News

Preview - 3rd Place Playoff: France v England

Fri, 17 Jul, 2026

Preview - 3rd Place Playoff: France v England

Miami Gardens: France and England will bid a gloomy farewell to the FIFA World Cup 2026 on Saturday when they face each other in the dreaded third-place playoff in Miami.

Both teams head to Florida still raw from semi-final defeats that have left both footballing nations licking wounds, which, in the eyes of many, were largely self-inflicted.

France, the tournament's outstanding team enroute to the last four, were anonymous in the face of a tactical masterclass by Spain on Tuesday and slumped to a 2-0 defeat.

England added another chapter to their long history of FIFA World Cup heartache on Wednesday when they surrendered the initiative and a lead to lose 2-1 to Argentina in Atlanta.

Master and apprentice as Spain, Argentina coaches meet in final

Fri, 17 Jul, 2026

Master and apprentice as Spain, Argentina coaches meet in final

East Rutherford: Master will take on apprentice when Spain head coach Luis de la Fuente lines up against his former student, Argentina's Lionel Scaloni, in the FIFA World Cup 2026 final on Sunday.

Nine years ago, Scaloni was just another former professional player pursuing a career in coaching, studying for his pro license at the Spanish football federation's training centre in Las Rozas, on the outskirts of Madrid.

His teacher on the course? De la Fuente.

Maestro Messi not done yet

Fri, 17 Jul, 2026

Maestro Messi not done yet

Atlanta: Lionel Messi has already won the FIFA World Cup, but the Argentina captain added another chapter to his astonishing career on Wednesday, inspiring his team to victory in their semi-final against England.

The defending champions were up against it, trailing to Anthony Gordon's goal until the 85th minute in Atlanta before Messi worked his magic.

This time the tournament's all-time leading marksman did not score. But he teed up Enzo Fernandez for the equaliser and delivered the cross for Lautaro Martinez to head in the winner, sealing a 2-1 victory.

#U17WAC - Stage set for China 2027 Qualifiers

Thu, 16 Jul, 2026

#U17WAC - Stage set for China 2027 Qualifiers

Kuala Lumpur: The AFC U17 Women’s Asian Cup™ China 2027 is all set for take off following the conclusion of the Qualifiers Draw at the AFC House in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia on Thursday.

The 30 teams - two more than the previous record of 28 from the 2019 Qualifiers - were divided into eight groups - six of four and two of three - to contest a single round-robin centralised league from October 5 to 11.

Each group winner will advance to the Finals, joining the quartet of teams that have qualified directly as the top four finishers from the 2026 campaign: defending champions DPR Korea, runners-up Japan, and semi-finalists Australia and China PR.

Messi: It is a special win

Thu, 16 Jul, 2026

Messi: It is a special win

Atlanta: Lionel Messi hailed a "special" win after Argentina beat England to reach the FIFA World Cup 2026 final, with the veteran at the heart of a come-from-behind 2-1 victory on Wednesday.

After Anthony Gordon gave England the lead, 39-year-old Messi provided the pass for Enzo Fernandez to smash in an 85th-minute equaliser and then also the cross for Lautaro Martinez to head in the winner in Atlanta.

Kane gutted after England crash out

Thu, 16 Jul, 2026

Kane gutted after England crash out

Atlanta: Harry Kane said he was "gutted" for England and their fans after his team were beaten 2-1 by defending champions Argentina in the FIFA World Cup 2026 semi-finals on Wednesday.

Anthony Gordon's strike had put the Three Lions on the cusp of a first final since they lifted the 1966 trophy but Lionel Messi inspired a dramatic turnaround in Atlanta.

He set up Enzo Fernandez, who blasted home from outside the area, and provided an inch-perfect cross for Lautaro Martinez's winner in stoppage time.

Martinez 'dreamt' of scoring winner

Thu, 16 Jul, 2026

Martinez 'dreamt' of scoring winner

Atlanta: Argentina's FIFA World Cup 2026 semi-final match-winner Lautaro Martinez said he had "dreamt" of scoring the goal which took his team through to the final at England's expense on Wednesday.

"I dreamt it. I told Alexis (Mac Allister) that I was going to score," Martinez said after his heroics off the bench in Atlanta as the reigning champions won the game 2-1. "And I said on the bench to Facundo Medina that I was going to come on and score."

Scaloni applauds indomitable Argentina

Thu, 16 Jul, 2026

Scaloni applauds indomitable Argentina

Atlanta: Argentina head coach Lionel Scaloni saluted his team's never-say-die mentality after another come-from-behind victory on Wednesday powered them past England into the FIFA World Cup 2026 final.

Scaloni said his team had scented victory as England sat back after taking a 1-0 lead in their semi-final in Atlanta and went for broke to secure a deserved 2-1 win.

Tuchel defends tactics after England's hopes dashed

Thu, 16 Jul, 2026

Tuchel defends tactics after England's hopes dashed

Atlanta: England manager Thomas Tuchel defended his tactics after the Three Lions' FIFA World Cup 2026 dream ended in an agonising late defeat to Argentina on Wednesday.

England appeared poised to reach their first final since 1966 after Anthony Gordon fired them into the lead early in the second half in Atlanta.

But England then invited wave after wave of late pressure from the defending champions and goals from Enzo Fernandez and Lautaro Martinez secured a famous 2-1 victory.

S-final: Messi's Argentina stun England in comeback

Thu, 16 Jul, 2026

S-final: Messi's Argentina stun England in comeback

Atlanta: Lautaro Martinez scored a 92nd minute winner as Lionel Messi inspired FIFA World Cup holders Argentina to a stunning comeback to beat England 2-1 on Wednesday and set up a final with European champions Spain.

England had been on course to reach their first FIFA World Cup final since 1966 after Anthony Gordon fired them into the lead 10 minutes after half-time in the semi-final in front of 68,239 fans in Atlanta.

But the great rivalry between these nations has produced several memorable contests on the FIFA World Cup stage down the years and this will be remembered as the stuff of legends in Argentina as the South Americans denied England with two late sucker punches.

https://www.the-afc.com/en/national/fifa_world_cup.html/photo/s-final-england-v-argentina

Dream comes true for Spain's Porro

Wed, 15 Jul, 2026

Dream comes true for Spain's Porro

Arlington: Pedro Porro, who scored Spain's second goal in the 2-0 defeat of favourites France on Tuesday, said reaching the FIFA World Cup 2026 final was "a dream come true".

Porro struck in the 58th minute after a sensational one-two with Dani Olmo, with the Tottenham Hotspur defender then clipping a fine finish past France goalkeeper Mike Maignan.