Tag: football

Football Player Dies In Suspected Lightning Strike In Alor Gajah

ALOR GAJAH, July 6  -- A footballer died after he was believed to have been struck by lightning during a friendly between Rembau Indian Veteran FC and Tanjung Minyak FC at Padang Kompleks Rakan Muda Lendu here yesterday. Alor Gajah police chief Supt Ahmad Abu Bakar said R. Thanesh, 28, was confirmed dead in the 5.40 pm incident, while the match referee was injured and another individual involved escaped unharmed. He said police received information regarding the incident at 8.50 pm from the Alor Gajah Hospital authorities, who said that a man had been brought to the hospital unconscious after he was believed to have been struck by lightning. "Preliminary investigations found that the victim participated in the friendly match at 5.30 pm, and about 10 minutes into the game, it began to drizzle and a clap of thunder caused three individuals to collapse on the field. "The victim was taken to hospital in a private vehicle while the referee was sent to hospital by an ambulance. Another individual did not suffer any injuries and was reported to be in good condition,” he said when contacted. Ahmad said the victim's body has been sent to the Melaka Hospital for a post-mortem today and that the case has been classified as a sudden death. Earlier, Football Association of Malaysia (FAM) secretary-general Datuk Noor Azman Rahman said they will obtain a full report from the Melaka Football Association (MFA) and the match organiser to review the chronology of the incident and the actions taken, before identifying areas for improvement in game safety management. -- BERNAMA 

ALOR GAJAH, July 6  — A footballer died after he was believed to have been struck by lightning during a friendly between Rembau Indian Veteran FC and Tanjung Minyak FC at Padang Kompleks Rakan Muda Lendu here yesterday. Alor Gajah police chief Supt Ahmad Abu Bakar said R. Thanesh, 28, was confirmed dead in the 5.40 pm […]

WePlay Teams Up with Justin Quincy Hubner for an Indonesia Football-Themed Campaign 

JAKARTA, Indonesia, July 1 -- WePlay, a global social entertainment platform operated by WEJOY PTE. LTD, announced a football-themed collaboration with Indonesia national team player Justin Quincy Hubner, inviting Indonesian users to share their hopes and messages for the future of Indonesian football online. Centered on football passion, fan expression, and interactive online participation, the campaign began at 12:00 on June 11, 2026, and runs until 24:00 on June 24, 2026.  Justin Quincy Hubner was born on September 14, 2003. He plays as a centre-back and defensive midfielder, currently represents Dutch Eredivisie club Fortuna Sittard, and plays for the Indonesia national team. The WePlay x Justin Hubner collaboration centers on the theme of cheering for Indonesia's football dream. Through WePlay's in-app plaza and the official WePlay Instagram account, users are invited to share their hopes for Indonesia to qualify for the next World Cup finals, or to leave messages for Justin Hubner, using campaign hashtags, comments, and friend interactions to participate. WePlay will randomly select eligible participants to receive limited rewards, including WePlay x Justin Hubner co-branded jerseys, a co-branded signed jersey, a Football Star avatar frame, and 600-coin red packets. Looking ahead, WePlay will continue to explore more ways to connect sports, entertainment, games, and social interaction around the interests of young users worldwide. Through localized content and themed campaigns, WePlay hopes to offer users not only light and enjoyable online entertainment experiences, but also more opportunities to express themselves, connect with friends, and participate in community conversations around shared interests and real emotions. About WePlay WePlay is a global social entertainment platform operated by WEJOY PTE. LTD. With the mission to "bring joy and friends to young people around the world," WePlay is dedicated to helping young users find joy and connection through games, voice-based interaction, and online entertainment experiences. The platform brings together multiplayer interactive games, voice rooms, virtual rooms, and other features to provide an easy, accessible online social entertainment experience. With the vision to "bring people together through games, lead the trend of global online social entertainment," WePlay continues to focus on young users' interest expression and localized community interaction, extending the sense of connection created through online entertainment into richer cultural and community scenarios.  -- PRNewswire Source: WEJOY PTE. LTD  

