Italy gives winning sendoff for Spalletti in World Cup qualifying. De Bruyne saves Belgium
With a parting gift for Luciano Spalletti, Italy beat Moldova 2-0 on Monday for its first points in the beleaguered national team's attempt to reach the World Cup for the first time since 2014.
There was also a significant victory in World Cup qualifying for Belgium, with Kevin De Bruyne demonstrating his enduring class by scoring in the 88th minute to snatch a 4-3 win against Wales after his team squandered a 3-0 lead after 27 minutes.
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Winnipeg Free Press
an hour ago
- Winnipeg Free Press
Colorado goalkeeper Zack Steffen has knee surgery, expected to be sidelined 4-to-6 weeks
COMMERCE CITY, Colo. (AP) — Colorado Rapids goalkeeper Zack Steffen had surgery on his right knee on Tuesday and the team said he is expected to be sidelined for four-to-six weeks. Steffen was injured during training with the U.S. national team in Chicago on Wednesday, causing him to miss the CONCACAF Gold Cup. The Rapids said the operation was on his right medial meniscus. Steffen lost an opportunity to perhaps regain the U.S. starting spot. The 30-year-old started six of 14 World Cup qualifiers ahead of the 2022 tournament, including the last three, then was left off the World Cup roster by then-coach Gregg Berhalter. Steffen played his first national team match in nearly three years in a January friendly against Costa Rica and coach Mauricio Pochettino said last month that Matt Turner, the starter since 2022, was not assured of being his No. 1 choice for the Gold Cup. Turner didn't play for Crystal Palace after March 1. Matt Freese made his national debut in goal during Saturday's 2-1 loss to Turkey. Thursdays Keep up to date on sports with Mike McIntyre's weekly newsletter. ___ AP soccer:
Vancouver Sun
an hour ago
- Vancouver Sun
It's time: Countdown clocks signal kickoff of 2026 FIFA World Cup is one year away
The one-year countdown to the 2026 World Cup starts Wednesday, with clocks to be unveiled to mark the occasion in Toronto, Vancouver and Niagara Falls. Toronto and Vancouver are World Cup host cities. Niagara Falls offers a world-class backdrop for a reminder that FIFA's expanded 48-team soccer showcase is just around the corner. There are more milestones to come in Canada, with a call for some 7,000 volunteers to be issued in August, ticket sales starting in September and the tournament draw in December. Adidas has yet to unveil the match ball. Tournament mascots will also be introduced. The tournament's official poster will join those of the 16 host cities. Start your day with a roundup of B.C.-focused news and opinion. By signing up you consent to receive the above newsletter from Postmedia Network Inc. A welcome email is on its way. If you don't see it, please check your junk folder. The next issue of Sunrise will soon be in your inbox. Please try again Interested in more newsletters? Browse here. And the World Cup trophy is scheduled to make an appearance in Ottawa on Canada Day. The World Cup kicks off June 11, 2026, with games in Mexico City and Guadalajara. On June 12, the focus switches to matches in Toronto and Los Angeles. The final is set for July 19 at MetLife Stadium in East Rutherford, N.J. 'It's nine years so far on this project,' said Peter Montopoli, chief tournament officer for Canada. 'This marathon is now at one year out, turned into a sprint. I think that's the part we really enjoy. For the people who love to run events, this is the part that really excites them. This is where all the magic happens in the last year. 'So it's exciting. It's an exciting time to be running the event, it's an exciting time for FIFA and it's an exciting time for our country.' In all, there will be 104 games, with 13 each in Canada and Mexico and the remaining 78 in the U.S. The last seven editions of the tournament featured 32 teams and 64 games. In addition to co-hosts Canada, Mexico and the U.S., Japan, Iran, Japan, Jordan, South Korea and Uzbekistan have already qualified from Asia, along with New Zealand from Oceania and defending champion Argentina from South America (CONMEBOL). It will be a first World Cup appearance for both Jordan and Uzbekistan. On Wednesday, the two Canadian host cities will also release anniversary videos with actor Will Arnett featured in Toronto's and former Canada goalkeeper Karina LeBlanc in Vancouver's. Canadians will be able to apply for tickets two ways _ through the FIFA lottery (assuming FIFA follows past practices) and via membership in Canada Soccer's Canada Red program, which will distribute the ticket allotment for Canada matches. 'There's different ways to purchase (tickets),' said Montopoli. 