Departing Deschamps looks back on 'wonderful' France journey

Sun, 19 Jul, 2026

Departing Deschamps looks back on 'wonderful' France journey

Miami: France head coach Didier Deschamps said he had experienced a "truly wonderful adventure" with his players as he bid farewell to the job on Saturday after 14 highly successful years in charge.

Deschamps guided France to FIFA World Cup glory in Moscow in 2018, becoming one of only three men to have won it as both coach and player.

He led Les Bleus back to the final in Doha in 2022, where they lost to Argentina in a penalty shootout.

https://www.the-afc.com/en/more/photo/3184620

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Tuchel: England closing gap with elite teams

Sun, 19 Jul, 2026

Tuchel: England closing gap with elite teams

Miami: Thomas Tuchel said England had taken their first step in closing the gap on the top football nations after edging a 10-goal thriller against France to finish third at the FIFA World Cup 2026.

Arsenal forward Bukayo Saka scored a hat-trick in an entertaining 6-4 win in the heat of Miami while France's Kylian Mbappe became the leading scorer in tournament history by netting twice.

Tuchel spoke on the eve of the match about the pain of England's 2-1 semi-final defeat by Argentina on Wednesday, stressing the need to close the gap to the defending champions as well as France and Spain.

England overwhelm France in goal fest

Sun, 19 Jul, 2026

England overwhelm France in goal fest

Miami Gardens: England beat France 6-4 in a chaotic FIFA World Cup 2026 third-place playoff on Saturday as Kylian Mbappe became the all-time leading scorer in tournament history.

Both teams had higher aspirations but suffered painful semi-final exits – France were outplayed by Spain while England suffered a late collapse against Argentina.

Preview - Final: Spain v Argentina

Sat, 18 Jul, 2026

Preview - Final: Spain v Argentina

East Rutherford: Spain and Argentina will both be aiming to create more history when they square off in the FIFA World Cup 2026 final at the New York New Jersey Stadium on Sunday.

Lionel Messi's Argentina are bidding to become the first team since Brazil in 1962 to win back-to-back FIFA World Cups, while Spain are trying to lift the trophy for a second time after their maiden victory in 2010.

Fronting Argentina's charge will be Messi, with head coach Lionel Scaloni urging fans to make the most of seeing the skipper lead his team out in another FIFA World Cup final at the age of 39.

Spain captain Rodri expects physical battle

Sat, 18 Jul, 2026

Spain captain Rodri expects physical battle

New York: Spain captain Rodri is bracing for a "physical" battle with reigning champions Argentina when the two sides collide in the FIFA World Cup final on Sunday.

Rodri told a press conference in Manhattan that Spain will aim to ignore any possible "provocations" by their South American opponents and instead concentrate on imposing Spain's gameplan.

Rodri, the 2024 Ballon D'Or winner who has excelled at the heart of Spain's midfield during the FIFA World Cup, said he expects the final to be unlike any other game the European champions have faced.

Argentina success moves me to tears, says goalkeeper Martinez

Sat, 18 Jul, 2026

Argentina success moves me to tears, says goalkeeper Martinez

New York: Argentina goalkeeper Emiliano Martinez said on Friday that thinking about his team's success in recent years sometimes brings him to tears as they attempt to retain the FIFA World Cup trophy in the final against Spain.

Argentina won the FIFA World Cup in 2022 by beating France on penalties in the final. They also won the Copa America in 2021 and 2024 and beat Italy in the 2022 Finalissima, a fixture between the South American and European champions.