GROUP STAGE — Group GSat, Jun 27, 03:00 AM
Lumen Field, Seattle, WA

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Match Coverage (229)

MLS will have fewer US World Cup players than ever. Its impact is being felt anyway

The league’s emphasis on youth development has seen its place in the careers of US national team players shift dramatically Sign up for the World Behind The Cup newsletter When the United States men’s national team traveled to France for the 1998 World Cup, they did so with 16 Major League Soccer players on their 22-man roster. This was very much by design. MLS had kicked off in 1996 as a fulfilled promise made to Fifa by US Soccer for the right to host the 1994 World Cup. The new league then set about hoarding as many national team players as it could. In a winless and mirthless tournament in 1998, fraught by a fractious camp, the Americans started an MLS player 21 times in their three group-stage matches, for an average of seven per starting lineup. That number has trended down ever since. In the 2002 run to the World Cup quarter-finals, setting the program’s modern high-water mark, an average of 5.4 MLS players made a start in the USA’s five matches. In 2006, it was 3.33. By 2010, that number had sunk to two; and in 2022, it was only one. In Qatar, the USMNT’s final group stage match against Iran was, in fact, the first time the team had started no MLS players at all at a World Cup since the league’s founding.

Carlos Queiroz set for Ghana arrival ahead of official Black Stars unveiling

The Ghana Football Association (GFA) has confirmed that newly appointed Black Stars head coach Carlos Queiroz will soon arrive in the country for his official unveiling.GFA Communications Director Henry Asante Twum disclosed that the experienced Portuguese tactician is expected in the coming days, where he will formally present his vision for the senior national team.Queiroz, who has previously managed Egypt, Colombia and Oman, has been handed a short-term deal to lead Ghana into the 2026 FIFA World Cup in North America.The 73-year-old takes over from Otto Addo, who was relieved of his duties in March following back-to-back friendly defeats to Austria and Germany.Speaking on Asempa FM, Asante Twum outlined plans for the coach’s introduction, stressing that the unveiling will offer the public and media an opportunity to hear directly from Queiroz.“In the next few days, Carlos Queiroz will arrive in Ghana to be properly unveiled, where he will personally tell us his plans and his expectations, and his ambitions for the team," he said.“We have only made his statement to us public, but he will be unveiled and made available to the press to answer questions, and then we will make progress from there,”...

Stanley Nwabali argues good pay and conditions would stop African talent exodus

Super Eagles goalkeeper Stanley Nwabali has posed a pointed question to African football administrators, arguing that if domestic leagues offered decent salaries and proper structures, players would have little reason to flee to foreign competitions.Speaking in an interview with Brila FM, Nwabali made it clear that the continuous migration of talent from West Africa to Europe, South Africa, and Morocco is a direct consequence of poor conditions at home."In West Africa, our leagues are not as good. We want to go to Europe, we want to come to South Africa, we want to go to Morocco," he said.But his most telling remark came when he turned the question back on league organisers:"If your league is nice, you're getting paid, you're getting sponsors, what are you leaving for?"Nwabali explained that only a handful of clubs can offer competitive wages, leaving most players with limited financial security during their short careers. He contrasted that with the more professional setups in Southern and North Africa, where better stadiums, stronger sponsorship, and consistent organisation make domestic football attractive and sustainable."The league, the pay is a little bit nice for a certain level of your team," he added, implying...

Ernest Norgbey excited as Carlos Queiroz lands Black Stars coaching role

Chairman of Ghana’s Parliamentary Sports Committee, Ernest Henry Norgbey, has expressed strong support for the appointment of Carlos Queiroz as head coach of the Black Stars, describing the decision as a step in the right direction.The 73-year-old Portuguese tactician was named Ghana’s new head coach following the dismissal of Otto Addo. Queiroz has signed a four-month contract with an option to extend beyond the 2026 FIFA World Cup.Ghana have qualified for the global tournament, which runs from June 11 to July 19 across the United States, Canada, and Mexico. The Black Stars have been drawn in Group L alongside England, Panama, and Croatia.Speaking on the appointment, Norgbey praised Queiroz’s wealth of experience and tactical discipline, expressing confidence that the veteran coach will command respect from the players.“He comes to the table with a wealth of experience, and I think his tactical discipline will propel the team. I’m sure even the players will also have the kind of respect for him because this is a coach with international rating,” Norgbey said.He also commended the Ghana Football Association for making what he believes is a beneficial choice for the national team.“For once, the GFA has taken...

