Lionel Messi has agreed a contract extension with Inter Miami, Major League Soccer confirmed on Thursday.

"Official: Leo Messi will continue to be an MLS player with Inter Miami," the league's Spanish language account on X said.

Inter Miami's X feed posted a video of Messi signing a contract sitting at a table in the middle of the club's new stadium, which is under construction, with the simple caption: "He's Home."

HE’S HOME. pic.twitter.com/AUMJJYR5pF

— Inter Miami CF (@InterMiamiCF) October 23, 2025

The Argentine superstar's new contract will see him remain with Inter through the end of the 2028 season, sources with knowledge of the deal confirmed to AFP.

The 38-year-old World Cup-winner's current contract expires at the end of the 2025 MLS season.

A new deal had been viewed as a formality after club sources told AFP last month that the franchise had reached an agreement on an extension.

Messi's contract ensures he will remain in competitive action until and long after the 2026 World Cup hosted by the United States, Canada and Mexico.

The tournament gets under way on 11 June, with the final to be played at the MetLife Stadium in New Jersey on 19 July.

Messi moved to Inter Miami in 2023 after an unhappy spell at Paris Saint-Germain, but the bulk of his stellar career was spent at Barcelona, where he played from 2004 to 2021 after coming through the youth system at the Spanish giants.

At Barcelona, he won the LaLiga title 10 times and lifted the UEFA Champions League trophy on four occasions.

In 2022, he led Argentina to World Cup glory in Qatar and has expressed a desire to try to retain the trophy next year.

He has scored 114 international goals and also won the Copa America twice with Argentina, in 2021 and 2024.

MLS GOALS HISTORY

Messi could play at a sixth World Cup next year, which would set a new all-time record, although he could be matched by long-time rival Cristiano Ronaldo of Portugal.

The eight-time Ballon d'Or winner is also just three goals short of Miroslav Klose's record of 16 career World Cup goals.

Argentina comfortably booked a spot at next year's finals, finishing nine points clear at the top of the South American qualifying table.

Messi finished as the top scorer with eight goals, including a brace in what may have been his last competitive match on home soil against Venezuela two weeks ago.

He was named the MLS Most Valuable Player in the 2024 season even though Inter Miami were eliminated in the playoffs.

In 2025, he became the fastest player to reach 40 goals in MLS history.

This season, Messi has led Miami back into the playoffs after finishing in third place in the Eastern Conference.

He wrapped up Inter Miami's regular season campaign with a superb hat-trick last Saturday in a 5-2 demolition of Nashville SC, leaving him with 29 goals from 28 matches to win MLS's Golden Boot award.

Alexis Mac Allister and Lautaro Martinez each scored two goals and Argentina routed Puerto Rico 6-0 in an international football friendly on Tuesday.

Argentine legend Lionel Messi assisted on two goals and played the entire way in a match moved from Chicago to the home pitch of Messi's MLS Inter Miami squad.

Mac Allister, a standout midfielder for reigning English Premier League champion Liverpool, opened the scoring on a header in the 14th minute.

Messi set up the second goal for the Albiceleste with a through ball to Gonzalo Montiel, who fired in a shot to the bottom left corner in the 23rd minute.

Mac Allister scored again in the 36th minute for a 3-0 Argentina halftime lead.

Puerto Rico's Steven Echevarria scored an own goal in the 64th minute to give Argentina a 4-0 edge.

Martinez, who entered in the 63rd minute, scored in the 79th and 84th minutes – the latter off a Messi assist – to give the South Americans their final victory margin.

The match was moved over low ticket sales, according to organisers.

Argentina was coming off a 1-0 victory over Colombia last Friday, the same day Puerto Rico beat St. Vincent and the Grenadines 2-1.

Lionel Messi has rejoined the Argentina squad and could feature in Tuesday's friendly against Puerto Rico, coach Lionel Scaloni said after the forward skipped their 1-0 victory over Venezuela to play for Inter Miami at the weekend.

Messi scored twice in Inter Miami's 4-0 victory over Atlanta United in Major League Soccer on Saturday, and Scaloni said he would speak to the 38-year-old about his fitness before deciding if he plays against Puerto Rico.

