Looking for Soccer News?

Mexico will seek a quick start on the path to the Qatar 2022 World Cup when they get their CONCACAF qualifying campaign under way against Jamaica at Estadio Azteca in Mexico City.

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

El Tri play host to the Reggae Boyz as the former enter the third - and final - round of the road to next year's showpiece tournament, looking to bounce back from their Gold Cup heartbreak.

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

Having just been edged out at the Gold Cup by the USMNT, El Tri will be out to dust themselves off and throw down an early gauntlet as they aim to make it to Qatar with little complication.

Gerardo Martino brings two new players into the fold for potential debuts, but without Hector Moreno, Carlos Salcedo and Miguel Layun at the back, plus no Raul Jimenez, his side do look a little shakier than perhaps hoped for.

Predicted Mexico starting XI: Talavera; L. Rodriguez, Araujo, Sepulveda, Gallardo; Corona, Romo, Dos Santos, Pizarro; Pineda, Funes Mori.

*denotes uncapped player

Having drawn domestically for their Gold Cup campaign, the Reggae Boyz now turn to a heavily European-centric squad as they look to bolster their outside chance of making it to Qatar.

The headline inclusions are West Ham's Michail Antonio - called up for but never capped by England - and Rangers' Kemar Roofe, though due to quarantine rules, the majority of the England-based players will miss out entirely for this first clash.

Predicted Jamaica starting XI: Blake; Powell, Moore, Mariappa, Lawrence; Johnson, Decordova-Reid, Morrison, D. Williams; Nicholson, Burke.

Last five results

Head-to-head

West Ham United's Said Benrahma has been nominated for the Premier League Player of the Month award for August.

The Algeria international will compete with teammate Michail Antonio, Manchester United’s Mason Greenwood, Tottenham Hotspur’s Eric Dier, Everton’s Demarai Gray, and Chelsea’s Marcos Alonso.

“Michail Antonio and Saïd Benrahma have both been shortlisted for the EA Sports Premier League Player of the Month for August,” a statement from West Ham United website read.

“The West Ham United pair were both recognised for their outstanding starts to the 2021/22 campaign by being named among six players nominated for the award.”

Since the start of the 2021-22 campaign, the African star has been in terrific form scoring twice in three English top-flight matches.

Having found the net and provided an assist in the Hammers’ 4-1 decimation of Leicester City on August 23, he improved on his impressive Premier League record.

With that, the former Nice and Brentford star racked up seven goal involvements for the Londoners in his last seven English elite division appearances (three goals and four assists) after registering no goals and four assists in his previous 25 games in the competition.

Voting is open now and will end by 12 noon on Monday 6 September. The winner will be announced four days later.

While on-loan from Brentford, the Algerian played 30 league matches for David Moyes’ men, scoring just once, and assisting six.

In a recent interview, Moyes stated that Benrahma struggled in his first stint at the club because he did not realise he is part of the team.

"I think Said [Benrahma] needed to take stock and settle in and realise he had to be a team player as much as an individual," he said as quoted by FootballLondon.

"I wouldn't have it any other way.

"I think that he had not realised that he is part of a team and we have to do all the right things together and because of that he's actually getting these goals, he's making goals, which is what we brought him for."

After the international break, West Ham – who are unbeaten in their last 13 games in all competitions travel to St. Mary’s to square up against Southampton on September 11.

Borussia Dortmund's 16-year-old prodigy Youssoufa Moukoko became Germany's youngest-ever goalscorer at Under-21 level on Thursday as he opened his account with two goals against San Marino. 

Moukoko, who burst onto the scene at just 15 at Signal Iduna Park, has already sent a number of records tumbling at club level in his short career. 

And he looks set to do the scene on the international stage as he showed he has made a full recovery from recent injury woes. 

A debut to remember

Moukoko, who had previously represented Germany at U16 when he was just 12 years old, received his first U21 call-up back in March 2021. 

The teenager then suffered a serious ligament injury which stopped him making his bow and also ruled him out for the rest of the 2020-21 season. 

Now back to full fitness and raring to go, having featured in all three of Dortmund's Bundesliga matches so far this term, Moukoko started against San Marino on Thursday in his side's opening European Championship qualifier. 

Having become the nation's youngest-ever U21 participant 16 years and 286 days when the game began, he notched twice in the first half to ensure he would also bag the record of youngest goalscorer. 

The forward already holds the distinction of being the youngest player to feature in the Bundesliga and the Champions League, as well as the youngest scorer in the former.

Tough times

It has not all been easy for the youngster, however. 

Moukoko admitted that the pressure of bursting onto the scene at such a tender age was almost too much for him, and made him consider cutting short his professional career. 

“In the beginning, the reports were very stressful for me, especially when my age was discussed," the teenager told German publication WAZ.

