Rudi Gutendorf’s globe-trotting career, spanning half a century, saw him coach a record 55 teams. Rudi Gutendorf, the tireless manager who guided a world record 55 teams, including 18 national sides, has died at 93, according to several German media outlets. Born in Koblenz on the banks of the Rhine, the man dubbed “Restless Rudi”
FIFA World Cup
Megan Rapinoe sits down for an exclusive interview with ESPN and discusses the impact Donald Trump’s tweets had on the USWNT at the World Cup. Megan Rapinoe addresses the back-and-forth with President Donald Trump and how she “held up her end of the bargain.” United States President Donald Trump met with his FIFA counterpart Gianni
There’s no debate: as a standalone tournament, the Women’s World Cup is a rip-roaring, commercially viable success. The 2019 edition broke women’s football viewing records around the world. This happened not only in Europe, where the time zones were friendly and new marks were set in France, Italy, Germany and the United Kingdom, but also
The Toe Poke Daily is here every day to bring you all the weirdest stories, quirkiest viral content and top trolling that the internet has to offer, all in one place. Jump to: Falcao greeted like a God in Turkey | Manager resigns over boredom The official logo for the Qatar 2022 World Cup has
Khama Billiat is a serious doubt for Zimbabwe’s 2022 FIFA World Cup Qualifying opener against Somalia this week, and he’s but one of many injuries littering rosters. The Kaizer Chiefs forward picked up a pelvic injury in the club’s 2-1 win away to Cape Town City last week, and Chiefs’ front office is not being
Uncapped Harry Souttar is part of a new generation of Australia stars hoping to qualify for the 2022 World Cup. Australia’s next generation of football talent has been given the nod to start the Socceroos’ path to the 2022 World Cup. Coach Graham Arnold has picked 12 players with 10 caps or fewer to
Brazilian-born striker Elkeson has changed his name as he prepares to help China qualify for the 2022 World Cup. The 30-year-old, who has played in the Chinese Super League since 2013, became a naturalised citizen earlier in August and was named on Wednesday in China’s squad for their opening 2022 World Cup qualifier at The
Jose Luis Brown sails above England’s Terry Butcher in the 1986 World Cup quarterfinal. World Cup winner Jose Luis Brown, who scored Argentina’s opening goal in the 1986 World Cup final against West Germany, has died at the age of 62, local media reported on Monday. The country’s football association confirmed the former central defender’s
FIFA president Gianni Infantino tells Gab Marcotti about his hopes that the 2018 and 2022 World Cups change negative perceptions of Russia and Qatar. South Korea will face North Korea in qualifying for the 2022 World Cup and 2023 Asia Cup as the draw for the second round was made on Wednesday. Meanwhile, Iran will
Alex Morgan and Megan Rapinoe discuss public perception surrounding the USWNT’s class action lawsuit and Rapinoe’s chat with Gianni Infantino. Megan Rapinoe addresses the back-and-forth with President Donald Trump and how she “held up her end of the bargain.” Megan Rapinoe and Alex Morgan explain what legacy the 2019 USWNT squad leave behind. Senator Joe
Australia has held discussions with Indonesia about making a joint bid for the 2034 FIFA World Cup, Football Federation Australia said on Thursday. “Football Federation Australia confirms it has held discussions with the Indonesia Football Association (PSSI) about the possibility to jointly bid for the 2034 FIFA World Cup,” the FFA said in a statement
Former UEFA president Michel Platini has been arrested on suspicion of corruption. Michel Platini, the former UEFA president, was detained in Paris early on Tuesday morning as part of an investigation into alleged corruption in the Qatar 2022 World Cup bidding process. Since 2015 FIFA has been embroiled in scandal and controversy, but who is
FIFA president Gianni Infantino wants Qatar to have a co-host and will present an expansion proposal at June’s congress in Paris. The draw for the first phase of Asia’s qualifying round for the 2022 World Cup finals featuring the continent’s lowest-ranked nations was made on Wednesday, even though FIFA has yet to decide how many
Spain and Portugal will undertake ‘an in-depth analysis’ of a possible joint bid. Spain and Portugal will start an analysis of whether to bid for the 2030 World Cup, the countries’ football federations said on Saturday. They did not make any mention of Morocco, who were previously also said to have been involved. “After holding
With the prospect of the 2022 World Cup now involving 48 teams becoming increasingly likely, Craig Burley thinks it will ‘dilute’ the quality of the tournament. FIFA president Gianni Infantino wants Qatar to have a co-host and will present an expansion proposal at June’s congress in Paris. It has not even been 11 months since
Infantino will continue as FIFA president after running unopposed in 2019, but he has a long list of things to address over the next four years. PARIS — Gianni Infantino will serve another term as president after being reelected by acclamation on Wednesday at the FIFA Congress. He addressed a number of topics, from women’s
Valencia denied Lionel Messi and Barcelona a fifth straight Copa del Rey victory with a thrilling 2-1 win in Seville. Barcelona’s Lionel Messi was awarded the Creu du Sant Jordi, an award given to an individual who has served Catalonia in defense of its identity, either civically or culturally. Dani Alves recalls what it’s like
Qualifying for the 2022 World Cup begins on June 6, 2019, when minor nations from the Asian confederation play their first round of matches. For the 2018 World Cup, FIFA held a gala for the preliminary round draw of all confederations. However, this will not happen for the 2022 tournament. A FIFA spoksperson told ESPN:
Bruce Arena says the USMNT’s World Cup qualifying failure in 2017 did not factor into his decision to take the head coaching job with New England. ESPN FC’s Jeff Carlisle reports from the FIFA council meeting in Miami, which opened the door for a 48-team World Cup in Qatar in 2022. FIFA has given up
As Roger Milla and Francois Omam-Biyik — two of the architects of Cameroon’s finest footballing hour — each celebrate their birthday this week, ESPN’s Ed Dove remembers the Indomitable Lions of 1990 and their unforgettable World Cup exploits. To date, no side has matched the Central Africans’ performance in Italy, where they reached the quarterfinals