soccer – Page 386

Grozny is a World Cup home away from home for Egypt squad

GROZNY, Russia (AP) The Egypt squad in Russia for its first World Cup since 1990 has a nickname besides the Pharaohs.

Troubled Spain meets rival Portugal and Ronaldo at World Cup

SOCHI, Russia (AP) Compared to Spain’s coaching chaos, the distractions created by Cristiano Ronaldo have become almost meaningless for Portugal.

Spain in chaos 2 days before World Cup after coach fired

BARCELONA, Spain (AP) Some people in Spain agree that national team coach Julen Lopetegui had to go. Others believe the chaos on the eve of the World Cup just made a bad situation worse.

Column: In Spain’s nutty World Cup sacking, a simple logic

MOSCOW (AP) As completely and utterly crazy as it looks for Spain to cut off its own head on the eve of the World Cup, there is a logical explanation for the out-of-the-blue, ”Are you frigging kidding me?” decision to sack Julen Lopetegui as coach just two days before he was to lead the Spanish team against Portugal.

Youthful England intent on enjoying the ride at World Cup

ZELENOGORSK, Russia (AP) With indie music blaring out around the training complex, England’s players strolled out for their first World Cup practice session in Russia and were soon bestowed with a large tea urn and a loaf of bread as symbols of local hospitality.

Mustaches, silly songs defuse tensions at Russia’s World Cup

MOSCOW (AP) Russia’s national soccer team is so bad that even the ruthless leader of Chechnya couldn’t coach it to victory – at least according to a satirical song buzzing around Russian social networks ahead of the World Cup.

Spain replaces fired Lopetegui with Hierro

With only two days to go before Spain’s opening match at the World Cup, Julen Lopetegui was fired as national team coach because he accepted a job to lead Real Madrid next season.

Midfield contest crucial as Morocco faces Iran at World Cup

ST. PETERSBURG, Russia (AP) With Morocco and Iran both priding themselves on rock-solid defending and relentless pressing in midfield, their Group B opener at the World Cup on Friday might look destined to be a stifling match.

9 arrested for corruption in building of new Roma stadium

ROME (AP) Roma’s long-delayed plans to build a new stadium have hit another major obstacle with nine people arrested for alleged corruption linked to bureaucratic matters involving the venue.

FIFA votes to play 2026 World Cup in North America over Moroccan bid. Matches will be held in U.S., Canada and Mexico

MOSCOW (AP) FIFA votes to play 2026 World Cup in North America over Moroccan bid. Matches will be held in U.S., Canada and Mexico.

Spain fires coach Lopetegui 2 days before World Cup opener

Spain coach Julen Lopetegui was fired Wednesday, two days before the country’s opening World Cup match against Portugal and a day after accepting the job to coach Real Madrid next season.

Salah races to be fit for Egypt’s World Cup opener v Uruguay

YEKATERINBURG, Russia (AP) The emphasis on the team returning to the World Cup after 28 years has given way to attention on an individual player ahead of Egypt’s World Cup opener against Uruguay.

The Latest: FIFA expects $6.56BN income in 2022 WCup period

MOSCOW (AP) The Latest at the World Cup, including the FIFA Congress vote for the 2026 hosting rights, (all times local):

The Latest: Blatter takes credit for Morocco reaching ballot

MOSCOW (AP) The Latest at the World Cup, including the FIFA Congress vote for the 2026 hosting rights, (all times local):

Heath scores in return, US sweeps China in exhibition series

CLEVELAND (AP) Tobin Heath scored the go-ahead goal in the 75th minute in her return from injury and the U.S. national team beat China 2-1 on Tuesday night to sweep the two-game exhibition series.

Atletico reaches deal to sign France international Lemar

MADRID (AP) Atletico Madrid says it has reached a deal to sign France international Thomas Lemar from Monaco.

Maria Komandnaya says the FIFA World Cup in Russia is going to be crazy

Komandnaya explains why she is excited for the World Cup in her home country.

FIFA urges referees to take their time for video review

MOSCOW (AP) World Cup referees must ensure all the time used for video review is played at the end of each half – even if a stoppage takes 10 minutes.

FIFA signs Egypt government to World Cup sponsor deal

MOSCOW (AP) FIFA has its first 2018 World Cup sponsor from Africa – the government of Egypt.

Column: Salah suckered in inauspicious World Cup start

MOSCOW (AP) Diego Maradona and Ronaldinho, boxer Floyd Mayweather and now, at the World Cup in Russia, Egyptian footballer Mohamed Salah. The common denominator: By cozying up with Ramzan Kadyrov, they have all played their part in making the Chechen leader accused of terrible human rights abuses seem like a normal sports-loving guy.

Category: soccer