World Cup

Sergio Ramos, David de Gea and Thiago Alcantara all LEFT OFF Spain’s 2022 World Cup roster

MADRID — Spain included Barcelona's Ansu Fati but left out Liverpool midfielder Thiago Alcantara, Manchester United goalkeeper David de Gea and PSG defender Sergio Ramos from their 26-man World Cup squad on Friday.

Fati, now 20, made his international debut in 2020 at 17 and in his second game became the youngest player to score for Spain, breaking a record held since 1925 by Juan Errazquien.

But the forward is fighting his way back from four surgeries to repair an injury to his left knee, suffered in November 2020.

Con su capitán herido, Arabia Saudita confirma su lista de jugadores para el Mundial de Catar

Si bien aún no da a conocer la lista de 26 jugadores que llevará a la Copa del Mundo, México ya conoce el nombre de los futbolistas que tendrán Argentina, Polonia y Arabia Saudita, sus rivales en el Grupo C del torneo.

De los tres, el último en liberar la convocatoria fue Arabia Saudita.

USWNT loses third straight game for the first time since 1993

Sitting on USWNT Zoom media calls before Thursday night's friendly against Germany in Fort Lauderdale, the answer to every question was some iteration of how the squad would rebound from back-to-back October defeats to England and Spain.

The idea of the U.S. not putting things right wasn't entertained. Lessons had been learned, Alex Morgan was returning and statements would be made.

This potential USA World Cup starting XI could be the lineup that gets the team past the group stage

The surprising United States men’s national team roster was revealed on Wednesday giving fans a better idea of who head coach Gregg Berhalter could have in his USA World Cup starting XI.

This potential USA World Cup starting XI lineup considers the current form of players, Berhalter’s history of starting certain people, recent position identifications (Brenden Aaronson being listed as a midfielder) and the best possible options.

Let’s look at what we’ve cooked up.

Diego Lainez se ilusiona con el Mundial luego de anotar un gol salvador para el SC Braga

Apareció Diego Lainez. Después de algunos partidos en el olvido, el extremo mexicano volvió a disputar algunos minutos en el SC Braga y con un gol agónico terminó siendo fundamental en la victoria 2-1 que clasificó a su equipo a los octavos de final de la Copa de Portugal. 

La conquista de paso le dio esperanza de colarse en la lista final de México para el Mundial de Catar 2022.

10 players who only appear every 4 years to dominate the World Cup

Every four years, an elite sect of footballers emerge from their cryotherapy chambers without having aged a day since the game's last showpiece event. They have heard the call of their nation and awoken from their slumber, ready to once again take their rightful place on our television sets and to lay waste to group stage opponents with a fraction of their veteran experience. 

We've spent more time with these guys over the last 15 years than many of our relatives, and we'll finally now get to spend Thanksgiving with them too. 

Beware Spain! Costa Rica beat Nigeria with fantastic display of TICO-taka

Barcelona and Spain's national team popularized tiki-taka in soccer. But their hypnotic passing style — when a squad tries to control the ball and dominate its opponent — is not alone . In Costa Rica there exists the tico-taka, which was on full display during a 2-0 win over Nigeria on Wednesday night. 

It's true we're used to seeing Costa Rica with a more rough and raw style of play, but from time to time they show they can produce beautiful and poetic moments of fútbol. And that's when this tico-taka appears. 

England reveals official 26-man squad for World Cup

England have included in-form Leicester City midfielder James Maddison in their squad for the World Cup in Qatar, with forwards Callum Wilson and Marcus Rashford also selected.

Maddison and Newcastle United striker Wilson have not played for England since 2019, but have been rewarded for fine starts to the domestic season in the run-up to this month's tournament.

Belgium announces World Cup squad with injured Lukaku and out-of-form Hazard on the plane

Belgium coach Roberto Martínez has included injured striker Romelu Lukaku and playmaker Eden Hazard in his 26-man squad for the World Cup in Qatar, saying he will give the former "every second" to regain his fitness for the tournament.

Lukaku has been suffering with a hamstring injury which, coupled with a thigh problem earlier this season, means he has played just twice since August and is currently sidelined for his club Inter Milan.

Mario Götze recalled for Germany's World Cup squad after 5-year absence

FRANKFURT - Germany handed a surprise call-up to Borussia Dortmund teenager Youssoufa Moukoko in their World Cup squad on Thursday as 2014 World Cup winner Mario Götze marked a sensational return to the national team set up after five years.

Germany coach Hansi Flick announced his 26-man squad for the tournament in Qatar starting on Nov. 20, with the 17-year-old Moukoko, who has scored six times in the Bundesliga this season, included.

"Youssoufa is lively and quick player. We are really happy for him," Flick said.

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