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Tchouaméni to Lead France Against Israel in Nations League in Mbappé's Absence

epa11632989 Atletico's forward Anoine Griezmann (C) in action against Real Madrid's Aurélien Tchouaméni (R) during the Spanish LaLiga soccer match between Atletico de Madrid and Real Madrid at Civitas Metropolitano stadium in Madrid, Spain, 29 September 2024. EPA/J.J. Guillen
epa11632989 Atletico's forward Anoine Griezmann (C) in action against Real Madrid's Aurélien Tchouaméni (R) during the Spanish LaLiga soccer match between Atletico de Madrid and Real Madrid at Civitas Metropolitano stadium in Madrid, Spain, 29 September 2024. EPA/J.J. Guillen
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Tchouaméni to Lead France Against Israel in Nations League in Mbappé's Absence

epa11632989 Atletico's forward Anoine Griezmann (C) in action against Real Madrid's Aurélien Tchouaméni (R) during the Spanish LaLiga soccer match between Atletico de Madrid and Real Madrid at Civitas Metropolitano stadium in Madrid, Spain, 29 September 2024. EPA/J.J. Guillen
epa11632989 Atletico's forward Anoine Griezmann (C) in action against Real Madrid's Aurélien Tchouaméni (R) during the Spanish LaLiga soccer match between Atletico de Madrid and Real Madrid at Civitas Metropolitano stadium in Madrid, Spain, 29 September 2024. EPA/J.J. Guillen

Real Madrid midfielder Aurélien Tchouaméni will captain France in its Nations League game against Israel in the absence of Kylian Mbappé, the French soccer federation said on Wednesday.
Tchouaméni has played 36 matches with France and will bring his experience to a team lacking its biggest star.
Mbappé, France’s usual captain, is nursing a minor thigh injury in Madrid. France is also without vice-captain Antoine Griezmann, who surprisingly announced the end of his international career last month. Together they led France to the 2018 World Cup title and were coach Didier Deschamps’ most influential players in recent years.
Italy has a three-point lead over France and Belgium in their Nations League group after two rounds. France plays Israel on Thursday and travels to Belgium four days later.

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Archer Steps Down as WTA CEO After Less Than 2 Years in the Role

FILE - Alejandro Davidovich Fokina of Spain's racket lies on the court during his second round match against Reilly Opelka of the US at the Australian Open tennis championship in Melbourne, Australia, on Jan. 21, 2026. (AP Photo/Aaron Favila)
FILE - Alejandro Davidovich Fokina of Spain's racket lies on the court during his second round match against Reilly Opelka of the US at the Australian Open tennis championship in Melbourne, Australia, on Jan. 21, 2026. (AP Photo/Aaron Favila)
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Archer Steps Down as WTA CEO After Less Than 2 Years in the Role

FILE - Alejandro Davidovich Fokina of Spain's racket lies on the court during his second round match against Reilly Opelka of the US at the Australian Open tennis championship in Melbourne, Australia, on Jan. 21, 2026. (AP Photo/Aaron Favila)
FILE - Alejandro Davidovich Fokina of Spain's racket lies on the court during his second round match against Reilly Opelka of the US at the Australian Open tennis championship in Melbourne, Australia, on Jan. 21, 2026. (AP Photo/Aaron Favila)

Portia Archer has stepped down from her role as chief executive officer of the WTA less than two years after being appointed, the governing body of elite women's tennis said on Wednesday.

WTA chair Valerie Camillo informed staff, members and other stakeholders of Archer's departure on Wednesday in a note which the organization shared with Reuters.

The letter did not specify a reason for Archer's departure but said she had left her role effective April ⁠20 ahead of ⁠her contract renewal.

The American had replaced Steve Simon, who relinquished his role as CEO after eight years in late 2023. Simon remained as executive chairman of the organization until Camillo was appointed in October last year.

"We are ⁠working through a transition plan for the leadership of the WTA and will share an update on this by mid-May," Camillo wrote in the note.

Archer, previously a senior executive at the National Basketball Association, took charge as WTA CEO in July 2024 and led day-to-day business strategy and operations, helping it expand into new markets.

