World Cup qualifiers

‘Touch Messi with a finger, and it’s a foul’

Peru captain Paolo Guerrero lashed out at the referees following their slender 1-0 defeat against reigning world champions Argentina in Buenos Aires on Tuesday, claiming that the Albiceleste skipper Lionel Messi received special treatment while fouls against the Peruvian players went unnoticed.

Venezuela hold Argentina to 1-1 draw on Messi's return

Argentina were held to a 1-1 draw against Venezuela on Thursday in Lionel Messi's return to international duty in South America's World Cup qualifiers.

India coach rues 'injustice' after World Cup hopes end in controversy

India coach Igor Stimac condemned what he called an "irregular" goal in a 2-1 defeat at Qatar that ended his team's World Cup 2026 qualifying hopes, saying: "It shouldn't happen."

Cabrera finds one positive in 4-0 defeat to Lebanon

Bangladesh coach Javier Cabrera has found one positive in the team's 4-0 defeat against Lebanon in Qatar on Tuesday in what was the last World Cup Qualifier fixture for the Men in Red and Green.

Indonesia 'closer to dream' of World Cup

Indonesian fans and leaders hailed their football team after they booked a place in the third round of the FIFA World Cup qualifiers for the first time after beating the Philippines on Tuesday.

Japan warns football fans not to go to North Korea

The Tokyo foreign ministry "strongly requests the general public to refrain" from attending the match on March 26, the first for the two sides in North Korea since 2011.

Cabrera’s charges ready for Palestine challenge in Kuwait

Bangladesh football team landed in Kuwait on Sunday for their World Cup Qualifying round match against Palestine on March 21 after a two-week training camp in Saudi Arabia which included a couple of warm-up matches against higher ranked Sudan.

World Cup Qualifiers / Three new faces in Cabrera's 28-member preliminary squad 

Three new inclusions -- Syed Shah Quazem Kirmanee, Rabby Hossain Rahul, and Taj Uddin – featured in Bangladesh national football team's 28-member preliminary squad for their World Cup Qualifiers fixtures upcoming next month, head coach Javier Cabrera announced on Wednesday.

Booters to have camp in Saudi Arabia before facing Palestine twice

Bangladesh national football team will have a two-week residential camp in Saudi Arabia before playing back-to-back matches of the World Cup Qualifiers against Palestine, informed Bangladesh Football Federation’s vice-president Kazi Nabil Ahmed.

October 18, 2023
October 18, 2023

Bangladesh’s game against Maldives had everything: Alfaz Ahmed

Former Bangladesh national team star forward Alfaz Ahmed wants national players to showcase an attitude similar to the one they had yesterday in future fixtures as well, after the men in red and green confirmed their place in the World Cup Qualifiers for the third time in a row with a 2-1 win over Maldives in the second leg of the preliminary round on Tuesday.

October 5, 2023
October 5, 2023

Messi called up for Argentina qualifiers despite injury

Messi missed Inter's 4-1 defeat to Chicago on Wednesday as he continues to struggle with his fitness -- he has played just 37 minutes for the club since September 3.

September 13, 2023
September 13, 2023

Messi-less Argentina cruise to 3-0 win over Bolivia

Messi, who has had a hectic schedule with his club Inter Miami, watched his teammates from the bench but was not listed as a substitute, having complained of tiredness after scoring the winner in Thursday's 1-0 victory over Ecuador.

September 1, 2023
September 1, 2023

Messi to lead Argentina in opening World Cup qualifiers

Coach Lionel Scaloni's 32-man squad also features stalwarts including Angel Di Maria, who returned to Benfica this year, and defender Nicolas Otamendi.

August 19, 2023
August 19, 2023

Neymar in, Paqueta out as Brazil name squad for World Cup qualifiers

Brazil have omitted West Ham United midfielder Lucas Paqueta from their squad for next month's World Cup qualifiers amid media reports that the English FA and FIFA have opened an investigation into potential betting rule breaches.

June 28, 2023
June 28, 2023

Zimbabwe, Sri Lanka target World Cup with Windies in danger

Hosts Zimbabwe and former champions Sri Lanka are in prime position to clinch the final two qualifying spots for this year's Cricket World Cup, while two-time winners the West Indies risk missing the tournament for the first time.

June 19, 2023
June 19, 2023

West Indies, Zimbabwe win opening World Cup qualifiers

Two-time world champions West Indies recovered from the early loss of openers Brandon King and Kyle Mayers as four players hit half-centuries as they made 297 all out off 49.3 overs.

May 12, 2023
May 12, 2023

Windies recall Paul and Motie for World Cup qualifiers

The poor performances of the Caribbean side, who have slipped to 10th in the ICC's ODI rankings, mean that they must compete with six other teams for the two available places in the 2023 World Cup in India from October.

May 9, 2023
May 9, 2023

Tigers sent in to bat first by Ireland

Ireland will need to win all three matches of the series including a big-margin win in one of those to have a chance of directly qualifying for this year's ODI World Cup.

August 17, 2022
August 17, 2022

Brazil v Argentina qualifier not to be replayed

The World Cup qualifier between Argentina and Brazil suspended last year will not be replayed, the Argentine Football Association (AFA) said on Tuesday.