Looking for Soccer News?

Paul Pogba has welcomed the return of Cristiano Ronaldo to Manchester United, with the French midfielder looking forward to working with "the best".

The Red Devils pulled off a stunning coup in the final days of the summer transfer window, with rival interest from neighbours Manchester City fended off.

Ronaldo, who is now 36 years of age, is in line to make his second debut for United at home to Newcastle on Saturday and Pogba expects the Portuguese's presence to raise collective standards at Old Trafford.

What has been said?

Pogba, who is sticking around with the Red Devils for now after entering the final year of his contract, told Telefoot: "It’s always a pleasure to play with the best, it’s a plus for the players to be able to train with a great player. He’s going to raise the level of the team."

Ronaldo previously spent six years with United between 2003 and 2009, scoring 118 goals in 292 appearances while winning three Premier League titles, a Champions League crown and the first of his Ballons d'Or.

What about the other arrivals?

Ole Gunnar Solskjaer enjoyed a productive window in Manchester, with the arrival of Ronaldo coming on the back of notable deals for Jadon Sancho and Raphael Varane.

Pogba knows all about the qualities that the latter will offer, having won the World Cup alongside him in 2018, and believes his fellow Frenchman will star in English football.

He added on the centre-half prised away from Real Madrid: "Raph's arrival is a positive for the club, we have a great relationship, we’ve known each other for a while. I’m happy that he’s with us at Manchester to bring his experience and quality to the table."

Varane made his United bow in a 1-0 win over Wolves prior to the international break, with Solskjaer's side on seven points from their opening three games in 2021-22.

Further reading

Ghana shot-stopper Richard Ofori has stated his outfit will be gunning for three points in their 2022 World Cup qualifier against South Africa on Monday.

The Black Stars face Bafana away at FNB Stadium in Johannesburg, three days after edging Ethiopia 1-0 in their Group G opener.

The hosts are equally looking for a win following their opening day away draw with Zimbabwe.

“This game is very important. It means a lot for the nation because we know how the nation loves the game and then how important this game is for the nation because we want to go to the World Cup,” Ofori, who plays club football in South Africa for Orlando Pirates, said at the pre-match press conference on Sunday.

“That’s the stage that every player wants to play so it’s very import to the team and the nation.

“Most of the players I am playing with them here [In South Africa] and I know their quality is very good. But at the end of the day, we are Ghana, so we need to show this is the Ghana national team and then the most important thing we need to win.”

With three points, Ghana currently are top of the group, two points clear of South Africa and Zimbabwe who have a point each.

A win will no doubt consolidate the Black Stars’ lead in their quest for a return to the World Cup after missing out of the 2018 edition in Russia.

“We are in a country where they expect more. Wearing this jersey means a lot because of the things the leaders have done in previous years,” Ofori added.

"When you’re wearing this jersey, they expect more, that’s the nature of our country. So you need to adapt to the pressure and make sure you make them proud at the end of the day by winning.

“The most important thing I understand about the game is that for all the big teams in the world, it’s not a matter of how you play because I’ve never seen any history [of results in the form of] Real Madrid or AC Milan ‘played well’.

"I’ve never seen something like that before. It’s a matter of who’s winning and who has won trophies, that’s the most important thing.

"So the most important thing to understand is that we need to win as a nation and as a team. So we’re going in tomorrow, we hope everything goes well and by the end of the day we carry the three points.

"That’ the most important thing.”

In their last trip to South Africa, Ghana could only hold out for a 1-1 draw in the Africa Cup of Nations qualifier in March.

Ghana coach CK Akonnor is unfazed by the loss of several key players, including Arsenal midfielder Thomas Partey, ahead of their clash with South Africa in the 2022 World Cup qualifiers on Monday.

The Black Stars are set to play as guests to Bafana Bafana in a matchday two fixture at Johannesburg’s FNB Stadium.

In unarguably what looks like their toughest game on paper, Ghana will be without seven players who featured in Friday’s 1-0 home victory over Ethiopia on matchday one, as well as the duo of Partey and Ajax ace Mohammed Kudus, who both failed to join the camp entirely.

