World Cup

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Africa WCup qualifying: Cash for players, medicine for coach

By GERALD IMRAY - Associated Press

FIFA bans Equatorial Guinea from 2019 Women’s World Cup

Associated Press

Injured Strootman out of Dutch squad for crucial qualifiers

Associated Press

FILE- In this Friday, June 24, 2016 file photo, Spain's Gerard Pique gestures during a training session at the Sports Complex Marcel Gaillard in Saint Martin de Re in France. Spain coach Julen Lopetegui praised Gerard Pique's commitment to the national team and called on the squad to be focused only on soccer despite the crisis involving Catalonia's push for independence. (AP Photo/Manu Fernandez, File)

Catalonia independence dispute reaches Spain’s national team

By TALES AZZONI - Associated Press

FILE - In this Monday, Sept 4, 2017 file photo, Spain's Gerard Pique takes part in a training session a day prior to the World Cup Group G qualifying soccer match between Liechtenstein and Spain at the Rheinpark stadium in Vaduz, Liechtenstein. Spain coach Julen Lopetegui has defended Gerard Pique from critics who question his loyalty to the national team because of his support for a disputed referendum on Catalan independence. (Gian Ehrenzeller/Keystone via AP, FIle)

Lopetegui wants focus on soccer after Pique jeered by fans

By TALES AZZONI - Associated Press

FILE - In this Wednesday, July 6, 2016 file photo, Wales's Gareth Bale acknowledges the fans at the end of their Euro 2016 semifinal soccer match against Portugal, at the Grand Stade in Decines-Charpieu, France. They were the revelation of the 2016 European Championship, a Wales team of mostly journeymen - not counting its galactico, Gareth Bale - somehow reaching the semifinals of the country’s first major soccer tournament in nearly 60 years. Their players virtually became overnight sensations. They were ahead of arch-rival England in the FIFA rankings, in 11th place when five years previously they were 117th. The comedown was sobering, if not entirely unexpected given the expectations foisted upon them. (AP Photo/Thanassis Stavrakis, file)

Gareth Bale ruled out of Wales’ final World Cup qualifiers

Associated Press

FIFA fines Germany for Nazi chants at World Cup qualifier

By GRAHAM DUNBAR - Associated Press

Advocaat calls up Virgil van Dijk for World Cup qualifiers

Associated Press

Roma goalkeeper Alisson Becker and teammate Daniele De Rossi celebrate their side's 2-0 win at the end of the Serie A soccer match between AC Milan and Roma, at the Milan San Siro stadium, Italy, Sunday, Oct. 1, 2017. (Matteo Bazzi/ANSA via AP)

Injured De Rossi and Pellegrini replaced in Italy squad

Associated Press

Real Madrid's Cristiano Ronaldo reacts after falling during a Spanish La Liga soccer match between Real Madrid and Espanyol at the Santiago Bernabeu stadium in Madrid, Spain, Sunday, Oct. 1, 2017. (AP Photo/Paul White)

World Cup qualifying: State of play in Europe

By The Associated Press - Associated Press

PSG's Marco Verratti, left, and Bayern's Corentin Tolisso vie for the ball during a Champions League Group B soccer match between Paris Saint-Germain and Bayern Munich at the Parc des Princes stadium in Paris, France, Wednesday, Sept. 27, 2017. (AP Photo/Christophe Ena)

Injured Verratti out of Italy squad, replaced by Barella

Associated Press

Manchester City's Leroy Sane, right attempts a shot on goal as Shakhtar's Fred goes to challenge during the Champions League Group F soccer match between Manchester City and Shakhtar Donetsk at Etihad stadium, Manchester, England, Tuesday, Sept. 26, 2017. (AP Photo/Rui Vieira)

Germany recalls Boateng, Sane for World Cup qualifiers

By CIARAN FAHEY - Associated Press

FILE - In this Sunday, Aug. 27, 2017 file photo, Tottenham Hotspur's Dele Alli celebrates scoring during the English Premier League soccer match against Burnley at Wembley stadium in London. England midfielder Dele Alli has been banned for one international match on Thursday Oct. 5, 2017, for making an obscene gesture during a World Cup qualifier against Slovakia. (AP Photo/Tim Ireland, File)

England’s Alli banned for 1 international for obscene signal

Associated Press

FILE - In this Nov. 15, 2016, file photo, then Argentina's coach Edgardo Bauza gives instructions to his players during a 2018 World Cup qualifying soccer match against Colombia in San Juan, Argentina. Bauza replaced Bert van Marwijk as head coach of Saudi Arabia just days after the Dutchman led the team to its first qualifying spot at a World Cup since 2006. A win over Japan on Sept. 5, 2017 sealed Saudi Arabia’s place at Russia in 2018, but van Marwijk, who took the job in 2015, and the Saudi Arabia Football Federation (SAFF) were unable to agree on a new contract. (AP Photo/Natacha Pisarenko, File)

Edgardo Bauza replaces Van Marwijk as coach of Saudi Arabia

By JOHN DUERDEN - Associated Press

Carlsen-Bu after 34. Ne1.

Top seeds continue to fall in FIDE’s World Cup chess cage matches

By David R. Sands - The Washington Times

In this Friday Oct. 10, 2014 file photo Netherlands head coach Guus Hiddink watches his players during the Euro 2016 qualifying match between The Netherlands and Kazakhstan at ArenA stadium in Amsterdam, Netherlands. Guus Hiddink says he is willing to become a technical advisor to South Korea's football team at the World Cup next year, but has dismissed rumors that he will again be appointed coach of the team during a press conference in Amsterdam Thursday Sept. 14, 2017. Hiddink has been revered in South Korea ever since he led the team to the semifinals of the World Cup in 2002 when Korea and Japan co-hosted the tournament. (AP Photo/Peter Dejong)

Hiddink is willing to help South Korea improve for World Cup

Associated Press

South Africa accepts decision to replay World Cup qualifier

Associated Press

Russian President Vladimir Putin holds the FIFA World Cup trophy during its presentation at Moscow's Luzhniki Stadium, Russia, on Saturday, Sept. 9, 2017. From September 2017, the original trophy starts its tour over 24 Russian cities and more than 50 countries around the globe ahead of 2018 World Cup to start at Luzhniki stadium on June 14, 2018. (Mikhail Klimentyev, Sputnik, Kremlin Pool Photo via AP)

England expresses hacking concerns to FIFA before World Cup

By ROB HARRIS - Associated Press

World Cup qualifier to be replayed after match-fixing by ref

By GERALD IMRAY - Associated Press

United States coach Bruce Arena stands on the sideline during a 2018 World Cup qualifying soccer match against Honduras in San Pedro Sula, Honduras, Tuesday, Sept. 5, 2017. (AP Photo/Rebecca Blackwell)

US can ensure World Cup berth with wins in last 2 qualifiers

By RONALD BLUM - Associated Press