FIFA World Cup (Men's)

Ibrahimović Breaks Down When Asked About Family’s Reaction To Sweden Recall

STOCKHOLM - AC Milan's Zlatan Ibrahimović shed a few tears of pride as he returned to Sweden's national team after a four-year absence for their World Cup qualifiers and recounted how his son did not want him to leave home to join up with Janne Andersson's squad.

The 39-year-old, who quit international football after Euro 2016, choked up when he was asked what his boys, Maximilian, 14, and 12-year-old Vincent, thought of his decision to answer his country's call again and return to the world stage.

Chaos Looms Over World Cup Qualifiers With Clubs Refusing To Release Players

MANCHESTER - Next week's World Cup qualifying games in Europe and beyond are set to be heavily affected by clubs refusing to release players for international duty, COVID-19 quarantines and travel restrictions.

Inter Milan announced on Thursday that all of their players will be pulled out of international duty after two more positive COVID-19 cases at the club.

England Drops Trent Alexander-Arnold, Recalls Jesse Lingard For World Cup Qualifiers

LONDON - England manager Gareth Southgate has dropped Liverpool full back Trent Alexander-Arnold from his squad while recalling on-loan West Ham midfielder Jesse Lingard for this month's World Cup qualifying matches against San Marino, Albania and Poland.

Alexander-Arnold has been a regular in the England squad since breaking into the side ahead of the 2018 World Cup but Southgate said his form had cost him his spot.

Former Captain Daniele De Rossi Joins Italy’s Coaching Staff

Former Italy captain Daniele De Rossi has joined Roberto Mancini's national team staff as technical coach, the Italian Federation said on Thursday.

Ex-Roma midfielder De Rossi is fourth on Italy’s all-time appearance list having played 117 times for the Azzurri, and takes up his first coaching role after retiring from playing last year when he left Boca Juniors.

Raúl Jiménez Será El Guía Espiritual De La Selección Mexicana En Su Gira Por Europa

La Federación Mexicana de Fútbol anunció los nombres de los futbolistas que se ganaron un boleto para defender al Tri en su gira por Europa, donde enfrentará a Gales y Costa Rica. En total son 27 los convocados, incluyendo a Raúl Jiménez. El delantero aún se recupera de una fractura de cráneo, sufrida en noviembre de 2020, pero se sumará en un modo más espiritual, como apoyo emocional a sus compañeros en los duelos amistosos.

Luck Of The Irish: How Football Has Become More Than A Game In The Republic Of Ireland

There is an Irish saying that goes Tiocfaidh ár lá, which translates to "our day will come." This refers to the day that Ireland will no longer be divided; when Northern Ireland and the Republic of Ireland will finally come together as the single nation they were before British rule.

It is a phrase that is strongly laced politically and has some negative connotations in connection with the IRA, but it is ultimately a fight for freedom guided by hope.

The hope that Irish people will one day be united.

Arsène Wenger Wants World Cup Every 2 Years Because No One Cares About Nations League

Arsene Wenger says FIFA should consider holding the World Cup and Euros every two years and that a review of the international match calendar will consider compressed qualifiers and enforced breaks for players.

The former Arsenal manager is Chief of Global Football Development at world soccer's governing body and a close advisor to president Gianni Infantino.

Wenger said the current four year wait for a World Cup is unfair to players and the focus should be on "competitions of meaning," including the European Championships.

Spain World Cup Qualifying Squad Has Room For Pedri, But Not The World’s Most Expensive Keeper

MADRID - Luis Enrique has named four uncapped players in Spain's 24-man squad for the upcoming triple header of World Cup qualifiers against Greece, Georgia and Kosovo later this month.

Barcelona's 18-year-old forward Pedri, Brighton & Hove Albion goalkeeper Robert Sánchez, Eibar attacker Bryan Gil and fullback Pedro Porro of Sporting are the new faces in a squad that only contains six players from Spain's “big three” clubs.

Valencia’s Yunus Musah Commits International Future To USMNT Over England

MADRID - Valencia forward Yunus Musah has committed his international future to the United States, U.S. Soccer said on Monday.

Musah, who turned 18 in November, was eligible to represent Gregg Berhalter's side as he was born in New York to a Ghanaian mother who was on holiday visiting relatives at the time.

New Netflix Film Dramatizes The Life And Career Of Roberto Baggio

For those of a certain vintage, this will be a wonderful trip down memory lane; for those whose fandom began in the 21st century, this should be an excellent introduction to the genius of one of Italy’s most celebrated footballers — on May 26, Baggio: The Divine Ponytail arrives on Netflix.

This biographical film from director Letizia Lamartire is billed as “a chronicle of the 22-year career of soccer star Roberto Baggio, including his difficult debut as a player and his deep rifts with some of his coaches.”

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