Brazil manager Carlo Ancelotti has promised that his team will play 'carnival style' football, fitting the traditions of Brazil at the FIFA World Cup 2026. Brazil are the most successful side in FIFA World Cup history, winning the trophy five times. However, they are yet to win the World Cup since their triumph in 2002. Since then, Brazil have reached the quarter-final four times and finished fourth, once in 2014.During an interview on SBT, as quoted by Goal.com, Ancelotti talked about giving his players freedom to express themselves and playing with 'energy, joy, art, talent'. The Brazil coach wants to bring the fans' energy on the pitch."Very important is the DNA of the national team. The DNA of Brazil is talent, energy, and joy. I want to compare Brazilian football with carnival. Carnival was new to me, I understood that it has a lot of energy, joy, art, talent. And a lot of organisation. Organising all the floats, with the correct timing, all of this we have to put into the national team. Joy, energy, talent, and organisation," Ancelotti said. Ancelotti wants to play attacking football for Brazil at the FIFA World Cup Carlo Ancelotti has admitted that he wants to play attacking football for Brazil at the FIFA World Cup. The manager wants to play four players up front with a tactical set-up behind them. However, the inclusion of Neymar is still in doubt after the star player was dropped from the recent Brazil squad.Ancelotti said that he is almost sure of his squad for the World Cup but needs to fill a few spots before the start of the marquee event."There are four or five spots and in that sense we have many doubts. That is why I called up players I do not know very well. I want one defender, two for the midfield, and two more for the attack. The competition is very high. The luck of the national team is that the players have a lot of talent," Ancelotti said.Brazil is in Group C during the tournament alongside Morocco, Haiti and Scotland, and will start against Morocco at New Jersey's MetLife Stadium on June 13.(With ANI Input)
25 March,2026 11:02 AM IST | Mumbai | mid-day online correspondentMohamed Salah will leave Premier League champions Liverpool at the end of the season, the Egypt forward announced on Tuesday as he started a farewell to what the club said were nine "illustrious" years at Anfield. The 33-year-old arrived from Roma in 2017 and has made 435 appearances for Liverpool to date, scoring 255 goals to be third on the club's all-time goalscorers chart behind Ian Rush and Roger Hunt. Salah has won four Premier League Golden Boots and starred for Liverpool in both their 2019/20 and 2024/25 title triumphs as well as lifting the 2019 Champions League trophy. His Liverpool honours also include a Club World Cup, UEFA Super Cup, FA Cup and two League Cups. Salah has scored just five Premier League goals this season, compared with 29 in last term's title-winning campaign. His Anfield future became the subject of intense speculation after a dramatic bust-up with Liverpool manager Arne Slot in December. He accused Liverpool of throwing him "under the bus" after he was benched for three games in a row and said he had no relationship with the Dutch boss. 'The day has come' Salah, in a video on social media featuring highlights of his time with Liverpool, said: "Hello everyone. Unfortunately, the day has come. "This is the first part of my farewell. I will be leaving Liverpool at the end of the season. "I wanted to start by saying that I never imagined how deeply this club, this city, these people would become part of my life. Liverpool is not just a football club. "It's a passion, it's a history, it's a spirit. I can't explain in words to anyone not of this club." Salah, who in common with many Liverpool players and staff was deeply affected by the death of team-mate Diogo Jota in a car crash in July, added: "We celebrated victory, we won the most important trophies and we fought together through the hardest time in our life. "I want to thank everyone who was part of this club throughout my time here, especially the teammates past and present. "And to the fans, I don't have enough words. The support you showed me through the best time of my career, and you stood by me in the toughest times. It's something I will never forget and something I will take with me always. "Leaving is never easy. You gave me the best time of my life. I will be always one of you. This club will always be my home, to me and to my family. "Thank you for everything. Because of all of you, I will never walk alone," insisted Salah in a reference to the Liverpool fans' anthem. 