Saitama (Japan) (AFP) – Japan drew 1-1 with Vietnam on Tuesday to end their World Cup qualifying campaign on a flat note days after booking their place in Qatar. The four-time Asian champions fell behind to a 19th-minute goal by Vietnam's Nguyen Thanh Binh, leaving them trailing at half-time to a team that had taken […]

The dilemma wonder kids face at major clubs is whether to stay and fight for a place in the first-team or go elsewhere to continue their development. Christopher Nkunku made his debut for Paris Saint-Germain on December 8, 2015, against Shakhtar Donetsk in the UEFA Champions League. It was 24 days after his 18th birthday. […]

London (AFP) – Gareth Southgate has told his England stars to place extra focus on penalty practice as he sets his sights on winning the World Cup. Southgate's side were beaten on penalties by Italy in the European Championship final last year. Marcus Rashford, Jadon Sancho and Bukayo Saka all missed from the spot in […]

London (AFP) – Ivory Coast manager Patrice Beaumelle hopes England defender Marc Guehi could still choose to represent the African side. Crystal Palace centre-back Guehi, who was born in Ivory Coast, impressed on his England debut in Saturday's friendly victory against Switzerland. The 21-year-old could win his second cap against the country of his birth […]

London (AFP) – England defender John Stones will miss Tuesday's friendly against Ivory Coast after leaving the squad due to injury. Stones was due to start England's 2-1 friendly win against Switzerland on Saturday, but the Manchester City centre-back pulled out after suffering an injury in the pre-match warm-up at Wembley. England boss Gareth Southgate […]

London (AFP) – Gareth Southgate insist Harry Maguire can still thrive at the highest level as the beleaguered England defender prepares to return in Tuesday's friendly against Ivory Coast. Maguire was left on the bench for Saturday's 2-1 win over Switzerland as Southgate took the centre-back out of the spotlight after a torrid season with […]

Chorzów (Poland) (AFP) – Either Robert Lewandowski or Zlatan Ibrahimovic will miss out on the chance to play at the 2022 World Cup when Poland and Sweden clash in Tuesday's play-off. The winners in Chorzow will go into Friday's draw for the World Cup group stage. It could be the final chance to play at […]

Porto (Portugal) (AFP) – Portugal's World Cup play-off against North Macedonia on Tuesday is a "matter of life and death", said Cristiano Ronaldo ahead of the game. Manchester United star Ronaldo is hoping to qualify for a fifth World Cup with Portugal and secure another chance to lift the trophy for the first time at […]

Berlin (AFP) – Germany head coach Hansi Flick is relishing the chance to see his team take on fellow European giants the Netherlands in a friendly on Tuesday. The four-time World Cup winners are hoping to extend an eight-match winning streak since Flick took over in September, with this year's finals in Qatar coming into […]

Milan (AFP) – Roberto Mancini dropped a big hint on Monday he will stay on as Italy coach despite the Azzurri failing to qualify for the World Cup for a second successive time. The European champions were stunned by North Macedonia in Thursday's qualification play-off semi-final for this year's tournament in Qatar, sparking talk he […]

Skopje (Republic of North Macedonia) (AFP) – The North Macedonia players have "90 minutes to fulfil" the "dream of a whole country" said key midfielder Elif Elmas ahead of Tuesday's 2022 World Cup play-off against Cristiano Ronaldo's Portugal. North Macedonia travel to Portugal in the hope of claiming a second notable scalp, having eliminated European […]

Johannesburg (AFP) – Egypt coach Carlos Queiroz says his team "will defend with 16 players" when they protect a 1-0 lead over Senegal on Tuesday in the second leg of an African World Cup play-off. "What I mean by 16 players is that each one must make the effort of two players, not just one […]

Orlando (AFP) – Christian Pulisic scored a hat trick as the United States thrashed Panama 5-1 on Sunday to all-but guarantee their qualification for the 2022 World Cup. Pulisic scored a pair of first-half penalties –- both given against Panama captain Anibal Godoy -– before completing his treble with a virtuoso goal in the second […]

Paris (AFP) – Portugal have been well and truly warned not to take the threat of North Macedonia lightly as they face Italy's conquerors in a decisive World Cup qualifying play-off on Tuesday. The Balkan nation stunned Italy in their play-off semi-final in Palermo on Thursday, winning 1-0 thanks to an Aleksandar Trajkovski goal in […]

North America – In a busy night of Concacaf World Cup qualifiers, the United States defeated Panama 5-1 in Orlando to move one giant step closer to automatic World Cup qualification. All the United States needs is to win, tie or avoid losing by a margin of six goals against Costa Rica on Wednesday night. […]