However, according to the FAI, Gardai (Irish police) have advised that the game can be "staged safely at the Aviva Stadium". The teams are also scheduled to face each other in a return fixture on 27 September. The Israeli FA has said it hopes to host the Republic of Ireland in Tel Aviv, but a venue is yet to be confirmed.
It was a banner day for Team France on February 11, 2026, at the Milan-Cortina Winter Olympics. In the women's 15km individual biathlon, Julia Simon claimed gold ahead of teammate Lou Jeanmonnot, who took silver. In moguls, Perrine Laffont grabbed bronze, eight years after her PyeongChang triumph. The highlight came on the ice, where Laurence Fournier Beaudry and Guillaume Cizeron won Olympic gold in figure skating.
The city of Milan has always been an interesting touristic destination for people around the world. Here's what Zlatan Ibrahimovic, who played for both Inter Milan and AC Milan at different stages of his extremely illustrious career, thinks is necessary to experience. This is Zlatan's idea of a very nice day out... in Milan 🍕🇮🇹🏟️ pic.twitter.com/1PMT8pN4oQ - BBC Sport (@BBCSport) February 8, 2026
When it comes to transfer windows it's not all about the numbers - the letters are important too! Can you complete our A-Z of transfers quiz? We want to know the world's most expensive footballer for each letter of the alphabet. Which player, whose surname begins with A, cost one club more than 81m in 2022? It's time to tackle our quiz. Good luck!
When a senior coroner declared on Monday that repeatedly heading footballs "likely" contributed to the brain disease which was a factor in the death of former Leeds United and Manchester United defender Gordon McQueen, the relationship between heading and neurodegenerative illnesses was thrown into the spotlight again. The link between heading and brain injuries relates to an illness called chronic traumatic encephalopathy (CTE), which is caused by repeated head impacts, and which McQueen was found to have suffered from, alongside vascular dementia.
The most prolific striker on the planet for one of the biggest and most successful clubs in the world, a captain of his country who could possibly lift the World Cup this summer (ending what is now 60 years of hurt), a husband with four kids who is almost universally respected by fans, opponents and his peers, and a brand ambassador for global brands thanks to deals brokered by towering Mr 15% Charlie Kane, Harry Kane has a lot going for him.
The podcast will be later in the year, and it'll be an in-depth dive into people's footballing and personal lives, he continues. It'll be a podcast with a twist. I can't tell you what that twist is at the moment, but it *will* be a podcast with a twist. The best features, fun and footballing quizzes, straight to your inbox every week.
Wycombe Wanderers attacker James Tilley has returned to AFC Wimbledon on loan six months after leaving the Wombles to join the Chairboys. The 27-year-old made 101 appearances in all competitions in two seasons with the Dons, scoring 17 goals. He played the entirety of their League Two play-off final victory over Walsall at Wembley last May in his final game for the club.
Following a worldwide poll that attracted millions of votes from the gaming community, EA Sports has announced the final cut of both its men's and women's FC 26 Team of the Year. After being selected for their prominent performances in 2025, each player in the respective TOTY XIs will receive special in-game items and buffs. This year, for the first time, a captain has also been chosen for each of the men's and women's teams, both of whom have been honored for their outstanding contributions
Someone looking to understand America might do well to study the nation's embrace of football. N.F.L. games regularly outperform anything else on television, and, in 2025, some hundred and twenty-seven million viewers tuned in to the Super Bowl - more than ever before. As this year's championship approaches, Vinson Cunningham, Naomi Fry, and Alexandra Schwartz are joined by their fellow New Yorker writer Louisa Thomas to unpack the sport's allure, which has persisted despite increasingly dire evidence of the danger it poses to players' health.
Likewise, when our beloved boys set foot on the hallowed gridiron, we would never indulge in the "tush push." The game of football is about handing off the pigskin to the halfback and hitting the A gap made by the big hogs in the trenches. It's not about having a thousand pounds of man flesh get behind you and push you straight forward through everything in front of you, and you're carrying the ball, and then you get the yards.
Real Madrid's Diaz has been the spark in this Morocco team since the tournament began, and made it five goals in five consecutive matches when he deflected Ayoub El Kaabi's knock-down past Devis Epassy in the 26th minute to give Morocco the lead that their dominance deserved. Saibari, criticised by supporters and the media during the tournament to date, added a second in the 74th minute when he met Nayef Aguerd's header on following a freekick and lashed home unmarked.
Martinelli threw the ball at Bradley and manhandled him as he lay on the turf in the closing stages of Thursday's 0-0 draw at the Emirates. Bradley, 22, left the stadium on crutches and wearing a supportive brace on his left knee. Martinelli was booked for the flashpoint, which provoked anger from Liverpool's players. Former Manchester United captain Roy Keane called Martinelli "a disgrace" on Sky Sports.
Image source, SNS Kilmarnock have appointed Neil McCann as their new manager, with Billy Dodds joining as assistant. McCann replaces Stuart Kettlewell, who was sacked after six wins in 25 games. Under-19s coach Kris Doolan oversaw Killie's past four games, taking one point. Dodds and McCann previously worked together as part of Barry Ferguson's interim management team at Rangers last season.
Carroll, 36, who now plays for National League South side Dagenham and Redbridge, was arrested in April with the alleged offence said to have been committed a month earlier. The 36-year-old, who has nine caps for England and was signed by Liverpool in 2011 for a then club record fee of 35m, is listed to appear at Chelmsford Magistrates Court.
After some time away from the pitch and following a long recovery, the time has come to make something important public. I have made the decision to retire. A little over a year ago, I suffered a knee injury which, unfortunately, prevents me from returning to compete at the highest level. It was hard to accept that I couldn't continue. Thank you to my family for always being there, to everyone for the love and support. Thank you, football, for making me who I am.
From reproductive rights to climate change to Big Tech, The Independent is on the ground when the story is developing. Whether it's investigating the financials of Elon Musk's pro-Trump PAC or producing our latest documentary, 'The A Word', which shines a light on the American women fighting for reproductive rights, we know how important it is to parse out the facts from the messaging.
Robert Lewandowski's influence continues to stretch far beyond the football pitch, and this week offered another clear reminder of his stature back home. According to a report from SPORT, the Barcelona forward has been awarded the prestigious Bene Merito medal in Poland, a distinction reserved for individuals who have helped promote the country's image on the international stage. The recognition saw Lewandowski make a brief but meaningful trip to Warsaw on Thursday.
One dictionary definition for you: Optics (1) The way in which an event or course of action is perceived by the public. It appears you do want a coach or manager who doesn't care about optics. But at the same time, optics are important, because it is all we have to work with when results aren't in your favour. But it's a fine line between the perception of the event, and the event itself.
Lionel Messi received a hero's welcome when he touched down in India overnight to embark on a special, weekend-long tour of the country. As part of the so-called "GOAT" tour, the 38-year-old is visiting Kolkata, Hyderabad, Mumbai and New Delhi over the course of three days, accompanied by two old friends in the shape of former Barcelona teammate Luis Suárez and Rodrigo De Paul, who played alongside Messi in Argentina's World Cup winning side of 2022.
"Hopefully this is coming to the end. What we care about are the players and we massively care about Marie and the situation she is going through," "It's not nice, particularly the fact she's been named also. I don't think that's great. But we deal with it. "Nobody wants to see these things happening in any walk of life, so hopefully it's drawn to a conclusion really soon.