“Because we were aware of the situation, so we are well prepared. We knew that the English players might not come here with us because of the Covid situation," Akonnor said at the pre-match press conference on Sunday.

"So we were prepared coming here and we knew exactly what will happen, so it’s not going to be a complaint.

"It is a match that we are taking it very seriously. When we played Ethiopia there were certain things we needed to do.

“We have learnt from them and we think and we believe that come tomorrow we will improve and we will be looking forward to have a good match and we look forward to get the three points.

“We are focused and we know exactly what we have to do.”

Partey and Kudus were first to pull out of Akonnor’s provisional 30-man squad due to injury, the latter’s absence particularly good news for South Africa, after he found the back of the net in both the matches he played against Bafana.

The England-based quintet of Crystal Palace duo Jordan Ayew and Jeffrey Schlupp, Reading full-backs Andy Yadom and Baba Rahman and Leicester City centre-back Daniel Amartey, were released by the clubs to the Ghana squad but on condition that they will play only against Ethiopia.

With South Africa on the UK’s coronavirus red list, entry into the country will mean players will have to quarantine upon their return to England for at least 10 days, prolonging their stay away from club action.

The situation was not different back in March when Ghana and South Africa played out a 1-1 draw in the Africa Cup of Nations qualifiers.

Stade Rennes winger Kamaldeen Sulemana, who also featured against Ethiopia on Friday, has been recalled by his club.

India were in action during the ongoing FIFA international window (August 31 to September 10) as they played two friendly matches away from home against Nepal as part of their preparation for the upcoming SAFF Championship which will be held in Maldives in October.

In the two-match friendly series, India drew the first game 1-1 and won the second tie 2-1 on Sunday at the Dasharath Stadium in Kathmandu, Nepal. By not losing any of the matches, the Blue Tigers extended their unbeaten streak against the Gorkhalis to six matches. The last time they lost to Nepal was on September 5, 2013 where India lost 1-2.

Other than India, most of the top Asian countries are busy taking part in the third round of the 2022 AFC World Cup qualifiers. The top eight teams and the best four runner-ups from the second round group stage are competing in the third round. 

The first round of matches was on September 2, when teams like Japan, South Korea, Iran and Australia were in action. Japan were shocked by Oman as they lost 0-1. Iran defeated Syria 1-0 while South Korea were held to a goalless draw by Iraq.

Out of 46 Asian countries, 24 teams were in action during this FIFA international window. While 12 teams competed in the World Cup qualifying third round, two teams, Indonesia and Chinese Taipei were in action in the 2023 Asian Cup qualifying play-off round.

The other 10 teams organised and played international friendly matches. 2022 World Cup hosts Qatar have so far played two friendly matches against Serbia and Portugal which they lost 0-4 and 1-3. They next play Luxembourg on September 7.

Among the teams who did not play any match, Pakistan are the only nation that are suspended. Their FA has been suspended by FIFA from April 2021 due to third-party interference. Among India's SAFF opponents, only Maldives and Sri Lanka have not played a game in this international window. Bhutan have refrained from participating in the SAFF due to the ongoing Covid-19 pandemic and thus they did not play any game.

Barcelona defender Sergino Dest was forced out of the U.S. men's national team's World Cup qualifying clash with Canada with an ankle injury.

Dest was forced out in the 44th minute after what was a fairly bright start as the Barca star pulled up injured just moments before halftime.

He was replaced by DeAndre Yedlin, robbing the U.S. of another starter after already beginning the game without Weston McKennie, Gio Reyna and Zack Steffen.

Dest's impact

Dest started Sunday's game on the right after previously playing out left in the USMNT's qualifying opener.

He struggled in that opener against El Salvador, prompting Gregg Berhalter to restore him to the more familiar right-back spot with Antonee Robinson coming in to play on the left.

Dest started well, helping create a chance that was pushed away by Milan Borjan, before suffering his injury just before the half.

