SIX TEAMS HAVE ALREADY QUALIFIED FOR THE 2030 WORLD CUP DUE TO UNIQUE FIFA RULE

The winners of the World Cup will not qualify automatically for the next tournament

Spain absolutely battering Argentina in the World Cup final isn’t the reason why they will automatically qualify for the next tournament in 2030.

Six host nation countries have already secured their places in the next World Cup.

The tournament's three main co-hosts, Spain, Portugal and Morocco, as well as Uruguay, Argentina and Paraguay will automatically qualify for the next edition in four years time.

FIFA’s 2030 competition will be held from Saturday, 8 June to Sunday, 21 July, with the opening three matches taking place in Uruguay, Argentina and Paraguay.

These South American countries have been chosen to play first to commemorate 100 years of the World Cup, which was hosted and won by Uruguay in 1930.

Where will the opening 2030 World Cup game be played?

Spain were the best team in the tournament by a mile (Carl Recine/Getty Images)

The opening game will be held at the Estadio Monumental in Buenos Aires, Argentina, which boasts a capacity of 100,000.

Estadio Osvaldo Dominguez Dibb, a brand new venue in Paraguay, and the Montevideo in Uruguay will also host opening matches.

After those three games, the World Cup will shift to the Northern Hemisphere in 18 stadiums across Spain, Morocco and Portugal.

Ugly scenes at full-time (Marvin Ibo Guengoer - GES Sportfoto/Getty Images)

It comes after FIFA boss Gianni Infantino wants to controversially expand the World Cup to a 64-team tournament in 2030 following the success of the expanded 48-team competition this year.

"These are all issues that we will be examining after the World Cup," Infantino told Blue Sport.

"When organising a World Cup, it's important to organise it for the whole world - not just Europe and South America, but effectively the entire world. Every nation should be allowed to dream of participating in the World Cup.

"You can see that the quality of the teams is extremely high, and it's getting higher and higher, all over the world. If you don't give smaller countries a chance to participate in the World Cup, they'll lack the incentive to keep improving."

No Messi or Ronaldo

The end of an era (Paul ELLIS / AFP via Getty Images)

Sadly, the squads of host nations Argentina and Portugal are unlikely to include the two greatest players of all time in Lionel Messi and Cristiano Ronaldo.

After Spain’s convincing 1-0 final, Argentina head coach Lionel Scaloni was full of praise for Messi: “He is 39 years old, it is unbelievable. It was always crystal clear to me that he would play until he chose to stop and that everyone would support him.

“I hope everyone is proud of him, because he is the best football player ever to set foot on a pitch.”

Both Messi and Ronaldo are yet to comment officially on their international futures.

On the result, Scaloni added: “I feel sadness but knowing that we left everything out there.

“I have a lot of things to say about how we got here, but it’s not worth it.

“I want to thank these guys eternally for giving us another World Cup final and for competing until the end. They were better, that’s the truth.

“But I’ll hold on to an enormous memory of what they have done, of what it’s worth to get this far. We have to give it huge validity because it takes a lot to get here.”

Featured Image Credit: Florencia Tan Jun/Getty Images

- Anish Vij

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CARLOS TEVEZ ON HOW HE SPENT HIS FIRST BIG PAYCHECK

Carlos Tevez:  "I received my first big salary when I went from Boca to Corinthians. I bought 10 houses and took all my uncles and aunts out of the neighbourhood.

"We had a bbq at home and I gave each of them their key, without them knowing anything. I surprised them all." 🇦🇷

URUGUAY'S BIELSA: LUIS SUÁREZ COMMENTS AFFECTED MY AUTHORITY

 

Uruguay national team head coach Marcelo Bielsa has admitted his authority as manager has been impacted by the public accusations made by Luis Suárez earlier this month.

The former Uruguay forward called out Bielsa for implementing what he called problematic work conditions during the 2024 Copa América, before detailing the lack of communication between the coaching staff and players.

Suárez later revealed he felt hurt over the manager's actions, and urged fans not to turn on the players if "something goes wrong" moving forward.

