Weekly Highlights No. 1
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#1: Identification of 10 Teams Advancing to the 1/8 Round in the FIFA Club World Cup
As of June 25, Atletico Madrid is the only team eliminated from the FIFA Club World Cup 2025 group stage. Ten teams have secured spots in the Round of 16: Palmeiras and Inter Miami (Group A), PSG and Botafogo (Group B), Benfica and Bayern (Group C), Flamengo and Chelsea (Group D), and Juventus and Manchester City (Group G). Despite having six points, Atletico was eliminated due to head-to-head results against PSG and Botafogo.
Surprising outcomes include Inter Miami advancing past Porto, Benfica topping Bayern, and Flamengo defeating Chelsea. The group stage continues on June 25 and 26 to determine the final six teams.
In Group E, River Plate and Inter lead with four points, just ahead of Monterrey, who can advance by winning their next match against Urawa Red Diamonds.
In Group F, Fluminense and Dortmund also lead with four points, with Dortmund facing eliminated Ulsan.
In Group H, Real Madrid and Salzburg are tied at four points, needing a draw to advance, while Al Hilal can qualify by beating Pachuca. The competition remains intense as teams vie for advancement in this prestigious tournament.
#2: Neymar Extends Contract with Santos Instead of Joining Inter Miami
Neymar has chosen to extend his contract with Santos until December 2025, opting to stay rather than reunite with former teammates Lionel Messi and Luis Suarez at Inter Miami. This new agreement adds six months to his previous contract and includes an option to extend until June 2026, which would allow him to participate in the World Cup with Brazil at age 33.
His decision to remain at Santos effectively rules out a move to Inter Miami, where Messi and Suarez currently play. Previously, Neymar's father mentioned that the team was considering offers from both the U.S. and Europe. Although Neymar had a successful stint alongside Messi and Suarez at Barcelona, his potential return to peak performance and participation in the 2026 World Cup remains uncertain. However, his father noted that Neymar is only lacking a bit of speed to regain his best form.
#3: Iran May Be Banned from the 2026 World Cup!
Despite qualifying for the 2026 World Cup in Canada, the U.S., and Mexico, Iran may face disqualification due to escalating conflicts in the Middle East. Iran secured its spot on March 25, 2023, after a 2-2 draw with Uzbekistan, finishing first in Group A with 23 points. This marks their fourth consecutive qualification for the World Cup.
However, following a series of unexpected attacks by Israel on Iranian military and nuclear sites on June 13, tensions escalated, with Iran retaliating by launching missiles at Israeli cities. This conflict has led to airspace closures in several countries, impacting Iranian players like Mehdi Taremi, who missed the FIFA Club World Cup 2025 in the U.S. On June 22, the U.S. joined the conflict by deploying B-2 bombers to strike Iranian nuclear sites.
According to Australian news sources, the ongoing hostilities could result in a ban on Iran from the World Cup, drawing parallels to past instances where teams were disqualified due to military conflicts, such as Russia and Yugoslavia. Even if Iran participates, its fans may struggle to attend due to U.S. travel restrictions, which could limit access to players and staff. The World Cup is set to take place from June 11 to July 19, 2026, across 48 teams and 104 matches, primarily in the U.S.
#4: Malaysia to Participate in CAFA Tournament
Instead of playing a friendly match against rival Indonesia, Malaysia will compete in the Central Asian Football Association (CAFA) tournament, scheduled from August 26 to September 9. Initially, CAFA invited Russia, but after their decline, they turned to Malaysia alongside returning participant Oman. The Football Association of Malaysia (FAM) confirmed their participation on June 23, which is the reason for declining the match with Indonesia, a highly anticipated encounter due to both teams' push for dual-nationality players.
At CAFA 2025, Malaysia will have the opportunity to face two Asian teams headed to the 2026 World Cup: Iran (ranked 18th by FIFA) and Uzbekistan (57th). The remaining teams include Kyrgyzstan, Tajikistan, Turkmenistan, and Afghanistan. Malaysia is currently ranked 131st and will be in the fourth group designated for invitees.
The tournament will feature eight teams divided into two groups, with the top two from each group advancing to the semifinals. This competition is viewed as a crucial opportunity for Malaysia to foster team unity and pride among fans, especially after their recent 4-0 victory over Vietnam in the Asian Cup qualifiers.
#5: Cristiano Ronaldo Becomes Ambassador for Esports World Cup 2025
Cristiano Ronaldo has been announced as the global brand ambassador for the Esports World Cup (EWC) 2025, marking a significant step in the convergence of traditional sports and esports. Currently playing in the Saudi Pro League, Ronaldo is not only participating but also leading the global campaign with the message "Rise Above," symbolizing resilience and professionalism that transcends sports.
In discussing his new role, Ronaldo expressed enthusiasm for the evolving nature of sports, highlighting the passion and dedication of esports athletes as akin to what he experienced in football. His involvement is expected to reach hundreds of millions of viewers who have yet to engage with esports, providing a substantial media boost for the event.
Fans are particularly excited about the potential for a memorable moment where Ronaldo and esports legend Faker, both icons in their respective fields, could share the stage. With Ronaldo's influence, the EWC aims to elevate esports to the level of recognized, prestigious sports. His role signifies a shift where esports is increasingly regarded as a serious and celebrated athletic discipline, potentially paving the way for a future esports Olympics.