-
)
Bundesl
12 Dec 21:30
)
UnionBerli
)
RBLeipzig
- - -
)
Serie A
12 Dec 21:45
)
Lecce
)
Pisa
- - -
)
Ligue 1
12 Dec 21:45
)
Angers
)
Nantes
- - -
)
LaLiga
12 Dec 22:00
)
RealSocied
)
Girona
- - -
LaLiga
13 Dec 15:00
)
AtleticoMa
)
Valencia
- - -
Serie A
13 Dec 16:00
)
Torino
)
Cremonese
- - -
Bundesl
13 Dec 16:30
)
BorussiaMo
)
Wolfsburg
- - -
Bundesl
13 Dec 16:30
)
EintrachtF
)
Augsburg
- - -
Bundesl
13 Dec 16:30
)
St.Pauli
)
FCHeidenhe
- - -
Bundesl
13 Dec 16:30
)
Hoffenheim
)
HamburgerS
- - -
)
Premier
13 Dec 17:00
)
Liverpool
)
Brighton&a
- - -
Premier
13 Dec 17:00
)
Chelsea
)
Everton
- - -
LaLiga
13 Dec 17:15
)
Mallorca
)
Elche
- - -
Ligue 1
13 Dec 18:00
)
Rennes
)
Brest
- - -
Serie A
13 Dec 19:00
)
ParmaCalci
)
Lazio
- - -
Bundesl
13 Dec 19:30
)
BayerLever
)
FCKoeln
- - -
Premier
13 Dec 19:30
)
Burnley
)
Fulham
- - -
LaLiga
13 Dec 19:30
)
Barcelona
)
Osasuna
- - -
Ligue 1
13 Dec 20:00
)
Metz
)
ParisSaint
- - -
Serie A
13 Dec 21:45
)
Atalanta
)
Cagliari
- -
MANDATORY DRINK BREAKS: FIFA ADDS TWO 3-MINUTE HALFTIME PAUSES FOR 2026 WORLD CUP
The 2026 World Cup will feature two mandatory 3-minute hydration breaks in each half, regardless of temperature, prioritising player safety and tactics.
The next World Cup will be a bit different. One change is the addition of two set drink breaks each match.
FIFA announced Sunday that these breaks will be required. They'll happen at the midpoint of each half and last three minutes.
The game clock won't stop, but three minutes will be tacked on to the end of each half as stoppage time.
This decision came after discussions at the World Cup draw in Washington, D.C., where national team coaches and broadcasters were present.
Everyone seemed to agree it was a good idea, especially FIFA's medical team, who emphasised player safety.
These breaks also give coaches a chance to chat strategy with their teams.
Each half of the 2026 World Cup matches will have a mandatory three-minute drink break.
The Club World Cup showed that players had a tough time with the heat during midday games in the United States, which was 5 p.m. or 8 p.m. in the UK.
That tournament this summer got some heat of its own when managers and players struggled with high temperatures during those midday games in the U.S.
Even if the weather's nice during the World Cup, FIFA is keeping the drink breaks.
FIFA said Sunday night that there wouldn't be any weather rules. Referees will call the breaks in every game to keep things fair for all teams.
Manolo Zubiria, FIFA's chief tournament officer for the 2026 World Cup, told broadcasters that the breaks would last three minutes, from whistle to whistle, in both halves.
He added that if someone gets hurt around the 20th or 21st minute, the ref would handle it then and there, according to FIFA.
During the Club World Cup, Paris Saint-Germain's coach, Luis Enrique, moaned about the heat after beating Atletico Madrid 4-0 in a midday game in Los Angeles. The temperature was close to 40 degrees Celsius with 60 per cent humidity.
He said that the temperature clearly affected the match, and while the time was good for European viewers, it wasn't good for the teams.
Chelsea midfielder Enzo Maresca felt dizzy due to the heat and said it was hard to play at a high level for the entire 90 minutes.
Argentina said the heat was dangerous for players, fans, and the game itself. The speed of the game slowed down.
