Increasing the World Cup from 32 teams to 48, as proposed by FIFA president Gianni Infantino, would generate an additional $640 million (605 million euros), according to a confidential FIFA report seen by AFP on Friday.

Manchester United captain Wayne Rooney spoke of his pride after equalling the great Bobby Charlton's club scoring record on Saturday with his 249th United goal.

National women's team coach Golam Rabbani Choton believes his charges have overcome the fear of playing against mighty opponents after a first-time runners-up finish in the SAFF Women's Championship recently.

Algeria forward Riyad Mahrez is favourite to be crowned African Footballer of the Year for 2016 on the back of his contribution to Leicester City's shock English Premier League title win.

Real Madrid marked Zinedine Zidane's first anniversary as manager with a comfortable 3-0 win over Sevilla in the first leg of their King's Cup last 16 tie at the Bernabeu on Wednesday.

In-form midfielder Dele Alli scored two near-identical headers as Tottenham Hotspur beat Chelsea 2-0 on Wednesday to torpedo the Premier League leaders' hopes of a record 14th consecutive victory.

The relentless demands for success at Real Madrid have cost many high-profile and heavily experienced coaches their jobs, but Zinedine Zidane has made the move into senior management look serene as he celebrates a year in charge as a European and world champion.

A draw at Sunderland was not the end of the world for Liverpool as they attempt to chase down Chelsea for the Premier League title with key fixtures in January against Manchester City and the leaders on the horizon, according to defender Dejan Lovren.

Antonio Conte has dismissed complaints of his rival managers over Chelsea getting a longer rest during the festive period and said they are angered by his side's position at the top of the Premier League table.

China's buying binge continued into the New Year with Tianjin Quanjian FC luring Belgian midfielder Axel Witsel away from Zenit Saint Petersburg with an 18 million euro annual pay packet, Belgian media reported Monday.

Saif Sporting Club kept their unbeaten run in the Marcel Bangladesh Championship League intact when they played out a goalless draw

Pep Guardiola does not believe his first season as Manchester City manager should be classed as a failure if he cannot guide the team to Premier League glory.

Brazilian midfielder Oscar landed in Shanghai on Monday where the 25-year-old was set to smash the Asian transfer record with a reported 60 million euros ($63 million) deal with Shanghai SIPG.

The tale of the Boateng brothers Jerome, George and Kevin-Prince -- two of whom made history by facing each other at a World Cup finals -- has hit the stage in Berlin.

Usain Bolt showed his love for Manchester United when the sprint star made a surprise phone call to the Premier League club's in-house television channel on Saturday.

Manchester City manager Pep Guardiola acknowledged his team face a battle just to secure a top-four Premier League finish following their 1-0 defeat at Liverpool.

Manchester United manager Jose Mourinho saluted the Old Trafford crowd and said they swept his side to a dramatic 2-1 victory over Middlesbrough.

Claudio Ranieri believes Leicester City can cope without record signing Islam Slimani during the Africa Cup of Nations despite the striker's match-winning contribution against West Ham.

Georginio Wijnaldum's early header earned Liverpool a 1-0 New Year's Eve victory over Manchester City that left Pep Guardiola's men 10 points behind Premier League leaders Chelsea.

Everton's mercurial talent Ross Barkley's header secured them a 2-2 draw with struggling Hull in their Premier League clash on Friday.