Algeria Thrash Bolivia 4-0 in World Cup Warm-up

Algeria's Amine Gouiri, left, challenges for the ball with Netherlands' Virgil van Dijk during the international friendly soccer match between Netherlands and Algeria in Rotterdam, Netherlands, Wednesday, June 3, 2026. (AP Photo/ Patrick Post)
Algeria's Amine Gouiri, left, challenges for the ball with Netherlands' Virgil van Dijk during the international friendly soccer match between Netherlands and Algeria in Rotterdam, Netherlands, Wednesday, June 3, 2026. (AP Photo/ Patrick Post)
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Algeria Thrash Bolivia 4-0 in World Cup Warm-up

Algeria's Amine Gouiri, left, challenges for the ball with Netherlands' Virgil van Dijk during the international friendly soccer match between Netherlands and Algeria in Rotterdam, Netherlands, Wednesday, June 3, 2026. (AP Photo/ Patrick Post)
Algeria's Amine Gouiri, left, challenges for the ball with Netherlands' Virgil van Dijk during the international friendly soccer match between Netherlands and Algeria in Rotterdam, Netherlands, Wednesday, June 3, 2026. (AP Photo/ Patrick Post)

Algeria forward Amine Gouiri struck twice in their 4-0 win over Bolivia in an unbroadcast World Cup warm-up in Kansas City on Thursday.

Local media said coach Vladimir Petkovic preferred to play behind closed doors. However, Algeria’s state broadcaster said earlier that it would stream live "highlights" ⁠from the game ⁠on Facebook.

Aissa Mandi opened the scoring for Les Verts before the interval, while Petkovic made 11 changes at the break as Algeria scored ⁠three goals in five minutes.

Marseille's Gouiri made it 2-0 in the 56th minute with a stunning strike, before doubling his tally two minutes later.

Ramiz Zerrouki set up Anis Hadj Moussa, who scored the fourth goal after an hour. The 24-year-old winger struck ⁠again ⁠after helping Algeria beat the Netherlands in Rotterdam on June 3.

Algeria, who return to the World Cup for the first time since 2014, will begin their campaign against reigning champions Argentina on June 16 in Group J, before taking on Jordan and Austria.



German Players to Pay for 600 Fans' Stadium Trip amid Soaring Transport Costs

Soccer Football - FIFA World Cup 2026 - Germany Training - Wake Forest University, Winston-Salem, North Carolina, US - June 10, 2026 A football with the FIFA World Cup logo is pictured during training IMAGN IMAGES via Reuters/Scott Kinser
Soccer Football - FIFA World Cup 2026 - Germany Training - Wake Forest University, Winston-Salem, North Carolina, US - June 10, 2026 A football with the FIFA World Cup logo is pictured during training IMAGN IMAGES via Reuters/Scott Kinser
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German Players to Pay for 600 Fans' Stadium Trip amid Soaring Transport Costs

Soccer Football - FIFA World Cup 2026 - Germany Training - Wake Forest University, Winston-Salem, North Carolina, US - June 10, 2026 A football with the FIFA World Cup logo is pictured during training IMAGN IMAGES via Reuters/Scott Kinser
Soccer Football - FIFA World Cup 2026 - Germany Training - Wake Forest University, Winston-Salem, North Carolina, US - June 10, 2026 A football with the FIFA World Cup logo is pictured during training IMAGN IMAGES via Reuters/Scott Kinser

German players have stepped up to ease fans' pain from soaring transport costs at the World Cup, offering to pay for 600 of them to travel by bus to their last Group E game against Ecuador in New Jersey on June 25, media reports said. City authorities hiked rail and bus fares from New York to the MetLife Stadium in New Jersey by several times citing increased pressure on the public transit systems. That triggered a backlash from fans who have already paid high prices for match tickets, Reuters reported.

"In light of the high cost of bus and train travel in New York during the World Cup, the German national team players have organized free transport to the final group match for 600 fans," the BBC quoted the German Football Association as saying.

"Captain Joshua Kimmich and his teammates are covering the cost of buses to take supporters from New York to the arena in New Jersey for the match against Ecuador."

