Guinea-Bissau Football Federation (FFGB) President Manuel Nascimento said that his country "will vote for Morocco" staging the 2026 World Cup, according to Andrew Jackson Oryada of the BBC. The North African country "must beat a triple bid" from Canada, Mexico and the U.S. for the right to stage the event. Nascimento: "I demand that our votes as Africa are solid and we should not scatter them around when voting time comes." Algeria Football Federation (FAF) President Kheireddine Zetchi also confirmed support for Morocco's bid, adding that the country "would provide help should Morocco ask for it" (BBC, 3/12).
2018 WORLD CUP TICKETS: TASS reported over 1.3 million tickets have been allocated to domestic and int'l football fans "after the closure of the first period of Phase 2 of ticket sales" for the 2018 World Cup, which kicks off in less than 100 days in Russia. Since the requests for tickets exceeded the available supply, they were allocated based on "a random selection draw for ticket allocation." FIFA said, "Most of them are going to Russian fans (197,832) followed by fans from Colombia (33,048), Brazil (24,656), Peru (21,946), Germany (21,639), USA (20,347), Mexico (18,155), Australia (15,906), Argentina (15,214), England (14,890) and Poland (13,686)" (TASS, 3/12).
CHINESE PRESENCE: FIFA launched its digital presence in China on Weibo. China has the world's largest internet user base and Weibo is the country's largest social media platform. Kicking off FIFA's digital arrival in China, the official @FIFA account was inaugurated and engaged fans through an interactive campaign entitled "Pass the Ball." In late March, FIFA will open its second account with Weibo, @FIFAWorldCup, which will focus on all news and updates related to the tournament (FIFA).
LOST APPEAL: The AP reported Former FIFA VP Jeffrey Webb lost his appeal against a 1M Swiss franc ($1.06M) fine imposed by the football body’s ethics committee. FIFA said that its appeals committee ruled the amount “was adequate.” Webb did not appeal his life ban (AP, 3/12).
LA LIGA ESPORTS: McDonald's Virtual La Liga eSports joined the EA Sports FIFA 18 Global Series on the Road to the FIFA eWorld Cup. La Liga is the latest division to pit its top FIFA players against each other for a spot at the FIFA eWorld Cup. Starting next Monday, players will have the chance to claim one of 16 places on PlayStation 4 and Xbox One, before the 32 qualifiers head to Barcelona where they will compete on April 16 (FIFA).
