Category Other

When the United States hosted the Copa América — a prestigious competition featuring the best national teams from North and South America — last summer, it was expected to be an appetizer before the main course, the 2026 FIFA World Cup, co-hosted alongside Mexico and Canada. But instead of inspiring excitement, the competition left behind concerns over the quality of pitches available stateside, with players decrying “disaster” fields and organizer…

Thomas Tuchel has warned his England squad he will not “sugarcoat” his public assessment of performances after criticising aspects of Saturday’s 1-0 win over Andorra. Harry Kane’s 50th-minute close-range finish was enough to maintain a 100% record in World Cup qualifying from three matches under Tuchel. However, England were booed off by a section of the 7,000-strong travelling support at both half-time and full-time, before Tuchel questioned the team’s attitude…

Barcelona striker Robert Lewandowski has announced he will not play for the Poland national team for as long as coach Michał Probierz remains in charge. Lewandowski, 36, cited “physical and mental tiredness” at the end of a long season with Barça as the reason for making himself unavailable for his country during the current international window. As a result, Probierz opted to replace Lewandowski as Poland captain, with Internazionale’s Piotr…

Real Madrid could thwart Arsenal’s hopes of signing Martín Zubimendi right at the last minute, while Jack Grealish could find a way off of the Manchester City bench by completing a loan move to Newcastle United. Join us for the latest transfer news, rumors and gossip from around the globe. Transfers homepage | Done deals | Men’s summer window grades – Sources: Ramsey set for shock move to Pumas –…

Al Nassr and Portugal forward Cristiano Ronaldo said on Saturday he did not plan to play at the Club World Cup in the United States, despite being courted by clubs participating in the expanded 32-team tournament. Speculation over the 40-year-old’s future intensified last month when FIFA president Gianni Infantino said discussions were underway about Ronaldo, who is out of contract at the end of the month, playing in the Club…

Portugal midfielder João Neves says Sunday’s UEFA Nations League final is not just Lamine Yamal against Cristiano Ronaldo. The showdown between Spain and Portugal at the Allianz Arena is the first time Barcelona teenage sensation Yamal will play against former Real Madrid star Ronaldo, who is the all-time leading scorer in men’s international football with 137 goals. “I don’t look at the game like that [Cristiano Ronaldo vs Yamal],” Neves…

FIFA will roll out “advanced semi-automated offside technology” for VAR at the Club World Cup, which could eliminate the kind of situation that led to Nottingham Forest striker Taiwo Awoniyi being placed in an induced coma. Awoniyi suffered the injury after colliding with the post late in a game against Leicester City last month after the assistant kept the flag down to allow the move to play out, with the…

Spain coach Luis de la Fuente says Lamine Yamal delivered a Ballon d’Or “statement” in Thursday’s end-to-end 5-4 UEFA Nations League semifinal win over France in Stuttgart. Yamal, 17, scored twice as Spain built up a 5-1 lead before France fought back late on, but La Roja held on to reach Sunday’s final against Portugal. The fixture had been billed in some quarters as a battle for the Ballon d’Or…

BURTON-UPON-TRENT, England — For 26 minutes at St George’s Park on Thursday, England manager Sarina Wiegman fielded questions largely about the players not included in her 23-woman squad heading to Euro 2025 this summer. Instead of those who did make it, after a 10-day spell in which goalkeeper Mary Earps retired, forward Fran Kirby retired, and centre-back Millie Bright removed herself from selection to prioritize her own well-being, the focus…

Barcelona midfielder Gavi has doubled down on his claim that his critics have “f—— no idea” how good he is, saying people hate him for his style of play. Gavi, 20, first lashed out at his detractors in April, expressing his belief that his ability with the ball is ignored because of his tenacity off it. “People just see me as a competitor, a warrior or whatever you want to…