Mehedi said delays in obtaining an Indian visa prevented him from joining the squad earlier.

They are unbeaten in 11 games stretching back to September 2024 and aiming to go beyond the last 16 for the first time.

The Dutch have never won a World Cup, losing in the final in 1974, 1978 and 2010.

Neymar's recall last week generated widespread excitement because he had not featured in Ancelotti's plans during the Italian's year in charge.

Jean-Philippe Mateta scored as Crystal Palace beat Rayo Vallecano 1-0 in the UEFA Conference League final in Leipzig on Wednesday to secure the club's first European trophy in their history.

Barcelona reached an agreement with Newcastle on Wednesday for the transfer of England international Anthony Gordon, the La Liga champions told AFP, confirming reports in the Spanish press.

The US states of New York and New Jersey announced a probe Wednesday into whether FIFA has exploited football fans with "impossibly high" World Cup ticket prices.

Maurizio Sarri left Lazio on Wednesday after coming to an agreement to terminate his contract ahead of his expected switch to Atalanta.

Bangladesh women’s team head coach Peter Butler confirmed on Wednesday that goalkeeper Mili Akter has recovered from injury and will start against Maldives in their opening match of the SAFF Women’s Championship on Thursday.

One by one, Maria Manda, Afeida Khandokar, Monika Chakma, Ritu Porna Chakma and Tahura Khatun stepped off the team bus -- but none of the Bangladesh players wore a broad smile.

The Netherlands' top scorer Memphis Depay and Arsenal defender Jurrien Timber were both included on Wednesday in the country's squad for next month's World Cup despite concerns over their fitness.

Sometimes a single goal changes an entire life. It becomes more than a strike into the net – it turns into a man’s identity, the essence of who he is. For Mario Gotze, there was one such moment. Just one. But one was enough.

Argentina coach Lionel Scaloni said the initial news regarding superstar Lionel Messi's fitness "is not that bad" and hopes further examinations will confirm that diagnosis with the World Cup just a fortnight away.

A giant statue of football superstar Lionel Messi erected in India to mark his visit last year is "swaying in the wind" and will be removed, a lawmaker told AFP on Wednesday.

Paris St Germain face Arsenal in the Champions League final on Saturday under the guidance of Luis Enrique, a coach who has spent the last decade building one of the most formidable records in modern football's biggest matches.

Borussia Monchengladbach attacking midfielder Reyna appeared as a substitute in the USA's friendly defeats to Belgium and Portugal in March after impressing Pochettino during last November's international window.

The 33-year-old forward, once one of the most prolific goalscorers in England at Tottenham Hotspur, has yet to hit the mark for Los Angeles FC in the league so far this season.

Former England midfielder Lampard edged out seven other coaches, including Arsenal's Mikel Arteta, to take the Sir Alex Ferguson Trophy at the League Managers Association (LMA) awards on Tuesday.

Afeida was appointed captain in early 2025 after a turbulent period within the squad, when several senior players -- including Sabina Khatun, Maria, Monica Chakma and Masura Parvin -- reportedly fell out with the British coach.

Ouahbi, who took up the Moroccan coaching role three months ago, has kept faith with the majority of the squad that took part in the African Cup of Nations.