Agence France Presse
Articles by Agence France Presse

Crystal Palace went down to a 2-1 defeat at Fiorentina on Thursday but nonetheless progressed 4-2 on aggregate to the semi-finals of the UEFA Conference League, where they will meet Shakhtar Donetsk. On the other side of the draw, Strasbourg pulled off a fine comeback to book their spot in the last four against Rayo […] The post Palace lose but still progress to Conference League semis, Strasbourg comeback appeared first on Soccer America.

Saudi Arabia’s sovereign wealth fund announced Thursday the sale of its majority stake in Saudi Pro League football club Al-Hilal, where French striker Karim Benzema plays. The PIF, which also owns English Premier League side Newcastle United, sold 70 percent of Al-Hilal to Kingdom Holding Company (KHC), the firm run by Prince Alwaleed bin Talal, […] The post Saudi wealth fund sells football club Al-Hilal appeared first on Soccer America.

Union Berlin coach Marie-Louise Eta said Thursday she was looking forward to questions about football rather than her pioneering role as the first female manager of a men’s team in a top European league. Eta, 34, was named Union coach on Sunday after predecessor Steffen Baumgart was fired. Speaking to the media for the first […] The post Union coach Eta wants focus on football after landmark appointment appeared first on Soccer America.

Declan Rice said reaching another Champions League semi-final was “an amazing achievement” for Arsenal despite failing to silence their critics in a 0-0 draw at home to Sporting Lisbon on Wednesday. The Gunners progressed 1-0 on aggregate thanks to Kai Havertz’s late winner in the Portuguese capital last week. Arsenal, who have never won the […] The post Rice ‘doesn’t care’ about Arsenal critics after reaching Champions League semis appeared first on Soccer America.

Guillermo Hoyos said his long friendship with Lionel Messi will not stop him working the Argentine superstar hard in training, as he was unveiled as the new coach of MLS side Inter Miami on Wednesday. Hoyos, previously Miami’s sporting director, replaces Javier Mascherano, who departed the club for “personal reasons” Tuesday just four months after […] The post Longtime Messi friend Hoyos unveiled as Inter Miami coach appeared first on Soccer America.

Harry Kane praised Luis Diaz’s late “moment of magic” which delivered the killer blow as Bayern Munich eliminated Real Madrid to reach the Champions League semi-finals on Wednesday. Holding a 2-1 first-leg advantage, Bayern fell behind three times on the night in the first half as record 15-time champions Real produced a familiarly strong performance […] The post Kane lauds Diaz ‘moment of magic’ after Bayern knock out Real appeared first on Soccer America.

Liverpool and France forward Hugo Ekitike will miss the 2026 World Cup after suffering a serious injury in his club’s Champions League loss to Paris Saint-Germain, his national team coach Didier Deschamps said Wednesday. The 23-year-old crumpled in a heap holding his lower right leg with a suspected ruptured Achilles tendon during the first half […] The post France boss Deschamps confirms Ekitike to miss World Cup appeared first on Soccer America.

A top US lawmaker called on FIFA to pay for World Cup public transportation costs on Tuesday following a report that local authorities in New Jersey are planning massive price hikes during the tournament. Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer, a Democrat, said on X that football’s world governing body — which stands to earn $11 […] The post Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer demands FIFA pay World Cup transport bill amid ticket hikes appeared first on Soccer America.

On a street in a suburb of Port-au-Prince, a dozen teenagers using stones for goalposts are immersed in a Sunday game of football as traffic winds around them. Haiti has many problems, including political instability, poverty and crime. But through it all, the heart of the nation beats for football. Haiti’s qualification for this summer’s […] The post World Cup 2026: Haiti, a ravaged nation whose heart beats for soccer appeared first on Soccer America.

Liverpool manager Arne Slot said he would be surprised if Hugo Ekitike features again this season after being stretchered off in his side’s Champions League exit to Paris Saint-Germain. A serious-looking injury to Ekitike compounded a miserable night for the English champions as Ousmane Dembele’s double sealed a 2-0 win at Anfield for the holders, […] The post Ekitike injury ‘looks really bad’, says concerned Slot appeared first on Soccer America.

