Cardiff (United Kingdom) (AFP) – The Republic of Ireland claimed a World Cup play-off spot at Wales' expense after James McClean's crisp second-half strike earned his side a 1-0 victory in Cardiff on Monday. The West Bromwich Albion winger's goal moved Ireland above Wales into second place in Group D below Serbia, meaning Martin O'Neill's […]

Couva (Trinidad and Tobago) (AFP) – The Trinidad and Tobago Football Association insisted Monday the country's 2018 World Cup qualifier with the United States would go ahead despite a heavily waterlogged pitch at the Ato Boldon Stadium. The United States will seal their place at the World Cup on Tuesday with victory over already-eliminated Trinidad […]

Paris (AFP) – Cristiano Ronaldo, Lionel Messi and Neymar headline an impressive 30-man shortlist unveiled on Monday for the 2017 Ballon d'Or world footballer of the year award. Portugal superstar Ronaldo is attempting to match Lionel Messi's record by winning the prize for a fifth time after his starring role in Real Madrid's first La […]

Saint-Denis (France) (AFP) – Teenage France star Kylian Mbappe simply needs more matches under his belt to start shining on the international stage, according to goalkeeper Hugo Lloris. Like the rest of his team-mates, Mbappe failed to impress on Saturday in France's crucial 1-0 win in Bulgaria that kept their World Cup destiny in their […]

Lisbon (AFP) – Portugal defender Pepe warned Switzerland that Tuesday's decisive World Cup qualifying clash in Lisbon would be "completely different" with Cristiano Ronaldo available for the European champions. Switzerland have won all nine Group B qualifiers so far, including a 2-0 victory over Portugal in their opening match when Ronaldo was out injured, and […]

Doha (AFP) – Xavi Hernandez said he is open to being Qatar's coach when it hosts the 2022 World Cup and rebuffed critics by claiming he is "very proud" to be in Doha. The Barcelona great, 37, who currently plays in Qatar for Al Sadd, told AFP he is "90 percent" certain to retire at […]

Munich (Germany) (AFP) – Jupp Heynckes said Monday that love for Bayern Munich, rather than any personal ambition, had lured him out of retirement for a fourth stint at the helm of the Bavarian giants. The man who left the club in 2013 after leading them to the treble, making way for Pep Guardiola, on […]

Damascus (AFP) – The prospect of reaching football's World Cup and creating one of the biggest shocks in the competition's history is giving Syrians something else to think about after years of grinding war. Syria's underdog team, who because of the war are based in Malaysia, take on Australia in Sydney on Tuesday with the […]

Amsterdam (AFP) – Unless the Netherlands can beat Sweden by a seven-goal margin on Tuesday the inventors of the beautiful game will be absent from the 2018 World Cup finals. Having missed the cut for Euro 2016 the Netherlands sit third in Group A and can make the play-offs only with a high-scoring win over […]

Sydney (AFP) – Syria will rely on their trademark fighting spirit to keep their World Cup "miracle" alive against Australia on Tuesday, as the Socceroos look to ride a wave of home support. The Syrians were fortunate to grab a 1-1 draw in the first leg of the Asian play-off in Malaysia last week, courtesy […]

Miami (AFP) – United States coach Bruce Arena has challenged his team to finish the job and seal World Cup qualification against Trinidad & Tobago on Tuesday after an emphatic rout of Panama which has transformed American fortunes. Friday's exhilarating attacking display against Panama, where Borussia Dortmund star Christian Pulisic excelled in a 4-0 thrashing […]

Montevideo (AFP) – The once unfathomable prospect of a World Cup without Lionel Messi and Argentina could become reality on Tuesday as South America's thrilling 2018 qualification battle reaches its climax. Two years after Argentina kicked off their troubled campaign with a 2-0 defeat at home to Ecuador, Jorge Sampaoli's side travel to Quito to […]

Berlin (AFP) – Jupp Heynckes has come out of a four-year retirement to take charge of Bayern Munich for a fourth time, but opinions are divided as to whether the treble-winning coach can boost their flagging fortunes. Chairman Karl-Heinz Rummenigge is convinced Bayern have the "ideal coach" for now in Heynckes, who will lead the […]

Paris (AFP) – Robert Lewandowski scored a European qualifying record 16th goal as Poland defeated Montenegro 4-2 on Sunday to reach next year's World Cup, while reigning champions Germany secured a 10th successive win. Bayern Munich striker Lewandowski struck again in what has been a remarkable qualifying campaign as Poland recovered from throwing away a […]

Berlin (AFP) – Midfielder Leon Goretzka netted twice as Germany routed Azerbaijan 5-1 on Sunday to make history with a perfect World Cup qualifying record of 10 wins in as many games. The reigning world champions had already sealed their ticket to Russia last Thursday with a 3-1 win over Northern Ireland, and finished their […]