FIFA World Cup

Serbia, Greece, Bulgaria and Romania will create a joint organizing committee to apply for hosting the European FootballChampionship in 2028 or the World Cup in 2030, Serbian President Aleksandar Vucic said Saturday.

Earlier in the day, Belgrade hosted a meeting between the prime ministers of Greece, Romania, Bulgaria and the Serbian president.

A bid by Balkan countries to host the 2030 soccer World Cup would have a realistic chance because the governments of Bulgaria, Greece, Serbia and Romania would offer support for the joint candidature, Bulgaria's Sports Minister Krasen Kralev said on Wednesday, reports Reuters. 

Qatar is planning an economic and diplomatic overture to Greece as part of its new extrovert policy following its economic isolation by other states in the Gulf region.

Bulgaria will participate in a joint bid, together with Romania, Greece and Serbia, to host the World Cup in 2030. This was announced by Prime Minister Boyko Borisov at the press conference after the four-party meeting in Evksinograd.

Mesut Özil has thanked Jerome Boateng for public support in the wake of Özil's controversial retirement from international football.

German-Turkish footballer Mesut Özil's decision to quit the German national team citing racism is a wakeup call for the country, according to a prominent sports pundit.

Mesut Özil thanked Arsenal fans for their "love" at a pre-season friendly after a torrid week following his racism allegations against Germany's football body.

New-look Arsenal left out controversy-hit Mesut Özil but still impressed before they were edged 3-1 on penalties by Europa League champions Atletico Madrid in a friendly on Thursday.

President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan has said German-Turkish footballer Mesut Özil has displayed a "national and native stance" by quitting the German national team over what he called racism in Germany.

Turkish Football Federation (TFF) chair Yıldırım Demirören has voiced support for Turkish-German star Mesut Özil, who has retired from the German national team.