Croatia coach Zlatko Dalic named his World Cup squad on Wednesday, with the 2018 runners-up led by veteran captain Luka Modric. Dalic guided the side to the final four years ago, where it lost to France, a historic achievement for a country of 3.9 million people. “We are optimists with a reason but have to […]
Agence France-Presse
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France: Varane and Giroud named in World Cup squad
France coach Didier Deschamps included Raphael Varane in his World Cup squad on Wednesday despite the defender’s recent injury problems, while 36-year-old striker Olivier Giroud was also called up. Deschamps selected 25 of a possible 26 players for the tournament in Qatar, where France will attempt to become the first team to defend their World […]
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Sepp Blatter: Awarding 2022 World Cup to Qatar was 'a mistake'
Former FIFA president Sepp Blatter says the decision to award the 2022 World Cup finals to Qatar was a “mistake.” In 2010, FIFA’s executive committee voted 14-8 for Qatar to host the tournament ahead of the United States. “It was a mistake,” Blatter said in an interview with AFP’s German sports subsidiary SID. “It was based […]
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Brazil: Dani Alves in, Firmino out as Tite names World Cup squad
Liverpool’s Roberto Firmino (photo) was left off the list Monday as Brazil coach Tite named his World Cup squad, seeking a sixth title with a team led by Neymar and 39-year-old veteran Dani Alves. Alves, who signed with Mexican cun Pumas in July, made the team despite the fact he has not played a match in […]