International Soccer

Watch 19-Year-Old Ronaldinho Begin Destroying Spanish Defenses At The Youth Championship

The 1999 FIFA World Youth Championship (now known as the U-20 World Cup) showcased some sensational young talent in Nigeria. Spain, the tournament’s champion, had both Iker Casillas and Xavi in its squad. Mali captured third place off the strength of a midfield boasting the greatest Malian footballer of all-time and the tournament’s Golden Ball recipient, future two-time UEFA Champions League-winner Seydou Keita, as well as future Real Madrid star Mahamadou Diarra. 

In 31,536,000 (ish) Seconds You Will Be Watching The World Cup

In 365 days — or 31,536,000 seconds, but who’s counting? — the 2018 World Cup will kick off from Luzhniki Stadium in Moscow on June 14. A month later, the world champion will be crowned at the same stadium on July 15.

For that one month, all eyes will be on Russia, not for their meddling in U.S. elections or invading sovereign nations, but for the planet’s greatest sporting event.

Here’s what you need to know for the rapidly approaching World Cup.

Dates

England, France Unite With Britpop

Leave it to the outspoken Noel Gallagher to bring France and England together.

The Oasis front man’s song "Don’t Look Back In Anger" was played prior to the England-France friendly Tuesday in Paris in a show of solidarity between the two nations following the recent terrorist attacks in England. 

Costa Rica And Panama Can Make The U.S. Sweat Again With Wins Tonight

The Big Game between Mexico and the United States may have come and gone, but that doesn’t mean attention should shift away from CONCACAF World Cup qualifying. What happens in tonights' Hexagonal fixtures between Panama/Honduras and Costa Rica/Trinidad & Tobago will put the final standings into greater focus with only four matches remaining. 


The Italian National Team Is Finally Evolving

Three games: 14 goals scored, zero conceded. All things considered, that should be enough for a successful international break. Given Italy’s history of playing badly throughout qualification rounds, this high-scoring shut-out round of fixtures seems almost entirely positive, it’s not quite that simple.

Christen Press Lifts Lackluster USWNT Over Norway

The United States women's national team, ranked No. 2 in the world, failed to really take hold of the game against a strong Norwegian team, ranked No. 11, on Sunday in Sandjeford, Norway. USWNT coach Jill Ellis cotinued her experimentation with personnel and formations — the starting line-up featured just two players that got minutes at the 2015 World Cup. 

America's Greatest Power Couple Both Receive National Team Call-Ups

Something rare came to light when the 40-man preliminary Gold Cup roster and the 21-woman friendly roster were released for the USMNT and USWNT this past week. No, it wasn’t the inclusion of NYCFC’s Tommy McNamara or the absence of Ali Krieger (although yes, those were surprises). Sydney Leroux Dwyer and Dom Dwyer, unstoppable goal-bangers for Kansas City’s NWSL and MLS teams, both got the nod.

Saturday's World Cup Qualifying In Europe Featured Three Wonder Goals

A lot of people like to moan about international football, but it can be really fun if you approach it with a no f**ks given attitude — just follow the example set by San Marino’s social media team during their qualifier against Germany. If you didn’t follow any of Saturday’s UEFA qualifying, here’s what you missed.

#1. Norway And Martin Odegaard Won’t Be At The 2018 World Cup

Here's Why Croatia Could Win The World Cup Next Summer

A year out from the World Cup, the final stages of qualifying are at their halfway point. As is normally the case, Europe is proving to be the most difficult region to advance from. If the group stage were to end today, Portugal and Italy would have to square off against other second place teams in a two-legged tie just to qualify for Russia next summer.

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