"I saw Messi play on Saturday. From what I know, he finished well. I haven't spoken to him yet," Scaloni told reporters on Monday.

"Now we have the last training session for tomorrow's match, and as we always do before preparing for the final training, I'll talk to him and if he's in condition, he'll play tomorrow."

The match against Puerto Rico will take place at Inter Miami's home venue Chase Stadium in Fort Lauderdale, Florida after being moved from Chicago due to security and logistical concerns.

Neymar remains in Brazil's plans but the forward needs to be fully fit to earn a recall to the squad as he looks to reignite his international career ahead of next year's World Cup, coach Carlo Ancelotti said on Monday.

Neymar, 33, has not featured for Brazil in two years, with injuries hampering his ability to perform consistently since returning to Santos last year after a stint in Saudi Arabia.

Ancelotti, speaking ahead of Brazil's friendly against Japan in Tokyo on Tuesday, praised Neymar's talent but stressed the importance of his physical condition.

"Neymar can play at his highest level in this team without any problems," the Italian told reporters. "When he is in good physical condition, he has the quality to play not only in Brazil but in any team in the world because of his talent."

The former Barcelona and Paris St Germain forward last wore the famous yellow jersey in October 2023, when he suffered serious knee ligament damage that has plagued comeback attempts.

Brazil head into Tuesday's match buoyed by an emphatic 5-0 victory over South Korea last Friday, a performance that showcased their ability to entertain with the "beautiful game."

However, Ancelotti emphasised that balance and teamwork remain paramount.

"The Brazilian national team wants to play beautiful football and can play it, yes, but it depends on what you mean by beautiful game," he said.

"Of course, the players have individual quality and commitment. You have to play beautifully with the ball and also without the ball, which is an important aspect."

The Italian, who took over in May after a tricky World Cup qualifying campaign, has prioritised attitude and adaptability in the limited time before the tournament in North America.

Since taking charge, Ancelotti has overseen three wins, a draw, and one defeat. Under him Brazil have become more defensively solid, conceding only one goal — a penalty against Bolivia in the high altitude of El Alto — while scoring nine.

On Friday in Seoul, the coach included four forwards in his starting eleven — Vinicius Jr, Rodrygo, Matheus Cunha and teenager Estevao — and Brazil overwhelmed the home side.

Tuesday's clash with Japan provides another opportunity for Ancelotti to refine his tactical approach.

Reflecting on the team's progress, he added: "Commitment and teamwork are essential. Playing beautifully is important, but the most important thing is to win."

Argentina's Chelsea midfielder Enzo Fernandez has withdrawn from the squad due to inflammation in his right knee, the national team said on Saturday.

The 24-year-old played the majority of the 1-0 win over Venezuela in a friendly in Florida on Friday.

The Argentina team posted on X saying Fernandez had "synovitis in his right knee."

Fernandez, who has scored three Premier League goals for seventh-placed Chelsea this season, is the club's latest midfielder to pick up an injury, with Cole Palmer, Dario Essugo and Andrey Santos also sidelined.

Argentina play Puerto Rico in another friendly on Tuesday, while Chelsea visit Nottingham Forest on 18 October.

Curacao boosted their chances of reaching the World Cup for the first time on Friday with a 2-0 victory over Jamaica in CONCACAF qualifiers.

Goals from Livano Comenencia and Kenji Gorre at the Ergilio Hato Stadium in Willemstad sealed a deserved victory that left the Caribbean minnows atop Group B.

Curacao are coached by veteran Dutch manager Dick Advocaat, the 78-year-old who is bidding to take a team to the World Cup for the third time after leading the Netherlands to the 1998 finals and South Korea to the 2006 tournament.

Friday's victory over Jamaica leaves Curacao top of their group with seven points from three games, one point over the second-placed Jamaicans, who have six points.

Trinidad & Tobago are third in the group on four points after securing a comfortable 3-0 win over Bermuda on Friday.

Curacao face a potentially pivotal home game against Trinidad & Tobago in their next qualifier on Tuesday.

But Friday's defeat was another blow for Jamaica coach Steve McClaren, the former England manager who is attempting to lead the Reggae Boyz back to the World Cup for only the second time.

Elsewhere on Friday, Suriname also kept their improbable qualifying campaign on track with a 1-1 draw at home to Guatemala in Group A.

