The Costa Rican Football Federation (FCRF) has officially appointed legendary former captain Bryan Ruiz as the permanent manager of the men's national team following an impressive interim spell in the dugout. The 41-year-old ex-Fulham playmaker has been tasked with guiding his country back to the World Cup finals in 2030.
The Basque Country representative team will return to international action next month after confirming a special friendly fixture against South American opposition in Bilbao. Euskal Selekzioa are set to welcome Venezuela to Athletic Club's iconic home ground on November 14 for a contest steeped in cultural significance.
The Spanish football federation (RFEF) has confirmed it will escalate its legal battle to the Court of Arbitration for Sport (CAS) following a FIFA ruling. The governing body recently dismissed an appeal against sanctions imposed for Islamophobic chanting during an international friendly earlier this year.
Argentina have been forced to scrap their scheduled November tour of Asia, prompting the national federation to arrange alternative home fixtures to close out the calendar year. Head coach Lionel Scaloni is now targeting domestic tests against Uruguay and Costa Rica as he continues reshaping his squad for the future.
Argentina legend Lionel Messi marked the end of his international career with a playful jersey inscription for goalkeeper Juan Musso following his farewell fixture. The retired captain poked fun at their competitive training sessions together, leaving his long-time colleague with an unforgettable souvenir from an emotional night in Buenos Aires.
Burkina Faso are staring at a potential worldwide suspension from FIFA after military leader Ibrahim Traore threatened to seize control of the national football federation. The drastic ultimatum follows a disastrous trip to Buenos Aires, where an exhausted squad suffered a humiliating 7-0 friendly defeat against Argentina.