Further reading

Coach Peter Butler has disclosed why Mohammed Kamara left Liberia camp before Friday’s World Cup qualifier against Nigeria.

Thanks to his impressive displays at Turkish Super Lig side Hatayspor, the 23-year-old earned his maiden Lone Star call-up for the fixtures against the Super Eagles and the Central African Republic.

However, the striker absconded from the team’s base in Victoria Island and subsequently did not play any role in his team’s 2-0 defeat at the Teslim Balogun Stadium.

Giving an account of why Kamara left without permission, the Englishman claimed the player must have been upset by his decision to exclude him from the starting XI.

“Mohamed Kamara is a player I really like. I called him and chased him to join the Lone Star squad on many occasions and we managed to get him,” Butler said during a live chat on the Liberia Football Association Facebook page.

“When he joined the team; I had a chat with him, and everything seemed okay.

“We had training sessions and a few members of staff and I felt he wasn’t ready to be focused, but I was ready to give him the benefit of a doubt.

“And unfortunately, after I did the team talk prior to the game [against Nigeria], the player in question absconded from the camp because he wasn’t in the starting line-up.”

The former West Ham United midfielder also defended his decision to keep him on the bench, while praising his team’s resolve against the 2013 Africa Cup of Nations winner.

“I have not heard from him, I have not seen him and unfortunately,” he continued.

“He wasn’t selected to start because he was going to play against a right-back who I felt was going to give him a lot of problems.

“I didn’t think he also had the defensive qualities.

“Nigeria are a wonderful football team with great quality players playing in the English Premier League, Bundesliga etc.

“I was delighted by the attitude of my players; they were stronger as the game wore on. There were some very good performances.

“We are disappointed we lost 2-0 nil but were not disgraced. I would have loved to win the game.”

The Cape Verdean Football Federation have confirmed the departure of Partizan Belgrade forward Ricardo Gomes from their team's camp ahead of Tuesday's 2022 Fifa World Cup qualifying match against Nigeria.

Ricardo Gomes is one of the key players in the Blue Sharks’ set-up having scored four goals in 16 matches since he made his international debut in 2015.

He has dazzled in the Serbian Super Liga this season scoring eight goals in six matches for Partizan Belgrade, but he did not play in Cape Verde’s 1-1 draw with Central African Republic on September 1.

The 29-year-old made the trip to Douala where the game was held but he could not play a part because of his injury and he missed a number of the team's training sessions due to the set-back.

Ricardo Gomes left the Blue Sharks’ camp over the weekend and the Cape Verdean FA have explained the situation surrounding his exit.

“The referred player informed the medical team and the technical team of Tubaroes Azuis, after his integration in the national team stage, in Douala, Cameroon, that he was injured, having undergone conditioning training, in the only training he was present before of the first game,” read a statement on the FA website.

“The same player informed the medical and technical staff that he would not be in physical condition to participate in the match, not even to be included in the match sheet as a substitute for the game against the Central African Republic, on September 1st.

“The national delegation travelled to Mindelo on September 2nd to start preparations for the departure of the 2nd round against Nigeria. The delegation left the hotel in Douala at 8:30 am, arriving in Mindelo at 8:00 pm, thus making any training session or medical treatment impossible for the entire team.

“On Friday, September 3rd, Tubaroes Azuis held their first training session at the Aderito Senna Stadium, and the referred player performed a recovery training session together with the players who started against the Central African Republic, as he was still recovering from the injury that prevented him from participating in the match of the 1st round.

“On Saturday, September 4th, during the 2nd training session of the Blue Tubaroes in Mindelo, given that the player would still be recovering from his injury, the technical and medical departments understood that there should be a gradual integration of the player, in training sessions. As an exercise, inserted in the training, with the participation of all 26 players of the Tubaroes Azuis, there was always, at each moment, a rotating participation of the players.

