SOCHI, Russia (Reuters) – The two Sweden forwards likely to start in Saturday’s quarter-final against England may have only one World Cup goal between them so far, but Swedish pundit Bojan Djordjic says that won’t bother Janne Andersson’s men in the slightest.... More »
MOSCOW (Reuters) – Germany should have considered leaving midfielder Mesut Ozil out of the World Cup squad following the furor caused by the player’s photo with Turkish President Tayyip Erdogan, Germany team manager Oliver Bierhoff has said. Ozil, a key member... More »
REPINO, Russia (Reuters) – England came into the World Cup with low expectations from their fans and much talk of building for the future but as they face a quarter-final with Sweden on Saturday, manager Gareth Southgate says this generation might not get a be... More »
SOCHI, Russia (Reuters) – Sweden can beat England in Saturday’s quarter-finals and eventually win the World Cup in Russia if they can handle the pressure, former captain and record goalscorer Zlatan Ibrahimovic has said. Speaking to reporters at LA Galaxy’s tr... More »
KAZAN, Russia (Reuters) – It has been a busy World Cup for Kazan’s mural artists and in the early hours of Thursday morning they were back at work again painting the face of Neymar on a wall behind the Brazil team hotel. The Brazil forward, in Kazan for Friday... More »
MOSCOW (Reuters) – The head of a Russian advertising agency tasked with decorating Moscow facades ahead of the soccer World Cup used the opportunity to commission a 12-storey high mural of his wife. The portrait shows Novatek Art director Ivan Panteleev’s wife... More »
SEOUL (Reuters) – The Korea Football Association (KFA) has decided not to pursue charges against people who threw eggs at the national team after they arrived home from the World Cup, police said on Tuesday. South Korea lost their first two games in Russia, to... More »
PUSHKIN, Russia (Reuters) – Russian couple Yekaterina and Dmitry Vasilyev enjoyed a perfect wedding celebration on Sunday as they briefly halted their nuptials to watch the hosts defy the odds by beating Spain in a penalty shootout to reach the World Cup quart... More »
NIZHNY NOVGOROD, Russia (Reuters) – Croatia showed none of the spark that marked their romp through the group phase but still did enough to edge Denmark in their round-of-16 clash on Sunday and ensure they will take on Russia in the World Cup quarter-finals ne... More »
NIZHNY NOVGOROD, Russia (Reuters) – Croatia’s elated coach Zlatko Dalic lauded his captain Luka Modric who missed a penalty in extra time but then scored another in a shootout victory over Denmark on Sunday that put them in the World Cup quarter-finals. “I am ... More »
NIZHNY NOVGOROD, Russia (Reuters) – Of all the Croatia players who mobbed Danijel Subasic after his penalty shootout heroics against Denmark on Sunday, none would have hugged the goalkeeper tighter than his captain Luka Modric. Subasic made three saves to help... More »
CHIANG RAI, Thailand (Reuters) – Thai navy divers had still to navigate their way through three kilometers (nearly 2 miles) of dark, flooded cave passages on Sunday to reach the spot rescuers believe would give 12 missing boys and their soccer coach a better c... More »
KAZAN, Russia (Reuters) – Russian women wearing elaborate bridal dresses took to the pitch in the World Cup host city of Kazan on Saturday for a friendly soccer match intended to show their love for the sport. Wearing floor-length white dresses and running sho... More »
KAZAN, Russia (Reuters) – Kazan artists worked through the night on Friday painting a mural of Argentina’s Lionel Messi to match one of Portugal’s Cristiano Ronaldo on a building opposite, saving the blushes of the World Cup host city. The three-storey portrai... More »
VATUTINKI, Russia (Reuters) – Charts, graphs and statistical analysis will not explain Germany’s shock World Cup exit. The reason lies not in numbers but in German football’s complacency in recent years. Every aspect of the national pastime, and that includes ... More »
NIZHNY NOVGOROD, Russia (Reuters) – Talisman Mohamed Salah’s shoulder injury loomed like a dark cloud over Egypt’s World Cup campaign as they were quickly eliminated despite harboring high hopes of making an impact on their return to the finals after a 28-year... More »
