FRENCH FOOTBALL FEDERATION WITHDRAWS SUPPORT FOR FIFA CHIEF INFANTINO

France joins Sweden, Scotland, Italy, Belgium in withdrawing backing for Infantino's bid for another term

İSTANBUL

The French Football Federation (FFF) has withdrawn its support for FIFA President Gianni Infantino's bid for another term, French broadcaster Franceinfo reported Thursday.

The decision was announced following an FFF executive committee meeting on Thursday.

Infantino is currently the only declared candidate for the FIFA presidency ahead of the election scheduled for March 18 in Rabat, Morocco.

Potential challengers have until Nov. 18 to enter the race.

France's decision follows similar moves by several other national football federations, including those of Sweden, Scotland, Italy and Belgium, which have also withdrawn their support for Infantino.

Infantino has faced growing criticism since the 2026 World Cup, with disputes over his leadership contributing to divisions within world football.

One of the most controversial issues was a FIFA proposal to create a commercial company that would allow private investors to acquire a 20% stake in the management of World Cup commercial rights.

The proposal was developed without consultation with FIFA's member associations and drew strong opposition before Infantino abandoned it several days later.

Despite the withdrawals, Infantino remains the only declared candidate for the March election.

- Şeyma Erkul Dayanç

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POST-MATCH PRESS CONFERENCE | SWEDEN'S GRAHAM PORTER ON 3-0 LOSS TO FRANCE

 

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IMPATIENT TUNISIA SACK MANAGER AFTER JUST FIRST WORLD CUP MATCH | FIFA WORLD CUP 2026

BREAKING: Sabri Lamouchi has been SACKED by Tunisia following the 5-1 defeat to Sweden.

Lamouchi becomes the FIRST manager to lose his job at the 2026 FIFA World Cup. 

ALEXANDER ISAK & VIKTOR GYÖKERES AMONG THE GOALS AS SWEDEN THRASH

 

Sweden made a devastating statement of intent at the 2026 World Cup as they dismantled Tunisia 5-1 to move to the top of Group F. Spearheaded by the clinical duo of Alexander Isak and Viktor Gyokeres, who both got their names on the scoresheet, the Scandinavians proved far too powerful for their African opponents in Monterrey.

Isak shines as Sweden's stars find their groove

Isak put a difficult debut season with Liverpool firmly behind him by delivering a dominant performance on the world stage. The striker was the architect of Tunisia's downfall, scoring a brilliant solo goal and playing a pivotal role in the build-up to several others as Graham Potter's side lived up to their pre-tournament billing.

The breakthrough came as early as the seventh minute through Brighton's Yasin Ayari. Despite having Tunisian heritage, the midfielder showed no sentimentality as he rifled home from the edge of the box after Mouhib Chamakh had initially denied Isak and Gyokeres in a chaotic opening sequence.

Getty Images 

Tunisia struggle to contain rampant strike force

Tunisia arrived at the tournament boasting a proud defensive record from qualifying, but that reputation was shredded within half an hour. Sweden's second arrived via a blistering counter-attack that saw Isak released down the left flank; the Liverpool man cut inside with ease, leaving the Tunisian defence trailing before curling a precise effort into the far corner.

Tunisia did manage to find a lifeline just before the interval to briefly threaten a comeback. Omar Rekik rose highest to head home a well-delivered cross from Hannibal Mejbri, punishing a rare lapse in the Swedish backline and giving the African side a glimmer of hope heading into the tunnel.

Gyokeres capitalises on defensive errors

Any hopes of a Tunisian revival were extinguished in the 59th minute when Sweden's high press paid dividends. Isak was again the catalyst, harassing captain Ellyes Skhiri into a catastrophic error on the edge of the area. The ball fell perfectly for Arsenal's Gyokeres, who composed himself before clinicaly widen the lead.

