GCC Countries Support Saudi Arabia's Bid to Host 2034 FIFA World Cup

Soccer Football - FIFA Virtual Council Meeting - Zurich, Switzerland - October 4, 2023 General view of the World Cup trophy FIFA/Handout via REUTERS
Soccer Football - FIFA Virtual Council Meeting - Zurich, Switzerland - October 4, 2023 General view of the World Cup trophy FIFA/Handout via REUTERS
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GCC Countries Support Saudi Arabia's Bid to Host 2034 FIFA World Cup

Soccer Football - FIFA Virtual Council Meeting - Zurich, Switzerland - October 4, 2023 General view of the World Cup trophy FIFA/Handout via REUTERS
Soccer Football - FIFA Virtual Council Meeting - Zurich, Switzerland - October 4, 2023 General view of the World Cup trophy FIFA/Handout via REUTERS

Secretary-General of the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) Jassem Mohamed Albudaiwi has welcomed Saudi Arabia's bid to host the 2034 FIFA World Cup, stating that this bid aligns with the ambitious vision of Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques King Salman bin Abdulaziz Al Saud, and Prince Mohammed bin Salman bin Abdulaziz Al Saud, Crown Prince and Prime Minister, in hosting global sports events.

Albudaiwi emphasized that the bid also underscores the high capabilities of the Kingdom in hosting such events.

He extended his wishes to Saudi Arabia, its leadership, and its people for all the success and prosperity in organizing the 2034 FIFA World Cup.



Wirtz Returns to Help Leverkusen Beat In-Form Frankfurt 2-1 in Bundesliga

 Leverkusen's Florian Wirtz celebrates scoring during the Bundesliga soccer match between Bayer Leverkusen and Eintracht Frankfurt at BayArena, Leverkusen, Germany, Saturday Oct. 19, 2024. (Marius Becker/dpa via AP)
Leverkusen's Florian Wirtz celebrates scoring during the Bundesliga soccer match between Bayer Leverkusen and Eintracht Frankfurt at BayArena, Leverkusen, Germany, Saturday Oct. 19, 2024. (Marius Becker/dpa via AP)
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Wirtz Returns to Help Leverkusen Beat In-Form Frankfurt 2-1 in Bundesliga

 Leverkusen's Florian Wirtz celebrates scoring during the Bundesliga soccer match between Bayer Leverkusen and Eintracht Frankfurt at BayArena, Leverkusen, Germany, Saturday Oct. 19, 2024. (Marius Becker/dpa via AP)
Leverkusen's Florian Wirtz celebrates scoring during the Bundesliga soccer match between Bayer Leverkusen and Eintracht Frankfurt at BayArena, Leverkusen, Germany, Saturday Oct. 19, 2024. (Marius Becker/dpa via AP)

Florian Wirtz returned from injury to help Bayer Leverkusen defeat in-form Eintracht Frankfurt 2-1 in the Bundesliga on Saturday, when the latter was aggrieved not to be awarded a penalty in stoppage time.

Hugo Ekitiké looked set to score by heading the ball into an unguarded net after a mix up between goalkeeper Lukas Hradecky and Jonathan Tah, but Tah rushed back to put the airborne Ekitiké off balance and miss the ball.

Frankfurt’s protests went unheeded and Victor Boniface’s 72nd-minute goal proved to be the winner for the defending champion.

Boniface had an early chance from the penalty spot but Kevin Trapp saved his poorly struck spot kick in the ninth minute.

Frankfurt’s Omar Marmoush showed how it’s done seven minutes later, firing a penalty inside the left post after a clumsy challenge from Robert Andrich. It was Marmoush’s ninth goal in seven Bundesliga games, and it stretched his six-game scoring run.

But Andrich atoned by equalizing in the 25th after playing a one-two with Amine Adli and then Martin Terrier before a cool finish inside the far post.

Boniface finally scored when Trapp deflected substitute Wirtz’s cross kindly for a simple header.

Leverkusen said on Tuesday that Wirtz injured his ankle while on international duty with Germany.

Also, Xavi Simons starred for Leipzig to beat Mainz 2-0 away, Freiburg routed Augsburg 3-1 at home, Borussia Mönchengladbach defeated Heidenheim 3-2, and Hoffenheim defeated winless Bochum 3-1.