56 h. ago Spalletti splits Napoli and Højlund downs Juve: welcome to Serie A Bizarro World | Nicky Bandini

Club legends in opposing dugouts, Turin giants as underdogs against the juggernaut Partenopei it was a weird night at the MaradonaThe man with the Napoli tattoo was met with hostile whistles on his return to the Stadio Maradona. Luciano Spalletti had the club’s emblem inked on to his arm, together with a Scudetto badge, after leading the Partenopei to their third Serie A title in 2023. The design made it appear as though someone had torn into his flesh, revealing his true essence, a connection more than just skin deep.But then he accepted the manager’s job at Juventus. For many Napoli supporters this was the ultimate sin, joining the club they hate the most. From others there was a measure of understanding. Spalletti had been out of work for four months after being sacked by the Italian national team in the middle of an ailing World Cup qualifying campaign. The opportunity to succeed Igor Tudor in Turin at the end of October was a chance to get his career back on track. Continue rea...

Culture

58 h. ago Crystal Palace owner Steve Parish reveals he will ‘probably’ have to buy second club to meet new rules

CRYSTAL PALACE owner Steve Parish disclosed he is considering purchasing a second football club to escape "desperately difficult rules". The South London side initially qualified for the Europa League by winning the FA Cup, but were demoted to the Conference League over Uefa's multi-club ownership rules. In an interview with The Athletic, Parish maintained Palace...

Politics

4 d. ago Wales potential 2026 World Cup game schedule confirmed amid tense qualification wait

Wales are still vying for their place at the 2026 World Cup through play-off qualifiers next March, but they have already learned who and when they will play in North America next summer - if they qualify.

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5 d. ago 2026 FIFA World Cup draw, Donald Trump award and tournament schedule

The draw for the 2026 FIFA World Cup has been made in the USA with qualified teams learning who they will be playing

Politics

5 d. ago Who could Wales face at the 2026 World Cup? Groups revealed after draw

Craig Bellamy’s side now know their fate if they come through World Cup qualifying

Politics

5 d. ago World Cup 2026 draw updates as Donald Trump awarded Fifa peace prize – live

⚽ Trump gets inaugural Fifa peace prize at World Cup draw⚽ Draw explainer | Qualifiers | Follow on Bluesky | Mail usBenjamin gets in touch: “I am webmaster of www.national-football-teams.com !“As you can imagine, draw day is quite something when international football is one of your things. I want to chip in on possible groups of death. These are the two of the hardest groups I could come up with:ArgentinaMoroccoNorwayItaly (If they qualify)SpainColombiaIvory CoastDenmark (If they qualify)CanadaAustriaQatarCape VerdeBelgiumIranSouth AfricaCuracao Continue reading...

Politics

5 d. ago FIFA 2026 World Cup match schedule: Wales hopes still alive as draw announced

Wales are still in with a chance of qualification as FIFA prepares to reveal the official World Cup 2026 draw on Friday

Politics

5 d. ago World Cup draw LIVE: Latest updates as England and Scotland discover opponents

England and Scotland are among the nations who have qualified for the 2026 World Cup and will be in attendance in the United States to discover their fate next year

Politics

6 d. ago World Cup 2026 draw: Start time, pots, teams qualified and how to watch on TV

The tournament in USA, Canada and Mexico will be the first with 48 teams taking part in a 12-group format

Politics

7 d. ago Gregor Townsend whips up Scotland World Cup fever as double qualification grips nation

Toony spoke as he reacted to the rugby team's draw just 24 hours before the men's football team discover their fate

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7 d. ago Has a player ever been shown a second yellow card while being substituted? | The Knowledge

Plus: the shambles that was 1950 World Cup qualifying, and plenty more brawling teammatesMail us with your questions and answers“Has any player been shown a second yellow card while being substituted for not leaving the pitch correctly?” wonders Ken Foster.They have indeed, Ken. Let Robin Horton take you back to a bitter January in 1980, when Stoke City were the visitors to Burnley in the FA Cup third round. “Stoke’s Denis Smith, already on a yellow card, limped towards the touchline with an injured ankle, only to linger on the touchline as substitute Paul Johnson was not properly warmed up,” Robin recalls. “Referee Kevin McNally therefore sent Smith off for time-wasting. McNally was not in Stoke’s good books; Burnley won the tie via a penalty, and Stoke’s Ray Evans also got his marching orders, for what manager Alan Durban described as ‘heavy sarcasm’.” That’s as good a reason for a dismissal as we can remember. Continue reading...

Sport

8 d. ago World Cup 2026 draw: which teams have qualified and how does it work?

Your essential guide to Friday’s draw in Washington DC, including where to watch it, who to watch out for and a look at Fifa’s peace prizeThe World Cup draw will start at Washington DC’s Kennedy Center at 12pm local time on Friday 5 December (5pm GMT/4am Saturday AEST). Although don’t worry if you tune in late: based on previous draws there will be a few speeches about Fifa being on the verge of bringing about world peace via the medium of football, some interpretive dance about Fifa being on the verge of bringing about world peace via the medium of football, some videos with kids kicking a ball about to show that Fifa is on the verge of bringing about world peace via the medium of football, and then, hopefully, Fifa actually bringing about world peace via the medium of football. And if you miss any of that, don’t worry Fifa will also be awarding a peace prize to the person most likely to bring about world peace in the next few months (more on that zinger later). At some point in al...

Politics

9 d. ago Andre Onana: Man United loanee suffers huge blow after Cameroon AFCON snub

Goalkeeper represented the Lions in World Cup qualifiers last month

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9 d. ago Celtic skipper Callum McGregor addresses potential Scotland return after World Cup qualification

Experienced midfielder in good form for club

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1 week ago Scott McTominay mural of stunning World Cup qualifier overhead kick appears in Scots town

The Napoli midfielder scored the opening goal in Scotland's stunning 4-2 victory against Denmark.

Politics

1 week ago Lithuania deny Great Britain a famous victory in Basketball World Cup qualifier

Lithuania stole it at the death as Basketball World Cup qualifying begins

Politics

1 week ago Great Britain vs Lithuania LIVE: Basketball World Cup qualifier under way in London

The Copper Box Arena in east London plays host to the GB men’s team as their World Cup qualifying campaign begins

Politics

1 week ago Great Britain vs Lithuania LIVE: World Cup qualifiers get under way in London

The Copper Box Arena in east London plays host to the GB men’s team as their World Cup qualifying campaign begins

Politics

2 w. ago Cristiano Ronaldo avoids World Cup ban via Fifa statement after Donald Trump visit

Cristiano Ronaldo was shown a red card for violent conduct against Ireland after elbowing Ipswich Town defender Dara O'Shea in Portugal's World Cup qualifier - but he won't miss premiere tournament

Politics

2 w. ago World Cup 2026 draw: Date, start time, confirmed pots and who has qualified?

The tournament in USA, Canada and Mexico will be the first with 48 teams taking part in a 12-group format

Politics