"I didn't want to do this to myself anymore. I wanted to quit, but my trainer helped me a lot, he supported me. I could forget everything on the pitch."

Further reading 

France and Paris Saint-Germain star Kylian Mbappe is heading home after sustaining an injury while on international duty, the French Football Federation (FFF) confirmed on Thursday. 

The striker played almost all of his nation's 1-1 draw with Bosnia & Herzegovina before being taken off in injury time. 

But subsequent examinations revealed he had suffered a calf problem and will not be available for Les Bleus' next World Cup qualifiers. 

What was said? 

"On Wednesday in Strasbourg, at the end of the match against Bosnia-Herzegovina (1-1), Kylian Mbappe felt a pain in his right calf which does not allow him to participate in the next two matches of the French team, in Ukraine on Saturday and against Finland in Lyon-Décines next Tuesday," the FFF announced in a statement published on the federation's official website.

"The Paris-SG striker has been made available to his club. He will leave the group in the evening and will not be replaced for the trip to Ukraine."

The bigger picture 

Wednesday's match was Mbappe's first since the end of the summer transfer window, which closed without the star making a widely reported move to Real Madrid. 

Now PSG will hope that, having secured his presence for at least another season, the calf injury will not affect the forward's availability once the international break comes to an end. 

The French side are back in action in Ligue 1 on September 11, when they host Clermont at Parc des Princes. 

And four days after that clash Mauricio Pochettino's men begin their Champions League quest away to Club Brugge. 

France, meanwhile, remain top of Group D with eight points in the UEFA World Cup qualifiers despite failing to win in their latest outing, and would further cement their grip on the summit with victory over Ukraine, their nearest challengers on four points. 

Further reading 

Manchester United have revealed that Cristiano Ronaldo will don his favourite No. 7 shirt for the 2021-22 Premier League season. 

Ronaldo's blockbuster return to Old Trafford from Juventus was one of the biggest stories of the summer transfer window. 

And the club have now unveiled his new shirt as he awaits a second 'debut' with the Red Devils. 

More to Follow...

Uruguay will hope to wrestle back momentum in their quest for Qatar 2022 World Cup qualification when they face Peru in a CONMEBOL qualifier at Estadio Nacional in Lima this week.

Watch Peru vs Uruguay on fuboTV (free 7-day trial)

La Celeste are on a three-game winless streak in qualification, but will fancy their chances against La Blanquirroja, who remain rooted to the foot of the table.

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

With no uncapped players in their squad for the September international break, La Blanquirroja know they will have to rely on experience if they are to turn a miserable start in qualification for Qatar around.

Having appeared at their first World Cup since 1982 at Russia 2018 three years ago, a repeat seems unlikely this time around, unless Ricardo Gareca can spin things around drastically.

Predicted Peru starting XI: Gallese; Corzo, Abram, Callens, Lopez; Tapia, Yotun; Carrillo, Pena, Cueva; Lapadula.

*denotes uncapped player

The inclusion of six novice faces in Oscar Tabarez's latest squad suggests something of a post-Copa America sea change, where La Celeste fell short on penalties to Colombia.

Veteran talents such as Diego Godin remain in command at the back, however, suggesting that their path to next year's tournament will be back on course by the end of this month, even without Luis Suarez or Edinson Cavani among their ranks.

Predicted Uruguay starting XI: Muslera; Nandez, Gimenez, Godin, Vina; Valverde, Vecino, Bentancur; De Arrascaeta; J. Rodriguez, Gomez.

Last five results

Head-to-head

Argentina will aim to maintain their Copa America form when they meet  Venezuela  in a Qatar 2022 World Cup CONMEBOL qualifier at Estadio Olimpico de la UCV in Caracas this week.

Watch Venezuela vs Argentina on fuboTV (free 7-day trial)

The Albiceleste finally delivered Lionel Messi a senior international honour in July, and will now be out to make it an easy trip to next year's showpiece tournament against La Vinotinto.

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

Since their first attempt to qualify for England 1966, La Vinotinto have tried and tried to reach the World Cup - only to fall short each and every time, finishing bottom of the CONMEBOL pile for Russia 2018.

One win from six in qualifying this time has seen coach Jose Peseiro quit the fold, leaving interim boss Leonardo Gonzalez in charge with what could well be an audition for the top job.

Predicted Venezuela starting XI:  Farinez; Rosales, Ferraresi, Villanueva, A. Gonzalez, Hernandez; Savarino, Moreno, Castillo, Rincon; Hurtado.

*denotes uncapped player

After over a decade of heartbreak and near-misses, the Albiceleste finally delivered silverware for arguably the game's greatest player when they triumphed 1-0 against Brazil in this year's Copa America final.

