International Football

Teams at this summer’s men’s European Championship in Germany are set to be allowed to name squads of up to 26 players instead of 23. UEFA had said it was considering the proposal during last month’s international break, with some national team coaches expressing their desire to see squad sizes increased over the fortnight. Earlier this month, the proposal was discussed at a workshop of national team head coaches in Dusseldorf, Germany. The decision has not yet been confirmed by UEFA but that is expected to come following a meeting of its Executive Committee later this week. The deadline...

England have a raft of prolific forwards to choose from ahead of Euro 2024, but how do they compare to tournament squads of the past?

The referees for this summer’s European Championship in Germany have been confirmed. They include English quartet Anthony Taylor (pictured), Michael Oliver, Stuart Attwell and David Coote, the latter two having been selected as a video assistant referee for the tournament. UEFA referee’s committee has named 19 referees, plus their referee assistant teams and video match officials for the 51 matches this summer. The appointment of Attwell 41, and Taylor, 45, comes two days after the two officials were criticised by Nottingham Forest for their failure to award three penalties during...

Eddie Howe has admitted that Nick Pope is “running out of time” to prove his fitness for England ahead of this summer’s European Championship as the goalkeeper edges towards a playing return for Newcastle United. Pope has been absent for Newcastle since early December after dislocating his shoulder in a 1-0 victory over Manchester United, missing 24 matches in all competitions. Howe revealed that the nature of the injury has presented Pope with “psychological barriers.” The 32-year-old has 10 England caps but has not played for his country since September 2022. He was omitted...

Everton defender Nathan Patterson will miss the rest of his club’s season and face a fight to be fit for Scotland in this summer’s European Championships after sustaining a hamstring injury which requires surgery. The 22-year-old right-back was forced off with the set-back after falling awkwardly during Monday night’s 6-0 thrashing by Chelsea at Stamford Bridge. Speaking ahead of Everton’s game against Nottingham Forest on Sunday, manager Sean Dyche said: “It was a very unfortunate injury and we’re very disappointed for him. “It’s a shame. He came on and looked sharp the other...

At international and club level, the strength of soccer in Mexico is thriving thanks in part to support in the U.S.

Julian Nagelsmann will stay on as the head coach of the Germany national team after signing a contract extension until the conclusion of the 2026 World Cup. The 36-year-old replaced Hansi Flick in September 2023, signing a short-term deal up until after the European Championships this summer. Nagelsmann has won three of his six matches in charge of the side, overseeing victories over France and the Netherlands in March, and will now stay on beyond the summer on a long-term deal. He said: “This is a decision of the heart. It is a great honor to be able to train the national team and work...

The Palestinian Football Association (PFA) has asked FIFA to expel the Israel Football Association (IFA) amid the ongoing war in Israel and Gaza. The proposal was made by the PFA in a submission to the international football governing body for discussion at the 74th annual FIFA congress in Bangkok, where member nations will vote on a number of key issues — including confirmation of the host nation of the 2027 Women’s World Cup. The PFA says they want to “address the unprecedented international human rights and humanitarian law violations committed by Israel” and called on FIFA...

Former Brazil and Barcelona forward Romario has officially registered himself as a player for Rio de Janeiro second-division side America-RJ, where he also serves as the club president. The 58-year-old confirmed on social media that he will be playing and participating in future matches. Romario’s plans regarding his return to America-RJ’s line-up remain uncertain. While he clarified that he won’t participate in league matches, he expressed a strong desire to share the pitch with his son, Romarinho, who also plays for the club. Romario said on X: “Now I’m ready to...

FIFA's rules blocking games abroad look set to change. So who will come to America first and what are the hurdles they face?

Polygraph tests are a national obsession in Ukraine - and they have now made their way into the world of refereeing

Everton midfielder Dele Alli says he is targeting a return from injury next season and wants to play at the 2026 edition of the World Cup. The 28-year-old last played in February 2023, with a series of injury issues keeping him out of action for over a year. In the summer of 2023, Dele opened up on his mental health struggles and revealed he was sexually abused as a child. However, the former Tottenham Hotspur midfielder, who The Athletic reported in February was ready to take the next step in his recovery from injury, has his eyes set on a return to action in the summer. Speaking after his...

Former Arsenal midfielder Kristoffer Olsson has made “significant physical progress” after being diagnosed as having multiple small blood clots on both sides of his brain, his club Midtjylland has said. Olsson, 28, was hospitalised in Aarhus, Denmark after losing consciousness on February 20. The footballer was placed on a ventilator in hospital and has since been transferred to a specialist neurology centre. The midfielder was diagnosed as having an “extremely rare inflammatory condition in his brain vessels”. His club have shared a positive update of Olsson’s...

Coached by former France international Willy Sagnol, Georgia made history last month by qualifying for their first major tournament

Paris Saint-Germain goalkeeper Sergio Rico has received medical clearance to return to football 11 months on from his life-threatening accident. The 30-year-old completed tests with PSG doctors on Saturday and has been declared ready to train and play competitively again. He is not expected to wear protective headgear upon his return to competitive action as doctors have not recommended so. Rico has undergone satisfactory tests in Seville, at the French Football Federation (FFF) and finally at PSG in which his cardiovascular system, his neurological capacity and his cervical vertebrae were...