Page 49 - Football

AFC Asian Cup football: Lusail Stadium to host the opener and summit clash

The iconic Lusail Stadium that hosted the World Cup final last year will host the opening and final matches of the AFC Asian Cup, the local organising committee announced on Monday. The tournament will kick off with defending champions Qatar taking on Lebanon in Group A on January 12 while the final is scheduled to be played on February 10. The Indian team are grouped with 2015 champions Australia, Uzbekistan and Syria in Group B and will begin their campaign against the Socceroos on January 13.

Ronaldo and big-spending Saudi clubs to dominate Asian Champions League

Cristiano Ronaldo gets his first taste of Asian competition on Tuesday as Al-Nassr meets Shabab Al-Ahli of Dubai in a Champions League preliminary round playoff with the rest of the continent wondering if big-spending Saudi Arabian clubs can be stopped. Al-Nassr finished second in its domestic league last season but since signing the five-time Ballon D'Or winner in December, has added more stars this summer. Marcelo Brozkovic, Sadio Mane, Alex Telles and Seko Fofana have arrived from Inter Milan, Bayern Munich, Manchester United and Lens respectively. The club has lost its first two games of the new Saudi Professional League season and Shabab Al-Ahli may be champion of the United Arab Emirates but Al-Nassr is still seen as a strong favorite to progress to the group stage, especially as the single elimination game will take place at its Riyadh home. In the past, only Japanese and South-Korean clubs could compete with Saudi clubs, Roel Coumans, who left his position as head coach of .

Spain's World Cup winning captain Carmona lost her father on final's day

Olga Carmona, whose goal won the Women's World Cup for Spain, learned after the final of her father's death, the Spanish soccer federation said. He had been ill and died while Carmona's mother and other relatives traveled to Australia to watch her play in the final, the federation said early Monday, without giving more detail on the cause of death. The family decided to wait until after the title celebrations to give Carmona the news. And without knowing it, I had my Star before the game started, Carmona said on X, formerly known as Twitter, along with a photo of her kissing the winners' medal. I know that you gave me the strength to achieve something unique. I know that you were watching me tonight and that you are proud of me. Rest in peace, dad. After the final whistle, she was among the Spanish players celebrating and dancing on the field, and appeared to participate normally during the trophy presentation. We love you, Olga, the federation said on X. You are part of the hist

Saudi's football surge: Neymar, Ronaldo, and billions at play

In the past six months, the Saudi Pro League has signed at least 22 players from Europe. Watch the video to know about Saudi Arabia's football surge. >

Fifa Women's World Cup: England's Lionesses ''game-changers'' back home

The wait for a World Cup title goes on for England, but the Lionesses were still heralded as game-changers back home after their loss to Spain in Sunday's final in Sydney. King Charles III, Prime Minister Rishi Sunak and a host of other politicians, royals and celebrities were quick to praise the England players on social media despite a 1-0 loss in the FIFA Women's World Cup title match. Although it's the result none of us wanted, Lionesses you have done yourselves and this nation proud," Prince William, who is the president of England's Football Association, posted on social media. Your spirit and drive have inspired so many people and paved the way for generations to come. After winning the UEFA European Championship at home last year, England reached the championship match in the women's global tournament for the first time. It was also the first time an England team had reached a World Cup final since the men's team won in 1966. You left absolutely nothing out there @Lionesses

Aleksandar Mitrovic leaves Fulham to join Neymar at Saudi club Al Hilal

Serbian striker Aleksandar Mitrovic is the latest big-name signing for Al Hilal, the Riyadh-based club announced on Sunday. The Saudi Pro League side, which signed Brazil's Neymar last week, posted a picture on social media platform X, formerly known as Twitter, of Mitrovic being presented with his team jersey with the caption Mitrovic is Hilali until 2026. Mitrovic, Fulham's top scorer in four of the last five seasons, was absent from his team's 3-0 loss to Brentford on Saturday, after getting injured in Fulham's opening match of the English Premier League season against Everton last week. The 28-year-old striker's contract with Fulham ran until 2026 and the west London club reportedly knocked back multiple offers from Al Hilal, which signed Neymar from Paris Saint Germain for a reported 90 million euros ($98 million). Al Hilal, a record 18-time national champion, is one of four Saudi clubs effectively nationalized by the country's Public Investment Fund (PIF). ESPN reported that

Fifa Women's World Cup: Spain crowned world champions, beat England 1-0

Spain became the world champions after beating England 1-0 in the final of the Fifa Women's World Cup at Stadium Australia in Sydney on Sunday, August 20, 2023