'His tactical discipline will propel the team' – Parliamentary Committee Chairman backs Queiroz to succeed

Chairman of Ghana’s Parliamentary Sports Committee, Ernest Henry Norgbey, has expressed strong confidence in newly appointed Black Stars head coach Carlos Queiroz, highlighting the Portuguese tactician’s tactical discipline as a key asset that will drive the team forward at the 2026 FIFA World Cup.Queiroz was named Ghana’s head coach following the dismissal of Otto Addo, signing a four-month contract with an option to extend. He will lead the Black Stars in Group L against England, Panama, and Croatia."He comes to the table with a wealth of experience, and I think his tactical discipline will propel the team," Norgbey said."I’m sure even the players will also have the kind of respect for him because this is a coach with international rating."The veteran Portuguese manager, who has previously coached Real Madrid, Iran, and Egypt, faces the immediate challenge of preparing Ghana for the World Cup, which kicks off on June 11 across the United States, Canada, and Mexico.Ghana’s campaign begins on June 17 against Panama in Toronto.

Carlos Queiroz's pedigree commands respect, says Sports Committee Chairman

Chairman of Ghana’s Parliamentary Select Committee on Sports, Ernest Henry Norgbey, has expressed strong confidence that the vast experience and international pedigree of newly appointed Black Stars head coach Carlos Queiroz will naturally compel players to adhere to his instructions on and off the pitch.Norgbey believes the 73-year-old Portuguese tactician’s résumé—which includes managing Real Madrid, leading Iran to two World Cups, and taking Egypt to the global stage—carries a weight that few coaches in African football can match. That authority, he argued, will translate into discipline and compliance from the Black Stars squad.“He comes to the table with a wealth of experience, and I think his tactical discipline will propel the team. I’m sure even the players will also have the kind of respect for him because this is a coach with an international rating," Norgbey said.Queiroz, who has taken four different nations to the FIFA World Cup, was appointed on a four-month contract with an option to extend. He replaces Otto Addo following Ghana’s poor run of friendly results and failure to qualify for the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations.Norgbey argued that the timing of the appointment, though close to the tournament, is less of...

Ernest Norgbey commends GFA for Carlos Queiroz's appointment

Chairman of Ghana’s Parliamentary Select Committee on Sports, Ernest Henry Norgbey, has praised the Ghana Football Association for appointing Carlos Queiroz as head coach of the Black Stars.Norgbey described the decision as a positive move that will benefit the national team, highlighting Queiroz’s wealth of experience and tactical discipline as key assets.“For once, the GFA has taken a decision that will inure to the benefit of the Black Stars, and I’m happy for the choice that they have made,” Norgbey said.The 73-year-old Portuguese tactician was appointed on a four-month contract with an option to extend beyond the 2026 FIFA World Cup. He replaces Otto Addo, who was dismissed following a string of poor friendly results.Queiroz, who has previously managed Real Madrid, Iran, and Egypt, will lead Ghana in Group L against England, Croatia, and Panama. The Black Stars open their World Cup campaign on June 17 in Toronto.Norgbey expressed confidence that the players will respect Queiroz due to his international standing and believes his tactical discipline will propel the team forward.

Carlos Queiroz confident Ghana will shine at 2026 World Cup

Portuguese tactician Carlos Queiroz is confident Ghana will enjoy a successful campaign at the 2026 FIFA World Cup.According to his agent, Tadeo Martins, this is one of the key reasons why the veteran agreed to take charge as head coach of the Black Stars."Firstly, because he believes in the ambition of the Ghanaian national team to achieve outstanding results in the World Cup, and secondly, because he wants to participate in the tournament for the fifth time in his career,” Martins told Kooora in an interview as quoted by Africasoccer.In the interview, the agent clarified the speculation that the Ghana Football Association (GFA) has tasked Carlos Queiroz to lead the Black Stars to the semi-finals of the 2026 FIFA World Cup as a requirement for a contract extension. According to Martins, the report is false."This is completely unfounded... This is a ridiculous rumour, and I don't know why anyone would write such a thing,” Carlos Queiroz's agent said.The Ghana FA announced the appointment of the former Egypt coach as head coach of the Black Stars for the 2026 FIFA World Cup.He replaces Otto Addo, who was sacked by the Ghana FA after four consecutive...

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