JAKARTA, Indonesia, July 1 — WePlay, a global social entertainment platform operated by WEJOY PTE. LTD, announced a football-themed collaboration with Indonesia national team player Justin Quincy Hubner, inviting Indonesian users to share their hopes and messages for the future of Indonesian football online. Centered on football passion, fan expression, and interactive online participation, the campaign began […]

Chasing Football Summer: Trip.com Data Reveals Socceroos Fans Sparking Massive North American Travel Surge

SYDNEY, June 25 -- The excitement of the world's biggest football tournament has officially gripped Australia's sporting community. With host cities buzzing with record-breaking crowds and intense competition on the pitch, the energy surrounding the tournament is also driving a major surge in international travel.  Recent booking data from October 2025 to May 2026 by Trip.com, a leading global travel service provider, highlights that the total global order volume to host cities during the Group Stage (11 to 27 June) increased by almost 70% year-on-year, heavily outpacing the growth during the Knockout Rounds (4 to 19 July). The front-loaded momentum among Socceroos fans is even more pronounced. Total order volume from Australia to host cities during the Group Stage has skyrocketed by 98.5% year-on-year, compared with growth of just over 5% during the Knockout Rounds. The data suggests travel demand is being driven primarily by Aussie fans wanting to experience the opening stages of the tournament and support their national teams in person, rather than by traditional mid-year holiday travel patterns. Fans Planning Ahead for Football Pilgrimage The sheer scale of these long-haul trips is heavily reflected in booking lead times. For Australian travellers, securing a front-row seat required serious forward planning; those heading to the Group Stage booked flights 124 days in advance on average, while those planning for the Knockout Rounds booked even earlier, averaging a 143-day lead time. This intense wave of advance planning is creating standout growth stories across host destinations. In Mexico, some host cities have recorded hotel demand increases of more than 4,000% year-on-year during the opening weeks of the tournament before moderating in July.         Los Angeles and Vancouver Lead Aussie Arrivals To establish their tournament bases, Australian travellers are overwhelmingly choosing major North American gateway cities with strong trans-Pacific flight connectivity and convenient access to multiple host destinations. Trip.com flight booking data ranks Los Angeles as the most popular arrival city for Australian fans, followed by Vancouver, New York, San Francisco and Toronto. Los Angeles and Vancouver maintain their top positions throughout both the Group Stage and Knockout Rounds, serving as attractive starting points for fans navigating the tournament across the three host countries. Aussie Travellers Embrace Multi-City Travel A clear global trend defining this tournament is the rise of "fixture-following" behaviour, with supporters mapping out their journeys around the specific regions where their teams play. Once on the ground, this behaviour translates into a unique appetite for multi-city travel among Australian fans.        During the Group Stage, 14% of Australian users booked multi-city itineraries, one of the highest globally. Unlike many other international markets, where multi-city travel declines during the Knockout Rounds, Australian travellers maintained this behaviour, with the share rising slightly to 14.9%. Popular combinations include Los Angeles and New York, Los Angeles and San Francisco, and cross-border itineraries linking Los Angeles and Vancouver. This trend highlights a distinct long-haul travel mindset: Australian fans are not just attending matches—they are turning the tournament into a broader North American travel experience. About Trip.com Trip.com is an international one-stop travel service provider, available in 27 languages across 48 countries and regions in 44 local currencies. Offering an extensive hotel and flight network of more than 1.7 million hotels and flights from over 680 airlines, along with over 350,000 in-destination activities, Trip.com covers 3,500 airports in 220 countries and regions. Trip.com's world-class 24/7 multilingual customer service helps to 'create the best travel experience' for its millions of customers worldwide. To book your next trip, visit Trip.com. SYDNEY, June 25 -- The excitement of the world's biggest football tournament has officially gripped Australia's sporting community. With host cities buzzing with record-breaking crowds and intense competition on the pitch, the energy surrounding the tournament is also driving a major surge in international travel.  Recent booking data from October 2025 to May 2026 by Trip.com, a leading global travel service provider, highlights that the total global order volume to host cities during the Group Stage (11 to 27 June) increased by almost 70% year-on-year, heavily outpacing the growth during the Knockout Rounds (4 to 19 July). The front-loaded momentum among Socceroos fans is even more pronounced. Total order volume from Australia to host cities during the Group Stage has skyrocketed by 98.5% year-on-year, compared with growth of just over 5% during the Knockout Rounds. The data suggests travel demand is being driven primarily by Aussie fans wanting to experience the opening stages of the tournament and support their national teams in person, rather than by traditional mid-year holiday travel patterns. Fans Planning Ahead for Football Pilgrimage The sheer scale of these long-haul trips is heavily reflected in booking lead times. For Australian travellers, securing a front-row seat required serious forward planning; those heading to the Group Stage booked flights 124 days in advance on average, while those planning for the Knockout Rounds booked even earlier, averaging a 143-day lead time. This intense wave of advance planning is creating standout growth stories across host destinations. In Mexico, some host cities have recorded hotel demand increases of more than 4,000% year-on-year during the opening weeks of the tournament before moderating in July.         Los Angeles and Vancouver Lead Aussie Arrivals To establish their tournament bases, Australian travellers are overwhelmingly choosing major North American gateway cities with strong trans-Pacific flight connectivity and convenient access to multiple host destinations. Trip.com flight booking data ranks Los Angeles as the most popular arrival city for Australian fans, followed by Vancouver, New York, San Francisco and Toronto. Los Angeles and Vancouver maintain their top positions throughout both the Group Stage and Knockout Rounds, serving as attractive starting points for fans navigating the tournament across the three host countries. Aussie Travellers Embrace Multi-City Travel A clear global trend defining this tournament is the rise of "fixture-following" behaviour, with supporters mapping out their journeys around the specific regions where their teams play. Once on the ground, this behaviour translates into a unique appetite for multi-city travel among Australian fans.        During the Group Stage, 14% of Australian users booked multi-city itineraries, one of the highest globally. Unlike many other international markets, where multi-city travel declines during the Knockout Rounds, Australian travellers maintained this behaviour, with the share rising slightly to 14.9%. Popular combinations include Los Angeles and New York, Los Angeles and San Francisco, and cross-border itineraries linking Los Angeles and Vancouver. This trend highlights a distinct long-haul travel mindset: Australian fans are not just attending matches—they are turning the tournament into a broader North American travel experience. About Trip.com Trip.com is an international one-stop travel service provider, available in 27 languages across 48 countries and regions in 44 local currencies. Offering an extensive hotel and flight network of more than 1.7 million hotels and flights from over 680 airlines, along with over 350,000 in-destination activities, Trip.com covers 3,500 airports in 220 countries and regions. Trip.com's world-class 24/7 multilingual customer service helps to 'create the best travel experience' for its millions of customers worldwide. To book your next trip, visit Trip.com. -- PRNewswire -- Source: Trip.com  -- PRNewswire -- Source: Trip.com 

