SLIEMA (MALTA) (ITALPRESS/MNA) – The Running Europe Tour 2026 was officially unveiled in Malta on Tuesday, marking the launch of a new international road running circuit that will span five countries, five major events and nearly eight months of competition across Europe.

Designed to merge elite sport with tourism and cultural promotion, the inaugural edition of the tour is expected to attract around 30,000 athletes. The circuit will run from 22 February to 18 October 2026, taking participants through Malta, Greece, Italy, Poland and Sicily in what organisers describe as a “borderless European sporting journey.”

The tour will open on Sunday, 22 February, with the 41st LifeStar Malta Marathon, a flagship event featuring the marathon, half marathon and 5-kilometre races. Long regarded as a key winter destination for international runners, Malta will once again serve as the starting point for a global road running season.

The second leg moves to Greece on 5 April with the Kallithea Run in Athens. The event will include 10 km, 5 km and 2.5 km races, with both the start and finish located in Davaki Square, at the heart of the Kallithea district, offering a fast, urban course set against the backdrop of the Greek capital.

Italy will host the third stage on Saturday, 16 May, with Corriamo verso Montecassino. Scheduled to start at 5:00 pm, the FIDAL-certified 10 km race combines 1.5 km of flat running with an 8.5 km uphill climb, culminating in front of the historic Abbey of Montecassino, one of Italy’s most iconic landmarks.

The tour’s fourth stop will be in Poland, where the Running Europe Tour arrives in Warsaw on Saturday, 3 October. The Biegnij Warszawo 10 km race, starting at noon in the city centre, is one of the country’s most established and well-attended running events, drawing thousands of participants each year.

The circuit will conclude in Sicily on Sunday, 18 October, with the 13th Palermo International Half Marathon. The final event will feature a half marathon, 10 km and 5 km races, finishing along the Mondello beachfront, providing a scenic Mediterranean setting for the tour’s grand finale.

Beyond competition, the Running Europe Tour introduces a recognition system aimed at rewarding consistency and participation. Athletes who complete at least three of the five events will be honoured during the Palermo race. Participants finishing three races will receive the Gold award, four races the Platinum award, and those completing all five events will earn the Diamond Running Europe Tour award.

“The Running Europe Tour aims to become a benchmark format on the European scene,” the organisers said. “It connects major events, territories and running communities, using sport as a universal language and a powerful tool for dialogue among peoples.”

With its mix of elite-level racing, mass participation and cultural destinations, the Running Europe Tour 2026 positions itself as a new chapter in Europe’s road running landscape, uniting athletes across borders through a shared passion for the sport.

LifeStar Malta Marathon eyes records and global spotlight in 2026

With more than 4,000 runners already registered and projections exceeding 6,000 participants by race day, the Malta Marathon is on course to break its all-time participation record. Organisers anticipate over 3,500 international runners, particularly from the United Kingdom, Poland and Ireland, underlining the event’s growing stature as one of Europe’s leading road races and a significant driver of sports tourism.

The marathon will start from Mdina at 6:45am with a five-hour time limit, followed by the Half Marathon and the “Endo” Walkathon at 8:15am. The 5K Charity Run & Walk will begin in Sliema at 7:10am, while the programme will conclude with the Kids 1.5K Race at 8:20am in the finish area.

Beyond record participation, organisers highlighted their ambition to elevate the competitive level of the event. Elite international athletes are being targeted with the explicit goal of challenging and potentially breaking existing course records.

“The growth of the Malta Marathon is not only about numbers,” said race director Joe Micallef. “Our goal is to raise the competitive level year after year. For the 41st edition we are targeting elite athletes who can genuinely challenge the course records, taking advantage of a route and climate that are ideal for fast racing.”

LifeStar president Paolo Catalfamo, representing the event’s main sponsor, said the marathon has become a strong platform linking sport, health and tourism. “Investing in quality and elite performance is key to further enhancing the race’s prestige and its impact on Malta,” he said.

Event manager Nando Sorbello, who leads elite athlete recruitment, reinforced the technical vision behind the 2026 edition. “Our focus is on bringing athletes of absolute international value to the start line,” he said. “The objective is clear: to raise the overall competitive standard of the Malta Marathon.”

