fifa

The ins and outs of the international football association; the most recent news and coverage in the FIFA universe.

France National Football Team Players 2026
The France national team has entered a new era under head coach Zinedine Zidane, who took charge in July 2026 following the departure of Didier Deschamps. Zidane inherited a highly talented roster that finished fourth at the 2026 World Cup and immediately guided them to back-to-back 1-0 victories in UEFA Nations League play.
By Dadson Wanjohi 25 days ago in Cleats
Why Did Didier Deschamps Leave the France National Team?
Didier Deschamps ended his remarkable 14-year tenure as head coach of the French national team following the 2026 World Cup. Taking over in 2012, Deschamps guided Les Bleus through three World Cup cycles and multiple major tournaments, establishing one of the most successful eras in international football history.
By Dadson Wanjohi 25 days ago in Cleats
France 1-0 Belgium: How Michael Olise Won It Late
Michael Olise delivered a brilliant individual moment late in Brussels to give France a 1-0 victory over Belgium on September 28. In a tightly contested UEFA Nations League fixture, substitute Olise broke a near-full-match deadlock in the 89th minute.
By Dadson Wanjohi 25 days ago in Cleats
Zidane's First Two Games as France Coach: Inside the Historic Start
Zinedine Zidane’s managerial career with the French national team could not have started on a more decisive note. Taking over one of the most high-pressure jobs in world football, the former Real Madrid manager delivered back-to-back victories in his first week in charge.
By Dadson Wanjohi 25 days ago in Cleats
China’s 28-Year Wait Ended in a 3-0 Win Over Thailand
The bus pulled into the stadium two hours before kickoff. Players had their headphones on. Some slept. Some stared at the back of the seat in front of them. The windows were fogged. Outside, fans in red shirts held flags and chanted. Inside, nobody said much.
By Jin29 days ago in Cleats
Five Athletes Got Justice. Footballers Are Still Standing in the Rain.
Five penalty notices. Football still waits. Xinhua reported five people. Cui posted insulting and defamatory remarks on Douyin about a table tennis player. Ke posted on Weibo disparaging another table tennis player. Jia posted insulting and defamatory remarks. He posted doctored images and insults. Wei posted videos insulting and belittling other divers on Douyin and organized fan groups to carry out online violence together. Administrative penalties. The sports: table tennis and diving.
By Jinabout a month ago in Cleats
They Promised a Frugal Asian Games. Athletes Got a Survival Challenge.
When “frugality” becomes “stinginess”: the organizing predicament of the Nagoya Asian Games A “survival challenge” triggered by a bowl of noodles
By Jinabout a month ago in Cleats
You Don’t Have to Match China to Host a Good Asian Games. You Just Can’t Treat Athletes Like an Afterthought.
The 2008 Beijing Olympics, the 2022 Winter Olympics, and the Hangzhou Asian Games set a high bar. Their scale, organization, and ability to mobilize people and resources are hard to match. Expecting every host to reach that bar is unfair. It is like expecting every badminton player to be Lin Dan.
By Jinabout a month ago in Cleats
Gunners Survive Villa Task
The Gunners had a nine day rest period before their fixture with Aston Villa. They watched some rivals maintain their perfect starts, while some dropped points. Sometimes the wait can prove costly, so Arsenal were hoping this wasn't one of those moments. Villa Park has generated mixed success over the years, but we know that Unai Emery can make things difficult for the Gunners. Let's see how Arsenal got on.
By Ethan 2 months ago in Cleats
JULIÁN ÁLVAREZ: THE HUNGER STRIKE THAT BROKE FOOTBALL
This has ceased to be a mere transfer soap opera. What began as a standard “player wants out, club says no” script has, halfway through, pivoted abruptly into a full‑blown melodrama. Hunger strike. Depression diagnosis. Skipped training. Public threats to force a move to Barcelona.
By Jin2 months ago in Cleats
Aston Villa vs Arsenal
Arsenal began the season with a convincing 3-0 win over Coventry. It was stylish, sleek and refreshing. The attack clicked, the midfield dominated and the defence looked comfortable. We've since had a nine day break which would have given a few of our players some much needed rest. The likes of Declan Rice and Bukayo Saka perhaps returned earlier than they should have, so the nine days will have been welcome. Let's see what our opponents, Aston Villa, have for us.
By Ethan 2 months ago in Cleats
Class Against Coventry
Arsenal kick started the Premier League season with a home fixture against the newly promoted Coventry City. All eyes were on the Gunners to make a statement, to show their competitors that last season wasn't a fluke. The opposition was favourable, but no one can be taken for granted in this division. Let's see how the Gunners got on.
By Ethan 2 months ago in Cleats