21 games later: Iraq back at the World Cup after epic qualifying campaign

The Lions of Mesopotamia have waited 40 years to return to the World Cup and they have had to do it the hard way If anyone deserves the chance to celebrate Iraq’s return to the World Cup it is Aymen Hussein and not just because the striker scored the winning goal in the final intercontinental playoff against Bolivia on Tuesday. Born and raised in Kirkuk in northern Iraq, a region affected first by war and then by Islamic State, Hussein lost his father in an al-Qaeda attack in 2008. Six years later his brother disappeared and the young footballer was then forced to flee with the remaining membe

Newcastle tips: Marshman backed to scoop sprint glory for Burke

Ahead of All-Weather Finals Day, Luke Elder was joined by Declan Rix and Sam Boswell to discuss their top fancies for Newcastle's flagship meeting on the level.

Alpine dismiss Colapinto 'sabotage' allegations in 1200-word letter

Alpine have released a 1200-word letter which dismisses claims that Franco Colapinto's car has been sabotaged.

Uefa president Ceferin warns Italy it could lose Euro 2032 without action on stadiums

Cerefin issues stark warning to Italian authorities ‘Football infrastructure is among the worst in Europe’ The Uefa president, Aleksander Ceferin, has warned Italy it risks not being able to co-host Euro 2032 due to the condition of the country’s stadiums, which he called “some of the worst in Europe”. “Euro 2032 is scheduled and will take place, of that there is no doubt. I just hope that the infrastructure [in Italy] will be ready. If that’s not the case, the tournament will not be held in Italy,” Ceferin said in an interview with the Gazzetta Dello Sport published on Thursday. Continue re

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Fifa raises top ticket price for World Cup final to $10,990, up from $1,600 in 2022

New tickets released for some group games and final Fans attempting to buy tickets encounter glitches Fifa raised its top ticket price for the World Cup final to $10,990 during the glitch-hampered reopening of sales on Wednesday after the 48-team field for this year’s tournament was finalized . The top price for the final had been $8,680 when Fifa sold tickets after the tournament draw in December. Fifa’s Category 2 tickets for the 19 July game at MetLife Stadium are now $7,380, up from $5,575, and Category 3 now costs $5,785, an increase from $4,185. The most expensive ticket for the final

LIVE STREAM: Watch Dubois vs Harper media workout

Ahead of the hugely anticipated world title bout on Sunday, Caroline Dubois and Terri Harper will be in the ring on Thursday for the media workout.

FA Cup quarter-finals and trouble brewing at Chelsea – Football Weekly Extra

Max Rushden is joined by Barry Glendenning, Nick Ames and Jordan Jarrett-Bryan to preview the weekend’s action Rate, review, share on Apple Podcasts and join the conversation on email . On the podcast today: the panel are here to preview the FA Cup quarter-finals with Manchester City hosting Liverpool, while Southampton and Port Vale are the remaining hopes for a giant killing. Continue reading...

How 11 Premier League clubs could qualify for Europe next season

It’s unlikely but there could be seven English clubs in the Champions League, three in the Europa League and one in the Conference League By Opta Analyst The Premier League title race might be as good as over but the battle for European places is as competitive and exciting as ever, with as many as 13 teams in with a chance of qualifying. A number of factors have combined to make it so open. The Champions League and Europa League are bigger since the introduction of the league phase, and there is a third European competition, the Conference League. The strength of the Premier League means an

The magical rise of Lincoln City - on cusp of Championship return after 65 years away

Lincoln City are on the verge of promotion to the second tier for the first time since 1961.

Rowley and Peet given same 'must win' message ahead of Good Friday derby

For St Helens head coach Paul Rowley and Wigan Warriors head coach Matt Peet there has been one simple message delivered to them by fans: Beat 'that lot' on Good Friday.

Team USA's Ryder Cup dilemma: No Tiger, so who will be the next captain?

Tiger Woods’ decision to withdraw from Ryder Cup consideration leaves Team USA facing questions over who will lead them into next year’s edition at Adare Manor.