Atletico Madrid sent 10-man Barcelona crashing out of the Champions League and reached the final four with a 3-2 aggregate victory despite Tuesday’s 2-1 quarter-final second leg defeat. Lamine Yamal and Ferran Torres fired visitors Barca ahead inside 24 minutes but Ademola Lookman’s strike gave Atletico the edge in the gripping all-Spanish tie once again […] The post Atletico resist Barca comeback to reach Champions League semis appeared first on Soccer America.

Lauren Hemp fired England to a 1-0 win over Spain on Tuesday as the Lionesses moved closer to qualifying for the Women’s World Cup. Hemp’s goal early in the first half at Wembley sealed England’s third successive victory, moving them above holders Spain to the top of group A3. It was the first time the […] The post England beat Spain in Women’s World Cup qualifier appeared first on Soccer America.

Ousmane Dembele’s double guided Paris Saint-Germain into the Champions League semi-finals as a 2-0 win over Liverpool at Anfield on Tuesday completed a 4-0 aggregate win for the holders. To compound the English champions’ woes, Hugo Ekitike suffered a serious-looking injury that could end his season and hinder Liverpool’s chances of being back among Europe’s […] The post Dembele sends PSG past wounded Liverpool into Champions League semis appeared first on Soccer America.

Javier Mascherano announced on Tuesday that he was leaving his role as head coach of Inter Miami, the MLS club spearheaded on the field by his compatriot Lionel Messi. The 41-year-old Argentinian, who guided Miami to the club’s first MLS Cup title, said his surprise departure was due to “personal reasons”. “I want to let […] The post Mascherano departs MLS club Inter Miami appeared first on Soccer America.

American businesswoman Michele Kang, already the Lyon men’s club president, minority shareholder and owner of the women’s side, is preparing for a potential full takeover of the Ligue 1 club, a statement from their current owner said on Tuesday. Lyon’s current owner, Eagle Football Group, was placed under administration in March, effectively removing former Lyon […] The post American Kang preparing bid to buy Ligue 1 club Lyon appeared first on Soccer America.

Diego Maradona would be happy, his fans say. The childhood home of the late Argentine football legend has been transformed into a soup kitchen for people squeezed by President Javier Milei’s austerity policies. The needy can also ask for clothing at 523 Amazor street in the Buenos Aires suburb of Fiorito, where the player dubbed […] The post Maradona’s birthplace repurposed as soup kitchen for Argentina’s hungry appeared first on Soccer America.

Barcelona’s teenage winger Lamine Yamal said Monday he was taking inspiration from basketball great LeBron James and Brazilian footballer Neymar to try and inspire a Champions League comeback against Atletico Madrid. The Catalan giants fell 2-0 last week in the quarter-final first leg at home but are aiming to reach the final four for a […] The post Star names inspiring Barca teen Yamal for Atletico comeback appeared first on Soccer America.

Daniel Farke hailed Leeds’ historic 2-1 win against Manchester United on Monday as “big step forward” in their fight for Premier League survival. Leeds earned their first league victory at Old Trafford since 1981 thanks to Noah Okafor’s first-half double. United had Lisandro Martinez sent off for pulling Dominic Calvert-Lewin’s hair in the second-half before […] The post Farke hails Leeds’ historic win at Man Utd appeared first on Soccer America.

Rose Lavelle scored a goal and set up another as the United States beat Japan 2-1 in the first of two friendlies between the two women’s international football powerhouses on Saturday. Gotham FC midfielder Lavelle, the reigning U.S. Soccer Female Player of the Year, opened the scoring after just nine minutes at PayPal Park in […] The post Rose Lavelle leads USWNT to win over Japan appeared first on Soccer America.

Manchester City ignited the Premier League title race with a second-half blitz that sealed a 3-0 win against Chelsea as they closed the gap on Arsenal. The post Man City rout Chelsea to close gap on leaders Arsenal appeared first on Soccer America.

Bundesliga club Union Berlin on Sunday named Marie-Louise Eta as head coach, making her the first female manager of a men’s team in a top-five European league, after former mentor Steffen Baumgart was sacked. The 34-year-old will take over for the remainder of the season. “I am delighted the club has entrusted me with this […] The post Union’s Eta becomes first female coach in top-five European leagues appeared first on Soccer America.

