World Cup News

After the game, the South Korean player enjoyed the local street food Leer

The 2026 FIFA World Cup will be the largest of its kind as it will be hosted over three countries for the first time in history, featuring 48 teams from the six football federations, an increase of 16 countries from the regular format of 32 nations that has been in place since 1998. The… The post Newcomers and Second Appearances: What to Expect in the 2026 World Cup first appeared on Breaking The Lines.

All 211 FIFA members have a designated country code: these are the 48 that will appear at World Cup 2026

La finalissima del Mondiale prevista a New York vedrà un intervallo di circa 25 minuti in stile Halftime show del Super Bowl

Everything you need to know from TV details and tickets to host cities in the United States, Canada and Mexico

Around the world, here are the channels you can watch Newcastle United v Bournemouth Live TV. The global TV listings are featured below for local (to you) coverage on Saturday... You can click here to read the full article.

THE 2026 World Cup is edging ever closer with Mexico taking on South Africa in the opening match of the tournament. The co-hosts raise the curtain on the biggest spectacle in sport as the 104-game extravaganza begins in Mexico City. Coincidentally, the reverse of this fixture was the opening game of the 2010 World Cup when South...

Johnny Cardoso will seek his first trophy lift as an Atletico Madrid player on Saturday. Cardoso and his Atletico Madrid teammates will take on Pellegrino Matarazzo‘s Real Sociedad squad in the Copa Del Rey Final in Seville. Atletico Madrid have hit a worrying run in La Liga play but remain alive for a first trophy ... Read more

And then there were four. Mac and Martyn attempt to make sense of another French failure against their arch nemesis but give some justified praise for an excellent West German defensive performance. Belgium did everything right for the best part of an hour before the real Diego masterclass from Mexico got underway. If you want weekly exclusive bonus shows, join our Nessun Dorma community chat, want your episodes without ads and a couple of days earlier or just want to support the podcast, then head over to ⁠⁠⁠patreon.com/NessunDormaPodcast⁠⁠⁠ where you can subscribe for only $3.99 a month (less than 75p a week!). Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Club America host Toluca in a Matchday 15 showdown of the Liga MX Clausura 2026. Get all the essential information for this clash, with kickoff times and complete broadcast coverage across TV and streaming platforms in the United States. Here are all of the details of where you can watch Club America vs Toluca on US television and via legal streaming: WHO Club America vs Toluca WHAT Liga MX WHEN 11:00pm ET / 8:00pm PT • Saturday, April 18, 2026 WHERE Fubo, DirecTV Stream,CBS Sports Network, Univision, TUDN and ViX STREAM WATCH NOW Match Overview With the regular season winding down in Liga MX, the stakes couldn’t be more different as Toluca and Club America square off in a matchup loaded with urgency. Toluca enter the contest sitting on 27 points, chasing Chivas by four and running out of runway, making every remaining fixture critical if they hope to close the gap at the top. On the other sideline, America are coming off a derby stalemate against Cruz Azul that kept them inside the playoff picture—for now—but with their top-eight position far from secure, anything less than three points here could put their postseason hopes in real danger. More details on how to watch With Fubo, you can watch Club America vs Toluca and tons more Liga MX games with a 7-day trial. With the legal streaming service, you can watch the game on your computer, smartphone, tablet, Roku, Apple TV or hook it up to your TV with Google Chromecast. Now with Fubo, you can stream USA Network, ESPN, ESPN2, CBS, CBS Sports Network, FS1, FS2, beIN SPORTS, beIN SPORTS en Español, beIN SPORTS Connect, beIN SPORTS XTRA, NBC (in select cities), CNBC, USA, FOX (in select cities), FOX Soccer Plus, FOX Deportes, Telemundo, Universo and Galavision. Plus Fubo, the legal streaming service, also streams Liga MX, World Cup, Women’s World Cup, MLS, UEFA Champions League (in Spanish), Europa League (in Spanish), Primeira Liga, Ligue Un, World Cup qualifiers, NWSL, select USMNT games, select USWNT games, select Mexico games, select England games and more. The Fubo app is available for Windows PC, Mac, Apple iPhones, Android phones, Amazon Fire TV, Android Mobile, Android TV, Apple TV, Chromecast, Hisense TVs, iOS devices, LG TVs, Samsung Smart TVs, Vizio Smartcast TVs and Xbox One. If you’re planning to follow more games on this platform, you can check out the full Fubo soccer schedule to stay up to date with upcoming matches available via the service. SEE MORE: Schedule of Liga MX games on US TV and streaming How to watch anywhere with VPN If you’re abroad, you may need to use a virtual private network (VPN) in order to watch games using your usual streaming service. A VPN, such as NordVPN, allows you to establish a secure connection online when streaming. If you are not sure which VPN to use, check out World Soccer Talk’s guide to the best VPNs for streaming soccer. More resources World Soccer Talk is the number one destination in the United States for soccer television and streaming information. We recommend that you bookmark our soccer games on TV today page as well as subscribing to our free daily email newsletter that includes TV schedules and the latest soccer news and opinion from around the world. Courtesy of World Soccer Talk, download a complimentary copy of The Ultimate Soccer TV And Streaming Guide, which features details on where to watch all of the leagues from around the world on US TV and streaming. To find out when soccer games are on, download the free Soccer TV Schedules App which includes listings of all of the live soccer matches available in the United States (available on Apple iOS devices and Android devices).

Los Angeles Galaxy winger Joseph Paintsil has criticised former Black Stars head coach Otto Addo for leaving him out of Ghana’s 2022 FIFA World Cup squad — a decision that shocked many football fans and pundits.In an interview with VamosNetwork, the 2024 MLS Cup champion expressed his lingering disappointment over what he described as an unconvincing explanation from the former coach.“I was disappointed with the decision of the coach of the national team… there was no tangible or reasonable reason for me being excluded from the list,” Paintsil said.Paintsil revealed that Otto Addo told him his omission wasn’t due to performance but rather because he “doesn’t defend".“He told me there is no reason, but the only reason is that I don’t defend. There was no tangible explanation, and I was left behind really disappointed.”Ghana endured a tough 2022 World Cup campaign under Otto Addo, crashing out in the group stage. Although Addo later guided the team to qualify for the 2026 FIFA World Cup, he was dismissed earlier this year after a poor run of results and replaced by veteran coach Carlos Queiroz.Ghana now prepares for the upcoming World Cup in the USA, Canada,...