Bielsa publicly addressed the matter for the first time after Uruguay's 1-0 loss to Peru in the CONMEBOL World Cup qualifiers.

"I am not unaware of what happened and I know that my authority is affected in some way," Bielsa said. "But I prepared for the match with the utmost seriousness and the players' response was the same as when I started working here. It did not alter the conviction with which the match was prepared in any way."

Prior to the defeat, Uruguay Football Association president Ignacio Alonso pledged his full support to Bielsa and reiterated that the coach remains a key part of the project leading into the 2026 World Cup, just as he did upon arriving in May, 2023.

"Correct, what Luis said is true, he has told me things, and Jorge [Giordano] as well," Alonso told the De fútbol se habla así show on DirecTV.

LUIS SUAREZ TO RETIRE FROM URUGUAY AFTER FRIDAYS WC QUALIFIER

 Luis Suárez announced his retirement from the Uruguay national team in a news conference Monday, saying he will step away from international duty after his team's World Cup qualifier against Paraguay on Friday.

The former Liverpool and Barcelona star, who is now playing with Inter Miami in MLS, departs as Uruguay's all-time leading scorer with 69 goals in 142 games across 17 years.

"There is no better pride in oneself than knowing when the right moment to retire is, and luckily I am confident that I am retiring from the national team because I want to take a step aside," an emotional Suárez told a news conference Monday. "I am 37 years old and I know that it is very difficult to get to the next World Cup. It comforts me a lot that I can retire and not for my injuries to retire me, or to stop being called up.

"For me individually, it is very helpful for me to want to take that step aside and feel ready. It is difficult because the decision was not easy. But I go with the peace of mind that until the last game I gave my all, and that the flame did not burn out slowly and that is why I made the decision that it should be now."

Suárez made his senior debut for Uruguay on Feb. 8, 2007, in a 3-1 victory against Colombia and soon became an integral part of the squad. By 2010, he featured in 19 of the 20 World Cup qualifying matches to secure a spot for La Celeste at the tournament in South Africa.

The forward played a pivotal role in his first of four World Cups, starting five of Uruguay's six matches. During the quarterfinal against Ghana, Suárez committed an infamous handball in the final moments of the game, giving Ghana a chance to win the game with a penalty. Though Suárez was sent off, Asamoah Gyan missed the attempt and Uruguay went on to win the match via a penalty shootout and advance to the semifinals.

Suárez continues to defend the action to this day, calling it "the best save of the tournament."

He has since featured in three other World Cups in 2014, 2018 and 2022 as well as the 2011, 2016, 2019, 2021 and 2024 Copa Américas.

During the 2011 edition, the forward scored the opening goal in the 3-0 win over Paraguay in the final that put the nation on the path to its 15th Copa América triumph. Overall, he managed four goals and two assists that year to earn MVP of the tournament.

"I was lucky to win many titles in my career, but I would not change the Copa América title for anything in the world," Suárez added. "That Copa América trophy in 2011 was the most beautiful moment I experienced in my career as a professional player. I would not change it for anything and look, I won a lot of other things."

His most recent international appearance came in the team's 2024 Copa América match for third place against Canada, where he scored a penalty in the shootout to help his team win.

Suárez joined the star-studded Miami side, featuring Lionel Messi, Jordi Alba and Sergio Busquets, ahead of the 2024 MLS season and has been thriving for the Supporters' Shield leaders. He scored twice in Miami's last game, a 4-1 win against Chicago Fire FC, bringing his total number of goals for the season to 16.

- Lizzy Becherano

URUGUAYAN DEFENDER IZQUIERDO DIES AFTER COLLAPSING DURING MATCH

Nacional defender Juan Izquierdo, who collapsed on the pitch after suffering an irregular heartbeat last week, has died, his Uruguayan club said on Tuesday.

The 27-year-old had been undergoing medical treatment since collapsing during Nacional's Copa Libertadores game against Sao Paulo on Aug. 22.

Izquierdo fell to the ground unconscious in the 84th minute without coming into contact with another player. He was taken off the pitch in an ambulance before being treated at the intensive care unit of Albert Einstein Hospital.

