Carlos Alcaraz Storms into French Open Semi-Finals
In the women's draw, three-time defending champion Iga Swiatek held off Elina Svitolina to set up a clash against world No. 1 Aryna Sabalenka in the semi-finals.
In football, Marquinhos arrived in Brazil to join the national team for the 2026 World Cup qualifiers, just three days after winning a historic Champions League title with PSG. In Italy, Simone Inzaghi and Inter Milan have parted ways by mutual agreement.
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France 24
an hour ago
- France 24
Trump trade, immigration policies clouding World Cup preparations
Peace, love and harmony: three countries joining forces in a "United Bid" to roll out the welcome mat for the most popular sporting carnival on the planet, a beacon of hope in a polarised world. "We don't believe sport can solve all the issues in the world," US Soccer chief Sunil Gulati told an audience at a Manhattan skyscraper. "But ... we believe this is a hugely positive signal and symbol of what we can do together in unifying people, especially in our three countries." Fast forward eight years, and the soaring optimism that accompanied the bid's launch in 2017 has run into some stiff geopolitical headwinds, the re-election of President Donald Trump casting a pall of uncertainty over preparations for the event in ways that few could have imagined. While Trump has been a staunch backer of the World Cup from the outset, the US leader has nevertheless taken a combative stance to co-hosts Mexico and Canada since returning to the White House, from trade wars to border crackdowns, while simultaneously calling for Canada to become the "cherished 51st state" of the US. That in turn has led to Canada's Prime Minister Mark Carney vowing to pivot away from the US, declaring in March that "the old relationship we had with the United States -- based on deepening integration of our economies and tight security and military cooperation — is over." 'Tension's a good thing' Trump, who enjoys a close friendship with Gianni Infantino, the president of world football's governing body FIFA, the organisers of the World Cup, has laughed off suggestions that trade turmoil could impact the tournament. "Tension's a good thing, I think it makes it much more exciting," Trump said in March when asked how his administration's tariffs against Canada and Mexico might affect the World Cup. Trump's policies, though, already appear to be hurting US tourism, with hotel search site Trivago last month reporting double-digit percentage declines in bookings to the US from visitors from Japan, Canada and Mexico. Figures from the US government's National Travel and Tourism Office released in April found an 11.6% decline in visits to the US from overseas in March compared to a year earlier. Andrew Zimbalist, an economics professor at Smith College in Northampton, Massachussetts whose books include "Circus Maximus: The Economic Gamble Behind Hosting the Olympics and the World Cup", believes Trump's economic policies could reduce the number of international fans travelling to the World Cup. But, Zimbalist added, "in terms of the actual playing of the games, the tariffs don't affect athletes." "So unless the political situation internationally deteriorates further and people decide to boycott the games in large numbers, I wouldn't anticipate a very large impact," he told AFP. 'Seamless experience' for fans? Other commentators have questioned whether World Cup fans will be deterred by the Trump administration's hardline border crackdown, which has seen visitors from countries including France, Germany, Australia and Canada either turned away at the border or subjected to harsh interrogation and detention. "Will soccer fans really want to crisscross our borders right now — and be squinted at by guards simply because they speak a Romance language or risk being held on a cold floor in a detention cage?," Washington Post columnist Sally Jenkins asked recently. The Trump administration's 2026 World Cup Task Force last month insisted all fans would be welcome, saying football supporters could look forward to a "seamless experience" when visiting the US. Vice President JD Vance though cautioned that foreign visitors would have to leave at the end of the tournament. "We'll have visitors, probably from close to 100 countries," said Vance, the vice-chair of the World Cup task force. "We want them to come. We want them to celebrate. But when the time is up, they'll have to go home." John Zerafa, a Britain-based sports communications strategist, believes the Trump administration may need to "short circuit" current visa processing wait times in order to facilitate large numbers of foreign fans at the World Cup. "I think the US and the Trump administration will go out of their way to try and make that process as smooth as possible," Zerafa told AFP. "But there's also the other part of how that stacks with the MAGA agenda and closing borders. There's a real dichotomy there for Trump and the MAGA base -- you're letting the world in but at the same time you're trying to shut the world out," Zerafa added. "Those two things are very difficult to co-exist, and which one is going to win the day? I can certainly envisage examples of fans applying for tickets, but not being granted visas. And you only need a couple of those stories to emerge in the runup to the World Cup to start painting a difficult backdrop for FIFA and the US." © 2025 AFP
France 24
2 hours ago
- France 24
Brazil held in Ancelotti debut, Paraguay move closer to qualifying