SYDNEY, June 25 — The excitement of the world’s biggest football tournament has officially gripped Australia’s sporting community. With host cities buzzing with record-breaking crowds and intense competition on the pitch, the energy surrounding the tournament is also driving a major surge in international travel. Recent booking data from October 2025 to May 2026 by Trip.com, a […]

2026 World Cup: Switzerland, Canada advance to knockout rounds

VANCOUVER, CANADA: Ruben Vargas and Johan Manzambi scored to give Switzerland a 2-1 win over Canada in FIFA World Cup Group B on Wednesday as both teams advanced to the knockout stages, Xinhua reported. Manzambi, 20, who came off the bench to score twice in Switzerland's 4-1 win over Bosnia and Herzegovina on Thursday, dominated the early game against Canada. Assisted by Manzambi, Vargas broke the deadlock early in the second half, when his shot went past the Canadian goalkeeper, hit the post and went over the line. In the 57th minute, Breel Embolo crossed for Manzambi, who finished to make it 2-0. Swiss defender Manuel Akanji praised Manzambi after the match. "We need a player like this who is creative, he sees things that maybe others don't see or can't do." Canada scored again in the 76th minute when Jonathan David scored with his first touch shortly after coming on as a substitute. "We didn't get at least a draw, which means we have to get out of here (Canada) for the next game," said David. "We were a bit disappointed about that. But we scored a lot of goals in all three games, I think we showed a new level of attacking football." Also in Group B, Qatar finished bottom and were eliminated after losing 3-1 to Bosnia and Herzegovina, who are third with four points and still have hopes of reaching the knockout stages. Switzerland will play one of the best third-place teams from Groups E, F, G, I or J in Vancouver in the round of 32. Canada, who need a win or a draw to top the group and remain in action at home, now have to travel to Los Angeles for their next match against the Group A runners-up. -- BERNAMA-XINHUA

