FIFA Ballon d'Or

Football: Asian fringe ready for World Cup expansion, says Japan FA boss

FIFA's decision to expand the World Cup to 48 teams will be a catalyst to soccer's growth in countries hovering on the fringe of the showpiece tournament, according to Japan Football Association (JFA) president Kozo Tashima.

Football: Asia chief predicts positive impact of World Cup expansion

FIFA's decision to expand the World Cup to 48 teams will address Asia's long-standing demand for greater representation in the showpiece tournament, Asian Football Confederation president Shaikh Salman bin Ebrahim Al Khalifa said on Wednesday.

Football: FIFA agrees to expand World Cup to 48 teams

FIFA has voted to expand the World Cup to 48 teams from its current 32, brushing aside concerns that the expansion would lower the overall standard of the tournament, and make it too long and unwieldy.

Football: Deep division as FIFA decides on expanded World Cup

FIFA's governing council is set to decide on Tuesday whether to expand the World Cup, a controversial idea that has created deep divisions among global football's most powerful camps.

Neymar to be Messi's heir, says Ronaldo

Brazil legend Ronaldo believes Neymar has what it takes to match Lionel Messi and become the Argentine's heir at Barcelona.

Messi on Ronaldo: Envy is an ugly word

The Barcelona star Lionel Messi denies there is any jealousy between him and Cristiano Ronaldo, and praises the Real Madrid player's talents.

'Neymar is better than Messi and Ronaldo'

Roberto Carlos, the former Brazil left-back, has no doubts in placing his compatriot Neymar above both his Barcelona team-mate Messi and the Real Madrid forward Cristiano Ronaldo.

Lionel Messi of Barcelona is the best player of last decade – Pele

Brazilian football legend Pele has named Lionel Messi as the greatest footballer of the last decade, as he also paid tribute to Neymar and Cristiano Ronaldo.

Ronaldo equals Raul's Real Madrid scoring record

Cristiano Ronaldo equals Raul as Real Madrid's all-time top scorer when he nets both goals in a 2-0 win at Swedish side Malmo in Champions League Group A.

January 12, 2017
January 12, 2017

Football: Asian fringe ready for World Cup expansion, says Japan FA boss

FIFA's decision to expand the World Cup to 48 teams will be a catalyst to soccer's growth in countries hovering on the fringe of the showpiece tournament, according to Japan Football Association (JFA) president Kozo Tashima.

January 11, 2017
January 11, 2017

Football: Asia chief predicts positive impact of World Cup expansion

FIFA's decision to expand the World Cup to 48 teams will address Asia's long-standing demand for greater representation in the showpiece tournament, Asian Football Confederation president Shaikh Salman bin Ebrahim Al Khalifa said on Wednesday.

January 10, 2017
January 10, 2017

Football: FIFA agrees to expand World Cup to 48 teams

FIFA has voted to expand the World Cup to 48 teams from its current 32, brushing aside concerns that the expansion would lower the overall standard of the tournament, and make it too long and unwieldy.

January 10, 2017
January 10, 2017

Football: Deep division as FIFA decides on expanded World Cup

FIFA's governing council is set to decide on Tuesday whether to expand the World Cup, a controversial idea that has created deep divisions among global football's most powerful camps.

February 20, 2016
February 20, 2016

Neymar to be Messi's heir, says Ronaldo

Brazil legend Ronaldo believes Neymar has what it takes to match Lionel Messi and become the Argentine's heir at Barcelona.

January 12, 2016
January 12, 2016

Messi on Ronaldo: Envy is an ugly word

The Barcelona star Lionel Messi denies there is any jealousy between him and Cristiano Ronaldo, and praises the Real Madrid player's talents.

October 27, 2015
October 27, 2015

'Neymar is better than Messi and Ronaldo'

Roberto Carlos, the former Brazil left-back, has no doubts in placing his compatriot Neymar above both his Barcelona team-mate Messi and the Real Madrid forward Cristiano Ronaldo.

October 13, 2015
October 13, 2015

Lionel Messi of Barcelona is the best player of last decade – Pele

Brazilian football legend Pele has named Lionel Messi as the greatest footballer of the last decade, as he also paid tribute to Neymar and Cristiano Ronaldo.

October 1, 2015
October 1, 2015

Ronaldo equals Raul's Real Madrid scoring record

Cristiano Ronaldo equals Raul as Real Madrid's all-time top scorer when he nets both goals in a 2-0 win at Swedish side Malmo in Champions League Group A.

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