FIFA allocates $80 million to help teams prepare for the 2027 Women’s World Cup

FIFA raises Women’s World Cup preparation funding to $80 million

FIFA has raised preparation funding for the 2027 Women’s World Cup to match the per-team allocation at the 2026 men’s tournament. The increase will give all 32 national teams larger preparation budgets, while the competition’s separate prize fund still awaits a decision.

Football body Concacaf lets Haiti host US in Miami

Concacaf has approved Miami for Haiti’s home leg against the US, the Guardian reports. Haiti has been unable to host at home since July 2021; the exception allows its national and club teams to request matches in opponents’ countries while the security crisis persists, with approval needed for each match.

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Champions League matchday 3: PSG and Liverpool stay perfect

PSG and Liverpool finished Champions League matchday 3 with three wins from three. ESPN reported the remaining results on 21 October, completing the round with wins for Real Madrid, Galatasaray, Club Brugge, Inter, Real Betis and LASK. Villa and Madrid also maintained perfect starts, while Arsenal took a point at Bayern.

FIFA opens US bidding for 2030 World Cup media rights

FIFA opens bidding for rights that its chief business officer says have not been offered through a tender in about 15 years. It prefers English- and Spanish-language coverage to stay together but will consider other arrangements, with proposals due by noon on November 19.

National Hockey League to group 2027 All-Stars by nationality

The National Hockey League plans a five-team, nationality-based tournament, with four short games per team deciding who reaches a ten-minute final. A separate Skills contest will narrow ten players aged 25 or younger to two finalists, while December 2026 fan voting will help decide the tournament rosters.

Athletics Integrity Unit bans marathon runner Ruti Aga for six years

The Athletics Integrity Unit banned marathon runner Ruti Aga for six years after a positive drug test and what it said was a false prescription. The unit said she did not respond to the charges, so it imposed the competition ban without a hearing.

European Aquatics confirms full prizes for shortened open-water cup

European Aquatics has confirmed full overall prizes for its shortened 2026 open-water cup. Women’s winner Klaudia Tarasiewicz and men’s winner Dario Verani received €2,500 each, retaining the top awards despite the loss of two stages.

Tour de France Femmes adds London team time trial for 2027

The announced 2027 Tour de France Femmes route adds the race’s first team time trial in London. Velo reports a 1,156km course with 17,665m of climbing, scheduled to run from Leeds on 30 July to Puy de Dôme on 7 August.

Welsh Rugby Union reports £18m loss as revenue rises

The Welsh Rugby Union reports an £18m annual loss and forecasts a £16m operating loss next year. Its financial chief says regional funding exceeds the amount available by about £6m; member clubs will scrutinise the figures at November’s annual general meeting.

Tour de France organisers unveil 2027 route with 71km of time trials

Tour de France organisers have unveiled a 2027 course with more time-trial distance than any edition since 2012. A late mountain sequence includes a stage 18 finish atop the Col du Portet, followed by the final Pyrenean stage on day 19.

NBA: Lakers beat Warriors 127–105 as Minnesota and Houston win

The Lakers beat Golden State 127–105 as Minnesota and Houston also opened with wins. ESPN reports Minnesota’s result against Miami as 131–106, not 131–105, leaving the opening records unchanged. Miami next hosts Detroit on 23 October before visiting Charlotte on 24 October.

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EuroCup round 4: Aris, Hapoel Jerusalem and Napoli reach 4–0

Aris, Hapoel Jerusalem and Basket Napoli finished EuroCup Round 4 at 4–0. Euroleague Basketball confirmed Kyle Guy and Nick Ongenda as joint round MVPs on 22 October, each with a performance index rating of 30—the highest among players on winning teams.