Kunming (China) (AFP) – Marcello Lippi's dreams of taking China to the next World Cup received a reality check on Tuesday, while Asian champions Australia avoided a nightmare result in Bangkok. China's 0-0 draw with Qatar did nothing to boost their dwindling hopes of reaching Russia 2018, even after World Cup-winning coach Lippi was appointed […]

Doha (AFP) – Qatar World Cup 2022 organisers, under fire over labour conditions, said Tuesday they will allow international trade union inspections of stadium sites from next year. An agreement has been reached with the global Building and Wood Workers' International (BWI) group for joint inspections of construction and accommodation sites. "Signing this partnership with […]

Bangkok (AFP) – Mile Jedinak's disputed penalty saved Australia from an embarrassing defeat to Thailand as they came from behind to draw 2-2 in 2018 World Cup qualifying on Tuesday. Jedinak's second successful spot-kick of the night in the 65th minute rescued a point for the Asian champions, who slip out of the automatic qualifying […]

Paris (AFP) – Notoriously obsessive taskmaster Pep Guardiola got the most out of Lionel Messi when they were together at Barcelona by banning the world's best player from having sex after midnight. That was the claim by Samir Nasri, who was shipped off by the now Manchester City boss on loan to Sevilla for allegedly […]

Kunming (China) (AFP) – Marcello Lippi's hopes of leading China to the next World Cup received a serious blow when they were held 0-0 by Qatar in Kunming on Tuesday. Lippi is tasked with setting China on the road to football greatness but there was no dream start for the Italian in his first game […]

Seoul (AFP) – Koo Ja-Cheol's late winner spared South Korea's blushes as the hosts came from behind to beat Uzbekistan 2-1 in World Cup qualifying on Tuesday. The FC Augsburg midfielder rifled home in the 85th minute, much to the relief of Korea's fans and coach Uli Steilike whose evening had threatened to end in […]

Manchester (United Kingdom) (AFP) – Manchester United midfielder Michael Carrick says this could be his last season at the club and backed world-record signing Paul Pogba to showcase his "very special" talent. The veteran playmaker has mainly been used in cup competitions this season under Jose Mourinho, although he did start United's last league game […]

Saitama (Japan) (AFP) – Japan beat Saudi Arabia 2-1 in a foul-tempered qualifier Tuesday as a debatable Hiroshi Kiyotake penalty boosted their hopes of qualifying for a sixth successive World Cup in 2018. The Blue Samurai drew level with the Group B leaders on 10 points after a tempestuous clash in Saitama, where Kiyotake's spot […]

The final round of World Cup Qualifying got off to a disastrous start for the USMNT on Friday night. Not only did they lose to arch-rival Mexico, but they did so in Columbus — home of the famous Dos a Cero scoreline. As if that weren’t enough, the US now has to travel to a […]

Buenos Aires (AFP) – Lionel Messi had to reach for the sick bag on Monday as the plane carrying the Argentina team endured a bumpy ride from Buenos Aires to San Juan ahead of a World Cup qualifier. The Barcelona superstar and several of his team-mates took ill due to the turbulence during the journey […]

Friday's broadcast of the USA against Mexico World Cup qualification game on FS1 and Univision was watched by an audience of 5.3 million, according to Sports TV Ratings. During Friday's pre-match coverage on FOX Sports 1, analyst Alexi Lalas proclaimed that the game was the biggest match the USA faced since the World Cup 2014 […]

London (AFP) – England goalkeeper Joe Hart has consciously toned down his pre-match routine after criticism he was excessively motivated during his country's ill-fated Euro 2016 campaign, he confessed to reporters on Monday. Hart was caught on camera thumping his chest and bellowing at his team-mates in the tunnel prior to games at Euro 2016, […]

London (AFP) – Skipper Wayne Rooney has been ruled out of England's year-ending friendly against Spain at Wembley on Tuesday because of a knee problem, the English Football Association confirmed. "The striker sat out this morning's session at Tottenham Hotspur's training ground as a precaution due to a minor knee injury," the FA said. "Rooney […]

Abidjan (AFP) – Serge Aurier has made headlines in France for his off-field antics, including an altercation with a policeman and insulting his coach on social media, but in his native Ivory Coast they love him. The 23-year-old had already been hit with a three-match ban from European competition by UEFA for comments made about […]

London (AFP) – Spain's friendly against England at Wembley on Tuesday presents an ideal opportunity to measure the team's progress under new head coach Julen Lopetegui, midfielder Sergio Busquets said on Monday. Lopetegui was appointed in July following the retirement of Vicente del Bosque, who stood down after Spain followed up a group-stage exit at […]