Darwin Lom volleyed Guatemala into the lead in the 75th minute but Suriname leveled in the fourth minute of stoppage time with a scrambled goal from Virgil Misidjan.

The result left Suriname top of the group with five points from three games, leading Panama on goal difference. Panama improved their chances of qualification with a 1-0 away win over El Salvador on Friday.

With CONCACAF giants the United States, Mexico and Canada qualifying for the 2026 World Cup as co-hosts, three more automatic berths are on offer for teams from the region.

The three group winners from the final round of qualifying will qualify for next year's tournament, with the two best-ranked second placed teams advancing to the inter-confederation playoff.

Folarin Balogun scored a second-half equaliser as the United States came from behind to snatch a 1-1 draw with Ecuador in a friendly international on Friday.

Monaco striker Balogun tucked away a clever finish in the 71st minute after latching on to a perfectly timed pass from Malik Tillman at Austin's Q2 Stadium in Texas.

Ecuador had taken the lead in the 24th minute when veteran striker Enner Valencia burst clear in a lightning counter-attack by the South Americans.

Valencia's first touch took him away from Crystal Palace defender Chris Richards before he arrowed in a low angled shot past US goalkeeper Matt Freese.

The Americans, however, responded well to that early setback, and Mauricio Pochettino's side looked the more threatening team after halftime, getting their reward from Balogun's equaliser midway through the half.

The result and the US performance was full of positives though for US coach Pochettino, who has struggled to build consistent performances since his appointment a year ago.

Back-to-back matches with a goal for Folarin Balogun! ⚽️⚽️ pic.twitter.com/gcfVaJpykF

— U.S. Soccer Men's National Team (@USMNT) October 11, 2025

Against Ecuador, one of the most in-form teams in South America who have qualified for the World Cup, Pochettino's side were well worth a draw.

"It's good to build momentum," Balogun said afterwards. "I said before the game, Ecuador is a strong team and we knew it was going to be difficult, but we're disappointed not to get the win.

"But I think we were the better side and there were a lot of positives. There was some good combination play and we created a lot of chances. I think I could have been a bit more clinical."

The US face Australia in a second friendly international on Tuesday in Colorado.

Japan coach Hajime Moriyasu hailed his World Cup-bound team's in-form strikers after Koki Ogawa and Ayase Ueda scored on Friday to rescue a 2-2 home friendly draw with Paraguay.

Feyenoord's Ueda got a late leveller in Osaka when he stooped to head home in the fourth minute of second-half stoppage time, shortly after replacing Ogawa from the bench.

NEC Nijmegen's Ogawa scored Japan's other goal in the first half after unleashing a stinging shot that Paraguay goalkeeper Roberto Fernandez parried into his own net.

Paraguay defended doggedly throughout, and Moriyasu was happy that his centre-forwards were able to find a way through.

"When you face a strong team that doesn't let you shoot in the attacking third, it gives us confidence as a team when the strikers who we look to for goals manage to score," he said.

Ueda tops the Dutch league's scoring charts with eight goals in eight games this season for Feyenoord, who lead the table.

Ogawa has three in seven games for sixth-placed NEC.

"I'm in good form, but the things I have been building up are paying off," said the 27-year-old Ueda.

"I'm in a good situation."

Former Newcastle attacker Miguel Almiron opened the scoring for Paraguay midway through the first half before Ogawa equalised for Japan five minutes later.

Brighton's Diego Gomez scored a 64th-minute header for Paraguay, who took the sixth and final direct World Cup spot in South American qualifying.

Moriyasu was satisfied with his players' attitude after drawing with Mexico and losing to the US in their previous friendlies.

"We went behind twice, but the players clawed it back and I think the feeling that they played with came across to the fans," he said.

Japan host Brazil in Tokyo in another friendly on Tuesday, while Paraguay travel to South Korea.

Japan were missing several regulars through injury, including Brighton winger Kaoru Mitoma and Liverpool midfielder Wataru Endo.

Eighteen-year-old Chelsea winger Estevao scored twice as an impressive Brazil thrashed fellow World Cup qualifiers South Korea 5-0 away in a friendly on Friday.