The marathon continues to enjoy strong institutional backing from the Embassy of the Republic of Italy in Malta and the Italian Chamber of Commerce, which view the event as a cultural and economic bridge between the two countries.

Vincenzo Catalano, president of the Comites of Malta, described the race as an annual milestone strengthening historic ties between Italy and Malta, while also announcing the return of the NOMA 2026 Prize alongside the marathon.

Media exposure will reach new heights in 2026. Malta’s national broadcaster will provide more than four hours of live coverage for the third consecutive year, following the race from the early-morning start in Mdina to the finish in Sliema. For the first time, the event will also be broadcast live in Italy, with TeleRadio del Mediterraneo deploying its own production team to cover the race.

With record numbers, elite ambitions and unprecedented international exposure, the 41st LifeStar Malta Marathon is shaping up as a defining chapter in the event’s history.

– photo LifeStar Malta Marathon press office –

(ITALPRESS).

Source: medNews

RABAT (MOROCCO) (ITALPRESS) – The Africa Cup of Nations (CAN), scheduled for December 21, 2025, to January 18, 2026, in Morocco, will be “the best ever” and “the record-breaking tournament.” Véron Mosengo-Omba, Secretary General of the African Football Confederation (CAF), stated this Tuesday in Rabat, announcing that over one million tickets have already been sold. Speaking at a press conference to review the latest preparations, Mosengo-Omba emphasized that the Moroccan edition of the CAN stands out for its world-class sporting infrastructure and unprecedented popular enthusiasm.

“We have never held a CAN with such a level of participation and interest,” he said, noting that this will be the first time the competition will be played across nine stadiums. He also noted that the event will be broadcast in 30 European countries, in addition to 54 African countries, while approximately 3,800 media outlets are already accredited to cover the proceedings.

According to the CAF Secretary General, all the stadiums hosting the competition are “world-class.” “The Moulay Abdellah complex is a true museum,” he stated, expressing confidence that CAN 2025 will set new records in terms of competitiveness, hospitality, and revenue.

For his part, the general coordinator of the Royal Moroccan Football Federation (FRMF), Mouad Hajji, emphasized that CAN Morocco 2025 “is not just a continental competition, but an event of global scope.”

He added that CAF and the Local Organizing Committee are making considerable efforts to ensure seamless travel for fans, leveraging the country’s road, rail, and hotel infrastructure. The 2025 Africa Cup of Nations Morocco will be held in nine stadiums located in six cities: Rabat, Casablanca, Tangier, Agadir, Fez and Marrakech.

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(ITALPRESS).

Source: medNews

DOHA (QATAR) (ITALPRESS) – Record-breaking prize money. The FIFA Council meeting in Doha has approved an unprecedented financial contribution for the 2026 World Cup: $727 million (around €618 million) will be distributed among the 48 national teams, a 50% increase compared to the 2022 edition in Qatar.

In particular, €557 million will be allocated as performance-based prizes: €42.5 million ($50 million) to the World Cup winners, €28 million to the runners-up, €24.5 million to the third-placed team and €23 million to the fourth. Teams eliminated in the quarter-finals will receive €16 million, those knocked out in the round of 16 €12.7 million, and teams eliminated in the round of 32 €9.3 million. Teams failing to progress beyond the group stage will receive €7.6 million.

FIFA will also pay a contribution of €1.27 million to all national teams to cover preparation costs, guaranteeing a total of €9 million to each federation taking part in the World Cup. “The 2026 World Cup will also be revolutionary from the point of view of financial contributions to the global football community,” FIFA President Gianni Infantino stressed.

The FIFA Council also confirmed the introduction of new Under-15 tournaments in a festival format, open to all 211 affiliated federations. The first edition, reserved for men’s teams, will take place in 2026, while the second, in 2027, will feature women’s teams. From 2028 onwards, all federations will be invited to take part with their U15 teams in two separate competitions, with shorter matches, smaller pitches and teams made up of seven to nine players per side.

