World Cup – Football Flame

Kosta Barbarouses stars as New Zealand qualify for FIFA World Cup

25Mar

By Silver EmmanuelNo Comments

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Kosta Barbarouses stars as New Zealand qualify for FIFA World Cup

(L-R) New Zealand's Kosta Barbarouses is challenged by New Caledonia's Fonzy Ranchain and Joseph Athale during the FIFA World Cup 2026 Oceania qualifiers group final football match between New Zealand and New Caledonia at Eden Park Stadium in Auckland on March 24, 2025. Kosta Barbarouses has helped New Zealand return to the FIFA World Cup for the first time in 16 years. Barbarouses scored one goal and assisted another as the Kiwi’s beat New Caledonia 3-0 in their decisive qualifier. Last time New Zealand qualified for a World Cup was in 2010, when the A-League legend was just 20 years old and was overlooked for selection in the All Whites squad. They missed the next three World Cups with Barbarouses playing in each of those unsuccessful qualification campaigns, including 2022 when he ...

World Cup qualifying: Wales open with a win

23Mar

By Silver EmmanuelNo Comments

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World Cup qualifying: Wales open with a win

CARDIFF, WALES - MARCH 22: Daniel James of Wales jumps over the challenge of Yan Vorogovskiy of Kazakhstan during the FIFA World Cup 2026 European Qualifier between Wales and Kazakhstan at Cardiff City Stadium on March 22, 2025 in Cardiff, Wales. Wales opened their World Cup qualifying campaign with a 3-1 victory over Kazakhstan. Daniel James gave Wales an early advantage before a near-capacity 32,473 crowd at the Cardiff City Stadium but that was wiped out by Askhat Tagybergen's penalty, awarded after Connor Roberts had handled. Kazakhstan were threatening to throw a spanner in the works but skipper Ben Davies and Rabbi Matondo, with his first Wales goal in the final minute, ensured a winning start for Craig Bellamy’s side. Elsewhere in Group J, Aleksandar Trajkovski, Visar Musliu and...

Saudi Arabia defeat 10-man China 1-0 in 2026 World Cup AFC Qualifying

21Mar

By Silver EmmanuelNo Comments

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Saudi Arabia defeat 10-man China 1-0 in 2026 World Cup AFC Qualifying

Saudi Arabia's midfielder #7 Musab Al-Juwayr shoots during the FIFA World Cup 2026 Asia zone qualifiers group C football match between Saudi Arabia and China at the Al-Awwal Park in Riyadh on March 20, 2025. (Photo by AFP) (Photo by -/AFP via Getty Images) China suffered a narrow 1-0 defeat to Saudi Arabia in a 2026 FIFA World Cup Asian Football Confederation (AFC) Qualifier on the road in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia, on Thursday, continuing to struggle at the bottom of Group C. The decisive moment came five minutes into the second half, when Saudi midfielder Salem Al-Dawsari found the net from close range, capitalizing on a rebound after Chinese goalkeeper Wang Dalei had made a valiant effort to block an initial shot. China's task became even more challenging just before halftime, as Lin Liang...

FIFA world cup: Japan the first to qualify for 2026 finals

20Mar

By Silver EmmanuelNo Comments

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FIFA world cup: Japan the first to qualify for 2026 finals

SAITAMA, JAPAN - MARCH 20: Wataru Endo of Japan celebrates after scoring the team's first goal later disallowed through the VAR review during the FIFA World Cup Asian qualifier Group C match between Japan and Bahrain at Saitama Stadium on March 20, 2025 in Saitama, Japan. Japan have become the first nation to book their place at next year’s World Cup, having sealed their spot with a 2-0 victory over Bahrain. In doing so, the Samurai Blue have reaffirmed their status as one of Asian football’s powerhouses. FIFA president Gianni Infantino said: “Omedetou [congratulations], Japan, for being the first country to qualify for the FIFA World Cup 26 in addition to the host countries: Canada, Mexico and the United States of America. “You deserve this qualification. We all remember the emotions...

Messi wants to take part in 2026 World Cup

20Jan

By Silver Emmanuel2 Comments

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Messi wants to take part in 2026 World Cup

LAS VEGAS, NEVADA - JANUARY 18: Lionel Messi #10 of Inter Miami CF waves to fans during warmups before a preseason friendly match against America at Allegiant Stadium on January 18, 2025 in Las Vegas, Nevada. Inter Miami FC defeated America 3-2 in a penalty shootout. (Photo by Ethan Miller/Getty Images) Inter Miami and Argentina striker Lionel Messi recently responded to a question about his potential participation in the 2026 World Cup, Azernews reports. "The year is just beginning, and I'm starting it with great desire and enthusiasm. I hope that I will feel good and be able to have a strong pre-season, so I can be in the best shape for the official matches," Messi stated. This season, Messi has played 22 matches for his club across all competitions, scoring 21 goals and providing 18 a...

England draw Serbia in 2026 World Cup qualifier

13Dec

By Silver EmmanuelNo Comments

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England draw Serbia in 2026 World Cup qualifier

Thomas Tuchel poses for a photo alongside John McDermott, FA Technical Director, as he is announced as the new England manager at Wembley Stadium on October 16, 2024 in London, England. Thomas Tuchel's first official duty as England coach was to see his new team drawn in a 2026 World Cup qualifying group with Serbia, Albania, Latvia and Andorra. Tuchel starts work in January as the first German coach of the 1966 World Cup winners but was at FIFA headquarters on Friday to see the 54 European teams drawn into 12 qualifying groups. Games start in March for groups with five teams, but groups with four teams — like England's — will begin in September. Europe will send 16 teams to the first 48-team World Cup, being co-hosted by the United States, Canada and Mexico. The 12 group winners next No...

Official: Four Real Madrid stars called up to Brazil squad for World Cup qualifiers

27Sep

By Silver Emmanuel1 Comment

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Official: Four Real Madrid stars called up to Brazil squad for World Cup qualifiers

Just a couple of weeks after the first international break of the 2024/25 season window came to an end, the second one is just around the corner. ASUNCION, PARAGUAY - SEPTEMBER 10: Vinicius Junior of Brazil reacts during the South American FIFA World Cup 2026 Qualifier match between Paraguay and Brazil at Estadio Defensores del Chaco on September 10, 2024 in Asuncion, Paraguay. (Photo by Christian Alvarenga/Getty Images) And national teams are already announcing the squad list for the upcoming matches, with a plethora of Real Madrid stars expected to fly away to play international football. Kicking things off, Brazil manager Dorival Junior announced the squad list of players for their upcoming FIFA World Cup 2026 Qualifiers in October.And, as many as four Real Madrid players hav...

Argentina legend drops huge 2026 FIFA World Cup prediction for Lionel Messi

16Sep

By Silver Emmanuel1 Comment

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Argentina legend drops huge 2026 FIFA World Cup prediction for Lionel Messi

Lionel Messi was back in action on Sunday, and scored a brace in Inter Miami's 3-1 win vs Philadelphia Union. Before this match, the attacker was on the sidelines, having sustained an ankle injury during Argentina's win against Colombia in the Copa America final, on July 14. With Argentina set to defend their FIFA World Cup title in 2026, many fans have been left wondering about the former Barcelona's star's availability, as he is already 37-years-old. Messi's former teammate and Argentina legend Juan Roman Riquelme feels that the Inter Miami star will feature in the tournament in 2026. Speaking on AZZ channel, he said, "Messi is reinventing himself. You never know what he can do. And I have no doubt that he will play in the next World Cup, he has to play. We will all be rooting for him...