Los Angeles Galaxy winger Joseph Paintsil has expressed hope that newly appointed Black Stars head coach Carlos Queiroz will select Ghana’s best players for the upcoming 2026 FIFA World Cup, scheduled from June 11 to July 19 across the United States, Canada, and Mexico.Ghana has been drawn in Group L alongside Panama, Croatia, and England, setting up an exciting but challenging path for the four-time African champions.Speaking to VamosNetwork, Paintsil emphasized his commitment to representing Ghana, saying his focus is always on making his country proud.“I always need to respect the national team call-up. I’m playing for the people of Ghana, not for an individual person,” Paintsil said. “I’m doing it for Ghanaians to know my worth and that I can deliver whenever I get the chance.”The 26-year-old also voiced optimism that Queiroz — who previously managed Colombia, Iran, and Egypt — will make fair and merit-based selections for the tournament.“We are just hoping and praying that the new coach will do the needful — to take the best players to the World Cup, to perform, and to make Ghanaians proud,” he added.Queiroz took over the Black Stars earlier this week following the dismissal...

Inter Miami forward German Berterame does not have his place secured with Mexico for the 2026 FIFA World Cup. In just over a month, the coaches of the 48 qualified national teams for the 2026 FIFA World Cup will have to finalize their 26-man squads. In Mexico, there is fierce competition for the striker spots, putting Inter Miami star German Berterame’s chances in serious doubt. “Raul Jimenez and Santiago Gimenez are the main forwards of the Mexico national team, and that appears to be beyond any doubt as the 2026 FIFA World Cup approaches,” Diario Marca reported this week. Indeed, the Fulham forward has been a key figure based on recent call-ups. And while Gimenez has struggled this year at AC Milan due to inconsistent performances and injuries, he has built a strong reputation in Europe to earn that consideration. “The debate is over the third striker for the World Cup,” the report adds. “The focus is on Armando Gonzalez and German Berterame, who are competing for a place in the 26-man squad that Javier Aguirre will select for the FIFA tournament.” Armando Gonzalez playing for Mexico. Who is Armando Gonzalez? One of the fastest-rising players in Mexican soccer in recent years is Armando Gonzalez. The striker will turn 23 next week and is currently enjoying the best season of his professional career with Guadalajara. After beginning his career with Tapatio in Liga de Expansion MX in 2020, ‘La Hormiga’ (The Ant) reached Liga MX in 2024 and has since established himself as a key player for Guadalajara. This season, he is the team’s undisputed star, leading the standings and topping the Clausura tournament scoring chart with 12 goals. Those performances earned Gonzalez a call-up to the Mexico national team, where Javier Aguirre gave him the opportunity to make his debut in a friendly against Paraguay in November 2025. Since then, he has recorded six appearances, one goal and one assist at the international level. Berterame is struggling at Inter Miami While Armando Gonzalez is in the best form of his career with Guadalajara and gaining prominence with the Mexico national team, German Berterame is having trouble finding his rhythm on the field. Inter Miami paid $15 million to Monterrey at the start of this year to sign the Argentina-born forward, hoping he would become an important attacking piece for the team. However, his start with the club has not been ideal: across MLS and the Concacaf Champions Cup, Berterame has managed just one goal in nine appearances for the Herons, raising questions about his place in the starting lineup. That lack of form at club level has impacted his chances internationally. Javier Aguirre has included Berterame in the starting lineup in only one of Mexico’s five matches this year, while in two others he did not see the field at all.

Liverpool striker Hugo Ekitike (23) has been ruled out for the rest of the season and will miss this summer’s World Cup after suffering a ruptured Achilles tendon during Tuesday’s…

Presented by @Zillow #zillow #StateOfTheUnion #Soccer #USMNT Subscribe to get the latest from Alexi Lalas' State of the Union: http://sprtspod.fox/SUBSCRIBEtoSOTU Listen to Alexi Lalas' State of the Union on Apple Podcasts: http://sprtspod.fox/sotu Follow SOTU on Twitter: https://twitter.com/SOTUWithAlexi Follow SOTU on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/sotuwithalexi/ Follow SOTU on TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@sotuwithalexi Like SOTU on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/SOTUWithAlexi About Alexi Lalas' State of the Union Podcast: U.S. Soccer legend Alexi Lalas discusses the biggest stories in the world of soccer from an American perspective. Join Alexi and soccer guru David Mosse, as they break down the USMNT, USWNT, MLS, Bundesliga, Premier League, World Cup & everything in between. www.youtube.com/@StateOfTheUnion

Jimmy Conrad, Charlie Davies, and Tony Meola return with a deeper dive into the fallout from Matt Crocker’s sudden exit as U.S. Soccer sporting director, moving beyond the breaking news to unpack what the role actually demands, why progress on youth development has stalled, and whether anyone can truly fix one of American soccer’s most persistent problems (03:08). From there, the guys discuss the U.S. Open Cup's chaotic and cupset-filled Round of 32 (31:40), a historic night in Mexico as Nashville became the first MLS side to win at the Estadio Azteca, and whether LAFC are now the team to beat in the Concacaf Champions Cup (40:32). Plus, shockwaves in South Florida as Javier Mascherano exits Inter Miami - what’s really going on behind the scenes (49:04)? where Americans take center stage in the Copa del Rey final: can Pellegrino Matarazzo lead Real Sociedad to glory, or will Johnny Cardoso’s Atletico Madrid cap off an incredible week after booking their place in the Champions League semifinals (1:00:37)? Call It What You Want is available for free on the Audacy app as well as Apple Podcasts, Spotify and wherever else you listen to podcasts. Follow the Call It What You Want team on X:⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠@JimmyConrad⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠,⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ @CharlieDavies9⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠, ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠@TMeola1⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ Visit the ⁠betting arena on CBSSports.com⁠ for all the latest in ⁠sportsbook reviews⁠ and ⁠sportsbook promos⁠ for ⁠betting on soccer⁠ For more soccer coverage from CBS Sports, visit ⁠https://www.cbssports.com/soccer/⁠ To hear more from the CBS Sports Podcast Network, visit ⁠https://www.cbssports.com/podcasts/⁠ Watch UEFA Champions League, UEFA Europa League, UEFA Europa Conference League, UEFA Women’s Champions League, EFL Championship, EFL League Cup, Carabao Cup, Serie A, Coppa Italia, CONCACAF Nations League, CONCACAF World Cup Qualifiers, Lamar Hunt U.S. Open Cup, NWSL, Scottish Premiership, AFC Champion League by subscribing to ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Paramount+⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ Visit the betting arena on CBS Sports.com: ⁠https://www.cbssports.com/betting/⁠ For all the latest in sportsbook reviews: ⁠https://www.cbssports.com/betting/news/sportsbook-promos/⁠ And sportsbook promos: ⁠https://www.cbssports.com/betting/news/sportsbook-promos/ To learn more about listener data and our privacy practices visit: https://www.audacyinc.com/privacy-policy Learn more about your ad choices. Visit https://podcastchoices.com/adchoices

