Jurgen Klinsmann said it is unrealistic for people to think the United States can win the FIFA World Cup in Brazil.
The USA have been handed a tough draw at the World Cup, pitted alongside powerhouse nations Germany, Portugal and Ghana in Group G.
In an interview with the New York Times published on June 4, coach Klinsmann said: We cannot win this World Cup, because we are not at that level yet.
His comments were met angrily by USA outcast Landon Donovan, who argued the country could lift the trophy if they could beat the likes of Germany.
But speaking ahead of the USA s opening game against Ghana in Natal on Monday, Klinsmann was still sticking to his belief that winning the World Cup was a bridge too far.
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The Senegal FA have hit Blackburn Rovers forward El Hadji Diouf with a five-year international ban.
The former national captain was suspended for discrediting Senegalese officials and ignoring a summons to appear at a disciplinary hearing.
The 30-year-old was unlikely to represent his country again – regardless of the ban – as he announced his retirement from international football in 2007 and again in 2009.
He is, however, allowed to appeal the decision.
A Senegal FA statement read: “The Disciplinary Committee, after deliberation, inflicted on professional footballer El Hadj Diouf Ousseynou a five-year suspension from all football activities with effect from the date of notification of this decision.”
Diouf had described Senegalese foot…
Edinson Cavani has taken the time to praise Paris Saint-Germain team-mate Marco Verratti and believes the Italy international has what it takes to succeed at any big European club.
Verratti has developed into a key figure at PSG since joining the club from Pescara in 2012, the midfielder quickly establishing himself as a first-team regular under Laurent Blanc.
The 23-year-old s form has seen him linked with Real Madrid and Barcelona in recent months, with Cavani confident his colleague would flourish at either Spanish giant.
Verratti is a phenomenon who could play for any big team in Europe, Cavani told Marca.
He is the best player I have ever played with, both for the way he plays on the pitch and for his behaviour off the pitch. He is a great guy, alw…
Carlos Tevez made his international return off the bench as Argentina came from a goal down to beat Croatia 2-1 at Upton Park.
Tevez was an outcast under former Argentina coach Alejandro Sabella but was handed the chance to revive his career with the national team by new boss Gerardo Martino on Wednesday.
The South Americans ultimately had Lionel Messi and a deflected Cristian Ansaldi effort to thank for their win in east London.
Anas Sharbini had given the relatively inexperienced Croatia side a surprise lead 11 minutes in with a neat finish into the right-hand corner, and Argentina had to wait until the early part of the second half to restore parity.
Ansaldi s long-range strike took a wicked deflection off Sergio Aguero s hand to leave Lovre Kalinic h…
Prediction: France win
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International football has taken over in the last few days, with the domestic game taking a back seat as a result. The main reason for that is because the road to UEFA Euro 2020 has begun. Many nations across the continent will harbour realistic goals of reaching the tournament itself, but as we all know, this game doesn t work based on who is expected to win and who isn t. That s why, despite what you may think, fans shouldn t write off France vs Iceland as a foregone conclusion just yet.
France
It s been one hell of a year for the French national team, as they were able to cruise towards World Cup glory in Russia last summer. They saw off the challenge of many top teams along the way, with the 4-2 triumph…
Kylian Mbappe has joined Paris Saint-Germain in a deal that is set to make him the second most expensive player in history.
A year ago, the teenager was battling for a regular place in Monaco s starting line-up but he will now join Brazil superstar Neymar in a forward line at Parc des Princes that is the envy of world football.
Here, we take a look at the rapid rise of a phenomenal talent who, at 18, has thrilled Europe, won a major title and earned international recognition in double-quick time.
Scrubbing Henry from the record books
Mbappe s rapid pace, smooth technique and clinical eye for goal have drawn numerous comparisons to Thierry Henry. The Arsenal and France great also cut his teeth at Monaco and stood as the Ligue 1 club s youngest …
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In what could prove to be a cagey affair from the Estadio Gigante de Arroyito on Tuesday night, Rosario will welcome Central Cordoba to town.
Rosario
Starting with the hosts, while Rosario might have made plenty of improvements since opening the 2023 campaign, Miguel Angel Russo’s side are in the midst of a recent rut. Last seen having to settle for an uneventful 0-0 stalemate at home against Estudiantes, the Rabble have managed to muster just a single win from any of their previous six appearances across all competitions a run that stems back to May 24th. Although the former Boca Juniors boss might still find his squad sat in pole position to claim a stellar top-nine finish, Russo will have a growing headache over his side’s conti…
UEFA has charged Euro 2020 finalists England after Kasper Schmeichel had a laser pointer aimed at his face when facing Harry Kane s penalty at Wembley on Wednesday.
England were hit with three charges by the tournament organisers after supporters of Gareth Southgate s team overstepped the mark in the semi-final win over Denmark.
The 2-1 win after extra time at Wembley on Wednesday carried England through to their first major tournament final since the 1966 World Cup.
Amid jubilant scenes, however, there was cause for concern on UEFA s part.
Schmeichel managed to save Kane s spot-kick in the 104th minute, defying the laser distraction. He could not prevent the England captain blasting in on the rebound, however.
The England fans booing of Denmark s…
Cole Palmer scored a sensational hat-trick as Chelsea struck twice in the final minutes of stoppage time to beat Manchester United 4-3 at Stamford Bridge.
United were 3-2 up and seemingly home and dry when Noni Madueke was felled by Diogo Dalot in the seventh minute of added time. Palmer scored from the penalty spot to seemingly rescue a point – but a stunning finale awaited.
The former Manchester City player – a United fan as a youngster – was given space inside the box and lashed it beyond Andre Onana with virtually the final kick, with the aid of a slight deflection off United’s Scott McTominay.
Incredible drama.
— Premier League (@premierleague)
Their side had looked like running away with the Premier League contest in the first p…
Ecuador will keep their place at the 2022 World Cup after the Court of Arbitration for Sport (CAS) ruled in their favour on Tuesday, following attempts from Chile and Peru to have them thrown out of the tournament.
Chile and Peru appealed to FIFA after discovering Ecuador had used ineligible right-back Byron Castillo in their successful qualification campaign.
The Federacion de Futbol de Chile (ANPF) provided proof that Castillo was born in Colombia and not Ecuador, as stated on his official documents.
FIFA dismissed all charges in June and again in September when the fresh evidence came to light, but Chile and Peru took the case to CAS with a further appeal.
However, the hearing on November 4 and 5 adjudged that no violation of the rules on eligibility …