Author: Tristan Wells

The group stage of World Cup qualifying is over, with teams beginning to book their flights to Canada, Mexico and the United States for next summer’s tournament.There have been some surprise packages along the way, with a number of sides making history in qualifying for the World Cup either for a maiden time or the first time in decades. It is sure to be an enthralling occasion in North America next year, with Argentina the defending champions after their penalty shootout heroics in the 2022 final against France. Europe will – naturally – have a large contingent, making up 16…

The 2026 World Cup qualification process is nearing its conclusion, but some places are yet to be decided.In recent years, the World Cup line-up would have already been complete. However, as this tournament will be the first to include 48 teams, it means nine more teams can qualify.Meanwhile, Cape Verde, Curaçao, Jordan, and Uzbekistan will be making their World Cup debuts.For the teams that fail to top their qualifying group – or even some that missed out on a top two finish – the play-offs provide one final chance to keep the World Cup dream alive.Here’s everything you need to…

Tottenham return to Premier League action this weekend with their toughest test of the whole season.Spurs will travel to Arsenal on Sunday for the first north London derby of the season, looking for a first victory over their biggest rivals in three and a half years.Since then, Spurs have picked up just one point from six derbies, with the tide firmly have turned back in the Gunners’ favour during the intervening years.Spurs will now be aiming to avoid losing four consecutive games against Arsenal for the first time since 1989, and look to face the meanest of tasks to do…

De Rød-Hvide remain atop qualifying group C heading into the final matchday, but lead second-placed Scotland by just one point. For Steve Clarke’s side, then, only a win will do if they are to nick automatic qualification. Any other result will banish them to the UEFA qualification play-offs, where they could join the likes of Italy, Ukraine, and the Republic of Ireland for a drink in the last chance saloon. Source link

• West Ham’s relegation would cost London taxpayers £2m to £2.5m a year, as the club’s rent at the London Stadium would be halved and the GLA would face reduced commercial income and higher match-day costs• The London Stadium already operates at a large deficit, with Londoners subsidising its £19.5m annual running costs under a 99-year “ball and chain” deal signed under Boris Johnson• Mayoral aides officials warn the financial position could worsen, given additional Championship home games and a lack of progress on naming rights Source link

Uganda are considered rank outsiders for the tournament, which kicks off in December, and will look to use tonight’s game to help size up their chances, with the Atlas Lions favourites to lift the trophy.This is just the fourth time these two nations will have met, wiht Uganda winning the first back in 2011 before 3-1 and 5-2 victories for Morocco in the 2014 and 2021 African Nations Championships.Morocco have won each of their last 10 matches, but the Cranes have built up a positive run of results despite failing to qualify for next summer’s World Cup.Uganda are gearing up…

Though the precise length of the striker’s absence is still to be determined, fresh reports claim he will be out of action for around a month.“[Sesko’s form] is not the biggest concern now. I’m concerned with an injury, because it is in the knee, and I don’t know.”We need Ben [Sesko] to be a better team. We have to check. He has something in his knee. Let’s see.”With the Red Devils not in Europe this season and already out of the Carabao Cup, it means the best-case scenario is that Sesko will not miss too many matches. How many Manchester…

Steve Clarke’s side hopes of automatic qualification for next summer’s tournament appeared to have taken a massive hit as they were beaten 3-2 by Greece on Saturday.However, news soon filtered through that Denmark had been held at home by Belarus in a surprise 2-2 draw, with Gustav Isaksen saving the Danes from an embarrassing defeat.Those two dropped points could prove vital in the battle for supremacy in Group C as victory for Scotland at Hampden Park will secure World Cup qualification for the first time since 1998.However, Denmark will hold on to top spot as long as they avoid a…

Arsenal face a nervous wait as they seek to learn whether Gabriel will be fit for Sunday’s north London derby.The centre-back injured his thigh playing for Brazil in their 2-0 win over Senegal on Saturday and has withdrawn from the squad ahead of their friendly against Tunisia on Tuesday.Arsenal medical staff are due to assess Gabriel this week to determine the extent of his injury.He has been one of Arsenal’s best players this season and it would be a huge blow if he is not fit to face Tottenham at Emirates Stadium on Sunday.Gabriel suffered a thigh injury playing for…

YouTuber-turned-boxer Paul gets his wish of facing a legitimate and active boxing great in Joshua, having previously built his career on facing MMA fighters and journeymen fighters, before facing a long-retired Mike Tyson last year.Joshua, a two-time unified WBO, WBA, and IBF heavyweight world champion and Olympic gold medalist, returns to the ring for the first time since losing to Daniel Dubois last year, and is expected to fight more expected opposition next year – including a long-awaited showdown with Tyson Fury.Jake Paul vs Anthony Joshua latest oddsJake Paul vs Anthony Joshua rules confirmed‘Jake vs. Joshua: Judgment Day’ will be…