The establishment of a post-conflict recovery fund was also approved, as announced by Infantino on October 13 during the peace summit in Sharm El-Sheikh. The fund will serve as a financial instrument to support regions affected by conflict.

With the expansion of participation in the Olympic tournaments starting from Los Angeles 2028, the FIFA Council confirmed the new allocation of slots. For women, the 16 places will be distributed as follows: 2.5 AFC, 2 CAF, 3 Concacaf, 2.5 Conmebol, 1 OFC, 4 UEFA and 1 for host nation USA. For men, the 12 slots will be allocated as follows: 2 AFC, 2 CAF, 1 Concacaf, 2 Conmebol, 1 OFC, 3 UEFA and 1 for the USA as host.

Finally, the launch of the FIFA Women’s Club World Cup was also officially announced, with the first edition set to take place from January 5 to 30, 2028.

– Photo IPA Agency –

(ITALPRESS).

Source: medNews

VALELTTA (MALTA) (ITALPRESS/MNA) – Revised European Union pharmaceuticals legislation is expected to significantly improve the availability of medicines in Malta, following the approval of amendments aimed at helping small and island member states.

MEPs endorsed the outcome of negotiations between the European Parliament, Commission and Council on an updated pharmaceuticals package. The deal includes amendments proposed by Maltese MEP Peter Agius to improve access to medicines and ease price pressures in smaller markets.

A key change will allow Malta to source medicines from across the EU, rather than being largely limited to English-speaking countries. This follows the introduction of a multilingual digital electronic code for patient information, removing long-standing language barriers.

“The market supplying Malta will suddenly expand from Ireland and the UK to all the 26 other Member States,” Agius said, calling the reform a major step forward for patients.

The legislation also introduces supply obligations for pharmaceutical companies. Firms that fail to meet requests from smaller states for new medicines could face the loss of patent protection.

Malta currently ranks among the lowest in Europe for medicine availability, with some drugs arriving up to five years later than elsewhere. Oncology medicines are particularly scarce, with availability rates far below EU averages.

The new rules, to be phased in from 2028, aim to give Malta stronger leverage with drug manufacturers. Agius stressed that effective national implementation will be crucial and urged safeguards to prevent supply disruptions during the transition.

– Photo IPA Agency –
(ITALPRESS).

Source: medNews

MANCHESTER (ENGLAND) (ITALPRESS) – Pep Guardiola will lose Jeremy Doku for at least three weeks. The Spanish manager announced that Doku, injured in the Champions League against Real Madrid and already absent against Crystal Palace, will be out until the new year. “I don’t know exactly when he’ll be back, maybe for the match against Sunderland,” he said yesterday, referring to the match scheduled for January 1st.

– photo IPA Agency –

(ITALPRESS).

Source: medNews

LAGOS (NIGERIA) (ITALPRESS) – Nigeria is trying to get back in the running for the 2026 World Cup. Mohammed Sanusi, secretary general of the Nigerian Football Federation, announced that a complaint has been filed with FIFA requesting the disqualification of the Democratic Republic of the Congo, the national team against which the Super Eagles lost the final for a spot in the intercontinental playoffs.

Sanusi accuses his rivals of fielding nine ineligible players, whose nationality changes had not been completed correctly. These include Wan-Bissaka of West Ham, born in England, and Masuaku of Sunderland, born in France. However, precedent does not favor Nigeria: at the 2022 World Cup, Chile accused Ecuador of fielding Byron Castillo improperly, but FIFA simply penalized Ecuador three points in the subsequent South American qualifiers. Congo awaits one of Jamaca and New Caledonia in the intercontinental playoffs in March: a place in Group H with Portugal, Colombia, and Uzbekistan is up for grabs.

– photo IPA Agency –

(ITALPRESS).

Source: medNews

OHA (QATAR) (ITALPRESS) – Santiago Montiel is the winner of the FIFA 2025 Puskas Award, thanks to his spectacular overhead kick for Independiente against Independiente Rivadavia. “The golazo,” FIFA emphasized, “came during a match in the Argentine Professional Football League in May 2025, when the 25-year-old cousin of Argentine world cup hero Gonzalo Montiel defied the laws of physics with a powerful left-footed shot from outside the penalty area.”