LONDON (Reuters) – Britain’s top central bankers held an unusual vote during their policy deliberations this week – to decide which country is most likely to win the World Cup taking place in Russia. Switzerland – which achieved an unexpected draw against five... More »
YEKATERINBURG, France (Reuters) – While their attack has yet to sparkle, France have shown the grit and steel that could still take them to the deep end of the World Cup as they beat Peru 1-0 to reach the last 16 on Thursday. Les Bleus prevailed thanks to a Ky... More »
BARCELONA (Reuters) – Brazil talisman Neymar returned in style with a dazzling goal in a 2-0 World Cup warm-up win over Croatia and Spain goalkeeper David de Gea made a rare error in his team’s 1-1 draw with Switzerland on Sunday. Peru captain Paolo Guerrero c... More »
BRUSSELS (Reuters) – Belgium coach Roberto Martinez has given Vincent Kompany two weeks to recover from a groin injury in time for the World Cup, retaining the Manchester City captain in his squad but putting Laurent Ciman on standby for the tournament in Russ... More »
(Reuters) – Attacking midfielder Leroy Sane was a surprise omission from Joachim Loew’s final Germany squad for the World Cup finals on Monday as goalkeeper Manuel Neuer was named among the 23 players heading to Russia for the defending champions. Neuer made t... More »
(Reuters) – Former Arsenal manager Arsene Wenger is eager to coach again but remains wary of committing to a “crazy challenge” as he plans to resolve his future in the coming weeks. The 68-year-old left Arsenal after almost 22 years at the helm of the Premier ... More »
ST PETERSBURG (Reuters) – Like many soccer fans trying to predict the results of the World Cup, Achilles is busy studying the teams heading to Russia this month for the sport’s biggest global showdown. But he has one advantage: cat sense. The furry white felin... More »
(Reuters) – Mexico failed to turn possession and pressure into goals as they were held 0-0 by Wales in a World Cup warm-up at the Rose Bowl in Pasadena, California on Monday. Mexico, who have been drawn in Group F alongside Germany, Sweden and South Korea at n... More »
SEOUL (Reuters) – Son Heung-min’s long-range blast set South Korea on their way to a 2-0 win over Honduras in a World Cup warm-up on Monday but it was the performance of impish forward Lee Seung-woo on his senior national team debut that really caught the eye.... More »
HONG KONG (Reuters) – Trent Alexander-Arnold’s rapid rise from the fringes of the Liverpool starting line-up to securing a place in England’s squad for next month’s World Cup has brought back fond memories for former Anfield favorite Jason McAteer. Alexander-A... More »
BUENOS AIRES (Reuters) – The names of World Cup record holders are like a roll-call of footballing greats and every four years players such as Pele, Miroslav Klose, Diego Maradona, and Jose Batista must wonder whether their feats will be surpassed. Hold on. Jo... More »
BARCELONA (Reuters) – European champions Portugal spurned a two-goal lead against Tunisia, stumbling to a 2-2 draw, as France, one of the World Cup favorites, flexed their muscles with a comfortable 2-0 win over Ireland in warm-up friendlies on Monday. Portuga... More »
MOSCOW (Reuters) – A Russian marketing agency has offered to help restaurants in cities hosting the soccer World Cup use fake reviews to bump up ratings on review site TripAdvisor, the agency’s owner has confirmed. Marketing company Bacon Agency says it can ci... More »
BARCELONA (Reuters) – Real Madrid captain Sergio Ramos said Barcelona forward Lionel Messi put pressure on the referee at halftime in Sunday’s thrilling ‘Clasico’ at the Nou Camp which ended 2-2 after a series of controversial decisions. Barca defender Sergi R... More »
BARCELONA (Reuters) – Real Madrid forward Gareth Bale lashed home to deny La Liga champions Barcelona victory in an ill-tempered ‘Clasico’ which finished 2-2 at the Nou Camp on Sunday after the home side had Sergi Roberto sent off at the end of the first half.... More »
LONDON, (Reuters) – – Arsenal manager Arsene Wenger signed off in style as they thrashed Burnley 5-0 in his last Premier League home game on Sunday with the kind of dominant performance he would have wanted after 22 years in charge. Wenger was given a guard of... More »
