Rangdajied United FC, a club based in Meghalaya, has signed a strategic Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) with Bengaluru FC, a leading Indian football club, to enhance player development and coaching standards. This partnership will provide young players from Rangdajied United FC with access to Bengaluru FC’s elite football environment, training programs, and scouting opportunities, ultimately aiming to propel them to national and international platforms.
England midfielder Declan Rice scored against Ireland in the UEFA Nations League, sparking a wave of boos from Irish fans who still resent his decision to switch allegiances from Ireland to England in 2019. The goal was a reminder of the controversy surrounding Rice and Jack Grealish, who both previously represented Ireland at youth levels.
The Ivory Coast, defending champions of the Africa Cup of Nations, kicked off their qualifying campaign with a 2-0 win over Zambia. Morocco, the host nation for the 2025 tournament, also secured a dominant 4-1 victory against Gabon. Other former champions, Egypt and the Democratic Republic of Congo, also began their journey with wins, while Senegal salvaged a draw against Burkina Faso. The qualifying matches continue across the continent, with 48 teams battling for a place in the 2025 finals.
Uruguay drew 0-0 with Paraguay in a South American World Cup qualifier, marking the end of Luis Suarez’s illustrious 17-year international career. The match saw several missed opportunities from both sides, with Suarez hitting the post in the first half and Paraguay’s Miguel Almiron coming close to scoring.
Erling Haaland, the prolific Manchester City striker, was surprisingly kept off the scoresheet in Norway’s goalless draw against Kazakhstan in the UEFA Nations League. The Kazakh defense employed a tight 5-4-1 formation to effectively neutralize Haaland, who had previously scored a hat-trick in consecutive Premier League matches. Meanwhile, other Nations League matches saw Belgium triumph over Israel, Wales and Turkey draw, and Iceland claim victory over Montenegro.
Italy overcame a disastrous start to defeat France 3-1 in a thrilling opening match of the Nations League Group 2. Bradley Barcola put France ahead within 12 seconds, but Italy responded with goals from Federico Dimarco, Davide Frattesi, and Giacomo Raspadori to secure a crucial victory.
Rodrygo’s deflected goal in the 30th minute gave Brazil a crucial 1-0 victory over Ecuador in their 2026 World Cup qualifying match, boosting their campaign after a shaky start. The win moved Brazil into fourth place in the South American standings, but they still have a significant gap to close to Argentina, the current leader.
Brazil, seeking to overcome its recent struggles, will face Ecuador in a crucial FIFA World Cup 2026 qualifier. Neymar remains sidelined due to injury, while Ecuador’s starting lineup has been confirmed. Follow our live coverage for updates.
Manchester City midfielder Kevin De Bruyne has expressed his concern about the impact of a jam-packed football calendar on player health and performance. De Bruyne believes that the relentless schedule, fueled by the expansion of European club competitions and the upcoming Club World Cup, prioritizes financial gains over player welfare. He argues that despite player associations raising concerns, FIFA and UEFA are prioritizing financial interests over player well-being.
Netherlands coach Ronald Koeman has recalled defender Matthijs de Ligt for the upcoming Nations League campaign, suggesting he could start alongside Virgil van Dijk in central defense. De Ligt, who missed out on the Euro 2024 squad, is looking to re-establish himself with the national team after a challenging spell at Bayern Munich.
