RIO DE JANEIRO (AFP) -- Brazilian police and football authorities traded blame on Wednesday, Nov. 22, after a brawl broke out ahead of Brazil's match against arch-rivals Argentina, leaving several injured in what fans called a "tragedy foretold." Brazilian police clash with fans of Argentina before...
MADRID (AFP) -- Jenni Hermoso was summoned on Wednesday, Nov. 22, by the judge investigating the events surrounding the then Spanish federation chief Luis Rubiales kissing her at the Women's World Cup final trophy ceremony. Spain's Jenni Hermoso (AFP) Rubiales eventually resigned over the issue --...
RIO DE JANEIRO (AFP) -- Argentina defeated Brazil 1-0 on Tuesday, Nov. 21, in an ill-tempered 2026 World Cup qualifying clash marred by pre-match crowd trouble that forced kick-off to be delayed. Argentina's forward Lionel Messi (center) and defender Cristian Romero (center-left) celebrat their...
HONG KONG (AFP) -- Skipper Son Heung-min scored a brace and set up the other as South Korea made it two victories from two in 2026 World Cup qualifying with a 3-0 win in China on Tuesday, Nov. 21. South Korea's Park Yong-woo (left), Son Heung-min (second from left), Hwang In-beom (center), Lee...
NEW YORK (AFP) -- A set of six jerseys that Lionel Messi wore during Argentina's victorious 2022 World Cup run will be auctioned in December, Sotheby's announced on Monday, Nov. 20, estimating their value at more than $10 million. This undated photo courtesy of Sotheby's shows Lionel Messi's set of...
HONG KONG (AFP) -- South Korea travel to China on Tuesday, Nov. 21, for 2026 World Cup qualifying, with Son Heung-min warning his side they must keep their cool in front of a sell-out crowd. South Korea's Son Heung-min (AFP) The clash in Shenzhen, just over the border from Hong Kong, is the pick of...
HONG KONG (AFP) -- Asia's footballing heavyweights made fast starts to World Cup qualifying on Thursday, Nov. 16, with Australia, Japan and South Korea plundering 17 goals between them in big wins on home soil. South Korea's forward Cho Gue-sung celebrates his goal with teammate Son Heung-min (top)...
TOKYO (AFP) -- Japan suffered a blow on the eve of World Cup qualifying as Brighton winger Kaoru Mitoma ruled out with injury, the football association said on Wednesday, Nov. 15. Brighton's Japanese winger Kaoru Mitoma (AFP) The 26-year-old has scored seven goals in 18 appearances for his country...
SYDNEY (AFP) -- "Matilda" was picked as Australia's word of the year on Wednesday, Nov. 15, after the national football team's historic run to the semifinals of their home Women's World Cup. Australia's Matildas (AFP) Nicknamed the "Matildas", the team were front- and back-page news in Australia in...
JOHANNESBURG (AFP) -- Prolific Liverpool scorer and Egypt captain Mohamed Salah will be among the stars in action this week when 2026 World Cup qualifying in Africa kicks off with two matchdays. Prolific Liverpool scorer and Egypt captain Mohamed Salah (AFP) His two Premier League goals against...
TOKYO (AFP) -- Japan, Australia and Jurgen Klinsmann's South Korea will launch their qualifying campaigns on Thursday, Nov. 16, for the 2026 World Cup, with Palestine also among the 36 teams in action in Asia. Brighton's Japanese Kaoru Mitoma (AFP) A record eight direct spots and one...
TOKYO (AFP) -- Japan named a full-strength squad featuring Brighton's Kaoru Mitoma and Real Sociedad's Takefusa Kubo on Wednesday, Nov. 8, for the start of their 2026 World Cup qualifying campaign against Myanmar and Syria. Brighton's Japanese Kaoru Mitoma (AFP) The Blue Samurai, who lost on...