The 65-year-old Italian, who left Real Madrid at the end of the European season, has been charged with taking Brazil through the latter stages of qualifying for the 2026 World Cup. The former AC Milan and Chelsea manager replaced Dorival Junior, who was sacked at the end of March after the 4-1 thrashing at the hands of reigning champions and bitter rivals Argentina. Thursday's result leaves the Selecao in fourth place in the qualifying table on 22 points while Ecuador, the surprise package in the campaign, remain in second place on 24 points. Argentina, who face Chile later on Thursday, lead the standings on 32 points and are the only team to have officially secured their place in the tournament which will be held in the USA, Canada and Mexico. Paraguay, who enjoyed a 2-0 win over Marcelo Bielsa's Uruguay, sit in third place, level on points with Ecuador. Ecuador knew a win would put them on the brink of qualification and there was a packed crowd at the Estadio Monumental in Guayaquil. But the home side were dealt a blow just before kick-off when goalkeeper Hernan Galindez suffered a muscle strain in the warm-up and replacement Gonzalo Valle was hurriedly sent out to make his debut. If Valle had any nerves they eased when he did well to parry a shot from inside the box from Vinicius Jr. who had been set up by Gerson following a turnover. Chances were limited in a contest where neither side was able to get control of midfield. The pattern continued after the break with Ecuador, missing their injured striker and talisman Enner Valencia, struggling to pose a threat. Real Madrid star Vinicius was quiet for much of the game and with Rodrygo absent, Brazil also lacked potency in attack. The best opening came in the 75th minute when Vinicius broke down the left and cut back to Casemiro, but the Manchester United midfielder, recalled to the national side by Ancelotti, saw a tame side-footed effort easily dealt with by Valle. Patience While there was no instant impact from Ancelotti, Vinicius, who played under the coach in Madrid, said he needed time to make his impact felt. "I'm very happy to have Ancelotti here with us, because I've always said he's the best coach I've ever worked with. Having the opportunity to work with him in the Brazilian national team is the best," the winger told SporTV. "He hasn't had time to show his work, his game plan, because he's only had two or three days of training," he added. A header from midfielder Matías Galarza just 13 minutes into the game and a late penalty from Julio Enciso earned Paraguay a crucial victory over a depleted Uruguay. The victory left Paraguay on the verge of securing their return to the World Cup for the first time since qualifying for the 2010 finals in South Africa. Victory in Sao Paulo on Tuesday against Brazil would secure their place in the tournament. The top six teams in the 10-team qualifying group head directly into the World Cup draw while the seventh placed team must enter the inter-confederation playoffs. © 2025 AFP
France 24
5 hours ago
- France 24
Spain holds off furious France comeback to reach Nations League final
Spain starlets Lamine Yamal and Nico Williams dazzled as La Roja beat France 5-4 in a thriller in Stuttgart on Thursday, to set up a Nations League final with Portugal. Yamal bagged a brace while Williams scored and provided an assist as the two wingers cut France's makeshift defence to ribbons. Mikel Merino and Pedri were also on the scoresheet for the Euro 2024 champions. Kylian Mbappe netted a second-half penalty, but Spain were 5-1 up and cruising, before Les Bleus suddenly woke up as their opponents took their foot off the pedal. France's three late goals -- a Rayan Cherki screamer, a Spain own goal and a stoppage time strike from Randal Kolo Muani -- were not enough. Yamal, still just 17, said Spain "deserved to win." "It was a great game -- at the end it was a little too close, but we played very well," he added. Spain held on to book an all-Iberian Nations League final against Cristiano Ronaldo and Portugal on Sunday in Munich, while France will face hosts Germany in Stuttgart for the bronze medal, earlier in the day. A smiling goalscorer Merino told DAZN: "It was a crazy game. Not the best game for the coaches -- nobody wants to concede so many goals -- but an amazing game for the fans. "We're going to remember this one for a long time." Returning to Germany where they won the European Championship in dominant fashion a year ago, Spain seem an even more complete team, despite their late fadeout. France coach Didier Deschamps said "it's a mixed bag." "Not everything can be thrown in the rubbish bin... but I'm not leaving with a smile," he added. France dangerous, Spain efficient France were more dangerous in the opening stages, with Deschamps electing to channel his attack through Ousmane Dembele rather than Mbappe. Dembele, fresh from Paris Saint-Germain 's Champions League triumph, created an early chance for Mbappe, but the Real Madrid superstar wasted it, electing to pass rather than shoot when one-on-one with the 'keeper. Minutes later, Spain escaped again as Theo Hernandez's long-range effort shaved the top of the crossbar. Spain made France pay soon after, when Williams and Oyarzabal, La Roja's two goalscorers in the Euro 2024 final, linked up with 22 minutes played. After a tear down the right, Yamal threaded it to Oyarzabal, who held off three defenders with his back to goal before finding Williams, who rifled his shot into the top of the net. Spain grabbed full hold of the match just three minutes later when Oyarzabal dinked the French defence, allowing Merino to collect and hammer past an off-balance Maignan. France had the better chances later in the half, with Dembele finding space in the box three times only to blast straight at a grateful Unai Simon. Just before half-time, the narrowest of offsides robbed Spain of what would have been an incredible third. In a clearly rehearsed free-kick play, Yamal found Martin Zubimendi behind the lines, who cut it back for Huijsen. The second-half played out line the first, with France missing two big chances before Spain again scored a quick-fire double. With 54 minutes played, Yamal won and converted a penalty, taking the ball from Williams before calmly slotting home. France were reeling but Spain's starlets had no sympathy, Williams setting up Pedri for a fourth just one minute later. Mbappe won and converted a penalty with 59 minutes played but Yamal stepped up again to snuff out French hopes of an unlikely comeback, scoring Spain's fifth with just over 20 minutes remaining. Spain made four changes a their thoughts turned to Sunday, allowing France to score two late consolation goals. Substitute Cherki scored a long-range effort on debut and then France forced Spain into conceding an own goal through Daniel Vivian. Kolo Muani's header came in the fourth minute of stoppage time to cut the deficit to one, but France had left their comeback too late, as Spain held on.
