FIFA on Friday faced calls to sanction Iran and even throw its team out of the 2022 World Cup finals over the Islamic republic's renewed failure to allow women to attend an international football match.... more »
Iran's football federation threw its weight behind former national team captain Mehdi Mahdavikia Wednesday after he faced criticism for wearing a jersey bearing an Israeli flag during a friendly game.... more »
Iran's Esteghlal FC will no longer continue with their Italian coach Andrea Stramaccioni, the club said Thursday, following a row over payment.... more »
Japan coach Vahid Halilhodzic left little to chance for next week's World Cup qualifier against Syria by naming European stars Keisuke Honda and Shinji Kagawa among a strong squad.... more »
Cristiano Ronaldo's Portugal aim to end a run of three defeats by Germany in major tournaments when their World Cup clash takes centre-stage Monday.... more »
Lionel Messi scored a sparkling individual goal and created another as Argentina overcame a faltering performance to opened their World Cup campaign with a 2-1 win over Bosnia on Sunday.... more »
Lionel Messi scored a brilliant individual goal to bring Argentina out of their slumber and beat Bosnia 2-1 in the Balkan nation's first appearance at the World Cup finals on Sunday.... more »
Japanese referee Yuichi Nishimura will have the honour of refereeing the opening game of the World Cup finals between hosts Brazil and Croatia, FIFA announced on Tuesday.... more »
Bosnia coach Safet Susic said Monday he didn't plan to man-mark Argentine superstar Lionel Messi for his side's first ever World Cup showdown on Sunday in the Maracana.... more »
Argentina inflamed their rivalry with England on the eve of the World Cup on Saturday, unfurling a banner claiming sovereignty of the Falkland Islands before defeating Slovenia 2-0.... more »
Argentine midfielder Javier Mascherano has extended his contract with Barcelona by two years until June 2018, with the option of a further season, the club announced Saturday.... more »
Brazil's World Cup preparations endured a rough Friday, as police clashed with striking subway workers in Sao Paulo, massive traffic jams snarled the mega-city and fans booed the national team.... more »