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World Cup Qualification UEFA

World Cup Qualification UEFA news

England Men's Training & Press Conference

Tuchel praised for 'disgusting' England form by Albania manager

Albania manager Sylvinho heaped praise on Thomas Tuchel's England as the Three Lions near a perfect World Cup qualifying record. Having already booked their berth in the flagship competition next year, the Three Lions are now aiming to maintain their 100 per cent win record in the qualifying rounds. England will meet Albania in their last group game on Sunday in Tirana.

T. TuchelEngland
Cristiano Ronaldo Portugal Ireland 2025

Ronaldo sent home by Portugal following red card

Cristiano Ronaldo has been sent home by Portugal following his red card against the Republic of Ireland on Thursday. Ronaldo received his marching orders on the hour mark, his first dismissal of his international career, having elbowed Ireland defender Dara O'Shea, as the Selecao crashed to a surprise 2-0 defeat at the Aviva Stadium. Portugal remain top of World Cup qualifying Group F despite the loss.

C. RonaldoPortugal
Georgia 0-4 Spain

No Yamal, no problem! Oyarzabal puts Spain on brink of World Cup

European champions Spain have all-but qualified for next summer's World Cup after crushing Georgia 4-0 on Saturday evening. Two goals from Mikel Oyarzabal and strikes from Martin Zubimendi and Ferran Torres saw Luis de la Fuente's side maintain their 100 per cent record in Group E, on an evening when second-placed Turkey also defeated Bulgaria 2-0.

Player ratingsSpain
Nico O'Reilly John Stones England

Heartwarming scenes as Stones presents O'Reilly his first England cap

A touching post-match moment inside the Wembley dressing room showed Manchester City star John Stones presenting team-mate Nico O’Reilly with his first England cap, delivering a heartfelt speech in the aftermath of the 20-year-old's dream debut. The exchange came after England’s 2-0 win over Serbia, with cameras capturing O’Reilly’s pride as team-mates applauded the milestone.

N. O'ReillyJ. Stones
Cristiano Ronaldo red card Portugal Ireland crying 2025

Ronaldo red card: Video footage of elbow & ‘crying’ gesture

Video footage has shown that Portugal legend Cristiano Ronaldo probably deserved to collect the first red card of his international career after swinging an elbow in the direction of Ireland defender Dara O’Shea during a 2026 World Cup qualifier in Dublin. The five-time Ballon d’Or winner was also caught on camera goading rival players and fans with a ‘crying’ gesture.

C. RonaldoIreland vs Portugal
Kylian Mbappe Cristiano Ronaldo France Portugal 2025

'Try the unreal' - 400-goal Mbappe sets Ronaldo-themed target

After registering the 400th goal of his remarkable career, Kylian Mbappe is ready to aim for "the unreal". The Real Madrid superstar is among those watching on from afar as Portuguese GOAT Cristiano Ronaldo closes in on 1,000 career goals. That milestone feels a long way off for Mbappe, but the France international is prepared to set the most ambitious of targets.

K. MbappeC. Ronaldo
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England v Serbia - FIFA World Cup 2026 Qualifier

England one game from WC history with unprecedented record

England moved within touching distance of unprecedented World Cup qualifying history after a composed 2-0 victory over Serbia at Wembley maintained their flawless defensive record. With Thomas Tuchel's side yet to concede in the campaign, a clean sheet against Albania would make them the first European nation ever to complete an eight-game qualifying cycle without letting in a single goal.

EnglandT. Tuchel
Erling Haaland Norway 2025

Haaland celebrates win with massive cheeseburger order

Erling Haaland celebrated firing Norway to the brink of 2026 World Cup qualification by making a huge order of cheeseburgers. During the injury-enforced absence of Martin Odegaard, Manchester City striker Haaland is currently captain of his country. One of his responsibilities in that role is ensuring that jubilant team-mates get to dine out on notable performances.

Erling HaalandNorway
Cristiano Ronaldo Portugal Ireland 2025

‘No violence' - Ronaldo defended after Portugal red card

Cristiano Ronaldo was defended by Portugal manager Roberto Martinez after receiving the first red card of his record-shattering international career. CR7 was given his marching orders when earning his 226th cap. He lashed out during a 2026 World Cup qualifier against the Republic of Ireland, with those antics further highlighting how the evergreen 40-year-old has lost none of his passion for the game and appetite for success.

C. RonaldoPortugal
England v Serbia - FIFA World Cup 2026 Qualifier

'I like bomb squad!' - Tuchel approves name for Bellingham & Co

Thomas Tuchel has embraced the idea of England’s substitutes being nicknamed the "bomb squad" after powerful performances off the bench helped the Three Lions secure a 2-0 victory over Serbia at Wembley. With Jude Bellingham, Phil Foden and Eberechi Eze all making an impact despite not being in the starting lineup, the England boss insisted his team is built on unity rather than star names.

