Argentina’s Messi ends international career

August 31, 2026 11:50 PM

Argentina’s Messi ends international career

Lionel Messi, who captained Argentina to World Cup victory in 2022 and the final in 2026, is retiring from international football, he said on Monday. The record eight-time Ballon d’Or winner is his country’s record appearance-maker and scorer with 125 goals in 207 games, having transformed a complicated relationship with the national team into a story of redemption and triumph. “It was a decision that hurt — and still hurts deep down — but I understand that the time has come. I swea...

Afghan women on way back to official international matches after FIFA rule change

April 29, 2026 10:41 AM

Afghan women on way back to official international matches after FIFA rule change

FIFA has approved a rule change allowing Afghan women footballers to play official international matches in FIFA competitions, giving players exiled since the Taliban's return to power a route back into international football. Afghanistan's women's national team has not played an official competitive international since before the Taliban returned to power in 2021. The Taliban authorities have imposed sweeping restrictions on women and girls, including restrictions affecting education, work and...