News for 'Copa America'

Spain vs Argentina Finalissima in doubt after Middle East strikes

Spain vs Argentina Finalissima in doubt after Middle East strikes

Rediff.com2 Mar 2026

The Finalissima match between Spain and Argentina in Doha is in doubt after the Qatar Football Association suspended soccer tournaments indefinitely following U.S. and Israeli attacks on Iran and retaliatory missiles fired at the Arabian Peninsula.

Messi to lead Argentina's Qatar heroes at 2026 FIFA World Cup

Messi to lead Argentina's Qatar heroes at 2026 FIFA World Cup

Rediff.com29 May 2026

Lionel Messi will lead defending champions Argentina at the 2026 FIFA World Cup after coach Lionel Scaloni named a 26-man squad featuring 17 players from the 2022 title-winning team.

Copa America PHOTOS: Higuain gives Argentina win; Paraguay hold Uruguay

Copa America PHOTOS: Higuain gives Argentina win; Paraguay hold Uruguay

Rediff.com21 Jun 2015

Paraguay drew 1-1 with Uruguay at the Copa America to go top of Group B, one point ahead of Argentina before the tournament favourites take on eliminated Jamaica later on Saturday.

FIFA World Cup: Historic Canada win overshadowed by Kone's horror injury

FIFA World Cup: Historic Canada win overshadowed by Kone's horror injury

Rediff.com19 Jun 2026

Canada secured its first-ever World Cup victory with a dominant 6-0 win, but the celebration was marred by a severe leg injury to midfielder Ismael Kone. Kone suffered a broken leg after a tackle from Qatar's Assim Madibo, an incident that left his teammates and coach Jesse Marsch deeply shaken. The injury is a significant blow to Canada's World Cup campaign, despite their strong position in Group B.

Football Briefs: Brazil win women's Copa America

Football Briefs: Brazil win women's Copa America

Rediff.com23 Apr 2018

News of all that's transpired on and off the football field

Will Mourinho return to Real Madrid add spice to La Liga?

Will Mourinho return to Real Madrid add spice to La Liga?

Rediff.com11 Aug 2026

The upcoming LaLiga season promises an intense battle as Barcelona defends its title against a revamped Real Madrid, led by returning manager Jose Mourinho, and a turbulent Atletico Madrid. Real Madrid has made significant signings and brought back Mourinho after two trophyless seasons, while Barcelona relies on continuity and its World Cup-winning core. Atletico Madrid faces pressure on manager Diego Simeone and a potential transfer saga involving Julian Alvarez, setting the stage for a dramatic season.

'Copa America has been arranged in the US to favour Mexico'

'Copa America has been arranged in the US to favour Mexico'

Rediff.com7 Jun 2016

Wilmar Valdez, the head of Uruguay's football association, says it was a mistake to play the Centenary Copa America in the US.

Spain vs Argentina 'Finalissima' match in Qatar cancelled amid West Asia conflict

Spain vs Argentina 'Finalissima' match in Qatar cancelled amid West Asia conflict

Rediff.com15 Mar 2026

The 'Finalissima' match between Spain and Argentina that was scheduled to be held in Qatar has been cancelled due to the conflict in the Middle East while the South American side rejected multiple alternatives, UEFA said on Sunday.

Can reform in Mexican football break their FIFA World Cup 'curse'?

Can reform in Mexican football break their FIFA World Cup 'curse'?

Rediff.com1 Jun 2026

Mexico have failed to progress beyond the Round of 16 for the last 32 years. With the 2026 FIFA World Cup on home soil, they hope to finally end the 'quinto partido' curse.

FIFA World Cup: From hero to outcast: Balogun sent off, US move on

FIFA World Cup: From hero to outcast: Balogun sent off, US move on

Rediff.com2 Jul 2026

Balogun scored and celebrated in style before a VAR review turned his night around for the worse, as he was sent off for a foul. Even with 10 men, the United States stayed disciplined and beat Bosnia 2-0. Malik Tillman sealed the win with a free-kick goal. The result sends the U.S. into the last 16 against Belgium. Balogun is suspended for that match.

America set to catch 'Lamine Fever' as Spain chase another WC title

America set to catch 'Lamine Fever' as Spain chase another WC title

Rediff.com2 Jun 2026

Lamine Yamal exploded into view at 16 and became an integral part of Spain's record fourth European Championship triumph in 2024.

Nunez gets five-game ban as Uruguay players punished for Copa brawl

Nunez gets five-game ban as Uruguay players punished for Copa brawl

Rediff.com29 Aug 2024

Uruguay striker Darwin Nunez has been banned for five international matches while several other players were also suspended for their involvement in clashes with fans following Uruguay's Copa America loss to Colombia in July, South American soccer's governing body said on Wednesday.

