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Ivory Coast’s Kessié hints at international retirement after World Cup elimination

Ivory Coast captain Franck Kessié has acknowledged that he’s considering his international future following his country’s elimination from the 2026 World Cup on Tuesday. The West African side were defeated 2-1 by Norway in Dallas to end their World Cup journey in the round of 32, with Erling Haaland netting a late winner after Amad Diallo had cancelled out Antonio Nusa’s curling opener. The match brings to a premature end…

Bielsa takes full blame for Uruguay’s World Cup failure as contract ends

Marcelo Bielsa took full responsibility for the Uruguay national team’s group-stage elimination from the 2026 World Cup, calling the experience frustrating and painful. Bielsa’s three-year contract with the federation expired with Uruguay’s exit from the World Cup. “My responsibility for what happened is very clear. I cannot justify the position we finished in. In short, my management of the players I had was insufficient. We did our best, both my…

Germany, Netherlands World Cup exits can ‘calm us’ – England’s Thomas Tuchel

ATLANTA — Thomas Tuchel has said surprise early World Cup exits for Germany and Netherlands will “calm our minds” and help England not to “over-expect” when facing Congo DR on Wednesday. England are strong favourites in Atlanta to progress to the last 16 but the game comes just two days after Germany were beaten by Paraguay and Netherlands lost to Morocco at the same stage. Congo DR have never reached…

Reece James, Jarell Quansah out of England’s World Cup clash with Congo DR

Thomas Tuchel has confirmed Reece James and Jarell Quansah will miss England’s round of 32 clash with Congo DR on Wednesday. James has a tight hamstring while Quansah twisted his ankle in England’s final Group L game against Panama last weekend. Both players missed the final training session in Kansas City before the team flew to Atlanta on Tuesday. Asked about their availability, Tuchel said: “They are getting close. They…

Pochettino: U.S. vs. Bosnia-Herzegovina like World Cup ‘final’

SANTA CLARA, Calif. – U.S. men’s national team coach Mauricio Pochettino said Wednesday’s round-of-32 match against Bosnia-Herzegovina will be like “the final of the World Cup,” and that if the U.S. is to progress to the round of 16, “we need to perform at our best.” The USMNT looked sharp in its first two group stage matches against Paraguay and Australia, before falling to Turkiye while playing a heavily rotated…

Mbappé sets World Cup knockout record as France oust Sweden

Kylian Mbappé broke the record for most goals in World Cup knockout matches and moved within a single goal of Lionel Messi‘s overall tournament mark, as his two goals led France to a dominant 3-0 win over Sweden at MetLife Stadium on Tuesday. The victory, France’s biggest in a World Cup knockout match since their 3-0 win over Brazil in the 1998 final, sets up a round-of-16 matchup against Germany‘s…

Ronald Koeman steps down as Netherlands head coach after World Cup exit

Ronald Koeman has stepped down as the Netherlands head coach, following the team’s exit in the round of 32 at the World Cup. The Netherlands lost on penalties to Morocco and are heading home after a disappointing campaign. Koeman has been criticised at this World Cup by some for setting his team up in a defensive manner. He has opted against extended his contract, which was due to expire after…

Christian Pulisic says he is fit, ready to go the distance for USMNT

SAN JOSE, Calif. — United States men’s national team attacker Christian Pulisic said he is ready to go the distance in the team’s World Cup round-of-32 match against Bosnia and Herzegovina on Wednesday, no matter how long the game lasts. Pulisic appears to have recovered fully from the left calf injury that plagued him earlier in the tournament. The ailment caused him to miss the team’s second group stage match…

Erling Haaland ‘the greatest goalscorer in the world’ – Norway coach Stale Solbakken

DALLAS — Norway coach Stale Solbakken described Erling Haaland as the “greatest goalscorer in the world and I wouldn’t swap him for anybody” after the Manchester City forward’s late winner against Ivory Coast sealed a World Cup round of 16 clash against Brazil. Haaland, 25, took his World Cup tally to five goals in three games, moving him one behind Lionel Messi in the race for the tournament Golden Boot.…

Barcelona, Real Madrid to play first Clásico Oct. 25 weekend

Barcelona and Real Madrid face difficult home games against Athletic Club and Real Sociedad to kick off the 2026-27 LaLiga season. Barça will welcome Athletic to Spotify Camp Nou for their opening fixture, while Madrid host La Real at the Bernabéu. Atlético Madrid, meanwhile, will take on newly promoted Málaga at the Metropolitano when new Spanish top flight campaign begins the weekend of Aug. 15. After playing Athletic, who have…