Football

Mauricio Pochettino, the former manager of Chelsea, has been appointed as the new head coach of the United States men's national soccer team. The announcement was made by U.S. Soccer on Tuesday, September 11, 2024.Pochettino, who parted ways with Chelsea in May after one season in charge, will take the reins of the U.S. team ahead of the 2026 FIFA World Cup, which will be co-hosted by Mexico, Canada, and the United States. The Argentine manager, who previously led Paris Saint-Germain and Tottenham Hotspur, expressed his excitement about the opportunity to coach the U.S. team."The energy, the passion, and the hunger to achieve something truly historic here — those are the things that inspired me," Pochettino said in a statement. "I see a group of players full of talent and potential, and together, we’re going to build something special that the whole nation can be proud of."U.S. Soccer Sporting Director Matt Crocker praised Pochettino's track record and his commitment to developing players. "Mauricio is a serial winner with a deep passion for developing players," Crocker said. "His track record speaks for itself, and I am confident that he is the right choice to harness the immense potential within our talented squad. We are thrilled to have Mauricio on board as we embark on this exciting journey to achieve success on the global stage."The U.S. team has been without a permanent head coach since Gregg Berhalter was fired in July following a disappointing performance at the Copa America. Berhalter had led the team to the knockout stages of the 2022 FIFA World Cup, but his tenure was marred by a public dispute with one of the team's brightest young talents, Gio Reyna.Pochettino will take over from Mikey Varas, who has been serving as interim coach since Berhalter's departure. The U.S. team will play a series of friendlies against Panama on October 12 and Mexico on October 15 as part of their preparations for the 2026 World Cup.

Colombia exacted revenge for their Copa America final defeat by edging out Argentina 2-1 in a thrilling South American qualifying match for the 2026 World Cup. The victory propelled Colombia to second place in the standings, just two points behind leaders Argentina.Colombia's triumph was orchestrated by captain James Rodriguez, who coolly converted a 60th-minute penalty. The spot-kick was awarded after Nicolas Otamendi's reckless challenge on Daniel Munoz. Rodriguez's goal proved decisive, as Argentina's penalty specialist Emiliano Martinez was unable to stop it.The match began brightly for Colombia, who took the lead in the 25th minute through Yerson Mosquera's header. However, Argentina responded swiftly after the break, with Nicolas Gonzalez equalizing in the 48th minute.Despite the setback, Colombia remained resolute and regained the lead through Rodriguez's penalty. The victory was a sweet moment for Colombia, who had been defeated by Argentina in the Copa America final just two months prior.Meanwhile, Brazil's qualifying campaign hit a snag as they suffered a 1-0 defeat to Paraguay in Asuncion. Diego Gomez's long-range strike in the 20th minute proved to be the difference, leaving Brazil in fifth place in the standings.Elsewhere, Chile's hopes of qualifying took a further blow as they lost 2-1 at home to Bolivia. Carmelo Algaranaz and Miguel Terceros scored for Bolivia, while Chile's only goal came from Alexis Sanchez. The defeat leaves Chile languishing in ninth place, with their chances of reaching the World Cup dwindling.In other matches, Ecuador boosted their qualification hopes with a 1-0 win over Peru in Quito, while Uruguay and Venezuela played out a goalless draw.

French footballer Paul Pogba's alleged kidnapping and extortion case has taken a significant turn with the indictment of six individuals, including his brother Mathias Pogba. The trial, scheduled to commence soon, stems from a two-year investigation into the high-profile incident that unfolded in 2022.According to Paris prosecutors, five individuals close to Pogba meticulously planned a meeting in the Paris suburbs on March 19, 2022. The meeting culminated in Pogba's kidnapping by two unidentified men who demanded a staggering 13 million euros ($14 million).Mathias Pogba, a former striker himself, was not present at the meeting but is accused of pressuring his younger brother to pay the ransom. Prosecutors allege that Mathias Pogba acted with the same determination as the other suspects in extorting money from Paul Pogba.All six defendants have denied their involvement, claiming they were victims of armed robbers and were assaulted after Paul Pogba refused to pay. However, prosecutors have charged the three childhood friends and two former acquaintances who were present on the night with extortion, illegal restraint, and criminal conspiracy.The investigation was initiated after Paul Pogba filed a complaint with Italian prosecutors, alleging that he was the target of a multi-million-euro blackmail plot. Pogba claimed that his blackmailers threatened to discredit him by falsely accusing him of using a witch doctor to cast a spell on fellow French star Kylian Mbappe.French prosecutors launched a joint investigation in September 2022, involving the anti-gang and central crime units of the French police. During the investigation, Paul Pogba admitted to providing financial assistance to members of the group but later refused to pay seven million euros to three of them in September 2021.In late September 2022, Mathias Pogba posted a series of incriminating videos on social media, accusing his brother of abandoning their family. The videos followed an earlier video in which Mathias Pogba promised to reveal "great revelations" about his brother.During the investigation, Mathias Pogba expressed fear for his safety and that of his family, claiming he had been manipulated by the other suspects. He expressed hope for reconciliation with his younger brother.The trial is expected to shed light on the circumstances surrounding the alleged kidnapping and extortion, as well as the involvement of the six defendants. The outcome of the trial will have significant implications for the reputation and career of Paul Pogba, one of the most renowned footballers in the world.