Women's World Cup breaks even says Infantino, palys down equal prize money

FIFA president Gianni Infantino said Friday that the Women's World Cup has broken even after generating more than $570 million in revenue but dismissed suggestions for equal prize money with the men's World Cup. The current World Cup prize pools sit at $110 million for women and $440 million for men. Infantino has consistently played down calls for equal payments. On Friday, he suggested demands for equal prize money were a slogan that would not solve anything." Some voices were raised, where it cost too much, we don't make enough revenues, we will have to subsidize, Infantino said at the FIFA Women's Football Convention. And our opinion was, Well, if we have to subsidize, we will subsidize', because we have to do that. But actually, this World Cup generated over $570 million in revenues, and so we broke even." Infantino said FIFA didn't lose money and we generated the second-highest income of any sport, besides of course the men's World Cup, at a global stage." More than half a

Women need to convince us men on equality: Fifa prez Gianni Infantino

The winning team in this year's tournament will receive $10.5 million, with $6.2 million earmarked for distribution to its players

Premier League: Liverpool sign Japan midfielder Wataru Endo from Stuttgart

Liverpool signed Japan midfielder Wataru Endo from German club Stuttgart on Friday. The 30-year-old Endo was in the last year of his contract at Stuttgart, where he was the captain. Endo played in all four of Japan's games at the World Cup last year. He was always on my list, just usually we don't sign players of this age group," Liverpool manager Jrgen Klopp said. "He is obviously a top fit and we will have a lot of fun with him. I'm really sure he can help us immediately, which is super-cool because the season already started. The signing comes after Liverpool missed out on another defensive midfielder, Moiss Caicedo, who opted for Chelsea instead. Endo is a defensive midfielder who can also play in the center of defense. He had been at Stuttgart since 2020 and scored five goals in 33 Bundesliga games last season as the club narrowly avoided relegation.

Premier League: Chelsea sign Romeo Lavia on transfer from Southampton

Chelsea completed the signing of 19-year-old defensive midfielder Romeo Lavia from Southampton on Friday after agreeing to a reported transfer fee of 58 million pounds ($74 million). The Belgium international signed a seven-year deal after reportedly rejecting a proposed move to Liverpool. The spending spree at Stamford Bridge continues with Lavia arriving just days after Chelsea signed Ecuador midfielder Moises Caicedo from Brighton for a reported 115 million pounds ($146 million). Caicedo's signing took Chelsea's spending on players to $1 billion in 15 months under its new American owners. The highly rated Lavia has played only 29 times in the Premier League. I'm really happy to join Chelsea and be a part of this exciting project, Lavia said in Chelsea's announcement. It's an amazing football club with a great history and I'm really excited to get started. I can't wait to meet all my new teammates and build a chemistry together to achieve great things together.

Champions League: Ukraine's Shakhtar Donetsk to play home games in Germany

Ukraine's Shakhtar Donetsk will play its home Champions League games in Germany this season at the Volksparkstadion in Hamburg. Unable to host European games in Ukraine because of the Russian invasion, Shakhtar's home games were held in the Polish capital Warsaw last season. The Ukrainian champion said Friday that UEFA has agreed the team can play in Hamburg where it's likely to attract the support of Ukrainians who have been displaced during the war and are living in Germany and other countries. The Volksparkstadion is home to Hamburger SV, which has been a second-division team since 2018. It's also a venue for the European Championship in Germany next year. The stadium has a 57,000 capacity for German league games, including some standing terraces, or 51,500 in all-seater international games.

Messi says happy with Miami move during first public interaction in US

Fans line up outside Inter Miami's practice facility to watch Lionel Messi's car drive away after training sessions. Players from opposing teams wait after matches to get his signature or just a simple handshake. His No. 10 jersey is everywhere in South Florida. For Messi, these are reminders that he made the right choice. He could have continued his acclaimed career with another stint in Barcelona, where he rose to stardom. He could have signed a lucrative deal to play for Al-Hilal in Saudi Arabia. He chose the unfamiliar to travel stateside and play soccer in the United States, and he's glad about it. "From the beginning, from my arrival, it's been an impressive welcome that we've received," Messi said through an interpreter. He spoke publicly Thursday for the first time since announcing on June 7 that he'd join Inter Miami of the MLS. "Today I can tell you that I am very happy with the decision we made," Messi said at Miami's DRV PNK Stadium in a room so full of reporters that

