Saudi Arabia will almost certainly host the 2034 FIFA World Cup after Australia has announced they will not bid to host the tournament.

Saudi Arabia announced it would bid for 2034 only minutes after FIFA's invitation for bids from Asia and Oceania earlier this month.

Only Asia or Oceania could bid for 2034 after FIFA accepted only one candidate for 2030: a six-country bid spread across three confederations: Europe, Africa and South America.

Aitana Bonmati has won the 2023 Ballon d'Or Feminin.

Bonmati helped Barcelona win Liga F and the Champions League, while she also led Spain to win the World Cup in the summer.

Bonmati won the Ballon d'Or ahead of Australia forward Sam Kerr and Spain winger Salma Paralluelo.

"I want to congratulate all the nominees. All of them are great and inspiring footballers. As role models we have a responsibility on and off the pitch. We should be more than athletes. Keep leading by example and keep fighting together for a better, peaceful and equal world," Bonmatí said after receiving the award.

Lionel Messi has won the 2023 Ballon d'Or, claiming the award for the eighth time in his career.

Messi led Argentina to win the 2022 World Cup before moving from Paris Saint-Germain to Inter Miami during the summer.

“I couldn’t imagine having the career that I’ve had," said Messi. "Everything that I’ve achieved. The fortune I’ve had playing for the best team in the world, the best team in history. It’s nice to win these individual trophies. To win the Copa America and then the World Cup, to get it done is amazing.”

Diego Simeone is in talks with Atletico Madrid on a contract extension.

Simeone's current deal expires in June 2024 and he would like to remain with the club.

The duration of a new contract is expected to be either two or three years, or two with the option of a third, if certain targets are met.

Simeone took charge of Atletico in December 2011 and has transformed the club into one of the most consistent sides in Europe.

Simeone received various offers from Saudi Arabia in the summer, but ESPN reported that his priority was to stay in Madrid.

The staff of Manchester United are already concerned they may be unable to finish the season in the top-4 after they've had their fifth Premier League loss.

United is eight points back of a Champions League place. The club has failed to qualify for the Champions League four times in the past 10 years. 

United still have faith that Erik ten Hag can turn around the season. But there is some concern that the intensity of training sessions set up by Ten Hag and his staff are contributing to fatigue and injuries.

Robbie Fowler has been fired as manager of Saudi Arabian second-tier club Al-Qadsiah.

“The club appreciates the coach’s efforts and professionalism during the previous period and wishes him all the success in his professional career,” Al-Qadsiah said in a statement.

Fowler has been replaced by the former Sevilla and Marseille manager Míchel, who played as a midfielder for Real Madrid and Spain. 

Neymar suffered a torn ACL and meniscus during Brazil's World Cup qualifier against Uruguay.

Neymar will miss the remainder of the season.

Al Hilal signed Neymar in August on a $300 million deal.

West Ham could make another bid for Harry Maguire of Manchester United in January.

Speaking earlier this week at St George's Park, Maguire said he did not turn down a move to London Stadium.

"The actual opportunity to go to West Ham, it wasn't agreed really between both clubs and myself," he said.

"It wasn't just my chance to say, 'Yes, I'm going.' It wasn't agreed between both clubs so the actual opportunity wasn't there because we didn't get far enough down the line with it."

David Moyes remains a firm admirer of Maguire.

Kalvin Phillips is considering leaving Manchester City in January.

Phillips is losing faith that he will ever be a regular at City, particularly after being overlooked for Premier League games against Wolves and Arsenal while Rodriwas suspended.

City bought Phillips from Leeds in 2022 for $52.5 million.

Phillips is desperate to keep his place in the England squad ahead of Euro 2024 in Germany next summer.

Birmingham City has hired Wayne Rooney as manager on a three-and-a-half year contract.

Rooney replaces John Eustace, who was fired on Monday. Rooney left DC United last weekend.

Cook is understood to be the driver behind the deal. Last year Cook, previously the chief executive of Manchester City, was part of Chris Kirchner’s failed bid to buy Derby County, the last club Rooney managed in England.