World Soccer news

• Barcelona face unusual international break problem as Hansi Flick is left with just six first-team players

  21-09-2026 13:45 via sports.yahoo.com
  
  Barcelona face unusual international break problem as Hansi Flick is left with just six first-team playersBarcelona have entered the first international break of the season in perfect form, but Hansi Flick has been left with a very different problem away from the pitch. As such, the German coach will have just six first-team players available for training over the coming weeks after a huge international exodus and a growing injury list.A whopping 16 Barcelona players are set to join their n
  
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• Confirmed: Real Madrid duo start for Brazil in friendly vs Australia

  25-09-2026 11:35 via sports.yahoo.com
  
  Confirmed: Real Madrid duo start for Brazil in friendly vs AustraliaThe first international break of the 2026/27 season is underway and a large part of the Real Madrid squad is away representing their respective national teams.Two of those players happen to be Vinicius Jr. and Endrick, who have been called up by Brazil manager Carlo Ancelotti.And, both the Real Madrid forwards have now been named in the starting XI by the legendary Italian tactician as the Selecao get set to take on Australia in
  
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• 🚨 Double blow for Klopp, Musiala and Havertz leave Germany camp

  25-09-2026 11:26 via sports.yahoo.com
  
  🚨 Double blow for Klopp, Musiala and Havertz leave Germany campThe Germany national team has confirmed a major setback in its camp following the start of the UEFA Nations League. Forwards Jamal Musiala and Kai Havertz have left the national team due to physical issues of varying severity.
  A statement from the German Football Association (DFB) confirmed that both players will miss the upcoming international fixtures. This double absence is a significant blow to the German coach’s ta
  
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• Turkiye predicted XI v France: Arda Guler to start in UEFA Nations League opener

  25-09-2026 11:10 via sports.yahoo.com
  
  Turkiye predicted XI v France: Arda Guler to start in UEFA Nations League openerReal Madrid playmaker Arda Guler is set to start in Turkiye’s UEFA Nations League opener against France on Friday night. Vincenzo Montella doesn’t have any absentees to contend with as he faces Les Bleus for the first time since becoming manager of the Turkish national team back in 2023. As per L’Équipe, only three of the players expected to start against Zinédine Zidane’s men cu
  
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• Arsenal winger scores 1st goal of the season on international duty

  25-09-2026 11:05 via sports.yahoo.com
  
  Arsenal winger scores 1st goal of the season on international dutyArsenal’s Christos Tzolis put in a strong performance in his first appearance of the international break, scoring for Greece in a comeback win over Serbia.Photo by Justin Setterfield/Getty ImagesChristos Tzolis has already had a busy start to the season with Arsenal, and he’s unlikely to get much time off over the international break.After appearing in all eight of Arsenal’s fixtures in 2026/27 so far (starting s
  
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• Israel striker sent off for ‘gun celebration’ in Nations League defeat to Austria

  25-09-2026 11:03 via sports.yahoo.com
  
  Israel forward ​Saied Abu Farchi was sent off for celebrating his goal against Austria in their 3-1 ⁠Nations League defeat by using the corner flag to simulate a gun.Abu Farchi headed home in the 55th minute to bring Israel level after Austria had taken the lead through a Romano Schmid penalty before half-time at the Raiffeisen Arena in Linz. The 20-year-old ran to the ‌corner flag, grabbed it ‌and made a gun-firing gesture during his celebration.Saied Abu Farchi celebratin
  
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• 📋 Brazil line up with attacking quartet and debutants against Australia

  25-09-2026 11:02 via sports.yahoo.com
  
  📋 Brazil line up with attacking quartet and debutants against AustraliaBrazil and Australia have announced their lineups for the friendly that opens the cycle leading up to the 2030 World Cup.
  The two teams face off in Townsville, Australia, at 7 a.m. Brasília time.Carlo Ancelotti had already revealed the lineup he would send out for the match. Brazil starts with: Hugo Souza, Matheuzinho, Marquinhos, Vitor Reis and Douglas Santos; Bruno Guimarães and Danilo Santos; Est&ecir
  
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• Report: Florentino Perez ready to change Real Madrid’s transfer policy for Jose Mourinho

