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Italy avoid old tormentors: the draw for the European play-offs
Italy will face Northern Ireland in the semi-finals of the European play-offs for the four remaining World Cup spots. This was determined by Thursday afternoon’s draw.
Antony, the 2026 World Cup and turning down Bayern
The Brazilian winger confirmed that he was contacted by Bayern on the last day of the summer transfer window, but he couldn’t go back on the promise he had made to return to Betis after half a season on loan.
Jamaica head coach resigns after failing to secure direct qualification
Jamaica head coach Steve McClaren resigned after a 0–0 draw against Curaçao cost the team direct qualification for the 2026 World Cup. Despite dominating and needing a win to go through automatically, Jamaica were held to a draw and must now try to reach the tournament via intercontinental play-offs in March. The federation will appoint a new coach to lead the team into these crucial games.«
Amoura and Daghim return early one pace-setter is definitely out
VfL Wolfsburg face Bayer Leverkusen with important fitness concerns: Adam Daghim is definitely out with back problems, while top scorer Mohammed Amoura returned early from Algeria duty with a minor muscle issue and is racing against time to be fit.
Grote Ivan gets his way: Gattuso and his frightened followers have fallen
Because of the trouble with Gennaro Gattuso, Ivan Perisic’s (international) career was in danger of fading away. The 36-year-old forward refused to accept that. Perisic got back up, played his 150th international match on Monday, and now stands on the verge of his fourth World Cup. And we’re going to make ourselves seen.
Two Dortmund players ruled out in Luxembourg
Julian Nagelsmann still faces uncertainty over Nico Schlotterbeck’s availability ahead of the World Cup qualifier in Luxembourg. A second Dortmund player is definitely out.
Remarkable request: Lewandowski was told by Barça not to score anymore
A book about Robert Lewandowski has caused quite a stir in Spain and Poland. In the book Lewandowski: The Real One, it emerges that the Polish striker had to stop scoring for Barcelona in the 2022/23 season, because otherwise the club would have had to pay extra money to Bayern Munich.
I would have loved to see a sprint duel between Van de Ven and me in our prime
There is no limit to Micky van de Ven’s speed. The Dutchman is now breaking his own speed records in the Premier League. Still, Jarchinio Antonia, aged 34, believes that in his peak years he could have matched the Spurs sprint phenomenon.
Controversial incident in England
Howard Webb accepts the decision made by the refereeing team in the match against Manchester City.
To win a World Cup, our defensive process will be fundamental
Portugal head coach Bino Maçães urges calm and defensive solidity ahead of the World Cup quarter final with Switzerland, stressing that staying true to the team’s identity will be key.