LONDON (Reuters) – Arsene Wenger suggested on Sunday that once relieved of his duties as Arsenal manager in a week’s time he could think about life as a fan of the London club he served for 22 years – and have fun shouting at his successor. Speaking after lead... More »
LONDON, England, (Reuters) – – Chelsea moved within two points of fourth-placed Tottenham Hotspur in the Premier League after a 1-0 victory over Liverpool thanks to an Olivier Giroud header at Stamford Bridge on Sunday. Spurs’ surprise loss at relegation-threa... More »
BEIJING (Reuters) – President Xi Jinping’s dream of China hosting and ultimately winning the World Cup may be as far away as ever but that does not mean the country will have no involvement when soccer’s elite meets in Russia later this year. China’s enthusias... More »
CORUNA, Spain (Reuters) – Lionel Messi scored a hat-trick as Barcelona clinched a 25th Liga title on Sunday after winning 4-2 at Deportivo La Coruna despite throwing away a two-goal lead in a thrilling game which also confirmed Depor’s relegation. Barca only n... More »
CORUNA, Spain (Reuters) – Barcelona forward Lionel Messi said his side were superior to every team in the league after he scored a hat-trick in Sunday’s 4-2 win at Deportivo which clinched the club’s 25th Spanish title with four games left in the season. Barca... More »
BARCELONA (Reuters) – Neymar’s sudden departure to Paris St Germain last year threatened to derail Barcelona’s season before it began, but those betting against the Catalans had overlooked the sheer, indefatigable brilliance of Lionel Messi. The Argentine magi... More »
CORUNA, Spain (Reuters) – Barcelona were crowned La Liga champions for the 25th time after beating Deportivo La Coruna 4-2 on Sunday with the help of a hat-trick from talisman Lionel Messi. Barca only needed a draw to clinch the title and complete an eighth do... More »
BUENOS AIRES (Reuters) – An Argentine football club has recreated the Sistine Chapel on the ceiling of its gymnasium, with Diego Maradona as God, Lionel Messi as Adam and a host of angels that include Mario Kempes, Sergio Aguero and Gabriel Batistuta. The mura... More »
(Reuters Health) – For soccer players, regularly “heading” the ball may have a bigger effect on everyday cognitive functioning than occasional accidental head impacts, a U.S. study suggests. Researchers examined more than 300 adult amateur soccer players in Ne... More »
(Reuters) – United States president Donald Trump on Thursday tweeted his support for the North American bid for the 2026 soccer World Cup and issued a veiled threat to nations that might oppose it. Morocco is the only rival to a joint bid to stage the event fr... More »
LONDON (Reuters) – A week later than they would have preferred Manchester City were crowned Premier League champions on Sunday as second-placed Manchester United suffered a shock 1-0 home defeat by bottom club West Bromwich Albion. United had to at least draw ... More »
BERLIN (Reuters) – The Court of Arbitration for Sport (CAS) said on Friday that Peru captain Paolo Guerrero and the World Anti-doping Agency (WADA) have filed appeals over the player’s six-month doping ban. Guerrero had been suspended for a year by world socce... More »
MOSCOW (Reuters) – Russian billionaire Mikhail Prokhorov has sold a 49-percent stake in the Brooklyn Nets basketball team to Joe Tsai, the executive vice chairman and co-founder of the Alibaba Group, the NBA team said in a statement. Prokhorov will continue to... More »
BUENOS AIRES (Reuters) – A joint South American bid to host the 2030 World Cup will feature eight cities in Argentina, two in Paraguay and two in Uruguay, the three nations confirmed on Monday. “Our country will have eight host cities, but those haven’t been d... More »
(Reuters) – Turkish soccer club Besiktas ended up in trouble with European soccer’s governing body, UEFA, on Thursday, a day after a cat sneaked on to the pitch during their Champions League match against Bayern Munich. UEFA opened disciplinary proceedings aga... More »
