Twelve teams. Six World Cup spots to fill out the 48-team tournament. We’re in for a soccer smorgasburg on Tuesday. This summer’s edition of the best sporting event on the planet will be the largest in World Cup history. It’ll be hosted across three countries – the United States, Mexico and Canada. And elite squads … Read more
MARIETTA, Ga. — As he settled into his podium seat for Monday’s packed pre-match press conference inside the sprawling and pristine training facility of MLS side Atlanta United, U.S. men’s national team coach Mauricio Pochettino cut a businesslike figure. (Photo by Omar Vega/Getty Images) The Argentine answered the first dozen or so questions matter-of-factly, displaying … Read more
Italy are World Cup royalty. Only five-time winners Brazil have been crowned champions on more occasions than the Azzurri (four). And yet it’s now 20 years since Italy last lifted the trophy. Worse still, they’ve failed to qualify for the past two tournaments, meaning there’s an entire generation that have never seen their country even … Read more
MARIETTA, Georgia — Chris Richards knew the question was coming. And when he heard it, he smiled. “Tell us about your knee — what’s going on there?” a reporter asked Monday ahead of the U.S. men’s national team’s training session. The Crystal Palace center back missed Saturday’s 5-2 defeat to Belgium because of a knee … Read more
Deniz Undav turned up the pressure on Germany coach Julian Nagelsmann to select him for the World Cup after he scored the 2-1 winner against Ghana on Monday to back up strong club form. Undav hadn’t played for Germany since June but seven goals in his last six Bundesliga games helped him earn a recall. … Read more
The final six teams of the 48-team World Cup – the largest ever in history — will be decided this week. Expect powerhouse teams and big-time stars when the tournament kicks off this summer. The United States has a favorable Group D alongside Paraguay, Australia, and either Türkiye or Kosovo (who’ll face each other on … Read more
Mercedes-Benz Stadium (Atlanta) — Walking the streets of Georgia’s stately capital on Saturday, shortly before the United States men’s national team’s World Cup warm-up against Belgium, the excitement among the home team’s fans was palpable. Under a cloudless sky, supporters of all ages wore those swanky new USA jerseys and ear-to-ear smiles. Inside “The Benz,” … Read more
Mercedes-Benz Stadium (Atlanta) — Christian Pulisic wants this responsibility. The one that requires him to carry the pressure weighing on the U.S. men’s national team as it embarks on what is expected to be a historic World Cup on home soil this summer. Pulisic, 27, has been in the senior national team for 10 years. … Read more
Alexi Lalas doesn’t want the United States men’s national team to brush aside goalkeeper Matt Turner’s performance in its 5-2 loss to Belgium in Saturday’s friendly. With the World Cup just over two months away, Lalas believes Turner’s outing on Saturday was devastating enough that it should cost him the opportunity to compete for the … Read more
Senegal’s national team stars have made a defiant statement by parading the Africa Cup of Nations trophy in front of a sold-out crowd at the Stade de France. Despite a recent ruling that officially stripped them of their continental crown, the Lions of Teranga clearly still consider themselves the rightful champions of Africa. Defiant scenes … Read more