Tournament experience ‘so valuable’ for Wales – Craig Bellamy
Craig Bellamy believes Wales’ experience of playing at major tournaments will have a positive bearing on their attempt to reach the 2026 World Cup.
Belgium Sport News
Scott McTominay penalty earns Scotland slender lead in Nations League play-off
Scott McTominay scored the only goal of the game as Scotland survived a second-half barrage from Greece in their Nations League play-off in Athens.
Belgium Outclassed By Ukraine In UEFA Nations League As Thibaut Courtois Loses On Return
Goalkeeper Thibaut Courtois tasted defeat on his Belgium return on Thursday as the Red Devils lost 3-1 to Ukraine in the first leg of the Nations League play-off. Real Madrid's Courtois last played for his country in 2023 before a public falling out with then coach Domenico Tedesco and looked set to finish on 102 caps. Courtois, 32, has come back into the fold under new boss in Frenchman Rudi Garcia, but was unable to stop Ukraine claiming the upper hand before next Sunday's second leg in Genk. Romelu Lukaku scored for Belgium before efforts from Oleksiy Gutsulyak, Vladyslav Vanat and Ilya Zabarnyi in a 12-minute spell after the break secured the win for Sergiy Rebrov's side.
Belgium's Garcia under pressure after heavy debut defeat to Ukraine
Belgium's revival efforts suffered a blow on Thursday as Rudi Garcia's side lost 3-1 to Ukraine in a Nations League play-off, piling pressure on the new coach after a challenging debut.
Ukraine shock Belgium 3-1 in first-leg playoff
MURCIA, Spain : Ukraine came from behind to beat Belgium 3-1 in the first leg of their Nations League playoff on Thursday, moving into a strong position to earn promotion to the competition's top tier.
Bafana Bafana ready to take charge of Group C
South Africa will chase a key win in their 2026 FIFA World Cup Qualifying campaign tomorrow, when they welcome Lesotho to the Peter Mokaba Stadium for a Group C match which will kick-off at 6.00 p.m. CAT, reports africanfootball.com.
IOC elections: Tension builds in Athens as Coe, six others battle for Bach’s job
The battle for the leadership of the International Olympic Committee (IOC) will end today in Greece, where seven people are vying to replace Thomas Bach as IOC president.
Saudi Arabia back on track for World Cup after victory over 10-man China
RIYADH: Saudi Arabia defeated 10-man China 1-0 in Riyadh on Thursday to get their 2026 World Cup qualification campaign back on track. Salem Al-Dawsari’s goal early in the second half moved Herve Renard’s men into third place in Group C, a point behind Australia in the battle for the second automatic qualification spot, and three clear of Indonesia, Bahrain and China. Japan defeated Bahrain 2-0 to remain nine points clear at the top of the group with three games to play, and become the first nation to clinch qualification for the tournament. Australia’s 5-1 win over Indonesia earlier in the day had piled more pressure on the Saudis, who knew that after collecting just two points from their past four qualification games, and with a trip to a dominant Japan coming up on Tuesday, only a victory would do. As expected, the Green Falcons made most of the running, and midway through the first half they came within millimeters of taking the lead. Al-Dawsari slipped the ball to Nawaf Boushal on the left side of the area and the Al-Nassr star curled a shot that bounced back off the underside of the crossbar. Eight minutes before the break the home team came even closer.