• World Cup takes place next June 

By GLENN MOORE FOR AUSTRALIAN ASSOCIATED PRESS

Published: 20:16 EST, 16 December 2025 | Updated: 20:22 EST, 16 December 2025

Football Australia will be able to issue well-priced tickets to the Socceroos’ most loyal fans at the 2026 World Cup after FIFA agreed to slash their prices following a global backlash.

Some supporters will even get $US60 ($A90) seats for the final instead of being asked to fork out $US4,185 ($A6,300).

However, they are likely to only equate to around 500 tickets per match that Australia play.

FIFA said the cheaper tickets will be made available for every game at the tournament, going to the national federations whose teams are playing. 

Those federations will then decide how to distribute them to fans.

The cheaper tickets, labelled ‘Supporter Entry Tier’, will be ten per cent of the federation’s allocation – which itself will vary depending on the stadium size.

The Socceroos united Australia as a nation during their impressive run to the round of 16 at the 2022 World Cup in Qatar

Australia has qualified for six consecutive World Cups since 2006 (pictured, after scoring a goal against China during qualifying this year)

The Socceroos are currently ranked 25th in the world rankings (pictured right, Lewis Miller celebrates with Brandon Borrello)

The ‘participant member association’ allocation is eight per cent of stadium capacity per country per match.

Australia’s group games are in Vancouver (54,000 capacity), Seattle (69,000) and Santa Clara (71,000), meaning they will respectively receive a number of $A90 tickets for their matches against UEFA play-off winner (Turkey, Romania, Slovakia or Kosovo), USA and Paraguay.  

So will their opponents. 

The next cheapest tickets are priced at around $A400.

FIFA’s backflip follows recent meetings between senior officials in Doha, where federations reportedly pushed back at the pricing model.

Fans worldwide reacted with shock and anger on seeing FIFA’s ticketing plans that gave participating teams no tickets in the lowest-priced category.

The co-hosts pledged eight years ago — when they were bidding for the tournament — that hundreds of thousands of $US21 ($A32) tickets would be made available.

FIFA has also faced fierce criticism for a ticket pricing strategy that includes dynamic pricing, in which prices can increase due to demand.

They can then act as their own resale platform, taking a cut in the process.

When the original pricing was announced, Football Supporters Association Australia chairman Patrick Clancy felt the prices were high – but he thought many Socceroos’ fans would still buy them.

‘These are historically high prices – even the minimums,’ he said.

‘I’m sure there will be some people who who choose not (to go), and that’s absolutely fine, but I suspect the large majority will not be put off.’

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FIFA offer discounted tickets for 2026 World Cup after significant backlash from Socceroos fans

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*Chelle and his wards to depart for Morocco on Thursday

Seven-time African champions, Pharaohs of Egypt, won a moral boosting international friendly 2-1 with Nigeria’s Super Eagles in Cairo last night.

Though a test match, in the absence of Nigeria’s talisman, Victor Osimhen, the Super Eagles  maintained balance and dominated ball possession in the first quarter house.  It however didn’t take long for the Pharaohs to register their opening goal through Mahmoud Saber in the 28th minute.

But Super Eagles responded with the clock ticking for the first half break. The three-time AFCON winners Nigeria kept their shape despite the setback and threatened the Pharaohs’ rearguard with a combination of long balls and quick movements through the middle. 

The Eagles were dangerous from dead-ball situations and in added time, defender Zaidu Sanusi swung one into the box that was guided into the net by Chidozie Awaziem for the equaliser.On resumption for the second half, Eagles who started the game with a strange 3-5-2 formation had to revert to their more familiar 4-4-2 with the introduction of Amas Obasogie in goal for Stanley Nwabali, Ademola Lookman, Cyril Dessers, Semi Ajayi, Bruno Onyemaechi and Tochukwu Nnadi were all introduced by Chelle to spice up the encounter. 

Ball Possession appeared largely balanced in the  half but the Pharaohs struck from what looked like offside positioning. Nigeria protested but the referee stuck to his gun.

The hosts then resorted to defending deep into their own half to thwart every onslaught from the Eagles. Coach Eric Chelle was shown a yellow card after remonstrating one of the referee’s poor decisions, including a handball incident in the Egyptian box that was waved away.

 Meanwhile, the  Super Eagles will fly to Fés on Thursday aboard a chartered flight for their Group C encounters against Tanzania, Tunisia and Uganda (in that order), while the Pharaohs head to Agadir for Group B games against South Africa, Angola and Zimbabwe.    