Inter Miami’s hopes of securing a first victory at their new Nu Stadium were frustrated once more on Saturday after Red Bull New York came from behind to snatch a 2-2 draw. A week after Lionel Messi and Miami were held to the same score by Austin FC in their opening game at their new […] The post Red Bull New York’s teen spirit frustrates Messi, Miami appeared first on Soccer America.

AC Milan relinquished any remaining hope of winning the Serie A title on Saturday after falling to a shock 3-0 home defeat by Udinese, while Juventus beat Atalanta 1-0 to move into the Champions League positions. A Davide Bartesaghi own goal and Jurgen Ekkelenkamp’s glancing header in the first half, and Arthur Atta’s superb low […] The post Milan’s Serie A title hopes in tatters after shock Udinese defeat, Juve fourth appeared first on Soccer America.

Arsenal’s shock 2-1 defeat by Bournemouth on Saturday blew the Premier League title race wide open, as Liverpool beat Fulham to boost their chances of qualifying for next season’s Champions League. The Gunners could have opened up a 12-point lead at the top of the table, but a third straight domestic defeat for Mikel Arteta’s […] The post Arsenal suffer major title blow as Liverpool earn vital win appeared first on Soccer America.

Folarin Balogun kept up his remarkable recent scoring record for Monaco but could not prevent his team sliding to a 4-1 defeat away to Paris FC. The post Balogun strike in vain as Monaco suffer heavy defeat appeared first on Soccer America.

Como's bid to reach the Champions League faces a key test on Sunday when Serie A leaders Inter Milan arrive lakeside trying to take another step towards a 21st league title. The post Ambitious Como’s Champions League bid tested by Serie A leaders Inter appeared first on Soccer America.

Jean-Philippe Mateta inspired Crystal Palace to a 3-0 win over Fiorentina in their Conference League quarter-final, first leg on Thursday. The post Mateta inspires Palace win over Fiorentina in Conference League appeared first on Soccer America.

England’s final two World Cup warm-up friendlies will likely take place in sweltering Florida heat after the Three Lions’ schedule was finalized on Thursday. Thomas Tuchel’s men will take on New Zealand on June 6 in Tampa Bay before facing Costa Rica four days later in Orlando. Both games will kick off at 4 p.m. […] The post England set for World Cup warm-up friendlies in Florida heat appeared first on Soccer America.

Women’s national team director Norio Sasaki argued that Japan could not win next year’s World Cup if Nils Nielsen remained in charge, describing his coaching as “a little too lax, a little too soft." The post Culture clash spelled shock end for Japan women’s first foreign coach appeared first on Soccer America.

Julian Alvarez and Alexander Sorloth's goals earned Atletico Madrid a commanding 2-0 lead over 10-man Barcelona in a tense Champions League quarter-final first leg clash on Wednesday. The post Atletico punishes 10-man Barcelona, takes control of Champions League series appeared first on Soccer America.

Desire Doue and Khvicha Kvaratskhelia scored the goals to give a dominant Paris Saint-Germain a 2-0 win over Liverpool in their Champions League quarter-final first leg on Wednesday, as the holders seized a clear advantage to take to Anfield for next week’s return. Doue’s shot in the 11th minute looped over goalkeeper Giorgi Mamardashvili and […] The post Dominant PSG leaves Liverpool right up against it in Champions League series appeared first on Soccer America.

Bayern Munich coach Vincent Kompany hailed goalkeeper Manuel Neuer after his team secured a 2-1 Champions League quarter-final first leg win at Real Madrid on Tuesday. Luis Diaz and Harry Kane’s goals gave the Bundesliga leaders a strong lead on a dominant display but Kylian Mbappe pulled one back for Madrid, with Neuer making a […] The post Bayern’s Kompany praises ‘special’ Neuer display in win at Real Madrid appeared first on Soccer America.

Mircea Lucescu, who left his position as coach of the Romanian national team last week, has died at the age of 80 following a heart attack, according to a statement released on Tuesday by the Bucharest hospital where he was being treated. “Mr. Mircea Lucescu was one of Romania’s most successful football coaches and players, […] The post Former Romania coach Mircea Lucescu dies aged 80 appeared first on Soccer America.

