New Zealand looking to impress in Chile
When it comes to consecutive appearances at the FIFA U-20 World Cup™ none of the nations heading to South America can match New Zealand’s remarkable qualification run. Since Australia’s departure almost two decades ago, New Zealand have dominated in Oceania, winning seven of the last eight continental tournaments in which they entered (they didn’t participate […]
Slovakia stun Germany as Spain and Belgium win big
European qualifying for the FIFA World Cup 26™ continued on Thursday. Slovakia claimed the result of the round by defeating Germany 2-0, with Northern Ireland also victorious in Group A. Spain and Türkiye netted three each in Group E to see off Bulgaria and Georgia, respectively. A pair of draws punctuated Group G, as Lithuania […]
Cabo Verde continue surge as Tunisia and Algeria march on
A busy day of African FIFA World Cup 26™ qualifying action kicked off in dramatic fashion as Chad fired a late equaliser against Group I leaders Ghana while Madagascar reclaimed second place in the table. Elsewhere, Sierra Leone could only manage a 1-1 draw with Guinea-Bissau in Group A. Meanwhile, Cabo Verde extended their lead […]
Top goalscorers in South American qualifying history
1st) Lionel Messi – 36 goals in 72 games 2nd) Luis Suarez – 29 goals in 60 games 3rd) Marcelo Martins – 22 goals in 64 games 4th) Alexis Sanchez – 20 goals in 63 games 5th) Hernan Crespo –19 goals in 33 games 6th) Marcelo Salas – 18 goals in 32 games 7th) Ivan […]
Panama held by Suriname
The third round of Concacaf qualifying for the FIFA World Cup 26™ kicked off on Thursday with Suriname and Panama battling to a scoreless draw to open play in Group A, opening the door for either Guatemala or El Salvador to claim the top spot when they meet later. How qualifying works In the third […]
Korea Republic head to Chile with impressive pedigree
The FIFA U-20 World Cup™ has become a source of high expectation for Korea Republic fans. In 2019, the nation secured a runners-up finish in Poland, with Lee Kangin starring and winning the adidas Golden Ball. Four years later, the young Taegeuk Warriors finished fourth in Argentina, and they will be out to make their […]
Alhassane: World Cup would give Niger a gigantic boost
Rahim Alhassane’s footballing journey started in Niger, with spells in Ghana and Austria before arriving in Spain as a teenager. He rose through the ranks at lesser-known clubs before breaking into professional football with Real Oviedo. The left-back is now enjoying life in the Spanish first division and made his senior debut for Niger in […]
Beccacece: There is a lot more to come from Ecuador
Qualifying was no mean feat. The Ecuador side that had everyone talking at the FIFA World Cup Qatar 2022™ tailed off, leading to Gustavo Alfaro being relieved of his duties and Felix Sanchez Bas taking charge. But a shaky start to FIFA World Cup 26™ qualifiers and a quarter-final exit from the CONMEBOL Copa America […]
Ihssan: It would be a dream to play on home soil in Morocco
At just 16, Romaissa Ihssan epitomises the new generation of Moroccan female footballers: ambitious, true to her roots and focused on excellence. Despite being born in Lyon’s Villeurbanne district and coming through the ranks at Montpellier Herault SC, the young attacking midfielder nonetheless chose to represent Morocco at international level. Her country is now set […]
The Altintop gem that usurped Messi and Neymar
It rocketed from outside the penalty area into the roof of the net in seven-tenths of a second. It went viral at equally supersonic speed. Within 90 minutes – Facebook, Myspace, Twitter, WhatsApp and YouTube were forefronting social media’s popularity boom – millions had seen it. Millions that didn’t, astonishingly, include its author. The goal […]