THE Saudi World Cup is set to kick off in January 2034 - ten months earlier than expected.
And that would mean the Christmas Prem fixture list being severely curtailed again - just like when the Qatar tournament started in November 2022.
The Saudi Arabia World Cup could start months early in January 2034
Representatives of the 211 Fifa member associations will confirm the 2030 and 2034 hosts at next week’s congress.
That will see the 2030 event staged mainly in Spain, Portugal and Morocco, although with the opening three games played in Uruguay, Argentina and Paraguay.
Saudi Arabia is the only candidate for the 2034 event with the joint decision for both tournaments expected to go through “by acclamation”.
Officially, the Saudi event is still due to be held in the summer.
But with temperatures in the Gulf state potentially reaching 45C in June, that is infeasible on health and wellbeing grounds for players and travelling fans.
But while the first winter World Cup, in Qatar in 2022, was held in November and December, scheduling issues mean a January start to the 2034 event is now thought to be more likely.
The Saudi dates coincide with the anticipated scheduling of the Ramadan religious period, when Muslims must fast during the day.
Unless there is an agreement by the Saudi authorities to allow non-observance of the main religious festival - thought to be unlikely - a kick-off at the very beginning of January is being discussed.
That may end up with Boxing Day fixtures marking the end of a congested first half of the domestic campaign, with all the initial phase matches of the three European club competitions also having to be fitted into a reduced window.
The 2026 edition of the new expanded tournament - with 48 teams and 104 games - has a 38-day match “footprint”.
While that could be reduced slightly, 35 days is seen as the minimum possible time-frame.
And it would mean a likely seven week break in the Prem season.
The McLaren star arrived at qualifying for the Hungarian Grand Prix yesterday alongside the Portuguese actress and model.Lando Norris girlfriend Margarida Corceiro went braless in a stunning dressThe blonde beauty is a model and actressMargarida, 22, took to Instagram after the race and posted a July photo dump.The blonde bombshell shared snaps of Monte Carlo beach and of her pals in the sea.But h...
The Real Madrid and England midfielder went under the knife at a London hospital three weeks ago.Jude Bellingham had a huge scar on his shoulder after surgeryBellingham went under the knife three weeks ago in a London hospitalAnd in a new photo that has surfaced on social media, Bellingham is now sporting a huge scar down his left shoulder.The 22-year-old shared a snap of himself in a hospital bed...
The Euphoria star, 27, has been propositioned by football players from Manchester United, Liverpool and Arsenal.Sydney Sweeney has been inundated with messages from Premier League stars offering to fly her to Europe for a dateSydney is newly single after splitting from producer Jonathan Davino, earlier this yearDespite the offers, the pin-up has politely declined.Sydney split from her ex- fiance, ...
Marta Diaz stole the show at the eventThe jaw-dropping former partner of a Premier League defender has stolen the show at an influencer boxing event.Marta Diaz showed off her stunning physique in a cream corset and short ruffled skirt as she let her hair down. The selection of snaps, which saw Marta pose near the ring and then in the stands with two friends, amassed over 350,000 likes on the platf...
Kayla - dubbed the world's sexiest volleyball player - posed in a green hat and wore a colourful bikini under a small white top.Kayla Simmons had fans gushing with her latest busty mirror selfieFans were quick to rush to the comment sectionFans were quick to rush to the comment section as one said: "Goddess."Another added: "Just gorgeous."One hailed: "Stunning."Another said: "Amazing."Kayla's onli...
The glamorous footballer has a huge fan base on social media with over 320k followers on Instagram.Madelene Wright has stunned in a social media postShe risked a wardrobe malfunction in see-through lingerieFans loved the snaps after they were posted on InstagramMadelene is no stranger to raunchy postsMadelene, 26, has most recently played for Chesham United despite still having her lucrative caree...
BAYERN MUNICH goalkeeper Sven Ulreich has announced the tragic death of his six-year-old son.The German stopper, 36, shared the heartbreaking update on Friday morning.Ulreich's son Len, born in November 2018, lost his brave battle with a serious illness in June.Ulreich wrote on Instagram: "It is with deep sadness that we would like to announce today that our son Len passed away a few weeks ago aft...
PEP Guardiola's divorce is set to be finalised "imminently".The Manchester City boss and wife Cristina Serra had hoped to keep their split friendly, but sources say there is now "more urgency" as their relationship has deteriorated.Pep's marriage woes, reported by The Sun in January, coincided with his worst slump as a manager.And there are fears the troubles could overshadow the start of the new ...
Dimitri Payet's ex-lover has launched an adult page on the eve of her abuse trial against the former West Ham star.Brazilian lawyer Larissa Natalya Ferrari, 28, alleges she was subjected to horrifying sexual and psychological abuse by the married ex-Premier League midfielder during their six-month affair.Judges at Rio de Janeiro's VII Court of Domestic and Family Violence Against Women officially ...
Infamous adult model Bonnie Blue once claimed she went to a football match with her dad but snuck off at half-time to bonk a fan.Bonnie revealed she livened up one married fan's afternoon during a drab game. She said that as the referee blew for half-time, she took the opportunity to honour a saucy promise.The adult star has fronted a new Channel 4 documentary titled 1000 Men and Me, which followe...
- 1 Bayern Munich confirm Palhinha "transfer negotiations" as Spurs move closer
- 2 Phil Parkinson breaks silence on Ryan Reynolds and Rob McElhenney's shock bid to bring ex-Man Utd star Christian Eriksen to Wrexham
- 3 TIPS - Real Salt Lake VS Atletico San Luis
- 4 Arsenal legend backs Premier League rivals to become next invincibles and take prestigious title from Gunners
- 5 Go Ahead Eagles star duo linked to Scottish giants Celtic and Rangers
- 6 Daily Laugh - Raya nair
- 7 Man Utd, Newcastle turn to Stuttgart striker Woltemade
- 8 Transfer rumors, news: Chelsea face dilemma over Simons
- 9 Liverpool ready "to go big" for wantaway Newcastle striker Isak
- 10 Real Madrid Willing to Sell Rodrygo — But Only If Two Key Conditions Are Met