“At the end of September 4th, the aforementioned player decided to leave the hotel where the Tubaroes Azuis internship takes place. We further inform that travel and accommodation conditions are the same for all elements of the delegation that make up the national team and that the main characteristic that unites the elements of the delegation is the spirit of sacrifice that everyone makes to proudly represent Cape Verde.”

In addition, the Cape Verdean football authorities have assured their fans that Bubista's men are focused on the challenge against the Super Eagles.

Nigeria lead Group C table after their opening 2-0 win over Liberia on Friday while the Blue Sharks are second after grabbing just a point against CAR.

“All 26 players who are currently serving the national team, as well as all others who are not currently part of the group, must be available to serve the national team and respect technical decisions, which includes the possibility of being holder, alternate used, alternate unused, or not summoned. Above all, there is group union and the single objective: to win the next game.

“We wish the player Ricardo Gomes good luck in his professional and personal path.”

Weston McKennie has been left out of the U.S. men's national team squad against Canada due to a "violation of team policy", U.S. Soccer confirmed, while Gio Reyna is set to miss the team's next two matches with a hamstring injury.

McKennie and Reyna both started the team's 0-0 draw with El Salvador, with Reyna now ruled out for Sunday's match against Canada and Wednesday's visit to Honduras.

With Reyna out for both games, McKennie's status is uncertain heading into the final game of the international break.

Who starts for the USMNT?

Christian Pulisic returns to the U.S. lineup after recently battling Covid-19 and is joined in the attack by Jordan Pefok and Brenden Aaronson.

Pefok replaces Josh Sargent up top after the Norwich striker started in El Salvador.

Replacing McKennie in midfield is Kellyn Acosta, who joins Tyler Adams and Sebastian Lletget, while John Brooks partners with Miles Robinson in central defense.

Sergino Dest, meanwhile, moves back to right-back after struggling on the left again El Salvador with Matt Turner remaining in goal after Zack Steffen was ruled out for the rest of the window with Covid-19.

Further reading

The agent of Manchester United misfit Donny van de Beek admits that he is concerned the arrival of Cristiano Ronaldo will push his client further down the pecking order at Old Trafford.

Ronaldo caused a stir around the globe when he chose to return to United for a second spell following three seasons with Juventus. 

But it appears that not everybody is overjoyed to see the 36-year-old back at the club, as Van de Beek could see his playing time reduced further despite receiving assurances he would feature in 2021-22.

What was said? 

"Cristiano arrived on Friday which we knew was bad news for us. Pogba plays on the left, and with Cristiano’s arrival it means another extra player in midfield, with Pogba moving away from the left," agent Guido Albers affirmed to Ziggo Sport. 

"We had conversations with Solskjaer and the board. We took the initiative to find a club and our search ended up at Everton. We opened talks with Marcel Brands and Farhad Moshiri.

"On Monday night [before deadline day] we received a call from Solskjaer and the club who told us that a transfer was out of question and that he had to report himself to training the next morning."

Despite those fears, Albers is confident that his client will have the opportunity to shine.

"The perspective now is that we stated that Donny is not a Carabao Cup player, or FA Cup player, or to play only in European games. Donny went to England to play in the Premier League," he added.

"The way the conversation went this time [with Solskjaer] compared to last summer... things are much more clear now. I have full expectations that Donny will get his chance now.

"Donny worked extremely hard in the summer. He only had seven days off. The rest of the summer he trained to become top fit. He is totally ready."

The bigger picture 

Van de Beek was a key part of the Ajax team which thrilled Europe on their way to the Champions League semi-finals in 2018-19, dumping out Ronaldo and Juve along the way before losing out to Tottenham in a thrilling last-four clash. 

The midfielder spent one further season in Amsterdam before moving to United at the start of the 2020-21 season, but he has so far failed to live up to expectations. 

During his debut term he played just 19 times in the Premier League, with most of those appearances coming as a substitute, and he has remained on the bench for all three of his side's matches to date in the current term. 

Further reading 

Mohamed Salah was in action for Egypt as Mostafa Mohamed scored a 90th minute equaliser in their 1-1 draw against Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang’s Gabon on Sunday.

