14

Dec

Messi confirms Qatar final will be his last World Cup game

 Lionel Messi has confirmed he will play his last World Cup game when Argentina take on France or Morocco in Sunday's final in Qatar. Messi lead Argentina to a 3-0 win over Croatia…

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12

Dec

France favourites but Morocco eye another knockout punch

After putting Belgium, Portugal and Spain to the sword in Qatar, Morocco are looking to bring another soccer superpower to their knees when they face France in the World Cup…

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12

Dec

Ronaldo says dedication to Portugal unchanged but will ‘let time be a good adviser’

Cristiano Ronaldo said on Sunday that he had always been dedicated to being a part of the Portuguese national team, which was knocked out of the World Cup a day…

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28

Nov

Late Casemiro strike lifts Brazil 1-0 over Swiss and into last 16

Midfielder Casemiro showed his misfiring strikers how to finish on Monday when he lashed in an unstoppable late shot to give Brazil a 1-0 win over Switzerland that sent them into the…

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22

Nov

Making up for lost time: World Cup matches run longer than ever

Matches at the World Cup in Qatar are running longer than at any other tournament after referees were told to account for time-wasting and delays more punctiliously. The four halves…

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22

Nov

Denmark and Tunisia play out first goalless draw at Qatar World Cup

Denmark hit the woodwork in the second half as they were held to a 0-0 draw by Tunisia in their Group D World Cup opener that smouldered and sparked, but never…

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22

Nov

Wales boss Page lauds Bale for point-saving penalty

Wales manager Rob Page hailed Gareth Bale and revealed he had been considering substituting his talisman in the second half of the 1-1 draw with the United States on Monday…

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13

Nov

Poland’s Dragowski out of World Cup, Grabara called up

(Reuters) - Poland keeper Bartlomiej Dragowski will miss the World Cup in Qatar after suffering a serious ankle injury playing for his club Spezia in their 2-1 Serie A win…

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12

Nov

World Cup 2022: full list of 26-man squads playing in FIFA tournament

(Reuters) - Following is a list of players who have been called up for the Nov. 20-Dec. 18 World Cup in Qatar. ARGENTINA Injured forward Paulo Dybala has not played…

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08

Nov

‘Qatar is a mistake,’ says former FIFA President Sepp Blatter

"It is too small of a country. Football and the World Cup are too big for it," Blatter said of Qatar, the first country in the Middle East to host…

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07

Nov

Qatar minister accuses Germany of ‘double standards’ in World Cup criticism

Qatar's foreign minister has accused Germany of "double standards" over its criticism of the World Cup host's human rights record and has defended its summoning of the German ambassador, in…

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01

Nov

Whatever we do won’t be enough, says Henderson on Qatar protests

England's Harry Kane will join other captains and wear 'One Love' armbands at the Qatar World Cup but midfielder Jordan Henderson says some fans will expect players to do more…

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29

Oct

FIFA warn World Cup-bound Tunisia over state interference

(Reuters) - FIFA have warned the Tunisian Football Federation (TFF) their participation at the World Cup could be under threat if there is found to be government interference within the…

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25

Oct

Qatar faced unprecedented criticism as host country of World Cup, Emir says

Qatar has faced unprecedented criticism since it was picked as the host of the 2022 World Cup, some of which has amounted to slander, the country's Emir Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad…

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01

Jul

Semi-automated offside technology approved by FIFA for 2022 World Cup

(Reuters) - Semi-automated offside technology will be used at this year's World Cup, promising decisions that are more accurate and a lot quicker, world soccer's governing body FIFA said on…

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25

Jun

FIFA approves increase of World Cup squads to 26 players

Football governing body FIFA has approved the increase of the World Cup squads to a maximum of 26 players, the federation said on Thursday. National teams are to take at…

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02

Apr

World Cup draw: Spain v Germany; Messi v Lewandowski; US v Iran

There will be no group of death at the 2022 World Cup but excitement is guaranteed with former champions Spain and Germany pitted against each other while World Footballers Lionel…

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01

Apr

FIFA’s Infantino scraps plans for a biennial World Cup

DOHA (Reuters) - Gianni Infantino has stepped sharply back from hotly contested plans for a biennial World Cup, telling world soccer’s leadership that FIFA had never proposed such an idea.…

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26

Mar

Messi praises home fans in possible farewell before World Cup

BUENOS AIRES (Reuters) - Lionel Messi paid tribute to Argentina fans in what could be their last home game before November’s World Cup finals and said the raucous support in…

