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FIFA World Cup
FIFA raised its top ticket price for the World Cup final to USD 10,990 during the glitch-hampered reopening of sales after the 48-team field for this year's tournament was finalised. The price had been USD 8,680 when FIFA sold tickets after the tournament draw in December. FIFA's category 2 tickets for the July 19 game at MetLife Stadium in East Rutherford, New Jersey, were USD 7,380, up from USD 5,575, and category 3 cost USD 5,785, an increase USD 4,185. Tickets were listed for 17 of the 72 group-stage matches by Wednesday night and none of the knockout stage games. Soccer's governing body is using dynamic pricing for the tournament, which will be played in 11 US cities plus three in Mexico and two in Canada. Only USD 2,735 tickets, the highest-priced seats, were available by evening for the US opener on June 12 against Paraguay at SoFi Stadium in Inglewood, California, and the price was unchanged from December. No tickets were listed for the Americans' June 19 game against ...
Italy coach Gennaro Gattuso said it is not the time to talk about his future despite the Azzurri failing to qualify for a third straight World Cup. Even if Gattuso hasn't made up his mind whether to stay or not, the Italian soccer federation gave a clear sign it would like him to remain on Tuesday. Four-time World Cup winner Italy lost a penalty shootout at 66th-ranked Bosnia and Herzegovina in the European playoffs on Tuesday, after playing most of the match with 10 men. "I'm not interested at all in talking about my future today," Gattuso said. "It hurts, it really hurts. More than hurting me, it hurts to see this group which has really given everything in these months and I think we deserved to get back what we put in and I honestly think it's too reductive and too immature to be talking about my future today. "Here we should be talking about Italy, about the national team shirt, that it's yet another blow even though this time we didn't deserve it. We deserved more and that's w
One of soccer's historic powers has reached a once-unfathomable low. Four-time champion Italy failed to qualify for a third straight World Cup after getting beat in a penalty shootout with 10 men at 66th-ranked Bosnia and Herzegovina in the European playoffs on Tuesday. Moise Kean scored early on for Italy but then Azzurri center back Alessandro Bastoni was sent off with a direct red card before the break and Bosnia substitute Haris Tabakovic equalized in the 79th to send the game into extra time at 1-1. The defeat added more misery for Italy's once-proud national team after being eliminated by Sweden and North Macedonia, respectively, in the qualifying playoffs for the last two World Cups. "It's too easy to say what's working and what's not working," Italy coach Gennaro Gattuso said. "The fact is that Italy has failed to qualify for three World Cups. We're having a tough time achieving our goals, both with the national team and with our clubs." Bosnia won the shootout 4-1 and ...
Graham Potter said he will "dust off my cowboy hat" after fulfilling his short-term mission to get Sweden to the World Cup. The English coach was hired by Sweden in October after the national team's abject qualifying campaign that contained two draws and four defeats from its six group games. The Swedes were afforded a second chance to qualifying through the playoffs by virtue of winning its lowly Nations League group the previous year and they took full advantage, beating Ukraine in the semifinals on Thursday and then Poland 3-2 in Stockholm on Tuesday. Sweden will be playing Tunisia, the Netherlands, and then Japan in Dallas in Group F at the World Cup being held across the United States, Canada and Mexico starting in June. Potter said it was an "incredible" feeling, adding: "I'm going to have a beer and then think, Wow, we're going to Dallas.' I'll have to dust off my cowboy hat, won't I?" Viktor Gyokeres grabbed Sweden's decisive goal in the 88th minute against Poland, which t
Thomas Tuchel insisted England's dispiriting 1-0 loss to Japan in a friendly will have no bearing on the team's chances at the upcoming World Cup. England has lost some of the momentum built up under Tuchel by drawing with Uruguay at Wembley Stadium on Friday and then succumbing to Kaoru Mitoma's first-half goal for Japan at the same venue four days later. Tuchel has fielded experimental lineups for both games, with key regulars like captain Harry Kane, Declan Rice and Bukayo Saka missing because of minor injuries. The German coach also said many of his players are "heavily invested" in their club campaigns at this stage of the season. For that reason, Tuchel felt sure "this camp will not define us." "It's just a reality if teams like Uruguay or Japan come well-drilled, with their top lineup, it's a difficult task," Tuchel said. "It was not necessary to lose the match. Unfortunately, we lost it, which is disappointing, and I hate losing, like no one else, and it will take a while
