London (AFP) – England start on the road to Euro 2020 against Spain with a spring in their step less than two months after a World Cup campaign that rekindled the nation's love for the team. A run to the last four in Russia before the crushing disappointment of semi-final defeat to Croatia restored pride […]

Amsterdam (AFP) – Wesley Sneijder turned out for the Netherlands for the 134th and final time on Thursday as Memphis Depay's brace secured a 2-1 friendly win over Peru in Amsterdam. On an emotional night at the Johan Cruyff Arena, Dutch coach Ronald Koeman handed over the captain's armband to Sneijder, who is now 34. […]

New York (AFP) – US national team general manager Earnie Stewart said Thursday he wants a new coach hired by the end of the year but has not yet started interviewing candidates. The Americans revamped the national team program after failing to qualify for this year's World Cup in Russia, creating Stewart's job and giving […]

Bologna (Italy) (AFP) – Roberto Mancini said Thursday he was expecting an "emotional" debut in his first competitive game as Italy coach on the eve of the Nations League opener against Poland in Bologna where his senior football career began. The 53-year-old former Inter Milan and Manchester City manager started his Serie A career in […]

Paris (AFP) – World Cup winners France were held to a 0-0 draw by Germany in Munich in a flat start to the new UEFA Nations League on Thursday, as Gareth Bale starred in a big win for Wales. The heavyweight showdown at the Allianz Arena between the last two winners of the World Cup […]

Munich (Germany) (AFP) – Goalkeeper Alphonse Areola spared his side’s blushes with a string of fine second-half saves as France battled to a 0-0 draw with Germany in their Nations League opener on Thursday. While France took to the field for the first time as newly-crowned world champions, Germany were looking to rebuild after a […]

Cardiff (United Kingdom) (AFP) – Gareth Bale grabbed centre-stage as vibrant Wales tore Ireland apart in the first competitive game of the Ryan Giggs era on Thursday, launching their UEFA Nations League campaign in style with a 4-1 win. The home side ensured the game was over as a meaningful contest by half-time, blowing Ireland […]

Cairo (AFP) – Mohamed Salah has emerged the victor in his bitter dispute with the Egypt Football Association as the Pharaohs make their return after exiting the World Cup winless. The Liverpool striker had clashed with his country's FA over image rights violations and personal security. The stand-off escalated last month when Salah and his […]

New York (AFP) – Superstar attacker Neymar leads a powerful Brazil side into a pair of North American friendlies starting Friday against a young United States lineup eager to test itself against world powers. The 26-year-old maestro for Paris Saint-Germain is among 13 players on the Brazilian roster from this year's World Cup side. Others […]

Santiago (AFP) – Japan and Chile's football associations announced on Thursday they were calling off Friday's friendly in Sapporo following the earthquake on the northern island of Hokkaido that left at least 11 people dead. Sapporo is the capital of Hokkaido where as many as 30 people are feared buried under earth and rubble after […]

London (AFP) – Jonny Bairstow will keep wicket for England in the fifth and final Test against India at The Oval, the England and Wales Cricket Board announced Thursday. Bairstow broke a finger keeping during India's 203-run win in the third Test at Trent Bridge, with England limited-overs gloveman Jos Buttler taking over behind the […]

Milan (AFP) – Former Italian Prime Minister Silvio Berlusconi, who sold AC Milan after a trophy-laden three decades under his ownership a year ago, could be set to return to football by buying Serie C side Monza, according to press reports in Italy on Thursday. Media tycoon Berlusconi, 81, sold his majority stake in AC […]

Shanghai (AFP) – Highly respected Dutch coach Guus Hiddink looks poised to take on a leading role in China's aggressive push to finally become a force in international football. The 71-year-old was pictured this week — glasses perched on his nose and taking notes — watching China's under-21 side beat Myanmar 1-0 at home, amid […]

Shanghai (AFP) – The scion of a footballing family is primed to become the first Uighur to represent China's national team, amid growing international concern about the fate of the ethnic minority group. Mirahmetjan Muzepper was born in the ancient Silk Road city of Kashgar, in China's far-western region of Xinjiang, where tough security measures […]

Milan (AFP) – Roberto Mancini takes charge of his first competitive game as Italy coach in Friday's Nations League opener against Poland in Bologna with the tough task of rekindling the nation's love affair with their national side, decimated after the low of their World Cup fiasco. The former Inter Milan and Manchester City boss […]