Relief for Italy. Heartbreak for Ireland. And justification for 40-year-old players still creating some epic moments. Thursday’s World Cup qualifying action indeed had it all. The penultimate round of the UEFA Playoffs for the 2026 FIFA World Cup (which will feature 48 teams this summer) was an absolute golazo fest with 26 goals in a … Read more
By next Tuesday, all 48 spots in the 2026 World Cup – the largest edition in tournament history – will be filled. Until then, there’s a lot of important soccer happening around the world – including a full slate of games on Thursday to see who’ll be advancing in World Cup qualifying.  We’re recapping all … Read more
By next Tuesday, all 48 spots in the 2026 World Cup – the largest-edition in tournament history – will be filled. Until then, there’s a lot of important soccer happening around the world. There are four mini-tournaments taking place in UEFA, the European soccer confederation, that will fill four important spots at this summer’s World … Read more
Itay coach Gennaro Gattuso acknowledged that only “someone without blood running through their veins” wouldn’t feel nervous as the team attempts to avoid failing to qualify for a third consecutive World Cup. Gattuso is still just as feisty and gritty as when he played on the Italy team that won the country’s fourth World Cup … Read more
The colors! The stories! The best collection of soccer kits ever? We’ll see about that. But we’re still counting down the days until the 2026 FIFA World Cup. And if there is one thing you need to know about the biggest and best showcase in all sports is that you have to win — but … Read more
There was no shortage of stars in the World Baseball Classic, and many of them played their best baseball with a major international title on the line. The complete World Baseball Classic All-Tournament Team was unveiled on Wednesday following Venezuela’s triumph over the USA in Tuesday’s final. Of course, Venezuelan third baseman Maikel Garcia made … Read more
Italy continues its unlikely run at the World Baseball Classic and will next take on Venezuela in Monday’s semifinal game. The Venezuelans are having their own storybook run after eliminating Shohei Ohtani and defending WBC champions Japan in the quarterfinals. Next up is a spot in the final. The game will be Monday, March 16 … Read more
DAIKIN PARK (Houston) – Time to get beaned up, Miami. The magical run continues for undefeated Italy, which will be taking its Armani suits, espresso machines, cheek-kisses and, most importantly, high-powered offense to the World Baseball Classic semifinals after holding off a late charge from Puerto Rico in Saturday’s quarterfinal to seal an 8-6 win. Here … Read more
Daikin Park (Houston) — Buongiorno, buon pomeriggio, buonanotte. One night after upsetting Team USA for the biggest victory in Italy baseball history, there was no letdown Wednesday for Italy (4-0) as it finished off a remarkable undefeated run to win Pool B and — finally, officially — help punch USA’s (3-1) ticket to the quarterfinals by … Read more
It came down to the wire, but Team USA is moving on. With Italy’s 9-1 win over Mexico in the final game of Pool B play, the United States has advanced to the quarterfinal round of the 2026 World Baseball Classic as the group’s runner-up. Italy will take on Puerto Rico, runners-up of Pool A, … Read more