While most of the soccer world is focused on the men at the World Cup, the countdown has begun for the 2027 Women's World Cup in Brazil.The women's tournament is set to start June 24, 2027, hosted by a South American country for the first time. Brazil hosted the men's World Cup in 1950 and 2014.I think that the host country, it sleeps and breathes football. So, I think just the energy youre going to see from the public, the general public, and obviously the teams touching down in Brazil, I mean, its such a unique, special country, FIFA chief football officer Jill Ellis said at an event Wednesday in Miami. I think the same energy youre going to feel right now when you bring the world together, and you have an incredible product in womens football, I mean, the level of quality the players is so extraordinary that I think, honestly, it will be an epic showcase of football and fandom.In addition to Miami, a countdown event was also held in Rio de Janeiro. Even in Vancouver, British Columbia, at Wednesday's World Cup match between Switzerland and co-host Canada, video signage flashed with ads for the upcoming women's tournament.All eight cities that will host women's matches next year also hosted men's games in 2014: Rio de Janeiro, Sao Paulo, Belo Horizonte, Brasilia, Fortaleza, Porto Alegre, Recife and Salvador.Qualification for the tournament has already begun. Brazil, which has an automatic spot as host, has never won the women's tournament and it remains to be seen whether Marta, the six-time FIFA world player of the year, will be on the national team. The 40-year-old Marta has never won a major international tournament.Thirteen other teams have also qualified, including Australia, Philippines, Japan, North Korea, China, South Korea, Argentina, Colombia, New Zealand, Germany, France, Spain and Denmark.There is only one year left until the moment that will be marked in the history of our country. For the CBF (Brazilian soccer confederation) and for all Brazilians, it is a source of great pride to host the Womens World Cup," federation president Samir Xaud said in a statement. It will be an opportunity to show the world our passion for football and, above all, the strength of Brazilian womens football. We are certain that this will be a transformative World Cup, capable of inspiring girls in all regions of Brazil and leaving a lasting legacy.The first Women's World Cup was hosted by China in 1991. The United States has won the most titles with four. Spain won the last title in 2023 at the tournament co-hosted by Australia and New Zealand.Women's soccer has experienced exponential growth in the past decade, with new leagues, increasing viewership and revenues. The Women's World Cup in Brazil will be the last with 32 teams. In 2031 the event will include 48 teams, like the men's tournament.The 2031 World Cup is expected to be hosted by the United States, Mexico, Costa Rica and Jamaica. The formal decision will likely be announced in November.I think when we went to 32 there was some noise, are were ready, are there going to be blowouts? We saw an incredibly competitive landscape. We saw debutantes making the knockout rounds. I think the global game is accelerating so fast that countries are closing the gap a lot faster," Ellis said. Our job is to make sure teams come in there as prepared and ready as they can, so we have the most competitive World Cup. So I think the growth of the game is accelerating rapidly, and I think by 2031 we certainly will have a very competitive World Cup.___AP World Cup coverage: https://apnews.com/hub/fifa-world-cup

Laura Woods left everyone in the studio absolutely stunned this evening after she nailed a treble 20 to clinch victory in an impromptu darts match alongside teenage sensation Luke Littler.The ITV presenter teamed up with the reigning world champion to take on Luke Humphries and pundit Duncan Ferguson during World Cup coverage from New York."I can't believe that!" Woods exclaimed after pulling off the remarkable shot.The spontaneous game came about after Humphries and Littler dropped by the set for a chat ahead of Wednesday night's football action.Woods and Littler celebrated with a hug as she threw her arm up in triumph, clearly shocked by her own achievement.The format saw each player throw six darts in a highest-score battle, with Littler and Humphries predictably hitting the big numbers throughout.Ferguson also managed to land a treble 20 during the contest, showing the former Premier League hardman has some skills beyond the football pitch.When it came down to the wire, Woods found herself needing 42 points with just one dart remaining after an underwhelming start to her throws.She felt like she was letting her partner down, but then fired in that spectacular treble 20.Technically the shot meant they busted, but it sparked wild celebrations in the studio regardless.Littler and Humphries had arrived in New York ahead of the US Darts Masters, which kicks off on Thursday.The pair are among the top PDC players competing in the tournament, joined by Gian van Veen, Gerwyn Price, Jonny Clayton, Stephen Bunting and Josh Rock.The two darts stars have faced off in some brilliant battles, but their most recent outing saw them join forces as Team England at the World Cup of Darts.Together they managed to beat the formidable Dutch duo of Michael van Gerwen and Gian van Veen.When asked about the football World Cup, Littler admitted he caught some of England's goalless draw with Ghana due to travel arrangements, prompting Woods to joke: "You didn't miss much."Our Standards: The GB News Editorial Charter

The ambulance service says it is struggling to reach patients suffering "heat related illnesses".

Upon entering, participants will receive a "Player Card" and complete a series of stations designed to simulate elements of a World Cup styled tournament.

Der Internationale Sportgerichtshof hat Lazio Rom zu einer Schadensersatz-Zahlung verurteilt. Lazio war vom Vertrag mit der Spielerin Maja Gthberg zurckgetreten, nachdem die Schwedin den Klub ber ihre Schwangerschaft informiert hatte.[mehr]

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Excitement is building in Ireland for 15-year-old prodigy Vaibhav Sooryavanshi's potential India debut in the upcoming T20I series. His IPL exploits have generated significant buzz, with fans from across Europe eager to witness the event. Former cricketer MV Narasimha Rao believes Sooryavanshi's style resembles Gary Sobers and advises the young talent to stay grounded amidst the growing hype.