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Makkah to Launch World Cup 2026 Fan Zone Experience for Residents, Visitors

The project aims to transform watching World Cup matches from a sporting activity into a comprehensive entertainment experience through a range of accompanying events and activities - SPA
The project aims to transform watching World Cup matches from a sporting activity into a comprehensive entertainment experience through a range of accompanying events and activities - SPA
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Makkah to Launch World Cup 2026 Fan Zone Experience for Residents, Visitors

The project aims to transform watching World Cup matches from a sporting activity into a comprehensive entertainment experience through a range of accompanying events and activities - SPA
The project aims to transform watching World Cup matches from a sporting activity into a comprehensive entertainment experience through a range of accompanying events and activities - SPA

The Holy Makkah Municipality is scheduled to launch the World Cup 2026 tent to provide an integrated destination that enables residents and visitors to follow the world's biggest football event in an entertaining and interactive atmosphere that combines match viewing with accompanying activities, as part of its efforts to enhance quality of life and enrich the entertainment landscape in the Holy Capital.

The project aims to transform watching World Cup matches from a sporting activity into a comprehensive entertainment experience through a range of accompanying events and activities, including face-painting stations, interactive photo zones, a World Cup majlis for football enthusiasts, as well as daily competitions, prizes, and sports challenges targeting various age groups to enhance engagement and audience participation throughout the tournament, SPA reported.

The project is supported by a comprehensive media plan that includes the production of professional visual content, photographic coverage, and short videos for social media platforms, in addition to the preparation of a closing film documenting key activities and memorable fan moments, showcasing the experience and expanding its media reach.

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EU Says Sport Decisions 'Belong to Sporting Bodies, Not Politicians' after Balogun Red-card U-turn

Balogun during a recent US training session (AFP)
Balogun during a recent US training session (AFP)
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EU Says Sport Decisions 'Belong to Sporting Bodies, Not Politicians' after Balogun Red-card U-turn

Balogun during a recent US training session (AFP)
Balogun during a recent US training session (AFP)

Decisions on sport "belong to sporting bodies, not politicians", EU sports chief Glenn Micallef said on Monday after FIFA overturned US striker Folarin Balogun's suspension following a reported intervention by President Donald Trump.

"Influencing sporting decisions would undermine the autonomy of sport. Our focus should instead be on the real governance challenges facing sport, including the weaponization of sport for political purposes," Micallef said.

Sports

UEFA: FIFA Have 'Crossed a Red line' in Balogun Reprieve

FILE PHOTO: Soccer Football - FIFA World Cup 2026 - Round of 32 - United States v Bosnia and Herzegovina - San Francisco Bay Area Stadium, Santa Clara, California, US - July 1, 2026 Folarin Balogun of the US is shown a red card by referee Raphael Claus REUTERS/Phil Noble/File Photo
FILE PHOTO: Soccer Football - FIFA World Cup 2026 - Round of 32 - United States v Bosnia and Herzegovina - San Francisco Bay Area Stadium, Santa Clara, California, US - July 1, 2026 Folarin Balogun of the US is shown a red card by referee Raphael Claus REUTERS/Phil Noble/File Photo
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UEFA: FIFA Have 'Crossed a Red line' in Balogun Reprieve

FILE PHOTO: Soccer Football - FIFA World Cup 2026 - Round of 32 - United States v Bosnia and Herzegovina - San Francisco Bay Area Stadium, Santa Clara, California, US - July 1, 2026 Folarin Balogun of the US is shown a red card by referee Raphael Claus REUTERS/Phil Noble/File Photo
FILE PHOTO: Soccer Football - FIFA World Cup 2026 - Round of 32 - United States v Bosnia and Herzegovina - San Francisco Bay Area Stadium, Santa Clara, California, US - July 1, 2026 Folarin Balogun of the US is shown a red card by referee Raphael Claus REUTERS/Phil Noble/File Photo

FIFA "crossed a red line" with the controversial decision to suspend US star Folarin Balogun's one game ban for a year, European football's governing body UEFA said on Monday.