Russian-born Greek businessman and owner of PAOK Salonika, Ivan Savvides (C), pictured with what appears to be a gun in a holster, enters the pitch after the referee annulled a goal of PAOK during their soccer match against AEK Athens in Toumba Stadium in Thes... More »
(Reuters) – Two AFC Cup matches involving Iraqi clubs have been postponed until April in the hope that FIFA will lift a ban on the country hosting competitive international games, the Asian Football Confederation (AFC) said on Monday. Al Zawraa were scheduled ... More »
Bob Bradley is the only man to lead a first-year Major League Soccer team to a championship and the former United States coach will try to duplicate that rare feat with expansion club Los Angeles FC this season. Bradley made the most of his first professional ... More »
FILE PHOTO: Feb 20, 2018- Commerce City, CO, USA- Toronto FC forward Sebastian Giovinco (10) controls the ball in the first half against the Colorado Rapids at Dick’s Sporting Goods Park. Ron Chenoy-USA TODAY Sports TORONTO (Reuters) – Toronto FC enter the 201... More »
FILE PHOTO: Locusts are seen in a meadow near a wheat field near the town of Neftekumsk, Russia, May 24, 2012. REUTERS/Eduard Korniyenko/File Photo MOSCOW (Reuters) – Swarms of locusts pose a threat to Russia’s soccer World Cup as they could attack stadium pit... More »
Qatar’s Foreign Minister Sheikh Mohammed bin Abdulrahman Al Thani in Doha, Qatar October 22, 2017. REUTERS/Alex Brandon/Pool DAVOS, Switzerland (Reuters) – Qatar is confident that it can host a successful World Cup in 2022 and preparations are fully on track a... More »
Alpine Skiing – FIS Alpine Skiing World Cup – Women’s Slalom – Flachau, Austria – January 9, 2018 – Mikaela Shiffrin of the U.S. celebrates with trophy. REUTERS/Dominic Ebenbichler FLACHAU, Austria (Reuters) – American Mikaela Shiffrin left her rivals trailing... More »
Broadcaster Dick Enberg, who charmed sports fans with his "Oh My!" declaration as he called some of the most memorable sporting events during the last five decades, died on Thursday, ESPN reported. He was 82. More »
Peru national soccer team captain Paolo Guerrero talks during an interview with Reuters in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil December 21, 2017. His tattoo reads “Faith”. REUTERS/Ricardo Moraes RIO DE JANEIRO (Reuters) – Peru captain Paolo Guerrero says he is innocent and... More »
Dec 20, 2017- Nashville, TN, USA- Nashville Mayor Megan Barry, Nashville Soccer Club owner John Ingram, MLS commissioner Don Garber and Tennessee governor Bill Haslam pose for a photo after a press conference to award an MLS expansion team to Nashville at Coun... More »
FILE PHOTO: President of Brazilian Soccer Confederation (CBF) Marco Polo Del Nero arrives for a news conference after the announcement of the players for the 2018 World Cup qualifiers, in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, October 22, 2015. REUTERS/Sergio Moraes/File Pho... More »
North Korea’s national soccer team players Kim Song Gi (R) and Lee Yong Jick pose for a photo after an interview with Reuters in Tokyo, Japan December 7, 2017. REUTERS/Toru Hanai TOKYO (Reuters) – Born and raised in Japan, three North Korean soccer players are... More »
Soccer Football – Champions League – Real Madrid vs Borussia Dortmund – Santiago Bernabeu, Madrid, Spain – December 6, 2017 Real Madrid’s Cristiano Ronaldo celebrates scoring their second goal REUTERS/Juan Medina PARIS (Reuters) – Portugal’s Cristiano Ronaldo ... More »
Soccer Football – 2018 FIFA World Cup Draw Press Conference – State Kremlin Palace, Moscow, Russia – December 1, 2017 FIFA President Gianni Infantino during the press conference REUTERS/Sergei Karpukhin MOSCOW (Reuters) – FIFA President Gianni Infantino on Fri... More »
Nov 30, 2017- Seattle, WA, USA- The Seattle Sounders FC including midfielder Clint Dempsey (with trophy) celebrate after beating the Houston Dynamo in the second leg of the Western Conference championship at CenturyLink Field. Mandatory Credit: Jennifer Buchan... More »
The logo of FIFA is seen in front of its headquarters in Zurich, Switzerland September 26, 2017. REUTERS/Arnd Wiegmann/File Photo MELBOURNE (Reuters) – Football Federation Australia’s embattled chairman Steven Lowy believes a FIFA takeover of Australian soccer... More »
