Sports News Roundup: Soccer-Poland keeper Szczesny says Qatar will be his last World Cup; Tennis-Nadal eliminated from ATP Finals, Alcaraz to finish year at No. 1 and more

The 24-year-old, a former U.S. college player with the University of Kentucky, broke the news to his team mates on Wednesday in a video posted on Melbourne United's social media. Soccer-World Cup 2022 betting odds: which team are favourites to win? Following are the betting odds for the winners of the 2022 FIFA World Cup and the top goalscorer at the tournament, which will be held in Qatar from Nov. 20-Dec. 18.

Following is a summary of current sports news briefs.

Soccer-Poland keeper Szczesny says Qatar will be his last World Cup

Poland goalkeeper Wojciech Szczesny said the World Cup in Qatar is likely to be his last, but added that he is not yet ready to end his international career. "I can't imagine being able to play football in 2026 with the same fire I feel today, and that means I won't be playing football," Szczesny, who plays for Juventus, told TVP Sport in an interview that will be aired in full on Saturday.

Tennis-Nadal eliminated from ATP Finals, Alcaraz to finish year at No. 1

Rafa Nadal was eliminated from the ATP Finals as Casper Ruud beat American Taylor Fritz in their round-robin match in Turin on Tuesday, which also guaranteed that teenager Carlos Alcaraz would end the year as world number one. Spaniard Nadal needed to win the tournament to take the rankings top spot from compatriot Alcaraz, but straight-set losses to Fritz on Sunday and Felix Auger-Aliassime earlier on Tuesday left him needing Ruud to lose in straight sets to keep his hopes alive.

Soccer-Australia fly in Tilio to World Cup, Boyle in doubt

Australia have flown Melbourne City winger Marco Tilio to Qatar as injury cover at the World Cup with Martin Boyle a doubt for the France opener with a knee problem. Scotland-based Boyle is one of Graham Arnold's first-choice forwards but did not train with the squad on Tuesday.

Soccer-No January signings for Barca due to financial fair play, says Laporta

Barcelona president Joan Laporta said on Tuesday that the club may not be able to sign players in the January transfer window due to LaLiga's financial fair play rules. Barca's accounts are "healthy" again, Laporta said, with an expected income this season of 1.23 billion euros ($1.27 billion) and a budgeted profit of 274 million.

Soccer-Iran players can protest at World Cup says coach Queiroz

Iran's players are free to join in the protests sweeping their country over women's rights while they are playing at the World Cup in Qatar but must do so within the rules of the tournament, national team coach Carlos Queiroz said on Tuesday. The rights activist HRANA news agency said 344 people have been killed and 15,280 arrested over the last two months of nationwide protests triggered by the death of 22-year-old Kurdish woman Mahsa Amini in the custody of the morality police.

Soccer-France forward Nkunku out of World Cup with knee injury

France forward Christopher Nkunku will miss the World Cup after suffering an injury in training on Tuesday, the French federation (FFF) said. The RB Leipzig forward left Tuesday's training session early with a left knee injury. A video circulating on social media showed Nkunku clash with team mate Eduardo Camavinga.

Soccer-New York City reaches deal to build soccer stadium - source

New York City officials have reached an agreement to build the city's first professional soccer stadium in Queens, a person with knowledge of the deal told Reuters on Tuesday. The 25,000-seat stadium will be home for Major League Soccer's New York City Football Club and is set to be completed in 2027.

Soccer-Messi picks Brazil, France and England as WC favourites

Argentina's Lionel Messi picks out Brazil, France and England as the biggest threats to his dream of finally adding a World Cup winners' medal to his bulging trophy cabinet. The 35-year-old Paris St Germain forward will again shoulder Argentina's hopes in Qatar as they bid to deliver the South American country's third world title and first since 1986.

Basketball-Humphries becomes first player to come out as gay in Australia's NBL

Melbourne United centre Isaac Humphries became Australia's first active male professional basketballer to come out as gay on Wednesday, expressing relief at putting behind him "extremely dark times" when he struggled with his sexuality. The 24-year-old, a former U.S. college player with the University of Kentucky, broke the news to his teammates on Wednesday in a video posted on Melbourne United's social media.

Soccer-World Cup 2022 betting odds: which team are favourites to win?

Following are the betting odds for the winners of the 2022 FIFA World Cup and the top goalscorer at the tournament, which will be held in Qatar from Nov. 20-Dec. 18. WILLIAM HILL