<\/amp-ima-video><\/p>\nPopovic explains Volpato IN, Boyle OUT | 07:39<\/p>\n
<\/div>\nRonaldo\u2019s role in Portugal\u2019s 2026 campaign is the subject of debate, and former United States international Taylor Twellman claims the European powerhouse may actually be stronger without their iconic captain in the starting line-up.<\/p>\n
\u201cThis is the best team Ronaldo\u2019s ever had around him for Portugal going to the World Cup,\u201d Twellman told ESPN\u2019s Get Up. \u201cI think Portugal is at their best if he doesn\u2019t play.\u201d<\/p>\n
The sentiments were echoed, more brutally, by the Guardian football writer Jonathan Wilson this week.<\/p>\n
\u201cRonaldo is not the player he was. He is not even the player he became after he ceased to be the player he was,\u201d wrote Wilson.<\/p>\n
\u201cHe lumbers about in an increasingly small sphere of influence, still decent in the air, still a good finisher, but barely able to move, lacking the explosive power that once made him great. He has won the Saudi Pro League this season, but that is less an endorsement of him than an indictment of the league.\u201d<\/p>\n
Portugal arrive at the World Cup with quality across every line of the pitch and genuine depth in attack. <\/p>\n
Bruno Fernandes remains the creative heartbeat of the side, while Bernardo Silva\u2019s intelligence and versatility continue to make him one of Europe\u2019s most influential midfielders. Rafael Leao provides pace and unpredictability from wide areas, while Goncalo Ramos and Pedro Neto offer alternative attacking options capable of stretching opposition defences.<\/p>\n
The midfield pairing of Vitinha and Joao Neves has emerged as another major strength. Both players were instrumental during Paris Saint-Germain\u2019s Champions League-winning campaign and have developed a strong understanding at club level.<\/p>\n
<\/amp-ima-video><\/p>\nSocceroos rue missed chances vs. Mexico | 02:30<\/p>\n
<\/div>\nFor Ronaldo, the tournament represents one final opportunity to capture World Cup glory, four years after his great rival as the world\u2019s top player, Lionel Messi lifted the trophy with Argentina.<\/p>\n
Ronaldo is one of seven players aged 40 or older who have been selected for the World Cup – a surprising tally considering only seven players have previously played at the World Cup having reached that age. <\/p>\n
Pochettino\u2019s bizarre water break tactic<\/b><\/p>\n
USA coach Mauricio Pochettino sparked debate during his team\u2019s 3-2 warm-up win over Senegal when he used a hydration break to put on an impromptu video review session for his players.<\/p>\n
Television cameras caught the US coach crouched beside the bench midway through the first half of the match in Charlotte, pointing at the laptop screen while players gathered around him during the mandatory stoppage. <\/p>\n
The World Cup will feature breaks in play in both halves, While the reason has been cited as due to extreme heat in some host cities, cynics believe it\u2019s a way for FIFA to open the way for broadcasters to shoehorn ads into breaks in play.<\/p>\n
The footage went viral on social media, with fans speculating about what Pochettino could have been showing his squad.<\/p>\n
\u201cIt was a new one for sure,\u201d USMNT defender Mark McKenzie said.<\/p>\n
\u201cIt gives us that minute or so to fine-tune some things, make some adjustments, maybe figure out in our press or in our defensive transitions, whatever it may be, where we can improve.<\/p>\n
\u201cBut it kind of helps to take a breath, reset yourselves as a collective.\u201d<\/p>\n
Timeouts are a big part of US sports, and Christian Pulisic, who ended a long goal-scoring drought with a goal in the victory, is a fan of them being introduced in football.<\/p>\n
\u201cIt\u2019s a little unique for us,\u201d Pulisic said of the quick video catch up. \u201cBut that\u2019s also what we do at halftime – we just go over some things.\u201d<\/p>\n
Of the hydration breaks in play, Pulisic said: \u201cI think it\u2019s a good thing. Like, timeouts would be a good thing in soccer. I feel like it\u2019s nice to get a little regroup.\u201d<\/p>\n
Pochettino said he was showing the players clips of situations where he felt they could improve their performance.<\/p>\n
\u201cThe players need to feel, but they also need to see,\u201d he said. \u201cI think it\u2019s very helpful for the player to see actions. When they see the image, I think it\u2019s really important.\u201d<\/p>\n
FIFA has yet to clarify exactly what will be permitted during the new mandatory mid-half hydration breaks but it\u2019s unlikely to allow video conferences.<\/p>\n
While similar stoppages will be used throughout the tournament, players will not be allowed to leave the field,which means the use of such tactics is unlikely.<\/p>\n
\u201cI\u2019ll use the water break to try and help my players. But still, I don\u2019t like them,\u201d said Pochettino<\/p>\n
\u201cOf course, if it\u2019s too hot, I think the water break is important because the health of the player is first. But if it\u2019s not too hot, I think it\u2019s not necessary.<\/p>\n
\u201cThe football that we know is not going to exist, and it will become another sport.\u201d<\/p>\n
<\/amp-ima-video><\/p>\nSocceroos veteran misses World Cup squad | 07:32<\/p>\n
<\/div>\nFIFA announces significant law changes<\/b><\/p>\n
Mauricio Pochettino\u2019s tactic comes as FIFA decided to introduce a raft of new laws for the 48-team tournament. As usual, they are sure to cause plenty of angst and debate over the coming weeks.<\/p>\n