The hospital said in a statement Izquierdo had died as a result of brain death following a cardiopulmonary arrest associated with cardiac arrhythmia.

"It is with the deepest sorrow and shock in our hearts that the Club Nacional announces the death of our beloved player Juan Izquierdo," Nacional wrote on X.

"We express our most sincere condolences to his family, friends, colleagues and loved ones. All of Nacional is in mourning for his irreparable loss."

Uruguay suspended all football activity last weekend due to concerns over Izquierdo's health.

Alejandro Dominguez, the president of CONMEBOL, also extended his condolences to Izquierdo's family and friends.

"South American football is in mourning," he added.

Uruguay national team players and former Izquierdo teammates also expressed their condolences.

"Pain, sadness, it is hard to explain," Inter Miami striker Luis Suárez said. "May he rest in peace. I wish a lot of strength for his family and friends."

Izquierdo's career included spells at Cerro, Peñarol, Wanderers and Liverpool in Uruguay. He also played for Liga MX's San Luis.

The Uruguayan Football Association said the news was deeply painful, while the national governing bodies of Argentina, Peru, Paraguay and Colombia extended their condolences to Izquierdo's family and friends.

Brazilian Football Federation president Ednaldo Rodrigues said a minute's silence would be observed in every match organised by the federation on Wednesday.

Sao Paulo said they were deeply saddened by the news, calling it a "sad day for football."

Information from Reuters was used in this report.

- ESPN News Services

MAN UNITED, PSG CONFIDENT OF MANUEL UGARTE DEAL - SOURCES

Manuel Ugarte has not featured for Paris Saint-Germain this season amid ongoing transfer speculation. Franco Arland/Getty Images

Manchester United and Paris Saint-Germain are growing more optimistic that a deal for midfielder Manuel Ugarte can be agreed before the transfer deadline, sources have told ESPN.

United, according to a source, are hopeful an agreement can be reached, whether it's an immediate transfer or an initial loan with an obligation or option to make the move permanent next summer.

The 23-year-old is keen to move to Old Trafford and was left out of the squad for PSG's opening Ligue 1 game of the season against Le Havre on Friday.

United have so far refused to agree to meet PSG's £50 million ($60m) valuation of the Uruguay international. There's hope that PSG will have to lower their demands the closer it gets to the transfer deadline on Aug. 30.

Lines of communication between the two clubs have remained open throughout the summer and there is a willingness on both sides to get the deal done.

Sources have told ESPN that United are looking at securing departures for more squad players to give them greater flexibility in negotiations for Ugarte.

The club have already raised around £60 million with the exits of Mason Greenwood, Aaron Wan-Bissaka, Donny van de Beek and Willy Kambwala. Facundo Pellistri and Hannibal Mejbri are also expected to leave.

United will also listen to offers for Victor Lindelöf and Jadon Sancho among others. Sancho has been linked with a move to PSG and although the French club are looking for another forward, a source has told ESPN that the England winger is lower down their list of priorities.

Meanwhile, Napoli remain interested in Scott McTominay. The Scotland midfielder is considering the Italian side as a viable option this summer in the event that the two clubs can reach an agreement on the fee.

United, according to a source, are not trying to force McTominay out but will listen to realistic offers. McTominay, who was named on the bench for the first game of the season against Fulham, is tempted by the prospect of regular football but is yet to make a firm decision on his future.

- Rob Dawson, Correspondent

COLOMBIA, ARGENTINA CONCERNED ABOUT SAFETY AT COPA AMÉRICA FINAL AFTER SEMIFINAL BRAWL

AP

 MIAMI GARDENS, Fla. (AP) — Argentina and Colombia expressed safety worries ahead of Sunday night’s Copa America final, days after Uruguay’s Darwin Núñez and a handful of his teammates went into the stands amid a brawl following a semifinal loss to Colombia.

“I’m concerned about what could happen tomorrow,” Argentina coach Lionel Scaloni said through an interpreter, speaking in a news conference Saturday before his team goes for a record 16th Copa America title against Colombia.

