Mexico 2-0 Suriname:
June 18 – The Mexican national team is perhaps the only country in world football that plays home matches in two countries. The Azteca Stadium in Mexico City is, of course, their spiritual home; however, in Los Angeles – where they roared to victory over the Dominican Republic – and tonight in the heart of Texas at AT&T Stadium in Arlington versus Suriname, the team is welcomed by partisan support and rapturous anticipation.
July 19 – American-owned Serie A club Spezia Calcio say they will appeal against a two-year transfer ban imposed by FIFA based on the previous owners breaking transfer rules by recruiting young players from Africa.
July 19 – Despite the failure of the European Super League project, African football is accelerating plans for its own continental super league following the competition’s apparent approval in principal by the executive committee of the Confederation of African Football (CAF).
July 18 – Egyptian powerhouses Al Ahly retained their African crown to win a record 10th Champions League after a commanding 3-0 victory against 10-men Kaizer Chiefs from South Africa in the final.
July 18 – Baltimore-Maryland’s 2026 FIFA World Cup Host City bid has been given a boost in local authority support with the State of Maryland’s Lt. Governor Boyd K. Rutherford and Baltimore Mayor Brandon M. Scott being appointed in co-chair roles.
Group A: Mexico 1 El Salvador 0
By Jhannet Sanchez in Dallas, Texas
July 18 – With 45,792 fans in the stands, the concluding group stage match of Group A took place at the Cotton Bowl Stadium in Dallas, Texas, last night. The group decider saw reigning Gold Cup champions Mexico face group leaders El Salvador in a must-win game for the Mexicans to secure the top spot and most favourable quarter final opposition.
Group D: Canada 0 USA 1
July 18 – The top of table clash in Group B table between the US and Canada at the Children’s Mercy Park in Kansas City exploded into action in front of a full house with a goal for the US within a minute. Shaq Moore lit the fuse for a frenetic end-to-end contest that saw the US take the top slot in the group.
Group D: Panama 2 Honduras 3
July 18 – Honduras sealed their place in the knock out rounds with a 3-2 win over a battling Panama in Houston’s BBVA stadium tonight.
Group D: Grenada 0 Qatar 4
July 18 – Qatar, disappointed not to take maximum points in the Gold Cup opener against Panama, made no mistake against Grenada.
July 18 – The row over broadcast rights between Canal + and France’s LFP has now sucked in beIN Sports who are demanding that Canal+ fulfil the sub-licensing agreement they have for two live matches per round.
July 18 – The return journey from military base to national football stadium has been a long one for the Mogadishu Stadium and the Somali FA. On Friday the stadium was full to capacity for the first time since 2004. The SFA only took control of the renovated facility in June last year.
Group C: Suriname 1 Costa Rica 2
July 17 – Costa Rica rode their luck in a pulsating second half of their second Group C qualifying game against Suriname to qualify for the knock out rounds.
Group C: Jamaica 2 Guadeloupe 1
July 16 – Jamaica took a big step towards the knock out stages of the Gold Cup with a 2-1 win over Guadeloupe. But it they made hard work of it and needed a piece of individual skill by substitute Junior Flemings in the 87thminute to save Jamaica’s blushes.
July 16 – Five people have been arrested in the wake of the racist abuse meted out to the three black players who missed penalties in England’s shootout defeat to Italy in the final of Euro 2020.
July 16 – The European Court of Justice (ECJ) has rejected a Madrid court’s request for an accelerated judicial procedure in the European Super League case.
July 16 – The owner of Beitar Jerusalem, Israel’s most extremist top-flight club and the only one never to have signed an Arab player, has called off a friendly with Barcelona over its refusal to hold the game in the contested city.