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South Korea Seal World Cup Spot with Win over Syria

Kim Jin-su (left) accepts congratulations after scoring South Korea's opener against Syria. (AFP)
Kim Jin-su (left) accepts congratulations after scoring South Korea's opener against Syria. (AFP)
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South Korea Seal World Cup Spot with Win over Syria

Kim Jin-su (left) accepts congratulations after scoring South Korea's opener against Syria. (AFP)
Kim Jin-su (left) accepts congratulations after scoring South Korea's opener against Syria. (AFP)

South Korea booked their place at the World Cup in Qatar on Tuesday after Paulo Bento's side beat Syria 2-0 in Dubai to confirm their progress to a 10th consecutive finals.

Second-half goals from Kim Jin-su and Kwon Chang-hoon ensured the Koreans continue a run of successive qualifications that stretches back to Mexico in 1986 as they wrapped up a top-two finish in Group A of Asia's preliminaries.

The South Koreans join Iran in confirming their place at November's finals after Dragan Skocic's side claimed their ticket for Qatar on Thursday.

Only the top two finishers in each of Asia's two qualifying groups can claim guaranteed berths at the finals, while the third-placed nations will face off for the right to meet South American opposition in an intercontinental playoff.

Kim Jin-su put the Koreans in front eight minutes into the second half, the Jeonbuk Motors left back rising to meet Kim Tae-hwan's cross from the right and power his header home.

Kwon Chang-hoon made sure of the win 18 minutes from fulltime with a dipping left-footed strike from outside the area that bounced beyond goalkeeper Ibrahim Alma.

Lebanon and Iraq drew 1-1, further diminishing both of those nations' chances of finishing third in Group A.

Japan, meanwhile, closed in on the finals with a 2-0 victory over Group B leaders Saudi Arabia at Saitama Stadium that moves Hajime Moriyasu's side to within a point of the summit.

Takumi Minamino and Junya Ito were on target for the Samurai Blue as they handed Herve Renard's side a first defeat of the current round of preliminaries.

Winger Ito rolled the ball to Minamino and his attempt was powerful enough to prevent Mohammed Al Owais from keeping it out as Japan went in front in the 32nd minute.

Five minutes after the restart Ito went from provider to goalscorer with a stunning strike from the edge of the area, leaving Al Owais with no chance as the ball flew into the top corner.

Saudi Arabia's loss will give hope to third-placed Australia, who take on Oman in Muscat later on Tuesday.

Vietnam picked up their first win of the campaign as their 3-1 victory in Hanoi ended China's slim hopes of finishing third in Group B and claiming a playoff berth.

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Xhaka and Embolo to Return to International Duty After COVID Test Investigation

Football - Premier League - Sunderland v Leeds United - Stadium of Light, Sunderland, Britain - October 25, 2026 Sunderland's Granit Xhaka in action. (Reuters)
Football - Premier League - Sunderland v Leeds United - Stadium of Light, Sunderland, Britain - October 25, 2026 Sunderland's Granit Xhaka in action. (Reuters)
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Xhaka and Embolo to Return to International Duty After COVID Test Investigation

Football - Premier League - Sunderland v Leeds United - Stadium of Light, Sunderland, Britain - October 25, 2026 Sunderland's Granit Xhaka in action. (Reuters)
Football - Premier League - Sunderland v Leeds United - Stadium of Light, Sunderland, Britain - October 25, 2026 Sunderland's Granit Xhaka in action. (Reuters)

The Swiss Football Association (SFV) ‌said on Tuesday that Granit Xhaka and Breel Embolo will be available for selection again next month, after completing an investigation into forged COVID-19 vaccination certificates acquired by the pair.

The SFV and Xhaka agreed that he would miss Switzerland's October Nations League fixtures with Scotland, Slovenia and North Macedonia, after the midfielder admitted to acquiring a fake certificate ‌in order to ‌be able to travel and ‌compete ⁠in 2022.

Forward Embolo ⁠was also dropped from the Switzerland squad later in September for the same reason.

"The SFV has examined the two cases comprehensively and has come to the conclusion that the return of the players after the conclusion ⁠of the legal proceedings and taking ‌into account the ‌sporting consequences (four missed international matches in September and October) ‌is justifiable," the SFV said in a ‌statement.

"We are convinced that a return to the national team in November is responsible and right," added national team director Pierluigi Tami.

Both Xhaka and ‌Embolo were given a suspended fine of 150,000 Swiss francs ($181,225), which will ⁠be ⁠in place for a probationary period of two years.

Xhaka apologized and took responsibility for his actions, calling it "a mistake".

The statement went on to confirm that Xhaka would not have the captaincy removed, highlighting that the decision remains with the team and the coach, Murat Yakin.

Switzerland face Slovenia and Scotland in their final two Nations League group games in November, and sit top of Group E with 12 points.

