Thomas Tuchel made a winning start to his England reign without delivering on his promise of a vibrant new era as the Three Lions beat Albania 2-0 in their opening World Cup qualifier on Friday.

Andrea Cambiasio has left the Italy camp to return to Juventus ahead of the second leg against Germany in the Nations League quarter-finals on Sunday due to an ankle injury.

Pau Cubarsi has left the Spain camp to return to Barcelona after suffering an ankle injury in Thursday's 2-2 draw against the Netherlands, with Lazio's Mario Gila coming in to replace him.

Former Nottingham Forest and England defender Stuart Pearce has returned to work as a football pundit for the first time since his health scare.

Brazil goalkeeper Alisson Becker has returned early to his club Liverpool after suffering a bang to the head while on international duty, the Brazilian football federation (CBF) announced Friday.

Club Leon from Mexico were incensed Friday after they were banned from the June-July Club World Cup in the United States for violating rules on multi-ownership, FIFA announced Friday.

Raphinha and Mohamed Salah are the only two players in the big leagues who have reached the 50-goal contribution milestone this season. The Liverpool star was alone in the exclusive club until the Barca man scored and assisted for Brazil during the break.

According to Florian Plettenberg, Manchester United have put Juventus' Kenan Yildiz at the top of their priority list for the summer transfer window, deeming him a suitable candidate to bolster the squad.

The Football Association (FA) handed on Friday an additional one-match ban and £50,000 fine to Wolves striker Matheus Cunha following his red card in the FA Cup fifth-round defeat to Bournemouth on March 1.

Wataru Endo said Japan can win the 2026 World Cup after becoming the first team to qualify and the Liverpool ace urged fans to buy into the ambitious target.

Arsenal and Italy full-back Riccardo Calafiori is set to be ruled out for two to three weeks after suffering a "collateral knee injury" in Thursday's 2-1 defeat to Germany in the first leg of the Nations League quarter-finals.

Take a look at the confirmed lineups for matchday one of the Europe World Cup qualifier between England and Albania, kick-off at 20:45 CET at Wembley Stadium in London, England.

Arsenal goalkeeper David Raya has expressed unwavering confidence in the club's ability to secure silverware soon, despite their 2024/25 campaign now hinging solely on Champions League success with Real Madrid standing in their way.

Socceroos coach Tony Popovic believes his team is starting to hit their stride with a World Cup place firmly in sight, but they are still not where he wants them to be.