Lausanne (AFP) – FIFA has promised to deliver a "transparent" bidding process for the 2026 World Cup after the controversy surrounding the awarding of the 2018 and 2022 tournaments to Russia and Qatar. In a column to appear on Friday in the FIFA magazine, president Gianni Infantino insists that world football's governing body has "radically […]

Lausanne (AFP) – The Equatorial Guinea women's team were disqualified from next year's Women Africa Cup of Nations and the 2019 World Cup by FIFA on Thursday for fielding 10 ineligible players. All 10 of the ineligible players were born in Brazil, although the majority have been playing for Equatorial Guinea since the 2011 World […]

Yerevan (AFP) – Robert Lewandowski scored a hat-trick and became his country's record goalscorer as Poland thrashed Armenia 6-1 on Thursday to leave them on the verge of qualifying for next year's World Cup. Kamil Grosicki struck after just two minutes in Yerevan before Lewandowski curled in a brilliant free-kick to draw level with Wlodzimierz […]

Barcelona (AFP) – Barcelona Football Club and its captain Andres Iniesta on Thursday urged dialogue to resolve a volatile political crisis over Catalonia's drive for independence. "I have never before publicly commented on situations that are so complex and involve such diverse emotions, but this situation we are experiencing is exceptional," the 33-year-old midfielder wrote […]

Paris (AFP) – Teenage sensation Kylian Mbappe warned he is "not a saviour" ahead of France's crucial trip to Bulgaria in their penultimate 2018 World Cup qualifier on Saturday. The 1998 world champions lead Sweden by one point in Group A with two matches to play, but France need little reminding of the pain inflicted […]

Orlando (AFP) – Bruce Arena has challenged his United States team to show no fear in the face of mounting anxiety, urging them to banish any doubts over their participation at the World Cup by seeing off Panama on Friday. The US head into the crucial qualifier knowing maximum points from their final two games […]

Malacca (Malaysia) (AFP) – Omar al-Soma's disputed late penalty kept Syria's World Cup dream alive on Thursday as they came from behind to draw 1-1 with Australia and set up a nerve-jangling play-off second leg in Sydney. Australia were left fuming by Soma's crucial spot-kick in the 85th minute, after the towering forward was nudged […]

Lausanne (AFP) – A trial period for the video assistant referee (VAR) system could be extended beyond next year's World Cup, football's lawmakers said Thursday, despite FIFA's vow to include them in Russia 2018. FIFA President Gianni Infantino has said "nothing is standing in the way" of the technology for next summer's competition, but a […]

Malacca (Malaysia) (AFP) – Omar al-Soma buried a late penalty as war-torn Syria drew 1-1 with Australia to put their two-legged World Cup play-off on a knife-edge on Thursday. Australia were within sight of victory after Robbie Kruse's first-half goal, but when Mathew Leckie nudged Soma on 84 minutes the towering forward made no mistake […]

Nairobi (AFP) – Ghana's Black Stars left Kenya on Thursday for Uganda ahead of the crucial 2018 World Cup qualifier in the Ugandan capital Kampala at the weekend. The Ghanaians arrived in the Kenyan capital this week for three days of acclimatisation training missing some of their top players who are out with injuries ahead of […]

Berlin (AFP) – Veteran German coach Jupp Heynckes confirmed reports on Thursday that he is considering a return to Bayern Munich following Carlo Ancelotti's dismissal. "It's not yet done and dusted," the 72-year-old Heynckes told the Rheinische Post, the local paper near his home in Moenchengladbach. "I need to analyse things. It has been four […]

Sofia (AFP) – Former Barcelona favourite Hristo Stoichkov on Thursday backed the independence referendum in Catalonia and denounced the violence that marred the banned vote. "The leaders of Catalonia and the people who voted decided that the moment has come to separate and I will back them," Stoichkov, a Bulgarian, told his country's public broadcaster […]

Berlin (AFP) – Legendary German coach Jupp Heynckes will replace sacked Carlo Ancelotti as Bayern Munich's manager until the end of the season, according to Sport Bild newspaper. The interim appointment would see 72-year-old Heynckes return to his beloved Bayern which he famously led in 2013 to win the Champions League, Bundesliga and German Cup […]

Johannesburg (AFP) – There are five places reserved for Africa at the 2018 World Cup in Russia and Nigeria, Tunisia, and Egypt could fill three of them this weekend. Nigeria will secure a sixth appearance at the global football showpiece by winning in Uyo against Zambia, the only other Group B contenders. Tunisia are away […]

Miami (AFP) – The United States face their most important World Cup qualifying game in nearly 30 years on Friday when they take on a Panama side thirsting for revenge and chasing a historic first ever appearance at the finals. Twenty-eight years ago, the Americans defeated Trinidad and Tobago 1-0 to book their place at […]