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Friendlies

Friendlies news

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Barcelona given Yamal reassurances by RFEF

Barcelona have reportedly received reassurances regarding the fitness and management of Lamine Yamal following productive talks with the Spanish Football Federation (RFEF). With Raphinha now sidelined through injury after a blow with Brazil, the Catalan giants were growing increasingly anxious about another potential setback for Yamal during the international break.

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Raphinha

Barcelona to demand FIFA payout over Raphinha injury

Barcelona are reportedly preparing to take formal action against FIFA following a significant injury to star winger Raphinha during the international break. The Brazilian attacker is set for a lengthy spell on the sidelines, leaving the Catalan giants fuming as they enter the business end of the season.

Morocco v Ecuador - International Friendly

Hincapie sent back to Arsenal with injury concern

Mikel Arteta is facing yet another injury headache as Piero Hincapie has become the latest Arsenal star to withdraw from international duty. The versatile defender sustained a knock during a friendly clash with Ecuador against Morocco and has been sent back to London for medical assessments.

Christian Pulisic USMNT Belgium 2026

'Can't happen' - USMNT star Pulisic shocked by 'strange' events

Christian Pulisic has reacted to “strange” goings on in the United States’ international friendly date with Belgium, admitting that scenes that left the USMNT camp shocked “can’t happen”. Mauricio Pochettino’s side suffered a 5-2 defeat at Mercedes-Benz Stadium in Atlanta, with a surprising kit clash that was signed off by the match officials making life difficult for everyone.

Bruno Fernandes

No Ronaldo, no fun, as Portugal settle for drab scoreless draw

Portugal were solid defensively but offered little going forward, and were forced to settle for a 0-0 draw against a much-changed Mexico with Cristiano Ronaldo sidelined due to injury. Roberto Martinez's men had the majority of the ball, but little concrete to show for it. The two teams combined for three shots on target over the course of 90 forgettable minutes.

England v Serbia - FIFA World Cup 2026 Qualifier

Arsenal trio among eight to leave England squad

Thomas Tuchel’s experimental international break has taken a significant hit with the news that Declan Rice and Bukayo Saka have returned to Arsenal for medical assessment. Despite only joining up with the squad on Friday after being rested for the 1-1 draw against Uruguay, the pair will play no part in the upcoming clash with Japan. The Football Association confirmed their departure alongside six other players, leaving the squad noticeably thinner for the Wembley encounter.

Italy v Northern Ireland  -  FIFA World Cup 2026 European Qualifiers KO play-offs

UEFA slammed for 'pointless' Wales vs N. Ireland clash

Former Northern Ireland international Chris Brunt has sensationally hit out at UEFA over the scheduling of what he describes as a "pointless" friendly against Wales. Both nations saw their World Cup dreams extinguished during the play-off semi-finals, yet they are still required to travel to Cardiff for a fixture that has no bearing on tournament qualification.

Fenerbahce SK v Gaziantep FK - Trendyol Süper Lig

Kante reveals Ligue 1 transfer talks

N'Golo Kante has revealed that a move to Ligue 1 side Paris FC was a genuine possibility during the previous summer transfer window. Despite being 34 years old, the tireless midfielder remains a high-value target for clubs across Europe and beyond. While he ultimately stayed in the Saudi Pro League with Al-Ittihad for the first half of the season before joining Fenerbahce in February, he has suggested he could still return to his homeland.

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Wirtz criticism unjustified, says Nagelsmann

Germany head coach Julian Nagelsmann has leapt to the defence of Florian Wirtz, insisting that the heavy criticism aimed at the attacker following his move to Liverpool has been unfair. The young playmaker has struggled to consistently find his best form since arriving at Anfield, leading to questions over his adaptation to the Premier League.

Brazil v France - International Friendly

Vini Jr suffers injury blow with Brazil

Brazil have been hit by a significant injury scare as star forward Vinicius Jr was forced to sit out training ahead of Tuesday’s international friendly against Croatia. The Real Madrid superstar is struggling with a physical issue following the intensive clash against France earlier this week, which saw Brazil suffer a 2-1 defeat.

Brazil v France - International Friendly

Mbappe labelled France's 'greatest' ever

Kylian Mbappe has been hailed as the greatest striker in the history of the French national team by legendary forward Jean-Pierre Papin. The Real Madrid superstar is currently closing in on the all-time scoring record for Les Bleus as he continues to cement his legacy on the international stage.

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Senegal parade AFCON trophy despite CAF ruling

Senegal's national team stars have made a defiant statement by parading the Africa Cup of Nations trophy in front of a sold-out crowd at the Stade de France. Despite a recent ruling that officially stripped them of their continental crown, the Lions of Teranga clearly still consider themselves the rightful champions of Africa.

Belgium v North Macedonia - FIFA World Cup 2026 Qualifier

De Bruyne expects 'aggressive' USMNT test

As the international calendar shifts toward the final stretch before World Cup rosters are finalised, Belgium find themselves in the United States for a crucial double-header against the USMNT and Mexico. For Kevin De Bruyne, the match offers a chance to reunite with a manager he knows well from internal Premier League battles during Mauricio Pochettino's time at Tottenham and Chelsea.

Frequently asked questions

The NWSL's rule of 4 is where each club is allowed a maximum of four players under the age of 18, between their private entry list and roster.

The average wage an NWSL player is $65,000 a year. The minimum salary is reported at $36,400, with the top players earning up to $400,000 annually.

In soccer, often used within the WNSL, the acronyom SEI stands for Season Ending Injury.

In March 2023, Chloe Ricketts signed a three-year deal to play, when she was just 15 years and 283 days old. This made her the youngest ever player to sign an NWSL contract.