'Perfect send-off' Salah's agent, Ramy Abbas Issa, posted on X: "We do not know where Mohamed will play next season. This also means that no one else knows." Liverpool said on their website: "Mohamed Salah is to bring the curtain down on his illustrious career with Liverpool at the end of the 2025-26 season. "The forward has reached an agreement with the Reds that will see him close a remarkable nine-year chapter at Anfield." Salah was forced off at Anfield last week after scoring in Liverpool's 4-0 victory against Galatasaray, which sealed their place in the Champions League quarter-finals. Injury meant he missed fifth-placed Liverpool's 2-1 loss at Brighton last weekend. Former Liverpool defender Jamie Carragher, in a column for the Daily Telegraph, said Salah would aim to leave in style with victory in the Champions League final. "Knowing Salah's mindset and competitive spirit, he will be setting his sights on the greatest of all possible goodbyes, inspiring his team to victory in the Champions League final in Budapest," said Carragher. "Do not bet against the perfect send-off." This story has been sourced from a third party syndicated feed, agencies. Mid-day accepts no responsibility or liability for its dependability, trustworthiness, reliability and data of the text. Mid-day management/mid-day.com reserves the sole right to alter, delete or remove (without notice) the content in its absolute discretion for any reason whatsoever
25 March,2026 09:03 AM IST | London | AFPAustralian-born forward Ryan Williams could make his much-anticipated India debut after being named in head coach Khalid Jamil's 23-member squad for the AFC Asian Cup 2027 Qualifier against Hong Kong on March 31 in Kochi. Williams was included in the squad after FIFA cleared his change of association, paving the way for the 31-year-old winger to represent India at the senior international level. He had earlier been part of India's preparatory camp for the Bangladesh qualifier but missed out on the lineup due to pending documentation. With all formalities now complete, he is in line to make his debut against Hong Kong. Already ruled out of qualification for the Asian Cup, India will look to sign off their campaign on a positive note with a blend of experience and youth in the squad. Williams, whose mother hails from an Anglo-Indian family in Mumbai, will thus become only the second foreign-born footballer of Indian origin to play for the country after Japan-born Arata Izumi, who represented India between 2013 and 2014. A versatile attacker currently playing for Indian Super League side Bengaluru FC, Williams relinquished his Australian passport last year to play for India. Born in Perth in 1993, Williams began his professional journey in England after joining Portsmouth's academy in 2010. He broke into the senior side a year later, making his debut against Middlesbrough, before going on to have stints with clubs such as Fulham and Barnsley. On the international stage, Williams represented Australia at the youth level, featuring in the 2012 AFC U-19 Championship and the 2013 FIFA U-20 World Cup. His only senior appearance for Australia came in a 2019 friendly against South Korea, a non-competitive fixture that allowed him to switch national allegiance under FIFA rules. The Blue Tigers began their camp in Kochi on Tuesday where 20 players along with the staff, have assembled. Defender Anwar Ali, midfielder Jeakson Singh Thounaojam, and forward Edmund Lalrindika, who played their last ISL match against Mohammedan Sporting Club on Monday will join the squad later on Tuesday. "This is a good opportunity for us to build for the future," India head coach Jamil stated in a release. "We have a lot of promising players coming through, who are currently with the U20 and U23 national teams, playing in the SAFF U20 Championship in Maldives, and the U23 Tri-Nation in Arunachal Pradesh. "Our assistant coach Mahesh is himself leading the U20s, which will help us familiarise them with the system we have in place here with the senior team." This story has been sourced from a third party syndicated feed, agencies. Mid-day accepts no responsibility or liability for its dependability, trustworthiness, reliability and data of the text. Mid-day management/mid-day.com reserves the sole right to alter, delete or remove (without notice) the content in its absolute discretion for any reason whatsoever