The incident happened Wednesday just after referee César Ramos blew the final whistle following Colombia’s 1-0 defeat of Uruguay. Núñez and teammates climbed a staircase into a raucous crowd, and video showed Núñez hitting a fan in Colombian team colors.

Uruguay captain José Giménez said players went in the crowd to protect their families. Coach Marcelo Bielsa later criticized tournament organizers for not doing enough to safeguard families of players seated in the stands behind the Uruguay bench. It took more than 10 minutes for police to arrive and to restore order.

“What happened is very sad because the families are not to blame,” Colombia midfielder Juan Quintero said. “We don’t want these things to happen during the match. We know that there are high emotions at stake. No one wants violence. Football cannot be tainted by incidents of this kind.

“I am concerned about what’s happened, and we hope that it will not happen tomorrow.”

Argentina goalkeeper Emiliano Martínez expressed similar concern, calling for the tournament to “reinforce security” for the final.

- Alanis Thames

URUGUAY'S MARCELO BIELSA RIPS U.S., COPA AMÉRICA ORGANIZERS AFTER FIGHT

Uruguay coach Marcelo Bielsa angrily defended his players following clashes at the end of their semifinal loss to Colombia. Omar Vega/Getty Images

 Uruguay head coach Marcelo Bielsa defended his players' involvement in clashes with Colombia fans following their Copa América semifinal match at Bank of America Stadium in Charlotte, North Carolina, before criticizing the U.S. and CONMEBOL over the organization of the competition.

Following Uruguay's semifinal loss, players could be seen climbing into the stands to fight with opposing fans. Darwin Núñez and Ronaldo Araújo were among those involved, while captain José María Giménez said the players were simply trying to defend family members.

However, South America soccer's governing body, CONMEBOL, has announced an investigation into the incidents, which also saw players from Colombia and Uruguay involved in a confrontation on the field after the final whistle.

"One has to speak thinking about all the threats he will receive if he speaks," an angry Bielsa said in a prematch news conference on Friday. "So, the only thing I can tell you is that the players reacted the same way any human being would.

"If you see what happened happen and there's [no other process to escape] and they are attacking their girlfriends, their mothers, a baby, their wives, their mothers -- what would you do?"

The former Leeds United manager went on to attack media coverage of the incidents.

"Are you asking if there's going to be sanctions to the ones that went to defend?" he said. "It's a level of complicity, because the questions also act as a way to accomplice, I don't know if all of you think the same way, if the question you ask wouldn't be made by someone else, but this is what you journalists should be saying, not what I should be saying, with the risk of opening my mouth.

"When you see that there's an overreaction, when you see a violent action, of course no one is going to be in favor of a violent reaction. But the first thing you have to see is what are they reacting to? And if there was any other way to do it differently, and you all know this, but you want us on this side to open our mouths about it so it's not you who point what happened and then are affected in any way."

Bielsa said that his players were owed apologies, adding that "we are in the United States, the country of security."

The Uruguayan football association (AUF) also said there was a lack of security in the stands which led to "an unjustified but humanly understandable reaction" by the players.

"This event took place in a context in which the proportion of Uruguayan fans was very small. Most of them were families, and there were insufficient security measures in place," the AUF said in a statement.

"Given these facts, the players' behaviour was inevitable and natural," it said, adding though that it "strongly condemned" their aggression.

The coach went on to criticize CONMEBOL and the U.S. over the organization of the tournament, specifically calling out the lack of security and the conditions of the fields at stadiums regularly used by NFL teams.

Argentina, which will face Colombia in Sunday's final, slammed the conditions of the field at Atlanta's Mercedes-Benz Stadium for the tournament's opening game.

"They knew seven months ago that we'd play here and they changed the field two days ago," Argentina manager Lionel Scaloni said following that game. "It's not an excuse, but this isn't a good field. Sincerely, the field is not apt for these players."

CONMEBOL defended the conditions of the fields following the criticism, saying that the process of installing the temporary pitches for Copa América started a year ago and that "aesthetics can give the wrong perception."

- Lizzy Becherano