The goal settled any remaining nerves for the Swedes, who began to play with the swagger of genuine contenders. The gloss was added to the scoreline late on as Mattias Svanberg made an instant impact. Seconds after being introduced from the bench, he turned the ball home after a subtle flick from Isak. While the assistant referee initially raised his flag, a VAR review correctly determined that Isak’s touch had played Svanberg onside, making it 4-1. There was still time for Ayari to record his second of the night in stoppage time, pouncing on a loose ball to complete the 5-1 thumping.

- Donny Afroni

STUNNING GYOKERES HAT-TRICK FIRES SWEDEN TO WIN

Viktor Gyokeres netted a fine hat-trick to help Sweden move one step closer to World Cup qualification with a 3-1 win over Ukraine.

Sweden headed to Valencia for the European playoff semi-final, with our summer signing opening the scoring after just six minutes.

Viktor doubled his tally on 51 minutes before firing home a penalty to ensure he would take home the match ball. 

Sweden, managed by Graham Potter, will now face Poland, who defeated Albania in their semi-final, in Solna, with the winner advancing to the World Cup finals in Canada, Mexico and the USA.

NORGAARD NETS 

There was more joy for our stars in the European playoffs as Christian Norgaard scored for Denmark as they took a step closer to qualifying for a third straight finals.

The Danes took on North Macedonia in Copenhagen and opened the scoring in the second half through Mikkel Damsgaard. The Brentford attacker then doubled his tally on the night before Rasmus Hojlund added a third.

There was still enough time for Christian to find the net, producing a bullet header from Christian Eriksen's cross to round off a fine night's work.

Denmark will now take on Czechia, who came from 2-0 down to beat Ireland on penalties and will host the playoff final in Prague.

CALAFIORI ONE AWAY FROM WORLD CUP

Elsewhere, Riccardo Calafiori ensured it was three wins from three in the European playoffs for our Gunners as Italy downed Northern Ireland 2-0 in Bergamo.

Richy started for Gennaro Gattuso's side as Italy looked to right the wrongs of two previous failed qualifications - and it took 56 minutes to make the breakthrough courtesy of Newcastle United's Sandro Tonali.

Former Everton attacker Moise Kean scored the second for Italy, who will now face Bosnia and Herzegovina for a place at the summer tournament in Zenica.

MARTINELLI MINUTES

Away from World Cup qualification, Gabriel Martinelli picked up his 21st cap for Brazil as the five-time World Cup champions took on France in Foxborough, USA.

Gabi started for Carlo Ancelotti's side and went close early on, bending his shot narrowly wide at the Gillette Stadium. 

Our forward played 62 minutes as goals from Kylian Mbappe and Hugo Ekitike gave Les Bleus a 2-1 victory, with Gleison Bremer netting for The Seleção.

Finally, Max Dowman played 88 minutes in England under-19s 2-0 defeat against Serbia. Max was bright throughout, forcing Vuk Draškić into two good saves.

FULL LIST OF CONFIRMED INTERNATIONAL GAMES

*all times UK

WEDNESDAY, MARCH 25

England U19 0-2 Serbia U19

Max Dowman started, played 88 minutes

THURSDAY, MARCH 26

Denmark 4-0 North Macedonia

Christian Norgaard netted late on in the victory

Italy 2-0 Northern Ireland

Riccardo Calafiori played the full 90 minutes, kept a clean sheet

Ukraine 1-3 Sweden

Viktor Gyokeres netted a hat-trick

Brazil 1-2 France

Gabriel Martinelli played 62 minutes

FRIDAY, MARCH 27

Andorra U21 v England U21 (Setford, Lewis-Skelly)

Euro U21 qualifier | Andorra | 6.30pm

England (Saka, Madueke, White, Rice) v Uruguay

Friendly | Wembley | 7.45pm

Switzerland v Germany (Havertz)

Friendly | Basel | 8pm

Spain (Raya, Zubimendi, Mosquera) v Serbia

Friendly | Villarreal | 8pm

Morocco v Ecuador (Hincapie)

