England’s manager Thomas Tuchel called the officiating ‘just not good enough’ in the fiery last-16 tie. Now Alireza Faghani gives his version of eventsIt was 6pm on 5 July in Mexico City, and Alireza Faghani, a 48-year-old Australian-Iranian, was asleep in the locker room, snoring. His assistants had turned the music down. Had it not been for the muffled roar of nearly 90,000 fans through the concrete walls of the Estadio Azteca, he could have slept until the following morning.Faghani was the referee for Mexico v England in the last 16 at the 2026 World Cup. Mexico hadn’t lost a competitive game at the Azteca since 2013, at least in part because they’re used to the conditions. Situated 2,240 metres above sea level, the air contains less oxygen. Opponents struggle to breathe, let alone win. Continue reading...
Coach Vicky Jepson’s team aiming to win the USA’s first U-20 World Cup title since 2012 is the most experienced American squad ever at that age group. Eight members play in the NWSL and three of them are in their third season of the world’s strongest women’s pro league. They’ll be tested in group play by Japan, which reached the last three finals, Italy (Sept. 6 opener) and New Zealand. The post U-20 Women’s World Cup: USA aims for first title in 14 years appeared first on Soccer America.
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