Argentina’s football governing body is marking the national team’s World Cup semi-final victory against England last month. Following an executive board meeting on Wednesday, the Argentinian Football Association (AFA) designated 15 July—the date of the 2-1 triumph in Atlanta—as its “National Football Teams Day”. “This date was selected to honour Argentina’s memorable World Cup semi-final […]
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Deportivo La Coruña Deportivo have not competed in La Liga since 2018, but they were once regarded as part of Spain’s leading quartet alongside Barcelona, Valencia and Real Madrid. The Galician side regularly challenged near the top, recording nine top-three finishes between 1993 and 2004 and becoming champions in 1999. They also came close to […]
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1) Divide the governing body into separate units How can the organisation responsible for staging football’s largest tournament also act as the authority that writes and enforces the sport’s rules? The latest World Cup highlighted the problems created by this dual role, with Fifa appearing willing to adjust established regulations on matters such as suspension […]
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Gianni Infantino remains engaged in efforts to secure his position after holding urgent discussions with senior officials in Rabat on Wednesday. The Fifa president, who is facing mounting pressure, has spent the past week in Morocco after joining celebrations for Throne Day, marking 27 years since King Mohammed VI took the throne. He is expected […]
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In the past few decades, Salé, situated across the river from Rabat on Morocco’s Atlantic shoreline, has changed dramatically. At the beginning of the century, it remained a rugged working-class city whose worn historic quarter was convincing enough to portray Somalia’s capital, Mogadishu, in the film Black Hawk Down. Since then, however, the country’s authoritarian […]
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The entrance to Al Mokawloon Al Arab’s youth academy has an unexpectedly formidable presence. At first, the source of that impression is difficult to identify. It may come from the exterior, where heavy concrete panels and marble-effect edging shift in tone with the light, or from the uncompromising black steel gate. The large white Arabic […]
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Matthias Jaissle has called Newcastle “an exceptionally attractive destination” after officially completing his move from Saudi Arabian club Al-Ahli. The 38-year-old German joined his new squad at a training camp in La Manga, southern Spain, last Saturday. However, although both clubs are owned by Saudi Arabia’s Public Investment Fund, Al-Ahli delayed supplying essential documents needed […]
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As Larry Berg answered his first round of questions as MLS commissioner-elect, he outlined an ambitious plan to move the league forward. However, when the topic turned to future broadcast arrangements, he deferred to Don Garber, seated beside him, whose 28-year run as commissioner will end later this year. “As the incoming commissioner, I can […]
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MLS is set to appoint a new commissioner in 2027, but the competition is unlikely to introduce the promotion and relegation model used by many soccer leagues around the world in the near future. Larry Berg, a co-owner of Los Angeles FC and the incoming league commissioner, said during his introductory press conference on Tuesday […]
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Vinícius Júnior appears to be enjoying the early stages of working with Real Madrid’s new manager, José Mourinho, despite continuing uncertainty over the Brazilian forward’s future at the Bernabéu. The 26-year-old, a central figure in Madrid’s attack during recent seasons, spoke positively after his second pre-season session with Mourinho, even as reports continue to connect […]
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