Friendly | Madrid, Spain | 8.15pm

SATURDAY, MARCH 28

England U19s (Dowman) v Poland U19s

Euro U19 qualifier | Guimaraes, Portugal | 11am

MONDAY, MARCH 30

Germany (Havertz) v Ghana

Friendly | Stuttgart | 7.45pm

TUESDAY, MARCH 31

Portugal U19s v England U19s (Dowman)

Euro U19 qualifier | Guimaraes, Portugal | 4pm

England U21s (Lewis-Skelly, Setford) v Moldova U21s

Euro U21 qualifier | Norwich | 7pm

Bosnia and Herzegovina v Italy (Calafiori)

World Cup qualifier | Zenica | 7.45pm

Czech Republic v Denmark (Norgaard)

World Cup qualifier | Prague | 7.45pm

Sweden (Gyokeres) v Poland 

World Cup qualifier | Solna | 7.45pm

England (Saka, Madueke, Rice, White) v Japan

Friendly | London | 7.45pm

Netherlands v Ecuador (Hincapie)

Friendly | Eindhoven | 7.45pm

Spain (Mosquera, Raya, Zubimendi) v Egypt

Friendly | Cornella | 8pm

WEDNESDAY, APRIL 1

Brazil (Martinelli) v Croatia

Friendly | Orlando USA | 1am

- Arsenal 

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2025/26 BIATHLON WORLD CUP OPENS IN ÖESTERSUND WITH UKRANIAN ATHLETES

In Östersund, Sweden, the first stage of the Biathlon World Cup season 2025/26 begins.

On December 3, the program features a men’s 20 km individual race with four shooting rounds.

Participants and organization of the race

At 16:30 the Ukrainian biathletes will line up: Artem Tyschenko (3rd starting number), Bogdan Tsymbal (23), Dmytro Pidruchny (28), Vitaliy Mandzin (41) and Anton Dudchenko (79).

103 athletes will participate in the race.

Recall that the sprints in Östersund will take place on December 5–6, with the pursuit races on December 7.

The next World Cup stage will be hosted by Hochfilzen (Austria) – December 12–14.

Fans are anticipating a tense battle on the tracks, and Ukrainian biathletes are set for high results in the season opener.

- Ukrinform

WORLD CUP PERFORMANCES

 

SWEDEN BOSS FIRED HOURS AFTER ANGRY ALEXANDER ISAK HAVE X-RATED VERDICT ON WORLD CUP 'CRISIS'

Liverpool striker Alexander Isak may not reach next year's World Cup, with Sweden boss Jon Dahl Tomasson paying the price for his side's awful run of form

Sweden has picked up just one point in World Cup qualifying (Image: Getty Images

Sweden boss Jon Dahl Tomasson has been fired after leading his side to a dismal run of form that has left its World Cup hopes hanging by a thread.

Despite starting Liverpool striker Alexander Isak and Arsenal’s Viktor Gyokeres against Kosovo on Monday, Sweden drew a blank as it fell to a 1-0 defeat. It was the third time in four World Cup qualifiers that Tomasson’s side had failed to score, having picked up just one point so far after also being beaten by Switzerland at the weekend.

Sweden cannot qualify directly for next year’s tournament now, and its hopes of reaching the play-offs by finishing second in its group are all but over, with its only realistic hope now lying in its Nations League finish.

As a result, Tomasson has been relieved of his duties, with the Swedish Football Association confirming the decision on Tuesday - just hours after the defeat to Kosovo.

“The decision taken by the Swedish Football Association is based on the fact that the men's national team has not delivered the results we hoped for,” SFA chairman Simon Astrom said in a statement.

“There is still a chance for a playoff in March and our responsibility is to ensure that we have the best possible conditions to be able to reach a World Cup final. In this regard, we believe that new leadership is required in the form of a new national captain.”

- James Findlater