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Japan withdrawing 2023 Women’s World Cup bid: Kyodo

TOKYO (Reuters) – Japan is withdrawing its bid to host the 2023 Women’s World Cup, Kyodo news agency quoted a source as saying on Monday, just days before football’s world governing body holds a vote to determine the successful candidate. The Japanese bid is o... More »

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Australia striker Juric tests positive for COVID-19

SOFIA (Reuters) – CSKA Sofia’s Australian striker Tomi Juric has tested positive for COVID-19, the 31-times Bulgarian champions said in a statement late on Sunday. The 28-year-old forward, who has played 41 times for his country, has been isolated. Other CSKA ... More »

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Soccer: Brazil withdraws from race to host 2023 Women’s World Cup

(Reuters) – Brazil has withdrawn its candidacy to host the 2023 Women’s World Cup, with the Brazilian Football Confederation (CBF) saying the government did not consider it wise to offer financial guarantees in the midst of the COVID-19 pandemic. “Because of t... More »

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Teqball: Hosts Hungary dominate world championships

BUDAPEST (Reuters) – Hungary showed it remains the dominant force in teqball, a hybrid sport mixing football with table tennis, winning the singles and doubles world titles on Sunday. Adam Blazsovics easily won the singles title and teamed up with Csaba Banyik... More »

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Diplomatic chill as North hosts South Korea in World Cup qualifier

SEOUL (Reuters) – South Korean football fans will be left in the dark as their national team play in North Korea for the first time in 30 years on Tuesday, with Pyongyang refusing to broadcast the World Cup qualifier live amid a return of chilled relations wit... More »

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Rugby: Canada in party mode as Springboks challenge looms

KOBE (Reuters) – If Canada’s players are feeling nervous ahead of Tuesday’s Rugby World Cup game against twice champions South Africa they are not showing it, with coach Kingsley Jones saying the squad is in party mood ahead of the Pool B clash in Kobe. The Sp... More »

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Kolisi keen to keep on playing in search for best form

KOBE (Reuters) – South Africa are expected to breeze past Canada in Tuesday’s Rugby World Cup match but while the Springboks see the game as a chance to rest key players ahead of the knockout stages captain Siya Kolisi is happy not to have been left on the sid... More »

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Italian astronaut to watch World Cup match from space

TOKYO (Reuters) – Italian astronaut Luca Parmitano will be cheering on his team from space when they take on South Africa in their pivotal Rugby World Cup clash. Parmitano will be watching Friday’s Pool B match from the International Space Station as it orbits... More »

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Loo and behold! Japan’s high-tech toilets bemuse fans

TOKYO (Reuters) – Japan may not win their home Rugby World Cup but they have already proved themselves world beaters when it comes to toilets. Going to the loo is a much more futuristic experience in the Land of the Rising Sun and touring fans have been fascin... More »

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Rugby: Octopuses predict Japan will beat Ireland but not reach…

TOKYO (Reuters) – Two octopuses in Obira, on the northern Japanese island of Hokkaido, have predicted the hosts of the Rugby World Cup will not progress from their pool when the tournament begins later this month. The two molluscs selected the result of each o... More »

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British PM May to host victorious England cricket team

LONDON (Reuters) – British Prime Minister Theresa May will host the victorious England cricket team at her Downing Street office later on Monday, after a “brilliant performance” that will live forever in the country’s sporting history, her spokesman said. Engl... More »

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England win World Cup in Super Over drama to end 44-year wait

LONDON (Reuters) – England ended their 44-year wait for a maiden 50-overs World Cup title by beating a gutsy New Zealand side on boundaries after a tied Super Over amidst heart-stopping drama on Sunday. Chasing 242 for victory, Ben Stokes’ scintillating 84 not... More »

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Rapinoe and Lavelle give U.S. fourth World Cup title

LYON, France (Reuters) – The United States won a record-extending fourth women’s World Cup with a 2-0 victory over the Netherlands on Sunday as second-half goals from Megan Rapinoe and Rose Lavelle confirmed their status as the leading power in the women’s gam... More »

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Cricket: Busy bees interrupt South Africa and Sri Lanka … again

CHESTER-LE-STREET, England (Reuters) – A swarm of bees forced the players of South Africa and Sri Lanka to dive onto the ground during their Cricket World Cup clash at the Riverside Stadium on Friday — but for many on the pitch there was a sense of deja vu. Be... More »

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Polkinghorne out, 16-year-old Fowler an option for Matildas

(Reuters) – Australia central defender Clare Polkinghorne is unavailable for their final Group C game at the women’s World Cup, coach Ante Milicic has said, but 16-year-old striker Mary Fowler could get a runout against Jamaica. The Matildas, who have one loss... More »

