FIFA president Gianni Infantino told AFP Tuesday that Iran "will be at the World Cup" and will play their group matches in the United States as scheduled, despite the Middle East war.

Despite a qualifying campaign in which they slumped to four defeats and finished bottom of their group, Sweden are one game away from qualifying for the World Cup in the U.S., Mexico and Canada thanks to a process that offers teams a number of second chances.

Romelu Lukaku on Monday defended his decision to undergo treatment in his home country rather than at his club after pulling out of Belgium's World Cup warm-up matches in the United States.

The Caribbean nation set to play Germany, Ivory Coast and Ecuador in Group E.

Federico Dimarco insisted on Saturday that Italy respect Bosnia and Herzegovina, after he and team-mates were caught on camera celebrating when their opponents reached the World Cup qualifying final by beating Wales.

Argentina full-back Nicolas Tagliafico says becoming the first team to successfully defend the World Cup title in 64 years would be a "dream" for the three-time world champions.

Only Brazil stand ahead of Germany in terms of FIFA World Cup titles but few nations can match the depth and drama of Germany’s journey to their four crowns.

Argentina will face Mauritania this month in a World Cup warm-up match, the country's Football Association (AFA) said on Friday.

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.