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26

Mar

Italy FA boss backs Mancini to stay despite missing out on World Cup

(Reuters) - Italian Football Federation (FIGC) President Gabriele Gravina has backed coach Roberto Mancini to continue in his role despite the team failing to qualify for this year's World Cup…

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25

Mar

Italy to miss World Cup after loosing to N Macedonia

Italy will miss out on a second successive World Cup after Aleksandar Trajkovski's stoppage-time strike gave North Macedonia a sensational 1-0 victory at Renzo Barbera. Having also failed to qualify…

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09

Mar

FIFA decides: Ukraine’s World Cup play-off delayed, Poland progress

Ukraine will visit Scotland in their World Cup play-off semi-final in June rather than this month following the invasion by Russia, global football governing body FIFA said Tuesday. It was…

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26

Feb

UPDATE – Poland, Sweden refuse to play World Cup match with Russia

WARSAW (Reuters) -Poland and Sweden said they would not play their soccer World Cup qualifiers against Russia in March, following Russia's invasion of Ukraine, the governing bodies of both national…

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31

Jan

Canada beats US to close in on World Cup berth

(AFP/Reuters) - Canada took a giant step towards their first World Cup qualification in 36 years on Sunday. Canada struck early and again late on to defeat the U.S. men's…

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28

Dec

Mbappe, Lewandowski say quality will suffer with biennial World Cups

France forward Kylian Mbappe and Polish striker Robert Lewandowski expressed their reservations about a biennial World Cup, saying quality would take a hit if overworked players are forced to play…

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27

Nov

Italy and Portugal on collision course in World Cup playoffs

ZURICH (Reuters) -The last two European champions, Italy and Portugal, could face off for a spot at the 2022 World Cup in Qatar after they were drawn on Friday in…

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16

Oct

Europeans ready to block FIFA World Cup plans regardless of vote

MANCHESTER, England (Reuters) - FIFA’s plans for a biennial World Cup face being blocked by European and South American opponents, even if they are given the backing of the majority…

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22

Sep

Hungary ordered to play World Cup qualifier behind closed doors

MANCHESTER, England (Reuters) -Hungary must play their next World Cup qualifier behind closed doors after FIFA imposed a ban on fans and a 200,000 Swiss franc ($217,000) fine following racist…

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08

Sep

Premier clubs could face sanctions if they play South American players

Premier League clubs could face sanctions from FIFA if they play South American players, who were not released for international duty, in this weekend's games. Liverpool, Manchester United, Chelsea and…

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07

Sep

Southgate open-minded about FIFA’s biennial World Cup proposal

England manager Gareth Southgate said he is open-minded about FIFA's proposals to hold the World Cup every two years, though he thought the tournament may lose some of its appeal if it moves…

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07

Sep

FIFA chief says Brazil game abandonment was ‘crazy’

FIFA is investigating the abandonment of the Brazil-Argentina World Cup qualifier with its president Gianni Infantino labelling the events "crazy", while Tottenham Hotspur are reportedly ready to take disciplinary action against their Argentine…

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05

Sep

France’s winless run continues with Ukraine draw

France's winless streak stretched to five games as Les Bleus were held to a 1-1 draw away to Ukraine in their World Cup qualifier in Group D on Saturday. The…

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04

Sep

UEFA set to oppose FIFA over biennial World Cup

MANCHESTER, England (Reuters) - Proposals to hold the World Cup every two years, being pushed by governing body FIFA, are set to be opposed by UEFA and Europe's leading clubs,…

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28

Aug

Mancini keeps faith with Euro winners for World Cup qualifiers

Aug 27 (Reuters) - Coach Roberto Mancini has recalled all but the injured Leonardo Spinazzola from Italy's triumphant Euro 2020 squad for their World Cup qualifiers. Mancini has called up…

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21

May

FIFA to carry out study on holding World Cup every two years

FIFA will carry out a feasibility study on holding the World Cup and the women's World Cup every two years after backing a proposal at its annual congress on Friday.…

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01

Apr

Spain cruise to top spot in qualfiers despite keeper howler

Spain secured a convincing 3-1 home win over Kosovo in a World Cup qualifier on Wednesday, although goalkeeper Unai Simon made a huge blunder to cost his side a goal. Dani Olmo gave Spain a…

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27

Mar

Belgium without seven players for World Cup trip to Prague

Belgium must do without seven squad members for their trip to Prague to play the Czech Republic on Saturday in World Cup qualification. The team’s five Bundesliga-based players will not…