'If you want to get in early, you go in the fall.' Montopoli said there is no word yet on ticket pricing. While the full match schedule won't be known until the draw, Canada will open in Toronto and then play its remaining group games in Vancouver. Toronto and Vancouver will each host five opening-round matches plus a round-of-32 knockout match. Vancouver will also stage a round-of-16 game. Canada Soccer is revamping its existing Canada Red membership program, expanding it from the current three tiers (the first free and the other two at a cost of $50 and $150 annually) to seven levels (from free to $5,000 annually). Each tier provides access to Canada Soccer's ticketing allotment lottery for games featuring the Canadian men — the higher the tier, the higher the chances of securing tickets. FIFA traditionally reserves a portion of each World Cup game's tickets for fans from the countries involved. This is Canada's method of distributing them. Canada Soccer also used a Canada Red tiered approach for tickets for Canada's games at the 2022 World Cup in Qatar. Each of the seven Canada Red tiers will be allotted some 14 per cent of Canada Soccer's ticket pool. But Canada Red members in the top tiers will have the best chance to access tickets as they will have access to the first draw and each subsequent draw afterwards. Canada Red, the new version of which launches in late July, 'directly supports' the Canada Soccer Foundation, according to Canada Soccer. While the clock counts down, the City of Toronto is still looking for funds to help pay for its end of the tournament, arguing that it is having to dig deeper into its pocket because the cost of providing services related to public transport, policing and hospitals, among others, has increased to almost $40 million in total — reducing the provincial cash contribution and adding to the city's bill. The cost of hosting six games in Toronto has been pegged at $380 million, with the federal government contributing $104 million and Ontario, including services, $97 million. Toronto's tab is $178.7 million (47 per cent of the total cost). A ring of permanent suites is under construction at B.C. Place Stadium. BMO Field will get an additional 17,750 seats, bringing total capacity to around 45,735 seats, with the north and south ends expanded. Two of four new video screens are now working at BMO Field, which is also getting new suites. FIFA will take over the tournament stadiums 30 days before the first game there, which would mean May 13 for Toronto and May 14 for Vancouver. The tournament office in Toronto, already up and running, will have 82 full-time staff — it's currently around 70 — with most getting an early taste of tournament work via the FIFA Club World Cup, which kicks off later this month in the U.S. The Vancouver office opens next Tuesday before the CONCACAF Gold Cup. 'We know what we need to do to execute,' Montopoli said of tournament preparation. 'So we feel very comfortable in where we stand today. There's always little nuances that can happen, but as of today — one year out — we're exactly where we felt we needed to be to position ourselves for success.'
The Province
2 hours ago
- The Province
It's time: Countdown clocks signal kickoff of 2026 FIFA World Cup is one year away
And the World Cup trophy is scheduled to make an appearance in Ottawa on Canada Day. Published Jun 10, 2025 • 4 minute read Signage for the official brand and new #WeAre26 awareness campaign, as a host city for FIFA World Cup 2026, photographed at BMO Field in Toronto, on Thursday, May 18, 2023. Photo by Tijana Martin / The Canadian Press Reviews and recommendations are unbiased and products are independently selected. Postmedia may earn an affiliate commission from purchases made through links on this page. The one-year countdown to the 2026 World Cup starts Wednesday, with clocks to be unveiled to mark the occasion in Toronto, Vancouver and Niagara Falls. This advertisement has not loaded yet, but your article continues below. THIS CONTENT IS RESERVED FOR SUBSCRIBERS ONLY Subscribe now to read the latest news in your city and across Canada. Exclusive articles by top sports columnists Patrick Johnston, Ben Kuzma, J.J. Abrams and others. Plus, Canucks Report, Sports and Headline News newsletters and events. Unlimited online access to The Province and 15 news sites with one account. The Province ePaper, an electronic replica of the print edition to view on any device, share and comment on. Daily puzzles and comics, including the New York Times Crossword. Support local journalism. SUBSCRIBE TO UNLOCK MORE ARTICLES Subscribe now to read the latest news in your city and across Canada. Exclusive articles by top sports columnists Patrick Johnston, Ben Kuzma, J.J. Abrams and others. Plus, Canucks Report, Sports and Headline News newsletters and events. Unlimited online access to The Province and 15 news sites with one account. The Province ePaper, an electronic replica of the print edition to view on any device, share and comment on. Daily puzzles and comics, including the New York Times Crossword. Support local journalism. REGISTER / SIGN IN TO UNLOCK MORE ARTICLES Create an account or sign in to continue with your reading experience. Access articles from across Canada with one account. Share your thoughts and join the conversation in the comments. Enjoy additional articles per month. Get email updates from your favourite authors. THIS ARTICLE IS FREE TO READ REGISTER TO UNLOCK. Create an account or sign in to continue with your reading experience. Access articles from across Canada with one account Share your thoughts and join the conversation in the comments Enjoy additional articles per month Get email updates from your favourite authors Toronto and Vancouver are World Cup host cities. Niagara Falls offers a world-class backdrop for a reminder that FIFA's expanded 48-team soccer showcase is just around the corner. There are more milestones to come in Canada, with a call for some 7,000 volunteers to be issued in August, ticket sales starting in September and the tournament draw in December. Adidas has yet to unveil the match ball. Tournament mascots will also be introduced. The tournament's official poster will join those of the 16 host cities. And the World Cup trophy is scheduled to make an appearance in Ottawa on Canada Day. The World Cup kicks off June 11, 2026, with games in Mexico City and Guadalajara. On June 12, the focus switches to matches in Toronto and Los Angeles. Essential reading for hockey fans who eat, sleep, Canucks, repeat. By signing up you consent to receive the above newsletter from Postmedia Network Inc. Please try again This advertisement has not loaded yet, but your article continues below. The final is set for July 19 at MetLife Stadium in East Rutherford, N.J. 