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. […]

Johannesburg (AFP) – Forwards based in Finland and Bolivia scored in Mauritius on Sunday to take minnows Sao Tome e Principe to the group stage of 2023 Africa Cup of Nations qualifying. Ricardo Cardoso from Helsinki outfit Klubi 04 netted twice and recent Guabira signing Luis Leal once in a thrilling 3-3 draw with Mauritius […]

Berlin (AFP) – Canadian winger Alphonso Davies insists there is no problem with his heart as he hopes to make his Bayern Munich return next month after recovering from Covid. The 21-year-old has been sidelined since December having been diagnosed with myocarditis, an inflammation of the heart, after he tested positive for coronavirus in January. […]

Copenhagen (AFP) – Christian Eriksen said his goal on his return to the Denmark national side was "just a warmup" for the game at the same Copenhagen stadium where he suffered a cardiac arrest last year. Eriksen's appearance as a second-half substitute in the 4-2 defeat to the Netherlands in Amsterdam on Saturday was roundly […]

Throughout the history of the US Men's National Team (USMNT) attempting to qualify for various World Cups, one venue has stood out above all other as a venue where it is immensely difficult to get a result. Azteca Stadium in Mexico City has held that place in the American soccer psyche for many years but […]

Paris (AFP) – Denmark's Christian Eriksen made an emotional goal-scoring return to international football on Saturday as England, Germany and Spain carved out friendly victories. Eriksen found the net two minutes after coming on with a powerful drive in a 4-2 defeat against fellow World Cup qualifiers Netherlands in Amsterdam. It was his first national […]