The 2026 FIFA World Cup will be the largest of its kind as it will be hosted over three countries for the first time in history, featuring 48 teams from the six football federations, an increase of 16 countries from the regular format of 32 nations that has been in place since 1998. The… The post Newcomers and Second Appearances: What to Expect in the 2026 World Cup first appeared on Breaking The Lines.

Ghana defender Joseph Aidoo has reached a major career milestone after making his 150th appearance for Spanish La Liga side Celta Vigo over the weekend.The experienced centre back featured in Celta's 3-0 home loss against Real Oviedo.The centre-back now ranks among the club’s top 50 players with the most appearances, underlining his long-standing presence and consistency since joining the Galician outfit.Aidoo’s achievement places him second only to captain Iago Aspas among the current Celta Vigo squad in terms of longevity, highlighting his importance within the team’s core structure.Over the years, the Ghana international has built a reputation as a dependable figure in defence, contributing across La Liga campaigns and domestic competitions. His durability and commitment have made him a trusted option for successive coaches at Balaídos.The milestone adds another chapter to Aidoo’s steady rise in Spanish football, with the defender continuing to play a key role as Celta Vigo navigates the demands of the season.Aidoo is expected to be in action when Celta Vigo hosts Daniel Kofi Kyereh's SC Freiburg in the quarterfinals of the second leg of the Europa League tonight at the Estadio de Balaídos.He will be hoping to make Ghana's...

Three officials have had applications for visas rejected Fifa Congress will take place in Vancouver on 30 April Officials from the Palestine Football Association have been denied entry to Canada ahead of a pre-World Cup meeting of Fifa’s member associations to be held in Vancouver this month. Three officials have had applications for visas to enter Canada rejected, with the association subsequently asking Fifa to intervene with immigration authorities on their behalf. It comes amid concerns over the ability of some nations to travel freely to this summer’s 48-team tournament, which will be held across the US, Canada and Mexico.

A FOOTBALL commentator put Tigres ace Diego Lainez on full blast after an "embarrassing" dive in the Champions Cup against the Seattle Sounders. Seattle defeated the Mexican giants 3-1 on Wednesday at the Lumen Field in the second leg of their quarter-final that saw the Latin Americans go through on aggregate. But Lainez, 25, caused...

The Ghana Football Association (GFA) is set to determine the composition of the Black Stars’ backroom staff following the appointment of Carlos Queiroz as head coach of the senior national team.The restructuring comes after Ghana secured qualification for the 2026 FIFA World Cup, with changes already underway in the technical setup.Otto Addo, who led the team to qualify for the tournament, has been dismissed following defeats to Austria and Germany during the March international window.Winfried Schäfer, who served as technical advisor and director of football at the GFA, has also been relieved of his duties as part of the broader technical overhaul.Speaking in an interview with Asempa FM, GFA Communications Director Henry Asante Twum confirmed that Queiroz has requested additional technical support as he prepares to take charge.He noted that the existing technical team—comprising John Paintsil, Desmond Ofei, Alain Ravera, Kim Lars Björkegren, Fatawu Dauda, Kris Perquy, Gregory De Grauwe, José Daniel Martínez Alfonso, Carlos Lozano Romero, Issah Amadou and Abdul Rahman Alhassan—remains in place for now, with no final decision taken on their future."Carlos Queiroz has proposed bringing in additional backroom staff to support his work, but the current technical team remains in...

Approaching the last FIFA World Cup, the one in Qatar, much of the talk was surrounding it taking place in the middle of the European season, forcing domestic leagues to take a break and, possibly, fatiguing a bunch of the world’s best players. The winter World Cup was hugely controversial, but by the time it […] The post 2026 FIFA World Cup: The One With All the Money appeared first on The Blizzard.

Ai Mondiali disputati in Qatar, il capitano dell'Argentina ha superato le aspettative per immortalare la sua eredità nell'unico modo che gli mancava.

Stu Holden is BACK and joins David Mosse for a new episode of State of the Union. On this show, the duo reacts to Matt Crocker leaving U.S. Soccer for a leadership role with Saudi Arabia so soon before the World Cup. After, Stu and Mosse recap a WILD Champions League week that saw Bayern, PSG, Arsenal, and Atletico Madrid advance to the semi-finals. Stu asks if Mbappé is the best player in the world despite Real's loss and gives his pick for the UCL winner. Back stateside, Nashville made history by becoming the first MLS side to win in the mighty Azteca in the CONCACAF Champions Cup, knocking off Club America. In #AskAlexi, Stu and Mosse debate if Mexico or the U.S. utilize their domestic league better and in One for the Road, the guys dive into the sudden departure of Inter Miami boss Javier Mascherano. Presented by Zillow #Zillow Chapters: (1:36) Stu's Reaction to Matt Crocker leaving U.S. Soccer (6:34) The UCL semifinals are set (29:31) U.S. abroad weekend preview (35:25) Nashville SC pulls off historic CCC upset (45:32) #AskAlexi (56:41) One for the Road #StateOfTheUnion Subscribe to get the latest from Alexi Lalas' State of the Union: http://sprtspod.fox/SUBSCRIBEtoSOTU Listen to Alexi Lalas' State of the Union on Apple Podcasts: http://sprtspod.fox/sotu Follow SOTU on Twitter: https://twitter.com/SOTUWithAlexi Follow SOTU on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/sotuwithalexi/ Follow SOTU on TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@sotuwithalexi Like SOTU on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/SOTUWithAlexi About Alexi Lalas' State of the Union Podcast: U.S. Soccer legend Alexi Lalas discusses the biggest stories in the world of soccer from an American perspective. Join Alexi and soccer guru David Mosse, as they break down the USMNT, USWNT, MLS, Bundesliga, Premier League, World Cup & everything in between. Mbappé over Yamal, Epic UCL night and MLS vs Liga MX with Stu Holden www.youtube.com/@StateOfTheUnion

