World Cup qualifiers

Depay becomes Netherlands' top scorer in World Cup qualifying win

Memphis Depay became the Netherlands' all-time top goalscorer with a brace in their 3-2 win in Lithuania in World Cup qualifying on Sunday.
7 September 2025, 19:05 PM

Bangladesh finish sixth following heavy defeat

Bangladesh finished sixth in the Men's Hockey Asia Cup following a 6-1 defeat against Japan – their biggest defeat of the campaign – in a place-deciding fixture in Bihar on Sunday.
7 September 2025, 11:46 AM

40 and still going strong: Ronaldo keeps proving age is just a number

Cristiano Ronaldo is no longer the winger who once tore down flanks with blistering pace. More than a decade ago, he reinvented himself into a different kind of player -- one who recognised that his body needed adaptation, transitioning from a dazzling winger to a prolific striker for a more sustainable and record-boosting career.
7 September 2025, 07:10 AM

England have to 'prove a point' in Serbia test: Tuchel

Thomas Tuchel challenged England to "prove a point" against Serbia in next week's crucial World Cup qualifier after his side laboured to a 2-0 win over minnows Andorra on Saturday.
7 September 2025, 03:45 AM

Messi draws level with Ronaldo in World Cup qualifier goals race

Lionel Messi marked his final home World Cup qualifier with Argentina by matching two major records during a memorable night at Buenos Aires’ Monumental Stadium on Thursday.
5 September 2025, 13:59 PM

'No curse' on England, insists Tuchel despite near misses

England manager Thomas Tuchel is adamant there is "no curse" upon his side as he looks to end their near 60-year wait for a major international trophy.
5 September 2025, 13:10 PM

Injury doubt Tonali picked by Gattuso for Italy's World Cup qualifiers

Sandro Tonali is fit to play in Italy's upcoming World Cup qualifiers against Estonia and Israel after recovering from a shoulder injury in time to be picked in Gennaro Gattuso's first Azzurri squad on Friday.
30 August 2025, 03:40 AM

‘Touch Messi with a finger, and it’s a foul’

Peru captain Paolo Guerrero lashed out at the referees following their slender 1-0 defeat against reigning world champions Argentina in Buenos Aires on Tuesday, claiming that the Albiceleste skipper Lionel Messi received special treatment while fouls against the Peruvian players went unnoticed.
21 November 2024, 06:08 AM

Venezuela hold Argentina to 1-1 draw on Messi's return

Argentina were held to a 1-1 draw against Venezuela on Thursday in Lionel Messi's return to international duty in South America's World Cup qualifiers.
10 October 2024, 23:59 PM

India coach rues 'injustice' after World Cup hopes end in controversy

India coach Igor Stimac condemned what he called an "irregular" goal in a 2-1 defeat at Qatar that ended his team's World Cup 2026 qualifying hopes, saying: "It shouldn't happen."
12 June 2024, 10:00 AM

Cabrera finds one positive in 4-0 defeat to Lebanon

Bangladesh coach Javier Cabrera has found one positive in the team's 4-0 defeat against Lebanon in Qatar on Tuesday in what was the last World Cup Qualifier fixture for the Men in Red and Green.
12 June 2024, 07:00 AM

Indonesia 'closer to dream' of World Cup

Indonesian fans and leaders hailed their football team after they booked a place in the third round of the FIFA World Cup qualifiers for the first time after beating the Philippines on Tuesday.
12 June 2024, 06:10 AM

Japan warns football fans not to go to North Korea

The Tokyo foreign ministry "strongly requests the general public to refrain" from attending the match on March 26, the first for the two sides in North Korea since 2011.
20 March 2024, 03:47 AM

Cabrera’s charges ready for Palestine challenge in Kuwait

Bangladesh football team landed in Kuwait on Sunday for their World Cup Qualifying round match against Palestine on March 21 after a two-week training camp in Saudi Arabia which included a couple of warm-up matches against higher ranked Sudan.
17 March 2024, 16:42 PM

Three new faces in Cabrera's 28-member preliminary squad 

Three new inclusions -- Syed Shah Quazem Kirmanee, Rabby Hossain Rahul, and Taj Uddin – featured in Bangladesh national football team's 28-member preliminary squad for their World Cup Qualifiers fixtures upcoming next month, head coach Javier Cabrera announced on Wednesday.
28 February 2024, 12:55 PM

Booters to have camp in Saudi Arabia before facing Palestine twice

Bangladesh national football team will have a two-week residential camp in Saudi Arabia before playing back-to-back matches of the World Cup Qualifiers against Palestine, informed Bangladesh Football Federation’s vice-president Kazi Nabil Ahmed.
4 February 2024, 09:01 AM

Organisers accused of negligence over Brazil-Argentina brawl

Brazilian police and football authorities traded blame Wednesday after a brawl broke out ahead of Brazil's match against arch-rivals Argentina, leaving several injured in what fans called a "tragedy foretold."
23 November 2023, 02:05 AM

Bangladesh’s game against Maldives had everything: Alfaz Ahmed

Former Bangladesh national team star forward Alfaz Ahmed wants national players to showcase an attitude similar to the one they had yesterday in future fixtures as well, after the men in red and green confirmed their place in the World Cup Qualifiers for the third time in a row with a 2-1 win over Maldives in the second leg of the preliminary round on Tuesday.
18 October 2023, 08:44 AM

Messi called up for Argentina qualifiers despite injury

Messi missed Inter's 4-1 defeat to Chicago on Wednesday as he continues to struggle with his fitness -- he has played just 37 minutes for the club since September 3.
5 October 2023, 14:40 PM

Messi-less Argentina cruise to 3-0 win over Bolivia

Messi, who has had a hectic schedule with his club Inter Miami, watched his teammates from the bench but was not listed as a substitute, having complained of tiredness after scoring the winner in Thursday's 1-0 victory over Ecuador.
12 September 2023, 22:18 PM