Sports

Trump Envoy Reportedly Seeks to Replace Iran with Italy in World Cup

FILED - 13 December 2024, Switzerland, Zurich: The FIFA logo is seen on the facade of FIFA headquarters before the draw ceremony for the 2026 FIFA World Cup qualifiers. Photo: Christian Charisius/dpa
FILED - 13 December 2024, Switzerland, Zurich: The FIFA logo is seen on the facade of FIFA headquarters before the draw ceremony for the 2026 FIFA World Cup qualifiers. Photo: Christian Charisius/dpa
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Trump Envoy Reportedly Seeks to Replace Iran with Italy in World Cup

FILED - 13 December 2024, Switzerland, Zurich: The FIFA logo is seen on the facade of FIFA headquarters before the draw ceremony for the 2026 FIFA World Cup qualifiers. Photo: Christian Charisius/dpa
FILED - 13 December 2024, Switzerland, Zurich: The FIFA logo is seen on the facade of FIFA headquarters before the draw ceremony for the 2026 FIFA World Cup qualifiers. Photo: Christian Charisius/dpa

A top envoy to US President Donald Trump has asked FIFA to replace Iran with Italy in the upcoming World Cup, the Financial Times reported on Wednesday.

The plan is an effort to repair ties between Trump and Italy's Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni after the two fell out amid the American president's attacks against Pope Leo XIV over the Iran war, the FT reported, citing people familiar with the matter.

"I confirm I have suggested to Trump and (FIFA president Gianni) Infantino that Italy replace Iran at the World Cup. I'm an Italian native and it would be a dream to see ⁠the Azzurri at ⁠a US-hosted tournament. With four titles, they have the pedigree to justify inclusion," US special envoy Paolo Zampolli told the FT.

The White House, FIFA, the Italian Football Federation (FIGC) and Asian Football Confederation (AFC) did not immediately respond to Reuters' requests for comment.

Italy suffered a shock in March after the national team missed out on the World Cup for the third time in a row following a 4-1 penalty shootout defeat by Bosnia and Herzegovina in their ⁠qualifying playoff final.

Iran qualified for a fourth successive World Cup last year but after the start of the war requested that FIFA move the team's three group matches from the US to Mexico.

FIFA President Gianni Infantino said on a visit to an Iran squad training camp in Türkiye last month that all matches would take place as scheduled, while offering the team help with preparations for the tournament.

"We are preparing and making arrangements for the World Cup, but we are obedient to the decisions of the authorities," Iranian football federation (FFIRI) President Mehdi Taj told reporters at a pro-government rally in Tehran on Wednesday.

"For now, the decision is for the national team to be fully prepared for ⁠the World Cup."

The decision ⁠on which country would come in if the Iranian government withdrew the team lies in the hands of FIFA, which under Article Six of the World Cup regulations is at liberty to call up any nation it chooses to fill the vacancy.

The World Cup, which is also being co-hosted by Mexico and Canada, gets underway on June 11 with Iran scheduled to kick off their campaign against New Zealand in Los Angeles four days later.

Sports

Al-Nassr Reaches Asian Champions League Two Final

Al-Nassr scored five goals against Qatari Al-Ahli. (Al-Nassr Club)
Al-Nassr scored five goals against Qatari Al-Ahli. (Al-Nassr Club)
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Al-Nassr Reaches Asian Champions League Two Final

Al-Nassr scored five goals against Qatari Al-Ahli. (Al-Nassr Club)
Al-Nassr scored five goals against Qatari Al-Ahli. (Al-Nassr Club)

Cristiano Ronaldo helped Al-Nassr crush Qatar’s Al-Ahli 5-1 on Wednesday to reach the Asian Champions League Two final and move within touching distance of a first major trophy since joining the Saudi club in December 2022.

The 41-year-old Portugal superstar played for 78 minutes and, while he did not score, French international Kingsley Coman's hat trick inspired a comeback victory in Asia’s second-tier club tournament, The Associated Press reported.

Al-Ahli had a chance to take the lead after seven minutes, but a penalty from former Germany international Julian Draxler was saved by Brazilian goalkeeper Bento.

Four minutes later, the Qatari side went ahead. Sekou Yansane cut inside from the right and curled a low shot into the far corner.

Al-Nassr responded almost immediately, with Coman equalizing from close range after Angelo broke free down the left.

Angelo then put the hosts in front midway through the first half, collecting a pass from Sadio Mane before guiding the ball past the goalkeeper.

Just before the break, Al-Nassr extended its lead as Coman pounced on a loose ball to score from close range.

Coman, who joined from Bayern Munich in 2025, completed his hat trick in the 64th, running onto a pass from Angelo and finishing calmly.

Abdullah Al-Hamdan added a late goal to complete the win.

Al-Nassr, which leads the Saudi Pro League with five games remaining, faces Japan’s Gamba Osaka in the Champions League Two final in Riyadh on May 17.