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South Africa loses own World Cup send-off 5-0 after player boycott leads to makeshift team with a 13-year-old

JOHANNESBURG - South Africa's Women's World Cup preparations were plunged into chaos on Sunday when a shadow national team including a 13-year-old took on Botswana in a friendly as the squad selected for the finals were locked in a dispute with the national association.

The match was supposed to be a send-off for the squad going to the World Cup in Australia and New Zealand before they continue their preparations outside the country.

Liverpool continue midfield revamp by splashing $76 million

Liverpool have signed versatile Hungarian midfielder Dominik Szoboszlai from Bundesliga side RB Leipzig, the Premier League club said on Sunday.

The 22-year-old Hungary captain arrives at Anfield after British media reported Liverpool paid a $76.37 million release clause in his contract.

Szoboszlai becomes the club's second recruit under new sporting director Jörg Schmadtke after Argentine Alexis Mac Allister as Liverpool look to revamp their midfield following a disappointing season.

The 5 best and worst kits we've seen for the upcoming season

It's soccer jersey weather (there's no better option at an outdoor concert), and clubs across Europe are cashing in by releasing their new threads for the 2023-24 campaign.

Below we've recommended five jerseys for special commendation in the field of aesthetic beauty while we've classified five more as ew don't think so.

Best and worst kits for 2023-24 European club season

Winners

#1. Manchester City home 

The hero in 2019, Megan Rapinoe handed new role in fourth World Cup

NEW YORK - The USWNT's Megan Rapinoe will take on a different role in her fourth Women's World Cup appearance, coach Vlatko Andonovski said on Wednesday, as he named his 23-player squad for the quadrennial tournament.

The pink-haired forward's heroics led the U.S. to a fourth title in 2019, as her larger-than-life persona helped cement her as the biggest celebrity in American soccer, drawing legions of fans and the ire of former U.S. President Donald Trump.

USWNT World Cup roster revealed: The biggest surprises and snubs

The 23-player USWNT squad tasked with achieving an unprecedented World Cup three-peat was revealed by manager Vlatko Andonovski on Wednesday, and despite many obvious selections on the back of a qualifying cycle that grew pretty predictable, a late injury to captain Becky Sauerbrunn has shaken things up.

139th-ranked Saint Kitts and Nevis reach Gold Cup group stage for the first time

History was made Tuesday night at DRV PNK Stadium, the future home of Lionel Messi, as Saint Kitts and Nevis defeated French Guiana in a penalty shootout to advance to the Concacaf Gold Cup group stage for the first time ever.

The Sugar Boyz — ranked 139th in the world — got themselves to the Gold Cup qualifying prelims in Fort Lauderdale by topping their group in Nations League C, but they had to get by Curaçao (a 2019 quarterfinalist) in the semifinals last Friday (which went to a penalty shootout) before Tuesday night's dramatics against French Guiana.

Inter Miami confirms date of Lionel Messi's debut

Lionel Messi is set to play his first game for Inter Miami on July 21 when the Major League Soccer side host Mexico's Cruz Azul in their Leagues Cup opener, managing owner Jorge Mas told the Miami Herald newspaper on Tuesday.

Messi and Miami have agreed terms on a deal and are finalizing paperwork and visas after the Argentine great's announcement this month of his intention to join the club.

The 35-year-old will sign a two-and-a-half year deal worth $50 million to $60 million per year with an option to extend until 2026, according to the Miami Herald.

Mark your calendar: CONMEBOL sets official dates for 2024 Copa América in USA

Hi there. CONMEBOL has some news for you all hungry-minded soccer fans: the dates for the 2024 Copa América in the U.S. are officially on the calendar.

So go to your phone and immediately block the 25 days the tournament will last. 

When is the 2024 Copa América in the U.S.?

The South American confederation published a video on social media sharing the dates for the 48th edition of the oldest international tournament in the world, and guess what? We're just 365 days away from the official kick-off.

Here’s the potential USMNT starting XI vs. Mexico we want to see on Thursday night

New United States men’s national team interim head coach B.J. Callaghan will make his debut on Thursday against Mexico in the Concacaf Nations League semifinals. Fans are incredibly curious about what the USMNT starting XI vs Mexico will look like.

Callaghan was thrust into the head coaching job after Gregg Berhalter’s contract ran out (among a lot of other drama) and former interim head coach Anthony Hudson left the role early to pursue a head coaching job in Qatar.

Meet the Herons — Messi's ragtag crew of teammates at Inter Miami

Have you ever wanted to watch the story of Space Jam play out in real life? You know, Michael Jordan getting recruited to elevate the play of a motley assembled group of enthusiastic but extremely limited characters?

That's the narrative viewers worldwide are about to experience on Apple TV's MLS Season Pass as Lionel Messi joins Inter Miami — 27th-place in a 29-team league — at the halfway stage of the campaign. 

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