Home captain Son Heung-min made his 137th appearance for South Korea, a record for the country's men's team, in wet conditions in Seoul.

But apart from that it was all about Carlo Ancelotti's side, who led 2-0 at half-time after goals from Estevao and Real Madrid's Rodrygo.

Estevao finished from close range after 13 minutes following an incisive through ball from Newcastle United midfielder Bruno Guimaraes.

It was his second goal in his eighth game for Brazil and a reminder that he could be one of the stars of next year's World Cup in North America.

Brazil looked dangerous every time they went forward and they doubled their lead four minutes before the break when Rodrygo rifled in after evading the South Korean defence with some neat footwork.

The visitors played a strong side, with Manchester United's Matheus Cunha leading the frontline and the dangerous trio of Estevao, Rodrygo and his Real Madrid team-mate Vinicius Junior just behind.

That quality told soon after the break as Estevao and Rodrygo both scored again, before Vinicius made it five with 13 minutes to go.

Brazil face Japan away on Tuesday, when South Korea host Paraguay.

France centre back William Saliba said his side are not intimidated by facing reigning champions Argentina or European holders Spain at next year's World Cup and believe they can overcome any rival.

France finished as the runners-up at the 2022 World Cup, losing to Argentina on penalties in a pulsating final widely regarded as one of the greatest matches in the tournament's history.

Spain, meanwhile, enter the tournament co-hosted by the United States, Canada and Mexico, as one of the favourites, having clinched the European Championship last year after knocking out France in the semifinals.

"The World Cup is eight months away. Spain and Argentina have won the last two major competitions, that's true. But we're not afraid of them. I hope we qualify and get our revenge at the World Cup," Saliba told reporters ahead of Friday's World Cup qualifier against Azerbaijan.

"It's the greatest competition in football. Everyone wants to be there. There's nothing higher than that. That's all we're waiting for."

France lead Group D in their World Cup qualifiers with six points from two matches. They host Azerbaijan, who sit bottom of the group, at the Parc des Princes before travelling to Reykjavik to face second-placed Iceland three days later.

Saliba, who missed France's opening qualifiers against Ukraine and Iceland due to injury, is eager to contribute as he eyes his 29th cap for the Les Bleus.

"It's always a bit annoying to be injured. Competition is fierce in the French team. I'm back today. We'll see how it goes. But I'll have to be good when the coach needs me," the Arsenal defender said.

World Cup qualifying in Asia reaches its climax over the next week, with Patrick Kluivert's Indonesia among six countries vying for the two remaining spots from the region.

The football-mad nation of nearly 300 million people is on the verge of its first World Cup since gaining independence from the Dutch in 1945.

Indonesian football authorities have looked to the Netherlands to achieve it, bringing in legendary Dutch striker Kluivert as coach in January.

They have also naturalised more than a dozen players born in the Netherlands but with family ties to the Southeast Asian country.

It comes three years after Indonesian football was plunged into mourning when 135 people were killed in a stadium crush during a domestic game.

"The whole country needs to stand behind us," said Kluivert, the former Netherlands and Barcelona great whose side faces Iraq and Saudi Arabia in Group B.

There are two groups in this stage of Asian qualifying, each with three teams that will all face each other once.

The teams that finish top of each group qualify for next year's showpiece in the United States, Canada and Mexico.

The 2026 World Cup has been expanded to 48 teams from 32, giving the likes of Indonesia a better chance of qualifying.

"We are doing our utmost best to perform at the highest level and prepare the players as good as possible," said Kluivert.

"Inshallah (God-willing) we are ready to make the country proud of us."

Indonesia will have to do it the hard way, with Saudi Arabia staging all the games in Group B, and so having home advantage.

Indonesia and Saudi Arabia meet on Wednesday in Jeddah to kickstart the action.

Kluivert, whose coaching career has never lived up to his stellar playing days, has won three of his six games in charge, losing two and drawing one.

The Saudis will be favourites to progress out of the group and are now back under French coach Herve Renard following the sacking of Italian Roberto Mancini a year ago.

Renard masterminded the Saudis' shock 2-1 win over Lionel Messi's eventual champions Argentina at the 2022 World Cup in Qatar.

Group A comprises Qatar, the United Arab Emirates and Oman, who are bidding to reach the finals for the first time.

