A defeat at the hands of Sweden in the World Cup qualifying playoff has put Italy into dire straits. They will now be in a must situation when they step onto the pitch to play the home leg of the tie.
If they fail to win, that will mean they will not be featuring in the main draw of the World Cup after a period of six decades. The last and only time it had happened in the history of Italian Football was back in 1958.
Continue reading Italy On The Verge Of World cup Exit
The national team coach of Nigeria Gernot Rohr says his primary target at the forthcoming World Cup in Russia is to qualify from the group. Nigerians have high expectations at the world event but the team’s handler has revealed a modest ambition, probably after working out the numbers.
The German manager set the World Cup target in Lagos during his contract extension ceremony. Rohr hinged his hope on Nigeria defeating Croatia, “one of the most technically sound teams in Europe.” He added that Iceland plays similarly to Nigeria and that he hopes the Super Eagles can beat them as well before facing Argentina, who would be gunning for a revenge following their recent loss to Nigeria in a friendly.
Continue reading ROHR – MY TARGET IS TO QUALIFY FROM THE GROUP
Welsh national team manager Chris Coleman claims that the World Cup hopes for the national team hangs in the balance as the prepared to take on Australia in the World Cup 2018 qualification match.
The absence of Gareth Bale several matches has also hurt the national team quite significantly, as the Real Madrid superstar is one of the important players for the national team. Bale is expected to feature in the game against Austria and this gives a significant boost to Wales. Continue reading Chris Coleman Targets Four Wins to Achieve Qualification
A few months ago it was announced that fans attending the upcoming 2018 FIFA World Cup are going to need special identity cards.
“Fan-ID is a must for all spectators, it’s a rule. All fans are required to have the identification passport, which will allow our foreign guests to visit Russia without having to obtain a visa,” the Russian Deputy Sports Minister Natalia Parshikova said.
During the 2016 UEFA European Championship which was held in France, there was a frightening event that occurred after supporters of England and Russia broke out in fights while a match between those national sides was taking place.
This resulted with Russia receiving a fine of €150,000 as well as getting a suspension disqualification from UEFA as it was their own fans which appeared to have initiated this disastrous incident. Continue reading Will identity cards resolve hooliganism in the 2018 FIFA World Cup?
The host of next year’s World Cup Russia is set for a pleasant showdown as the date draws near.
Sorokin said the nation was excited when FIFA announced them the hosts of the tournament as it was the first time the event would hold in Eastern Europe. He says Russia would be happy to host the rest of the world next year.
He says that the rest of the world would get this feel from this year when they host the Confederations Cup. Sorokin says the four cities – Moscow, St Petersburg, Kazan and Sochi – were ready to receive the large inflow of tourists already. Continue reading RUSSIA SET FOR WORLD CUP 2018 AMID CONCERNS
Despite the widespread reports of Russian hooligans out to inflict harm on fans of the opposition in the 2018 World Cup, Brazilian fans remain unfazed.
“The Brazilian fans rooting for our team at World Cup events differ from those who attend domestic games. They may get violent sometimes, but they are certainly no match for the ultras, above Eastern European ones, who mix football with politics and even religion,” a media executive said.
A group of “professional fans” Chapolin Brasileiros admit that they have read and heard about the supposed hooligans. The group organizer Rubens Tofolo said Brazilian fans “are not crazy about fighting and [that they] don’t want to be associated with violence.” Continue reading BRAZILIANS NOT SCARED OF RUSSIAN HOOLIGANS AHEAD OF 2018
The 2018 edition of the World Cup is scheduled to kick-off on June 14 of the upcoming year and it has recently been announced that Kremlin will be the location where the World Cup finals draw is going to take place.
Russia is getting ready for the 2018 World Cup as they will be serving as the hosts and FIFA is scheduled to visit the host nation on February 27 as well as March 2 in order to evaluate and check up on 4 Russian cities and stadium conditions that is going to be used for the 2017 FIFA Confederations Cup. Continue reading The venue for the 2018 World Cup finals draw has been announced
Russia, hosts of the 2018 World Cup, are reportedly deploying a special force that would be mandated to fight off gangs of Ultras widely believed would kill Brits when the tournaments begins.
Russian Ultras wrecked havoc during the Euro 2016 hosted in France, launching deadly attacks against fans of oppositions. The fighting was one of the lows of the tournament. Gangs of hooligans were in many parts in Marseille where they left Brits in fear. The streets were often littered with broken glass and washed with blood.
The world cup is not receiving as much publicity from FIFA, according to the hosts. In addition, many are dismayed with several plans that have derailed or delayed. However, the country is not taking chances as they are set to deploy the camouflaged and well-stocked army riot officers if hooliganism threatens its face on their home soil. Continue reading RUSSIA FORMS ARMY TO FIGHT OFF ULTRAS
Argentina’s hope of qualifying for the 2018 World Cup suffered a major blow as apex football body FIFA ordered Bolivia to forfeit two World Cup qualifying games for fielding an ineligible player.
FIFA announced on Tuesday, November 1 2016 that the goalless draw Bolivia played against Chile and the 2-0 triumph over Peru in September are automatically 3-0 losses due to their actions. The two points gain lifts Chile to fifth place. They share the same points and goals’ difference with Argentina in the CONMEBOL World Cup 2018 qualifying standings. Chile were on a tight rope but a fifth place end for them means they would enter a play-off against a team from Oceania to get a chance to play in Russia. Continue reading ARGENTINA WORLD CUP QUALIFICATION SUFFERS BLOW
Arsenal midfielder Aaron Ramsey is set to miss the 2018 World Cup qualifiers coming up next month against Austria and Georgia due to hamstring injury.
Ramsey has highly instrumental in the Wales national team set-up that broke a fifty year old record to reach the semi finals of the Euro 2016 hosted by France. Wales started their 2018 World Cup campaign on a bright note, thrashing Moldova 4-0 in September. They are billed to take on Austria on October 6th, then Georgia three days later. Ramsey was impressive during the run to the Euro semis but missed the semi final game against Portugal as he was suspended.
In the list of players released for the qualifiers, Midfielder Jonny Williams would also be absent despite returning to training with Ipswich where he plays on a loan deal. George Williams was also left out, but Shaun MacDonald has been called up to national team duty. Hal Robson-Kanu, Sam Vokes, Ashley Williams, Gareth Bale, Joe Ledley, Joe allen, and all the other regulars would be present as Wales seek for a spot in Russia. Continue reading RAMSEY TO MISS 2018 WORLD CUP QUALIFIERS