Paris (AFP) – Marc Wilmots' Belgium are aiming to topple the established favourites at Euro 2016 and with stars like Eden Hazard and Kevin de Bruyne have the weapons to so. Belgium have qualified for the European Championship finals for the first time since co-hosting the 2000 tournament. They are in a tough Group […]

Chicago (AFP) – A Donald Trump victory in the US Presidential elections could scupper America's chances of mounting a successful bid for the 2026 World Cup, the country's top soccer official told US media outlets on Tuesday. US Soccer president Sunil Gulati said Trump's election could adversely affect international opinion of the United States, potentially […]

Orlando (AFP) – Brazil's national team has a special place in the hearts of many football fans around the world but few places treasure the 'Selecao' as much as Haiti and on Wednesday the pair will meet for the first time in a competitive game. The Copa America Centenario match at the Citrus Bowl will […]

Evian (France) (AFP) – Germany centre-back Antonio Rudiger is out of Euro 2016 after tearing ligaments in his right knee, the German football federation announced on Tuesday. The AS Roma defender was expected to start for the world champions in their opening Group C game against Ukraine on Sunday. "Antonio Rüdiger suffered a torn anterior […]

Chantilly (France) (AFP) – England striker Daniel Sturridge dismissed suggestions on Tuesday that he had been sulking when his rival Marcus Rashford scored his first international goal against Australia last month. Manchester United teenager Rashford scored within 138 seconds of his debut in the 2-1 win over Australia and Sturridge, unable to play due to […]

Madrid (AFP) – European champions Spain suffered a shock first defeat since March 2015 losing 1-0 at home to Georgia in their final warm-up friendly before Euro 2016 in Madrid on Tuesday. Georgia, ranked 137 in the world, hadn't won a game since defeating minnows Gibraltar in Euro qualifying in October. However, they defended resolutely […]

Dublin (AFP) – Republic of Ireland manager Martin O'Neill and assistant Roy Keane have extended their contracts by two years in a move that will see them lead the team into a qualifying campaign for the 2018 World Cup. The duo, together with backroom staff Steve Guppy, Seamus McDonagh and Steve Walford, will remain in […]

Orlando (AFP) – Brazil coach Dunga gave his backing to goalkeeper Alisson despite his blunder which could have led to defeat against Ecuador in their opening Copa America Centenario game. Alisson made a hash of a low Miller Bolanos cross, fumbling it into his own net, but the ball was controversially judged to have gone […]

The Euro 2016 match commentators on ESPN for the Group Stage have been announced. They feature several well-known names, as well as a couple of reunions that many soccer fans will welcome with open arms. The ever-popular combination of Ian Darke and Steve McManaman returns to American airwaves where they'll be in the commentary booth […]

Istanbul (AFP) – Arda Turan, who rose from a tough upbringing in a working class Istanbul district to join Barcelona in the highest-profile move ever by a Turkish footballer, has to prove his international class at Euro 2016. No other Turkish player comes close to the profile of Turan, who moved to Atletico Madrid in […]

Madrid (AFP) – Six years from delivering the most important strike of a football in Spanish history, Andres Iniesta remains the cornerstone of a La Roja side hoping to rekindle former glories at Euro 2016. Iniesta's extra-time goal in the 2010 World Cup final against the Netherlands will be his lasting legacy. But Iniesta's technique, […]

Zagreb (AFP) – Luka Modric started playing football during Croatia's independence war and the country's notoriously fervent fans expect the world-class playmaker to launch their offensive at Euro 2016. Croatia are looking to the 30-year-old to lift them as he has Real Madrid amid a rollercoaster season in La Liga and the Champions League. With […]

Kiev (AFP) – Ukraine's great hope Yevhen Konoplyanka chose La Liga, dismissing England's more physical Premier League, and has since become a bench-warmer at Sevilla. However, his country's fans still hope that he can fire them to success at Euro 2016. The 26-year-old winger attracted interest from big clubs across the continent with dashing displays […]

Prague (AFP) – Petr Cech is heading to his fourth European Championship having won a record number of caps for the Czech Republic, but the finals in France may well be his last. "After the Euros I'll sit down at home and decide whether I'll go on," the 34-year-old Arsenal keeper told reporters in March. […]

Istanbul (AFP) – Turkey coach Fatih Terim is known as the "emperor" after three stints ruling over the national side, taking them to some of their biggest successes. The European Championship in France will be Turkey's first major tournament in eight years, but they have a track record of putting on an impressive showing on […]