ATLANTA — American referee Ismail Elfath has been appointed to take charge of Wednesday’s FIFA World Cup semifinal between England and Argentina at Mercedes-Benz Stadium. Elfath, 44, has already officiated three games at the tournament — Japan vs. Netherlands, Uruguay vs. Spain and Brazil vs. Norway — and has issued six yellow cards and one red, to Uruguay’s Agustín Canobbio. The appointment of Elfath, who will be assisted by fellow…
ARLINGTON, Texas — Spain head coach Luis de la Fuente said he knows France are a much better team than the one they defeated in the Euro 2024 semifinals two years ago. Spain play France in the FIFA World Cup semifinals at AT&T Stadium on Tuesday, with Spain looking to advance to just a second World Cup final in the nation’s history. “France are much better now than what they…
England are increasingly optimistic Declan Rice will be fit to start Wednesday’s World Cup semifinal against Argentina, sources have told ESPN. The Arsenal midfielder played only 45 minutes of Saturday’s quarterfinal win over Norway after suffering with illness in the build-up. Rice missed two training sessions before England’s victory due to the sickness bug. He has also been struggling with hamstring and back pain during the tournament. Tuchel said after…
Jules Koundé said Monday that Spain winger Lamine Yamal‘s comments that France should fear the defending Euro champions ahead of their World Cup semifinal weren’t a sign of disrespect. Spain play Koundé’s France side in Arlington, Texas, on Tuesday, and after La Roja beat Belgium in the quarterfinals last Friday, Yamal said that France should fear them in their semifinal showdown. “No, in no moment have we felt a lack…
Erling Haaland and his Norway teammates were welcomed home by tens of thousands of ecstatic supporters in Oslo following their historic World Cup achievements in North America. Norway reached the World Cup quarterfinals for the first time in the country’s history this summer, beating five-time winners Brazil in the round of 16 before being knocked out by England. Star striker Haaland saw his global fame reach new heights as he…
Jordan Pickford has said he’s confident England will be streetwise enough to keep their cool in Wednesday’s intense World Cup semifinal clash with Argentina and their captain Lionel Messi. Thomas Tuchel’s side have the chance to become the nation’s first men’s team to reach the final since Sir Alf Ramsey’s heroes lifted the trophy in 1966. World champions Argentina stand in their way and the eyes of the nation will…
Chelsea manager Xabi Alonso has said he wants to keep Enzo Fernández at the club amid a potential exit of the midfielder this summer. Speaking in his first news conference since being appointed as Chelsea manager in May, the 44-year-old shared his excitement and ambitions for the club. ESPN previously reported that Fernández’s agent confirmed the midfielder is exploring options to leave the club this summer, despite Real Madrid denying…
Manchester United have signed midfielder Andrey Santos from Chelsea, the club have announced. Sources told ESPN the fee was in the region of £48 million ($64m), with a further £2m in potential add-ons, to bring the 22-year-old Brazilian to Old Trafford. Santos joined Chelsea in 2023 and went on to make 28 Premier League appearances for the Blues before sealing his move to United. United turned their attention to Santos…
Police said Monday they are investigating the death of South Africa World Cup football player Jayden Adams, after his body was discovered this weekend at a property in the city of Cape Town. The 25-year-old Adams died two weeks after helping South Africa reach the knockout stage of a World Cup for the first time. Authorities have not released a cause of death. “Cape Town central police registered an inquest…
Slaven Bilić has been appointed as the new head coach of Croatia. The 57-year-old previously led the team between 2006 and 2012 and his appointment comes following the departure of Zlatko Dalić in the aftermath of the team’s World Cup exit. Croatia finished second in Group L, one point behind England, but were knocked out of the tournament with a 2-1 defeat to Portugal in the round of 32. “I…