Liverpool's Federico Chiesa was recalled Friday to Italy's squad for the 2026 World Cup qualifying playoffs, while Tottenham goalkeeper Guglielmo Vicario will miss the match to undergo surgery.

The 1990 FIFA World Cup during an Italian summer -- the pitch was ablaze with tactics, strategy, and fierce competition. Teams from Europe and South America were locked in their battle for dominance.

Cristiano Ronaldo, who is currently nursing a hamstring injury, was on Friday left out of the Portugal squad to play pre-World Cup friendlies against tournament co-hosts Mexico and the United States later this month.

FIFA president Gianni Infantino on Thursday underlined the body's commitment to making sure the World Cup goes ahead "as scheduled" with "all teams" taking part amid doubts about Iran's presence at the tournament.

The Iranian national team are continuing to prepare for the World Cup finals and have no intention of pulling out of the tournament even if they will not travel to the United States, football chief Mehdi Taj said on Wednesday.

Brazil coach Carlo Ancelotti said on Monday Neymar is "not 100 percent" fit so will miss two friendlies later this month as youngster Endrick returns to the squad.

Those two simple pieces of paper marked the beginning of a new era in football. The remarkably simple invention proved to be a magical solution.

June 29, 1994 FIFA World Cup group stage, Saudi Arabia vs Belgium.

Today, there is no trace of the Stadio Nazionale del PNF (National Stadium of the National Fascist Party) on the map of Rome. Built in 1911, the stadium was permanently closed in 1953 and later completely demolished. Yet, if one brushes off the dust of history, it becomes clear that it was on this now-vanished ground that the story of Italy’s first world triumph was written.

Iran’s declaration that it cannot take part in the 2026 FIFA World Cup has created uncertainty around the tournament and forced world football’s governing body to consider how it would respond if a qualified team withdraws.

The statement from Minister of Sport Ahmad Donyamali on Wednesday that Iran could not take part in a World Cup being co-hosted by the United States offered the clearest indication yet of the potential for a first withdrawal from global soccer's showpiece event in the modern era.

December 18, 2022 -- Lusail Stadium. More than 88,000 spectators in the stands were on the verge of holding their breath, while millions of football fans around the world stared fixedly at their television screens. In the middle of the pitch stood a group of battle-weary warriors. After regulation and extra time, the scoreboard showed a 3-3 deadlock.

He was not weeping. His head was not dramatically bowed. His body did not collapse. Yet around him unfolded one of football’s most poetic tragedies. At its centre stood Roberto Baggio.

Real Madrid said Tuesday their winger Rodrygo has suffered a severe knee injury, and it is expected to keep him out of the World Cup with Brazil this summer.

VAR's scope has been extended to cover second yellow cards and corners in time for the World Cup after a meeting of football's lawmakers on Saturday.

Veteran Dutch coach Dick Advocaat, who led Curacao to their first World Cup qualification, has stepped down as manager months before the finals because of his daughter’s ill health.

Former Brazil captain Neymar said he is thinking of retiring at the end of the year after being hampered by injuries but hopes to go to the World Cup first.

Former Manchester United and Dutch international striker Ruud van Nistelrooy will rejoin the Netherlands coaching staff in the run-up to the World Cup, the national association announced on Friday.

Brentford striker Igor Thiago has already made Premier League history: now the Brazilian hopes to take his unlikely success story to the World Cup.

The trophy has previously visited Bangladesh during the Russia and Qatar World Cups.