CAF Champions League Qualification Overview

Iran head coach Amir Ghalenoei has offered Sardar Azmoun an international reprieve by naming the prolific frontman in his 26-man squad for upcoming friendly fixtures against Uzbekistan and Russia. The Dubai-based forward returns to Team Melli four months after being controversially omitted from the World Cup following friction with national authorities.

Roberto Mancini has acknowledged the deep sense of "betrayal" felt by Italy supporters following his shock departure to Saudi Arabia three years ago. The Euro 2020 winner is back in the Azzurri hotseat with the difficult task of rebuilding a national team that has failed to qualify for the last three World Cups.

An enforced retreat

FIFA president Gianni Infantino has moved to reassert his authority over world football by proposing a sweeping set of governance reforms. In a direct address to the global football community, he insisted that the integrity of the sport remains intact following the collapse of a divisive commercial project.