United News of Bangladesh

England coach Thomas Tuchel has added Ruben Loftus-Cheek and Jarell Quansah to the squad for the upcoming World Cup qualifiers against Andorra and Serbia. Loftus-Cheek of AC Milan and Quansah of Bayer Leverkusen were called up after Crystal Palace midfielder Adam Wharton withdrew due to injury. Midfielder Loftus-Cheek has not represented England since November 2018 and has 10 international caps. Defender Quansah has yet to make his senior debut despite being named in previous national squads. England will host Andorra at Villa Park on Saturday and then travel to Belgrade to face Serbia next Tuesday.

English striker Jamie Vardy has completed a move to Italy after 13 seasons with Leicester City, highlighted by the club’s historic Premier League title in 2016. The 38-year-old signed with newly promoted Serie A side Cremonese on Tuesday. The club confirmed Vardy’s deal runs until the end of June next year, with an option for renewal. Vardy’s departure from Leicester was announced in April, and he capped his 500th and final appearance for the club with a farewell goal — his 200th — a month later. He famously scored in 11 consecutive matches during Leicester’s fairytale title-winning campaign, a season remembered as one of football’s greatest underdog stories after starting with 5,000-1 odds. Cremonese, returning to the top flight after two years by winning the Serie B playoffs, shocked AC Milan in its league opener and maintained its perfect start with a dramatic late win over Sassuolo on Friday.

Inter Milan has signed Swiss defender Manuel Akanji on loan from Manchester City as the Serie A club looks to strengthen its defense following a 2-1 loss to Udinese over the weekend. The move comes after Inter’s defensive struggles were highlighted in last season’s 5-0 defeat to Paris Saint-Germain in the Champions League final. Inter announced the signing on Tuesday, stating that the loan deal includes an option to make the transfer permanent, which could become mandatory if certain conditions are fulfilled. Akanji, 30, was a regular under Pep Guardiola when Manchester City won the treble in 2023. However, he was recently moved on as City brought in younger players. Primarily a center back, Akanji can also play as a fullback on either side. During three years at City, Akanji made 136 appearances, scored five goals, and helped the club win two Premier League titles, an FA Cup, a Community Shield, a Champions League, a UEFA Super Cup, and a Club World Cup. He has also played 71 times for Switzerland and was included in the team of the tournament when the national team reached the quarterfinals of Euro 2024. Akanji is, however, remembered for missing the decisive penalty in Switzerland’s shootout defeat to England at the tournament. Inter’s veteran center back Francesco Acerbi, 37, struggled in Sunday’s loss to Udinese and faced controversy after rejecting a call-up to Italy’s squad in May.