Argentine youth developer Facundo Alvanezzi discusses his 11 years at FC Basel, his role in shaping stars like Granit Xhaka and Xherdan Shaqiri, and why fostering "hunger" and embracing mistakes is the secret to producing elite talent. Alongside the technological leaps of the 21st century, soccer has evolved through the implementation of new instruments and methodologies embraced by clubs across all levels of the game. Yet technology alone does not always translate into better players or better human beings. World Soccer Talk had the opportunity to sit down with Argentine youth developer Facundo Alvanezzi, who spent 11 years at Swiss club FC Basel between 2008 and 2019. Having trained in South America and studied the methods of some of Europe’s most renowned clubs, including FC Barcelona, AC Milan and Bayern Munich, Alvanezzi applied his knowledge to help produce elite talents such as Granit Xhaka, Xherdan Shaqiri and Fabian Schär, among others. A former professional player in Argentina who also played in Italy, Alvanezzi began his coaching career at Aldosivi before departing for Basel in 2008. Moving from scheduled training sessions with limited soccer balls, “compensated by the amount of talent,” to an environment where every youth team trained on a heated pitch, had balls for every player, full kits and access to psychologists, nutritionists and other health professionals represented a dramatic shift in perspective. FC Basel and a commitment to youth development Already proficient in Italian from his playing days, Alvanezzi still had to immerse himself in the cultural and linguistic demands of his new environment, all in service of what he considers the cornerstone of his work: communication. In a single training session, he might move between Italian, French, and German while coordinating multiple groups of young players across state-of-the-art facilities designed to maximize their development. FC Basel’s U-14 squad. “A club like Basel worked with all 14 or 15 age groups all at the same time. The First Division had its own separate pitch. But for everything related to the youth levels from U21 down, everyone had their own respective pitch. Even the littlest ones, the 5 and 6-year-olds, had their own synthetic fields with dimensions suited for 5 or 6-year-olds. Just to give you an idea—no time was wasted there. In other words, time is utilized in a way that enriches you instead of being a deficit that hinders the development of future players.“ Alvanezzi then put into context the remarkable achievement of a small nation punching well above its weight. “You can’t forget that Switzerland has a population of between 6 and 7 million inhabitants, so the emerging talent back then was very scarce. They did an extraordinary market study so that today they have 17, 18, 19, and 20-year-olds—which didn’t happen before—playing and qualified for the next World Cup in the US, Mexico, and Canada. So, basically, everything related to infrastructure and planning… whether you like it or not, having that entire grid set up allowed me—as someone passionate about football who loves being on the pitch—to work peacefully. I knew I had my designated pitch to work with the U15s, the U16s, the U17s,” he added. The role of a youth developer and the cultivation of talent A fluent Spanish speaker, Alvanezzi describes himself as a “formador de juveniles,” a youth developer rather than a coach, drawing a sharp distinction between the two roles: “The developer (formador) teaches and builds; they earn very little, if anything at all. In terms of titles—U14s, U15s, the Reserves… I don’t care about those. The coach (entrenador) is there to train, to play, to compete, to get points, to win a domestic league, a Libertadores, a Euros, a Champions League, or a World Cup. They are two completely different things. That’s why there aren’t many coaches developing players, and there aren’t many developers coaching elite teams.“ Another key principle in his approach is trusting the creative instincts of young players rather than issuing directives, recognizing that the youth phase is when information can have the most profound impact. He pairs this with a cosmopolitan perspective while never abandoning his own core beliefs. Facundo Alvanezzi on the touchline. “In other words: at no point do I impose. I don’t impose knowledge, authority, or didactics—nothing. I seduce. Those are two completely different things. And I try to seduce through knowledge. Because when you have knowledge, you can ‘disarm’ the player; when you explain the how, the when, the where, and the why. Of course, when I go somewhere else, I adapt, but I cannot renounce my genes.“ When he arrived in Switzerland, Alvanezzi found himself surrounded by cutting-edge technology, GPS tracking and gym equipment, yet he remains committed to the idea of developing players “with a ball.” “In player development, I adapted to the systems, but with my own imprint. I carry the Argentine imprint everywhere. It’s this: I watch a player—how he walks—a 5-year-old, a 10, 15, or 20-year-old. I watch him walk. I throw him a ball. I watch him make a couple of touches—juggling in the air, a change of direction. And right then, I realize what that footballer might be capable of. Or not,” he explained. The value of mistakes in youth development Elite clubs increasingly measure the success of their youth teams by silverware, mirroring the pressure placed on the first team. But for Alvanezzi, perfection is not the goal. Forcing young players into rigid systems, he argues, sends them to the first team with significant blind spots, and he views the ability to make mistakes as one of the most valuable learning tools available. “Here are players I can ask to play a football of possession and position. And then there are footballers to whom I have to say, ‘You: control the ball, don’t carry it, and pass it to a teammate.’ Meanwhile, for another player—because I go against the establishment and the system—,” Alvanezzi said. “I believe one of the virtues I have in this vocation of developing players is that I value the error. From the error, I create the virtue of the success. In the context of teaching, I don’t criticize the player; I seduce him. ‘But what if I struggle, I lose the ball, it’s hard for me, and they score on us?’ And what’s the problem? I don’t want my trophies and medals hanging in my house. What good are they to me? If, in the end, I didn’t get any player to move up to the First Division. If I didn’t develop a single player for the first team,” he added. Alvanezzi, who says he has not a single medal or trophy displayed in his home, considers the players he has helped reach the elite level to be his true honors: “Now, my ‘medals’ are an average of 45 to 50 players who reached the top level. Especially at Basel. We had a coach like Thorsten Fink, who helped us a lot and used to play for Bayern Munich. He helped us bring up kids at 16 or 17 years old. I had the pleasure of training players like Yann Sommer, Granit Xhaka, Shaqiri, Breel Embolo, Noah Okafor, Fabian Schär , Eray Cömert, Neftali Manzambi, Raoul Petretta, Cedric Itten—an immense number of players. Those are the medals one gets to hang up.“ He then stressed that the developer’s job demands patience and an embrace of the mistake. “They need to learn to play with the right foot, with the left foot, and have a lot of contact with the ball. When I arrived at Basel and asked for—for example, the squads there are 18 players—I asked for no less than one ball per player. At first, they just looked at me. ‘Why one ball per player?’ Because, what did I achieve over the years? That in an hour and a half, the players went from an average of 200 touches in a standard session… once I integrated the technical and game-based training, that multiplied to 1,400 daily touches with the ball. The more touches you have, the more you polish the errors.“ In an environment dominated by innovation, Alvanezzi believes the fundamentals are often left behind, and his street soccer mentality changed the culture at Basel. “In Europe, ‘soccer practice’ (11v11) doesn’t exist. From Monday to Friday, it’s all small-sided games. Everything. So when I got to Basel, imagine the resistance from the other coaches. They told me, ‘No, Facundo, you’re crazy. The players will get injured; we don’t do that here; everything is small-sided.’ “And I told them, ‘The 11v11 is the symptom for Saturday or Sunday; it’s how you know which player you can count on and which one you can’t. You might think you can count on someone, but on a full pitch, it becomes too big for them, and they become completely disorganized. We need a parameter.’ Well, I implemented it at Basel until it became their own ‘modus operandi’ that on Thursdays, we did the 11v11 practice. The teams started improving exponentially because they were finally playing football not in a 20×20 or 30×30 space, but in 100×65—which is where real football is played,” he added. ‘Hunger’: the defining trait of the players who made it Among the many stars Alvanezzi has helped develop, a common thread runs through the backstories of those who reached the highest level: adversity. Both Xherdan Shaqiri and Granit Xhaka were born and raised in a disintegrating Yugoslavia amid violence before finding asylum in Switzerland. Breel Embolo‘s path was similar, leaving Cameroon with his family before settling in France and eventually Switzerland. That contrast between their upbringing and those of more comfortable peers is precisely what Alvanezzi calls “hunger,” the spark that gave them a decisive edge. “From an early age, when you watch them train—unlike the vast majority of Swiss youth developers who never experienced need—these were kids of struggle. They are born, raised, and developed out of hardship. So, the only possibility they had to emerge—unlike other great Swiss talents I had at Basel who didn’t make it—they weren’t going to make it because they lacked that ‘hunger.’ That potentiality of saying, ‘Through soccer, I am going to help my family; I am going to emerge; I am going to be somebody.‘” Alvanezzi then reflected on the social realities that shaped Xhaka, Shaqiri and Embolo. “They lacked even the most basic conditions in an elite, first-world country. They were segregated because they weren’t Swiss. They are three starters for the Swiss national team who have played in World Cups, but Breel is from Cameroon, and the other two are Kosovar. When society wasn’t integrating them, but they were useful to the national team football-wise, they nationalized them.