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Bayern’s Kompany Is Improving but No Comeback Date Yet, Says Assistant Coach Danks

Head coach Vincent Kompany of Munich reacts before the German Bundesliga soccer match between FC Bayern Munich and RB Leipzig in Munich, Germany, 17 October 2026. (EPA)
Head coach Vincent Kompany of Munich reacts before the German Bundesliga soccer match between FC Bayern Munich and RB Leipzig in Munich, Germany, 17 October 2026. (EPA)
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Bayern’s Kompany Is Improving but No Comeback Date Yet, Says Assistant Coach Danks

Head coach Vincent Kompany of Munich reacts before the German Bundesliga soccer match between FC Bayern Munich and RB Leipzig in Munich, Germany, 17 October 2026. (EPA)
Head coach Vincent Kompany of Munich reacts before the German Bundesliga soccer match between FC Bayern Munich and RB Leipzig in Munich, Germany, 17 October 2026. (EPA)

Bayern Munich coach ‌Vincent Kompany is improving following a collapse in training last week and there is no date for his return yet, assistant coach Aaron Danks said on Tuesday.

The Belgian was rushed to hospital on Friday after collapsing during a reserve-team training session and is expected to be sidelined for weeks. The 40-year-old had been battling a virus in recent days and had missed some training sessions before his collapse.

"I paid him a short ‌visit yesterday," ‌Danks told a press conference ahead of ‌Wednesday's ⁠German Cup second ⁠round against visitors Magdeburg.

"He is in good spirits. It looks like every day he is getting better. There are no major updates in terms of diagnosis or return to work. Let him rest, let him take his time."

The German champions have a busy match ⁠schedule with Magdeburg on Wednesday, followed by ‌the Klassiker against title rivals ‌Borussia Dortmund in the Bundesliga on Saturday. They then travel ‌to Madrid in the Champions League next week to ‌face Atletico.

"We had some good conversations (with Kompany) but kept it away from football and specific tactics," Danks said. "It was just a friendly chat and nice to see him and ‌catch up."

The assistant coach said Kompany's health scare coupled with Monday's Ballon d'Or win ⁠for Bayern ⁠striker Harry Kane reflected a rollercoaster of emotions for a squad that has shown the necessary team spirit to stay on course.

Kane is the first Englishman to win the prestigious award in 25 years, after Michael Owen won it in 2001.

"For us, we are super professional," Danks said. "Full extremes of life in the last week. Joys and highs for Harry and the lows of the last days."

"To get through these moments we had to rely on our chemistry, our team spirit and that definitely helped us," he added.

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Ballon d’Or ‘Beyond Wildest Dreams’ but Kane Has Plenty More to Prove

England and Bayern Munich forward Harry Kane reacts after receiving the Ballon d'Or award for the best male footballer during the 2026 Ballon d'Or France Football award ceremony at the Palladium Theatre in London on October 26, 2026. (AFP)
England and Bayern Munich forward Harry Kane reacts after receiving the Ballon d'Or award for the best male footballer during the 2026 Ballon d'Or France Football award ceremony at the Palladium Theatre in London on October 26, 2026. (AFP)
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Ballon d’Or ‘Beyond Wildest Dreams’ but Kane Has Plenty More to Prove

England and Bayern Munich forward Harry Kane reacts after receiving the Ballon d'Or award for the best male footballer during the 2026 Ballon d'Or France Football award ceremony at the Palladium Theatre in London on October 26, 2026. (AFP)
England and Bayern Munich forward Harry Kane reacts after receiving the Ballon d'Or award for the best male footballer during the 2026 Ballon d'Or France Football award ceremony at the Palladium Theatre in London on October 26, 2026. (AFP)

Harry Kane is targeting Champions League glory for Bayern Munich and ending England's wait for a major international tournament after lifting the Ballon d'Or in the highlight of his career to date on Monday.

In his native London, Kane became the first English winner of the award in 25 years as he beat off competition from Kylian Mbappe and Lamine Yamal to be crowned the world's best player.

The 33-year-old was rewarded for a remarkable 73 goals in 65 games for club and country last season as he propelled Bayern to a league and cup double.

"I'd say a dream come true but it's beyond my wildest dreams, so just incredible," said the England captain.

"I think it's massive for England, for our country. Being here in London was a good omen for me and it's been too long. To put us back on the map and put us here with this trophy, I'm extremely proud."

Kane is England and Tottenham's all-time record goalscorer, but his haul of collective trophies is limited to domestic German honors since he joined Bayern in 2023.

Bayern bowed out to eventual winners Paris Saint-Germain in the Champions League semi-finals last season.

And after losing two finals of the European Championship in 2021 and 2024, Kane suffered more heartbreak with England in a defeat to Argentina in the World Cup semi-finals.

But at the age of 33 he believes he can still win some of the biggest prizes in football.

"I still have a lot to achieve in this game. The Champions League, at club level, and to win a major trophy with England is the number one priority for sure," he added. "There's so many great things I want to achieve."

Unlike Spain's Yamal and France captain Mbappe, who both won the World Cup as teenagers, Kane did not appear destined for greatness.

He was farmed out on loan by Tottenham four times to the lower leagues before breaking into the first team, but he said memories of those times drive him to succeed at the top level for as long as possible.

"I had to go through many ups and downs, especially early in my career, when you're learning about yourself, both as a professional and in life," he said.

"I found ways to improve and get the edge on maybe other players who had more ability than me.

"From that moment I think it helped shape me as a professional because I never take it for granted. I know there's always someone like me, someone younger, trying to take my spot, whether it's with the England team or the Bayern team."