Lewandowski answers Urban’s call with Poland
Poland’s Urban renewal has taken another significant step forwards with the return of talisman Robert Lewandowski for their upcoming FIFA World Cup 26™ qualifiers. The veteran Barcelona forward did not always see eye-to-eye with former Poland coach Michal Probierz, who resigned following their dispute. But now he is back in the fold as captain under […]
Algerian sharp-shooters eye ultimate goal
The backlines of Botswana and Guinea could be forgiven for quaking in their boots at the looming prospect of renewing acquaintances with Algeria in the FIFA World Cup 26™ qualifiers. After six rounds of games, Les Verts top the scoring charts in the African preliminaries with 16 goals split between ten different scorers. Ahead of that […]
Asians and Europeans ascend
Uzbekistan have jumped four places to 19th on the FIFA Futsal Men’s World Ranking, while Belarus, Vietnam, Belgium, Hungary and Germany have made impressive climbs. FIFA Futsal World Cup™ holders Brazil remain top, followed by Portugal and Spain. Uzbekistan hosted last year’s global finals and, though they crashed out at the group stage, have won […]
Tuchel overlooks Alexander-Arnold, Foden and Grealish
Trent Alexander-Arnold, Phil Foden, Jack Grealish and Kyle Walker have been left out of England’s squad for the FIFA World Cup 26™ qualifiers against Andorra and Serbia. Thomas Tuchel, on his 52nd birthday, handed maiden call-ups to Nottingham Forest midfielder Elliott Anderson and Tottenham Hotspur full-back Djed Spence, and international returns to Jarrod Bowen, Marc […]
Curaçao secure Chong coup for Concacaf qualifying
Persistence has paid off for Dick Advocaat. Just a few months after expressing frustration about his efforts to expand the Curaçao playing pool, the veteran coach has landed seven new players for the Caribbean nation’s upcoming FIFA World Cup 26™ qualifying campaign. The headline star is former Manchester United, Club Brugge and Werder Bremen winger […]
Seismic stakes for South American trio
Just because the number of qualification spots has increased for the FIFA World Cup 26™, the largest edition in history, there are no guarantees that it will be a smooth ride to get there. Far from it. With two rounds left in South American qualifying, Argentina, Brazil and Ecuador have already booked their places to […]
Argentina’s famed U-20 partnerships
Sometimes just a look is all that’s needed. Other times a shout is required. Or a moment that sparks a move, whether driving forward into space, dropping back, or linking up with team-mates. Partnerships in football are notoriously hard to predict. Fielding two great players together offers no guarantee they will gel on the pitch […]
Keller: USA laid down important marker at Saudi Arabia 1989
In 1989, a USA team full of college students graduated with honours at the FIFA U-20 World Cup™ by going all the way to the semi-finals. It remains the furthest that the Stars and Stripes have progressed in the global showpiece. What is all the more remarkable about USA’s run to the final four of […]
Deedson on Haiti’s 2026 chances and playing in Dallas
Qualifying for the FIFA World Cup™ is difficult, so imagine trying to do it without playing in front of your home supporters. Such is the situation at present for Haiti, who are playing all of their Concacaf qualifiers for the FIFA World Cup 26™ in a neutral setting, including their opening third-round match against Honduras […]
Oceania pair book 2026 U-17 World Cup tickets
Two months before they are set to compete at the FIFA U-17 World Cup Qatar 2025™, New Caledonia and New Zealand have become the first nations to qualify for the 2026 edition of the tournament, aside from the hosts Qatar. That pair secured two of the three Oceania tickets courtesy of having reached the final […]