Venezuela into Copa quarters with win over Mexico

Venezuela into Copa quarters with win over Mexico

Rediff.com27 Jun 2024

Salomon Rondon struck a second-half penalty to send Venezuela into the Copa America quarter-finals on Wednesday with a 1-0 win over Mexico in Group B, a result that also sent Jamaica crashing out of the tournament.

SEE: Messi makes video call to family after Copa win

SEE: Messi makes video call to family after Copa win

Rediff.com11 Jul 2021

But his family could not join him in Brazil for the Copa due to COVID-19 restrictions, so he found the next best way to celebrate with them -- a video call!

'Welcome to the White House': US President Donald Trump Celebrates Lionel Messi

'Welcome to the White House': US President Donald Trump Celebrates Lionel Messi

Rediff.com6 Mar 2026

US President Donald Trump welcomed Lionel Messi and his Inter Miami team to the White House on Thursday as he boasted about the United States' ongoing operation in Iran.

896 Balls, One GOAT: Inside Kolkata's Messi Fan Zone

896 Balls, One GOAT: Inside Kolkata's Messi Fan Zone

Rediff.com11 Dec 2025

Between 9 and 13 December, the Argentina Football Fans Club of Kolkata is turning Aikatan, a cultural hub just a short walk from Salt Lake Stadium, into a full-blown Messi fan zone, drenched in Argentina's blue and white.

Columbia's James Rodriguez breaks Messi's record

Columbia's James Rodriguez breaks Messi's record

Rediff.com11 Jul 2024

Argentina will face Columbia in their Copa America title defence on Sunday, July 14.

Lionel Messi purchases Spanish fifth-tier side UE Cornella

Lionel Messi purchases Spanish fifth-tier side UE Cornella

Rediff.com16 Apr 2026

Lionel Messi is the owner of a fifth-division soccer club in Spain after the Argentine superstar acquired Barcelona-based UE Cornella.

Argentina still best in the world, says FIFA

Argentina still best in the world, says FIFA

Rediff.com19 Dec 2024

Reigning world champions Argentina have kept top spot in the final FIFA men's world ranking of 2024 for a second consecutive year, with no changes in the top 10 of the latest list published on Thursday.

Messi's Kerala visit in November postponed

Messi's Kerala visit in November postponed

Rediff.com26 Oct 2025

Messi's last visit with the Argentina team to India was back in 2011, when they faced Venezuela in a friendly match at Kolkata's iconic Salt Lake Stadium.

Messi told me thanks, I said thanks to him: Di Maria on Copa win

Messi told me thanks, I said thanks to him: Di Maria on Copa win

Rediff.com11 Jul 2021

Argentina finished their 2021 Copa America campaign unbeaten. Lionel Scaloni's side finished top of their group with three wins and a draw against Chile. In the quarter-final, they beat Ecuador 3-0 to progress to the final four.

Argentina star banned for disrespectful acts

Argentina star banned for disrespectful acts

Rediff.com28 Sep 2024

Argentina goalkeeper Emiliano "Dibu" Martinez has been suspended for two matches by FIFA for "offensive behaviour", the Argentine Football Association (AFA) said in a statement on Friday.

Preview: Copa is anyone's but fans worry emulating Europe

Preview: Copa is anyone's but fans worry emulating Europe

Rediff.com11 Jun 2019

A decision to include Japan and Qatar as the invited sides to this year's Copa has also done little to generate faith in the new leadership, with the tournament usually featuring the 10 South American nations plus two invited teams, although they are generally from elsewhere in the Americas.

Messi to assess fitness as he targets 2026 WC

Messi to assess fitness as he targets 2026 WC

Rediff.com28 Oct 2025

'I'm really eager because it's a World Cup. We're coming off winning the last one, and being able to defend it on the field again is spectacular because it's always a dream to play with the national team.'

Messi says he won't play for Argentina at Paris Olympics

Messi says he won't play for Argentina at Paris Olympics

Rediff.com13 Jun 2024

Lionel Messi said he will not be part of Argentina's squad for the Paris Olympics.

Agony And Ecstasy For Messi

Agony And Ecstasy For Messi

Rediff.com15 Jul 2024

It turned out to be a rollercoaster evening for Argentine great Lionel Messi in the Copa America final on Sunday.