T. TuchelJ. Bellingham
England winners losers Jude Bellingham Thomas Tuchel GFX 16:9

Bellingham looks like a World Cup bench-warmer

England beat Serbia 2-0 on Thursday in their first World Cup qualifying game since securing a spot at next summer's tournament finals. The result meant very little to the Three Lions, whose players are now competing with one another for a place on the plane to North America as members of Thomas Tuchel's 26-man squad.

Winners & LosersEngland
Republic of Ireland v Portugal - FIFA World Cup 2026 Qualifier

'Silly decision' - Ronaldo's reaction to historic red card

Cristiano Ronaldo has been blasted by Ireland boss Heimir Hallgrimsson for the "silly decision" that led to his historic red card for Portugal in their 2026 World Cup qualifier at the Aviva Stadium. CR7 was sent off for the first time in his international career during that contest, when earning his 226th cap, with his reaction to that dismissal being revealed.

C. RonaldoIreland vs Portugal

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England Serbia GFX 16:9

Saka & Eze see off Serbia - but Rashford fails to take chance

England maintained their perfect record in World Cup qualifying with a 2-0 win at home to Serbia on Thursday night. Goals in either half from Arsenal duo Bukayo Saka and Eberechi Eze ensured Thomas Tuchel's men emerged victorious, while the visitors' faint hopes of securing a play-off spot were put to bed on a rainy evening in north London.

Player ratingsEngland
Martin Odegaard Arsenal 2025-26

Arsenal learn troubling Odegaard update from Norway coach

Arsenal have learnt some worrying news on Martin Odegaard's fitness after Norway manager Stale Solbakken revealed a concerning update on the midfielder's injury progress, casting serious doubt over when the 26-year-old will return to action with fears he could be sidelined beyond the international break.

M. OedegaardArsenal
Crystal Palace FC v AZ Alkmaar - UEFA Conference League 2025/26 League Phase MD3

'Can't even walk!' - Guehi set to withdraw from England squad

Crystal Palace boss Oliver Glasner has revealed that captain Marc Guehi will likely withdraw from the England squad ahead of November's international window. The centre-back suffered bruising of the bone in his foot in the Eagles' 3-1 victory against AZ Alkmaar in the Conference League on Thursday and is currently having to walk with crutches.

M. GuehiCrystal Palace
Phil Foden Jude Bellignham

Tuchel promises 'central roles' for Bellingham & Foden

Thomas Tuchel has confirmed Jude Bellingham and Phil Foden will play "central roles" for England after recalling the star duo for World Cup qualifiers against Serbia and Albania. The pair's return follows a month of scrutiny over their absence from previous squads, with Tuchel praising their "immense" club form and insisting both will be key figures in his evolving England setup.

J. BellinghamP. Foden
Jude Bellingham England 2025

England squad: Bellingham & Foden return alongside Scott

Jude Bellingham has been recalled by England for their upcoming World Cup qualifiers against Serbia and Albania. The Real Madrid superstar was left out of Thomas Tuchel's selection in October, amid questions of his character, but has been drafted back into the Three Lions fold for November internationals. Phil Foden has also been selected, while there is a shock first call-up for Alex Scott.

J. BellinghamEngland

Frequently asked questions

Koln, Arminia Bielefeld, and Bochum hold the record of winning the 2. Bundesliga titles the most number of times with four each to their name. FC St. Pauli won the 2. Bundesliga at the end of the 2023-24 campaign, their first title in Germany's second division.

Currently, there are 18 teams contesting in the 2. Bundesliga. Since its inception in 1974 till 1994, there were two divisions of 20 clubs, with 10 clubs in each division. However, since 1994-95, 18 teams contest for the 2. Bundesliga title in the traditional league format.

Willi Landgraf, a former German defender, holds the record for making the most 2. Bundesliga appearances. Landgraf appeared in 508 games in the league and played for Rot-Weiss Essen, Homburg, Gutersloh, and Alemannia Aachen.

Simon Terodde, who recently played for Schalke, is the leading goalscorer of all-time in 2. Bundesliga. The lanky German striker scored 177 goals in 311 games and represented Bochum, Schalke, Stuttgart, Hamburger, Union Berlin, and Duisburg.

Former German goalkeeper Peter Eich is the oldest player to feature in a 2. Bundesliga game, achieving the feat at the age of 44 years and 330 days in May 2006.

Turkish midfielder Efe-Kaan Sihlaroglu was just 16 years and 142 days old when he made his debut for Karlsruher against Hannover in 2021, thus making him the youngest player ever in the 2. Bundesliga.

Rudi Voller, Simon Terodde, Ottmar Hitzfeld, and Niclas Fullkrug are among the most famous players to have played in 2. Bundesliga.

Friedhelm Funkel, Ralph Hassenhuttl, Ralf Rangnick, and Klaus Augenthaler are among the most renowned managerial names in 2. Bundesliga history.

Berlin's Olympstadion, which is home to Hertha BSC, is the biggest stadium in 2. Bundesliga with a capacity of 74,475. It is Germany's second-biggest football stadium after Borussia Dortmund's Signal Iduna Park.

Davie Selke is the most expensive 2. Bundesliga signing of all-time. Selke was bought for €8 million from Werden Bremen by RB Leipzig in 2015.

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