That group will play all its games in Qatar, giving the reigning Asian champions an undeniable advantage.

Qatar appointed former Spain and Real Madrid boss Julen Lopetegui in May, following his sacking by West Ham United.

Qatar begin the Group A action in Doha against Oman.

The runners-up in the two groups will meet in a two-legged tie in November, with the winner going into an intercontinental playoff.

Six teams from Asia have already guaranteed qualification: Japan, South Korea, Uzbekistan, Iran, Jordan and Australia.

Liverpool goalkeeper Alisson Becker has been ruled out until after this month's international break after injuring his hamstring in the Champions League defeat at Galatasaray.

The Brazil international was replaced by Giorgi Mamardashvili in the 56th minute of the game in Istanbul – Liverpool's second straight defeat after they started the season with seven successive wins in all competitions.

Manager Arne Slot confirmed on Friday his No 1 goalkeeper would not be fit to face Chelsea at Stamford Bridge this weekend.

"Alisson is not a part of the squad tomorrow and he's not going to travel to Brazil as well for the national team," he said.

Slot said it was difficult to put a timescale on when the goalkeeper, 33, would return.

"I would be surprised if he would be there in the first game after the international break, but from there on sometimes things can go a bit faster or a bit slower," he added.

"It's difficult to say the amount of days and weeks, but for the upcoming games he will not be part of us or the Brazil team."

Slot said forward Hugo Ekitike, who also came off with an injury in the second half in Turkey, would train on Friday and would be assessed.

Liverpool remain top of the Premier League despite last week's 2-1 defeat at Crystal Palace – two points clear of second-placed Arsenal.

Real Madrid forwards Rodrygo and Vinicius Jr have been called up to the Brazil squad for friendlies against South Korea and Japan this month, while Neymar misses out due to a thigh injury.

Vinicius was left out of Carlo Ancelotti's squad for World Cup qualifiers against Chile and Bolivia last month, while Rodrygo last played for Brazil in March. Eder Militao was also included after recovering from a long-term knee injury.

Neymar, Brazil's leading goalscorer, suffered a thigh muscle tear last month and is expected to be out until November.

Goalkeeper Alisson, defender Marquinhos and forward Raphinha were all also left out due to injuries.

Brazil play South Korea in Seoul on October 10, before travelling to face Japan in Tokyo four days later.

Ancelotti said the squad was not a definitive list of those who will travel to North America for next year's World Cup.

"Obviously, many of these players will be at the World Cup, but it is a list that also takes into account the injuries we have had in recent days," he added. "It is an opportunity for others to demonstrate their qualities."

Squad

Goalkeepers: Bento, Ederson, Hugo Souza

Defenders: Caio Henrique, Carlos Augusto, Douglas Santos, Eder Militao, Fabricio Bruno, Gabriel Magalhaes, Beraldo, Vanderson, Wesley

Midfielders: Andre, Bruno Guimaraes, Casemiro, Joao Gomes, Joelinton, Lucas Paqueta

Forwards: Estevao, Gabriel Martinelli, Igor Jesus, Luiz Henrique, Matheus Cunha, Richarlison, Rodrygo, Vinicius Jr

Fifa on Friday suspended seven Malaysia national team players for 12 months and fined the country's football association 350,000 Swiss francs ($440,000) over forged documents used for an Asia Cup qualifier.

World football's disciplinary committee imposed the sanctions after the Football Association of Malaysia (FAM) doctored documentation to be able to field the players in a 4-0 win over Vietnam in June, it said in a statement.

Fifa acted after it received a complaint regarding the eligibility of several players who featured in the match.

As a result, Gabriel Felipe Arrocha, Facundo Tomas Garces, Rodrigo Julian Holgado, Imanol Javier Machuca, Joao Vitor Brandao Figueiredo, Jon Irazabal Iraurgui and Hector Alejandro Hevel Serrano were all fined 2,000 Swiss francs.

They were also banned from any football-related activity for 12 months.

FAM SET TO APPEAL

Reacting to the suspension, the FAM said it would appeal the decision.

The body said it would "use all available legal channels and procedures to ensure that the interests of the players and the Malaysian national team are always protected".