European soccer now focuses on qualifying for the 2026 World Cup with recent champions France, Germany and Spain among the nations starting a six-game, 11-week sprint to advance to the tournament being played across North America. The European qualifying program returns Thursday with six days of games involving 54 teams — 24 of them kicking a first ball on their intended road to play on soccer’s biggest stage in the United States, Canada and Mexico starting June 11. Italy began its campaign — shakily — in June and resumes its quest to avoid a third straight failure to qualify already trailing nine points behind group leader Norway. England opened in March and looks to add to three straight wins with no goals conceded for coach Thomas Tuchel. Among those starting their qualifying program are top-tier teams who played a thrilling set of Nations League games in March and June. Spain, the 2010 World Cup winner, begins at Bulgaria on Thursday when 2014 champion Germany starts at Slovakia. France, the 2018 title winner, starts Friday away against Ukraine in Les Bleus’ first game in the competition since losing an epic final against Argentina in December 2022. Ukraine will host that game in Wroclaw in neutral Poland because of security concerns at home during the Russian military invasion. Russia’s teams were banned by UEFA and FIFA from all international competitions in February 2022 when the war began. How to qualify Europe has 16 entries in the first 48-team men’s World Cup, three more than in the 32-team format played in 2022. The 12 first-place teams when qualifying groups end in November advance direct to the tournament. The 12 runners-up go to the playoffs scheduled in March, joined by four winners of Nations League groups played last year. Those extra teams could include, remarkably, San Marino, 210th and last of the men’s national teams ranked by FIFA. The 16 European playoffs teams will be seeded into four knockout brackets of four teams each. They play single-game semifinals and finals on March 26 and 31, to decide the four remaining World Cup slots. Smallest groups since 1989 The extra World Cup entries given by FIFA, and Nations League knockout stage expanded by UEFA, have changed the qualifying formula. Europe now has its first World Cup qualifying groups of just four teams since those that finished in November 1989, just days after the Berlin Wall fell and reshaped the continent. High-ranking nations that once had to play in groups of five or six teams across 15 months now have a condensed program playing two games in each of three straight months. An injury could remove a key player for the entire qualifying program. Germany will not have Jamal Musiala, who sustained a serious leg injury playing for Bayern Munich at the Club World Cup in July. The format changes again next year. After the 2026 World Cup, the FIFA schedule for men’s national-team games will combine the separate September and October breaks into a four-game block over back-to-back weekends. Toughest groups European champion Spain's reward for beating the Netherlands in a Nations League quarterfinal in March was to land in a four-team group with Turkey and Georgia, two breakout successes at Euro 2024. Georgia, with star winger Khvicha Kvaratskhelia, was the most dangerous team among third-seeded options in the draw last December. Georgia hosts Turkey on Thursday and plays at Spain on Oct. 11. Maybe the hardest to predict is the four-team group of Switzerland, Sweden, Slovenia and Kosovo. Switzerland was an impressive quarterfinalist at Euro 2024 yet must face some of Europe's most expensive forwards — Slovenia's Benjamin Šeško, now at Arsenal, and a Sweden attacking line of Alexander Isak, Viktor Gyökeres and Anthony Elanga who were collectively signed for more than $300 million this season by, respectively, Liverpool, Arsenal and Newcastle. A talented Kosovo squad that actively recruits from its migrant population in Switzerland comes to Basel on Friday with the Swiss team captained by its all-time great Granit Xhaka, who has family ties to Kosovo. Norway leads Italy and Israel One group sure to make news is currently led by Norway ahead of Israel and Italy. Norway has not qualified for a men’s World Cup since before 25-year-old Erling Haaland was born. The team is on track after the star forward scored in each of four straight wins since starting in March. Norway has no fixture Friday in the five-team group and hosts last-place Moldova next Tuesday. Italy, infamously, has not played a World Cup tournament game since June 2014. Then, Giorgio Chiellini was bitten by Uruguay’s Luis Suárez in a 1-0 loss that sent the four-time champion home from the group stage in Brazil. Italy hosts Estonia on Friday, three days before going to face Israel in neutral Hungary, at Debrecen. Israeli teams have not been allowed to host home games in international competitions for security reasons since the October 2023 attack by Hamas. Norway hosts Israel on Oct. 11 in Oslo and pledged last month to donate its profits from ticket sales at that game to humanitarian aid work in Gaza.

The European soccer transfer window was set to close on Monday with much of the spotlight on the Premier League, where Alexander Isak and Gianluigi Donnarumma were linked with high-profile deadline-day moves. England’s top-flight clubs have already spent a record £2.7 billion ($3.65 billion) this summer, and the figure could rise if Liverpool finalizes its reported £125 million ($170 million) deal for Newcastle striker Isak, which would set a new British transfer record. Media said Isak was due for a medical, though neither club has confirmed. Liverpool has already invested nearly £300 million ($400 million) to overhaul its squad, bringing in Florian Wirtz, Hugo Ekitike, Jeremie Frimpong, and Milos Kerkez, among others. Meanwhile, reports suggested PSG goalkeeper Donnarumma could join Manchester City as a possible successor to Ederson, while Aston Villa’s Emiliano Martinez was also linked with an exit after missing the weekend squad. Villa signed defender Victor Lindelof earlier in the window. Newcastle, preparing for Isak’s potential departure, signed Germany striker Nick Woltemade from Stuttgart for a club-record £69 million ($93 million) and may also move for Brentford forward Yoane Wissa.

Bayer Leverkusen fired Dutch coach Erik ten Hag on Monday after just three games, citing doubts over his ability to manage the club’s post-summer overhaul following the departure of key players. Leverkusen, Bundesliga champions in 2024, stumbled under Ten Hag with a 2-1 home loss to Hoffenheim and a 3-3 draw at home against 10-man Werder Bremen after squandering a two-goal lead. Sports director Simon Rolfes said the decision was “painful” but necessary to ensure the team’s development. Ten Hag, 55, who replaced Xabi Alonso in May, had warned earlier that rebuilding the squad wouldn’t be instant, famously quipping he was “no Harry Potter” when facing squad challenges—a line he previously used while managing Manchester United after criticizing reliance on underused players. Leverkusen gave no indication of a successor ahead of their next Bundesliga match against Eintracht Frankfurt on Sept. 12.

Bayern Munich were still chasing a backup striker for Harry Kane on Monday, with loan talks for Chelsea’s Nicholas Jackson complicated by teammate Liam Delap’s injury. Chelsea were pushing for a permanent deal, while Bayern, after signing Luis Díaz, insisted only on loans. Reports linked Bayern instead with Atalanta’s Ademola Lookman or Leipzig’s Loïs Openda. Meanwhile, Bayer Leverkusen endured upheaval as coach Erik ten Hag was fired after three games, following Xabi Alonso’s return to Real Madrid. Star players including Florian Wirtz, Granit Xhaka, Jeremie Frimpong and Amine Adli departed, prompting a rebuild under sporting director Simon Rolfes. Stuttgart, hit by key losses and injuries, were eyeing Genk’s Oh Hyeon-gyu and Leicester’s Bilal El Khannouss.