'It's nine years so far on this project,' said Peter Montopoli, chief tournament officer for Canada. 'This marathon is now at one year out, turned into a sprint. I think that's the part we really enjoy. For the people who love to run events, this is the part that really excites them. This is where all the magic happens in the last year. 'So it's exciting. It's an exciting time to be running the event, it's an exciting time for FIFA and it's an exciting time for our country.' In all, there will be 104 games, with 13 each in Canada and Mexico and the remaining 78 in the U.S. The last seven editions of the tournament featured 32 teams and 64 games. In addition to co-hosts Canada, Mexico and the U.S., Japan, Iran, Japan, Jordan, South Korea and Uzbekistan have already qualified from Asia, along with New Zealand from Oceania and defending champion Argentina from South America (CONMEBOL). This advertisement has not loaded yet, but your article continues below. It will be a first World Cup appearance for both Jordan and Uzbekistan. On Wednesday, the two Canadian host cities will also release anniversary videos with actor Will Arnett featured in Toronto's and former Canada goalkeeper Karina LeBlanc in Vancouver's. Canadians will be able to apply for tickets two ways _ through the FIFA lottery (assuming FIFA follows past practices) and via membership in Canada Soccer's Canada Red program, which will distribute the ticket allotment for Canada matches. 'There's different ways to purchase (tickets),' said Montopoli. 'If you want to get in early, you go in the fall.' Montopoli said there is no word yet on ticket pricing. While the full match schedule won't be known until the draw, Canada will open in Toronto and then play its remaining group games in Vancouver. Toronto and Vancouver will each host five opening-round matches plus a round-of-32 knockout match. Vancouver will also stage a round-of-16 game. This advertisement has not loaded yet, but your article continues below. Canada Soccer is revamping its existing Canada Red membership program, expanding it from the current three tiers (the first free and the other two at a cost of $50 and $150 annually) to seven levels (from free to $5,000 annually). Each tier provides access to Canada Soccer's ticketing allotment lottery for games featuring the Canadian men — the higher the tier, the higher the chances of securing tickets. FIFA traditionally reserves a portion of each World Cup game's tickets for fans from the countries involved. This is Canada's method of distributing them. Canada Soccer also used a Canada Red tiered approach for tickets for Canada's games at the 2022 World Cup in Qatar. Each of the seven Canada Red tiers will be allotted some 14 per cent of Canada Soccer's ticket pool. But Canada Red members in the top tiers will have the best chance to access tickets as they will have access to the first draw and each subsequent draw afterwards. This advertisement has not loaded yet, but your article continues below. Canada Red, the new version of which launches in late July, 'directly supports' the Canada Soccer Foundation, according to Canada Soccer. While the clock counts down, the City of Toronto is still looking for funds to help pay for its end of the tournament, arguing that it is having to dig deeper into its pocket because the cost of providing services related to public transport, policing and hospitals, among others, has increased to almost $40 million in total — reducing the provincial cash contribution and adding to the city's bill. The cost of hosting six games in Toronto has been pegged at $380 million, with the federal government contributing $104 million and Ontario, including services, $97 million. Toronto's tab is $178.7 million (47 per cent of the total cost). This advertisement has not loaded yet, but your article continues below. A ring of permanent suites is under construction at B.C. Place Stadium. BMO Field will get an additional 17,750 seats, bringing total capacity to around 45,735 seats, with the north and south ends expanded. Two of four new video screens are now working at BMO Field, which is also getting new suites. FIFA will take over the tournament stadiums 30 days before the first game there, which would mean May 13 for Toronto and May 14 for Vancouver. The tournament office in Toronto, already up and running, will have 82 full-time staff — it's currently around 70 — with most getting an early taste of tournament work via the FIFA Club World Cup, which kicks off later this month in the U.S. The Vancouver office opens next Tuesday before the CONCACAF Gold Cup. 'We know what we need to do to execute,' Montopoli said of tournament preparation. 'So we feel very comfortable in where we stand today. There's always little nuances that can happen, but as of today — one year out — we're exactly where we felt we needed to be to position ourselves for success.' 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