International Soccer

The football that was at the feet — and hand — of Diego Maradona as he shocked the world with acts of both brazen gamesmanship and breathtaking skill in Mexico 36 years ago has been put up for auction and is expected to sell for at least $2.8 million.

The ball in question is from the 1986 World Cup quarterfinal between Argentina and England, in which Maradona scored six minutes into the second half by sneakily punching the ball over England goalkeeper Peter Shilton into the net, a goal he said afterwards had been helped by the "Hand of God."

The U.S. women's national team has lost consecutive matches for the first time in more than five years after a 2-0 defeat to Spain in a friendly Tuesday in Pamplona, Spain.

The Americans failed to rebound from a 2-1 loss to England on Friday that ended a 13-game winning streak.

Laia Codina put the Spaniards ahead in the 39th minute and Esther Gonzalez doubled the lead in the 72nd.

Bayern Munich defender Alphonso Davies has suffered a skull contusion after he was kicked in the head during Saturday's draw with Borussia Dortmund, the Bundesliga champions said on Sunday.

Davies, 21, was challenging Dortmund midfielder Jude Bellingham for the ball towards the end of the first half and his head came into contact with the English midfielder's raised boot.

FRANKFURT, Germany - Defending champions Italy will face England in their Euro 2024 qualifying group, a repeat of last year's tournament final, following the draw on Sunday in Frankfurt's Festhalle.

The Italians, who beat England 3-2 on penalties at London's Wembley stadium in 2021 to lift the trophy will also play North Macedonia, who prevented Roberto Mancini's side from reaching the World Cup, and Malta in Group C.

76,893 fans packed into Wembley Stadium on Friday to watch England defeat the United States women’s national team 2-1 in a wildly entertaining friendly. The game had a bit of everything including two controversial VAR decisions that went against the U.S.

The game got off to a brutal start for the USWNT when Alana Cook had a nightmare at the back. In the ninth minute a dangerous but clearable cross from Beth Mead came into the box and Cook failed to get it clear. Lauren Hemp jumped on the failed clearance and tucked in the game’s opener

The United States women’s national team and England’s national team shared a moment before Friday’s friendly to show support for all the victims of the NWSL’s abuse scandal. An independent investigation from Sally Q. Yates and King & Spalding LLP revealed the top women’s soccer league in the U.S. had a systemic misconduct and abuse problems.

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.

United States women’s national team fans watching Friday’s friendly might be asking, “why is Alex Morgan not playing vs England?”

Morgan is among several big-name players for the U.S. that will miss the massive game between the defending World Cup champions and the Euro 2022 winners.

England and the United States will come together to show their support for the victims of the abuse scandal that has rocked the U.S. National Women's Soccer League (NWSL) when the countries meet in a friendly on Friday, Lionesses forward Beth Mead said.

An independent investigation this week showed abuse and misconduct "had become systemic" in the American top-flight and that the league, teams and governing body U.S. Soccer failed to adequately protect players.

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.