MEXICO CITY — The message from Mexico‘s players to England ahead of Sunday’s World Cup round of 16 match is they are ready to “make it the best game” of their lives, and they are confident the home support in the vast Azteca Stadium could swing the match in their favour. Mexico men’s team’s record at the Azteca Stadium is astonishing. They have lost just two of 89 matches they’ve…
NEW YORK — Norway coach Stale Solbakken said it is a “great honour” to face Carlo Ancelotti in Sunday’s World Cup round-of-16 tie against Brazil after rejecting claims he disrespected the Seleção coach in a filmed dressing-room address when he declared: “Ancelotti, we are coming for you!” The Norwegians go into the New Jersey clash defending an unbeaten record against Brazil having never lost against the five-time World Cup winners…
SEATTLE — United States men’s national team defender Tim Ream said that the diverse background of the players on the USMNT is “a true representation of what America is.” The U.S. captain spoke to reporters prior to the team’s World Cup training session on the campus of the University of Washington, with the USMNT set to celebrate the July 4 holiday later in the day at a rooftop bar where…
Aurélien Tchouaméni, who left Friday’s training with adductor pain, will miss France‘s World Cup round-of-16 match Saturday vs. Paraguay in Philadelphia, but the team is hopeful he would return in time for a potential semifinal, should France advance, sources told ESPN. Medical scans done on Friday revealed a tear in his groin area, sources confirmed. The injury is not serious, but enough to keep the team’s vice-captain out of Saturday’s…
The FIFPRO players union said on Saturday that more must be done to protect footballers from racist abuse at the World Cup being held in North America. The Netherlands-based union said in a statement that players are suffering from “a growing pattern of abuse” on social media and in person. “In recent weeks, players have faced abuse online and in person, much of it racist and discriminatory,” the union said.…
Marc Guéhi has said he believes Mexico are the favourites for England‘s World Cup last-16 clash at the Estadio Azteca. The reward for Wednesday’s 2-1 comeback win against the Democratic Republic of Congo is Sunday’s mouthwatering last-16 tie in Mexico City. A hostile atmosphere and high altitude await Thomas Tuchel’s men in Mexico, where England defender Guehi makes the Euro 2024 runners-up underdogs against the World Cup co-hosts. “We know…
England received a hostile welcome as they arrived at their Mexico City hotel ahead of Sunday night’s World Cup last-16 tie against Mexico. England had been hoping to keep their location undisclosed after Mexico supporters used loud speakers, horns and motorcycles to try to disturb the sleep of Ecuador’s players before their last-32 tie, which the co-hosts won 2-0 on Wednesday night. But when England’s coach arrived at their hotel,…
Declan Rice says England are ready to cope with whatever Mexico throw at them in Sunday’s World Cup encounter at the electric Estadio Azteca. From unabated hostility to playing at high altitude, Thomas Tuchel’s side expect to face a variety of obstacles as they seek to keep alive their quest to join Sir Alf Ramsey’s 1966 heroes in immortality. England dealt with an additional headache just before flying to Mexico…
Chicago Fire FC centre-back Mbekezeli Mbokazi is understood to be attracting interest from Premier League club Nottingham Forest, as well as teams in Belgium and Italy, but ESPN sources have said that no serious offers have been tabled. The Fire paid around $3 million to sign him from Orlando Pirates in December. Mbokazi’s agent — Basia Michaels of QT Sports — told ESPN that the centre-back’s camp is appreciative of…
MIAMI GARDENS, Fla. — Cape Verde coach Bubista praised the “heart, bravery and character” of his team after their World Cup journey was ended in heartbreaking fashion by Argentina. The reigning world champions needed extra time to eventually win 3-2 as they were pushed to the brink of possibly the biggest World Cup upset ever. – How Messi, Argentina saved themselves from humiliation of biggest upset in World Cup history…