Bruno Fernandes scored a stoppage-time penalty to give Manchester United a 3-2 win over Burnley in the Premier League on Saturday, easing some pressure on manager Ruben Amorim. United had twice taken the lead, through an own goal and Bryan Mbeumo, but Burnley equalized each time. Amorim, already under scrutiny after a shock League Cup loss to fourth-tier Grimsby, couldn’t watch as Fernandes struck in the seventh minute of added time at Old Trafford. The victory was United’s first of the season after losing to Arsenal and drawing with Fulham. Questions remain over Amorim’s future as United prepares to face Manchester City in the derby after the international break. In London, Chelsea defeated Fulham 2-0 with the help of two contentious VAR calls. Joao Pedro scored in first-half stoppage time before Enzo Fernandez added a penalty in the 56th minute. Fulham manager Marco Silva expressed frustration with the officiating. Tottenham’s perfect start ended with a 1-0 defeat to Bournemouth, while Sunderland grabbed a late 2-1 win over the same opponent and Everton beat Wolves 3-2. Liverpool and Arsenal, both unbeaten, meet Sunday at Anfield.

AC Milan have completed the signing of French forward Christopher Nkunku from Chelsea for a reported fee of €37 million ($43 million), the Italian club confirmed Saturday. Nkunku, 27, has signed a five-year deal with Milan, though financial details were not disclosed. A product of Paris Saint-Germain’s youth academy, Nkunku moved to RB Leipzig in 2019 before joining Chelsea in 2023. During his two seasons with the Blues, he scored 18 goals in 62 appearances, including an extra-time winner against Benfica in the Club World Cup round of 16 in July — a tournament Chelsea went on to win. Renowned for his dribbling skills, pace, and 1-on-1 ability, Nkunku is expected to bolster Milan’s attack. He is capable of playing both as an attacking midfielder and as a forward, and has represented France 14 times. Chelsea manager Enzo Maresca, speaking earlier this month, confirmed that Nkunku was no longer part of his plans despite his six-year contract with the club. “Christo is a fantastic professional. The only problem is that in his position we already have Cole Palmer, so it was tough to find minutes for him,” Maresca said Friday. Milan, who suffered a shock defeat to newly promoted Cremonese in their Serie A opener, bounced back with a 2-0 victory at Lecce on Friday.

ROME, Aug 29 (UNB/AP) — Italy’s new coach Gennaro Gattuso on Friday handed first national team call-ups to three players, including 18-year-old Liverpool center back Giovanni Leoni. Inter Milan forward Francesco Pio Esposito and Bologna midfielder Giovanni Fabbian were also named to the Azzurri squad for the first time. This is Gattuso’s first squad selection since replacing Luciano Spalletti in June. Italy faces crucial World Cup qualifiers next week, needing points against Estonia in Bergamo on Friday and Israel in Hungary three days later. The Azzurri have three points from two matches, trailing Norway, which leads Group I with 12 points, and Israel with six points from three matches. Leoni recently transferred from Parma to Liverpool but has yet to debut for the Premier League champions. Atalanta forward Gianluca Scamacca and Roma center back Gianluca Mancini return to the squad after injuries. Forward Mateo Retegui, recently moved to Saudi Arabia, and Newcastle midfielder Sandro Tonali, recovering from a shoulder issue, were also included. Italy squad:Goalkeepers: Marco Carnesecchi (Atalanta), Gianluigi Donnarumma (Paris Saint-Germain), Alex Meret (Napoli), Guglielmo Vicario (Tottenham).Defenders: Alessandro Bastoni (Inter Milan), Raoul Bellanova (Atalanta), Riccardo Calafiori (Arsenal), Andrea Cambiaso (Juventus), Giovanni Di Lorenzo (Napoli), Federico Dimarco (Inter), Federico Gatti (Juventus), Giovanni Leoni (Liverpool), Gianluca Mancini (Roma).Midfielders: Nicolò Barella (Inter), Giovanni Fabbian (Bologna), Davide Frattesi (Inter), Manuel Locatelli (Juventus), Nicolò Rovella (Lazio), Sandro Tonali (Newcastle).Forwards: Francesco Pio Esposito (Inter), Moise Kean (Fiorentina), Daniel Maldini (Atalanta), Riccardo Orsolini (Bologna), Matteo Politano (Napoli), Giacomo Raspadori (Atletico Madrid), Mateo Retegui (Al-Qadsiah), Gianluca Scamacca (Atalanta), Mattia Zaccagni (Lazio).