Saudia Arabia front-runner to host men’s 2034 World Cup

Saudi Arabia is all but certain to host the men’s 2034 World Cup after the Australian soccer federation decided not to enter the bidding contest, which had been widely seen as shaped by FIFA to suit the oil-rich kingdom. FIFA had set Tuesday as the deadline for its member federations in Asia and Oceania to formally declare interest in hosting the tournament, and it later confirmed that only Saudi Arabia was in. Australia’s decision not to enter the race left Saudi Arabia alone as a declared candidate — to the dismay of many human rights activists. Capping off a successful day for the Saudis was Salem Al-Dawsari was named the men’s player of the year by the Asian Football Confederation, while Sam Kerr of Australia won the women’s prize. Al-Dawsari scored the winning goal in Saudi Arabia’s 2-1 victory over eventual champion Argentina in the 2022 World Cup.

Israel ‘home’ in Hungary

The Israel men’s team will play two European Championship qualifying “home” games in Hungary. The Israel-Hamas war has left the national team two games behind schedule in a three-way race with Switzerland and Romania to advance as the top two in the Group I standings.

NBA Embiid fined for gestures

76ers center Joel Embiid has been fined $35,000 by the NBA for repeatedly making an obscene gesture during the 76ers’ victory Sunday against the Trail Blazers. Embiid, the league’s reigning MVP, made four WWE-style crotch chops that sent the home crowd into a frenzy.

COLLEGES

Ohio State tops first CFP poll

Ohio State, Georgia, Michigan and Florida State sat atop the season’s first College Football Playoff rankings, with unbeaten Washington and Oregon next. The Buckeyes are No. 1 in for the fourth time in the 10-year history of the CFP, and first time since 2019. Two-time defending champion Georgia and Michigan have been Nos. 1 and 2 in the Associated Press poll since the preseason, but schedules light on big-time competition to this point worked against them with the 13-member selection committee. Florida State is in the topfour for the first time since the 2014 season . . . Ohio State running back Miyan Williams suffered an undisclosed season-ending injury that will require surgery, coach Ryan Day said. The fourthyear back was unavailable in Saturday’s 24-10 win at Wisconsin. The previous week he rushed for a season-high 62 yards and a touchdown in the 2012 win over Penn State . . . Central Michigan said it is investigating whether Michigan football staffer Connor Stalions was on its sideline scoping out Michigan State during its opener in September.

HORSE RACING Death narrows Breeders field

A horse set to run in this weekend’s Breeders’ Cup died at Santa Anita, Calif., and a short time later, Belmont Stakes winner Arcangelo dropped out of the Classic because of a foot issue. The colt had not trained the last few days after having the shoe on that foot removed last weekend. Practical Move was returning from a morning gallop when he collapsed near the eighth pole. Breeders’ Cup officials said they suspected “a cardiac event.”

MISCELLANY Thomas joins Atlanta TGL team

Justin Thomas is the first player to join one of the six teams in the new TGL golf league that starts in January. The two-time PGA champion is the first of four players to join Atlanta Drive Golf Club, which is among five of the six teams already named. The others are Boston, New York, Los Angeles, and San Francisco . . . Jessica Pegula converted her seventh match point to complete a 6-4, 6-3 victory over No. 1-ranked Aryna Sabalenka at the WTA Finals to close in on a semifinal berth . . . Alexander Zverev and Hubert Hurkacz stayed in contention for the three remaining spots at the season-ending ATP Finals by advancing to the second round of the Paris Masters, while Carlos Alcaraz’s hopes of finishing the season as the top-ranked player took a hit after a 6-3, 6-4 loss to qualifier Roman Safiullin in his return from injury.