"FAM would like to emphasise that the players involved, and FAM itself, have acted in good faith and with full transparency throughout this process," the association said in a statement issued in Kuala Lumpur.

The FAM maintained that documentation and procedures were managed transparently and along Fifa guidelines.

"In fact, Fifa has previously reviewed the qualifications of the players and provided official confirmation that they are eligible to play for Malaysia," the FAM said.

Malaysia currently top their 2027 Asia Cup qualifying group with six points from two matches, pending any further Fifa sanctions.

Luca Zidane, the 27-year-old goalkeeper and son of French football great Zinedine Zidane, has switched his sporting nationality from France to Algeria, the Algerian Football Federation said on Friday.

"Fifa officially granted... goalkeeper Luca Zinedine Zidane authorisation to represent the Algerian national team," FAF said in a statement.

Fifa's "change of association platform" showed the decision was dated on Friday.

Luca Zidane represented France at youth levels and currently plays for Granada in Spain's second division.

Since he never made the step up to the French national team, he remained eligible to play for Algeria, the country of his paternal grandparents.

The North Africans have qualified for the 2025 African Cup of Nations, set to begin on December 21 in Morocco.

They are also leading their World Cup qualifying Group G with 19 points, needing either a win against Somalia or draw with Uganda next month to qualify for the 2026 World Cup.

Zidane also played for Real Madrid's reserve team after working his way up from its youth academy, which he joined in 2004.

He debuted with the main team in their last league game in the 2017-2018 season and was the third-choice goalkeeper when Real won their 13th Champions League title in 2018.

Although Zinedine Zidane was born in Marseille, his family was originally from a small village in Bejaia, some 250 kilometres east of Algiers.

Spain has reclaimed the No 1 spot in the Fifa Men's World Ranking for the first time since 2014 in the latest rankings released on Thursday.

With more than 200 relevant national-team matches having been completed since the last update, there was significant movement within the top 50.

Reigning World Cup champions Argentina slid to No 3 due to their 1-0 loss to Ecuador in the CONMEBOL Qualifiers on 8 September, with France moving up one spot to No 2.

While Argentina did beat Venezuela 3-0 on 3 September, France went 2-0 during the rankings update window.

Argentina had occupied the top spot since April 2023.

The biggest shakeup in the top 10 was Germany's three-spot tumble to No 12 after their 2-0 loss to Slovakia in the Uefa Qualifiers on 3 September. 

Germany are outside of the top 10 for the first time since October 2024.

🔝🇪🇸 Spain claim the top spot in the latest #FIFARanking!

— FIFA World Cup (@FIFAWorldCup) September 18, 2025

Meanwhile, Slovakia vaulted 10 spots to re-enter the Top 50 at No 42.

Germany are now also behind No 11 Morocco, whose only loss in nine matches since the most recent rankings release was a 1-0 defeat to Kenya in the African Nations Championship last month.

Canada moved up two spots to No 26 with a pair of friendly wins over Romania and Wales this month.

They have closed the gap further on their North American rivals, with the United States sliding one spot to No 16.

The USMNT followed a 2-1 loss to Mexico in the Gold Cup in July with a 2-0 defeat to South Korea on 5 September and a 2-0 win over Japan on 8 September.

Mexico, who have a pair of draws since the victory over the USMNT, also dropped one spot to No 14.

The biggest drop was suffered by Zimbabwe, which fell nine spots to No 125.

FIFA MEN'S WORLD RANKINGS TOP 10

1. Spain

2. France

3. Argentina

4. England

5. Portugal

6. Brazil

7. Netherlands

8. Belgium

9. Croatia

10. Italy

Midfielder Ruben Loftus-Cheek said on Wednesday he can play many positions on the pitch for Thomas Tuchel as he makes his return to the national team for the first time in seven years.

Loftus-Cheek, who played under Tuchel at Chelsea from 2021-/, was a late addition to the squad for this month's World Cup qualifiers against Andorra and Serbia, being called up after Crystal Palace's Adam Wharton withdrew due to injury.

