Beijing (AFP) – China's fledgling revival under Marcello Lippi will be tested by Asia's top team Iran in World Cup qualifying on Tuesday, while Australia need to return to winning ways when they play UAE. China shocked South Korea 1-0 last week for their first win of Asia's final qualifying groups, and Lippi says there […]

Los Angeles (AFP) – A revitalised United States face Panama on Tuesday brimming with confidence after a record World Cup qualifying victory inspired by teenage star Christian Pulisic and veteran forward Clint Dempsey. The pall of gloom enveloping the US national team following defeats against Mexico and Costa Rica in November was blown away on […]

Montevideo (AFP) – A buoyant Brazil could book their place at the 2018 World Cup on Tuesday while Argentina will attempt to give their qualifying campaign more breathing space with a game at altitude against Bolivia. After sinking into a protracted depression after the trauma of their humiliating 2014 World Cup exit, Brazil have undergone […]

London (AFP) – England manager Gareth Southgate said there was no reason why Jermain Defoe could not play at next year's World Cup after he marked his international comeback with a goal. Sunderland striker Defoe, 34, scored the opener as England toiled to a 2-0 qualifying win over Lithuania on Sunday, following close to three […]

Paris (AFP) – England and defending champions Germany remained on course for the 2018 World Cup on Sunday while Danny Blind was sacked as Dutch coach after his misfiring team faced missing a second straight major finals. At Wembley, Jermain Defoe marked his international comeback with a goal as England toiled to a 2-0 victory […]

Amsterdam (AFP) – Danny Blind was sacked as Netherlands coach on Sunday after a 2-0 defeat to Bulgaria left the team's chances of reaching the World Cup finals hanging by the slenderest of threads. Blind, 55, had been in charge since July 2015, succeeding Guus Hiddink, but Saturday's loss in Sofia left the Dutch in […]

London (AFP) – Jermain Defoe adorned his international comeback with a goal as England toiled to a 2-0 victory over Lithuania in a forgettable World Cup qualifier at Wembley on Sunday. Defoe, 34, was making his first England appearance since November 2013, having been recalled by manager Gareth Southgate, and he marked his return with […]

Paris (AFP) – England and defending champions Germany remained on course for the 2018 World Cup finals Sunday while Danny Blind was fighting to survive as Dutch coach after his team faced missing a second major finals. At Wembley, Jermain Defoe marked his international comeback with a goal as England toiled to a 2-0 victory […]

London (AFP) – England beat Lithuania 2-0 in a World Cup qualifier at Wembley on Sunday. Here AFP Sport looks at five things learned as Gareth Southgate's team moved a step closer to next year's finals in Russia: Deadly Defoe Handed his first England appearance since November 2013, Jermain Defoe made up for lost time […]

Baku (AFP) – Germany leaked their first goal since July, but still extended their perfect record in World Cup qualifiers to five straight wins following Sunday's 4-1 victory away to Azerbaijan with Andre Schuerrle scoring twice. First-half goals by Schuerrle, Thomas Mueller and Mario Gomez put the world champions 3-1 up at the break, although […]

London (AFP) – England's football team paid tribute to the victims of Wednesday's London terror attack ahead of their World Cup qualifier at home to Lithuania on Sunday. England's players, led by captain Joe Hart, wore black armbands at Wembley and the game was preceded by the laying of wreaths in the centre circle and […]

London (AFP) – England's record goalscorer Wayne Rooney can still play a useful role for both his country and club Manchester United, his former team-mate Paul Scholes told the BBC on Sunday. Rooney, who has scored 53 goals in his 119 international appearances, is not definitively out of the England picture, according to coach Gareth […]

Enfield (United Kingdom) (AFP) – Gareth Southgate has revealed he is giving more responsiblity to his England players in a bid to stop them freezing in the harsh glare of the international spotlight. Southgate is keenly aware that many of his predecessors as England manager have preferred to impose their will on the squad rather […]

Enfield (United Kingdom) (AFP) – Gareth Southgate insists he hasn't fallen out with Wayne Rooney as the England star battles to save his international career. Southgate left Rooney out of England's squad for last week's friendly defeat in Germany and Sunday's World Cup qualifier against Lithuania due to the striker's knee injury and lack of […]

Paris (AFP) – The Netherlands' hopes of reaching the World Cup finals suffered a major setback on Saturday when the three-time runners-up slumped to a shock 2-0 defeat to Bulgaria. The loss left the Dutch six points behind Group A leaders France, who beat Luxembourg 3-1, and down in fourth spot, three back from Sweden […]