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 […]

London (AFP) – Sergio Aguero will miss Manchester City's derby showdown with Manchester United after the Argentina striker was given a three-match ban for violent conduct on Friday. Aguero was punished retrospectively by the Football Association after television cameras caught him elbowing West Ham defender Winston Reid during City's Premier League victory at Eastlands last […]

Paris (AFP) – The three candidates for the UEFA presidency, Aleksander Ceferin, Michael van Praag and Angel Maria Villar Llona, have all successfully passed FIFA eligibility checks, European football's governing body confirmed on Friday. FIFA carried out the checks because whoever replaces Michel Platini at the head of UEFA will automatically become a vice-president of […]

In addition to its comprehensive coverage of CONCACAF World Cup qualifiers, Univision Deportes has announced that it'll be broadcasting select European World Cup qualifying matches beginning next week when it showcases Spain against Liechtenstein and France versus Belarus in Spanish-language broadcasts to viewers in the United States. It's the first time that the Univision Networks […]

Manchester (United Kingdom) (AFP) – Out-of-favour Ivory Coast midfielder Yaya Toure will play no part in Manchester City's Champions League group stage matches after being left out of the squad named on Friday. The 33-year-old's sole appearance for City this season has been in the 1-0 victory over Romanian outfit Steaua Bucharest in the second […]