Page 10 - Fifa World Cup

We must rethink the way football is structured, says FIFA chief Infantino

Football risks losing its global appeal in the face of myriad challenges posed by a technology-driven and changing world, FIFA president Gianni Infantino has warned.

Germany rallies to beat Romania in FIFA World Cup European qualifier

Thomas Muller's late decider helped Germany bounce back to beat Romania 2-1 on home soil in Group J of FIFA World Cup European qualification

Brazil vs Colombia, Argentina vs Uruguay in World Cup qualifying

Brazil has won all nine matches in World Cup qualifying so far and could well make it 10 on Sunday at Colombia. The Brazilians lead the 10-team South American round-robin competition by eight points.

Former Germany captain Philipp Lahm opposed to biennial World Cup

Former Germany captain Philipp Lahm is opposed to FIFA's plans to implement a biennal World Cup.

UEFA says FIFA snubs request for talks on World Cup concerns

UEFA complained that Gianni Infantino's world body has yet to respond to its request for talks to discuss the concerns of European nations

FIFA intensifies push to stage men's World Cup every two years

FIFA intensified its push for hosting the men's World Cup every two years on Thursday by garnering support from soccer fans around the world to help combat resistance from Europe and South America. The latest public relations tactic came in the form on an online survey commissioned by FIFA. The Associated Press does not routinely report the claims of opinion polls conducted over the internet. The FIFA statement did not provide data, details of the polling methodology or questions asked, but claimed its findings showed "considerable differences between the so-called traditional markets and the developing football markets." European soccer body UEFA and South American counterpart CONMEBOL oppose FIFA's plan and have threatened to boycott additional World Cups. Europe and South America combine for 65 of the 211 FIFA members fewer than the one-third total likely needed to block any proposal. The governing bodies of the six continental soccer federations all stage their own championshi

Klopp, Nagelsmann decry FIFA's plans for biennial men's World Cup

Jrgen Klopp seems sure why FIFA is so determined to gain support for World Cups every two years, and he's not pleased by apparent financial motivations

FIFA unveils biennial men's World Cup plan, UEFA threatens boycott

FIFA detailed its plan for reshaping international soccer around playing the men's World Cup every two years despite European opposition that could lead to a boycott

Soccer leagues resist FIFA plan for men's World Cup every 2 years

The global group of national soccer leagues said Wednesday it will oppose FIFA's plans to play the men's World Cup every two years

Hyderabad FC sign Nigerian World Cupper Bartholomew Ogbeche

Adding experience to their attack ahead of the upcoming Indian Super League season, Hyderabad have completed the signing of Nigerian World Cupper Bartholomew Ogbeche, the club announced on Thursday

Veteran Thiago Silva eyes World Cup and Maldini-style career

Ahead of Brazil's Copa America quarterfinal against Chile on Friday, Brazil defender Thiago Silva has one particular player on his mind. Italy great Paolo Maldini. It is a bit distant to project the end of my career. I don't have control over that, but I want to follow what Maldini represented for AC Milan, playing until age 40, 41, Silva said at a news conference on Wednesday. I prepared myself for this. I remain at a high level, which makes me very proud. The 36-year-old Silva is also hoping to play at next year's World Cup. He continues to start matches for the Selecao, and lifted the Champions League title with Chelsea in May. Silva arrived at AC Milan in 2009, the same year Maldini retired at age 41. The Brazilian left the Italian club in 2012 for Paris Saint-Germain. After PSG reached the Champions League final in 2020 and lost to Bayern Munich, Silva signed for Chelsea and once more proved he was still one of the best defenders in the game. From now on I have to live every

Game changers

The last thing world football needs is more games

FIFA to investigate possibility of hosting World Cup every two years

FIFA will be investigating the possibility of holding the World Cup every two years instead of four, for both the men's and women's tournaments

Europe starts 2022 World Cup qualifying amid pause for pandemic

The 55 national soccer teams in Europe will start World Cup qualifying this week for the 2022 tournament in Qatar even as South America and Asia pause amid the coronavirus pandemic. The 10 European qualifying groups kick off Wednesday and will play 75 games in eight days. Some teams will play triple-headers in a schedule squeezed by the loss of dates in June because of the postponed European Championship. No World Cup qualifying game in Europe has been lost to travel and quarantine restrictions. Fears that players based in Germany would be denied travel did not materialize, so Robert Lewandowski can play for Poland in England and David Alaba will join Austria in Scotland. The pandemic was felt in three teams losing what home advantage exists when most games are still played without fans. Cristiano Ronaldo will not play for Portugal at home, though he will be on familiar ground in Turin, Italy. Portugal chose the stadium of Juventus as the neutral host for its opening qualifier agai

Asian soccer gets 8 host hubs for World Cup qualifying games

The delayed World Cup qualifying matches in Asia will be completed in June with each of the eight groups playing in a separate host nation because of the COVID-19 pandemic

India's football WC qualifying round matches scheduled for March postponed

India's 2022 FIFA World Cup/2023 Asian Cup qualifying round matches, which were scheduled to be played next month, have been postponed to June due to Covid-related travel and quarantine restrictions

EAM S Jaishankar visits FIFA 2022 World Cup venue in Qatar built by L&T

Union Minister for External Affairs, S Jaishankar, alongside India's ambassador in Qatar Deepak Mittal, visited the Ahmad Bin Ali Stadium which is a 2022 FIFA World Cup venue built by Indian construction giant Larsen & Tubro.

FIFA provides breakdown of expanded 2023 Women's World Cup field

CONCACAF will have four direct berths for the expanded Women's World Cup in 2023, and two more teams from the region will have a chance to join them via a 10-team playoff tournament

AFC guaranteed six direct slots for 2023 FIFA Women's World Cup

Members from the Asian Football Confederation (AFC) will have six direct slots for the 32-team 2023 FIFA Women's World Cup which will be held in Australia and New Zealand.

After 6-0 loss, Joachim Low under pressure as German federation plans talks

The loss in Seville was Germany's heaviest defeat since 1931 and ended the team's chances of qualifying for the Nations League final four