The result in Franceville sealed a crucial away point for the Pharaohs in the 2022 Fifa World Cup qualifying campaign despite ending the match with 10 men.

Pyramids defender Omar Gaber was expelled in the 71st minute after receiving his second yellow card and two minutes later, Jim Allevinah broke the deadlock for Gabon after replacing Guelor Kanga in the 66th minute.

The opener was not enough to secure the Panthers their first three points in the qualifiers after Wednesday's shocking 2-1 loss to Libya in Benghazi.

In their quest to grab a point, Egypt brought on Mostafa Mohamed for Al Ahly's Mohamed Magdy in the 77th minute and the Galatasaray did not disappoint to justify his introduction as he scored his first international goal for the Pharaohs with his strike off Salah Mohsen's assist in the 90th minute.

The late goal kept the visitors’ unbeaten run intact as they still remain at the top of Group F with four points after two games while Gabon are third in the table with just a point.

Arsenal captain Aubameyang played the entire duration alongside Nice’s Mario Lemina, Dijon’s Didier Ndong and Saint-Etienne’s Denis Bouanga but their contributions were not enough to save the Panthers.

On the other hand, Egypt were chanced to have the services of Salah after he missed their opening group match against Angola on September 1 due to coronavirus restrictions in the UK.

The two-time African Footballer of the Year played from start to finish with Ahmed Hegazi while Al Ahly goalkeeper Mohamed El-Shenawy made some brilliant saves between the sticks.

However, Arsenal’s Mohamed Elneny could not make the trip to Gabon on Sunday because of a muscle injury he picked up at his club.

After playing three matches without a win, Aubameyang's Gabon will turn their attention to their double-header qualifying fixture against Angola in October while Salah's Egypt will have a date with North African neighbours during next month's international break.

Former U.S. women's national team head coach Jill Ellis has been appointed by FIFA to lead a new technical advisory group on the future of women's football, it has been announced.

The 54-year-old won back-to-back Women's World Cup titles as the head coach of the USWNT in 2015 and 2019 before stepping down following the latter triumph. In addition to her FIFA position, she will continue working in San Diego with the city's NWSL expansion side, which will enter the top league in the United States at the beginning of 2022.

Ellis and the FIFA technical advisory group she's leading will set out to "examine and explore ways to improve the current match calendar and build global development and competitiveness".

Who will form the FIFA team?

Speaking to reporters on Sunday after being unveiled in her new role, Ellis discussed those who will be involved in the technical advisory group, which will be revealed in due course.

"The people within FIFA have been great," she said. "I sort of said to them, 'Listen, we've got to have every viewpoint here at the table'. It'll be former players, current players, we're going to target coaches, youth coaches, international coaches, club coaches. I think administrators, too, is very important. We will probably have a component of sport science.

"I think we want to be all encompassing. Every single element that sort of touches this game, I want to hear their viewpoint. Because I think that's going to make us better and make us have initiatives and have recommendations that come out of this group that will be... I've learned this a long time ago, it's not always about being popular, right? It's about making decisions that are best for the game. To do that, you have to understand other people's viewpoints. It will be a representation of the entire scope of women's football."

Will FIFA introduce a biennial World Cup?

With one of Ellis' responsibilities defined by FIFA as helping to improve the match calendar, the hot topic of a World Cup every two years was something that the former U.S. coach was also asked about.

"From a personal perspective, I've seen the benefits of a World Cup in terms of I think spring growth in our sport," she said. "I know in this country, the attendance from games goes up after, there's a bounce. You've got viewership, we've created more sponsorship. I certainly recognise that is a platform that has a great reach and has been incredibly instrumental in trying to grow the game.

"I've heard the conversation for a few years now about the the idea of a biennial World Cup. Right now, what I would say is, I'm open to everything. Every initiative and every perspective that can, again, grow the landscape. So would that be under consideration? Certainly. But I think I want to learn more about it.

