Deulofeu injured a muscle in his right leg in Evertons 4-1

ZURICH -- North America became a stronger favorite to host an expanded World Cup in 2026 after FIFA essentially barred European countries from bidding on Friday.The FIFA Council agreed that UEFA and Asian confederation members should not bid again so soon after Russia hosts the 2018 World Cup and Qatar has the 2022 tournament.That has changed the landscape (of the 2026 contest) a little bit, said U.S. Soccer Federation president Sunil Gulati, a FIFA Council member.FIFA said Europe would be put on standby only if none of the received bids fulfill the strict technical and financial requirements.Thats unlikely if the United States bids as expected, either alone or with Canada and Mexico.FIFA favors co-hosting among regional neighbors, and a three-way bid could be more popular if the tournament grows to 40 or 48 teams.A decision will be made on whether to expand the tournament on Jan. 9-10 when the FIFA Council next meets in Zurich.FIFA has targeted 2020 for its member federations to choose the 2026 host.FIFA President Gianni Infantino, who was elected this year after promising voters a 40-team World Cup, would not declare North America as the most likely host region.It is still too early to say that, Infantino said. We hope we have many bidders and we can choose ... who the best bidder is.Still, the North American regional body CONCACAF has long been seen as the natural host for 2026 and its claim got stronger Friday. The United States was the last country in the region to stage the tournament in 1994.The answer is `Sure, it would be silly to say anything but that, Gulati said of a contest that could also include bids from Africa and South America.CONCACAF lost out when a hosting rotation system approved during Sepp Blatters presidency was abandoned before its scheduled turn in 2018 came around.Back then, FIFA preferred to block continents from two World Cup bidding contests after hosting, but when statutes were updated in recent reforms the rule said only one tournament had to be skipped.Gulati said the new clarity in bidding would encourage an entry from the United States.We now know some of the rules, said Gulati, FIFAs top American official. We will look at it. We have great relationships with Canada and Mexico. We also have a country with 320 million people that has hosted a World Cup and with a lot of terrific stadiums and great infrastructure.A U.S.-hosted World Cup would likely set attendance records -- in 1994 there were 3.59 million total fans and an average of 69,000 per match.Infantino said Friday that a bigger World Cup -- potentially of 48 teams and 80 matches with an opening playoff round -- would be for sporting reasons, not a financial or political decision.Still, he foresaw more revenue from FIFAs current $5 billion per tournament, which could help increase the funding he promised to FIFA members.Whatever additional costs there will be, will be largely outweighed by additional revenues, obviously. Which means we are in a comfortable position, Infantino said.Other decisions Friday:- FIFAs 2017 congress will be held in Manama, Bahrain -- the home city of FIFA vice president Sheik Salman bin Ebrahim Al Khalifa of Bahrain -- on May 11. The original venue of Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia, pulled out citing problems with issuing visas to delegates.- The rebranded FIFA annual awards ceremony, formerly known as the Ballon dOr, will still be held in Zurich on Jan. 9. FIFA had explored a move to London.- The dates of CONCACAFs Gold Cup tournament in 2017 have been modified. It will kick off two days earlier, end four days earlier and be played July 7-26. Nick Wittgren Jersey . Robredo, ranked No. 16, bounced back from an upset loss to Leonardo Mayer in the second round of the Royal Guard Open in Chile last week to down Carreno Busta in 1 hour, 25 minutes. On a day filled mostly with qualifying matches, fifth-seeded Marcel Granollers of Spain also entered the second with a 7-5, 3-6, 6-2 win over Aljaz Bedene of Slovenia, while Guido Pella of Argentina defeated Guillermo Garcia-Lopez of Spain 7-6 (6), 6-4 to advance. Tom Candiotti Jersey . Deulofeu injured a muscle in his right leg in Evertons 4-1 win over Fulham in the English Premier League on Saturday. Barcelona says that its team doctors will "co-ordinate" with Evertons medical staff as Deulofeu recovers. https://www.cheapindiansonline.com/ . The giant slalom world champion slipped during her first run in the morning, landing on her back and then twisting forward before getting her leg caught in the protective material on the side of the slope. Cory Snyder Jersey . The 26-year-old Ireland striker, who has four goals this season, has signed a three-and-a-half year contract with his new club. John Lowenstein Jersey .com) - Richie Incognito has reportedly been admitted to a psychiatric care unit in Arizona. ANAHEIM, Calif. -- Garrett Richards is expected to be ready for spring training after the Los Angeles Angels right-hander completed his instructional league work with no problems in his right elbow.Richards had a platelet-rich plasma injection on Friday, the Angels announced. Richards also was examined by Dr. Steve Yoon, who saw continued healing in the pitchers partially torn elbow ligament.Richards is hoping to avoid Tommy John surgery with rest, stem-cell therrapy and PRP injections.dddddddddddd He completed three instructional league outings this month with no setbacks.Richards will rest his arm for the next 8 to 10 weeks before starting his regular offseason program in January.After starting for the Angels on opening day, Richards made just six appearances before he was shut down in May. ' ' '