Congo scored in extra time to edge Jamaica 1-0 and become the 47th of 48 teams that will play at the World Cup. Axel Tuanzebe scored following a corner kick in the 100th minute of the intercontinental playoff. The Jamaican defenders failed to clear the ball and Tuanzebe, who plays for Burnley in the English Premier League tapped it into the net. Congo has never played in a World Cup under that name, although it participated in the 1974 edition in Germany as Zaire. With its victory in the intercontinental playoff at the Akron Stadium in Guadalajara, Mexico, the Congolese team completes Group K at the World Cup, where it will face Colombia, Portugal, and Uzbekistan. "We're going to enjoy the qualification, but we'll keep working. We know we'll be facing top nations who play in the World Cup every four years," Congo captain Chancel Mbemba said. "We'll stay humble, keep our feet on the ground, and continue to work. We'll give everything to make our supporters and our people proud." Th
Mexican President Claudia Sheinbaum met FIFA's President Gianni Infantino to assess preparations for the 2026 World Cup, which will be co-hosted by Mexico, the United States and Canada in June and July. Sheinbaum said on her social media account that she had breakfast with Infantino at the National Palace "because we are evaluating everything for the upcoming World Cup," adding that "everything is going to be wonderful." The tournament kicks off on June 11 at the iconic Azteca Stadium in Mexico City with a match between the hosts and South Africa. A friendly match between Mexico and Portugal was held at the Mexico City stadium last Saturday as part of the World Cup preparations. The event was marred by the death of a fan who fell from the second tier to the ground floor in the VIP box area. "This inauguration is going to be historic, exceptional," said Sheinbaum while holding a FIFA pennant alongside Infantino. The FIFA president echoed Sheinbaum's sentiments, assuring that the Wo
Mexico's best performances at the World Cup came during the two occasions it hosted the tournament. Now that the country will be hosting for the third time - with the United States and Canada - fans want history to repeat itself. And maybe more. To ensure optimal preparation, the Mexican Football Federation (FMF) invested 400 million pesos (around $22 million) in renovating their training center known as Centro de Alto Rendimiento (CAR), or High Performance Center, which was officially reopened on Saturday. As a player, current Mexico coach Javier Aguirre was part of the national team that reached the quarterfinals in 1986, matching the country's performance in the 1970 World Cup. Aguirre, with the revamped training center, will try to match at least that as a coach. Mexico begins training at the High Performance Center on May 6, with players from the domestic league. Its first match in the World Cup is the tournament opener on June 11 against South Africa. Building a ...
Italy finally won a match in the World Cup playoffs. Now the four-time champion needs to win one more to avoid failing to qualify for a third straight time. The Azzurri beat Northern Ireland 2-0 in the European semifinals on Thursday. Sandro Tonali broke the deadlock with a half-volley early in the second half for Italy at home in Bergamo and then set up another goal for Moise Kean. "After taking the lead, we cleared our minds," Italy coach Gennaro Gattuso said. "We put in a good performance. This should be a confidence boost for Tuesday. We have to win. We have no other choice." Also advancing to the playoff finals scheduled for Tuesday were Bosnia and Herzegovina, Sweden, Poland, Turkey, Kosovo, Denmark and the Czech Republic. Italy next visits Bosnia and Herzegovina needing another victory to reach the upcoming tournament in North America and avoid going at least 16 years without even playing a match at soccer's biggest event. Bosnia beat Wales, and the Czech Republic beat Ir
Ireland midfielder Sammie Szmodics was stretchered off after being left unconscious following a heavy collision with an opponent in a World Cup qualification playoff game against the Czech Republic on Thursday. Szmodics collided with Czech player Stepan Chaloupek as they both moved toward a high ball. Szmodics collapsed to the ground immediately and seemed to display involuntary arm movement. Medical staff treated Szmodics on the ground for several minutes before he was moved onto a stretcher with support for his head and neck. Fans sang and applauded as Szmodics was carried off. "He was knocked out cold," Ireland coach Heimir Hallgrimsson said. "At least he's conscious now. He will stay here tonight." Hallgrimsson was hopeful that Szmodics would fly back on Friday. Szmodics, who plays for Derby in England, had only been on the field for less than two minutes after coming off the bench for Ireland in the 115th minute of extra time before the incident happened. He was replaced by .
