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Mesut #Ozil Eyes '2nd #World Cup'

Over-35 World Cup: Mesut #Ozil Eyes ‘2nd #World Cup’, To Compete With #Ronaldinho In #Football Again

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Over-35 World Cup: Mesut #Ozil Eyes ‘2nd #World Cup’, To Compete With #Ronaldinho In #Football Again—-A new over-35s World Cup competition is set to be held in England this summer, with some of football’s greatest legends being lined up to play.

Plans are in place to launch an eight-team tournament involving England, Argentina, Brazil, France, Germany, Italy, Spain and Uruguay – the past champions of the FIFA World Cup.

Seven matches are scheduled to be staged in the same stadium over one week at the start of June. While the venue is still being finalised, Mail Sport understands talks have taken place with some of the Premier League’s biggest northern clubs.

The competition is being organised by the Elite Players Group (EPG) – a group of top-level former footballers and sports businessmen who joined forces last year – and will be known as the EPG Cup.

Under their proposals, only players who are aged 35 or over and have been capped by their country or made 100 top-flight appearances will be eligible to take part in the tournament.

The captains of each country are founders of the EPG. Steve McManaman is set to lead England while the other skippers are Esteban Cambiasso (Argentina), Emerson (Brazil), Christian Karembeu (France), Kevin Kuranyi (Germany), Marco Materazzi (Italy), Michel Salgado (Spain) and Diego Lugano (Uruguay).

The provisional squads being circulated and seen by Mail Sport include five former Ballon d’Or winners – England’s Michael Owen, Brazilian trio Kaka, Ronaldinho and Rivaldo, and Fabio Cannavaro of Italy.

England are also said to have already enlisted Ashley Cole, Joe Cole, Rio Ferdinand, David James, Frank Lampard and Robbie Fowler.

Other stars supposedly being lined up to feature include Brazil’s Cafu and Roberto Carlos and France’s Thierry Henry and Marcel Desailly.

Argentina are said to have Hernan Crespo and Pablo Zabaleta involved, while Mesut Ozil and Sami Khedira are on Germany’s draft list.

The Spanish squad being circulated includes David Villa and Carlos Puyol, while Francesco Totti is down to play for Italy and Diego Forlan is listed for Uruguay.

EPG Cup games will be 11-a-side, but over 70 minutes rather than 90, and teams can use roll-on substitutes utilising their 18-man squads.

The quarter-finals are scheduled to be played on June 4 and June 5, with both semi-finals on June 8 before the final on June 11.

Organisers have deliberately chosen the window between the Champions League final on June 1 and the start of Euro 2024 on June 14 – and believe they can get all logistics in place despite having less than four months to plan.

 

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BREAKING: Liverpool Sacked Arne Slot With Immediate Effect After 2-Years at Anfield

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BREAKING: Liverpool Sacked Arne Slot With Immediate Effect After 2-Years at Anfield—-Dutch manager leaves despite Premier League success as Reds begin search for new direction.

Liverpool FC have reportedly parted ways with manager Arne Slot after two seasons in charge at Anfield. Reports on Friday indicated that the club decided to make a managerial change following an internal review of a disappointing 2025/26 campaign.

Slot’s departure comes just a year after he guided Liverpool to the Premier League title in his debut season, becoming the first Dutch manager to win England’s top flight.

However, Liverpool endured a difficult title defence campaign, finishing outside the title race and facing criticism over inconsistent performances throughout the season. Reports suggest the club’s hierarchy concluded that a fresh direction was needed ahead of the new campaign.

The Dutch coach leaves Anfield with mixed memories — delivering the club’s 20th league title but struggling to maintain momentum during his second season.

Several reports have linked former AFC Bournemouth manager Andoni Iraola as a leading candidate to replace Slot, although Liverpool are yet to officially announce a successor.

Slot, who arrived in 2024 following the departure of legendary manager Jürgen Klopp, oversaw 113 matches during his tenure and leaves having secured one Premier League title and a place in Liverpool’s recent history.

Tributes from supporters have already begun appearing online, with many thanking the Dutchman for delivering league glory during his time on Merseyside.

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BREAKING: Ex-Chelsea Captain César Azpilicueta Announces Retirement From Football

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BREAKING: Ex-Chelsea Captain César Azpilicueta Announces Retirement From Football—-Spanish defender brings curtain down on trophy-laden career after spells with Chelsea, Atlético Madrid and Sevilla.

Former Chelsea FC captain César Azpilicueta has officially announced his retirement from professional football at the age of 36.

The Spanish defender confirmed that he will hang up his boots at the end of the season, bringing an end to a remarkable career that spanned nearly two decades.

He shared this news via his social media handles.

Azpilicueta enjoyed his most successful years at Chelsea after joining the club from Marseille in 2012. During his 11-year spell at Stamford Bridge, he made more than 500 appearances and became the first player in the club’s history to win every major trophy available.

As Chelsea captain, Azpilicueta famously lifted the UEFA Champions League trophy in 2021 under Thomas Tuchel, adding to Premier League, Europa League, FA Cup, UEFA Super Cup and FIFA Club World Cup triumphs during his time in London.

Following his departure from Chelsea in 2023, the veteran defender spent two seasons with Atlético Madrid before joining Sevilla FC for the final chapter of his career.

Azpilicueta also represented Spain at international level, earning 44 senior caps and featuring in multiple FIFA World Cups and European Championships.

In an emotional farewell message, the defender admitted it was difficult to make the decision but thanked supporters, teammates, coaches and clubs who shaped his journey in football.

Tributes have since poured in from fans and former teammates, with many describing Azpilicueta as one of Chelsea’s greatest modern-day captains and one of the most respected defenders of his generation.

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