Melbourne (AFP) – The Tim Cahill factor threatens Japan's hopes of re-energising their World Cup campaign in a crucial qualifier against Australia in Melbourne on Tuesday. Talismanic Cahill is in line for a recall for the Socceroos against the Blue Samurai in the Asia qualifying Group B encounter after playing only a few minutes as […]

Berlin (AFP) – Kyle Lafferty says Northern Ireland must 'work their socks off' in Tuesday's World Cup qualifier against Germany as they chase a first victory over the world champions for 33 years. Lafferty scored two goals off the bench in Saturday's 4-0 win over minnows San Marino in Belfast, the same night Germany beat […]

Berlin (AFP) – It was not long ago that Thomas Mueller's lack of goals was a hot topic in football-mad Germany. The 27-year-old failed to score in six matches at Euro 2016 leaving some wondering if the Bayern Munich star had lost his goal touch. But after 599 minutes without scoring for the national team, […]

Madrid (AFP) – Controversial Spanish defender Gerard Pique insisted Sunday that he will end his international career after the 2018 World Cup. The Barcelona star has come under regular fire for his performances on the field and his support off the pitch for his pro-Catalan stance. "The World Cup in Russia is going to be […]

Madrid (AFP) – Key defender and captain Sergio Ramos suffered a left knee strain in Spain's 2-0 World Cup qualifying win in Albania on Sunday which could sideline him from the Real Madrid team for three games. Ramos was hurt late in the game after falling awkwardly following an aerial duel before he was eventually […]

London (AFP) – England interim manager Gareth Southgate has declared he has the necessary courage to make contentious decisions, amid clamour for him to drop under-performing captain Wayne Rooney. Rooney was booed by some fans during England's 2-0 World Cup qualifying win over Malta on Saturday and former national team captain Alan Shearer has led […]

Paris (AFP) – Lazio striker Ciro Immobile grabbed an injury-time winner as four-time champions Italy snatched a 3-2 comeback win at Macedonia on Sunday, narrowly avoiding a World Cup qualifying embarrassment. Italy, who had needed a late penalty to salvage a point against Group G rivals Spain on Thursday, were staring at a shock defeat […]

London (AFP) – Sunderland goalkeeper Jordan Pickford has been called into the England squad after Tom Heaton withdrew because of injury, the Football Association announced Sunday. Pickford, who has made five Premier League appearances for northeast side Sunderland so far this season, had been due to join up with the England Under-21 squad But instead […]

Paris (AFP) – Euro 2016 semi-finalists Wales were held to a disappointing 1-1 draw by Georgia in Cardiff on Sunday as their push to reach a first World Cup since 1958 hit a roadblock. The draw followed a 2-2 stalemate against Austria four days ago as Chris Coleman's side were left to regret not making […]

FOX will air the game between Werder Bremen and Bayer Leverkusen live on over-the-air network television on Saturday, October 15. The match, which will feature Javier Hernandez (aka Chicharito), will pit sixth-place Leverkusen against 15th-place Werder Bremen. With the game being televised live on big FOX, the executives from FOX Sports and the Bundesliga will […]

Moscow (AFP) – Joel Campbell's injury-time spotkick lifted Costa Rica to a 4-3 win over Russia on Sunday to end the 2018 World Cup hosts' unbeaten run under new coach Stanislav Cherchesov. Goals by midfielders Randall Azofeifa, Bryan Ruiz and Sporting Lisbon's Campbell and an own goal by Russia's skipper Vasily Berezutsky set Costa Rica […]

Madrid (AFP) – Argentina coach Edgardo Bauza believes Lionel Messi deserves to retire from international football in style as a World Cup winner. Messi flirted with the notion of quitting playing for his country after three successive final heartbreaks, to Germany in the 2014 World Cup and to Chile in the Copa America in 2015 […]

London (AFP) – England midfielder Jordan Henderson insists under-fire Wayne Rooney won't let the boo boys throw him off his game. Rooney was jeered by frustrated England fans after the Manchester United star capped a lacklustre performance with a wayward shot in the closing stages of his country's 2-0 win over Malta at Wembley on […]

Berlin (AFP) – Germany coach Joachim Loew wants the 'same again' for Tuesday's World Cup qualifier against Northern Ireland following his side's demolition of the Czech Republic. Thomas Mueller scored twice and Toni Kroos also netted as Germany dominated the Czechs 3-0 on Saturday night. It was an impressive display from the hosts in Hamburg […]

Warsaw (AFP) – Napoli striker Arkadiusz Milik could be out for several months after suffering a knee injury in Poland's World Cup qualifier win against Denmark. The Polish football federation said Sunday he will probably need surgery on the injured left knee which suffered anterior cruciate ligament damage during Poland's 3-2 win against Denmark in […]