Now, Lionel Scaloni will lead the bulk of his title-winning squad - including Lionel Messi - into a potential banana-skin trip where they will hope to avoid slipping up against their unfavoured hosts.

Predicted Argentina starting XI:  E. Martinez; Montiel, Romero, Otamendi, Acuna; De Paul, Paredes, Lo Celso; Messi, Lautaro Martinez, Di Maria.

Last five results

Head-to-head

William Troost-Ekong has stated his birthday wish is to see Nigeria qualify for the 2022 Fifa World Cup in Qatar.

Troost-Ekong, who doubles as the Super Eagles' vice-captain, turned 28 on Wednesday and he was celebrated by his international teammates at their base in the Eko Hotel and Suites, in Lagos.

After singing the chorus of birthday songs, Kaizer Chiefs goalkeeper Daniel Akpeyi prayed for the celebrant before he was asked to state his wish.

Ahead of their Group C qualifiers opener against Liberia, the former Udinese defender has his sights on playing in another World Cup after his maiden outing in the tournament in Russia 2018 where the Super Eagles did not make it past the group stage.

"My birthday wish is that we qualify for the World Cup and we can do something special as a team,” Troost-Ekong said.

“I'm really proud to be part of this team. I love you guys and it is like celebrating my birthday with my second family.”

The Watford star has been a regular fixture in Gernot Rohr’s team since he made his debut appearance in an Africa Cup of Nations qualifier against Chad in June 2015.

He is among the key players who could feature against the Lone Stars at the Teslim Balogun Stadium on Friday but he has been ruled out of the trip to Cape Verde on Tuesday alongside other Premier League stars like Everton’s Alex Iwobi, Leicester City duo Kelechi Iheanacho and Wilfred Ndidi. This is because their clubs have refused to allow their players to travel to the red-listed countries in England's coronavirus watch.

“They are two defensive midfielders but have few chances to play tomorrow [on Friday] because we have all the UK based players around,” Rohr said in his press conference on Thursday.

“Also, none of the UK-based players will be with us for the second game. They have to leave after the match tomorrow against Liberia.

“They will not be in Cape Verde which means there will be another team but for the moment, we will only focus on the first game.”

Ecuador will hope to get their Qatar 2022 World Cup quest back on track against fellow hopefuls Paraguay in a CONMEBOL qualifier at Estadio Rodrigo Paz Delgado in Quito this week.

Watch Ecuador vs Paraguay on fuboTV (free 7-day trial)

La Tri lie third, behind only Brazil and Argentina, with six games played so far, but must buck a near-winless 2021 trend against Los Guaranies to avoid dropping out of the race.

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

Three World Cup appearances out of the last possible five tournaments mean that La Tri have become a semi-regular presence on the global stage - but Gustavo Alfaro will know that his side have a fight on their hands to still reach Qatar.

Their quarter-final finish at the Copa America this year masked the fact they have won just once in 2021, against Bolivia - making victory here an absolute must to keep their charge up.

Predicted Ecuador starting XI: Galindez; Hurtado, Torres, Arreaga, Estupinan; Franco, Cifuentes, Mendez; Mena, Valencia, Palacios.

*denotes uncapped player

It feels an age since Los Guaranies last turned up for the game's biggest event, having previously featured over a decade ago when they sprung a surprise quarter-final finish at South Africa 2010, drawing with then-incumbent champions Italy along the way.

Their prolonged absence is something Eduardo Berizzo will be out to correct though - and even with a smaller-than-usual squad, he'll hope for a second win of the CONMEBOL campaign.

Predicted Paraguay starting XI: Silva; Rojas, Balbuena, Martinez, Alonso; O. Romero, Villasanti, Sanchez, Gamarra; Perez, A. Romero.

Last five results

Head-to-head

Chelsea have announced the departure of Tino Anjorin to Russian Premier League side Lokomotiv Moscow on loan.

Despite his immense talent, the Nigeria prospect has been unable to break into Thomas Tuchel’s squad.

However, in a bid to taste first-team action, he will represent the Steam Locomotive for the 2021-22 campaign.

“Tino Anjorin, the 19-year-old attacking midfielder who made three men’s first-team appearances last season, is embarking on his first loan, with Lokomotiv Moscow his destination,” a statement from the Blues website read.

“An Academy product, who played a starring role in a PL2 title-winning season and has represented England up to U19 level, Anjorin made his senior Chelsea debut during the 2019/20 season in a big Carabao Cup win over Grimsby.

“That was followed up with his first Premier League appearance later that campaign, as a substitute against Everton in the final game before the pandemic.

“He was rewarded that summer with a five-year contract and played a part in last season’s Champions League success, starting a group stage game against another Russian side, Krasnodar, as well as playing two games in the FA Cup run to the final. He became a regular in Thomas Tuchel’s squad.”

