A lot has changed for England in the past year and a tricky trip to Hampden Park for a World Cup qualifier offers Marcus Rashford and company a chance to shineDespite Saturday night’s showpiece in Cardiff, the season is not quite over yet. A round of internationals can be found tagged on almost apologetically next weekend, with England involved in a World Cup qualifier against Scotland in Glasgow on Saturday before a friendly in France takes place three days later.A return to France will inevitably evoke memories of another tired tournament campaign coming to an even more cataclysmic end than usual with defeat by Iceland, though it might be more positive to reflect on how much has changed since then....
The US had to contend with hostile crowds in their own backyard and players not used to outdoor football as they attempted to make Mexico ‘86Thirty-two years ago today, and a good half hour after arguably the most disappointing loss in US soccer history, a devastated Rick Davis sat slumped at his locker, head in hands. The Murdock Stadium locker room in Torrance, California, was silent. The United States had just been eliminated from contention for the 1986 World Cup after a 1-0 home defeat to Costa Rica.“We can’t play much better than that,” a somber Davis said. “It’s a shame it wasn’t supposed to end that way. We were playing for US soccer – for its reputation and recognition...
The joint bid between the US, Mexico and Canada for the 2026 tournament appears to be a shoo-in. But there are still stumbling blocks to be overcomeAnyone who claims sports and politics don’t mix has never bid to host the World Cup. As David Downs – the man who led the failed United States tilt at the 2022 World Cup – recalls, hosting the tournament is all politics. That is one reason the recently announced joint bid from the US, Mexico, and Canada wants Fifa to approve their pitch for the 2026 World Cup – without a rival bid – two years ahead of schedule.Downs, the former executive director of the 2022 US bid and the president of Univision Sports...
The US, Mexico and Canada have submitted a joint bid to host the tournament. But is it a fair deal for fans across the three countries?David Rudin, Toronto based football writer: Good news – Canada’s only liable for 12.5% of this boondoggle. If that sounds like damning with faint praise, you have located the central tension of this joint bid. Insofar as Fifa hosting rights are really just an excuse to sacrifice much of a nation’s sovereignty for a month and spend ungodly sums, Canada has dodged a bullet here. The nation would have to waste a lot of money on soccer-specific stadia to host 80 matches, so this bid is definitely preferable to the alternative of Canada hosting on...
Video technology has a strong debut, Argentina are in trouble without Lionel Messi and Ross Barkley continues to occupy the sidelines Related: Wilfried Zaha hits back at Southgate’s ‘timescale’ claim over England selection Related: Argentina suffer setback in Bolivia after Lionel Messi banned for four games Related: Brazil qualify for 2018 World Cup after Coutinho and Neymar down Paraguay Continue reading...