Italy prevailed in a whirlwind game to beat Israel 5-4 in their World Cup qualifier in Hungary on Monday after the Italians scored two own goals, twice came from behind and conceded a late equalizer. https://www.japantimes.co.jp/sports/2025/09/09/soccer/italy-israel-world-cup-qualifier/?utm_medium=Social&utm_source=mastodon #soccer #italy #israel #moisekean #manuellocatelli #2026worldcup
FIFA’s reticence to dock World Cup points from South Africa for using a defaulter in a March fixture is casting a cloud and creating confusion ahead of this week’s potentially decisive round of African qualifiers. https://www.japantimes.co.jp/sports/2025/09/02/soccer/south-africa-fifa-points-controversy/?utm_medium=Social&utm_source=mastodon #soccer #southafrica #fifa #2026worldcup
The head of Brazil's football federation on Tuesday said he had nixed the much-derided idea of the national team wearing red — the color associated with the ruling leftist party — in the 2026 World Cup. https://www.japantimes.co.jp/sports/2025/08/20/soccer/brazil-nixes-red-jersey/?utm_medium=Social&utm_source=mastodon #soccer #brazil #2026worldcup #nike