FIFA World Cup (Men's)

Lionel Messi says he's counting down the days until his final World Cup

Argentina captain Lionel Messi has said he is counting the days until the World Cup and believes his team have a good chance of winning the tournament.

Messi, who will be playing his fifth World Cup in Qatar, told Star+ he is feeling nervous ahead of the tournament but is in positive mood.

Argentina will arrive in Qatar with their confidence high after winning the 2021 Copa América final against hosts Brazil, which Messi believes was a turning-point for his team after several near misses.

Latest FIFA rankings: USMNT anxiety reflected in fall from top 15

The final FIFA rankings before the 2022 World Cup were released Thursday, revealing a top five that's largely in line with what the odds makers have for the tournament in Qatar. 

Brazil rightfully holds the top spot and is seen as the favorite after turning its qualifying campaign into a program on Joga TV, while the Seleção's eternal rivals, Argentina, sit third riding a 35-match unbeaten streak.

Breaking: Ukraine joins Spain and Portugal's 2030 World Cup bid

NYON, Switzerland - Ukraine has joined Spain and Portugal in their bid to host the 2030 FIFA World Cup, the Spanish Football Federation (RFEF) and the Portuguese Football Federation (FPF) said on Wednesday, in what they hailed as an act of European solidarity.

They said the decision, announced at a news conference at the Swiss headquarters of UEFA, had the full support of European soccer's governing body and also of the Spanish, Portuguese and Ukrainian governments.

"Our bid is not an Iberian bid anymore, it's a European bid," Luis Rubiales, president of the RFEF, said. 

Brothers like no other: Siblings who played for different national teams

If you've ever found yourself watching a Stoke City match, you probably noticed the towering Harry Souttar. At 6-6, Souttar is a large lad even for an EFL Championship center back. Harry's brother, John, is also a notable defender who features for Rangers and the Scottish national team. 

But while John is a Scottish national, Harry — also an Aberdeen native — represents Australia (his mother's native land) when the international breaks come around.

Chile and Perú are making one last attempt to steal Ecuador's World Cup spot

The Court of Arbitration for Sport (CAS) has registered an appeal by the Chilean football federation (FFCH) against FIFA's decision to allow Ecuador to play at the World Cup despite allegations they fielded an ineligible player, it said on Friday.

World governing body FIFA earlier this month dismissed an appeal in the case of Ecuadorean player Byron Castillo, who Chile had alleged was ineligible to play in qualifying since he was born in Colombia.

Qatar confirms that fans will need a negative Covid test for 2022 World Cup

Fans attending the World Cup in Qatar must show proof of a negative COVID-19 test regardless of their vaccination status, organizers said in a statement on Thursday.

All visitors aged six and over must present a negative result from a PCR test taken within 48 hours before their departure or from a rapid antigen test taken in the 24 hours before arriving, the Supreme Committee for Delivery & Legacy said.

David Faitelson propone que México lleve la bandera LGBT+ en uno de sus jerseys

Luego de ver que Dinamarca ocultó sus escudos en el diseño de sus jerseys, como protesta a las miles de muertes causadas en la construcción de estadios para el Mundial de Catar, el analista de ESPN México, David Faitelson se inspiró y sugirió en su cuenta de Twitter que el Tri debería llevar la bandera de la comunidnad LGBT+ en una de sus playeras.

COVID-19: Catar anuncia los protocolos y requisitos para asistir al Mundial

Si bien la pesadilla del COVID-19 pareciera ir en retirada, aún no estamos totalmente libres. Por lo mismo, en Catar se tomarán algunos resguardos durante la próxima Copa del Mundo para que el evento sea una fiesta del fútbol y no un esparcidor masivo del maldito bicho. 

Denmark’s World Cup kit designs are a powerful anti-Qatar protest

Hummel, the designer for Denmark’s World Cup kits, released the Danish jerseys on Wednesday with a message to host nation Qatar. Hummel announced that the kits they designed are in memory of the thousands of migrant workers who died building Qatar’s World Cup infrastructure.

"While we support the Danish national team all the way, this shouldn't be confused with support for a tournament that has cost thousands of people their lives,” Hummel’s statement said.

Talking El Tri - Mexican Soccer Podcast Episode 1

Welcome to Talking El Tri, your new favorite Mexican soccer podcast!

On our first episode, Luis and Yahir discuss the strengths and weaknesses of Liga MX v MLS and the future of each league. They dive in to El Tri's World Cup group and how they see Mexico performing. Yahir talks a little trash and they ask each other fun questions de Los Cantaritos! 

Pages