Mexico City, May 11 (IANS) With one month remaining before the FIFA World Cup kicks off in Mexico City, organisers across the three host countries are finalising stadium preparations and security planning, while teams monitor injuries ahead of squad selections.The June 11-July 19 tournament will be the first World Cup to feature 48 teams, with matches in 16 cities across the United States, Canada, and Mexico. Here are some of the key talking points as the buildup enters its final stretch.Host ci…
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New Delhi, May 9 (IANS) Indian footballer Sumit Rathi believes India can qualify for the FIFA World Cup within five years if the country changes its footballing mindset and focuses seriously on grassroots development but warned that continuing with the same system could delay progress for decades. India are currently ranked 136th in the FIFA men’s rankings and have struggled for consistency at the international level despite the growth of domestic football and increased investment in the sport…
Buenos Aires, May 9 (IANS) Lionel Messi believes Neymar still belongs among football’s elite and said he hopes the Brazil forward returns in time for next month’s FIFA World Cup.Neymar, Brazil’s all-time leading scorer, has not played for his country since October 2023, when he suffered a ruptured anterior cruciate ligament during a World Cup qualifier against Uruguay.His injury problems have continued since returning to boyhood club Santos, limiting him to 12 appearances across all competitions…
Mumbai, May 1 (IANS) FIFA president Gianni Infantino has confirmed that Iran will be participating in the upcoming 2026 World Cup, which the United States is co-hosting with its neighbours Mexico and Canada, despite the recent armed conflict with Israel and the USA.Infantino confirmed that Iran will send its team to the World Cup during his inaugural address at the 76th FIFA Congress in Vancouver, Canada. FIFA put out on social media a video showing portions of the FIFA President’s address to th…
Madrid, April 23 (IANS) Spanish football giant Real Madrid suffered a major setback ahead of the business end of the season, with midfielder Arda Guler and defender Eder Militao ruled out of the remainder of the domestic campaign due to muscle injuries.Militao picked up his injury during Real Madrid’s 2-1 win over Deportivo Alaves earlier this week, while Guler sustained his problem in training on Thursday ahead of their upcoming clash against Real Betis. According to a report by Xinhua, both …
Barcelona, April 23 (IANS) Spanish giants FC Barcelona have confirmed that teenage winger Lamine Yamal will miss the remainder of the season due to a hamstring injury, though he is expected to recover in time for the FIFA World Cup, which is set to commence on 11 June.In a medical update shared on X, the club said tests revealed an injury in the biceps femoris muscle of his left leg. “The tests carried out have confirmed that first-team player Lamine Yamal has a hamstring injury in his left le…
Mumbai, April 15 (IANS) Neha Dhupia is stepping into an entirely new space with her debut international film titled 52 Blue, as she will be seen in a de-glam avatar for the very first time on screen. The actress said that going makeup-free was never a concern for her as she found it liberating. Neha said in a statement: “52 Blue has been one of the most deeply moving and transformative experiences of my career. When I first read the script, what stayed with me was the quiet strength of the mot…
Cardiff, April 7 (IANS) Former Arsenal midfielder and Wales football team captain Aaron Ramsey has decided to bring down curtains on his professional football career as the country’s legendary player announced his retirement on Tuesday.Ramsey retires as one of Wales’ greatest players, scoring 21 goals in 86 matches and representing his country at three major tournaments.He played a crucial role in Wales’ historic run to the Euro 2016 semi-finals, earning a place in the Union of European Football…
Berlin (Germany), April 1 (IANS) Tensions are rising at Borussia Dortmund after center-back Nico Schlotterbeck said a contract extension sought by the club remains far from being agreed.”I must deny reports that we are close,” the 26-year-old said. The German international indicated that the latest power struggles within the club’s leadership had affected the negotiations.The announcement by the sought-after defender fueled unrest among fans, as talks had dragged on for more than six months, rep…
Mexico City, April 1 (IANS) The remaining places for this year’s FIFA World Cup were finalised, capping a qualifying campaign that spanned nearly three years and setting the stage for the tournament’s first 48-team edition. The competition will be held across the United States, Mexico and Canada from June 11 to July 19. The expanded format has opened the door to new contenders while leaving several established powers and high-profile players on the outside looking in.Absent giantsItaly will miss…