SOCCER

Photo Credit: Getty Images

Cristiano Ronaldo has paid tribute to Aurelio da Silva Pereira, the coach who discovered him and many other elite Portuguese players, who died Tuesday at 77. Pereira created Sporting Lisbon's recruitment and training department in 1988, responsible for developing some of Portugal's finest footballers.

Photo Credit: Getty Images

Kevin De Bruyne has confirmed he will leave Manchester City at the end of the season when his contract expires. The 33-year-old Belgian midfielder has enjoyed a decorated decade at the club, collecting 16 trophies, including six Premier League titles and the 2023 Champions League. De Bruyne, who joined City from Wolfsburg in 2015, has scored 106 goals in 413 appearances and has been central to one of the most successful periods in the club's history.

Photo Credit Getty Images

Luka Doncic scored 30 points as the Los Angeles Lakers produced a devastating display of long-range shooting to score a surprising 126-99 blowout over the No.1 ranked Oklahoma City Thunder on Sunday.

Infantino confirmed the situation during a UEFA congress in Belgrade, stating that FIFA had received one bid for 2031 and one valid bid for 2035. He explained that the 2031 bid is led by the United States and potentially other Concacaf nations, while the 2035 bid comes from Europe and the home nations. He expressed optimism that these tournaments will further elevate women's football globally. FA chief executive Mark Bullingham acknowledged the honor of being the sole bidder and emphasized the importance of working hard to put together a strong proposal by the end of the year. Similarly, Scottish FA chief Ian Maxwell looked forward to finalizing the proposal to create a tournament that excites fans worldwide and inspires young girls and women in Scotland. Irish FA chief Patrick Nelson highlighted the need for ongoing collaboration with partners to ensure a successful bid, while Welsh FA chief Noel Mooney saw this as an opportunity to build on the momentum of Wales' upcoming participation in the Women's Euros and hosting of major women's finals.

England women's manager Sarina Wiegman emphasized the impact of hosting major tournaments, recalling the success of the 2022 Euros and how it propelled women's football forward in the country. She expressed excitement about the potential of another major tournament on an even bigger scale. Formal bids for the 2035 Women's World Cup must be submitted this winter, with a final vote taking place at FIFA's 2026 congress. Infantino also confirmed that the 2031 edition will feature 48 teams, expanding from the 32-team format planned for 2027. If confirmed, this will mark the first time the UK has hosted a senior FIFA World Cup since the men's tournament in England in 1966. The 2035 event is expected to have England hosting the majority of matches, with the final likely taking place at Wembley Stadium.