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Fowl ref! Scotland bring out the rubber chickens at World Cup

(Reuters) – Scotland’s hopes of reaching the last 16 at their maiden women’s World Cup were dented by defeat to England in their opener but they have responded by bringing out their secret weapon for their next game against Japan – rubber chickens. Footage pos... More »

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Unlucky 13 for Miami bar that offered free shots for U.S. goals

(Reuters) – Customers at a bar in Miami had more reason than most to celebrate as the United States women’s soccer team went on a record scoring rampage against Thailand at the World Cup on Tuesday. The American Social Bar & Kitchen had used its social media p... More »

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Matildas admit work to be done to keep World Cup dream alive

(Reuters) – Ante Milicic has only four days to resurrect Australia’s women’s World Cup campaign after an upset loss to Italy and nothing is going to be ignored before they face Brazil in Montpellier on Thursday. The heavily-favored Matildas were stunned by a s... More »

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Neville concerned by England’s second-half dip

(Reuters) – England cannot afford to drop their intensity in the second half and must be ruthless in possession if they are to progress at the women’s World Cup, coach Phil Neville said after Sunday’s 2-1 win over Scotland. England were leading 2-0 but tired a... More »

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Penalty was harsh but not deciding factor, says Scotland’s Kerr

(Reuters) – A “harsh” early penalty took the wind out of Scotland’s sails in their debut at the women’s World Cup on Sunday but there were lots of positives to take from their 2-1 loss to England in Nice, coach Shelley Kerr said. Fran Kirby’s driven cross stru... More »

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Soccer: U.S. beat South Africa 3-0 in Women’s World Cup warm-up

SANTA CLARA (Reuters) – The United States got a goal in each half through Samantha Mewis and a late third from substitute Carli Lloyd to earn a 3-0 win over South Africa in a Women’s World Cup warm-up in California on Sunday. Mewis got the opener after 37 minu... More »

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Mixed feelings for Belgium as they are feted by fans

(This July 15 story corrects to say “Euro 2020” instead of “Euro 2022” in the last paragraph.) By Mark Gleeson MOSCOW (Reuters) – Belgium will be acclaimed at celebrations in Brussels on Sunday with thousands expected to hail the team but they will carry mixed... More »

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Buyan the bear predicts Croatia will beat France in World Cup final

KRASNOYARSK, Russia (Reuters) – Buyan, a brown bear kept in a Siberian zoo, has predicted that Croatia will defeat France in Sunday’s World Cup final. Two halves of water melon were laid on in Buyan’s enclosure in the Royev Ruchey zoo in the Siberian city of K... More »

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Southgate forced England to face up to Iceland debacle

REPINO, Russia (Reuters) – There has been a relentless positivity and forward-looking tenor to England’s approach to this World Cup but before the adventure in Russia began, manager Gareth Southgate forced his players to confront a nightmare from the past. Two... More »

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Factbox: Croatia vs. England semi-final history factbox

MOSCOW (Reuters) – Here is a brief history of previous World Cup semi-final appearances by England and Croatia, ahead of their last four match at Moscow’s Luzhniki Stadium on Wednesday: – England’s first semi-final appearance at a World Cup came at their home ... More »

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National tensions simmer ahead of Belgium-France World Cup semi-final

PARIS/BRUSSELS (Reuters) – It’s a showdown between “Asterix” and “Tintin”. Les Bleus (The Blues) versus Les Diables Rouges (The Red Devils). France against Belgium. The World Cup equivalent of a local derby, with a heavy dose of national rivalry thrown in. In ... More »

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Southgate in no mood to change England’s winning formula

REPINO, Russia (Reuters) – England manager Gareth Southgate says he is not about to change his team’s approach for Wednesday’s World Cup semi-final against Croatia, saying he wants the “same again” from his young side. Although Croatia are the most difficult o... More »

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Sweden are easy to analyze, difficult to beat: coach Andersson

SAMARA, Russia (Reuters) – Sweden coach Janne Andersson has full confidence in his team’s straightforward but effective tactics as he prepares his side for their World Cup quarter-final clash with England on Saturday. Andersson’s men are aiming to reach the la... More »

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Putin says World Cup has broken stereotypes about Russia

MOSCOW (Reuters) – Russian President Vladimir Putin said on Friday that his country’s hosting of the soccer World Cup had helped debunk stereotypes about it. Russia’s host nation status had been met with resistance by some in the West who suggested the tournam... More »

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Sweden’s Granqvist ready to show England what they missed