  25-09-2026 11:00 via sports.yahoo.com
  
  Report: Florentino Perez ready to change Real Madrid’s transfer policy for Jose MourinhoReal Madrid could be prepared to break one of its long-standing transfer policies this winter, with Jose Mourinho potentially given the final say on whether the club enters the January market for a midfielder.According to Defensa Central, Florentino Perez would be willing to make an exception to Real Madrid’s usual reluctance to sign players midway through a season if Mourinho concludes that his s
  
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• Mauricio Pochettino regrets not being ‘more involved’ with Balogun decision

  25-09-2026 11:00 via sports.yahoo.com
  
  The US crashed out of the World Cup with a loss to Belgium in the last 16. Photograph: Alex Grimm/Getty ImagesUS men’s national team head coach Mauricio Pochettino says he regrets not being “more involved” in the situation surrounding US forward Folarin Balogun at this summer’s World Cup.Balogun was given a red card after a challenge against Bosnia and Herzegovina defender Tarik Muharemović, which by rule is accompanied with a one-game suspension. Balogun’s ban
  
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• Castaño stands firm as Real Madrid video escalates row

  25-09-2026 11:00 via sports.yahoo.com
  
  Castaño stands firm as Real Madrid video escalates rowJuanma Castaño responded on air after Real Madrid published a social-media video attacking him and his work on El Partidazo de COPE over the past decade, accusing club president Florentino Pérez of waging a personal crusade against him. According to Marca, Castaño used his programme to reject the club’s video point by point and insisted he would not change his approach.Castaño answers Real Madrid&rsquo
  
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• Atletico Madrid star heaps praise on Lamine Yamal – “Best player in the world”

  25-09-2026 11:00 via sports.yahoo.com
  
  Atletico Madrid star heaps praise on Lamine Yamal – “Best player in the world”With the Ballon d’Or ceremony fast approaching, Lamine Yamal remains one of the leading contenders to claim the prestigious individual award.The Barcelona teenager has already received glowing endorsements from teammates and rivals alike, and the latest to sing his praises is Spain international Alejandro Grimaldo.The Spain international, who joined Atletico from Bayer Leverkusen this summer, wa
  
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• Alexander Isak responds to Alan Shearer after dramatic St. James’ Park return

  25-09-2026 10:55 via sports.yahoo.com
  
  Alexander Isak responds to Alan Shearer after dramatic St. James’ Park returnAlexander Isak responds to Alan Shearer over Liverpool penalty decisionAlexander Isak has offered a straightforward explanation for Liverpool’s penalty decision on his return to Newcastle: Dominik Szoboszlai had been assigned the responsibility.For all the emotion surrounding his first appearance at St James’ Park since leaving, the striker’s response to Alan Shearer’s comments was grounded
  
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• AFCON Qualifying: Nigeria Fight To Restore Pride In Their Nation’s Football Amid Uncertainty

  25-09-2026 10:55 via sports.yahoo.com
  
  AFCON Qualifying: Nigeria Fight To Restore Pride In Their Nation’s Football Amid UncertaintyBy Ben McFadyean.Nigeria begin their qualifying campaign for what many independents regard as one of the most engaging and authentic football tournaments, the African Cup of Nations, with a tricky away tie against Madagascar at the Godswill Akpabio International Stadium in Uyo on Friday, but a lot more than just participation at next year’s tournament, which will be the 36th since its inceptio
  
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• Arteta's squad management and Dowman's development

  25-09-2026 10:54 via sports.yahoo.com
  
  [BBC]We asked you to send in your questions for our Arsenal reporter Alex Howell to answer. In the first part of a special Q&A, he addresses squad rotation and the plan for Max Dowman.Larissa asked: Mikel Arteta seems determined to keep his favoured line-up every week, despite having two strong players in each position, except left of attack - is the squad morale beginning to suffer already?Alex: The issue of a lack of rotation is definitely something that could have been put to Arteta in pr
  
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• Ireland player breaks rank and says Israel game should not be going ahead

  25-09-2026 10:52 via sports.yahoo.com
  
  Jason Knight has spoken out to become the first player to declare that the Republic of Ireland should not be playing against Israel.A candid Knight voiced his opinion following the 1-0 defeat to Kosovo in Pristina, stating his view ahead of what captain Dara O’Shea insisted would be a discussion between squad members on Friday over Sunday’s controversial game in Debrecen. The highly emotive fixture, which is seen as unprecedented given the two countries are not in conflict, will be p
  