Senegal's team jersey will display only one star instead of two at the World Cup this summer, but it has nothing to do with the country being stripped of the Africa Cup of Nations title. The Senegalese Football Federation (FSF) issued a statement to clarify that production of the jerseys by kit manufacturer Puma began in August last year and "manufacturing deadlines and industrial constraints did not allow for the interruption of this ongoing process." Senegal went on to win the Africa Cup in January for its second continental crown after winning the 2021 edition, to which its first star refers. But the Teranga Lions were surprisingly stripped of the second title on Tuesday when the Confederation of African Football's appeals board ruled that Senegal forfeited the Jan. 18 final by leaving the field of play without the referee's authorization, awarding Morocco a default 3-0 win. The FSF made no mention of that decision in its statement, where it continued to refer to "our victory" a
Italy is coming off a record performance at the Winter Olympics. Kimi Antonelli just became the second youngest driver at 19 to win a Formula One race and is considered The Next Big Thing in auto racing. The Azzurri rugby squad beat England for the first time in the Six Nations. Jannik Sinner is back to winning ways on the tennis court. Italy's men and women are the world champions in volleyball. Even the country's unheralded baseball and cricket teams have broken barriers recently. Yet there's one big team from Italy that continues to struggle. The once-dominant men's soccer team is at risk of failing to qualify for a third consecutive World Cup. The four-time World Cup champion needs to beat Northern Ireland in the playoffs next Thursday in Bergamo and then either Wales or Bosnia and Herzegovina away to avoid going at least 16 years without even playing a match at soccer's biggest event. "Sports are about cycles but this one in soccer has gone on for too long," Italy Sports M
The World Anti-Doping Agency has put off a decision about barring government officials from major sporting events if their countries voluntarily withhold dues, pushing a potential conflict with President Donald Trump and other U.S. officials until at least after this summer's World Cup. The WADA executive committee met and said it would consider the new rule in September, two months after the end of the World Cup, which the U.S. is hosting along with Canada and Mexico. If such a rule is adopted later this year, it would presumably go into effect before the Los Angeles Olympics in 2028. The U.S. hasn't paid its dues since 2023. If that continues, the new rule could place Trump and U.S. lawmakers on a banned list for Games in their own country, though there are doubts about whether an anti-doping regulator could keep any of them from attending the Olympics. Conflict with WADA has not been a particularly partisan issue in the U.S., which withheld the payments in 2024 and 2025 - once .
Lionel Messi was called up Wednesday for a March 31 friendly match against Guatemala as Argentina gears up to defend its title in the World Cup. The game at La Bombonera in Buenos Aires was arranged after the Finalissima between Argentina and Spain on March 27 in Qatar was called off because of the conflict in the Middle East. Coach Lionel Scaloni left out striker Lautaro Martinez, defender Lisandro Martinez, and midfielder Giovani Lo Celso because of physical problems. Martinez (left calf strain) has been cleared to play but has yet to return for Inter Milan. Jose Manuel Lopez of Palmeiras in Brazil was called up in his place. Manchester United's Lisandro Martinez is unavailable due to physical discomfort. Lo Celso of Real Betis is recovering from a muscle tear. Estudiantes de La Plata defender Tomas Palacios and Racing Club full-back Gabriel Rojas received their first senior national team call-ups. Benfica winger Gianluca Prestianni was called up despite being embroiled in ...
Newcastle midfielder Sandro Tonali went off injured against Barcelona in the Champions League on Wednesday, eight days before Italy starts its World Cup qualifying playoffs bracket. Tonali appeared to hurt his left thigh chasing back to defend Fermin Lopez and put the ball out for a corner. It was 4-2 at the time early in the second half, and Barcelona forward Robert Lewandowski scored a header from the corner to all but guarantee the Spanish champion will advance to the quarterfinals. Barcelona was soon leading 6-2 at Camp Nou after the teams drew 1-1 in Newcastle last week. Tonali has been an expected starter for Italy as the four-time champion aims to play at a World Cup for the first time since 2014. Italy hosts Northern Ireland on March 26 at Atalanta's stadium in Bergamo and the winner will travel to face either Wales or Bosnia-Herzegovina five days later. The playoff bracket winner will enter a World Cup group with co-host Canada, Switzerland and Qatar.