🗣️ "A very intelligent man"

Ruben Loftus-Cheek comments on his relationship with Thomas Tuchel from his time at Chelsea and how he reacted when he was asked to play at right-wing back pic.twitter.com/riZT8O3p0D

— Sky Sports News (@SkySportsNews) September 3, 2025

"It's been a long time," the AC Milan player said at England's training base at St. George's Park on Wednesday. "I was part of the 2018 (World Cup) squad and even the season after I was called up – and then of course, I ruptured my Achilles.

"Being away from the squad for so long I kind of got used to not going," he added. "You still want to push in club football with the hope of maybe getting a sniff. But I just completely forgot about it and was being a fan for the team instead."

Ruben Loftus-Cheek 🦁

First @England call-up since 2018 🙌#WCQ pic.twitter.com/ChsikCpiJe

— UEFA EURO (@UEFAEURO) September 2, 2025

Loftus-Cheek came through the Chelsea academy as a central midfielder, but credits Tuchel with helping him become more versatile.

"When he came into Chelsea, he spoke to me about playing wing back. I said 'No way.' I ended up playing there anyway," the 29-year-old said with a laugh. "Tuchel suggested that I am a powerful runner and have the pace to play there.

"I played many positions under Tuchel and he values my physicality... With things that can happen in a tournament, being versatile is a good thing."

Loftus-Cheek's career has been blighted by injury, but he is intent on helping England finally win their first trophy since the 1966 World Cup.

"We were so close in 2018 (fourth at the World Cup) and the boys have been incredibly close in the years after. It was nerve-wracking watching those games," he said. "You hope for the future that we can go all the way."

England play Andorra on Saturday at Villa Park and then Serbia in Belgrade three days later.

Charismatic veteran coach Marcelo Bielsa is on the brink of guiding a third team to World Cup qualification as Uruguay take on Peru on Thursday needing only a draw to secure their ticket to next year's North American extravaganza.

Paraguay, who host Ecuador, also need only a draw to qualify, while Colombia can book their spot at World Cup 2026 in the United States, Canada and Mexico, by beating Bolivia.

Reigning champions Argentina, for whom the incomparable Lionel Messi will be playing his last home qualifier for the Albiceleste at the age of 38, have already qualified, alongside Brazil and Ecuador.

For Uruguay, a draw or more in front of 60 000 fans in a packed-out Estadio Centenario in Montevideo would be a fitting achievement for the 70-year-old Bielsa.

He guided his native Argentina to a shock group stage exit at the 2002 World Cup in Japan and South Korea, but did better at the Chile helm in South Africa in 2010, reaching the knock-out stages before losing 3-0 to Brazil.

However, all has not been plain-sailing with the Celeste.

While Bielsa was met with supporter excitement – and even euphoria – when he took over the reins two years ago, an underwhelming campaign has dampened that enthusiasm.

"If I had to qualify my management, I would say that we should have got more than we did," Bielsa said recently of his team, who have scored only 19 goals in 16 matches – a far cry from the swashbuckling attacking teams he usually puts out.

Qualification was always likely in a system that will see six of the 10 Conmebol sides qualify automatically, with one more heading into an inter-continental play-off.

Real Madrid midfielder Federico Valverde admitted as much, even though Uruguay have yet to book their ticket: "This qualification campaign was easier than the previous ones."

VENEZUELA SEEK HISTORY

Only Venezuela – on 18 points as they travel to Buenos Aires on Thursday for Messi's emotionally-charged home swansong – could delay qualification for Uruguay and Paraguay (both on 24 points). They must both lose and Venezuela pull off a shock victory.

Messi said last week that the clash "will be a very special match for me, because it's my last qualifier", although he did not rule out playing in a future friendly.

He has not confirmed whether or not he will play in the World Cup, although it seems certain since he plies his club trade in Miami.

Even if Venezuela do not win on Thursday, the Vinotinto are still well-placed to qualify for the World Cup for the first time, if only via the inter-continental play-offs.

They are the only one of the 10 South American sides never to have qualified for the global showpiece.

They are a point ahead of Bolivia (17 points) in the race for the play-off spot. Neither are expected to win away on Thursday but if Venezuela beat Colombia – who on 22 points should themselves have qualified by then – next Tuesday, that should be enough to pip Bolivia, who host Brazil next week.

Only rock-bottom Chile (10 points) have already been eliminated, with Peru (12 points) needing to win their final two matches and see both Venezuela and Bolivia slump dramatically to snatch a highly-unlikely place in the play-offs.