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21

Mar

French authorities allow foreign players to forgo quarantine

PARIS (Reuters) - The French sports ministry on Saturday opened the door for foreign players in Ligue 1 and Ligue 2 to join their national teams for World Cup qualifiers…

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01

Feb

Qatar World Cup will be played in full stadiums – Infantino

GENEVA (Reuters) - The World Cup matches scheduled next year in Qatar will be played in front of full stadiums This was announced by the president of FIFA Gianni Infantino.…

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27

Jan

FIFA aiming to announce 2026 World Cup venues by end of 2021

FIFA will aim to announce in the last quarter of 2021 the host cities for the 2026 World Cup being jointly staged by the United States, Canada and Mexico, soccer's…

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12

Dec

Italy’82 World Cup heroes carry their colleague in moving funeral

VICENZA, Italy (Reuters) - Marco Tardelli, Giancarlo Antognoni, Antonio Cabrini and Fulvio Collovati, former teammates of Paolo Rossi in the victory of the '82 World Cup carried Paolo Rossi's coffin…

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02

May

Will European football’s season be moved from its traditional window?

FIFA vice-president Victor Montagliani has said that moving the European football season to the calendar year is a "possibility to be discussed" in the wake of the coronavirus pandemic which…

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16

Mar

Italy World Cup Champions back ‘in action’ to beat the CoVid Challenge

The players who in 2006 won the World Cup is back in action as it prepares to give their part to win a new challenge, this time the coronavirus. The…

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02

Nov

South Africa win Rugby World Cup 2019

South African captain Siya Kolisi (C) holds the cup as the team celebrates winning the Rugby World Cup final match between England and South Africa at the International Stadium Yokohama,…

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02

Jul

USA reaches World Cup final after beating England

The U.S. defeated England 2-1 in a close match on Tuesday and will advance to the 2019 Women's World Cup final on Sunday. The U.S. will face the winner of…

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02

Jan

Qatar prepares for 2022 World Cup, increasing beer price by 100 percent tax

Qatar has introduced a 100 per cent tax on alcohol, doubling prices overnight. The tax came into effect on New Year’s Day in the conservative Gulf state, which will host…

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29

Sep

Theresa May would back a joint UK and Ireland bid for 2030 World Cup

A joint bid from the UK and Ireland to host the 2030 World Cup would receive the "full support" of government, Theresa May has announced. The Football Associations of England,…

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30

Jul

Qatar denies reports about wrongdoings in 2022 World Cup Bid

AIPS Media : Shortly before the World Cup kicked off in Russia sports journalists covering the FIFA ‘beat’ began receiving a stream of virulent PR attacks on the staging of the…

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30

Jul

On this day 1966, England won their first and only FIFA World Cup (Video)

The History Channel: Fifty-two years on from England’s greatest footballing triumph, we look back at the day that secured Geoff Hurst and the 1966 England national team their place in football…

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29

Jul

US$ 1.5 billion spent by foreigners during WorldCup

The Moscow Times: Visa has named fans from the United States and China — both of which failed to qualify for the tournament — as the biggest card spenders during the…

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17

Jul

World Cup – Emotions explained

Photos Credits: Fifa.com, Getty Images

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17

Jul

Kolinda Grabar-Kitarovic leadership earns her respect across the globe

Quartz:  "At Sunday’s final between France and Croatia, though, Croatian president Kolinda Grabar-Kitarović was a literal bright spot in the crowd. Dressed in a red-and-white team jersey, Grabar-Kitarović spent most of…

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16

Jul

Paris and London’s metro stations change to celebrate World Cup results and participation

Paris and London have tweaked their metro stations names to celebrate aspects of their World Cup participation and results.

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16

Jul

Monday Morning Briefing

Good morning, France wins the World Cup while Trump arrives in Helsinki for his summit with Putin. Before leaving the UK he stresses that the EU is a foe of…

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15

Jul

France beats Croatia 4 – 2 in World Cup Final

France have won the 2018 FIFA World Cup Russia™ after defeating Croatia 4-2 in a thoroughly entertaining Final at the Luzhniki Stadium in Moscow in what was a fitting end…

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15

Jul

World Cup: Why France can, must and will win the World Cup

FIFA.COm When a team reaches the FIFA World Cup™ Final, it is because they have overcome every obstacle and shown exceptional qualities, and in doing so have turned their dreams of…

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15

Jul

World Cup: Why Croatia can, must and will win the World Cup

FIFA.COM: The 2018 FIFA World Cup Russia™ Final is just around the corner, as 1998 winners France prepare to face first-time finalists Croatia at the Luzhniki Stadium in Moscow. Ahead of…

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