Eurotopics.net

For lack of rival candidates the final decision was a mere formality: on Wednesday, Fifa awarded the 2030 men's football World Cup to Spain, Portugal and Morocco (with individual matches in South America) and the 2034 tournament to Saudi Arabia. The fact that the decision to award the 2034 World Cup to the Gulf state was already a given does little to quell indignation in Europe's press.

In the wake of Assad's fall from power, several European states have suspended asylum proceedings for Syrians and plan to rethink their policies regarding refugees from the country. Around six million people have fled Syria since the outbreak of civil war in 2011. Commentators question whether the conditions for a safe return are in place - and whether this is the debate Europe should be focusing on right now.

Almost five years after Brexit, the UK wants to rebuild closer ties with the EU on trade and defence policy. On Monday Rachel Reeves became the first Chancellor of the Exchequer to take part in a Eurogroup meeting since Brexit was finalised. The British press voices scepticism for a variety of reasons.

The Swedish government's plans to promote the construction of new nuclear reactors with state subsidies and profit guarantees for participating companies have met with widespread criticism. Many experts, companies and authorities fear that the planned expansion of nuclear power will be too expensive and only hamper the development of renewable energies. The Swedish press is divided.