“ Alvanezzi with Neftali Manzambi, Breel Embolo, and Charles Pickel. He then illustrated how that hunger translates into a measurable competitive advantage. “Genetically, all of that plays in their favor, 80 or 90% more than the well-off Swiss player… That “plus” works in your favor. While they came to training on foot or by tram, the vast majority of players of Swiss origin came every day with their fathers in a different car—a Mercedes-Benz, a Porsche… That factor of having nothing missing ends up working against you. Since you have everything, what am I going to be ambitious about? Playing in a World Cup? I’m not interested. Reaching the first team? If I make it, I make it, and if I don’t, I still have everything,” he stated. A memorable trip to South Africa In 2010, following the World Cup in South Africa, Alvanezzi traveled to the country for fifteen days representing the Swiss U15 national team with Basel at the Danone Nations Cup, competing against teams from Japan, Argentina, China, England, Italy and others. What left the deepest impression on him, however, was not the competition itself but the cultural awakening it triggered among his Swiss players and the youth developers around them. “They didn’t know what it was like for a kid not to have a cell phone, or to walk around barefoot. They couldn’t understand why colored people sat at one table and white people at another because of the legacy of apartheid. All the Swiss kids traveled with the latest cell phones. They would leave half of their plates full of food. And 50 meters away, at the fence in a gated area of the complex, local kids would come to beg for food,” he recalled. FC Basel youth squad in 2010 Danone Cup. “Along with several other Latino coaches, I would gather the leftover food and give it to them. It reached the point where FIFA was going to fine me, because they said I wasn’t allowed to feed the people. And I told them: ‘Why not? It’s the most important thing; they’re hungry. The only one who understood it on that trip was Breel Embolo,” Alvanezzi added. Talent, mentality and the cohesion of a group One of the most enduring debates in sports is whether the right mentality can outshine raw talent through sheer hard work, or whether that notion is simply wishful thinking. For Alvanezzi, the two qualities are not in competition but are complementary, with every player on a team assigned a specific purpose that allows both to coexist. Using the contrasting examples of Erling Haaland and Rayan Cherki, one a physical force of nature, the other a pure embodiment of technical brilliance, he illustrates how different profiles can coexist within the same system “They are complementary and different at the same time. You can link this to the aspect of mental construction. Mentality is also something you develop. If I convince you that in three years you have to improve your heading or your left foot, and you end up doing it in a match to stop a counter-attack… that is mentality,” Alvanezzi stated. “When you see Haaland playing with his back to the goal, he looks like an average player; put him facing the goal, and he’s an animal. He hides his deficit in back-to-goal play—and tries to do it as little as possible—but he has an above-average mentality that allows him to fail ten times and try again. Cherki, on the other hand, relies entirely on his talent. He has a different mentality, but he understood that to stay at the elite level, he must not interpret that (reliance on talent) as a fragility,” he added. While Alvanezzi acknowledged that mental strength is partly something “you bring it with you, but you can also incorporate it,” he was equally quick to point out that he has seen players with extraordinary talent but no capacity for hard work, and others with far less natural ability but the psychological resilience to make it to the top. Bridging that gap, he argues, is just as much the developer’s responsibility as any technical instruction. “Mental construction is also developed. If I talk to you and try to seduce and convince you of your errors with respect, you will be more receptive. Today, kids are given 20 hours of leisure time outside of training, and we don’t teach them how to think. But to develop players, you must be emotionally well-constituted and rationally grounded. If you aren’t vocational and emotional, you cannot develop players; you should do something else.“ Beyond individual qualities, Alvanezzi insists that everything must be considered through the lens of the collective, where a single weak link can unravel even the most talented group: “The developer has to work with a clear idea and a common goal. The ‘mind’ of the team, 90% of the time, has to be uniform. If it isn’t uniform, the group disintegrates, no matter how much talent you have.“ “If mentally you are thinking ‘white’ and I am thinking ‘black,’ and we have to play with a red ball, but neither of us wants to yield, it means we aren’t complementary. Individualism and egocentrism generate a very large negative impact. We all row to reach the shore and save ourselves; it can’t be that one rows right and another rows left, leaving us in the high seas until a wave drowns us,” Alvanezzi concluded. Stress: the invisible enemy of athletes As in any high-performance discipline, stress management has become one of the defining challenges in modern soccer, a sport that has seen its fixture calendar grow to near-unsustainable levels. “Players today have an enormous match load. They play 80, 90, 100 matches a year. In my era, that didn’t exist. And that carries an enormous physical, mental, and psychological toll, which is one of the many reasons why footballers get injured. Everything is connected. And if the head isn’t right, the body will never be right,” Alvanezzi stated. Xherdan Shaqiri of Basel (Daniela Porcelli/Getty Images). With stress affecting muscles, tendons and bones alike, conventional metrics like GPS data and weight measurements become meaningless when the mental aspect is ignored, he argues. “A player will always tell you they are at 100%. I liked, and I still like, for the player to train at 50% or 60%. If a kid trains at 100% five days a week and then tries to play at 200% on the weekend, they end up getting hurt. Sooner or later. It’s a universal law.“ These pressures are not confined to the professional game, extending deep into the youth system as well. “Let’s take away the weights, take away the GPS, work more on the mental side, and talk to the footballer. When a footballer tells you they want to stay 60 minutes longer after training… ‘No. Go home. Rest. Eat well. Take a nap. Look after yourself. Read, watch a movie. Relax. Do yoga. Meditate.’ But for all of that, you have to talk, and you have to be prepared,” he stated. Alvanezzi also addressed the lack of preventive awareness he has observed at the youth level: “That’s why I like it when a player comes and tells me: ‘This and that is happening to me.’ ‘Don’t worry. You’re not playing this match; you’re going to train at 50%.’ I’d rather give you two weeks of rest than have it be six months of forced leave due to a ligament tear. Today, there is no prevention because we, the developers, aren’t prepared to prevent; we are competitive, egocentric beings who want to win everything, forgetting that we don’t play anymore.“ U.S. soccer and MLS evolution: the legacy of 1994 Through friends living and working in the United States, and despite acknowledging that his English is far from perfect, Alvanezzi has been able to witness a genuine transformation in the country’s soccer culture, one he traces directly back to the 1994 World Cup, when MLS was widely seen as nothing more than a retirement league. That perception, he says, has been thoroughly dismantled. “Today, football in the US—I’m not saying it competes head-to-head with baseball, basketball, or ice hockey—but it has gained a very prominent position. It’s no coincidence that Lionel Messi, the most emblematic figure in world football today, is playing in MLS. Players who before, as you said, came perhaps for a final retirement to spend their last seasons in a low-caliber competition, find it’s a different world now. It has grown so much that renowned players prefer to come to MLS rather than go to a country in the Middle East or Asia.“ While acknowledging that MLS remains a league in the midst of its evolution, Alvanezzi offered a measured timeline for when it could fully establish itself at the highest level. “The evolution in terms of the training and qualification of the coaches and developers is very good. I have excellent references. Like any expanding football in a developmental stage, I think it will take them another 5 to 10 years to consolidate. It usually takes 10 to 15 years for a major league to stabilize and reach an international competitive level. They are currently in that developmental process from every point of view,” he stated. The influence of Latinos in U.S. soccer Once considered a secondary destination for professional development, the United States has transformed into a country that offers genuine, high-level opportunities for coaches and developers alike. That growth has been driven in part by soccer’s surging popularity, the influence of the Latino community, and high-profile figures like Lionel Messi and David Beckham, who have brought the sport to new audiences across the country. Lionel Messi greets David Beckham, co-owner of Inter Miami CF (Elsa/Getty Images). “There are many Latinos and Argentines working in development at important clubs and academies. It is expanding in a very interesting way. They take the culture they don’t have—they are very pragmatic in that sense. Whatever they lack, they acquire it. Don’t ask me how, but they go after it. If they don’t have a qualified scientist, they go find one in Germany, Norway, or Sweden and bring them to their country to make it evolve. They do exactly the same with soccer.“ For youth coaches specifically, the shift in available resources has been nothing short of transformative. “They start from the foundation: youth development. And because of their immense purchasing power as a nation, they can leverage incredible infrastructure. Being in an academy there—even one not affiliated with a famous MLS club—means having 4, 5, or 6 pitches to train on. They have indoor gyms for “fast football” when the weather is bad. Material in abundance. For a developer like me, who dealt with hardships starting out in Argentina—not in terms of talent, but in terms of equipment and structure—imagine what that solves.“

