FIFA World Cup News

Gennaro Gattuso refused to speak on his future as Italy head coach, after they failed to reach the World Cup finals. The Azzurri lost to Bosnia and Herzegovina on penalties in their play-off final, with Francesco Pio Esposito and Bryan Cristante missing their spot-kicks during a 4-1 defeat in the shootout. It finished 1-1 after […]

Thomas Tuchel insisted it is “totally normal” for England to rely on Harry Kane after they lost 1-0 to Japan in the striker’s absence. Brighton’s Kaoru Mitoma scored the only goal in the friendly at Wembley Stadium, with England failing to win both of their matches during this break following their 1-1 draw with Uruguay […]

Rasmus Hojlund, Anders Dreyer and Mathias Jensen all missed from the spot as Denmark agonisingly missed out on World Cup qualification in a 3-1 penalty shoot-out loss to Czechia, having drawn 2-2 after extra time. Denmark recovered from a goal down in both regulation time and the additional period, but those wayward spot-kicks allowed Czechia […]

Viktor Gyokeres scored an 88th-minute winner to send Sweden to the World Cup, as they beat Poland 3-2 in a back-and-forth qualification play-off in Stockholm. The Arsenal striker – who scored a hat-trick against Ukraine in Sweden’s semi-final victory last week – was in the right place to finish off a goalmouth scramble with extra […]

Italy head coach Gennaro Gattuso is relishing their World Cup play-off final against Bosnia and Herzegovina, insisting “anyone who is in football lives for moments like this”. The Azzurri face Bosnia in Zenica after defeating Northern Ireland 2-0 in their play-off semi-final, while Bosnia overcame Wales on penalties. Moise Kean netted Italy’s second goal against […]

Netherlands head coach Ronald Koeman has urged “difference-maker” Memphis Depay to regain fitness and “be in top form” for this summer’s World Cup. Depay was left out of Koeman’s squad for the March international break after the Corinthians forward suffered a thigh injury, though he still travelled to Netherlands for treatment. The 32-year-old was Netherlands’ […]

  Romelu Lukaku has explained the mental toll of his injury-hit campaign as he targets a strong end to the season. Lukaku withdrew from Belgium’s squad for this month’s fixtures against the United States and Mexico. Belgium’s record scorer has managed just seven appearances for Napoli this season, totalling just 64 minutes. In a social […]

Jose Mourinho claimed Portugal look like a “run-of-the-mill team” without Cristiano Ronaldo in their ranks after a disappointing draw with Mexico. Portugal played out a 0-0 stalemate with Mexico at the Estadio Azteca on Saturday, but they struggled to break down their hosts’ defence. Ronaldo is currently sidelined with a muscle injury, and in his […]

Wayne Rooney does not see Harry Kane easing off as he prepares to lead England at the World Cup. Kane, who was rested for England’s 1-1 draw with Uruguay on Friday, has plundered 48 goals for Bayern Munich in all competitions this season since last summer’s Club World Cup. The 32-year-old is the leading goalscorer […]

Sandro Tonali played a starring role in keeping Italy’s World Cup dream alive as his goal and assist helped them earn a 2-0 win over Northern Ireland at New Balance Arena. Tonali netted a stunning 56th-minute opener before teeing up Moise Kean late on, edging Italy closer to a first appearance at FIFA’s flagship tournament […]