WELLINGTON, New Zealand — Netherlands national team manager Andries Jonker said Wednesday’s match against the No. 1-ranked U.S. women’s national team will reveal whether the gap is closing between the Americans and the rest of the Women’s World Cup field. “The whole women’s football world is very interested in getting an answer on the question: ‘Are we getting close?’” Jonker said in a news conference. “The feeling is ‘yes’ because…
The 2023 Women’s World Cup is in full swing, and these daily files will give you the latest reporting from around the tournament as well as betting lines, what-to-watch-for information and best reads. Check in with ESPN throughout the tournament as we bring you the latest from Australia and New Zealand. PERTH, Australia — An early moment of magic and an inspired performance from Republic of Ireland captain Katie McCabe…
Zambia’s news conference to preview Wednesday’s World Cup match against Spain was ended early due to persistent questions about an investigation into allegations of sexual misconduct against the team’s coach, Bruce Mwape. After the FIFA media officer vetoed one question, Mwape did respond to one journalist who asked if it would be for the good of the team if he stepped aside to allow them to focus solely on the…
Ilkay Gündogan has told ESPN he “didn’t know anything about football” before working with Pep Guardiola, while also praising new boss Xavi Hernández as “amazing” and his Barcelona team as having “huge potential.” Gündogan, 32, left Guardiola’s Manchester City for Barca this month on a free transfer after seven seasons in the Premier League. – Stream on ESPN+: LaLiga, Bundesliga, more (U.S.) – Barcelona’s 2023-24 preseason, summer schedule He won…
After news of a world-record €300 million ($332m) transfer bid from Al Hilal sent shockwaves around the football world on Monday, Paris Saint-Germain striker Kylian Mbappe made his first reference to a possible move to the Saudi Pro League in a response to NBA superstar Giannis Antetokounmpo. – Stream on ESPN+: LaLiga, Bundesliga, more (U.S.) PSG confirmed on Monday that they accepted the bid for Mbappe and have given the…
FORT LAUDERDALE, Fla. — Lionel Messi will wear the captain’s armband and could potentially start in Tuesday’s home Leagues Cup group match against Atlanta United FC, Inter Miami CF head coach Gerardo “Tata” Martino said Monday. “Yes, he was our captain last game as well,” Martino said when asked at Monday’s news conference if the 36-year-old would lead the squad against the coach’s former team. – Stream on ESPN+: LaLiga,…
Manchester United have unveiled their away kit for the 2023-24 season, and it sees the club return to vertical stripes for the first time in two decades, a design that harks back to the start of their existence. However, rather than their original green and gold stripes of 1893 to 1899, or red and black as worn in the early 1900s, or even the green and white bars worn briefly…
EAST RUTHERFORD, NJ — Manchester United like to protect their best young players as much as they can, but sometimes the cat just won’t stay in the bag. At one point ahead of an afternoon of commercial activity organised by the club at a hotel in Basking Ridge, New Jersey on Thursday, Kobbie Mainoo was booked to appear alongside Raphael Varane, Diogo Dalot and Aaron Wan-Bissaka at an event run…
Five years have gone by since Vinicius Junior left Brazilian powerhouse Flamengo for Spanish giants Real Madrid. And in that half decade, the young winger has a claim to have changed football on both sides of the Atlantic. His impact in Europe is undeniable. With 59 goals and 64 assists from 225 matches so far, Vinicius has established himself as one of the most potent attacking forces in the world,…
MELBOURNE, NAARM, Australia — “‘We are really proud in Morocco of the achievements that we have made so far,” Ghizlane Chebbak, speaking through a translator, said on Sunday ahead of the game with Germany. “We feel a sense of pride and honour to represent our country on the world stage; we have great motivation, and we are eager to make our mark on this tournament. There is no mission impossible.”…