Former Germany international, Gerald Asamoah believes Ghana's biggest weakness is in its defence ahead of the 2026 FIFA World Cup in North America. The four-time African champions will be embarking on their fifth World Cup in June, but the team has been without a win since beating Comoros in the final qualifier in Accra last year.The Black Stars have conceded ten goals in their last four friendlies, including a 5-1 defeat to Austria last month, leading to the sacking of Otto Add as coach of the national team.Former Manchester United assistant manager Carlos Queiroz has been appointed as replacement for the ex-Ghana midfielder.Ahead of Queiroz's first assignment as Ghana coach, Asamoah pointed out that the Black Stars have a leaky defence, and that should be a priority for the Portuguese trainer."What are we good in? Are we good in defending or offensive game? We are really good in offensive games, so we need to work on our offence, so we need to work on our defensive play," Asamoah told 3 Sports."Keeping the defence is one of the important things you can do as a coach."The Black Stars will face World Cup co-hosts Mexico in...

By: Oliver Fisher Santiago Gimenez has once again shed a bit of light on his recovery from injury and his hopes for the next few months. It hasn’t been the campaign that Gimenez hoped for. He has only scored one goal in the Coppa Italia, and above all, a very long lay-off due to an ankle injury that […] The post “A complicated year” – Gimenez reflects on injury ordeal and admits to wanting Mexico return appeared first on SempreMilan.