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How the Bondi fallen will be remembered

Iconic Aussie singer John Williamson (pictured) will perform his famous song True Blue as a tribute to the victims when the match begins on Wednesday. Flags will also be flown at half-mast.

Daily Mail also understands players from both Australia and England will wear black armbands at Adelaide Oval.

‘This is a tragic time for all Australians and the thoughts of everyone in the cricket world are with the victims of this terrible event, their families, friends and the Jewish community,’ Cricket Australia chief executive Todd Greenberg said.

‘While sport can seem insignificant at times like this, we have the unusual opportunity to bring millions of people together to pay tribute, to console and to contemplate what we want our nation to be.’

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A brace from Alejandro Garnacho and a solitary strike from Pedro Neto earned Chelsea a 3-1 win against Cardiff in the Carabao Cup quarter-finals on Tuesday.

After a goalless first half Garnacho opened the scoring in the 57th minute but David Turnbull made it 1-1 on 75 minutes.

With eight minutes left Neto restored Chelsea’s lead before Garnacho got his second goal to put the Blues 3-1 ahead.

Two quarter-finals will be decided on Wednesday which will see Manchester City host Brentford while Newcastle United will welcome Fulham to St. James’s Park.

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FIFA has released its Best Men’s XI for 2025 as a bold new generation lines up alongside proven greats who continue to set the standard at the very top.

Unveiled during The Best FIFA Football Awards 2025, the selection rewards players who stood out across club and international football over the past year. Consistency in Europe’s elite leagues, coupled with decisive performances on the biggest stages, played a major role in shaping the final team.

Up front, Ousmane Dembélé’s return to his most devastating form earns him a place after a campaign defined by confidence, goals and match-winning moments.

Alongside him is Lamine Yamal, whose inclusion marks one of the most remarkable stories of the year. Still a teenager, the Barcelona star has moved with startling speed from exciting prospect to one of world football’s most feared attackers.

The midfield reflects balance, intelligence and invention. Pedri’s calm control anchors the unit, complemented by Vitinha’s smooth distribution and Jude Bellingham’s relentless energy and influence. Cole Palmer completes the quartet after a breakout year in which his creativity and decisive contributions made him one of the game’s standout attacking midfielders.

Defensively, power and athleticism are the defining traits. Nuno Mendes and Achraf Hakimi offer pace and attacking threat from full-back, while Virgil van Dijk remains the commanding presence at the heart of defence. He is partnered by Pacho, whose composure and physical strength drew plaudits throughout the season.

In goal, Gianluigi Donnarumma rounds off the XI following another authoritative year, producing crucial saves in high-pressure matches and reinforcing his reputation among the world’s elite goalkeepers.

Meanwhile, Luis Enrique was named The Best FIFA Men’s Coach 2025, following a landmark campaign that reshaped Paris Saint-Germain’s history.

The Spanish coach guided PSG to their first-ever UEFA Champions League title, sealed emphatically with a 5-0 victory over Inter Milan in the final. Domestically, his side was equally ruthless, sweeping Ligue 1, the Coupe de France and the Trophee des Champions.

PSG also impressed on the global stage. Although they finished runners-up at the inaugural FIFA Club World Cup™, their journey to the final featured a series of eye-catching performances, including standout victories over Bayern Munich and Real Madrid.

Luis Enrique’s achievements over the season included winning the 2024/25 UEFA Champions League, Ligue 1, Coupe de France and the 2024 Trophee des Champions, finishing second at the FIFA Club World Cup 2025 and being named the 2024/25 UNFP Ligue 1 Manager of the Year.

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The Super Eagles of Nigeria lost  2-1 to Egypt in a pre-2025 Africa Cup of Nations friendly at the Cairo International Stadium on Tuesday.

Head coach Eric Chelle fielded a largely experimental side in the game.

Mahmoud Saber gave Egypt the lead two minutes before the half hour mark.

The Super Eagles got their equaliser through Chidozie Awaziem late in the first half.

Awaziem nodded home Zaidu Sanusi’s free kick after the Pharaohs failed to clear their lines.

Egypt seized the initiative early in the second half, and restored their lead through Mostafa Mohammed.

The Super Eagles will travel Fez, Morocco on Thursday for the AFCON.