Arsenal's Arteta concerned about packed calendar post early season injuries

Arsenal manager Mikel Arteta is concerned about the welfare of players in the packed soccer calendar after a glut of high-profile knee injuries in the opening week of the European season. One of Arsenal's big offseason signings, Jurrien Timber, is set to be sidelined for most of his first year in English soccer after damaging the anterior cruciate ligament in his right knee on his competitive debut on Saturday against Nottingham Forest in the Premier League. Elsewhere in the league, Aston Villa playmaker Emu Buendia is expected to miss most of the season with a significant knee problem reportedly an ACL injury sustained in training ahead of the first round. In Spain, Real Madrid goalkeeper Thibaut Courtois and center back der Milito sustained ACL injuries over the past week. With Villa center back Tyrone Mings (knee) and Manchester City midfielder Kevin De Bruyne (hamstring) also picking up injuries in the first round of league games that will keep them out long term, Arteta said

Uefa Best Player award: Messi makes the cut alongside De Bruyne and Haaland

Lionel Messi made the three-man shortlist announced Thursday for the UEFA award as the best player in Europe last season. The FIFA World Cup-winning captain from Argentina, who has left Europe to play for Inter Miami, is up against Manchester City teammates Kevin De Bruyne and Erling Haaland. Messi won the UEFA award twice in its 12-year history, both in years when Barcelona was the European champion. Man City won the UEFA Champions League title last season. Pep Guardiola is the favourite for the men's coaching award after leading Man City to the Champions League, Premier League and FA Cup titles. Also nominated were Simone Inzaghi of Inter Milan, who led his team to the Champions League final, and Luciano Spalletti, who led Napoli to the Serie A title. The winners will be announced at the Champions League draw on August 31 in Monaco. The shortlists for the women's player and coaching awards will be announced next week after the FIFA Women's World Cup, UEFA said. England will face

Harry Kane set for his first start at Bayern Munich against Werder Bremen

Harry Kane has had an "immediate effect" on Bayern Munich's locker-room atmosphere and is expected to make his first start for the German champion against Werder Bremen on Friday, Bayern coach Thomas Tuchel said Thursday. Hours after being announced as a Bayern player, the England captain came on as a 64th-minute substitute in Bayern's 3-0 loss to Leipzig in the German Super Cup on Saturday. Kane indicated Sunday that he might need time to adapt to Bayern after 19 years at Tottenham. Tuchel said Kane will start Friday's game "if nothing happens today, nothing extraordinary," and said he was fitting in well with the rest of the Bayern team. "My first impressions of Harry are fantastic. He is a top professional, the quality is outstanding and he's a fantastic human being, he is very open, he's first on the training pitch, he is open in the dressing room," Tuchel said. "I think he has an immediate effect in the dressing room with his personality, with his approach to football, his lov

Is it coming home? England eye Women's World Cup trophy against Spain

The rallying cry It's Coming Home is one game away from reality and the end of England's 57-year drought in global soccer. The World Cup trophy can return this Sunday to the birthplace of soccer for the first time since 1966. But if it happens, the journey back to England will be with the women's national team and not the men's. The Lionesses have roared their way into their first Women's World Cup title game, Sunday against Spain. It is the first all-European final since 2003, when Germany beat Sweden. It has been a magical ride for both teams: England has been on top of the global game since winning the European Championship last summer, and Spain is in its first final less than a year since 15 players quit the team in protest. But England was expected to be here, and all around the world, in pubs and at viewing parties, England supporters have been singing It's Coming Home," the unintentional reminder that the soccer team hasn't won the World Cup since 1966. The men's team was t

Nike, Adidas bet big on women's World Cup football shirts, merchandise

Merchandise companies often flood market with easily stockpiled items that only require a little final printing work or other touches, such as novelty championship hats, T-shirts, other collectibles

9 cars, mansion & more: Here's what Neymar wanted before joining Al Hilal

According to Cope, Neymar asked for a 25-bedroom mansion and nine luxury cars which include brands like Bentley Continental GP, Aston Martin DBX, Lamborghini Huracan and Mercedes G Wagon

Manchester City win UEFA Super Cup, beat Sevilla in a penalty shootout

Manchester City marked its first appearance in the UEFA Super Cup by beating Sevilla 5-4 in a penalty shootout on Wednesday to add another piece of silverware to its vast haul under manager Pep Guardiola. After a 1-1 draw in regulation time and then nine successful spot kicks in the shootout, Nemanja Gudelj struck his attempt against the crossbar to hand City victory inside Stadio Georgios Karaiskakis. It was a 15th trophy won by City in Guardiola's reign that started in 2016 and made up for the loss to Arsenal in a penalty shootout in the Community Shield 10 days ago. "The manager made it so clear to us before the game how much he wants to win this trophy," City midfielder Jack Grealish said about the annual match between last season's winners of the Champions League (City) and Europa League (Sevilla). "You want to win everything anyway but that gave us more of an urge. This club has never won it. It's a brilliant feeling. Youssef En-Nesyri's towering header gave Sevilla the lead