Football

Soccer-Montella sticks with experience in Turkey World Cup squad

June 2 (Reuters) - Turkey ⁠manager Vincenzo Montella named his World ⁠Cup squad on Tuesday, selecting the ‌experienced Hakan Calhanoglu, Arda Guler, Kerem Akturkoglu, Baris Alper Yilmaz, and Yusuf Yazici to lead the side.

Football

Soccer-Austria's Baumgartner to miss World Cup due to injury

June 2 (Reuters) - Austria ⁠midfielder Christoph Baumgartner will miss the ⁠World Cup after suffering a thigh muscle ‌injury during a pre-match warm-up, the country's football association said on Tuesday, leaving team officials scrambling for a ​replacement.

Football

Soccer-South Africa assistant coach Mkhalele cleared to travel to Mexico

JOHANNESBURG, June 2 (Reuters) - South ⁠Africa assistant coach Helman Mkhalele has received his U.S. visa ⁠and will leave for the team's World Cup base in ‌Pachuca, Mexico on Tuesday after players and the technical team left for the tournament without him on Monday.

Football

Soccer-Senegal offer Africa shot at World Cup glory

June 2 (Reuters) - Senegal might have ⁠been stripped of their African title but they offer the continent its best hope of success at the ⁠World Cup.

Football

Soccer-Last dance for Deschamps as France chase World Cup glory again

PARIS, June 2 (Reuters) - For France's Didier ⁠Deschamps, the 2026 World Cup is not just another tournament, it is the closing chapter of one of ⁠international football's most successful managerial reigns.

Football

Soccer-With legacy intact, 'liberated' Messi can enjoy last hurrah

June 2 (Reuters) - When a euphoric ⁠Lionel Messi lifted the World Cup at the Lusail Stadium in Qatar at around 9 ⁠p.m. on December 18, 2022, he finally had nothing left to prove.

Nation

Small fire breaks out at hardware chain store outlet in KL mall

KUALA LUMPUR: A small fire broke out at a popular hardware chain store outlet in a shopping mall here on Tuesday (June 2) evening.

Football

Soccer-Portugal carry hot streak and baggage into Ronaldo's sixth World Cup

June 2 (Reuters) - Portugal will roll ⁠into the World Cup with Cristiano Ronaldo still grabbing the spotlight, a midfield glittering like a jeweller's ⁠window and a familiar question lurking behind all the sparkle: Is this finally the year they ‌stop underachieving?

Football

Soccer-Haaland ready to carry Norway's World Cup hopes after 28-year wait

June 2 (Reuters) - Erling Haaland ⁠will carry the weight of Norway's 28 years of longing when he leads the ⁠nation into the World Cup, marking the striker's debut on the grandest international ‌stage.

World

Czech police charge four in OnlyFans human trafficking case

PRAGUE, June 2 (Reuters) - Czech police ⁠said on Tuesday they had charged four people and an ⁠unnamed legal entity for coercing young women to provide erotic content ‌for accounts on OnlyFans and other social networks.

Japan

Storm injures 15 in Japan, prompts evacuation calls

TOKYO: A severe tropical storm battered southwestern Japan on Tuesday (June 2), injuring 15 people and prompting calls to evacuate for hundreds of thousands of people due to flooding and landslide risks.

Football

Soccer-Ghana's late coaching switch to Queiroz could boost World Cup hopes

June 2 (Reuters) - A late change ⁠of coach ahead of the World Cup might provide a boost to Ghana, who have turned to ⁠veteran Portuguese Carlos Queiroz after a run of poor results eroded confidence in his predecessor.

Football

Soccer-Talismanic Kane holds key to England's World Cup fate

MANCHESTER, England, June 2 (Reuters) - ⁠England's World Cup hopes revolve around striker Harry Kane, their captain, talisman and, more often than ⁠not, the difference maker in major tournaments.

China

Two Taiwanese air force pilots die in trainer crash

TAIPEI: (dpa) Two Taiwanese air force pilots died on Tuesday (June 2) when their propeller-driven T-34 training aircraft crashed in Kaohsiung City.

Football

Soccer-Diaz fuels Colombia's hopes on World Cup return

BOGOTA, June 2 (Reuters) - Colombia return to the World Cup after an eight-year absence counting on forward ⁠Luis Diaz to meet high expectations following a season in which he was directly involved ‌in more than 40 goals for Bayern Munich.

Football

Soccer-Argentina seek to emulate Italy and Brazil as back-to-back champions

June 2 (Reuters) - Dripping talent and forged ⁠by success, Argentina aim to become the first men's team to retain the World Cup since Brazil in 1962 and ⁠the only nation to do so entirely outside their own region.

Football

Soccer-Uzbekistan reach first World Cup as government investment pays off

June 2 (Reuters) - Uzbekistan's qualification ⁠for their first World Cup marks the high point to date of a steady climb to ⁠the upper reaches of the global game in the 35 years since gaining independence ‌from the former Soviet Union.

Football

Soccer-Algeria hope to turn talent into results on World Cup return

CAIRO, June 2 (Reuters) - Algeria ⁠return to the World Cup for the first time since 2014 carrying the ⁠familiar mix of promise, pressure and unpredictability that has long defined one of ‌Africa's most gifted footballing nations.

Football

Soccer-Ambitious Jordan out to make their mark on World Cup debut

June 2 (Reuters) - Jordan are enjoying ⁠a golden age in their football fortunes after runs to the 2023 Asian Cup and 2025 Arab ⁠Cup finals and have no intention of just making up the numbers at their first World ‌Cup. 

Football

Soccer-Austria back from exile and aiming for World Cup knockout success under Rangnick

June 2 (Reuters) - After 28 ⁠years in the World Cup wilderness, Austria return to the global stage with a golden ⁠generation shaped by Ralf Rangnick's tactical overhaul and intent on building upon an impressive showing ‌at the last Euros.