WILFRIED NANCY: CELTIC BOSS BLOCKS OUT ALL "NOISE" AND CRITICISM AFTER HEARTS LOSS
After the heat following the Hearts' loss, Celtic manager Wilfried Nancy stated he has "blocked everything out," including social media criticism, to focus solely on the team's performance.
Celtic's head coach, Wilfried Nancy, said he tunes out all the noise when making decisions as a manager.
This comes after the Frenchman faced some heat after a 2-1 loss to Heart of Midlothian in his first game with the Glasgow team.
Before the Europa League match against AS Roma, Nancy said he doesn't pay attention to what others think.
When asked if those opinions bother him, he told a press conference, "That's a good question."
I'll be honest.
Every team I've coached—when I decided to become a coach—well, when I had the chance to become a coach, I'd been an assistant for seven years, working with many coaches.
I always told myself that when I became a coach, I'd block everything out. And that's exactly what I did.
He said he's built a wall between himself and any outside opinions, even online criticism.
I've blocked anything on Twitter that mentions my name, the club, or what people are saying.
People can say what they want. It's part of the job, and that's what we prepare for. I'm not here to comment on everything.
The manager explained that ignoring public opinion helps him focus on what he can control to improve how the team plays.
He used an analogy about how everyone has different tastes, like when people have different experiences with the same food.
We could visit a restaurant together, and you might love the food, while I don't.
Get what I mean? You like it, and I don't.
Nancy made his goals clear: he's focused on his players and the club and wants to do his best to give good performances.
He wrapped up by saying, At the end of the day, it's part of the job. I control what I can to be good with my players, my club, and the people I work with and to make sure we have the best chance of winning by playing well.
His team will play AS Roma in the Europa League tomorrow.
PEACE PRIZE SCRUTINY: FIFA FACES FORMAL COMPLAINT ABOUT UNILATERAL DONALD TRUMP AWARD
FIFA President Gianni Infantino is accused of four breaches of the ethics code by FairSquare, including awarding the first FIFA Peace Prize to Donald Trump at the World Cup draw.
_1765306901.webp)
After the World Cup draw last week, FIFA is facing a formal complaint about political neutrality. FairSquare, a nonprofit, sent FIFA’s Ethics Committee a detailed letter pointing out four possible violations by FIFA President Gianni Infantino during the event, one of which was giving out the FIFA Peace Prize.
Calls for FIFA to Look Into It
FairSquare's complaint follows the World Cup draw. At the event, the awarding of the first-ever FIFA Peace Prize was part of several mentions of President Donald Trump. FIFA said the award recognised Trump’s work in promoting peace and unity around the world.
FairSquare believes that giving the prize, along with other things that happened during the event, might have gone against FIFA’s policy of being politically neutral. They've requested the ethics committee to look into the decision to create and give out the FIFA Peace Prize and whether it followed FIFA’s rules.
Infantino and Trump
Infantino and Trump have met a few times over the years, which isn't unusual, as FIFA presidents often meet with leaders from different countries. During the draw, Infantino made some comments about Trump.
He said he was surprised by negative comments about Trump. He stated that, regardless of not being American, Trump was elected in the United States, and one should respect the results of a democratic election.
FairSquare's complaint argues that these statements show a political stance, breaking FIFA’s neutrality rules.
FIFA's Ethics Code
FIFA's ethics code says that the organisation should stay neutral when it comes to politics. It specifically says FIFA remains neutral in matters of politics and religion, also requiring everyone bound by the code to remain politically neutral when dealing with government groups.
Infantino has met with Trump a few times, including an invitation to the presidential inauguration and visits to the Oval Office.
Acting Alone
The Peace Prize given to Trump has been questioned, as it seems it was decided on and awarded without talking to senior FIFA officials. High-ranking FIFA officials were unaware of the award before its announcement. The award was revealed on the same day Infantino spoke at an event in the United States.
Premier League Standings
Must Read
Read More News