The measures are designed to reduce time-wasting, speed up matches and crack down on controversial behaviour, with several of the new laws already creating headlines before a ball has been kicked.<\/p>\n
The first glimpse of the changes came during a recent international when Japan scored against Iceland after the opposition fell foul of a new substitution protocol. <\/p>\n
\u201cWe approved a set of landmark changes to the Laws of the Game and the FIFA World Cup 2026 will be the first major tournament to use them,\u201d FIFA chief refereeing officer Pierluigi Collina said.<\/p>\n
\u201cThese amendments aim to tackle discrimination, cut time-wasting, enhance match tempo and improve both the player and fan experience.\u201d<\/p>\n
The 10-second substitution rule<\/b><\/p>\n
One of the most dramatic changes targets one of football\u2019s oldest time-wasting tricks.<\/p>\n
Once a substitution is signalled, the player leaving the field has just 10 seconds to get off the pitch and must exit via the nearest boundary line.<\/p>\n
If they fail to do so, the replacement player will be forced to wait until the first stoppage after a full minute has elapsed following the restart.<\/p>\n
That means teams could effectively be forced to play with 10 men for an extended period if a substituted player deliberately delays leaving the field, which happened in the Japan vs Iceland game..<\/p>\n
Five-second countdowns<\/b><\/p>\n
Referees will now visibly count down the final five seconds for throw-ins and goal-kicks.<\/p>\n
Take too long over a throw-in and possession will be handed to the opposition. Delay a goal-kick beyond the countdown and the other team will be awarded a corner kick.<\/p>\n
<\/amp-ima-video><\/p>\nSocceroos STUNNED by Volpato switch | 01:57<\/p>\n
<\/div>\nCover your mouth, get sent off<\/b><\/p>\n
Perhaps the most eye-catching new law involves players covering their mouths during confrontations.<\/p>\n
Any player who covers their mouth with a hand, arm or shirt while involved in an aggressive confrontation with an opponent will now receive a straight red card.<\/p>\n
The rule follows the controversy involving Benfica youngster Gianluca Prestianni, who was accused of directing discriminatory comments towards Vinicius Junior while concealing his mouth from cameras.<\/p>\n
Importantly, the law only applies during confrontations. Players covering their mouths while chatting to teammates or opponents in friendly situations will not be punished.<\/p>\n
Walking off means red cards<\/b><\/p>\n
Teams will no longer be able to stage protests by walking off the pitch.<\/p>\n
Any player who leaves the field in protest at a referee\u2019s decision will receive a red card, while coaches and staff who encourage such actions will also be dismissed.<\/p>\n
Even more significantly, any team that causes a match to be abandoned will automatically forfeit the game.<\/p>\n
VAR gets more power<\/b><\/p>\n
Video Assistant Referees will have expanded powers during the World Cup.<\/p>\n
Officials will now be able to intervene when attackers commit fouls before corners and free kicks are taken, an area that has become increasingly controversial due to blocking and screening tactics used at set pieces.<\/p>\n
VAR will also be able to correct cases of mistaken identity, wrongly awarded corners or goalkicks and situations where a player receives a second yellow card incorrectly.<\/p>\n
Hydration breaks every half<\/b><\/p>\n
For the first time, every World Cup match will feature mandatory three-minute hydration breaks midway through each half, regardless of weather conditions.<\/p>\n
The breaks are expected around the 22nd minute but referees have flexibility depending on injuries or game flow.<\/p>\n
Portugal coach Roberto Martinez has described the breaks as \u201ca tactical stop\u201d, warning they could fundamentally alter the flow and momentum of matches.<\/p>\n
Crackdown on tactical time-outs<\/b><\/p>\n
FIFA is also targeting the growing trend of teams using goalkeeper injuries as unofficial coaching breaks.<\/p>\n
Under the new guidelines, players will not be allowed to leave the field and gather around coaches while a goalkeeper receives treatment.<\/p>\n
\u201cWe will not allow the teams going to the benches when a goalkeeper is lying on the ground injured,\u201d Collina said.<\/p>\n
\u201cThe goalkeeper has the right to be injured, but the players do not have the right to leave the field of play to have some sort of time out with their respective coaches.\u201d<\/p>\n
<\/amp-ima-video><\/p>\nCircati on verge of World Cup dream | 01:14<\/p>\n
<\/div>\nWhy PSG star chose comfort over celebration<\/b><\/p>\n
In a beautiful moment of sportsmanship, the first player to get to stricken Arsenal star Gabriel Magalhaes after his decisive penalty shootout match against Paris Saint-Germain was his rival on the night, but Brazil teammate Marquinhos.<\/p>\n
While the PSG players charged towards their supporters in celebration, their captain went straight to Gabriel to comfort him after he skied his penalty over the bar, sealing a 4-3 defeat in the shootout.<\/p>\n
The moment quickly went viral on social media, with fans praising the PSG captain\u2019s sportsmanship and empathy during one of the cruellest moments in football.<\/p>\n
\u201cWhen that moment happened, the first thing I thought of was the time I missed the penalty in the World Cup,\u201d Marquinhos told TNT.<\/p>\n