Harry Kane's remarkable career reached a new milestone as he celebrated his 100th England cap with a stunning brace against Finland in the Nations League. The Tottenham Hotspur striker's goals sealed a 2-0 victory for the Three Lions at Wembley Stadium.Kane's first goal came in the 58th minute, as he received a pass from Trent Alexander-Arnold and unleashed a blistering strike that cannoned into the net off the underside of the crossbar. His second goal followed in the 76th minute, with Noni Madueke setting up the striker for a clinical finish from close range.The goals marked Kane's 68th and 69th for England, moving him closer to Wayne Rooney's record of 120. Kane is now the third England player to score on their 100th appearance, joining Rooney and Bobby Charlton.England's interim manager, Lee Carsley, praised Kane's performance, saying, "His finishing is very good, even in training. It's not a surprise when he scores goals as his habits are so good."Carsley also oversaw a 2-0 victory against Ireland in his first game in charge on Saturday, making him the first England manager to win his first two competitive games since Fabio Capello in 2008.Carsley's attacking game-plan has been a stark contrast to his predecessor Gareth Southgate's conservative tactics. The former England Under-21 coach gave a first Three Lions start to Lille midfielder Angel Gomes, who made a solid impact, while Chelsea winger Madueke set up Kane's second goal after coming off the bench for his debut.Kane's performance was a reminder of his enduring quality and his ability to inspire his teammates. The striker has shown no signs of slowing down, and he remains one of the most feared forwards in world football.

Egypt, led by star forward Mohamed Salah, cruised to a dominant 4-0 victory over Botswana in their 2025 Africa Cup of Nations qualifying match. Salah opened the scoring for the Pharaohs, who extended their lead to 2-0 at halftime thanks to another goal from Mahmoud Hassan (Trezeguet). Salah added to his tally in the second half, tapping in a cross that evaded the Botswana defense. Mostafa Fathy sealed the rout in added time, giving Egypt a maximum six points from their opening two matches.Other African powerhouses had mixed fortunes. South Africa snatched a dramatic 3-2 win in South Sudan, with substitute Thalente Mbatha scoring the decisive goal in the 95th minute. Nigeria, however, were held to a frustrating 0-0 draw in Rwanda, despite the efforts of Ademola Lookman.In Group G, defending champions Ivory Coast defeated Chad 2-0, with Jean-Philippe Krasso opening the scoring. East Africa celebrated victories, with Kenya beating Namibia 2-1 and Tanzania edging Guinea 2-1.Travel difficulties hampered Botswana's preparations, as they arrived in Francistown from Mauritania just seven hours before facing Egypt. Despite the challenges, Botswana goalkeeper Goitseone Phoko made several impressive saves, but could not prevent the Pharaohs from securing a comfortable victory.Rwanda goalkeeper Fiacre Ntwari was the star of the show in Kigali, denying Nigeria's attacking threats, including Lookman. The Super Eagles remain in contention for qualification, but will need to improve their performance in their upcoming matches.South Africa's Mbatha has emerged as a key player for his country, scoring crucial goals in both of their qualifying matches. The Bright Stars of South Sudan showed resilience, but ultimately fell short against a more experienced South African side.Kenya's victory over Namibia puts them top of Group J, while Tanzania's win over Guinea keeps them in contention in Group H. The 2025 Africa Cup of Nations qualifying campaign is set to continue in October, with several key matches on the horizon.

The All India Football Federation (AIFF) has initiated an independent inquiry into the contract renewal procedures of former head coach Igor Stimac. The decision came after the AIFF and Stimac reached a USD 400,000 compensation settlement for terminating his contract.During the AIFF's Annual General Body meeting, members expressed concerns about the renewal, termination, and settlement of Stimac's contract. They called for an investigation into the internal procedures and personnel involved in the 2023 contract renewal, which was allegedly done on "unapproved and unfavorable terms."Stimac had initially filed a claim of USD 920,000 before the FIFA Football Tribunal. However, he eventually reached a full and final settlement with the AIFF. The AIFF noted that the 2023 contract renewal left the federation in a "compromised negotiating position," leading to significant financial detriment.Stimac was sacked in June 2023, a year before his contract was set to expire. The decision followed India's elimination from the second round of FIFA World Cup Qualifiers. The sacking sparked a public dispute between Stimac and the AIFF, with the Croatian threatening legal action.Sources within the AIFF have revealed that the initial contract with Stimac included a severance clause providing for a three-month notice period. However, the later contract (signed in October 2023) did not have this clause, creating complications for the AIFF in terminating Stimac's contract.Former AIFF Secretary General Shaji Prabhakaran claimed that the contract extension without a severance clause was "approved" by president Kalyan Chaubey. However, Chaubey denied this assertion, stating that he was not informed about the contract signing.The AIFF also expressed concerns about a former employee, who no longer holds any positions in Indian football, continuing to represent the federation in various committees of the South Asian Football Federation and Asian Football Confederation. The members requested the AIFF Executive Committee to take action to curtail such practices.Meanwhile, the Indian national team is set to establish a permanent address for high-altitude training camps at the newly launched stadium in Tawang, Arunachal Pradesh. The location, situated at 10,000 feet above sea level, is considered ideal for acclimatizing the squad for international competitions.Additionally, the AIFF Executive Committee proposed to include the India U-20 men's national team in the I-League competition. The move aims to provide the team with competitive game time and maintain match fitness throughout the year. The India U20 team will be exempt from promotion-relegation.