25 March,2026 08:46 AM IST | New Delhi | PTIFormer Liverpool manager Jurgen Klopp has dismissed suggestions that he could take over as Real Madrid coach next season. Klopp hasn’t coached since his departure from Liverpool in 2024. He’s currently the Red Bull group’s head of global football, overseeing clubs like Leipzig, Salzburg and the New York Red Bulls. “It’s all just nonsense. They haven’t even called once. My agent is here, you can ask him too, they haven’t called us,” Klopp said about speculation linking him to Real Madrid. Alvaro Arbeloa is the current Los Blancos coach. He took over from Xabi Alonso, who was sacked on January 12 after an underwhelming start to the season. This story has been sourced from a third party syndicated feed, agencies. Mid-day accepts no responsibility or liability for its dependability, trustworthiness, reliability and data of the text. Mid-day management/mid-day.com reserves the sole right to alter, delete or remove (without notice) the content in its absolute discretion for any reason whatsoever
25 March,2026 08:39 AM IST | Ismaning (Germany) | AgenciesFrench superstar Kylian Mbappe says the knee injury that kept him sidelined for almost two months is "behind him" and there had never been a concern he would miss this year's World Cup. The 27-year-old Real Madrid striker admitted he had not been at his best mentally during the 54-day absence -- the longest of his career. "There was a lot of frustration, anger and anxiety," the French captain said. Mbappe, who along with the French squad flies to the United States on Tuesday for friendlies against Brazil on Thursday and then Colombia Sunday, came on as a substitute for a few minutes in last week's Champions League last-16 match at Manchester City. He also played over 25 minutes for Real -- for whom he is top scorer this campaign with 38 goals in 34 appearances -- in the 3-2 derby win over Atletico on Sunday. "It is behind me," he said of the injury. "I put myself under a regime where I wanted to return gently but with a hunger to play. "I hope I am going to be able to play during the international break and make a difference." The France captain -- a World Cup winner in 2018 and runner-up in 2022 -- said he had been annoyed by the rumour mill suggesting his injury was more serious than it actually was. He had avoided undergoing surgery after scans he had in Paris at the beginning of March revealed he would not require an intervention. "Lots of people gave their own diagnosis, I heard many false things," said Mbappe, who was appearing at an event of an insurance company he invested in in Paris on Monday. 'Not at my best' Mbappe said there had never been a doubt about the injury preventing him from playing at what will be his third World Cup finals in June. "No, that was never a topic of discussion," he said. "At worst I could have had a partial rupture (of the ligament) which would have ruled me out till April. "There was never a debate about the World Cup or the climax to the season with Real Madrid." In spite of the sprain and the resulting pain the former PSG star played part of January and February, admitting he and Real "had tried to manage it as best as possible". "One has to look at the positive, today, I have no pain and we are still in the hunt for trophies, that is what is most important," he said. "We will have time afterwards to assess how it was handled. "I am not going to go into the details, I will say I was not at my best in handling this period, I was not the happiest of players but I am delighted that is behind me now. "All (the pain) is gone." Mbappe said he was looking forward to pitting his wits against the Brazilians, who are managed by Carlo Ancelotti, who coached the Frenchman in his first season at Real. "It might be a friendly but when you play Brazil, the greatest footballing nation with five World Cup wins, it is unbelievable to play against them," he said. "It is a team who could win the World Cup, it is good to compare how we are at the moment with them. "Even if we cannot take a lot of learnings out of this get together, we can nevertheless take some. "One thing is for sure we are not going there for a holiday, we are going there as a step in our preparations for the World Cup." 54No. of days Kylian Mbappe was out with a knee injury; the longest injury-enforced absence of his career This story has been sourced from a third party syndicated feed, agencies. Mid-day accepts no responsibility or liability for its dependability, trustworthiness, reliability and data of the text. Mid-day management/mid-day.com reserves the sole right to alter, delete or remove (without notice) the content in its absolute discretion for any reason whatsoever