SAMARA/SOCHI, Russia (Reuters) – Andreas Granqvist did not set the world alight during his two seasons with the then Premier League side Wigan Athletic, but Sweden’s defensive linchpin is ready to show how far he has come when his side take on England in the W... More »

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Sweden not bothered by misfiring forwards, says pundit Djordjic

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 »

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Germany should have considered a World Cup without Ozil: Bierhoff

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 »

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‘Maybe we won’t get this opportunity again’, says Southgate

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 »

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Poised Sweden can beat England and win World Cup: Ibrahimovic

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 »

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Neymar joins Messi and Ronaldo in Kazan mural club

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 »

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Need a World Cup mural? Russian paints giant portrait of his wife…

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 »

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KFA decides against punishing egg-throwers

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 »

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Shootout win is perfect gift for Russian newlyweds

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 »

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Spark missing but Croatia still advances to quarter-finals

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 »

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Croatia coach praises Modric shootout bravery after miss

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 »

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Croatia captain Modric steps up after agonizing penalty miss

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 »

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‘Brides’ enjoy match-making on World Cup stage

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 »

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Messi gets face-saving Kazan mural to match Ronaldo’s

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 »

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Complacency killed Germany’s World Cup hopes

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 »

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All of Egypt hurt by Salah injury as World Cup ends in a whimper

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 »

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Bank of England holds special vote: to decide World Cup winner

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 »

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France yet to shine but Kante’s steel bodes well

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 »

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Soccer: Neymar shines on Brazil return, Spain draw after De Gea…

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 »

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Soccer: Belgium keep injured Kompany in World Cup squad

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 »

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Soccer: Sane misses out, Neuer makes Germany World Cup squad

(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 »

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Achilles the cat trains mind and body for role as World Cup psychic

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 »

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Soccer: Mexico fail to break down Wales

(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 »

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Soccer: Barca alumnus Lee stakes claim for World Cup graduation

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 »

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Olympics: Sporting events put Japan businesses in the mood for love

(Refiling item from May 25 to change name to ‘Russell Mark’ in 6th paragraph) By Jack Tarrant TOKYO (Reuters) – As Japan gears up to host the Rugby World Cup and Olympic Games in consecutive years, many businesses are seizing on the opportunity to capitalize o... More »

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Alexander-Arnold’s rise echoes my own, says McAteer

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 »

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Reluctant record holder hopes for release from notoriety

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 »

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Soccer: Portugal stumble, France impress in World Cup warm-ups

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 »

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Russian agency offers fake restaurant reviews ahead of World Cup

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 »

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China still forced to settle for replica World Cup dreams

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 »

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The hand of God touches Messi in Argentine Sistine Chapel

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 »

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Trump tweets threat to opponents of U.S. 2026 World Cup bid

(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 »

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Soccer: Peru’s Guerrero, WADA appeal to CAS over doping ban

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 »

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Russia’s Prokhorov sells 49 percent stake in Brooklyn Nets to…

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 »

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Soccer: Eight Argentine cities to feature in 2030 World Cup bid

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 »

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Locust swarms pose threat to World Cup pitches: Russian official

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 »

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Qatar says World Cup on track despite boycott as supply lines fixed

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 »

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Guerrero determined to clear his name after doping ban cut

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 »

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FIFA watchdog bans Brazilian soccer chief Del Nero for 90 days

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 »

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Ronaldo pips Messi to win Ballon d’Or for joint-record fifth time

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 »

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Sydney to splurge A$2 billion on stadium rebuilds

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 »

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Stunned Italy fail to reach World Cup as Sweden qualify

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 »

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Ventura denies he has quit and apologizes to Italians

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 »

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Honduras coach calls FIFA playoff dates `inhumane`

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 »

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Qatar to build World Cup stadium shaped like Arabian cap

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 »

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Argentina will reach World Cup, says sacked coach Bauza

FILE PHOTO – Football Soccer – Argentina v Chile – World Cup 2018 Qualifiers – Antonio Liberti Stadium, Buenos Aires, Argentina – 23/3/17 – Argentina’s Lionel Messi (C) reacts after scoring a penalty goal. REUTERS/Marcos Brindicci Lionel Messi’s faltering Arge... More »

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New AFA president vows to get Messi ban reduced

Football Soccer – Argentina v Chile – World Cup 2018 Qualifiers – Antonio Liberti Stadium, Buenos Aires, Argentina – 23/3/17 – Argentina’s Lionel Messi looks on during the match. REUTERS/Marcos Brindicci The Argentine FA, lacking proper leadership since 2015 a... More »

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Paulinho hat-trick keeps Brazil on road to Russia