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• James Garner relishing Rodri battle ahead of Spain clash

  25-09-2026 10:50 via sports.yahoo.com
  
  James Garner relishing Rodri battle ahead of Spain clashJames Garner is looking forward to facing Rodri ahead of England’s UEFA Nations League matchday one clash against Spain at Wembley on Saturday.Garner is in contention to make his third appearance for England after being called up following the withdrawal of Declan Rice and Kobbie Mainoo due to injury.The Everton midfielder impressed Thomas Tuchel on his debut against Uruguay in March, with the England manager comparing him to Real Mad
  
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• 🚨 Europe’s top 4 leagues call for FIFA reform

  25-09-2026 10:45 via sports.yahoo.com
  
  🚨 Europe’s top 4 leagues call for FIFA reformAnother blow for Gianni Infantino.A huge statement was jointly published by Europe’s four major leagues this Friday morning!The Premier League, Serie A, La Liga and the Bundesliga have indeed taken a joint stand this Friday morning, calling for reform at FIFA just months before the next elections.In the crosshairs: Gianni Infantino and his stillborn controversial plan to commercialize the World Cup, dubbed FIFA Forward Enterprise (
  
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• Arsenal assistant coach admits interest in Real Madrid forward – “His name was on the table”

  25-09-2026 10:40 via sports.yahoo.com
  
  Arsenal assistant coach admits interest in Real Madrid forward – “His name was on the table”Before signing a lucrative renewal at Real Madrid, Vinicius Jr.’s future was up in the air in the summer transfer window.The Brazilian international was particularly linked with a move to the Premier League, with Arsenal emerging as a potential destination.The move did not materialise at the end, with Vinicius ending up signing a contract extension that should seal his long-term fu
  
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• Man City youngster Samuel hopes to progress at Exeter

  25-09-2026 10:37 via sports.yahoo.com
  
  Lakyle Samuel has been capped at under-20 level by England[Shutterstock]Manchester City youngster Lakyle Samuel hopes his time on loan at League Two side Exeter City can develop his game.The 20-year-old wing-back joined the Grecians on a season-long loan last month and has made eight appearances in all competitions.He played seven times while on loan at Bromley last season when they won the League Two title."I think it was right for me to take the next step into professional men's football to ga
  
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• Jurgen Klopp gives mixed update on Kai Havertz injury

  25-09-2026 10:35 via sports.yahoo.com
  
  Jurgen Klopp gives mixed update on Kai Havertz injuryKai Havertz picked up an injury in Germany’s draw with the Netherlands on Thursday night, undergoing an MRI to assess a suspected hamstring issue.Photo by Lars Baron/Getty ImagesKai Havertz only lasted 30 minutes of Germany’s Nations League match away to the Netherlands on Thursday, before being forced off with an injury.TV images showed Jurrien Timber’s brother Quinten clashing with the Arsenal striker, catching him on the k
  
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• Mancini drops 10 Italy players for Belgium clash

  25-09-2026 10:30 via sports.yahoo.com
  
  Mancini drops 10 Italy players for Belgium clashAside from the suspended Alessandro Bastoni, ten more Italy players won’t be available for tonight’s Nations League game against Belgium, including Nicolò Zaniolo and Antonio Vergara.Roberto Mancini’s Italy host Belgium at the Stadio Olimpico in Rome this evening in the opening game of the 2026-27 Nations League.10 Italy players plus suspended Bastoni not called up for BelgiumHARRISON, NEW JERSEY – MARCH 24: Serie A l
  
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• Major leagues urge FIFA to urgently reform its governance

  25-09-2026 10:25 via sports.yahoo.com
  
  Major leagues urge FIFA to urgently reform its governanceEurope’s top leagues have issued a strongly worded joint statement demanding immediate structural changes at FIFA. LALIGA, the Premier League, Serie A and the Bundesliga warn about the risks of the current management model of the international body.In the statement, the leagues criticize the excessive concentration of commercial and political power within the governing body. They argue that “football has suffered one of the gre
  
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• Didier Deschamps rejects Turkiye approach

  25-09-2026 10:25 via sports.yahoo.com
  
  Didier Deschamps rejects Turkiye approachFrance will get their UEFA Nations League campaign underway against Turkiye on Friday night. For the first time in 14 years, Les Bleus will compete in a game in which Didier Deschamps is not their manager. Zinédine Zidane will make his debut in the dugout, but in a funny turn of events, Deschamps could just as easily have been in the opposite dugout, as per a report from Le Figaro. Deschamps announced that he would take his leave as France manager
  
