SEATTLE — United States manager Mauricio Pochettino praised FIFA’s decision to lift the suspension on U.S. forward Folarin Balogun, saying the USMNT was “punished enough” by having to play shorthanded against Bosnia-Herzegovina for 35 minutes. Balogun scored the opener for the U.S., but was shown a red card in the 64th minute after a lengthy VAR review for a hard challenge on Bosnia defender Tarik Muharemovic. The U.S. held on…
Ghana’s Carlos Queiroz has confirmed that he is stepping down from his position as head coach of the Black Stars in the aftermath of their World Cup elimination. The 73-year-old Portuguese coach was appointed on a short-term deal in April to oversee the West Africans’ World Cup campaign after the Ghanaian Federation opted to part ways with Otto Addo following the March international break. The Black Stars advanced from Group…
Erling Haaland scored two late goals to send Norway to the World Cup quarterfinals for the first time, with a 2-1 victory that condemned Brazil to their earliest exit in the competition since 1990. Haaland broke the deadlock in the 79th minute off a left-wing cross Andreas Schjelderup and then added a decisive second with a powerful low shot into the corner of the net in the final minute of…
MEXICO CITY — Severe weather at the Azteca Stadium saw a shelter-in-place order called just a few hours before kick-off in the round-of-16 World Cup match between Mexico and England. The order was issued around three hours before kick-off, with spectators taking shelter underneath the roof of the Azteca, while security and other personnel were huddled under gazebos and any other shelter they could find. Thunder was heard over the…
DALLAS — Captain Rodri has insisted that Spain‘s midfield is superior to Portugal‘s ahead of their World Cup round of 16 clash — while admitting that their opponents’ squad boasts “one of the best generations they’ve ever had.” The two teams meet in Dallas on Monday, with Spain’s all-star midfield of Ballon d’Or winner Rodri, Pedri and Dani Olmo facing off against Portugal’s Vitinha, João Neves and Bruno Fernandes. Spain…
SEATTLE — Belgium coach Rudi Garcia said he thought it was a joke when he first heard news that suspended United States striker Folarin Balogun was cleared to play in the round of 16 match here Monday, while the Belgian federation announced it was “investigating all potential options” in opposition of FIFA’s stunning decision. “I didn’t know that at the World Cup, the 5th of July is actually the first…
Jarell Quansah will start for England against Mexico on Sunday night in the World Cup round of 16, sources have told ESPN. Right-back has become a problem position for Thomas Tuchel’s side at the World Cup this summer. Reece James started England’s first two games against Croatia and Ghana, but an injury opened the door to Quansah who played at right-back against Panama in the final group stage game. Quansah…
Newcastle have completed the signing of Ivory Coast winger Bazoumana Touré from Hoffenheim. The Magpies will reportedly pay £42 million ($56m) for the left-sided 20-year-old, who arrives as a replacement for Anthony Gordon after Newcastle lost out to Liverpool in their pursuit of Víctor Muñoz. “I’m very, very happy to be here. It was my dream since I was young to play in the Premier League for a big team…
Cristiano Ronaldo has confirmed that this will be his last World Cup, as he prepares to face Spain with Portugal in Monday’s round-of-16 clash in Dallas. Ronaldo, 41, has played in six editions of the tournament — in 2006, 2020, 2014, 2018, 2022 and now in 2026 — and became the first player to score in six World Cups when he netted against Uzbekistan in the group stage. The 2030…
SEATTLE — U.S. men’s national team attacker Christian Pulisic said that FIFA’s lifting of Folarin Balogun’s suspension “feels right.” Balogun was initially looking at a one-game suspension due to the red card he received in the round-of-32 win over Bosnia & Herzegovina. That would have kept Balogun out of Monday’s round-of-16 match against Belgium. But FIFA announced Sunday morning that Balogun’s ban “is suspended for a probationary period of one…