Atletico Madrid coach Diego Simeone hailed departing forward Antoine Griezmann ahead of the club’s Champions League quarter-final first leg clash at Barcelona on Wednesday. The 35-year-old French striker, Atletico’s all time top goalscorer, is leaving at the end of the season to join MLS side Orlando City. Simeone addressed Griezmann directly before a press conference […] The post Atletico’s Simeone hails ‘exemplary’ departing Griezmann appeared first on Soccer America.

Barcelona coach Hansi Flick said he would defend teenage star Lamine Yamal against criticism for his occasional “emotional” outbursts, ahead of Wednesday’s Champions League quarter-final first leg against Atletico Madrid. The 18-year-old winger did not celebrate Barca’s late winner in the 2-1 victory at Atletico in La Liga on Saturday that took the Catalans seven […] The post Barca’s Flick to defend ’emotional’ teen Yamal against criticism appeared first on Soccer America.

Antoine Griezmann’s Barcelona story ended in the depths of misery but as he returns to Camp Nou in the Champions League quarter-finals, the French forward is desperate to close out his time with Atletico Madrid on the greatest of highs. Diego Simeone’s side, defeated in the 2014 and 2016 finals, have never lifted the trophy […] The post Departing Griezmann back at Barca in search of Atletico grand finale appeared first on Soccer America.

No teams have faced each other more in the competition, with Tuesday's match the 29th occasion Madrid will meet Bayern. The post Real Madrid hoping Champions League magic halts Bayern juggernaut appeared first on Soccer America.

The chastening loss to Southampton was only Arsenal's fifth defeat this season and marked the first time they have been beaten in successive games in this campaign. The post Sputtering Arsenal faces test of character in Sporting clash appeared first on Soccer America.

Lionel Messi marked the opening of Inter Miami’s gleaming new stadium with a goal as the Major League Soccer champions battled to a 2-2 draw against Austin FC on Saturday. Inter Miami’s co-owner David Beckham was among the star-studded crowd as the club’s 26,000-capacity Nu Stadium made its debut, marking the end of a more-than-decade-long […] The post David Beckham: Miami stadium opening is ‘a dream come true’ appeared first on Soccer America.

Leeds reached the FA Cup semifinals for the first time in 39 years as it survived a dramatic penalty shootout after squandering a two-goal lead in a thrilling clash with West Ham on Sunday. Daniel Farke’s side was moments away from victory at the London Stadium after Ao Tanaka’s first-half goal and Dominic Calvert-Lewin’s second-half […] The post Leeds beat West Ham in shootout to reach FA Cup semis for first time in 39 years appeared first on Soccer America.

Robert Lewandowski shouldered home a dramatic late winner for Barcelona as they edged Atletico Madrid 2-1 on Saturday to move seven points clear at the top of La Liga after Real Madrid slipped up. Second-placed Real were beaten 2-1 at Mallorca earlier on and Barca capitalised at the Metropolitano stadium to take a big step […] The post Barca moves clear in LaLiga as Real Madrid stumbles appeared first on Soccer America.

Mikel Arteta urged Arsenal to “show what we are made of” after their shock 2-1 defeat against second tier Southampton in the FA Cup quarter-finals on Saturday. Arteta’s side fell behind to Ross Stewart’s first-half goal at a raucous St Mary’s before Viktor Gyokeres came off the bench to net the second-half equaliser. Arsenal were […] The post Arteta demands Arsenal response after FA Cup shocker at Southampton appeared first on Soccer America.

Arsenal suffered a shock FA Cup quarterfinal exit as the Premier League leaders crashed to an embarrassing 2-1 defeat against second tier Southampton on Saturday. Mikel Arteta’s side were stunned by Shea Charles’ late winner in a memorable quarter-final giant-killing at St Mary’s. Ross Stewart put Southampton ahead in the first-half and Viktor Gyokeres’ equaliser […] The post Arsenal stunned by Southampton in FA Cup quarterfinals appeared first on Soccer America.

Swap the Azzurri kit and slip into something maple-flavored: the Canadian Soccer Association spent Saturday tempting Toronto's Italian diaspora to trade blue for red and rally behind the home team at the 2026 World Cup. The post Hosts Canada offer heartbroken Italians jersey swap for World Cup appeared first on Soccer America.