Soccer | DD News

April 23, 2026 2:49 PM

Floundering Chelsea sack Rosenior amid worst scoring drought in 114 years

Chelsea sacked manager Liam Rosenior on Wednesday following a catastrophic run of form that has left the London club's Champions League hopes hanging by a thread while they also endured their worst goalscoring drought in over a century. Rosenior lasted less than four months in the role after his January appointment following Enzo Maresca's departure, becoming the latest casualty of Chelsea's turbulent season after seven defeats in their last eight matches across all competitions. Rosenior's di...

April 23, 2026 9:51 AM

Soccer-Trump envoy seeks to replace Iran with Italy in upcoming World Cup, FT reports

A top envoy to U.S. President Donald Trump has asked FIFA to replace Iran with Italy in the upcoming World Cup, the Financial Times reported on Wednesday. The plan is an effort to repair ties between Trump and Italy's Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni after the two fell out amid the American president's attacks against Pope Leo XIV over the Iran war, the FT reported, citing people familiar with the matter. "I confirm I have suggested to Trump and (FIFA president Gianni) Infantino that Italy re...

April 23, 2026 9:38 AM

Soccer-Yamal limps off after sealing Barcelona win over Celta

Barcelona moved closer to retaining their LaLiga title with a 1-0 victory over Celta Vigo on Wednesday, but the win was overshadowed by an injury to Lamine Yamal, who scored the first-half spot kick that settled the match. With six games remaining, Barcelona lead the standings on 82 points, nine clear of Real Madrid on 73. The result keeps the champions firmly in control of the title race, though concern now surrounds Yamal with a Clasico looming in two weeks and the World Cup less than 50 days...

April 15, 2026 2:38 PM

Dembele double at Liverpool fires PSG into Champions League semis

Ousmane Dembele struck twice to confirm Paris St Germain's place in the Champions League semi-finals with a 2-0 victory over Liverpool on Tuesday, sealing a 4-0 aggregate win in their quarter-final tie at a rain-soaked Anfield. The holders soaked up sustained second-half pressure from Liverpool, who were roared on by a raucous home crowd, but built on the advantage they established in the first leg in Paris last week to book their fifth semi-final berth in seven seasons. Dembele scored at Anfi...

April 15, 2026 2:38 PM

Atletico survive Barca scare to reach first Champions League semi in nine years

Atletico Madrid reached their first Champions League semi-final in nine years on Tuesday, squeezing past Barcelona 3-2 on aggregate despite a nerve-racking 2-1 home defeat that had the Metropolitano crowd holding its breath until the final whistle. Diego Simeone's side thought they had done much of the heavy lifting with a 2-0 win at the Camp Nou in the first leg but that cushion was wiped out by an early Barca blitz as the visitors struck twice in the first half to level the tie. Lamine Yamal...

April 12, 2026 7:22 PM

Bayern break Bundesliga goals record with 5-0 win over St. Pauli

FC Bayern defeated St. Pauli 5-0 to extend their lead in the Bundesliga to 12 points. The victory also saw Bayern break the Bundesliga’s single-season scoring record, taking their tally to 105 goals this campaign. Jamal Musiala handed Bayern an early lead, while Leon Goretzka, Michael Olise, Nicolas Jackson and Raphael Guerreiro scored after the break. Bayern started with Manuel Neuer in goal, and Konrad Laimer, Minjae Kim, Hiroki Ito and Tom Bischof forming the back four. Joshua Kimmich and...

April 4, 2026 2:36 PM

One killed, dozens hurt as Peru stadium event goes awry

At least one person was killed and several injured on Friday ahead of a derby match at the Alejandro Villanueva Stadium in the Peruvian capital, said club Alianza Lima, a day before it faces off against Universitario. The club offered condolences and solidarity for the casualties, which media said included 60 injured during a "flag‑waving event" at the stadium, popularly known as Matute. "We are fully and transparently collaborating with the competent authorities," the club added in its stat...

April 1, 2026 1:27 PM

Italy miss out on World Cup for third straight time after shootout loss to Bosnia

Italy's agonising World Cup exile continues after they fell to a 4-1 penalty shootout defeat by Bosnia and Herzegovina in their playoff final on Tuesday following a 1-1 draw. Four-time champions Italy had lost out at the playoff stage to miss the last two World Cups, and their last qualification in 2014 coincided with Bosnia's only previous appearance. Since lifting the trophy in 2006, Italy have won one game at the finals. Bosnia will play in Group B at the World Cup, joining co-hosts Canada,...

March 20, 2026 1:25 PM

FIFA mandates female coaches in their women’s competitions

Every team in a FIFA women's competition will be required to have at least one female head or assistant coach, part of sweeping new regulations from soccer's governing body aimed at boosting the number of women coaching at the highest levels. The regulations, approved by the FIFA Council on Thursday, come into effect with this year's U-17 and U-20 Women's World Cups and the Women's Champions Cup, and significantly will include the Women's World Cup next year in Brazil. The new regulations stip...

March 19, 2026 1:05 PM

Soccer-Iran continuing World Cup preparations but will not play in US, says soccer chief

The Iranian national team are continuing to prepare for the World Cup finals and have no intention of pulling out of the tournament even if they will not travel to the United States, soccer chief Mehdi Taj said on Wednesday. Iran were one of the first nations to qualify for the finals but their participation has been in doubt since the conflict between the Islamic Republic and the United States began in late February. The tournament runs from June 11 to July 19 and is being staged in the U.S.,...