International Soccer

Ireland secured promotion to League A of the Women's Nations League with a 1-0 win away to Albania on Tuesday, but had to come through torrential rain, thunderstorms and a pitch which resembled a lake.

"Wettest game in history but job done and top of the group with the girlsss," Ireland captain Katie McCabe posted on Instagram after the match in Shkoder.

"Ballon Pour," Ireland teammate Louise Quinn commented under the post, a reference to McCabe, like many others, missing the Ballon d'Or ceremony on Monday despite her nomination.

Saudi Arabia was the only football association to present a bid to host the 2034 FIFA World Cup before the deadline closed, soccer's global governing body said on Tuesday.

Saudi Arabia World Cup 2034 confirmed

OFFICIAL: World Cup 2034 will be hosted by Saudi Arabia, as president Gianni Infantino has confirmed.

“Football unites the world like no other sport, World Cup is perfect showcase for a message of unity and inclusion”.

Lionel Messi was voted as the best player in the world on Monday winning his eighth Ballon d’Or award. A new thing fans got to see is a Messi rings photo with the Inter Miami star having specially made rings for each of his Ballon d’Or wins.

The 36-year-old Argentine and adidas teamed up to make the iconic photo happen as it’s a nod to the legendary basketball star Bill Russell who passed away last year.

Russell won eight consecutive championships from 1959 to 1966 and took a historic photo wearing all the championship rings.

Mia Fishel scored her first international goal in her hometown to spark the U.S. women's national team to a 3-0 victory in a friendly against Colombia in San Diego on Sunday.

Fishel, in her second appearance, put the Americans ahead in the 56th minute, and Lindsey Horan followed with another goal six minutes later for a 2-0 lead. Jaedyn Shaw, an 18-year-old forward who made her debut on Thursday, scored in the 83rd minute.

The goals came after Casey Murphy made two saves in the opening three minutes of the second half to preserve the scoreless match for the Americans.

Spain substitute Jenni Hermoso scored a superb 89th minute goal to help her side snatch a 1-0 win over Italy in the Nations League on Friday as she returned to the national team for the first time since their Women's World Cup success in August.

Hermoso came on in the 68th minute and collected a rebound from Alexia Putellas' shot to nudge the ball into the net for her 52nd goal as the national team's top scorer.

The United States women's national team drew Colombia 0-0 on Thursday in a lackluster friendly game that had one big theme. Alex Morgan couldn’t finish the USWNT’s best chances.

Morgan debuted for the USWNT on a snowy night in Sandy, Utah, back in 2010. The 34-year-old striker was on the field for the Stars and Stripes at the same venue again 13 years later.

The homecoming to Utah will be one to forget for Morgan who squandered three golden chances including a penalty kick.

While the United States women’s national team continues the head coach search, ex-manager Vlatko Andonovski has found his new gig with the Kansas City Current.

Prior to becoming USWNT head coach in 2019, Andonovski was coaching in the NWSL with FC Kansas City and OL Reign. During his four-year tenure with Kansas City, he led them to back-to-back NWSL Championship titles in 2014 and 2015.

Christine Sinclair, the world's all-time leading international goalscorer, has announced her retirement from the Canada women's national team but said she still planned to play for Portland Thorns in the National Women's Soccer League (NWSL) next season.

The 40-year-old Sinclair's illustrious international career includes a record 190 goals for Canada in 327 games, an Olympic gold medal and six World Cup appearances.

"Honestly, you can't play forever," Sinclair told Reuters. "And this seems like a good time to be done."

United States men’s national team captain and Bournemouth defensive midfielder Tyler Adams is expected to be out until February 2024 with a hamstring issue.

Adams already missed six months of action this year after suffering a hamstring injury that required surgery in March.

The 24-year-old made one appearance for his new club Bournemouth in September before reaggravating his hamstring issue.