Reuters could not immediately confirm the statement. A round trip to the stadium by train, which usually costs $12.90, has been set at $98 during World Cup games, down from the originally proposed $150 fare after NJ Transit faced heavy criticism.

Shuttle buses will cost $20, down from the initial $80 price tag.

Transport was free for fans at the last two World Cups in Russia and Qatar. Four-time champions Germany will begin their campaign in Houston against Curacao on Sunday.


Jeddah Sets Stage for FIFA World Cup 2026 Fan Gatherings

Workers are seen on a crane at Los Angeles Stadium (temporarily renamed from SoFi Stadium) ahead of the 2026 FIFA World Cup in Los Angeles on June 7, 2026. (AFP)
Workers are seen on a crane at Los Angeles Stadium (temporarily renamed from SoFi Stadium) ahead of the 2026 FIFA World Cup in Los Angeles on June 7, 2026. (AFP)
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Jeddah Sets Stage for FIFA World Cup 2026 Fan Gatherings

Workers are seen on a crane at Los Angeles Stadium (temporarily renamed from SoFi Stadium) ahead of the 2026 FIFA World Cup in Los Angeles on June 7, 2026. (AFP)
Workers are seen on a crane at Los Angeles Stadium (temporarily renamed from SoFi Stadium) ahead of the 2026 FIFA World Cup in Los Angeles on June 7, 2026. (AFP)

Jeddah is set to host one of Saudi Arabia's most prominent football fan events, "Live the World Cup", at Abadi Al Johar Arena, accompanying Saudi football fans throughout the FIFA World Cup from June 11 to July 19, 2026, from 4:00 p.m. to 1:00 a.m. daily.

The event offers an integrated viewing experience across nine specialized zones: a fan zone forming the heart of crowd gatherings during matches, a gaming zone, a competitions and tournaments zone targeting young audiences and esports fans, and an interactive experiences zone, SPA reported.

Also, a photography and immersive experiences zone will be offered with an entertainment shows zone between matches, a retail zone, a food and beverage zone, and a dedicated sponsors zone.


Wimbledon Increases Prize Money by 20%, Singles Winners Will Earn $4.8 Million

Tennis - Wimbledon - All England Lawn Tennis and Croquet Club, London, Britain - July 2, 2019 General view of the Wimbledon logo on the base of the handle of a tennis racquet REUTERS/Andrew Couldridge/File Photo
Tennis - Wimbledon - All England Lawn Tennis and Croquet Club, London, Britain - July 2, 2019 General view of the Wimbledon logo on the base of the handle of a tennis racquet REUTERS/Andrew Couldridge/File Photo
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Wimbledon Increases Prize Money by 20%, Singles Winners Will Earn $4.8 Million

Tennis - Wimbledon - All England Lawn Tennis and Croquet Club, London, Britain - July 2, 2019 General view of the Wimbledon logo on the base of the handle of a tennis racquet REUTERS/Andrew Couldridge/File Photo
Tennis - Wimbledon - All England Lawn Tennis and Croquet Club, London, Britain - July 2, 2019 General view of the Wimbledon logo on the base of the handle of a tennis racquet REUTERS/Andrew Couldridge/File Photo

Amid players' calls for a bigger share of revenues, Wimbledon on Thursday announced 20% increases in total prize money and for the singles champions, who will earn 3.6 million pounds ($4.8 million) at the grass-court Grand Slam next month.

The total prize money including player per diems will be 64.2 million pounds ($85.8 million), All England Club chair Deborah Jevans said at a press conference, according to The Associated Press.

Players have long been calling for a greater share of revenues from the four Grand Slams and recently began taking steps toward collective action.

Ahead of the French Open, No. 1 Aryna Sabalenka said players should at some point organize a boycott if their demands aren’t met. Men's No. 1 Jannik Sinner, Coco Gauff and others also spoke out.

Then, in pre-tournament news conferences at Roland Garros, top-10 players limited their sessions with journalists to 15 minutes in symbolic protest of their share of the tournament revenues.

Just over a year ago, 20 leading players signed a letter to the heads of the four Grand Slams seeking more prize money and a greater voice in decision making.