SYDNEY (Reuters) – Sydney’s two main rectangular stadiums, the Olympic Stadium and Sydney Football Stadium, are to be demolished and rebuilt at a cost of around A$2 billion ($1.53 billion), the New South Wales government announced on Friday. The 80,000-seater ... More »
BRUSSELS (Reuters) – Commercial TV broadcasters, football leagues and film producers scored a win on Tuesday when European Union lawmakers watered down a copyright reform aimed at making more TV shows and films available online across borders. EU lawmakers vot... More »
Italian football boss Carlo Tavecchio said recently that failure to qualify for the World Cup would be the apocalypse and his worst fears came true on Monday as they missed out on the finals for the first time in 60 years. More »
Honduras accused Australia of spying on their training sessions with a drone on Monday, as tensions heated up ahead of Wednesday's decisive World Cup playoff match. More »
Beleaguered Italy coach Gian Piero Ventura denied that he had resigned and apologized to his countrymen after his team's astonishing failure to qualify for the World Cup on Monday. Speaking in the same monotone voice which has characterized his 18 months in ch... More »
Top seeds Toronto FC advanced to Major League Soccer's Eastern Conference final on the away goals rule despite losing 1-0 to the New York Red Bulls in a tempestuous home leg of their semi-final on Sunday. More »
Defending champions Seattle Sounders played out a goalless draw against host Vancouver Whitecaps in the first leg of the Western Conference semi-final of the Major League Soccer on Sunday. More »
Columbus goalkeeper Zack Steffen saved two Atlanta United penalties in a shootout on Thursday as the Crew advanced to the Major League Soccer semi-finals 3-1 after neither team could break the deadlock through extra time. More »
Toronto FC broke a 19-year-old Major League Soccer record for points in a single season on Sunday while a stoppage-time winner gave the San Jose Earthquakes the final playoff berth on the last day of the regular season. More »
FIFA's decision to schedule the World Cup qualifier between Australia and Honduras with just five days in between the two matches was "inhumane", the Central Americans' coach Jorge Luis Pinto has said. More »
Germany crushed Azerbaijan 5-1 on Sunday with talented Leon Goretzka scoring twice, to complete a record-equalling World Cup qualifying campaign with ten wins out of ten matches. More »
Walt Disney Co and cable operator Altice USA have finalized a new multiyear programming agreement that keeps ESPN and other networks in millions of New York-area households, the companies said on Thursday. More »
The Chinese owner of former European soccer champions AC Milan is looking for one or more investors to share the financial burden, less than six months after buying the loss-making Italian club, two sources said on Friday. More »
A judge in Mexico ordered on Thursday that bank accounts linked to businesses owned by soccer star Rafa Marquez be unfrozen, following a designation in August by the U.S. government that the sportsman was linked to a suspected drug trafficker. More »
Real Madrid striker Cristiano Ronaldo will return to action against Real Betis on Wednesday after serving a five-match suspension, as the champions look to keep the pressure on La Liga leaders Barcelona. More »
Former England soccer captain Wayne Rooney received a two-year driving ban on Monday after pleading guilty in a British court to drink-driving, the Press Association news agency reported. More »
Juan Martin del Potro and Rafa Nadal are still expected to produce some spectacular fireworks at the U.S. Open on Friday, even if it was not the semi-final many fans had been hoping for. More »
New Lisbon resident Madonna has been extolling the delights of living in the Portuguese capital Lisbon, the most illustrious of a growing number of foreigners in the newly-fashionable city. More »
An ailing Juan Martin Del Potro came back from the brink of defeat to beat Austrian sixth seed Dominic Thiem 1-6 2-6 6-1 7-6(1) 6-4 and reach the last eight of the U.S. Open on Monday. More »
Head coach Bruce Arena has opted for a tried-and-tested group of players for the United States' upcoming World Cup qualifiers against Costa Rica and Honduras. More »