Indian defender Anwar Ali's controversial transfer from Mohun Bagan Super Giant to East Bengal has resulted in severe consequences for all parties involved. The All India Football Federation (AIFF) has imposed a four-month suspension on Ali, while his parent club Delhi FC and East Bengal have been barred from registering new players for two transfer windows.The AIFF's Players' Statue Committee (PSC) found Ali guilty of terminating his four-year loan deal with Mohun Bagan Super Giant without proper authorization. As a result, Ali, Delhi FC, and East Bengal have been ordered to pay a combined compensation of Rs 12.90 crores to Mohun Bagan.Ali's suspension is a significant blow to the Indian national team, where he has been a key member of the defense. The 23-year-old has played 22 matches for the Blue Tigers since making his debut in 2022, helping them win the Tri-Nation series, Intercontinental Cup, and SAFF Championship.Ali's rise to prominence began with the Minerva Academy before he joined the AIFF's developmental side in 2017. He made his Indian Super League debut in 2021 and has played 46 matches in the league so far.Despite being a center-back, Ali has also shown his attacking prowess, scoring three goals and providing one assist in 26 matches last season. He was also the top scorer for Delhi FC in the 2021 I-League Qualifiers with four goals.In the 2023-24 ISL season, Ali registered four clean sheets, 18 interceptions, 17 tackles, 45 successful duels, 19 successful aerial duels, 9 blocks, 67 recoveries, 52 clearances, and 549 successful passes in 16 matches.The AIFF's decision to punish Ali, Delhi FC, and East Bengal sends a strong message that contractual obligations must be respected in Indian football. The consequences of this case will likely have a lasting impact on the transfer market and the conduct of players and clubs in the future.

The iconic No. 7 jersey in football has been adorned by some of the greatest players to grace the sport. From Cristiano Ronaldo to David Beckham, the number has become synonymous with attacking prowess and legendary status.Cristiano Ronaldo's association with the No. 7 shirt began in 2003 when he joined Manchester United. The Portuguese forward had initially been assigned the No. 28 shirt at Sporting Lisbon, but his impressive performance against United in a friendly match caught the attention of Sir Alex Ferguson.With David Beckham departing for Real Madrid, Ferguson bestowed the vacant No. 7 shirt upon Ronaldo, a testament to his belief in the young player's potential. Despite the pressure associated with wearing such an iconic number, Ronaldo embraced the challenge and made it his own."I was petrified," Ronaldo later admitted. "I knew Beckham wore that shirt. But I took on the challenge and since then it has been my lucky number."Ronaldo's success at Manchester United, where he won numerous trophies and established himself as one of the world's best players, cemented the No. 7 shirt's association with his name. He carried the same number to Real Madrid, Juventus, and back to Manchester United, further solidifying its iconic status.Even at his current club, Al-Nassr, Ronaldo wears the No. 7 shirt. The number has become inextricably linked to his legacy, symbolizing his exceptional talent, unwavering determination, and global recognition.

Norway's captain, Martin Odegaard, has suffered an ankle injury that could jeopardize his participation in a crucial series of matches for his club, Arsenal. The incident occurred during a Nations League game against Austria on Monday, September 9, 2024.Midway through the second half, Odegaard was involved in a tough challenge with Austria's Christoph Baumgartner while chasing a loose ball. He appeared to turn awkwardly on his left ankle, causing him visible discomfort. Odegaard limped off the field two minutes later, with his teammate Erling Haaland offering words of consolation.Norway coach Stale Solbakken expressed concern about the injury, stating that it looked severe in the dressing room and that Odegaard was unable to continue playing. The injury is a significant setback for Arsenal, who have a demanding schedule ahead of them.The Gunners are set to face London rivals Tottenham on Sunday, September 15, 2024, followed by their Champions League opener against Atalanta, the Europa League winner, four days later in Italy. A visit to Manchester City completes a grueling week on September 22.Odegaard's absence will be a major blow to Arsenal's hopes of success in these crucial matches. The Norwegian midfielder has been a key figure for the club since joining from Real Madrid in 2021, contributing with goals and assists.Norway managed to secure a 1-1 draw against Austria despite Odegaard's injury, with Haaland scoring the equalizer in the 80th minute. However, the team's performance was affected by the loss of their captain, and they will be hoping for a speedy recovery for Odegaard ahead of their upcoming fixtures.