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FIFA to Lead $75m Palestinian Soccer Rebuilding Fund

President of FIFA Gianni Infantino attended the inaugural meeting of US President Donald Trump's 'Board of Peace'. CHIP SOMODEVILLA / GETTY IMAGES NORTH AMERICA/AFP
President of FIFA Gianni Infantino attended the inaugural meeting of US President Donald Trump's 'Board of Peace'. CHIP SOMODEVILLA / GETTY IMAGES NORTH AMERICA/AFP
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FIFA to Lead $75m Palestinian Soccer Rebuilding Fund

President of FIFA Gianni Infantino attended the inaugural meeting of US President Donald Trump's 'Board of Peace'. CHIP SOMODEVILLA / GETTY IMAGES NORTH AMERICA/AFP
President of FIFA Gianni Infantino attended the inaugural meeting of US President Donald Trump's 'Board of Peace'. CHIP SOMODEVILLA / GETTY IMAGES NORTH AMERICA/AFP

FIFA will spearhead a $75 million fund to rebuild soccer facilities in Gaza that were destroyed by the war between Israel and Hamas, President Donald Trump and the sport's governing body said Thursday.

Trump made the announcement in Washington at the first meeting of his "Board of Peace," an amorphous institution that features two dozen of the US president's close allies and is initially focused on rebuilding the Gaza strip, said AFP.

"I'm also pleased to announce that FIFA will be helping to raise a total of $75 million for projects in Gaza," said Trump.

"And I think they're soccer related, where you're doing fields and you're getting the greatest stars in the world to go there -- people that are bigger stars than you and I, Gianni," he added, referring to FIFA president Gianni Infantino, who was present at the event.

"So it's really something. We'll soon be detailing the announcement, and if I can do I'll get over there with you," Trump said.

Later Thursday, FIFA issued a statement providing more details, including plans to construct a football academy, a new 20,000-seat national stadium and dozens of pitches.

The FIFA communique did not mention Trump's $75 million figure, and said funds would be raised "from international leaders and institutions."

Infantino has fostered close ties with Trump, awarding him an inaugural FIFA "Peace Prize" at the World Cup draw in December.

At Thursday's meeting, the FIFA president donned a red baseball cap emblazoned with "USA" and "45-47," the latter a reference to Trump's two terms in the White House.

In FIFA's statement, Infantino hailed "a landmark partnership agreement that will foster investment into football for the purpose of helping the recovery process in post conflict areas."

The "Board of Peace" came together after the Trump administration, teaming up with Qatar and Egypt, negotiated a ceasefire in October to halt two years of devastating war in Gaza.

The United States says it is now focused on disarming Hamas -- the Palestinian group whose unprecedented October 7, 2023, attack on Israel triggered the massive offensive.

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Sports

Neymar Available for Scotland Clash but Not Certain to Play, Brazil Coach Says

Brazil's forward #10 Neymar takes part in a training session at the Columbia Park Training Facility in Morristown, New Jersey on June 22, 2026, during the 2026 World Cup football tournament. (AFP)
Brazil's forward #10 Neymar takes part in a training session at the Columbia Park Training Facility in Morristown, New Jersey on June 22, 2026, during the 2026 World Cup football tournament. (AFP)
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Neymar Available for Scotland Clash but Not Certain to Play, Brazil Coach Says

Brazil's forward #10 Neymar takes part in a training session at the Columbia Park Training Facility in Morristown, New Jersey on June 22, 2026, during the 2026 World Cup football tournament. (AFP)
Brazil's forward #10 Neymar takes part in a training session at the Columbia Park Training Facility in Morristown, New Jersey on June 22, 2026, during the 2026 World Cup football tournament. (AFP)

Neymar is available for Brazil's third World Cup group match against Scotland but coach Carlo Ancelotti declined to say if he would play a role in the Miami Stadium clash.

The 34-year-old forward was recalled by the Italian for the World Cup after almost three years away from the national team but has yet to play at the tournament because of a calf injury.

"Neymar is available," Ancelotti told reporters on Tuesday. "He worked this week and can be available for the match. We are very happy that he is back because, obviously, with his quality, he can help the team.

"I've really got to know him well. He ‌has worked very ‌seriously, trying to recover as quickly as possible.

"I'm very happy ‌with ⁠him. Even if ⁠he doesn't play, he brings experience, he brings knowledge of the game, he helps the younger players. He is doing very well."

Asked how much of the match Neymar could play, Ancelotti joked: "He can play 90 minutes -- walking. No, he's fine, he worked very well, he trained very well."

Brazil, who drew 1-1 with Morocco and beat Haiti 3-0 in their first two Group C matches, will reach the Round of 32 with a victory over the Scots and Ancelotti ⁠said he felt a decent performance was brewing.

"Obviously we have a ‌very big commitment, representing this shirt in the ‌World Cup," he said.

"I think the first match wasn't the best, the second match was better, and ‌we are confident that the third match will be the best."