Nei giorni scorsi Gimenez ha concesso un'intervista a RECORD Mexico e ha parlato del Milan e di un suo possibile ritorno in Messico in futuro

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,”...

Seattle Sounders will face Tigres UANL in the second leg of the 2026 CONCACAF Champions Cup quarterfinals. Here’s everything you need to know about the date, venue, kickoff time, and viewing options for fans in the United States. Here are all of the details of where you can watch Seattle Sounders vs Tigres UANL on US television and via legal streaming: WHO Seattle Sounders vs Tigres UANL WHAT CONCACAF Champions Cup WHEN 11:30 PM ET / 7:30 PM PT • Wednesday, April 15, 2026 WHERE Fubo, DirecTV Stream, Sling, FS1, TUDN and ViX STREAM WATCH NOW Match Overview The decisive second leg of this hard-fought quarterfinal is set to deliver, and the opening chapter lived up to expectations. Tigres UANL capitalized on home-field advantage in the first leg, securing a commanding 2-0 win that gives them a clear edge heading into the return matchup. Still, the job isn’t finished, and Tigres will need a composed, disciplined performance away from home to punch their ticket to the semifinals. Meanwhile, the Seattle Sounders are banking on a bounce-back showing in front of their fans, confident that a strong home performance can flip the script after a difficult start to the series. More details of how to watch With Fubo, you can watch Seattle Sounders vs Tigres UANL and tons more games. With the legal streaming service, you can watch the game on your computer, smartphone, tablet, Roku, Apple TV or hook it up to your TV with Google Chromecast. Now with Fubo, you can stream USA Network, ESPN, ESPN2, CBS, CBS Sports Network, FS1, FS2, beIN SPORTS, beIN SPORTS en Español, beIN SPORTS Connect, beIN SPORTS XTRA, NBC (in select cities), CNBC, USA, FOX (in select cities), FOX Soccer Plus, FOX Deportes, Telemundo, Universo and Galavision. Plus Fubo, the legal streaming service, also streams Liga MX, World Cup, Women’s World Cup, MLS, UEFA Champions League (in Spanish), Europa League (in Spanish), Primeira Liga, Ligue Un, World Cup qualifiers, NWSL, select USMNT games, select USWNT games, select Mexico games, select England games and more. The Fubo app is available for Windows PC, Mac, Apple iPhones, Android phones, Amazon Fire TV, Android Mobile, Android TV, Apple TV, Chromecast, Hisense TVs, iOS devices, LG TVs, Samsung Smart TVs, Vizio Smartcast TVs and Xbox One. If you’re planning to follow more games on this platform, you can check out the full Fubo soccer schedule to stay up to date with upcoming matches available via the service. How to watch anywhere with VPN If you’re abroad, you may need to use a virtual private network (VPN) in order to watch games using your usual streaming service. A VPN, such as NordVPN, allows you to establish a secure connection online when streaming. If you are not sure which VPN to use, check out World Soccer Talk’s guide to the best VPNs for streaming soccer. Free resources available to you World Soccer Talk is the number one destination in the United States for soccer television and streaming information. We recommend that you bookmark our soccer games on TV today page as well as subscribing to our free daily email newsletter that includes TV schedules and the latest soccer news and opinion from around the world. Courtesy of World Soccer Talk, download a complimentary copy of The Ultimate Soccer TV And Streaming Guide, which features details on where to watch all of the leagues from around the world on US TV and streaming. To find out when soccer games are on, download the free Soccer TV Schedules App which includes listings of all of the live soccer matches available in the United States (available on Apple iOS devices and Android devices).

There have been some brilliant performers over the course of the 2025/26 Bundesliga campaign, but who deserves a place in the EA SPORTS FC 26 Team of the Season? Pick from 40 candidates, before the vote closes on 17 April...

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...

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.

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...

Former Ghana Football Association (GFA) Vice President Fred Pappoe has called on Ghanaians to throw their full support behind newly appointed Black Stars head coach Carlos Queiroz as the team intensifies preparations for the 2026 FIFA World Cup.The Portuguese tactician has been handed a short-term contract to lead Ghana at the tournament, replacing Otto Addo after a difficult run of results that included defeats to Austria and Germany in March, as well as Ghana's failure to qualify for the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations.Speaking on Adom FM, Pappoe stressed the importance of unity and collective backing given the limited time before the World Cup.“We have limited time for the World Cup, and if you look into the list available and you check our pocket, I believe we have to rally behind whoever has been appointed,” he said.Pappoe added that Queiroz’s extensive experience—including four World Cup appearances—should be seen as a major advantage rather than a point of criticism.“We were all clamouring for a respected coach, and someone who can transform the team has been chosen, so we must support him,” Pappoe stated.Queiroz is expected to meet the Black Stars squad next month during a...

FIFA have a request to make of US President Donald Trump as they prepare for this summer's World Cup hosted in the United States, Canada and Mexico

Matt Crocker is leaving his position as U.S. Soccer’s sporting director to take a similar role with Saudi Arabia, multiple sources told me on Monday.

By: Oliver Fisher Massimiliano Allegri might just have given another sign to Santiago Gimenez by not using him in the loss to Udinese. As La Gazzetta dello Sport report, for over a month now, when asked about Gimenez, Allegri has explained that he considers the Mexican an important asset for the end of the season. The classic extra […] The post GdS: Still watching from the sidelines – Allegri’s snub raises questions about Gimenez appeared first on SempreMilan.

Nearly one in five UK adults plan to place a sports bet in 2026, according to an OLBG survey conducted by YouGov. The FIFA World Cup, kicking off this June across the USA, Canada and Mexico, is the most anticipated sporting event of the year, drawing interest from 34% of the British public. For football […] The post Beyond the Pitch: How Football Fans Are Engaging With the Game Off-Season appeared first on Fan Banter.

