International Football

Fifa president Gianni Infantino said he is determined to see that Russia's four-year suspension from international competitions "is lifted because it has achieved nothing". Russian clubs and the national team were banned from Fifa and Uefa competitions after their invasion of Ukraine in February 2022. “This ban has not produced anything positive at all; it has only created more frustration and hatred,” Infantino said. “If we could play football in other parts of Europe with Russian girls and boys, it would probably do a power of good.”

Germany captain Ilkay Gundogan announced his retirement from international football on Monday, following his leadership role at Euro 2024. In his statement, Gundogan cited "a certain tiredness" both physically and mentally as the primary reasons for his decision.  The announcement marks the end of an era for the German national team, as Gundogan’s contributions were pivotal during his tenure. His retirement comes after a distinguished career representing Germany on the international stage, where he played a crucial role in both World Cup and