NEW YORK — FIFA President Gianni Infantino deemed the FIFA World Cup a success on Friday, saying the tournament achieved its mission of uniting people from all corners of the globe. Infantino spoke at the United Nations as part of a daylong session about how the game can be a catalyst for youth mental health. He brought one of the official game balls that will be used in Sunday’s World…
Didier Deschamps confirmed Kylian Mbappé is “available” for the World Cup third place playoff with England, but confirmed he plans to make changes to his regular starting XI in his final match as France boss. Mbappé has been one of the biggest stars of this tournament and although his side are now out of the World Cup, he has a chance to add a Golden Boot to his collection, as…
BIRMINGHAM, England — World Cup breakout star Johan Manzambi joined Champions League-bound Aston Villa on Friday in a record transfer deal for a Swiss player. Manzambi had an offer to join Newcastle but a viral clip after Switzerland’s quarterfinal loss last Saturday in Kansas City showed the 20-year-old midfielder replying yes to Argentina goalkeeper Emi Martinez’s question if his now-teammate was going to Villa instead. Villa did not give the…
The FIFA World Cup has been a bonanza for beer in the U.S. Bars in Boston reported needing emergency deliveries to keep taps from running dry on some game days. Fans downed a total of 290,000 stadium beers during the six matches in Philadelphia, FIFA organizers said. But all that frothy foam obscures a cold reality: Beer sales have been struggling globally, and it’s unclear if soccer’s world championship tournament…
Former England defender Gary Neville has said he has a “big problem” with Thomas Tuchel questioning his team’s “DNA” in major tournaments, while insisting the manager left out “generational talents” who could have helped him at the World Cup. After England let a 1-0 lead slip in the closing minutes of their semifinal against Argentina — who dominated possession against a team littered with defenders — Tuchel said his side…
Andrey Santos could get his first run-out in Manchester United colours on Saturday after being included in the travelling squad for their pre-season friendly against Wrexham in Helsinki. The 22-year-old Santos became Michael Carrick’s first permanent signing when he joined from Chelsea on Monday in a deal that could be worth up to £50million ($67.2m) And having spent the week training at Carrington, the Brazilian is part of a 25-man…
The World Cup final is not under any threat despite the air quality warnings in the area, sources have told ESPN. Health alerts have been issued by officials in New York and New Jersey after wildfires from Canada, which are impacting large parts of the northeast of the U.S. But Sunday’s final between Argentina and Spain at the MetLife Stadium in East Rutherford, New Jersey, is not concerning FIFA as…
Liverpool midfielder Dominik Szoboszlai has signed a new long-term contract at Anfield. The Hungary international, whose previous deal was due to expire in 2028, has now penned fresh terms which sources told ESPN will run for five years until the summer of 2031. It is a boost for Liverpool, who have seen a number of prized assets — including Trent Alexander-Arnold and Ibrahima Konaté — depart on free transfers in…
Atlético Madrid president Enrique Cerezo has firmly declared the club will not transfer Julián Álvarez this summer despite Barcelona‘s attempt to lure the Argentina striker to the Camp Nou. Barça president Joan Laporta revealed earlier this week his club has made a “substantial offer” to Atlético to sign Álvarez but warned that it will stand for a limited time only. Asked about Laporta’s remarks, Cerezo told reporters on Thursday: “Laporta…
Declan Rice might be better suited to playing in defence because of his “limited” passing range, according to Graeme Souness. Rice led Arsenal to their first Premier League title in 22 years before marshalling England’s midfield at the World Cup, where their efforts were ended by Argentina in the semifinal. Rice, who was managing fitness issues, was substituted after 82 minutes before Anthony Gordon’s opener was overturned by late strikes…