Kylian Mbappe scored twice in France's 3-1 win over Senegal, becoming his country's record goalscorer. Erling Haaland also netted two goals in Norway's 4-1 World Cup qualifying victory against Iraq.
The 2026 FIFA World Cup qualifiers schedule includes matches on Saturday, May 13th, featuring Canada vs. Bosnia and Herzegovina in Toronto, and USA vs. Paraguay in Los Angeles. Sunday, May 14th, has Qatar vs. Switzerland in the Bay Area, Brazil vs. Morocco in New York, Haiti vs. Scotland in Boston, and Australia vs. Turkey in Vancouver.
A parrot named Olivia at Nasu Animal Kingdom has predicted a 3-game winning streak for Japan in the upcoming World Cup qualifiers, despite a historically low prediction rate for men's soccer.
Algeria secured a 1-0 victory over the Netherlands in a friendly match in Rotterdam, with substitute Anis Hadj Moussa scoring the winning goal in the 86th minute. Goalkeeper Luka Zidane, son of Zinedine Zidane, made crucial saves.
Algeria's national football team, led by goalkeeper Luca Zidane and forward Anis Hadj Moussa, secured a 1-0 victory over the Netherlands in a friendly match in Rotterdam. The win serves as preparation for the 2026 World Cup qualifiers.
The South Korean national football team, led by coach Hong Myung-bo, held its first full training session with all 26 players, including Lee Kang-in, for the 2026 World Cup qualifiers. Key players like Son Heung-min and Kim Min-jae had previously joined the camp.
Lee Kang-in, who recently won the Champions League with Paris Saint-Germain, has joined the South Korean national team in Herriman, Utah, for their 2026 World Cup qualifying campaign. He arrived later than other key players due to his club commitments but expressed a strong desire to join team training immediately.
Italy's women's national football team is training in Tirrenia for their final two World Cup 2027 qualifiers against Sweden. Coach Andrea Soncin emphasized the importance of winning both matches to secure a direct spot in the tournament.
England captain Leah Williamson will miss the Women's World Cup qualifiers against Spain and Ukraine due to a hamstring injury. Liverpool's Grace Fisk replaces her, while Brighton's Sophie Baggaley is also called up.
Japan's national football team defeated Iceland 1-0 in an international friendly match held at Tokyo's MUFG Stadium (National Stadium). The winning goal was scored by substitute Koki Ogawa in the 42nd minute of the second half with a header. This match served as a send-off game for the team ahead of the North American World Cup qualifiers.
South Korean striker Oh Hyun-gyu displayed 'wild charm' during the national team's first training session in Herriman, Utah, for the 2026 World Cup qualifiers. He was seen running barefoot and shirtless, a routine he also followed at his club, Celtic.
Roland Garros tennis tournament kicks off in Paris under a heatwave. Saudi Arabia's national football team coach announced a preliminary 30-player squad for World Cup 2026 preparations. Tottenham manager Roberto De Zerbi pledged to stay with the club even if they are relegated from the Premier League.
Egypt's national football team will play a friendly match against Russia on May 28th as part of their World Cup preparations. This encounter follows limited use of the Egypt Stadium and aims to leverage the familiarity and crowd advantage of Cairo Stadium.
Jessie Stapleton and Hayley Nolan are back in the Republic of Ireland squad for World Cup qualifiers against Netherlands and France. Denise O'Sullivan and Emily Murphy are suspended for the home match.
Claire Emslie has been recalled by Scotland for their Women's World Cup qualifiers against Israel, five months after giving birth. Christy Grimshaw also receives her first call-up under Melissa Andreatta.
Ella Toone and Lucy Bronze are back in the England squad for Women's World Cup qualifiers against Spain and Ukraine. Toone returns after a hip issue, while Bronze is included despite a recent injury concern. England leads their group and aims to secure automatic qualification.
Scotland's Women's World Cup qualifying matches against Israel will be played behind closed doors at the Bozsik Arena in Budapest, Hungary, due to Uefa security restrictions on hosting matches in Israel.
A Dutch court on Monday dismissed a legal challenge by NAC Breda seeking to force a replay of their league match against Go Ahead Eagles, a ruling that averted a potential logistical crisis for the Eredivisie. NAC were contesting a 6-0 defeat on March 15, arguing that Go Ahead Eagles defender Dean James should not have been allowed to play because the defender had lost his Dutch nationality after taking Indonesian citizenship to represent the Asian country in World Cup qualifiers, rendering...
A Dutch court on Monday dismissed a legal challenge by NAC Breda seeking to force a replay of their league match against Go Ahead Eagles, a ruling that averted a potential logistical crisis for the Eredivisie. NAC were contesting a 6-0 defeat on March 15, arguing that Go Ahead Eagles defender Dean James should not have been allowed to play because the defender had lost his Dutch nationality after taking Indonesian citizenship to represent the Asian country in World Cup qualifiers, rendering...
A Dutch court on Monday dismissed a legal challenge by NAC Breda seeking to force a replay of their league match against Go Ahead Eagles, a ruling that averted a potential logistical crisis for the Eredivisie. NAC were contesting a 6-0 defeat on March 15, arguing that Go Ahead Eagles defender Dean James should not have been allowed to play because the defender had lost his Dutch nationality after taking Indonesian citizenship to represent the Asian country in World Cup qualifiers, rendering...
FIFA is in advanced talks with the US Treasury to secure federal tax exemptions for all 48 World Cup national teams under section 501(c)(3) of the internal revenue code. After months of lobbying involving Donald Trump's World Cup taskforce, FIFA has received an undertaking that applications are likely to be granted if proper procedures are followed. While state and city taxes will still apply, the exemption could save national associations millions and ease concerns about tournament costs.