25 March,2026 08:37 AM IST | Paris | AFPItaly coach Gennaro Gattuso has admitted that "someone without blood running through their veins" wouldn't feel nervous as the Azzuri prepare for the big World Cup qualifier. Italy have failed to qualify for the last two World Cups and is aiming to avoid another embarrassing failure to reach the finals of the marquee event in the USA.Before Thursday's playoff, Gattuso confirmed that Liverpool winger has returned to England from Italy's training camp due to an injury. The Italian coach said that Chiesa could be sidelined for a considerable amount of time and will miss Italy's playoff match against Northern Ireland."It's undeniable that there's nervousness. Only someone without blood running through their veins wouldn't feel it. But we need to do a good job of transmitting a lot of positivity." Gattuso said.Italy's two losses to Norway in the qualifying stage has but the 2006 World Cup winners on the brink. The Azzurri need to beat Northern Ireland at home in Bergamo and then Wales or Bosnia and Herzegovina away next week."It's useless to think if we could have done better. The only thing we should be thinking about is Thursday's game. Forget that we've won four World Cups, two Euros and an Olympic title. For us, the only game is Thursday's." Gattuso said.Italy will look to avoid failing to qualify for the World Cup for the third straight time after the Azzurri were eliminated by Sweden and North Macedonia in the last two playoffs. Italy hit with an injury crisis Chiesa was sent back to Liverpool upon briefly rejoining the national team for the first time after an almost two-year absence. The Italian star winger has suffered injury problems during his spell at Anfield and hasn't featured much in recent matches. Chiesa's ambition to take Italy to the World Cup was cut short due to yet another niggle."He had some minor (physical) issues, and we decided that it was useless for him to stay," Gattuso said.Italy will also miss other key players like Sandro Tonali, Gianluca Scamacca and Alessandro Bastoni due to injury. Bologna winger Nicolo Cambiaghi has replaced Chiesa in the Italian squad (With AP input)
24 March,2026 12:13 PM IST | Mumbai | mid-day online correspondentFrench and Atletico Madrid footballer Antoine Griezmann is reportedly likely to sign with Major League Soccer (MLS) club Orlando City, eyeing a move to US this summer, reported Goal.com. As per a report by The Athletic, as quoted by Goal.com, Griezmann, a 2018 FIFA World Cup winner with France, has been officially permitted to travel to the US to seal the deal after being linked to the club for the past few weeks. Reports had earlier emerged that Griezmann would consider leaving the Spanish club for a move to the US at the end of February, but their qualification for the Copa Del Ray final delayed his switch. The final against Real Sociedad is scheduled for April 19, and the veteran wants to leave the club with some silverware to his name. Griezmann wants to seal the deal despite the primary transfer window of MLS being closed officially. He would move to North America at the end of the European football season if everything goes right. The 35-year-old has openly made it clear that he intends to play in MLS, as he is a massive fan of American sports. He has often been pictured attending NBA basketball matches and been linked with other MLS clubs in the past, including LAFC, Chicago Fire, and, briefly, Inter Miami. Griezmann being present would immediately make him amongst the best players as the French captain has scored 44 goals for the national side, won the 2018 World Cup and ended as runners-up in 2022. He is Atletico's all-time top-scorer and made it to La Liga's 'Team of the Season' four times. However, this year, he is facing a form slump, with six goals in La Liga so far and five in the Copa Del Ray this season. But despite that, his experience still remains vital for the club. This story has been sourced from a third party syndicated feed, agencies. Mid-day accepts no responsibility or liability for its dependability, trustworthiness, reliability and data of the text. Mid-day management/mid-day.com reserves the sole right to alter, delete or remove (without notice) the content in its absolute discretion for any reason whatsoever
24 March,2026 09:07 AM IST | Paris | ANIEast Bengal FC slammed a barrage of goals to script a historic 7-0 win over Mohammedan Sporting Club in the Kolkata derby in the Indian Super League 2025-26 here on Monday. This massive win marks the largest victory margin in history between the two sides and is also the joint-highest in ISL history, equalling FC Goa's 7-0 win over Mumbai City FC in 2015. Following this emphatic result, the Red and Gold Brigade climbed to fourth in the standings with 11 points from six matches, while Mohammedan Sporting Club remained near the bottom, yet to open their account after five matches. Anwar Ali, who was adjudged Player of the Match, scored a brace. Apart from him -- with goals in the 6th and 79th minutes -- the other scorers were Youssef Ezzejjari (14th, 54th --both penalties), Saul Crespo (38th, penalty), PV Vishnu (75'th) and Nandha Kumar (90th+6). East Bengal were off to a blazing start, asserting dominance in the opening minutes. Their early pressure paid off in the sixth minute when centre-back Anwar unleashed a long-range left-footed strike from the left flank. Mohammedan keeper Padam Chettri missed the ball and it found the bottom-right corner, giving the hosts a 1-0 lead. The advantage was doubled in the 14th minute after a foul inside the box by left back Sajjad Hussain on Miguel Figueira resulted in a penalty. Youssef Ezzejjari stepped up and calmly converted from the spot to make it 2-0. The hosts continued to press forward, with Edmund Lalrindika testing Padam midway through the half. The game tilted further in East Bengal's favour when Mohammedan right back Joseph Lalmuanawma was sent off for a second yellow card after conceding a second penalty. Captain Saul Crespo converted from the spot in the 38th minute to extend the lead to 3-0. The second half followed a similar pattern with East Bengal dominating proceedings. In the 54th minute, Ezzejjari converted his second penalty of the match, marking the first instance of a team scoring three penalties in a single ISL match, after Miguel Figueira was brought down inside the box by Padam. Despite being reduced to 10 men, Mohammedan attempted to respond with Juwel Mazumder missing from close range in the 68th minute. At the other end, East Bengal continued to create chances, with midfielder Lalhlansanga heading narrowly wide from an Anwar Ali delivery. The fifth goal arrived in the 75th minute when PV Vishnu finished from close range following a corner to further extend the lead. East Bengal added a sixth just four minutes later, with Anwar Ali grabbing his second of the night with a composed left-footed finish from inside the box after being set up by Mahesh Naorem. This story has been sourced from a third party syndicated feed, agencies. Mid-day accepts no responsibility or liability for its dependability, trustworthiness, reliability and data of the text. Mid-day management/mid-day.com reserves the sole right to alter, delete or remove (without notice) the content in its absolute discretion for any reason whatsoever
24 March,2026 09:06 AM IST | Kolkata | PTIFormer Arsenal and Chelsea star Jorginho was left fuming on Saturday after his 11-year-old daughter Ada was berated by US pop sensation Chappell Roan’s security guard at a hotel in Brazil. The Euro 2020 winner with Italy explained on Instagram: “She [Ada] simply walked past the singer’s table, looked to confirm it was her, smiled, and went back to sit with her mum. [Then] a security guard came over and began speaking in an extremely aggressive manner to both my wife and my daughter, saying that she shouldn’t allow my daughter to ‘disrespect’ or ‘harass’ other people.” Jorginho’s daughter Ada. Pic/Jorginho’s Instagram Jorginho added that the situation left his daughter in tears, and slammed Roan saying she should understand fans “are the ones who build all this [her fame].” Following the incident and the subsequent social media backlash, Roan put out an apology video on Instagram. “I did not ask the security guard to go up and talk to them. I do not hate people who are fans of my music. I am sorry to the mother and child,” Roan said
24 March,2026 08:59 AM IST | Mumbai | A CorrespondentPep Guardiola hailed Manchester City's 2-0 win against Arsenal in the League Cup final as a "special" moment after a difficult period that threatened to derail their season. Nico O'Reilly capitalised on a blunder from Arsenal goalkeeper Kepa Arrizabalaga to head City's second-half opener and the defender struck again moments later to seal the Wembley triumph on Sunday. City's victory was a sweet moment for Guardiola after a turbulent period that included a Champions League last-16 exit against Real Madrid. Damaging Premier League draws against strugglers Nottingham Forest and West Ham have left them nine points behind leaders Arsenal. "We made an incredible victory. To win against that team makes it special," Guardiola said. "It means a lot. Always winning a trophy is difficult, especially because, along with Bayern Munich and Barcelona, Arsenal are the best team in Europe. Man City players celebrate with the League Cup trophy on Sunday. Pic/AFP "We couldn't win against West Ham or Nottingham Forest. We lost to Real Madrid at home and away. Nobody bet a pound on us to win. "It's special because we had a tough two weeks. I'm really pleased because Mikel (Arteta) created a team that is almost unbeatable. A fifth League Cup in 10 years is not bad." While Arsenal suffered due to Kepa's mistake, City enjoyed a crucial contribution from James Trafford, who made a brilliant triple