Qatar will build a stadium shaped like an Arabian skull cap for the 2022 World Cup, organizers said on Sunday, as the Gulf state moves ahead with preparations for the tournament despite a diplomatic rift with its neighbors. More »
Cristiano Ronaldo scored a sensational goal and was then sent off for a combination of his provocative celebration and for diving as Real Madrid beat Barcelona 3-1 in an explosive Spanish Super Cup first leg on Sunday. More »
Commuters in Taiwan on Tuesday pretended to hit a ball with a bat, swim and run on a Taipei subway train as part of a campaign to promote the capital's Summer Universiade games this month. More »
Jul 12, 2017- Tampa, FL, USA- USA head coach Bruce Arena looks on against the Martinique at Raymond James Stadium. Kim Klement-USA TODAY Sports Goalkeeper Tim Howard, midfielder Michael Bradley and forwards Clint Dempsey and Jozy Altidore are among six players... More »
Tennis – Wimbledon – London, Britain – July 9, 2017 Great Britain’s Andy Murray with coach Ivan Lendl during a practice session REUTERS/Tony O’Brien Eight-time grand slam champion Ivan Lendl says it is the ability to deal with distractions and overcome obstacl... More »
Tennis – Wimbledon – London, Britain – July 8, 2017 Germany’s Angelique Kerber during her third round match against USA’s Shelby Rogers REUTERS/Stefan Wermuth It is rare that a world number one goes under the radar at Wimbledon and it has been even more strang... More »
Football Soccer – FC Barcelona v Deportivo Alaves – Spanish King’s Cup Final – Vicente Calderon Stadium, Madrid, Spain – 27/5/17 Barcelona’s Lionel Messi celebrates scoring their first goal Reuters / Sergio Perez Barcelona forward Lionel Messi is set to sign a... More »
Tennis – Wimbledon – London, Britain – July 3, 2017 Latvia’s Jelena Ostapenko celebrates winning her first round match against Belarus’ Aliaksandra Sasnovich REUTERS/Matthew Childs Here’s a look at the form and previous records of Latvia’s Jelena Ostapenko and... More »
Soccer Football – Chile v Germany – FIFA Confederations Cup Russia 2017 – Final – Saint Petersburg Stadium, St. Petersburg, Russia – July 2, 2017 Germany celebrate with the trophy after winning the FIFA Confederations Cup REUTERS/Kai Pfaffenbach Germany surviv... More »
Soccer Football – Chile v Germany – FIFA Confederations Cup Russia 2017 – Final – Saint Petersburg Stadium, St. Petersburg, Russia – July 2, 2017 Germany coach Joachim Low REUTERS/Carl Recine Germany coach Joachim Loew heaped lavish praise on his young, experi... More »
A general view shows the Yekaterinburg Arena stadium under construction, that will host 2018 FIFA World Cup matches, in Yekaterinburg, Russia, December 9, 2016. REUTERS/Maxim Shemetov Human Rights Watch (HRW) on Wednesday said it had documented cases where wor... More »
Football Soccer – Latvia vs Portugal – 2018 World Cup Qualifying European Zone – Group B – Skonto Stadium, Riga, Latvia – June 9, 2017 Portugal’s Cristiano Ronaldo gestures Reuters / Kacper Pempel Soccer star Cristiano Ronaldo denied on Tuesday ever hiding any... More »
Tennis – French Open – Roland Garros, Paris, France – June 2, 2017 Austria’s Dominic Thiem celebrates winning his third round match against USA’s Steve Johnson Reuters / Gonzalo Fuentes For good reason Austria’s Dominic Thiem knows he will have to find a new w... More »
An Irish nun and a policeman have emerged as unlikely sporting stars, after a video of the pair kicking a football in their respective uniforms went viral. More »
Street vendors stand outside at the National Stadium after an stampede when hundreds of fans tried to break past barricades in Tegucigalpa, Honduras, May 28, 2017. REUTERS/Jorge Cabrera At least four people died and dozens were injured in a stampede when hundr... More »
Tennis – BNP Paribas WTA Finals – Singapore Indoor Stadium – 24/10/16Spain’s Garbine Muguruza celebrates during her round robin matchMandatory Credit: Action Images / Yong Teck LimLivepicEDITORIAL USE ONLY. After world number one Angelique Kerber succumbed in ... More »
Here’s a look at the form and previous records of Garbine Muguruza and Francesca Schiavone ahead of their first-round clash on Monday (prefix number denotes seeding): More »