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Manchester City goalkeeper Gianluigi Donnarumma has expressed delight to have been named the Best FIFA Men’s Goalkeeper.

The city’s number one saw off competition from Premier League goalkeepers, including Alisson Becker, Emiliano Martinez, and David Raya, to claim the accolade.

Recall that the nominees were chosen by a panel of experts, with Donnarumma selected as the winner by an international jury comprising men’s national team coaches, men’s national team captains, football journalists, and fans who voted on FIFA’s official website.

Donnarumma, who was recognized for his exceptional year in which he won the Champions League for the first time and three domestic trophies with former club Paris St-Germain, stated that he appreciates this acknowledgement and looks ahead now to achieving more success with Man City.

Read Also:AFCON 2025: Super Eagles Invitation A Dream Come True — Nnadi

“It is a great honour to win this prestigious award, and I would like to thank everybody that voted for me.

“I feel extremely proud to have been named as the best in the world and ahead of such wonderful goalkeepers, too, who I have great respect and admiration for.

“It was an incredible year, one that will live long in my memory, and it’s touching to be recognised for my role in the success achieved over that period.

“I will truly appreciate this acknowledgement and look ahead now to achieving more success with my new club, Manchester City.”

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By CIARAN FOREMAN, SPORTS REPORTER and KIERAN GILL, MAIL SPORT REPORTER and RIATH AL-SAMARRAI, CHIEF SPORTS FEATURE WRITER

Updated: 14:07 EST, 16 December 2025

Follow Daily Mail Sport’s live blog for the latest score, team news and updates as Cardiff host Chelsea at the the Cardiff City Stadium, with Kieran Gill and Riath Al-Samarrai reporting from the grounds.

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Cardiff vs Chelsea – Carabao Cup LIVE: Enzo Maresca makes ELEVEN changes as Blues travel to Wales for quarter-final clash

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Paris Saint-Germain and France forward Ousmane Dembele has been named The Best FIFA Men’s Player 2025, capping a season that will be remembered as one of the finest in the club’s history.

Ousmane Dembele, 28, an attacker, emerged as the standout performer in world football after driving PSG to their first-ever UEFA Champions League title. Dembele was at the heart of that remarkable European run, scoring eight goals and supplying six assists as the Paris side finally conquered the continent.

His influence stretched far beyond Europe. Dembele played a central role as PSG swept to a domestic treble, lifting the Ligue 1 title, the Coupe de France and the Trophee des Champions. He also helped the French champions reach the final of the inaugural FIFA Club World Cup, underlining his consistency across competitions and continents.

Individually, the season was equally dominant. Dembele was named Most Valuable Player in both the Champions League and Ligue 1 for the 2024/25 campaign. He finished as joint-top scorer in the French top flight and was recognised across Europe with multiple end-of-season honours.

By the numbers, his achievements during the period included winning the 2024/25 UEFA Champions League, Ligue 1, Coupe de France and the 2024 Trophee des Champions, finishing runner-up at the FIFA Club World Cup 2025 and securing third place with France at the 2024/25 UEFA Nations League.

He was also named UEFA Champions League Player of the Season, selected in the Champions League Team of the Season, voted Ligue 1 Player of the Year and included in the UNFP Ligue 1 Team of the Year.

The award was decided through FIFA’s established voting process, which considers performances between 11 August 2024 and 2 August 2025. A shortlist was first drawn up by a panel of experts before votes were cast by men’s national team coaches, men’s national team captains, football journalists and fans via FIFA’s official website.

Each voting group accounted for 25 per cent of the final outcome. Voters selected their first, second and third choices, earning nominees five, three and one point respectively. National team captains were not permitted to vote for themselves. In the event of a tie, the player with the most first-choice votes from their own group would be declared the winner.

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New Super Eagles player, Tochukwu Nnadi has named four Nigerian stars he looks up to as a professional footballer.

The four Nigerian stars, Nwankwo Kanu, Wilfred Ndidi, Frank Onyeka and Raphael Onyedika.

Nnadi has recently been named in Super Eagles head coach Eric Chelle’s squad for the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations.

Speaking to Super Eagles media, the Zulte Waregem midfielder said: “I was always dreaming of being in the national team one day.

“I played in the Under 20. Now I’m in the Super Eagles, and I was not expecting it to be too soon. I was looking up to Nwankwo Kanu.

“I was also looking up to Wilfred Ndidi, Onyeka and also Raphael Onyedika. Those are the players I look up to.”

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