save in the first half in a contrasting tale of two back-up keepers thrust into the spotlight. "James saved us in the first minutes. Nathan Ake was excellent today. Everybody has made a contribution," Guardiola said. "We were required to do something we have not been good at this season, without the ball. I cannot believe how good we have done it in the second half, especially against that team." Guardiola was ecstatic after O'Reilly's second goal, embarking on a jubilant sprint down the touchline that earned him a booking. It was a celebration that suggested his passion undimmed in an inconsistent City campaign featuring speculation that he may quit at the end of the season. The Spaniard had no intention of apologising after City wrapped up the 19th trophy in all competitions during his glittering decade in charge, in the process ending a barren run that left them without silverware last term. "If I cannot celebrate in the moment against that team. The emotion is part of me with the way we are playing. That was for the players," he said. "I'm not artificial intelligence. I am a human being. I want to celebrate. Come on give me another yellow card! "I still enjoy it to compete. Today was a real challenge. "It is not the Premier League or the Champions League I know that. But the opponent is incredible. It was so difficult." 4No. of League Cup finals lost by Arsenal in their last four appearances — the longest losing streak in the tournament 5No. of League Cup titles won by Man City in the last 10 years 9Total League Cup titles won by Manchester City 6No. of years since Arsenal won a major trophy 19No. of trophies won by Man City under Pep Guardiola This story has been sourced from a third party syndicated feed, agencies. Mid-day accepts no responsibility or liability for its dependability, trustworthiness, reliability and data of the text. Mid-day management/mid-day.com reserves the sole right to alter, delete or remove (without notice) the content in its absolute discretion for any reason whatsoever
24 March,2026 08:40 AM IST | London | AFPMikel Arteta defended his decision to select Kepa Arrizabalaga in the League Cup final after the Arsenal goalkeeper's costly mistake sparked a 2-0 defeat against Manchester City on Sunday. Kepa was guilty of a horrendous blunder in the second half at Wembley when he let Rayan Cherki's cross slip through his fingers, gifting Nico O'Reilly the chance to head in City's opener. Arsenal never recovered and O'Reilly struck again four minutes later to leave the Gunners still waiting for their first major trophy since 2020. Arteta had opted to keep faith with Kepa instead of picking first-choice stopper David Raya because the former Chelsea star has been a regular in the League Cup this season. The gamble backfired as Kepa endured another League Cup final moment to forget after his 2019 refusal to be substituted by Chelsea boss Maurizio Sarri prior to a penalty shoot-out defeat against Manchester City in which he failed to save a kick. Kepa also missed a penalty in a shoot-out loss to Liverpool three years later. Asked about the criticism of his decision, Arteta said: "I understand but I have to do what is right and fair. "Kepa had played all the competition, I think it would have been unfair to him and the team to do something different. "He had gone all the way through this competition. Errors are part of football and unfortunately it happened today at a crucial moment." Sitting nine points clear at the top of the Premier League, Arsenal were favoured to beat City but they failed to rise to the occasion. Far too conservative for long periods at Wembley, Arsenal remain without a trophy since the 2020 FA Cup after their quadruple bid came to a painful end. "Very sad, very hard one to take. We know how much it means and how much we wanted it. The fact we haven't delivered that is disappointing and leaves a bad taste," Arteta said. "First half we were the better team and had the biggest chance of the game, if we scored that it would have changed the game. "In the first 20 minutes of the second half we weren't at our best. We struggled to get out of our block and conceded the goal in an unexpected manner obviously. "You have to give credit to the opposition. They raised their level and capitalised on their moments. We didn't." This story has been sourced from a third party syndicated feed, agencies. Mid-day accepts no responsibility or liability for its dependability, trustworthiness, reliability and data of the text. Mid-day management/mid-day.com reserves the sole right to alter, delete or remove (without notice) the content in its absolute discretion for any reason whatsoever
24 March,2026 08:38 AM IST | London | AFPADVERTISEMENT
