Trnava (Slovakia) (AFP) – Wayne Rooney became England's most capped outfield player when he was awarded his 116th cap by new manager Sam Allardyce in Sunday's opening 2018 World Cup qualifier away to Slovakia. Team captain Rooney, 30, surpasses his former England team-mate David Beckham, who was capped 115 times by his country. Goalkeeper Peter […]

Berlin (AFP) – Felix Goetze, the 18-year-old younger brother of Germany star Mario, has been included in Bayern Munich's 'B' list of players eligible to feature for the Bundesliga giants in the Champions League. A central defender with Bayern's under-19 side, Felix had already been invited to train with the first team several times last […]

The addition of college football to beIN SPORTS' programming means that Saturday night NASL games appear to be the first casualty of the newly acquired rights deal. Despite being originally scheduled to appear on beIN SPORTS, tonight's game between Minnesota United and Rayo OKC and next Saturday's match between Fort Lauderdale Strikers and Indy Eleven […]

London (AFP) – Manchester United defender Luke Shaw has been ruled out of England's World Cup qualifier against Slovakia after missing training on Saturday. Shaw has only recently returned from a double leg-break and England's medical staff decided he shouldn't train as they manage the workload of a player who missed the majority of last […]

Clairefontaine-en-Yvelines (France) (AFP) – Arsenal striker Olivier Giroud said France won't be taking Belarus lightly when they begin World Cup 2018 qualifying in Minsk on Tuesday. France have been in great form over the summer, reaching the Euro 2016 final on home soil in July before triumphing 3-1 away to Italy on Thursday in a […]

Rome (AFP) – Mario Balotelli's agent Mino Raiola has blasted Jurgen Klopp's treatment of the former Liverpool striker, after the Italy international signed for Nice this week. Balotelli, 26, signed a one-year deal at the Allianz Riviera on Wednesday after being allowed to leave Liverpool on a free transfer. The forward struggled on loan at […]

London (AFP) – England manager Sam Allardyce will drop Dele Alli, Daniel Sturridge and Chris Smalling for the opening match of his reign in Sunday's World Cup qualifier against Slovakia, British media reported on Saturday. Allardyce replaced Roy Hodgson in the aftermath of England's woeful last 16 defeat against minnows Iceland at Euro 2016 and […]

London (AFP) – Out of favour Manchester United midfielder Bastian Schweinsteiger has been left out of the club's squad for the Europa League group stage. Schweinsteiger has reportedly been forced to train with United's reserves this season as new boss Jose Mourinho looks to sell the German World Cup winner. The 32-year-old has yet to […]

On paper, a trip for the US National Team to St. Vincent doesn’t look to be all that difficult. But the last time the US was in this position, on the road at a Caribbean minnow, they needed a stoppage time winner in Antigua to save their World Cup Qualifying campaign. Today, life was much […]

The Nigel de Jong show at LA Galaxy lasted 18 appearances and ended as one of the more puzzling league departures in recent history. It is not all that surprising that a figure like De Jong would cause a stir, especially in the relatively small and shallow waters of MLS. However, in a rather distasteful […]

Berlin (AFP) – With Manuel Neuer confirmed as his new captain, Joachim Loew plans to blood Germany's next generation as part of his team's preparations to defend their World Cup title in Russia. Germany's journey to the 2018 finals starts on Sunday at Oslo's Ullevaal Stadium in their opening qualifier against Norway. Since winning the […]

Trnava (Slovakia) (AFP) – Sam Allardyce's tenure as England manager begins on Sunday when his side launch their bid to reach the 2018 World Cup against former Euro 2016 foes Slovakia in Trnava. Allardyce, 61, was handed the role he had long coveted after Roy Hodgson stepped down in the immediate aftermath of England's humiliating […]

Kingstown (Saint Vincent and the Grenadines) (AFP) – Borussia Dortmund teenager Christian Pulisic scored twice as the United States thrashed Saint Vincent and the Grenadines 6-0 on Friday to edge closer to a place in the final round of CONCACAF qualifiers for the 2018 World Cup. A first half flurry of goals from Bobby Wood, […]

Rome (AFP) – Dutch midfielder Jonathan De Guzman will wear the number one usually seen on the backs of goalkeepers for Chievo this season. The 28-year-old Dutch international has joined the Verona team on loan from Napoli. Although unusual, his choice is not unique, even amongst his countrymen. "The number one, it's different, it's not […]

Buenos Aires (AFP) – Argentina striker Lionel Messi will miss Tuesday's 2018 World Cup qualifier away to Venezuela with a groin problem, national team coach Edgardo Bauza said on Friday. "Unfortunately, he won't be able to play. We can't take any risks. We spoke with the doctor and it's the sensible thing to do. It […]