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• Bristol Rovers chase club history with 11th home win

  25-09-2026 10:25 via sports.yahoo.com
  
  Bristol Rovers want to make history said manager Steve Evans as they look to set a new club record of 11 consecutive home victories when they play Exeter City on Saturday.The Gas have not lost at the Memorial Stadium in the league since a 3-2 defeat against Chesterfield on 7 February with their impressive run starting against Grimsby later that month.Manager Steve Evans said if they do beat the Grecians the players and staff will celebrate after the full-time whistle in the stadium bar."We want
  
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• Mourinho and Khedira identify major problem with Mbappe and Vinicius at Real Madrid – report

  25-09-2026 10:20 via sports.yahoo.com
  
  Mourinho and Khedira identify major problem with Mbappe and Vinicius at Real Madrid – reportJose Mourinho and Sami Khedira are using the international break to study the problems that have emerged during Real Madrid’s opening weeks, with the defensive contribution of Kylian Mbappe and Vinicius Jr. emerging as one area requiring attention.According to Defensa Central, the coaching staff believes there has been progress since Mourinho took charge, particularly in the team’s willi
  
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• Reedijk a bold, positive but risky Hibs appointment - Allan

  25-09-2026 10:17 via sports.yahoo.com
  
  [Getty Images]Hibernian's appointment of Marink Reedijk as manager is "bold", "positive" but also "risky", according to former Easter Road midfielder Scott Allan.The 35-year-old Dutchman has just two seasons as a senior manager behind him, Beveren becoming the first Belgian club since 1934 to go undefeated as they won promotion to the top flight last season."I think it's positive," Allan told BBC Radio Scotland. "I think it's what many expected - that they'd maybe go down that foreign route."You
  
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• Grimsby's Morgan relishing family reunion at Rodney Parade

  25-09-2026 10:14 via sports.yahoo.com
  
  [Huw Evans Picture Agency]Grimsby Town forward Iwan Morgan says Saturday's League Two match with Newport County carries extra significance as he prepares to face a familiar face."One of them, Kieron Evans, is my sister's boyfriend," 20-year-old Cardiff-born Morgan told BBC Radio Humberside with a smile."It's going to be a nice moment. Two families coming together to watch us play."Both Evans - who is four years older - and Morgan began their footballing journeys in the Cardiff City academy, befo
  
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• Talks advanced in FC Nantes sale

  25-09-2026 10:10 via sports.yahoo.com
  
  Talks advanced in FC Nantes saleWaldemar Kita is nearing an agreement to sell FC Nantes to a group of French and Portuguese investors, as per a report from L’Équipe. Kita bought Nantes for €10m back in 2007 and has now set a €100m asking price for the Loire-based club, who were relegated to Ligue 2 earlier this year. Earlier this season, Kita revealed that he was open to a sale and had revealed concrete bids from three parties. An ambitious new project at Nantes?Talks, L&r
  
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• Leeds United’s Tarik Muharemovic reveals how Serie A helped him grow

  25-09-2026 10:10 via sports.yahoo.com
  
  Leeds United’s Tarik Muharemovic reveals how Serie A helped him growSpeaking to Gianluca Di Marzio, Bosnia and Leeds United defender Tarik Muharemović credited Serie A for his tactical education and emphasised on the need to focus on the present and use the platform he has to show what he can do.“I was in Italy for five years, so we all know that it is a country specialized in tactics and defense. Tactically, it’s the best place to grow. Defensively, I really learned a lot
  
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• English star rejects Man City and Real Madrid to sign for Liverpool

  25-09-2026 10:10 via sports.yahoo.com
  
  English star rejects Man City and Real Madrid to sign for LiverpoolAn Enlgish sensation rejected both Manchester City and Real Madrid in favour of Liverpool. Over the last few years, the Reds have shown themselves to have a real pulling power.When Alexander Isak was the most sought after attacker in the Premier League, who did he want to join? Not Arsenal, not Real Madrid but Liverpool.Florian Wirtz had the opportunity to join Bayern Munich and Man City but all he wanted was Liverpool.Hugo Ekiti
  
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