The 32-year-old was referring to Brazil\u2019s quarterfinal defeat to Croatia at the 2022 World Cup in Qatar, when he missed the decisive penalty in a shootout loss that ended his nation\u2019s hopes of lifting a sixth world title.<\/p>\n
\u201cI know how difficult that moment is for a player; it\u2019s a weight that really falls on your shoulders,\u201d he said. \u201cThere\u2019s no way around it; it\u2019s our responsibility, it\u2019s our moment there.<\/p>\n
Marquinhos has won back-to-back Champions League after waiting 12 years for a first across 326 games with the club – so he was aware of the emotional weight on Gabriel.<\/p>\n
\u201cWe fight all season long,\u201d Marquinhos said. \u201cEven though he has had a wonderful moment by winning the Premier League, I think they really wanted this title too, and it\u2019s a huge responsibility on that penalty when a player misses like that.\u201d<\/p>\n
Rather than joining the celebrations, Marquinhos felt there was something more important to do.<\/p>\n
\u201cI simply thought about the moment I went through myself, which was very difficult, and I just wanted to give him a hug and tell him that I\u2019ve been through it too.<\/p>\n
\u201cI know how hard it is, that he\u2019s had an incredible season, he deserves great things.\u201d<\/p>\n
The pair will be on the same side later this month when they play for Brazil and Marquinhos is hoping his gesture has helped Gabriel\u2019s healing process. The player has been embraced by Guners fans with reports that his shirt with the No.6 was the biggest selling item by far as more than a million fans turned out for a parade this week. <\/p>\n
\u201cWe\u2019ll be back together soon, we need him so much,\u201d Marquinhos said.<\/p>\n
\u201cHe\u2019s a very important player, so I hope he can enjoy this moment as Premier League champion, get over that penalty quickly and focus on the national team, which will be very important.\u201d<\/p>\n
<\/amp-ima-video><\/p>\nMcGree RULED OUT of World Cup | 00:40<\/p>\n
<\/div>\nFree World Cup tickets <\/b><\/p>\n
Saudi Arabia has taken the unusual step of offering free World Cup tickets to its supporters amid growing concerns over attendance at this summer\u2019s tournament in the United States, Canada and Mexico.<\/p>\n
The Saudi Arabian Football Federation announced that fans travelling to America to support the national team will receive complimentary match tickets rather than paying prices that can exceed $1000 per seat.<\/p>\n
In a statement released through the Kingdom\u2019s embassy in Washington, Saudi officials said: \u201cThe countdown begins for the FIFA World Cup. On this occasion, Saudi Arabia is offering free tickets for Saudi National Team fans present in the US.\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cWe wish our national team the best of luck as it represents the Kingdom with pride, passion and the full force of a nation behind them.\u201d<\/p>\n
The move follows mounting scrutiny around ticket sales for some World Cup matches and mirrors a strategy used during last year\u2019s Club World Cup, when FIFA and local organisers heavily discounted and, in some cases, distributed complimentary tickets to improve crowd numbers.<\/p>\n
Saudi fan groups have enthusiastically embraced the initiative, with one supporters\u2019 organisation telling fans: \u201cAttendance is on you, and the ticket is on us.\u201d<\/p>\n<\/div>\n
Source link <\/a><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"Portugal coach Roberto Mart\u00ednez has made the remarkable claim that superstar Cristiano Ronaldo might do the unthinkable and play in the 2030 World Cup – even as others suggest he no longer deserves his place in the national team. Ronaldo, is set to make a record sixth World Cup appearance at the age of 41 […]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":246311,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"tdm_status":"","tdm_grid_status":"","footnotes":""},"categories":[6807],"tags":[156],"class_list":{"0":"post-246310","1":"post","2":"type-post","3":"status-publish","4":"format-standard","5":"has-post-thumbnail","7":"category-leagues-cups","8":"tag-sports"},"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/sports.runfyers.com\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/246310","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/sports.runfyers.com\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/sports.runfyers.com\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/sports.runfyers.com\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/1"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/sports.runfyers.com\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=246310"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"https:\/\/sports.runfyers.com\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/246310\/revisions"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/sports.runfyers.com\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/246311"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/sports.runfyers.com\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=246310"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/sports.runfyers.com\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=246310"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/sports.runfyers.com\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=246310"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}