s important to note that MLS has a strict salary cap and roster regulations in place to prevent excessive contracts with individual players. As a result, the specific details of the deal Messi could potentially secure in MLS would be subject to these regulations. The terms of his contract would need to follow the salary cap and roster rules set by the league.
Read Mission completed: Man City beats Inter Milan to end wait for first Champions League title
According to reports, Messi has reached an agreement on a two-and-a-half-year contract with Inter Miami, with the inclusion of a 12-month option for 2026. This complex agreement, reportedly involving contributions from Apple and Adidas, has been planned to facilitate the move, benefitting all parties involved in the long term. The contract entails Messi receiving a base salary along with additional bonuses.
Messi’s contract is reportedly valued at around $125 million to $150 million. MLS sponsors Apple and Adidas are said to be working on agreements that will be tied to the revenue Messi generates as a prominent figure in the league.
Additionally, there is a possibility of Messi being granted an ownership stake, similar to the arrangement given to David Beckham when he joined MLS.
Read more: No homecoming for Messi as Barcelona again fails to do enough to lure him back
When is Messi’s First Match with Inter Miami?
The specific date of Lionel Messi’s debut in MLS with Inter Miami CF has not been officially announced at the moment. Various reports suggest different dates, but it is widely believed that Messi’s proposed debut could take place on July 21. However, alternative timeframes such as “later in July, at the earliest” or even “August” have also been mentioned.
The MLS regular season will end on October 21 and playoffs will start from October 25. And the final game is set to take place on December 9. So, Messi might get a few matches in the regular season.
However, July 21 is a significant date as Inter Miami will host Mexican club Cruz Azul for the Leagues Cup.
Another date to keep an eye on is July 19, as it marks the grand unveiling event: the 2023 MLS All-Star Game at DC United’s Audi Field. On this occasion, the MLS All-Star XI will face English Premier League team Arsenal in the highly anticipated annual showcase match. If Messi is not participating in this game, it is highly likely that he will be introduced to a thrilled crowd during a prime-time presentation.
Read more: Lionel Messi picks MLS's Inter Miami in a move that stuns soccer after exit from Paris Saint-Germain
What Kind of Impact Can Messi Make?
To begin with, Inter Miami is expanding DRV PNK Stadium by adding approximately 2,500 to 3,000 seats. This development indicates that the capacity will likely increase to 22,000 spectators. Moreover, Miami Freedom Park is set to debut in March 2025. Just envision the spectacle of opening night with Messi in the starting lineup.