分类： sports

PARIS—World football’s governing body FIFA has unveiled an unprecedented financial package for the 2026 World Cup, setting a new benchmark with a total prize fund of $655 million. This represents a striking 49% increase from the $440 million distributed during the 2022 Qatar tournament.

The champion team will claim a historic $50 million purse, substantially exceeding the $42 million awarded to Argentina following their victory in the 2022 final. Runners-up will receive $33 million, while third and fourth-place finishers will earn $29 million and $27 million respectively. Even teams eliminated in the group stage are guaranteed $9 million, with all 48 participating nations receiving an additional $1.5 million to offset preparation expenses.

This financial expansion coincides with the tournament’s format change, marking the first World Cup to feature 48 teams—a 50% increase from previous editions. The 2026 event will be jointly hosted by the United States, Mexico, and Canada from June 11 to July 19.

The announcement comes alongside FIFA’s response to mounting criticism over ticket pricing. Following complaints from fan organizations describing costs as “extortionate” and “astronomical,” organizers introduced a new budget ticket category priced at $60 for all 104 matches, including the final. FIFA stated these measures aim to support traveling fans following their national teams across host nations.

However, Football Supporters Europe (FSE) dismissed the initiative as “nothing more than an appeasement tactic” following global backlash. The group contends that only a few hundred fans per match would benefit from the discounted tickets, while the majority still face significantly higher prices than previous tournaments.

In a stunning reversal of fortune, Muschett High’s Under-16 boys’ basketball team clinched two decisive victories against Holland High in the ISSA Rural Area Zone B competition on Wednesday. The matches, hosted at Holland High’s court, marked a dramatic turnaround for Muschett, which had previously endured a winless season.

The opening contest saw Muschett overcome a halftime deficit to secure a 43-30 win. After trailing 19-13 at the break, the team mounted a remarkable third-quarter comeback, outscoring their opponents 18-4 to establish a 31-23 advantage before closing out the game comfortably.

Darren Gibson delivered an exceptional individual performance, recording a double-double with a game-high 23 points and 11 rebounds while adding seven steals. He received significant support from Ajanie Ranger (12 points, 6 rebounds), Antwan Wint (11 points, 6 rebounds), and Yenel Cunningham (8 points, 9 rebounds).

The second game transformed into a one-sided affair as Muschett established immediate dominance with a 16-0 first-quarter lead. They extended their advantage to 27-4 by halftime and ultimately sealed an overwhelming 45-8 victory. Gibson again led the scoring with 16 points, followed closely by Ranger with 13 points.

These back-to-back wins inject new momentum into Muschett High’s season, demonstrating significant improvement in both offensive execution and defensive coordination after their previously winless campaign.

KINGSTON, Jamaica — The stage is set for a climactic showdown in the ISSA DaCosta Cup football competition after Glenmuir High and St Elizabeth Technical High (STETHS) secured their final berths with hard-fought semi-final victories on Wednesday at Sabina Park.

Glenmuir High staged a remarkable second-half comeback to defeat Dinthill Technical 2-1 in a match filled with dramatic momentum shifts. The game’s narrative turned on the performance of Orane Watson, who delivered a spectacular brace to overturn an early deficit. The match began ominously for Glenmuir when Dinthill’s Omarion Small broke the deadlock just after halftime in the 47th minute, executing a perfectly timed give-and-go with Niclas Paris before firing a precise shot into the far corner.

Watson, who had earlier been denied what appeared to be a clear penalty claim in the first half, finally got his justice when he was brought down inside the 18-yard box in the 63rd minute. The determined striker converted the resulting penalty with composure, leveling the score at 1-1. As the match entered added time, Watson delivered the decisive blow with an audacious lob over Dinthill goalkeeper Dante Clarke, securing Glenmuir’s place in Saturday’s final.

In the evening’s second semi-final encounter, STETHS demonstrated tactical discipline to overcome first-time semi-finalists Kemps Hill High with a narrow 1-0 victory. The match’s solitary goal came in the 48th minute when Kemoy Banton capitalized on a precision through-ball from Kaieem Lewis, displaying exceptional timing to break through Kemps Hill’s defensive line and slot home what would prove to be the winning goal.

The results set up a compelling final matchup between two programs with rich football traditions, promising an electrifying conclusion to Jamaica’s premier schoolboy football competition.

LAS VEGAS, United States — In a groundbreaking move that challenges conventional sports ethics, American sprinter Shania Collins has become the inaugural female track and field athlete to commit to the controversial Enhanced Games. The 29-year-old athlete, who previously secured gold in the 60-meter event at the USA Indoor Championships, announced her participation through an official press release issued Wednesday.

Collins, who also boasts medals from both the Pan American Games (bronze) and African Games (silver), expressed strong support for the alternative sporting event. “I believe the Enhanced Games are changing the conversation about what’s possible for athletes like me,” Collins stated. She emphasized her appreciation for the comprehensive support system provided, including medical supervision, training resources, nutritional guidance, recovery assistance, and substantial financial compensation.

The Enhanced Games, which openly embraces performance enhancement through scientific means, positions itself as a platform celebrating human potential through transparent and safely managed augmentation. The organization promises unprecedented financial rewards for participants, directly challenging traditional athletic governing bodies.

Collins joins several other high-profile sprinters who have already aligned with the movement, including Liberia’s premier 100-meter specialist Emmanuel Matadi, American standout Fred Kerley, and French athlete Mouhamadou Fall.

The event has drawn significant opposition from established sports organizations. World Aquatics has declared that any swimmers, coaches, or officials participating in the Enhanced Games will face immediate expulsion, citing the governing body’s firm stance against doping promotion. Similarly, the World Anti-Doping Agency (WADA) has expressed strong disapproval, cautioning athletes that involvement could permanently damage their professional reputations.

In response to these measures, the Enhanced Games organization has initiated an $800 million lawsuit against WADA, World Aquatics, and USA Swimming, alleging unlawful attempts to deter athletes from participating in the Las Vegas-based event scheduled for 2026.

A highly anticipated Walker Cup final matchup is set after both defending champions Mona High and St. Catherine High secured dramatic 3-2 victories in their respective semifinal clashes at the Anthony Spaulding Sports Complex.

In the opening semifinal, Mona High secured their place in a second consecutive final by edging past a tenacious Charlie Smith side. The victory was fueled by goals from Franklyn Mitcham in the 38th minute, Savi-K Morton just four minutes later in the 42nd, and a decisive strike from Joenaldo Payne in the 59th minute. Charlie Smith demonstrated remarkable resilience, twice equalizing through Orlando Grant (39th) and Anthony Bryan (44th), launching a relentless offensive in the final stages. However, Mona’s defense held firm under intense pressure to clinch the narrow win.

The second semifinal saw St. Catherine High exact a measure of revenge against Kingston College (KC), the team that had defeated them in last year’s Manning Cup final. St. Catherine’s triumph was spearheaded by a brilliant brace from Dwight Gentles, who found the net in both the 7th and 69th minutes. The impressive Kadean Young added a crucial third goal in the 44th minute. Despite a valiant late effort from KC, which included a spectacular long-range goal from Jamal Fraser in the 85th and a first-half stoppage-time strike from Kajay Fletcher, their comeback fell just short. KC was criticized for a performance lacking urgency and intent for large portions of the match, ultimately missing a golden opportunity to equalize in the final seconds.

The stage is now set for a captivating final this Friday. Mona High, the 2024 champions, will be pursuing their second Walker Cup title, while St. Catherine High aims to claim its third crown, adding to previous victories in 2019 and 2021.