He has been handed the no. 10 jersey in Moscow and becomes the third African in Marko Nikolic’s squad after Francois Kamano (Guinea) and Ze Luis (Cape Verde).

Manager Tuchel had hoped to see more from the teenager during Chelsea’s pre-season campaign, but he was out due to Covid-19.

“I’m a bit sad because he trained so well for us in the last half a year and then the race for the top four was on and there was so many decisive matches every three days, so there was not actually the moment to try stuff with young players,” the German explained.

“But he showed his quality in every training, so when the season ended, we both agreed that he stays for pre-season and he will get his minutes that he deserves.

“Unfortunately, before the first friendly starts, Tino was the guy to catch the Covid virus and really suffered for 10 to 12 days.”

Born to a Nigerian father in Poole, Anjorin is eligible to play for the Super Eagles despite featuring for England at U17, U18 and U19 levels.

In the first #UnstoppableYou Challenge with Power Horse, Saudi Arabian footballer Farah Jefry takes on the Pyramid Challenge.

The challenge is to be build a pyramid of Power Horse cans, and place a target on the top. Then Farah must kick the ball to knock just the target off the pyramid, without hitting or dislodging any of the cans.

Farah completed the challenge successfully and it's your turn now to do the same for a chance to win amazing Power Horse prizes.

Kaizer Chiefs defender Njabulo Ngcobo has challenged his Bafana Bafana teammates to have their presence felt when they face Zimbabwe in Friday’s 2022 Fifa World Cup qualifier in Harare.

The two sides meet at the National Sports Stadium for their Group G encounter as they kick off their bid to reach Qatar 2022.

Ngcobo does not want South Africa to just play a beautiful brand of football but is demanding a strong mentality and physical strength against their northern neighbours.

“I’m just really happy to be here. I’m always happy to see the team play nice football, rather than just playing to win,” Ngcobo told the Safa media team.

“I think in our nation we have players who can play football nicely. I think we need to be strong mentally and physically we need to be there.

"As much as we can play good football, which is what I believe we can, at the end of the day we need to win and we need to be strong.”

The Amakhosi centre-back was a late call-up to coach Hugo Broos’ national team camp.

After initially being included in the provisional squad, Ngcobo was then dropped from the 23-man squad before being roped in following some injury concerns.

“We all know that it took a while for me to be here, but I am happy to be part of Bafana,” added Ngcobo.

“It means a lot that so many people believe in me and want to see me in the Bafana Bafana squad. Even myself, I have always wanted to be part of Bafana.

"I was already at home when I got a national team call-up because Chiefs gave us a break.

“So I was not in Johannesburg when I got the call to come back. I am always ready to come here.”

Interestingly, Ngcobo has not been playing at Chiefs but managed to earn the trust of Broos in this campaign, where they are looking to secure a World Cup berth for the first time since 2010.

Ngcobo is not the only Amakhosi player to be considered for national duty while struggling for game time in the Premier Soccer League.

Another Chiefs defender Austin Dube is also in Harare despite not enjoying regular playing minutes at the club as he boasts of only six minutes earned in their last game against Baroka FC.

“I had to stay ready for it, I am very grateful that I played my first official game in the colors of Kaizer Chiefs,” Dube told the Chiefs website.

“The national team call-up is an honour, being called to represent the country is always an honour, everything happened so fast for me I made my debut for Chiefs a few days ago and now I am at the national team.

"I am honoured to be part of the national team. I feel happy and these are joyful moments for me.”

Ngcobo and Dube were, however, instrumental in helping Bafana win the 2021 Cosafa Cup.

The Indian football team were held to a 1-1 draw by Nepal in an international friendly at the Dasharath Stadium in Kathmandu on Thursday.

Anjan Bista (36th minute) scored the opening goal from a failed back pass from the Indian defence as he ran past a charging Gurpreet Singh Sandhu to find the back of the net before Anirudh Thapa (60th) restored parity for India in the 60th minute.

The midfielder, who was brought on as a substitute by Igor Stimac, found the net from close range from a rebound after the Nepal custodian Kiran Limbu palmed away a fierce strike from Sunil Chhetri.

It was not a result that the Indian football team desired but their head coach Igor Stimac believes that the fixture was a good exhibition for the spectators and the Blue Tigers deserved more. 

What did Igor Stimac say? 

"I think it was an exciting game, a good game of football, I must say, considering everything. The game of football today was good for the spectators, who are at home and everyone who was coming here at the ground," Stimac said at the press conference. 

"I think the Indian team deserved more, considering we created a lot of clear chances, we gave a silly goal and again we had few good chances. I have a feeling that we deserved more," he added. 

The Blue Tigers will next take on Nepal again in the second international friendly on Sunday.