VANCOUVER, CANADA: Ruben Vargas and Johan Manzambi scored to give Switzerland a 2-1 win over Canada in FIFA World Cup Group B on Wednesday as both teams advanced to the knockout stages, Xinhua reported. Manzambi, 20, who came off the bench to score twice in Switzerland’s 4-1 win over Bosnia and Herzegovina on Thursday, dominated […]

Take to the Pitch, Feel GAC’s Power: Where Cars and Football Create the Perfect Synergy

GUANGZHOU, China, June 15 -- The world's most anticipated football spectacle is now in full swing. On the pitch, players sprint, turn and score with everything they have, constantly pushing the limits of athletic performance. This relentless competitive spirit perfectly mirrors the core of a great automobile. Riding the wave of this global celebration, Chinese automaker GAC has made a distinctive deep dive. We partner with top clubs including Australia's Sydney FC, Mexico's Toluca FC, Brazil's CR Flamengo and Colombia's Millonarios FC, bringing the pace of the game and a champion's mentality to every model, and creating a powerful resonance between football passion and product strength.    In terms of speed and power, the GAC EMPOW is powered by the Mega Wave 2.0TGDI engine, accelerating from 0 to 100 km/h in just 6.95 seconds — like a striker's lightning burst, bringing the excitement of the pitch to everyday driving. For precise control, the AION i60 comes standard with an electric power steering system, L2 driver assistance and full-speed adaptive cruise control, delivering effortless handling and midfield maestro-like command.    On range and reliability, the AION V features Magazine Battery 2.0 technology and a CLTC combined range of over 600 km, eliminating range anxiety. Its rigorously tested dependability ensures steady performance, just like a player running nonstop throughout the match. For safety, the GAC S7 is equipped with 10 airbags and whole-vehicle torsional rigidity of 35,000 N•m/deg, mirroring a team's coordinated defense to provide 360° protection for all occupants. Meanwhile, the HYPTEC HT is equipped with Bosch's latest-generation Intelligent Integrated Brake System (IPB), inheriting the calm resilience of a core player under pressure to master complex road conditions and emergencies. As the football festival reaches its climax, GAC invites you to share this passionate journey through automobiles. This summer of football, let the game reveal GAC's commitment to quality and unshakable confidence. For further information about GAC, please visit: https://www.gacgroup.com/en or follow us on social. -- PRNewswire -- Source: GAC  

GUANGZHOU, China, June 15 — The world’s most anticipated football spectacle is now in full swing. On the pitch, players sprint, turn and score with everything they have, constantly pushing the limits of athletic performance. This relentless competitive spirit perfectly mirrors the core of a great automobile. Riding the wave of this global celebration, Chinese automaker […]

Harimau Malaya Up To 136th In FIFA World Rankings After Two-place Rise

KUALA LUMPUR, June 12 -- Malaysia’s Harimau Malaya football team has climbed to 136th place in the latest world rankings issued by the International Federation of Association Football (FIFA). In the latest update today, the national team has collected 1,086.22 points, moving up two places from their previous position of 138th in the world. The rise was driven by results involving other teams, including India and Latvia, as Malaysia did not play during the international window. Thailand remains Southeast Asia’s top-ranked team at 94th, ahead of Vietnam (99), Indonesia (118), the Philippines (135) and Singapore (148). Japan holds its position as Asia’s top-ranked side at 18th in the world, followed by Iran in 20th and South Korea in 25th. -- BERNAMA

KUALA LUMPUR, June 12 — Malaysia’s Harimau Malaya football team has climbed to 136th place in the latest world rankings issued by the International Federation of Association Football (FIFA). In the latest update today, the national team has collected 1,086.22 points, moving up two places from their previous position of 138th in the world. The rise […]