FIFA's ruling, which came after the intervention of Donald Trump, permits Balogun to play in the co-hosts' World Cup last 16 match with Belgium later on Monday.

"Yesterday's decision to suspend for a probationary period of a year the implementation of the one-match automatic suspension following the red card issued to the player Folarin Balogun crossed a red line," read UEFA's strongly worded statement.

"Football, like any other sports, relies on rules, which are the basis for fair, honest and transparent competition. Sometimes rules are open to interpretation. In this case not."

UEFA warned of the ramifications for the sport as a whole.

"Football is the most loved sport in the world because it is a beautiful game and is trusted because is played everywhere with the same laws," it said.

"A tournament is never a pure standalone and, if the tournament in question is the World Cup, it has the power to drive positive or negative consequences on the game as a whole.

"We express our disbelief at such an unprecedented, incomprehensible and unjustifiable decision."

Balogun, who has scored three goals at the World Cup, had been set to miss the clash in Seattle after receiving a straight red card following a video review for stepping on a Bosnia-Herzegovina defender's foot in the round-of-32 match the US won 2-0.

Under FIFA rules, a straight red card automatically triggers a one-game ban.

Trump called FIFA chief Gianni Infantino asking him to review Balogun's punishment, two sources familiar with the matter told AFP.

US Secretary of State Marco Rubio also publicly called for the card to be rescinded.

The decision to suspend the ban was taken by FIFA's disciplinary committee.

World football's governing body said Sunday the ban will now be suspended for a year, in a stunning move for which no specific explanation was offered.

"Thank you to FIFA for doing what was right, and reversing a great injustice!" Trump wrote on his Truth Social platform.

The Belgians were stupefied by the ruling.

"I didn't know that at the FIFA World Cup, the 5th of July is now the 1st of April, and that it's April Fool's Day," Belgium coach Rudi Garcia told reporters.

Sports

England's Jordan Henderson Suffers 'Serious' Injury during Celebration

England's Jordan Henderson celebrates his team's victory over Panama in the World Cup Group L soccer match in East Rutherford, N.J., near New York, Saturday, June 27, 2026. (AP Photo/Frank Franklin II)
England's Jordan Henderson celebrates his team's victory over Panama in the World Cup Group L soccer match in East Rutherford, N.J., near New York, Saturday, June 27, 2026. (AP Photo/Frank Franklin II)
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England's Jordan Henderson Suffers 'Serious' Injury during Celebration

England's Jordan Henderson celebrates his team's victory over Panama in the World Cup Group L soccer match in East Rutherford, N.J., near New York, Saturday, June 27, 2026. (AP Photo/Frank Franklin II)
England's Jordan Henderson celebrates his team's victory over Panama in the World Cup Group L soccer match in East Rutherford, N.J., near New York, Saturday, June 27, 2026. (AP Photo/Frank Franklin II)

England midfielder Jordan Henderson suffered ‌a wrist injury during the team's post-game celebration following a 3-2 win over Mexico in the World Cup round of 16 on Sunday night that manager Thomas Tuchel called "serious", reported Reuters.

Henderson was seen on video hopping over an advertising board at Azteca Stadium in Mexico City as England headed towards their fans at one ‌end of the stadium ‌to sing "Wonderwall" by Oasis, ‌which ⁠has become tradition ⁠for the Three Lions. However, Henderson's hand slipped and he was in clear pain after trying to break his fall. Multiple teammates immediately called for medical assistance and Henderson was later stretchered off ⁠the field.

"He is at the moment ‌in the ‌hospital, it is quite a serious injury," Tuchel told ‌reporters Sunday night. "It doesn't fit with ‌the rest of the evening. I don't know the procedure."

Henderson, 36, became the first England man to appear in four different ‌World Cups when he came on against Panama during the group stage. ⁠He ⁠did not get into Sunday's game, but was shown a yellow card during the second half for actions on the sideline.

The Football Association confirmed that Henderson was going to stay in Mexico City on Sunday night with an England staff member while the remainder of the team and staff returned to their training base in Kansas City.

England will face Norway in the quarterfinals on Saturday in Miami Gardens, Fla.