"I want to learn more about the other people that will be sitting at the table, their perspective as well. But in terms of just the growth of the game and right now the World Cup is, for the women, the most visible event, but I also know that there's a lot of work to be done in in terms of every platform that's out there, whether it's club, whether it's youth, everything from refereeing, coaching education. These are all things that I think we will focus on, but certainly that will be a component of the group and the focus that we're going to have."

Ellis was also asked if a FIFA Club World Cup for the women's game could be on the cards. Speaking an event earlier this year, the European Club Association's CEO, Charlie Marshall, said that it was something FIFA was "very, very keen on".

"I think it'd be a great idea," Ellis added. "The more profile, the more events, the more we can do to promote our game and experiencing perhaps that would be a fantastic step.

"But again, I'm not gonna sit here and preach my own personal opinions. I have opinions, but ultimately, this will come through a collective of other people in the game. I think it'd be a wonderful opportunity to continue to showcase our sport at the next level."

Further reading

Manchester City goalkeeper Zack Steffen has tested positive for Covid-19 and will not travel for the U.S. men's national team's upcoming World Cup qualifier in Honduras, U.S. Soccer confirmed.

Steffen, who has been replaced by NYCFC goalkeeper Sean Johnson in the U.S. squad, was left out of the team for the World Cup qualifying opener against El Salvador due to a back injury.

That injury also ruled him out for Sunday's qualifier against Canada, with Steffen now set to miss the final game of the international break due to his positive test.

What was said?

"U.S. Soccer has confirmed that goalkeeper Zack Steffen has tested positive for COVID-19 and will not travel to Honduras for the U.S. Men’s National Team World Cup Qualifier on Sept. 8 in San Pedro Sula. He will be replaced on the roster by Sean Johnson," the federation said in a statement.

"Steffen’s positive result was confirmed through rigorous serial testing in accordance with U.S. Soccer’s COVID-19 protocols. After his initial positive result, Steffen was isolated and contact tracing was initiated by U.S. Soccer’s medical staff. His positive result was confirmed with additional testing that was completed today. In addition to Steffen, one other member of the delegation also tested positive and has undergone the same protocol.

"All potential contacts – players and staff – have tested negative in multiple tests since Steffen’s initial positive result and are cleared to participate."

The USMNT's goalkeeping picture

The U.S. currently has several goalkeepers battling for the No. 1 spot, with Steffen heading into World Cup qualifiers as the leader in that race.

However, after a strong Gold Cup, Matt Turner looks set to challenge Steffen for that role, with the New England Revolution goalkeeper starting the opener against El Salvador.

Ethan Horvath is also in the mix after saving a penalty following Steffen's injury in the Nations League final against Mexico this summer.

Manchester City schedule

In addition to missing out on USMNT duty, Steffen will likely end up missing time for Manchester City as a result of the positive test.

Steffen serves as City's backup, acting as understudy to Brazilian star Ederson.

City are set to face Leicester on Saturday before kicking off their Champions League group stage campaign against RB Leipzig on September 15.

Further reading

Italy have set a new record for an undefeated run for an international side, with Roberto Mancini’s men now without a loss in their last 36 matches.

The Azzurri reached the mark with a scoreless draw against Switzerland in World Cup qualifying on Sunday.

That point set a new best in terms of matches undefeated, surpassing the Brazil side from 1993-96 and the great Spain side of 2007-09.

Italy’s undefeated run

Italy’s run started in 2018 following a 1-0 defeat to Portugal in National League action on September 10.

The first match of the sequence was a 1-1 home draw against Ukraine.

It continued through Euro 2020 qualifying, including a group that featured the likes of Greece, Finland and Bosnia-Herzegovina, and then more impressively in a Nations League pool that included Netherlands, Poland and Bosnia once again.

Roberto Mancini then led his side to Euro 2020 glory, impressing in the group stages before grinding their way to the title thanks to an extra-time win over Austria, a fine success over Belgium then back-to-back wins on penalties over Spain and England.

Ironically, Jorginho, who slotted the winning penalty in the European Championship, missed a spot kick that would have sealed the run against Switzerland.