RAPHINHA REPLACEMENT NEEDED

Ancelotti also ‌needs to find a replacement for Raphinha, who has been sidelined by a hamstring problem, but again declined to share who would take the winger's place in the starting lineup.

Scotland, with a win and a loss, are more than likely competing to be one of the eight teams who ‌will go through to the next round from third place in their groups, but Ancelotti was expecting a tough game.

"Scotland has quality," ⁠the 67-year-old added. "They ⁠are fighters, they are very well-organized.

"(Scott) McTominay and (John) McGinn are experienced players who are used to this kind of game.

"So it will be a difficult game, as usual. I think easy games in the World Cup finished a long time ago. So we are ready to play a difficult match."

Brazil's flight to Miami from their New Jersey base was delayed on Tuesday, pushing back Ancelotti's press conference, but the Italian said he was not going to let it spoil his enjoyment of his first World Cup as a coach.

"Before today everything was perfect. Today we had a small problem, but that can happen," he said.

"I think we have the quality and the confidence for this to be a good World Cup for us. In football, anything can happen but in any case, it will be a very beautiful experience -- even if I had to do a press conference at nine o'clock at night."

Sports

Qatar’s Sports Minister, Madibo Visit Canada’s Injured Kone

Qatar's Minister of Sport and Madibo during their visit to Kone. (Qatar Football Association)
Qatar's Minister of Sport and Madibo during their visit to Kone. (Qatar Football Association)
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Qatar’s Sports Minister, Madibo Visit Canada’s Injured Kone

Qatar's Minister of Sport and Madibo during their visit to Kone. (Qatar Football Association)
Qatar's Minister of Sport and Madibo during their visit to Kone. (Qatar Football Association)

Qatar's sports ‌minister and national team player Assim Madibo visited Canada midfielder Ismael Kone to check on his health after he was injured during their World Cup game, the Qatar Football Association said on Wednesday.

Qatar suffered a heavy 6-0 defeat ‌by Canada in ‌their Group B ‌clash, ⁠during which Kone ⁠sustained a broken leg following a clumsy second-half tackle from Madibo. Kone has since undergone surgery.

"They were received by the President of the ⁠Canadian Soccer Association," the Gulf ‌country's soccer ‌governing body said on Facebook.

Madibo and Kone embrace during the visit. (Qatar Football Association)

"This ‌visit reflects the spirit of ‌sportsmanship and the strong relationships on and off the field. We wish the player a speedy recovery ‌and a quick return to the pitch," it ⁠added.

The ⁠Qatar Football Association posted photos of the visit, with one showing the two players hugging each other. Kone was sitting in a wheelchair.

Qatar are set to play against Bosnia and Herzegovina in their final group match, while tournament co-hosts Canada take on Switzerland.

Sports

Croatia Scorer Budimir Hails Win Over Panama That Keeps Hopes Alive

Croatia's Ante Budimir (11) celebrates a goal against Panama during the second half of a World Cup Group L soccer match, in Toronto, on Tuesday, June 23, 2026. (Frank Gunn/The Canadian Press via AP)
Croatia's Ante Budimir (11) celebrates a goal against Panama during the second half of a World Cup Group L soccer match, in Toronto, on Tuesday, June 23, 2026. (Frank Gunn/The Canadian Press via AP)
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Croatia Scorer Budimir Hails Win Over Panama That Keeps Hopes Alive

Croatia's Ante Budimir (11) celebrates a goal against Panama during the second half of a World Cup Group L soccer match, in Toronto, on Tuesday, June 23, 2026. (Frank Gunn/The Canadian Press via AP)
Croatia's Ante Budimir (11) celebrates a goal against Panama during the second half of a World Cup Group L soccer match, in Toronto, on Tuesday, June 23, 2026. (Frank Gunn/The Canadian Press via AP)

Croatia's match-winner Ante Budimir rejoiced in their 1-0 victory against Panama at the World Cup and hoped they would learn the right lessons as they stayed in contention to progress.

Croatia beat a battling Panama side at the Toronto stadium on Tuesday in a game neither side could afford to lose after both teams started their ‌campaigns with a ‌defeat.

Croatia's win courtesy of a ‌second-half ⁠goal from substitute ⁠Budimir kept alive their hopes of reaching the Round of 32.

"... so there we have started in this tournament and hope we draw the right lessons and continue to build on this victory," Budimir ⁠told reporters.

Croatia, who lost 4-2 ‌to England in their ‌World Cup opener, are third in Group L ‌on three points before facing a ‌stubborn Ghana side on Saturday in Philadelphia.

England lead on four points above Ghana on goal difference.

"I am happy that I secured my first ‌goal at the World Cup, it is important for us to ⁠start winning ⁠and get back to the team we were before," Budimir said.

Croatia's Luka Modric, 40, played his 200th international and was thrown in the air by his teammates after the match.

Budimir explained that it was nice to enjoy such milestones with a celebration, especially when the team win.

"We are grateful to have a captain like Luka - a great player and a great person," Budimir added.