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Saudi Arabia was the only football association to present a bid to host the 2034 FIFA World Cup before the deadline closed, soccer's global governing body said on Tuesday.

Saudi Arabia World Cup 2034 confirmed

OFFICIAL: World Cup 2034 will be hosted by Saudi Arabia, as president Gianni Infantino has confirmed.

“Football unites the world like no other sport, World Cup is perfect showcase for a message of unity and inclusion”.

Argentina forward Papu Gomez has blamed a failed doping test on his son's cough syrup after Serie A club Monza said on Friday that their World Cup-winner had been handed a two-year ban.

OFFICIAL: Papu Gómez has been banned from professional football for the next two years.

Gómez failed an anti-doping test as he tested positive in October 2022 at Sevilla — before the World Cup.

BRUSSELS – The Euro 2024 qualifier between Belgium and Sweden was suspended at halftime and subsequently abandoned following the fatal shooting of two Swedes in Brussels earlier on Monday, UEFA said. 

Belgium raised its terror alert to the highest level as a man in a video on social media claimed that he was the assailant and that he was from Islamic State. 

Morocco, Spain and Portugal have been named hosts of the 2030 soccer World Cup, while Uruguay, Argentina and Paraguay will host the opening matches to mark the tournament's centenary, world soccer body FIFA said on Wednesday.

The 2030 World Cup will be hosted in SIX different countries, on THREE different continents:

Uruguay: opening game
Argentina: opening game
Paraguay: opening game
Morocco
Spain
Portugal

Juventus's France midfielder Paul Pogba has been provisionally suspended after testing positive for a banned substance, Italy's national anti-doping (NADO Italia) tribunal said on Monday. The Pogba steroids inquiry could lead to a 2- to 4-year ban if he is found guilty of doping.

The test, performed after Juve's 3-0 Serie A season-opening victory at Udinese on Aug. 20, detected testosterone, a hormone that increases athletes' endurance.

Paris St Germain will kick off their quest for a maiden Champions League trophy in a strong Group F, which looks to be the Champions League Group of Death, featuring Borussia Dortmund, AC Milan and Newcastle United following the draw on Thursday. This means American Christian Pulisic will face his former club Dortmund as well as PSG in the opening stage of his quest for a second Champions League trophy.

Two-time World Cup champion Julie Ertz retired from professional soccer with an announcement on social media on Thursday.

"With immense emotion and processing, I've decided it is time to hang up the boots," the U.S. women's national team icon and longtime NWSL defender posted on social media.

THANK YOU! pic.twitter.com/GapGnMfSa5

— Julie Ertz (@julieertz) August 31, 2023

Manchester United forward Mason Greenwood will leave Old Trafford, he and the Premier League club said on Monday, to avoid being a "distraction" despite being cleared of allegations of assault and attempted rape.

Greenwood, who was suspended by United in January 2022 when accusations against him surfaced on social media, was charged with attempted rape, controlling behaviour and assault last October. 

Lionel Messi appeared to tweak his left ankle during a training session Monday, but the Inter Miami standout is not expected to miss Tuesday's League Cup semifinal on the road against the Philadelphia Union.

Video from ESPN's Spanish-language affiliate showed Messi as he appeared to roll his left ankle in a close-quarters passing drill. He stepped gingerly on his left foot for a few moments but returned to the drill.

Brazil forward Neymar Jr. is headed for Saudi Arabia after Pro League side Al Hilal agreed a two-year deal with Paris St Germain, Saudi state media reported on Monday.

There was no immediate comment from the Ligue 1 champions, owned by Qatar Sports Investments, but French newspaper L'Equipe said the deal could net 31-year-old Neymar 160 million euros ($175 million).

The transfer fee was reported to be about 90 million euros plus add-ons and subject to completing a medical.