Players should not be vilified for forcing through transfer moves, former England star Rio Ferdinand told AFP on Wednesday following the Alexander Isak saga, adding: "Nice guys don't win."

Isak is public enemy No 1 at Newcastle United after making it clear that he did not want to play for the club again as he attempted to engineer a move to Liverpool.

The Swedish striker got his wish by sealing a British-record £125 million ($167 million) switch to the Premier League champions on Monday.

-- NIGERIA ONLY --

England defender Marc Guehi however saw his move to Liverpool break down after Crystal Palace vetoed his sale at the last minute.

In contrast to the bitter Isak saga, Guehi earned plaudits for continuing to play and perform for Palace despite Liverpool's advances.

"Nice guys don't win," former England and Manchester United defender Ferdinand said on the sidelines of the World Football Summit in Hong Kong.

"The clubs get away with murder in these situations. How many players down the years were denied a move because the clubs said it wasn't this and it wasn't that? Being greedy.

"But players get vilified when they say, 'It's a great offer, it's a load of money, why aren't you letting me go? I want to go to a club that's winning trophies.'"

Ferdinand, who moved from Leeds to Manchester United in 2002 for a then-British record fee, added: "Marc Guehi's not been able to go and everyone's going, 'Great, brilliant.'

"But what if Liverpool don't buy him now? Or he gets injured, he never gets to that point and he never gets a chance to win trophies?

"People wonder why players sometimes get bolshie and get their elbows out and say, 'No, I need to go.'

"I just think it's business. Players shouldn't get vilified – clubs aren't and it should be equal."

TUCHEL 'NEEDS TIME' 

The 25-year-old Guehi, who could yet move to Liverpool next summer after his Palace contract expires, is in the England squad for World Cup qualifiers against Andorra and Serbia over the next week.

Ferdinand, who won the Champions League and six Premier Leagues with United, fears England are struggling for depth in central defence.

"I'm not saying the quality is really bad, but there's not enough," said the 46-year-old, who made 81 appearances for his country in that position.

"You've got Marc Guehi and John Stones, and then after that you're going... who else is there really?"

England under boss Thomas Tuchel are yet to really impress since the German started in the role at the beginning of the year with the remit of lifting the World Cup.

But Ferdinand said the only thing that matters is what happens at the tournament in North America in June-July.

"It's a work in progress and I don't think we should expect miracles immediately. We don't want miracles now, you want miracles in the summer," he said.

"Even if there's a stuttering period now and things aren't going perfectly well, it's not panic stations."

He added: "This is a getting-to-know-you period for the manager and the players.

"He needs time with the players to get to know who's who and who gels well."

France defender Jules Kounde has called for a reassessment of football's increasingly congested calendar, warning that the sport's excessive schedule is affecting not only players but the broader ecosystem around the game.

Speaking ahead of France's opening 2026 World Cup qualifiers against Ukraine and Iceland, Kounde said the relentless pace of fixtures was taking a toll.

"It's not just about the players," he told a press conference on Wednesday. "There are families. I also think about all the people who work around football and who are sometimes victims of this relentless pace."

France face Ukraine in Wroclaw, Poland, on Friday and Iceland in Paris next Tuesday.

Kounde, who plays for Barcelona, did not feature in this year's expanded Fifa Club World Cup, which ran from 14 June to 13 July in the United States, but the 26-year-old still hinted at the tournament's impact on the already packed season.

Manchester City's Rayan Cherki and Arsenal's William Saliba have pulled out of the double header with injury while Paris St Germain forward Ousmane Dembele missed training on Tuesday because of a thigh injury.

PSG, who reached the Club World Cup final, played 65 matches in the 2024-25 season.

"It's a whole ecosystem," he said.

"Sometimes in life, when we overdo things, we stop appreciating them. When we see too much, we no longer give it the same importance. That's what's happening with football — it's overconsumption."

The inaugural 32-team Club World Cup added 63 matches to the summer schedule, prompting criticism from players and clubs over fatigue and injury risks.

Kounde urged football's governing bodies to reflect on the long-term sustainability of the current model.

"These are things we need to put into perspective," he said. "And I think they need to change."