Football Soccer – Uruguay v Brazil – World Cup 2018 Qualifiers – Centenario stadium, Montevideo, Uruguay – 23/3/17 – Brazil’s Paulinho celebrates his third goal. REUTERS/Andres Stapff Brazil recovered from conceding an early goal to beat Uruguay 4-1 in Montevi... More »

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Messi penalty lifts Argentina into qualifying berths

Football Soccer – Argentina v Chile – World Cup 2018 Qualifiers – Antonio Liberti Stadium, Buenos Aires, Argentina – 23/3/17 – Argentina’s Lionel Messi reacts after scoring a penalty goal. REUTERS/Alberto Raggio Lionel Messi converted a penalty as Argentina la... More »

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FIFA looks to ease the fixture burden on players

Victor Montagliani, President of the Confederation of North, Central America and Caribbean Association Football (CONCACAF) speaks to the media after a FIFA Council in Zurich, Switzerland, January 10, 2017. REUTERS/Arnd Wiegmann FIFA needs to take care of the p... More »

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Iraqis considering new approach to U.S.-born Meram

Iraq’s Justin Meram (7) celebrates with teammate Ali Fesny Faisal (8) after scoring against Thailand during their 2018 World Cup qualifying soccer match at Rajamangala National Stadium in Bangkok September 8, 2015. REUTERS/Jorge Silva Iraq may ask United State... More »

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FIFA sets up human rights panel in response to criticism

The snow-covered landscape is reflected in a logo in front of FIFA headquarters in Zurich, Switzerland, January 10, 2017. REUTERS/Arnd Wiegmann World soccer’s ruling body FIFA, stung by criticism that it overlooks human rights in countries staging its tourname... More »

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Soccer: Germany to play Spain, Brazil in 2018 ahead of World Cup

Football Soccer – Euro 2016 – Germany Training – Stade Camille Fournier, Evian-Les-Bains, France – 6/7/16 – Germany’s coach Joachim Loew during training. REUTERS/Denis Balibouse Picture Supplied by Action Images Germany will kick off 2018 with friendly interna... More »

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Russian minister Mutko barred from FIFA re-election: sources

FILE PHOTO: Russian Sports Minister Vitaly Mutko attends a news conference after a meeting of the management board of the 2018 FIFA World Cup Russia local organising committee in Moscow, Russia, July 5, 2016. REUTERS/Sergei Karpukhin/File Photo Russian deputy ... More »

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Africa tells FIFA it wants 10 places at expanded World Cup

The snow-covered landscape is reflected in a logo in front of FIFA headquarters in Zurich, Switzerland, January 10, 2017. REUTERS/Arnd Wiegmann Africa will be looking to double the number of places it has at an expanded World Cup, the continent’s football asso... More »

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CONCACAF to mull joint World Cup bid- Trump wall no concern

Victor Montagliani, President of the Confederation of North, Central America and Caribbean Association Football (CONCACAF) speaks to the media after a FIFA Council in Zurich, Switzerland, January 10, 2017. REUTERS/Arnd Wiegmann CONCACAF will discuss a possible... More »

Thailand vs Australia to go ahead, but no joy permitted

Australian soccer fans celebrate as they watch the 2014 World Cup soccer match between Chile and Australia which was broadcast on a large screen at Copacabana beach in Rio de Janeiro June 13, 2014. REUTERS/Pilar Olivares Australian football fans must tone down... More »

Ice Hockey: Sweden top Russia, North America stun Finland

Sep 18, 2016- Toronto, Ontario, Canada- Team Sweden Goaltender Jacob Markstrom (25) makes the save against Team Russia in the first period during preliminary round play in the 2016 World Cup of Hockey at Air Canada Centre. Mandatory Credit: Kevin Sousa-USA TOD... More »

FIFA ethics committee investigates one of its own members

ZURICHA member of the ethics committee responsible for rooting out corruption in soccer’s governing body FIFA has himself been placed under a preliminary investigation, the watchdog said on Sunday. Juan Pedro Damiani was being investigated over a possible busi... More »

French soccer body’s office searched in Blatter investigation

ZURICH Authorities searched the offices of France’s soccer federation and seized documents in support of a Swiss investigation into former FIFA President Sepp Blatter, Switzerland’s Office of the Attorney General (OAG) said on Wednesday. The operation, carried... More »

Infantino opens FIFA museum, says reforms are priority

ZURICH Gianni Infantino opened FIFA’s new museum in his first official act as president of soccer’s governing body on Sunday and said that implementing the wide-ranging reforms passed on Friday would be his immediate priority. The 45-year-old Swiss, previously... More »