FIFA’s Steps to Keeping Drugs Out of the Game

FIFA are planning to freeze blood and urine samples of major players at the World Cup finals to discourage them from taking drugs. They are designed to keep players wary of the consequences of taking performance enhancing drugs. As time goes on, more advanced forms of detection will be invented and the samples will be tested. One of the goals FIFA has is to maintain a clean, drug free image for soccer.

 

http://www.espnfc.com/news/story/_/id/1796908/fifa-announce-new-anti-doping-protocol-advance-2014-world-cup-brazil?cc=5901

Leo Messi in the World Cup

Barcelona player, Leo Messi, is predicted to do well in this World Cup. Argentina coach, Alejandro Sabella, feels that he is the best player in the world and that Messi is a force to be contended with. No one would want him against them.

 

http://www.espnfc.com/news/story/_/id/1795830/argentina-coach-alejandro-sabella-backs-lionel-messi-shine-world-cup?cc=5901

New Rivals in the World Cup

Spain and Brazil have never really been rivals. But on June 30th of last year, this changed. Brazil beat the World Cup champs in the FIFA Confederations Cup. They could either face each other early on in the game, or win each of their respective matches and as a result face each off in the final. They’ve never really been rivals because many Brazilian players have played for Spain’s biggest teams. But with Spain craving for revenge for their defeat, there is a new a new fire coming to the stadium.

 

http://www.fifa.com/worldcup/news/y=2014/m=4/news=spain-and-brazil-old-allies-and-new-rivals-2324014.html

 

World Cup Stadiums

FIFA secretary general Jerome Valcke states that although stadiums are not quite ready, they will be come the 1st day of the world cup. Several cities still have much left to do in their respective stadiums. They have to be ready for a tester on May 14th. If they aren’t, there won’t be any choice as to whether or not the tester will go as planned. As of the end of last year, only 6 of the 12 stadiums were ready.

 

http://www.espnfc.com/news/story/_/id/1794049/fifa-jerome-valcke-says-delayed-world-cup-stadium-ready?cc=5901

Players want a chance to go to Brazil

There are less than 50 days left to the world cup and players are scrambling for a spot on their national teams. These players include Pedro, from Spain, Andrea Barzagli, from Italy, and Raheem Sterling, from England.

 

http://www.espnfc.com/blog/_/name/fiveaside/id/2119/players-still-vying-for-world-cup-roster-spots?cc=5901

Fanfests are a must for host cities.

FIFA demands from the countries who are hosting the world cup, to finance the mandatory fanfests. This is where the public who cannot afford tickets to the games can watch the games in an open environment. There are 12 host cities for the cup and all of them must host these. FIFA has gotten some cities to sign the contracts, but not all. They are prepared to sue if the host cities who haven’t signed yet don’t throw the fest.

 

http://www.espnfc.com/news/story/_/id/1796536/world-cup-fanfests-mandatory-all-host-cities-says-fifa-jerome-valcke?cc=5901

Another friendly match for the US

The U.S. will also host Mexico in a friendly match in a few weeks. It will be the last friendly before the US World Cup training camp. This is going to be the 1st time they meet since the US defeated Mexico here in Columbus in a World Cup qualifier match.

http://www.fifa.com/worldcup/news/newsid=2278503/index.html

The USA Friendlies

The USA is set to play Nigeria, Turkey, and Azerbaijan in the friendly matches. These are made to simulate the travel scheduling issues they will face in Brazil. The US coach is looking forward to these matches as they will help prepare his team.

http://www.fifa.com/worldcup/news/newsid=2293893/index.html

Women’s World Cup

In a short time, tickets for the Women’s World Cup will go on sale. It will be hosted in Canada and run from the 5th to the 24th of August.

http://www.fifa.com/u20womensworldcup/news/newsid=2294061/index.html

2014 will be different for MLS

MLS season kicks off on Saturday and it brings many big names in the game. Toronto in particular has gathered these big names. Julio Cesar, from Brazil, and Michael Bradley, USA, being two of them. Existing favorites have indicated that the strength of the league continues to grow.

http://www.fifa.com/world-match-centre/nationalleagues/nationalleague=usa-mls-2000000103/news/newsid/229/403/2/index.html