Suarez devastated after Uruguay crash out of Copa

Suarez devastated after Uruguay crash out of Copa

Rediff.com30 Jun 2019

Suarez spurned the first penalty of the shootout, his effort bouncing off the chest of Peru goalkeeper Pedro Gallese, to complete a frustrating evening for Uruguay's all-time top scorer, who also had a goal ruled out for offside.

Can Messi end Argentina drought in Copa final?

Can Messi end Argentina drought in Copa final?

Rediff.com24 Jun 2016

Chile face Argentina in Sunday's Copa America final for the right to call themselves South America's dominant team but perhaps an even bigger question for football fans the world over regards whether Lionel Messi can finally win a major international title. The Barcelona forward has won every trophy possible with the Spanish club but he has lost three finals with Argentina, including in 2014 World Cup Final in 2014 and the Copa America last year. Sunday's game against Chile in New Jersey gives Messi a chance to end both his personal hoodoo and that of Argentina, who have not won a major title since lifting the Copa America in Ecuador in 1993.

Messi, Sanchez and Alves headline final Copa rosters

Messi, Sanchez and Alves headline final Copa rosters

Rediff.com24 May 2016

Five-time world player of the year Lionel Messi of Argentina, Chile's Alexis Sanchez and Brazilian Dani Alves were among the big names in the final rosters announced on Monday for next month's Copa America Centenario.

It seemed after 2022 World Cup I was retiring, but now...: Messi

It seemed after 2022 World Cup I was retiring, but now...: Messi

Rediff.com2 Dec 2023

Argentina captain Lionel Messi is not thinking about his international future beyond next year's Copa America, where he will try to lead the country to a second successive continental title at the tournament in the United States.

After Brazil's early Copa exit, speculation rife about Dunga's future

After Brazil's early Copa exit, speculation rife about Dunga's future

Rediff.com13 Jun 2016

Defiant Brazil manager Dunga brushed off suggestions that early elimination from the Copa America would cost him his job on Sunday, telling reporters that he feared 'only death' and not unemployment.

Meet Messi's Ultimate Superfans In India!

Meet Messi's Ultimate Superfans In India!

Rediff.com12 Dec 2025

Ichhapur tea-seller Shib Shankar Patra is one of two diehard fans handpicked for a special meet-and-greet with Argentine superstar Lionel Messi.

Copa chiefs want homophobic chants to stop but will take no action

Copa chiefs want homophobic chants to stop but will take no action

Rediff.com17 Jun 2016

Centenary Copa America officials say homophobic chanting at international matches "must stop" but they have opted not to take action against offending teams.

Football PIX: Japan Stun Brazil In Epic Comeback!

Football PIX: Japan Stun Brazil In Epic Comeback!

Rediff.com14 Oct 2025

Japan staged a remarkable second-half comeback to defeat five-times world champions Brazil 3-2 in a friendly at a sold-out Tokyo Stadium on Tuesday.

Messi left out of Argentina's World Cup qualifiers

Messi left out of Argentina's World Cup qualifiers

Rediff.com20 Aug 2024

Argentina host Chile at the Monumental stadium in Buenos Aires on September 5 before facing Colombia five days later in Barranquilla.

Neymar to return to his roots

Neymar to return to his roots

Rediff.com31 Jan 2025

Neymar began his career with Santos in 2009 aged 17, racking up 136 goals and 64 assists in 225 matches to help the club secure their first Copa Libertadores title in nearly 50 years in 2011.

1st Copa casualty: Paraguay coach Diaz resigns

1st Copa casualty: Paraguay coach Diaz resigns

Rediff.com13 Jun 2016

Paraguay coach Ramon Diaz has resigned after the team's elimination in the group phase of the Copa America Centenario, Paraguayan FA (APF) sources said on Sunday.

Cheeky Sanchez penalty clinches Chile's first Copa

Cheeky Sanchez penalty clinches Chile's first Copa

Rediff.com5 Jul 2015

Chile won the Copa America for the first time on Saturday.

No Messi, no Ronaldo: Vinicius Jr. favoured for Ballon d'Or

No Messi, no Ronaldo: Vinicius Jr. favoured for Ballon d'Or

Rediff.com26 Oct 2024

Vinicius Jr's remarkable performances at Real Madrid have put the 24-year-old forward as the odds-on favourite to claim his first Ballon d'Or when the award for the best player in the world is announced in Paris on Monday.

Messi keen to play 2026 World Cup: Argentina coach

Messi keen to play 2026 World Cup: Argentina coach

Rediff.com31 Jan 2025

Scaloni also spoke about former Argentina forward Angel Di Maria's decision to retire from international football after winning his second Copa America trophy last year.