The Ghana Football Association (GFA) has offered an explanation for why Carlos Queiroz was appointed as the new head coach of the Black Stars. The 72-year-old has been confirmed as the new head coach for the senior national team on a short-term deal ahead of the 2026 World Cup.The former Egypt head coach has replaced Otto Addo, who was sacked after Black Stars' inconsistent performances ahead of the Mundial despite guiding the team to qualify for the Mundial slated for this summer in the USA, Canada, and Mexico.Reportedly, Pitso Mosimane, Kwesi Appiah, Paulo Bento, among other coaches, were all linked to the coach.Speaking to Asempa FM, the Communications Director of the GFA, Henry Asante Twum, explained why the former Real Madrid head coach was appointed."Carlos Queiroz provided a detailed analysis of his observations of the Black Stars, from their AFCON qualification failure to World Cup qualification," he said."He showed strong knowledge of the team’s player profiles and outlined how he intends to guide the Black Stars’ progress from the group stage at the World Cup," Asante Twum added.Queiroz will meet the Black Stars squad next month during their international friendly against Mexico, before concluding...

Communications Director of Ghana Football Association (GFA), Henry Asante Twum, has hinted that the FA will review the performance of Carlos Queiroz after the 2026 World Cup. The veteran Portuguese trainer has been appointed on a short-term basis, replacing Otto Addo, who was sacked after the back-to-back defeats against Austria and Germany in a pre-World Cup friendly game.With the former Egypt and Iran head coach set to lead the Black Stars to the Mundial, Asante Twum has revealed that his performance will be reviewed after the tournament in the USA, Canada and Mexico."Carlos Queiroz to lead the Black Stars until the end of the World Cup. After that, the FA will review how things turn out and decide whether to keep him or part ways," he told Asempa FM.Asante Twum also hinted that the 72-year-old has already started working."Carlos Queiroz has already begun work on the Black Stars and is expected in Ghana in the coming days," Asante Twum added.Queiroz will meet the Black Stars squad next month during their international friendly against Mexico, before concluding preparations with a final tune-up match against Wales on June 2.Ghana, preparing for its fifth World Cup appearance,...

Club America will seek to punch its ticket into the CONCACAF Champions Cup semifinals, but standing in the way is Nashville SC. Alex Zendejas and Andre Jardine’s squad will welcome Nashville SC to Estadio Akron on Tuesday, with both teams level 0-0 on aggregate. Zendejas most recently registered one assist on Saturday as Club America ... Read more

Former Ghana Football Association (GFA) Vice President Fred Pappoe has urged Ghanaians to throw their full support behind newly appointed Black Stars head coach Carlos Queiroz as the team prepares for the 2026 FIFA World Cup.The experienced Portuguese tactician has been handed a short-term contract to lead Ghana into the global tournament this summer, replacing Otto Addo, who was relieved of his duties following back-to-back defeats to Austria and Germany during the March international window.Addo, who was reappointed in March 2024, exited after a difficult spell that also included failure to guide the Black Stars to AFCON 2025 qualification, despite continued backing from the Ghana Football Association.Speaking in an interview with Adom FM, Pappoe, a former Black Stars Management Committee chairman, stressed the need for unity and collective backing for the new coach."We have limited time for the World Cup, and if you look into the list available and you check our pocket, I believe we have to rally behind whoever has been appointed," he said."We were all clamouring for a respected coach, and someone who can transform the team and the Ghana Football Association (GFA) together with the Sports Ministry has come out with...

Newly appointed Black Stars head coach Carlos Queiroz has expressed admiration for Ghana’s rich football heritage and its long-standing tradition of producing top-class talent.The experienced Portuguese tactician was officially unveiled on Monday evening as Ghana’s new head coach, tasked with leading the team into the 2026 FIFA World Cup in North America on a short-term four-month deal.In his first public remarks after signing, Queiroz struck a tone of humility and purpose.“It is with a deep sense of gratitude, responsibility, and humility that I embrace this new chapter with Ghana. This is not just another job; it is a mission.”The former Real Madrid assistant coach and Iran national team manager also praised Ghana’s football identity and potential.“Ghana is a nation of talent, pride, and footballing soul. I arrive with respect for its history and belief in its future.”Queiroz stressed unity and discipline as central pillars of his approach as he begins work with the Black Stars.“Together, with unity, discipline, and ambition, we will work to honour the expectations of a great football nation.”The 71-year-old is expected to begin duties immediately, with initial focus on player assessment, technical staff formation, and tactical preparation ahead...

It’s time to take a look at the upcoming football matches set to appear live on our TV screens this week, so here’s a rundown. It’s set to be another busy week of action with a full batch of football live scores to keep an eye on across the world. Take a look below at […] The post Football matches live on TV this week appeared first on Fan Banter.

LAFC travels to Mexico with a three-goal lead for the second leg of their Concacaf Champions Cup quarterfinal series against defending champion Cruz Azul. On four other occasions, MLS teams have taken 3-0 leads to Mexico for Champions Cup second legs but only the first two times did they win their series. Most recently, FC […] The post LAFC takes 3-0 lead over Cruz Azul to … Puebla appeared first on Soccer America.

Ghana have appointed Carlos Queiroz as their new head coach ahead of this summer’s World Cup in the United States, Canada and Mexico. Queiroz takes the reins from Otto Addo, who was sacked just 78 days before they began their campaign in FIFA’s flagship competition after losing to Germany last month. Ghana also failed to […] The post Queiroz appointed as new Ghana boss ahead of World Cup appeared first on Soccer News.

Ghana’s passionate football fanbase etched their name in history with a remarkable show of support in Lomé, as the Ghana Supporters Union stormed Togo in their numbers to cheer on the Black Maidens during their FIFA U-17 Women’s World Cup qualifier at the Stade de Kégué on Sunday April 12, 2026. Traveling from across the [...] The post Ghana Supporters Union makes history in Togo with massive turnout for Black Maidens clash first appeared on Sahara Football.

Ghana have appointed Carlos Queiroz as manager for their 2026 World Cup campaign. The Black Stars will face England, Panama and Croatia in group L at this summer’s tournament. Queiroz has bee…