🥐 Xabi walking a tightrope, World Cup farce... 5️⃣ stories this Friday

On the verge of the weekend, there are several key points to focus on, both regarding what has happened and what is yet to come.

Xabi Alonso is once again taking a gamble, the Negreira case is experiencing an intense day today, in addition to the aftermath of European competitions and a fiasco regarding the 2026 World Cup that leaves fans disappointed.

Xabi Alonso, once again in the spotlight

Every day is a new test where speculation grows and grows around Xabi. This Sunday against Alavés, his position is once again on the line; if he loses again, his departure would accelerate.

Laporta and Luis Enrique, before the judge

🎙️ @joanbatllori en @partidazocope sobre las declaraciones de Laporta, Luis Enrique y Valverde en el caso Negreira

💻 "Valverde y Luis Enrique lo harán de forma telemática"

😮 "Laporta dirá que los pagos fueron por los informes arbitrales"#PartidazoCOPEpic.twitter.com/y961Fe7VoH

— El Partidazo de COPE (@partidazocope) December 12, 2025

Another episode in the Negreira case, and today Joan Laporta will testify before the judge, as will Luis Enrique and Ernesto Valverde, the latter two doing so remotely.

Betis and Rayo save their honor

93' ⏱⚽️ ¡FINAL DEL PARTIDO! ¡LA 𝐕𝐈𝐂𝐓𝐎𝐑𝐈𝐀 SE VIENE PARA CASA! 👏🇪🇺🔝

🔵⚪ #DinamoZagrebRealBetis 1-3 💚🤍#DíaDeBetis#EuroBetispic.twitter.com/OhV3UGMlze

— Real Betis Balompié 🌴💚 (@RealBetis) December 11, 2025

Except for Celta, both Betis and Rayo managed to win their European away games, leaving a good impression. These were not easy matches, and in Rayo's case, Pacha Espino became the unexpected hero.

La Liga returns

Football never stops and today a new La Liga matchday returns with a truly important game for Real Sociedad and Girona. Both teams need the win, and especially in Girona, there is turmoil between Michel and some players.

FIFA makes the World Cup more expensive

🚨💰 NOTICIA. La FIFA acaba de aumentar nuevamente los precios para el Mundial de 2026.

Algunas entradas estándar para la fase de grupos ahora tienen un precio de $700 dólares.

Una entrada para la final de categoría inferior cuesta ahora 8.680 dólares, casi 2.000 dólares más… pic.twitter.com/qo0ZedLopM

— Futbol de Inglaterra (@Mercado_Ingles) December 12, 2025

The upcoming 2026 World Cup will bring together more national teams than ever before, and it is also on track to be the most expensive in history. Ticket prices keep rising, and there are already platforms asking FIFA to put a stop to this.

This article was translated into English by Artificial Intelligence. You can read the original version in 🇪🇸 here.

📸 Aitor Alcalde - 2025 Getty Images