Hamidin given responsibility at the 2026 World Cup

KUALA LUMPUR, Jun 13 -- Honorary President of the Football Association of Malaysia (FAM) Tan Sri Hamidin Mohd Amin has been entrusted with the position of head of delegation and representative to the President of the International Football Federation (FIFA), Gianni Infantino, for several venues of the 2026 FIFA World Cup in the United States. Hamidin said he was entrusted by Infantino to ensure the smooth organisation and conduct of all matches in two cities, namely Los Angeles and San Francisco, in line with his role as a FIFA Council Member.    "I am one of the FIFA Council Members. So, this edition involves 16 distant locations and that is why I was appointed as the head of the delegation and the FIFA President's representative responsible for Los Angeles and San Francisco." "My duties include monitoring the smooth running of the matches at both venues starting from the group stage. After that, until the quarter-finals, I will be based in Los Angeles. I will also be involved until the semi-finals and finals," he said when met recently. The 2026 FIFA World Cup competition opened early this morning with the opening match of Group A between hosts Mexico and South Africa which took place at 3 am Malaysian time. The 2026 FIFA World Cup is the largest edition in its history with the participation of 48 teams. -- BERNAMA

KUALA LUMPUR, Jun 12 — Honorary President of the Football Association of Malaysia (FAM) Tan Sri Hamidin Mohd Amin has been entrusted with the position of head of delegation and representative to the President of the International Football Federation (FIFA), Gianni Infantino, for several venues of the 2026 FIFA World Cup in the United States. […]

RTM, Unifi TV Official Broadcasters Of FIFA World Cup 2026 In Malaysia – Fahmi

KUALA LUMPUR, May 6 -- Radio Televisyen Malaysia (RTM) and Unifi TV have been made the official broadcasters of the FIFA World Cup 2026 in Malaysia in an effort by the government to ensure the public can enjoy the tournament in an inclusive, legitimate and comprehensive manner. Communications Minister Datuk Fahmi Fadzil said the decision was made through collaboration with the private sector to ensure high-quality broadcasting and a wider reach to the audience nationwide. He said the tournament would be broadcast on various platforms, including free-to-air via MyTV as well as OTT platforms through RTM Klik and Unifi TV. “Comprehensive coverage covering all 104 matches will be broadcast live on Unifi TV, while RTM will air the majority of matches either live or on a delayed basis. This provides a variety of viewing options for fans,” he said at a weekly press conference at Angkasapuri here today. Also present were Deputy Communications Minister Teo Nie Ching, Communications Ministry Secretary-General Datuk Abdul Halim Hamzah, Bernama Chief Executive Officer Datin Paduka Nur-ul Afida Kamaludin, Bernama Deputy Editor-in-Chief of News Services Mohd Shukri Ishak and RTM Director-General Ashwad Ismail. Elaborating further, Fahmi said the Grandstand programme would be produced from Angkasapuri with primary delivery in Malay as well as partially in English, while the latest updates would also be shared through the Selamat Pagi Malaysia programme. “In addition, public viewing events will be organised at selected locations on a modest scale to enhance fan engagement,” he said. He said several main sponsors to support the effort had been identified and were being finalised, with an announcement expected in the near future. Commenting on the cost, Fahmi, who is also MADANI Government spokesman, said the government had allocated RM24 million, which had been approved earlier, for the purpose. “There are several elements, including sponsorships from relevant parties, and we will announce these sponsorships in the near future. But on the government’s side, the expenditure is RM24 million,” he said. Meanwhile, he also stressed the importance of compliance with anti-piracy regulations for all content related to the sporting event. “All parties are urged to play their roles responsibly and enforcement action will continue to be strengthened against any violations,” he said, expressing hope that the tournament would unite the people through the spirit of sport and togetherness. The United States (US) will co-host the 2026 World Cup with Mexico and Canada, with the opening match taking place in Mexico City on June 11, while the final is scheduled to be held in New Jersey on July 19. -- BERNAMA

KUALA LUMPUR, May 6 — Radio Televisyen Malaysia (RTM) and Unifi TV have been made the official broadcasters of the FIFA World Cup 2026 in Malaysia in an effort by the government to ensure the public can enjoy the tournament in an inclusive, legitimate and comprehensive manner. Communications Minister Datuk Fahmi Fadzil said the decision […]