“I didn’t think about it, I just kicked,” Montiel said after his feat. Montiel’s goal trumped ten other nominees, including Alessandro Deiola’s right-footed curler after a splendid team effort in Cagliari’s 3-0 win over against Venezia on May 18. With this success, Montiel becomes the second consecutive Argentine to win the award, following in the footsteps of Alejandro Garnacho, winner in 2024. “The award,” FIFA emphasizes, “is named after the legendary Hungarian striker Ferenc Puskßs, renowned for his individual plays of rare beauty. The award celebrates the most spectacular goals scored during the eligibility period, between August 11, 2024, and August 2, 2025.”

– photo IPA Agency –

(ITALPRESS).

Source: medNews

PARIS (FRANCE) (ITALPRESS) – The Paris Labor Court has ordered PSG to pay Kylian Mbappé €61 million for unpaid wages and bonuses. This is the outcome of the record-breaking dispute between the Parisian club and the former PSG player, now at Real Madrid. PSG’s claim (€440 million) was rejected.

-Photo IPA Agency-
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Source: medNews

ROME (ITALPRESS) – Gianluigi Donnarumma has been named the best goalkeeper of 2025. The captain of the Italian national team and goalkeeper for Manchester City (who played for PSG during the first half of the year) will be one of the awardees at The Best FIFA Football Awards 2025 ceremony, set to take place today in Doha. Donnarumma won the award ahead of competitors such as Alisson Becker (Brazil, Liverpool), Thibaut Courtois (Belgium, Real Madrid), Emiliano Martinez (Argentina, Aston Villa), Manuel Neuer (Germany, Bayern Munich), David Raya (Spain, Arsenal), Yann Sommer (Switzerland, Inter Milan), and Wojciech Szczesny (Poland, Barcelona).

The winner was chosen by an international jury comprising national team coaches, captains, journalists, and fan votes cast on FIFA’s official website. A panel of experts selected the list of candidates based on the performances and achievements of goalkeepers from August 11, 2024, to August 2, 2025. While at PSG, Donnarumma won the league, the French Cup, and the Champions League.

“It’s a great honor to win this prestigious award, and I would like to thank everyone who voted for me,” said Donnarumma, as quoted by Manchester City’s website. “I’m extremely proud to be named the best in the world, ahead of such extraordinary goalkeepers, whom I have a great deal of respect and admiration for.”

“It has been an incredible year, one that will remain in my memory for a long time, and it’s exciting to be recognized for my role in the successes of 2025,” the Italian goalkeeper added. “I’m happy for this recognition, and now I will work hard to achieve more success with my new club, Manchester City.” This year, Donnarumma was also included in the FifPro Men’s World 11 for 2025 and received the Yashin Trophy 2025 during the Ballon d’Or awards ceremony.

– Photo IPA Agency –

(ITALPRESS).

 

Source: medNews

VALLETTA (MALTA) (ITALPRESS/MNA) – Deputy Prime Minister and Minister for Foreign Affairs and Tourism Ian Borg participated in the 16th session of the Sir Bani Yas Forum, held in Dubai at the end of last week.

Borg attended the forum at the invitation of the United Arab Emirates’ Deputy Prime Minister and Minister for Foreign Affairs, Sheikh Abdullah Bin Zayed Al Nahyan.

The forum focused on key geopolitical developments affecting peace and security in the Gulf region and the wider Middle East.

Around 120 participants took part, including foreign ministers, senior government officials, former ministers, entrepreneurs and academic experts.

During the forum, Borg also held bilateral meetings with a number of foreign affairs ministers.

He outlined Malta’s vision for strengthening ties with the Gulf region, including the UAE, highlighting recent initiatives aimed at enhancing regional political engagement.

Borg noted that Malta and the UAE are important commercial hubs and have strong potential to cooperate across various sectors.

He also stressed the importance of deeper cooperation between the European Union and the Gulf Cooperation Council, stating that Malta is ready to support high-level political efforts to achieve tangible outcomes.

-Photo Ministry of Foreign Affairs-
(ITALPRESS).

Source: medNews