Unsettling set of draws

Despite their undefeated run, Italy have now drawn four of their last five matches over 90 minutes.

If that continues, their positivity could wane.

“We played really well this evening in every sense, with technique and aggression, probably better than when we beat Switzerland 3-0 in June,” Giorgio Chiellini told RAI Sport.

“What we lacked was the little bit extra to score a goal. This is what we need to find as soon as possible, because this was already a big step forward from Thursday’s game, as we were back to the team we saw in Wembley.

“We’ll make another step forward for the Nations League in November, then we’ll take World Cup qualification after that. Let’s take it one step at a time, recover some energy, there’s a long way to go and we have to prepare for Wednesday.”

Italy remain in a strong position in World Cup Group C, sitting on 11 points through five matches, four ahead of the Swiss.

Further reading

Mexico will look to match their victory over Jamaica in their quest for a Qatar 2022 World Cup place when they face Costa Rica in a CONCACAF qualifier at Estadio Nacional in San Jose.

Watch Costa Rica vs Mexico on fuboTV (free 7-day trial)

El Tri make the trip to Los Ticos on the back of a narrow win over the Reggae Boyz, to make a victorious start to their campaign, and will hope to back it up with another three points.

Ahead of the game, Goal has the details of how to watch on TV, stream online, team news and more.

TV channel, live stream & how to watch

In the United States (US), Qatar 2022 World Cup qualifiers can be watched live and on-demand with fuboTV (watch with a 7-day free trial).

New users can sign up for a free seven-day trial of the live sports streaming service, which can be accessed via iOS, Android, Chromecast, Amazon Fire TV, Roku and Apple TV as well as on a web browser.

Team news & rosters

*denotes uncapped player

Twice a World Cup manager with Ecuador in 2006 and Honduras in 2014, Luis Fernando Suarez knows his way to get to the showpiece tournament - but he'll be needing some big results on the way to get there.

Los Ticos know that the visit of Mexico represents a prime chance to bolster their standing - and with Keylor Navas in goal, they'll hope to be watertight on home soil.

Predicted Costa Rica starting XI: Navas; Blanco, Duarte, Calvo, Oviedo; Guzman; Marin, Borges, Leal, Lassiter; Ugalde.

*denotes uncapped player

El Tri showed that they had no Gold Cup hangover against Jamaica in victory, but Gerardo Martino will know that the result may have flattered his side after Henry Martin's late winner secured them three points.

He'll hope that they respond in suitably impressive fashion, against a team who faltered at the last eight in this year's CONCACAF tournament against Canada.

Predicted Mexico starting XI: Ochoa; Sanchez, Monutes, Araujo, Gallardo; Romo, Alvarez; Alvardo, Cordova, Vega; Funes Mori.

Last five results

Head-to-head

FIFA has announced that it has taken the decision to postponed the World Cup qualifier between Guinea and Morocco due to the uncertain political situation of the host country.

The fixture was due to take place on September 6, but no date has been slated for the potential rearranged fixture.

There is a reported coup d’état taking place in Guinea, with reports of gunfire heard in the streets of the capital Conakry, where the fixture was due to take place.

What has been said?

A statement published on FIFA’s website reads: “The current political and security situation in Guinea is quite volatile and is being closely monitored by FIFA and CAF. To ensure the safety and security of all players and to protect all match officials, FIFA and CAF have decided to postpone the FIFA World Cup 2022 qualifying match Guinea vs. Morocco, which had scheduled to be hosted in Conakry, Guinea, on Monday 6 September. 

“Rescheduling information will be made available at a later date.”

What is the situation in Guinea?

The developing situation in Guinea is unclear, though an unverified video has shown the nation's President Alpha Conde surrounded by soldiers, who claim to have seized power over the country and dissolved the government.

Contrary to those reports, the defence minister is reported by the BBC as having said that an attempted takeover bid has been thwarted following “hours” of heavy gunfire in the capital.

Further Reading