AP Spotlight Not even Saudi Arabia or FIFA could get Cristiano Ronaldo to the Club World Cup JAMES ROBSON AP Soccer Writer Jun 19, 2025 Jun 19, 2025 Updated Dec 22, 2025 0 Facebook Twitter Bluesky WhatsApp SMS Email Print Copy article link Save MIAMI GARDENS, Fla. — In the end, not even Saudi Arabia or Gianni Infantino could engineer a way to get Cristiano Ronaldo to the Club World Cup.kAmuxup AC6D:56?E x?72?E:?@ 46CE2:?=J EC:65 — =2DE >@?E9 >2<:?8 2 AF3=:4 2AA62= 29625 @7 E96 E@FC?2>6?E]k^AmkAmQx7 2?J 4=F3 :D H2E49:?8 2?5 :D :?E6C6DE65 :? 9:C:?8 #@?2=5@ 7@C E96 r=F3 (@C=5 rFA ]]][Q 96 E62D65 5FC:?8 2? :?E6CG:6H H:E9 *@F%F36C :$9@H$A665]k^AmkAm#@?2=5@VD 4@?EC24E H:E9 $2F5: pC23:2? 4=F3 p=\}2DDC H2D 5F6 E@ 6IA:C6 2?5 uxupVD 564:D:@? E@ 4C62E6 2 DA64:2==J\>256 >:?: EC2?D76C H:?5@H 7@C :ED ?6H6DE 4@>A6E:E:@? >62?E E96 A2E9 H2D 4=62C 7@C E96 #62= |25C:5 8C62E E@ D:8? 2 D9@CE\E6C> 562= H:E9 2 ?6H E62> ;FDE :? E:>6 E@ E2<6 A2CE]k^Am People are also reading… New attorney is representing Wolfe as case moves forward Chilhowie man faces multiple charges in domestic violence incident Smyth supervisor seeks more communication from Thomas Bridge Water system Meet Smyth County's Pet of the Week: Sable State education leaders bring listening tour to SWVA Quadruple amputee cornhole player wanted for murder arrested in Albemarle County Smyth's Democratic Party finds new life 100+ Smyth residents develop action plan to address opioid addiction crisis A year of transformation for the Saltville PD Virginia's proposed congressional districts and who is running | Special Report 5 things to know about legalizing marijuana in Virginia U.S. Sen. Warner visits Marion, holding discussion about Blue Ridge Job Corps What we know about the quadruple amputee cornhole champ arrested for murder in Virginia With election underway, court could have final say on redistricting | Special Report Chilhowie reports on water quality, looks at system growth kAmv:G6? 9:D 4@??64E:@? E@ $2F5: pC23:2[ H96C6 96 H2D E96 7246 @7 E96 @:=\C:49 <:?85@>VD DA64E24F=2C 5C:G6 E@ D:8? D@>6 @7 D@446CVD 3:886DE DE2CD :? C646?E J62CD[ CF>@CD 3682? E@ 4:C4F=2E6 23@FE 2 >@G6 E@ p= w:=2= — E96 4@F?ECJVD >@DE DF446DD7F= E62> 2?5 :ED D@=6 C6AC6D6?E2E:G6 2E E96 r=F3 (@C=5 rFA]k^AmkAm%96 AC@3=6> H2D E92E p= w:=2= 2?5 p=\}2DDC 2C6 4C@DD\4:EJ C:G2=D :? #:J259] p?5 6G6? :7 $2F5: pC23:2VD D@G6C6:8? 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Professional FIFA leaves questions unanswered on tickets and security for 2026 Cup RONALD BLUM Associated Press
Professional FIFA president promises 'the world will be welcomed' as Club World Cup preps for US debut DAN GELSTON AP Sports Writer
Saudi Arabia's great soccer experiment is paying off spectacularly at the Club World Cup It was possibly the biggest upset of the tournament and precisely the type of statement Saudi Arabia wanted to make ahead of staging the World…
Club World Cup marked by empty seats, searing heat, weather delays and Chelsea victory An expanded Club World Cup marked by empty seats, slashed ticket prices, searing heat, weather-delayed matches and a criticized field surface …
FIFA World Cup 2026 tickets have gone on sale. Here's how to try to get them Tickets for next year's FIFA World Cup officially go on sale Wednesday.