Germany brush aside Curacao in World Cup opener
Kai Havertz scored a brace as Germany opened their World Cup campaign with a dominant 7-1 victory over debutants Curacao in Houston.
Germany Sport News
Ivory Coast's Elye Wahi denied Canada visa amid spot-fixing allegations - ESPN
Ivory Coast striker Elye Wahi, who is being investigated into suspected spot-fixing, has not been authorized to travel to Canada for his team's next World Cup match against Germany, the Ivorian soccer federation said Thursday.
Ivory Coast forward Wahi to miss Canada trip over lack of travel authorisation
June 18 : Ivory Coast forward Elye Wahi will not travel to Canada for this weekend's World Cup clash with Germany because his authorisation to visit the country had not yet been obtained, the Ivorian Football Federation (FIF) said on Thursday.
Wahi denied Canadian visa for Ivory Coast World Cup clash with Germany
ABIDJAN: Forward Elye Wahi will miss Ivory Coast’s second World Cup match against Germany after he was denied a visa to enter Canada, the Ivorian federation said on Thursday. “The administrative authorizations necessary for his entry into Canadian territory have not been obtained at this stage,” the Ivorian federation (FIF) said, adding that he would not be able to “travel with the delegation to Canada” for Saturday’s match in Toronto. The FIF gave no reason for his visa refusal. Wahi is the second World Cup player to be denied entry into Canada after Ghana’s Thomas Partey, who is facing rape charges in Britain. Several media reported on Thursday that Wahi had been questioned by French police over suspicions of spot-fixing in a Ligue 1 match while he was playing for Nice. The case revolves around a yellow card which Wahi picked up in a 0-0 draw with Metz in mid-May, after betting authorities had noticed an unusual volume of bets being placed on the 23-year-old being booked. The French football league (LFP) announced on Wednesday that it had lodged a complaint to police for “facts which could constitute sporting fraud and organized corruption.” Born in France, Wahi switched allegiances to the African nation in March and started in the Ivory Coast’s opening 1-0 Group E victory over Ecuador on Sunday. The Elephants final group stage match is against Curacao in the United States on June 25.
Ireland to face Kazakhstan in Women’s World Cup play-offs
The Republic of Ireland women will face Kazakhstan in the first round of the World Cup play-offs in their bid to reach the tournament in Brazil.
South Korea's football fans feeling the love from Mexicans at World Cup as the two nations prepare to face off
GUADALAJARA, Mexico: Almost everywhere he has gone in Guadalajara, South Korean Lee Beomyong is stopped for photographs.
Kane double fires England World Cup bid as Ronaldo’s Portugal stumble
LOS ANGELES, United States: England launched their World Cup bid with a rollercoaster 4-2 win against Croatia on Wednesday as Cristiano Ronaldo and Portugal stumbled to a draw against the Democratic Republic of Congo. In an enthralling Group L game at the Texas home of the Dallas Cowboys NFL team, Harry Kane scored twice before goals from Jude Bellingham and Marcus Rashford made the game safe as England began their bid to end a 60-year wait for a major trophy. Kane got the ball rolling by slotting home a penalty at the second attempt after the referee ordered him to re-take it when Croatian ‘keeper Dominik Livakovic was adjudged to have been off his line. Croatia fought back and Martin Baturina brought them level after 36 minutes before unmarked Kane equalled Gary Lineker’s England record of 10 World Cup goals with a thumping header. But the English defensive frailties were on show when Petar Musa equalized for Croatia in first-half stoppage time. Only in the second half did England impose their will. Bellingham scored a classy goal after outrunning his defender before substitute Rashford took his time before slotting the ball into the net on 85 minutes. Kane revealed that England’s German coach Thomas Tuchel had told his players at half-time to throw caution to the wind. “The manager gave us a speech at half-time just to say, look, if we lose, we lose.
Dazzling Diaz steps up to starring role for Colombia
MEXICO CITY, June 17 : It was 12 years ago that Colombia forward James Rodriguez announced himself at the World Cup in Brazil - and though he led his side out for their 2026 opener on Wednesday, it was teammate Luis Diaz who showed he could be the main man this year.
Kane's prowess cannot mask England's frailties at the back
June 17 : Harry Kane’s feat of equalling of Gary Lineker’s England World Cup scoring record with two goals in Wednesday’s 4-2 win over Croatia shows the captain is going into the tournament with all guns firing.