Closing Bell

The IOC has “decided it will select the host city for the 2036 Summer Olympics at its session in 2029,” as the organization “reviews its bidding process for future games,” according to sources cited by KYODO NEWS. In recent years, host city picks have “effectively been rubber-stamped by the IOC Session after the Future Host Commission and the Executive Board narrowed candidates to a single preferred bidder.” The sources said that the IOC “may revive a voting system in which members choose from multiple final candidates.” They added that the IOC is also “considering introducing limits on the number of additional sports that host organizing committees can propose for the Olympics” (KYODO NEWS, 6/19).

The Football Federation of Iran has “filed a formal complaint with FIFA against the restrictions its players have been subjected to” during the World Cup. Iran can only fly into the U.S. the day before a match and must leave immediately following the end of the game. Multiple staff members were denied visas and the country’s ticket allocation for the group stage was “revoked just days before the opening fixture.” The federation said it believes its travel restrictions are “inconsistent with the principle of providing equal conditions for all participating teams and may negatively affect teams’ preparation processes” (SI, 6/19).

Glasgow and Boston are “officially becoming sister cities,” with Boston Mayor Michelle Wu signing a “letter of intent” at Boston’s only dedicated Scottish bar on Thursday. That bar, called The Haven, has been the “unofficial Tartan Army headquarters” during the World Cup. A formal agreement “will follow next April during Tartan Week.” Wu said the sister city agreement is “an enduring partnership from there on out.” She also called Scotland First Minister John Swinney a “lovely leader” and said it was an “honour” to welcome him to Boston’s City Hall (THE SCOTSMAN, 6/19).

Morocco is said to be “pushing extremely hard” to host the 2030 World Cup final, but the Spanish FA is “adamant that the prize is theirs.” Spain, Portugal and Morocco are hosting the 2030 World Cup. FIFA insiders say that it is “50-50 between the redeveloped Bernabéu in Madrid” and a new stadium in Morocco. Morocco’s Grand Stade Hassan II de Casablanca, which is slated to open in 2028, would be one of the largest soccer stadiums in the world with a stadium capacity of 115,000. Spanish FA President Rafael Louzán insisted earlier this year that Spain “will be the leader of the 2030 World Cup and the final of that World Cup will be here” (London TIMES, 6/19).

Premier League club Newcastle United FC “held talks” with Arctos Partners over “potential investment into the club and its stadium,” according to sources cited by BLOOMBERG NEWS. The sources added that the talks were “at an exploratory stage, and may not result in a deal or any direct investment.” NUFC has also reached out to “other sports investors over potential investment.” Newcastle’s owner, Saudi Arabia’s PIF, is “attempting to put in place funding for the redevelopment” of the club’s St. James’ Park stadium “or the building of a new one.” PIF has been “considering a range of options, including selling a minority stake in Newcastle as part of its stadium redevelopment plans, which will require hundreds of millions of outside investment.” A source noted if Newcastle sells a stake, it would be in the “form of new investment, rather than any current investor selling out of the club” (BLOOMBERG NEWS, 6/19).