Achilles injury rules Jordan’s Smeeri out of World Cup
May 15 : Jordan defender Issam Smeeri will miss the country’s first World Cup after the national football association said on Friday he had suffered a ruptured Achilles tendon.
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Mbappe, Dembele head up France squad for 2026 World Cup
PARIS: Kylian Mbappe will spearhead France at the World Cup after coach Didier Deschamps on Thursday announced his 26-man squad for this summer’s tournament in the United States, Canada and Mexico. Deschamps, who guided France to World Cup glory in 2018 and will leave his role after the 2026 edition, included few surprises. “It’s a squad. Not necessarily the 26 best players. It’s about balance and how the team comes together,” Deschamps told French TV channel TF1. “The overriding and essential criterion (for selection) is a sporting one,” the 57-year-old later explained to journalists. Mbappe will likely captain the team from the get-go despite a thigh injury sustained last month, which caused him to miss key matches in Real Madrid’s La Liga run-in. The 27-year-old will be joined on the plane to North America by an array of attacking talent such as Ballon d’Or holder Ousmane Dembele and Desire Doue of Paris Saint-Germain, as well as Bayern Munich winger Michael Olize. Rayan Cherki will make his World Cup debut. The 22-year-old playmaker has enjoyed a sparkling debut season at Manchester City, while his Premier League rival William Saliba of Arsenal will provide defensive solidity for Les Bleus. Dayot Upamecano of Bundesliga champions Bayern will be expected to partner Saliba in the heart of the France defense, with Liverpool’s Ibrahima Konate and Crystal Palace’s Maxence Lacroix also included.
Ancelotti extends contract as Brazil manager until 2030
RIO DE JANEIRO, May 14 : Carlo Ancelotti extended his contract as Brazil manager until the 2030 World Cup, the Brazilian soccer federation (CBF) said in a statement on Thursday.
Saudi Public Investment Fund named official tournament supporter of FIFA World Cup 2026
RIYADH: Saudi Arabia’s Public Investment Fund has been named as an official tournament supporter in North America and Asia for this year’s FIFA World Cup.
Barcelona star Lamine Yamal waves Palestinian flag during title parade
BARCELONA: Barcelona star Lamine Yamal waved a Palestinian flag during an open top bus parade as the team celebrated winning the Spanish title. The 18-year-old winger, who is already widely regarded as one of the best soccer players in the world, held the flag as the team bus drove through the streets of Barcelona on Monday. He also posted pictures of him holding it on his Instagram account.
PIF named 2026 World Cup official tournament supporter as Saudi steps up football ambitions
May 14 - Saudi Arabia's Public Investment Fund (PIF) was on Thursday named an official tournament supporter in North America and Asia for this year's World Cup, as the country deepens its ties with international football ahead of hosting the 2034 tournament.
Madonna, BTS and Shakira to headline first World Cup final halftime show
May 14 : Madonna and Shakira will line up with K-pop supergroup BTS to headline the first-ever World Cup final halftime show at the MetLife Stadium in New Jersey, FIFA said on Thursday.
Madonna, Shakira and BTS to headline World Cup final half-time show
Global superstars Madonna and Shakira, and South Korean boy band BTS will headline the first World Cup final half-time show.