World Cup

FIFA chief says Iran ‘coming for sure’ to World Cup in U.S.

FIFA President Gianni Infantino declared on Wednesday that Iran's national soccer team is "coming for sure" to the 2026 World Cup, where all three of the country's group-stage matches are scheduled on U.S. soil despite an ongoing armed conflict between…

Italy football federation chief resigns after nation’s third straight World Cup miss

Gabriele Gravina resigned as president of the Italian Football Federation (FIGC) on Thursday, bowing to mounting political pressure after Italy failed to qualify for a third consecutive World Cup. The 72-year-old announced his decision at the start of a meeting…

DR Congo qualifies for World Cup after 52-year wait

The Democratic Republic of Congo are heading to the World Cup for the first time in 52 years after Axel Tuanzebe's extra-time goal sealed a 1-0 victory over Jamaica in the intercontinental playoff final on Tuesday in Guadalajara, Mexico.

FIFA confirms Iran will play World Cup games in the US as scheduled

FIFA President Gianni Infantino declared on Tuesday that Iran will compete in its 2026 World Cup group-stage matches at venues in the United States as originally scheduled, rejecting proposals to relocate the games to Mexico amid the ongoing military conflict…

Doué scores first 2 international goals as France beats Colombia 3-1

Désiré Doué scored his first two senior international goals as France cruised past Colombia 3-1 in a friendly at Northwest Stadium in Landover, Maryland, on Sunday, capping an impressive March window for Les Bleus ahead of the 2026 World Cup.

Estadio Azteca reopens as Portugal faces Mexico without injured Ronaldo

Cristiano Ronaldo is absent from Portugal's final pre-World Cup friendly window after failing to recover from a right hamstring injury, leaving manager Roberto Martínez without his captain for Saturday's match against Mexico at the newly reopened Estadio Azteca in Mexico…

Messi still undecided on 2026 World Cup, Scaloni says

Lionel Messi has yet to decide whether he will play at the 2026 FIFA World Cup, Argentina coach Lionel Scaloni confirmed on Friday, leaving the defending champions facing uncertainty around their greatest player with just 81 days until their tournament…

Italy, Sweden advance in World Cup playoff semis

Italy took a step closer to ending its World Cup nightmare on Thursday, beating Northern Ireland 2-0 in Bergamo as the UEFA World Cup playoff semifinals produced a night of high drama, upsets, and hat tricks across Europe.

YouTube to stream World Cup match openings in FIFA deal

FIFA announced on Tuesday that YouTube will serve as a Preferred Platform for the 2026 World Cup, a deal the governing body called a "game-changing partnership" that will allow rights-holding broadcasters to stream the opening minutes of every match live…

Ancelotti leaves Neymar out of Brazil’s March squad

Carlo Ancelotti named a 26-man Brazil squad on Monday for upcoming friendlies against France and Croatia, leaving Neymar off the roster while reaffirming his intention to remain as head coach through the 2030 World Cup. The announcement, made at a…

Odermatt clinches fifth straight Alpine World Cup title

Marco Odermatt made it five in a row on Friday, clinching the overall Alpine skiing World Cup crystal globe after finishing third in a downhill race in Courchevel, France, and cementing his place among the sport's all-time greats.

Iraq seeks World Cup playoff delay after rejecting FIFA’s 25-hour road trip plan

Graham Arnold, the Australian coach of Iraq's national football team, has urged FIFA to postpone his side's inter-confederation World Cup playoff against either Bolivia or Suriname, scheduled for March 31 in Monterrey, Mexico, warning that the ongoing conflict between Iran…

FIFA meets Mexico officials to review World Cup security after cartel violence

FIFA representatives met with Mexican government officials on Wednesday to assess security arrangements for the 13 World Cup matches scheduled to take place in Mexico this summer, following weeks of concern over cartel violence that erupted after the killing of…

Iraq’s World Cup hopes in peril as war strands coach, blocks visas

Iraq's bid to qualify for the 2026 World Cup is facing a deepening crisis as the war between the United States, Israel, and Iran disrupts travel across the Middle East, leaving head coach Graham Arnold stranded in the United Arab…

FIFA to ‘monitor’ Iran situation as World Cup co-host wages war on qualified nation

FIFA will "monitor developments" in Iran following the launch of a joint US-Israeli military operation against the country, raising fresh uncertainty around this summer's World Cup as one of its co-hosts wages war against a qualified nation.

FIFA to visit Mexico over World Cup security after cartel violence

Mexican President Claudia Sheinbaum announced on Friday that FIFA representatives will visit the country to assess security and mobility ahead of this summer's World Cup, as the fallout from a deadly clash with one of the nation's most powerful drug…

Neymar makes injury return for Santos with World Cup bid in sight

Neymar made his long-awaited return to competitive football on Sunday, playing 50 minutes off the bench as Santos routed Velo Clube 6-0 in the Campeonato Paulista, according to ESPN. The 34-year-old Brazilian forward, who underwent arthroscopic surgery on his left…

FIFA chief rejects 2026 World Cup boycott calls over Trump

FIFA President Gianni Infantino on Monday dismissed growing calls to boycott the 2026 World Cup in the United States, arguing that staying away from the tournament would only "breed further animosity" rather than achieve positive outcomes.