FIFA president Gianni Infantino said on Saturday he had scrapped a plan to allow private investment in the World Cup following fierce backlash from football officials worldwide.

The answer may arrive sooner than anyone expected.

Newcastle confirmed the departure of manager Eddie Howe on Friday following a five-year stint at St James' Park.

England cricket chief Rob Key has left the door open for a dramatic international comeback by former Test captain Ben Stokes, who announced his shock retirement in late June.

British Prime Minister Andy Burnham said Friday Gianni Infantino was "the wrong man" to lead FIFA following the launch of a controversial plan to sell stakes in competitions to private investors.

FIFA is studying whether to expand the World Cup from 48 to 64 teams for the 2030 edition, according to a document seen by Reuters, in a move that could reshape soccer's showpiece tournament when it celebrates its centennial.

England centre-back John Stones has joined Inter Milan on a free transfer after spending 10 years with Manchester City, the Italian champions announced on Thursday.

Chelsea playmaker Cole Palmer said on Friday he has a point to prove this season after missing out on England's World Cup squad, while hailing new manager Xabi Alonso as a "breath of fresh air".

Brazil coach Carlo Ancelotti has defended his side's direct style of play following their disappointing World Cup exit, insisting the Selecao simply do not possess the midfield quality required to dominate possession in the manner of champions Spain.

The Asian Football Confederation (AFC) joined UEFA and CONCACAF in condemning world football's governing body FIFA's proposed private investment plan, saying on Friday they were alarmed it had reached the point a "World Cup boycott has entered public discourse".

Baresi wore Milan's number 6 shirt with such distinction that the club withdrew the number after his retirement.

On Thursday, Europe's UEFA voted unanimously to boycott all FIFA tournaments, while CONCACAF, the regional federation for North America, Central America and the Caribbean, rejected FIFA's proposal.

The backlash has spread beyond Europe.

Baresi is regarded as an AC Milan icon, having spent his entire 20-year career with the club, winning six Serie A titles and three top European trophies, and captaining the team for 15 seasons before retiring in 1997.

Under the plan, FIFA would establish FIFA Forward Enterprise to oversee commercial and event operations.

The challenge in Australia was never going to be easy. Yet, after months of knowing what lay ahead, Bangladesh leave for the unknown with preparation emerging as the focal talking point.

Jimmy was excluded from a 60-member preliminary of the AFC Cup’s squad in early February last year.

FIFA bans threaten Kings and Abahani’s BFL participation, with the club licensing deadline looming on August 4.

Just days after the biggest FIFA World Cup in history came to a close, FIFA unveiled a proposal that threatens to alter football's future fundamentally.

Casemiro said he was looking forward to playing alongside, rather than against, Messi, after their many battles in the Spanish league clasicos between Real Madrid and Barcelona.