Tokyo (AFP) – World Cup-bound Japan warmed up for their friendly against Brazil next week with a comprehensive 4-1 win over Paraguay in Sapporo on Thursday. The four-time Asian champions will take on Brazil at Tokyo's Olympic stadium on Monday with the aim of beating the South Americans for the first time in a full […]

Seoul (AFP) – Son Heung-min was awarded South Korea's highest sporting honour on Thursday after the Tottenham forward became the first Asian player to win the Premier League Golden Boot. The 29-year-old was given the Cheongnyong Medal by President Yoon Suk-yeol before South Korea's friendly against Brazil at Seoul World Cup Stadium. Son, dressed in […]

Cincinnati (AFP) – Chelsea star Christian Pulisic played a leading role as the United States launched their final preparations for the World Cup with a convincing 3-0 friendly win over fellow qualifiers Morocco on Wednesday. Pulisic created a goal for new Leeds signing Brenden Aaronson and won a penalty converted by debutant Haji Wright as […]

Arsenal is set to debut a new away black shirt for the upcoming 2022/23 season this summer while on tour in the USA. Word on the street is the new design will be officially unveiled on Wednesday, July 20. Consequently, Arsenal is to debut the black away kit for the first time that night in […]

Johannesburg (AFP) – AS Roma teenager Felix Afena-Gyan, 19, scored as Ghana cruised to a 3-0 win over Madagascar on Wednesday and claimed the leadership of Group E as 2023 Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) qualifying kicked off. Angola came from behind to edge the Central African Republic 2-1 in the same section and lie […]

London (AFP) – Lionel Messi stole the show as Copa America holders Argentina powered to a 3-0 win against European champions Italy in the Finalissima at Wembley on Wednesday. Inspired by the peerless Messi, Argentina raced into a two-goal lead in the first half of the prestigious friendly thanks to strikes from Lautaro Martinez and […]

Glasgow (AFP) – Ukraine are one game away from qualifying for the World Cup after beating Scotland 3-1 in a play-off semi-final in Glasgow on Wednesday in their first competitive match since the country was invaded by Russia. Andriy Yarmolenko, Roman Yaremchuk and Artem Dovbyk scored the goals for Ukraine to set up a play-off […]

Wroclaw (Poland) (AFP) – Wales warmed up for their decisive World Cup qualifying play-off this weekend by losing 2-1 with a second-string team in Poland in the UEFA Nations League on Wednesday. Robert Page's side will face the winner of the play-off semi-final between Ukraine and Scotland in Cardiff on Sunday to decide who takes […]

Chester (United Kingdom) (AFP) – Manchester City and France footballer Benjamin Mendy has been charged with a further count of rape, it was announced Wednesday following the lifting of reporting restrictions. The latest allegation, which relates to a new complainant, means the 27-year-old has now been accused of eight counts of rape, one count of […]

Miami (AFP) – Eleven more teams will join an expanded CONCACAF Champions League from 2024 under a sweeping revamp of the competition unveiled on Wednesday. CONCACAF, the governing body for football in North America, Central America and the Caribbean, said in a statement that the club tournament would increase from 16 to 27 teams after […]

Paris (AFP) – President Emmanuel Macron urged the French government on Wednesday to investigate with "full transparency" the chaos at this weekend's Champions League final between Liverpool and Real Madrid, as the interior minister came under increasing pressure over the police's handling. The mayhem outside the Stade de France stadium ahead of the match, which […]

London (AFP) – Manchester United and England defender Harry Maguire says he can accept criticism of his performances but a bomb threat he received earlier this year crossed the line. Maguire's house, where he lives with his fiancee and two children, was swept by police in April to ensure the safety of his family. The […]

Manchester (United Kingdom) (AFP) – French World Cup-winning midfielder Paul Pogba is to leave Manchester United at the end of June, the club said Wednesday, bringing the curtain down on a largely disappointing second spell. The 29-year-old's departure at the end of his contract will see United recoup none of the then record £89 million […]

Seoul (AFP) – Brazil superstar Neymar could miss his side's friendly match against South Korea on Thursday after injuring his foot during training on the eve of the game. Neymar grabbed his right foot and fell to the turf after colliding with a teammate during the session at Seoul World Cup Stadium on Wednesday. He […]

Madrid (AFP) – Gareth Bale wrote a farewell letter to Real Madrid on Wednesday, the Welshman bringing an end to his nine-year spell at the Spanish club, where he said his "dream became a reality". Bale will leave Real Madrid when his contract expires at the end of June, with the 32-year-old yet to confirm […]