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Rudiger Returns, Sane Dropped for Germany World Cup Qualifiers

Real Madrid center-back Antonio Rudiger has been called up to Germany's squad for the upcoming World Cup qualifiers in September. (Getty Images/AFP)
Real Madrid center-back Antonio Rudiger has been called up to Germany's squad for the upcoming World Cup qualifiers in September. (Getty Images/AFP)
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Rudiger Returns, Sane Dropped for Germany World Cup Qualifiers

Real Madrid center-back Antonio Rudiger has been called up to Germany's squad for the upcoming World Cup qualifiers in September. (Getty Images/AFP)
Real Madrid center-back Antonio Rudiger has been called up to Germany's squad for the upcoming World Cup qualifiers in September. (Getty Images/AFP)

Germany coach Julian Nagelsmann has brought back center-back Antonio Rudiger while dropping winger Leroy Sane in his squad for the upcoming World Cup qualifiers in September.

The Germany coach was hit with a wave of injuries and is without forwards Jamal Musiala, Kai Havertz and Tim Kleindienst, first-choice goalkeeper Marc-Andre ter Stegen and defenders Nico Schlotterbeck and Benjamin Henrichs.

The Germany coach named three newcomers in the 23-man squad, Eintracht Frankfurt defender Nnamdi Collins, Augsburg goalkeeper Finn Dahmen and midfielder Paul Nebel from Mainz.

Sane, who has made 70 Germany appearances since making his debut in 2015, was left out of the first squad announced since he moved from Bayern Munich to Galatasaray in the summer.

Rudiger has been called up for the first time since his outburst in the Spanish Cup final in May, when the Real Madrid center-back threw an object at the referee while verbally abusing him.

In May, Nagelsmann criticized Rudiger's behavior, saying: "He knows this can't happen again, otherwise there will be very serious consequences."

In an interview with Germany's Sueddeutsche Zeitung, Rudiger apologized for his "wrong and excessive" behavior.

In addition to Rudiger, Nagelsmann also recalled Stuttgart duo Angelo Stiller and Jamie Leweling, along with Mainz midfielder Nadiem Amiri.

Dahmen, who is also eligible to represent England, comes into the squad to replace the injured Barcelona keeper ter Stegen.

Germany face Slovakia in Bratislava on September 4 before hosting Northern Ireland three days later in Cologne.

Germany must win their four-team group with Slovakia, Northern Ireland, and Luxembourg to guarantee qualification for the 2026 World Cup in Canada, the United States, and Mexico.

Germany squad:

Goalkeepers: Oliver Baumann (Hoffenheim), Finn Dahmen (Augsburg), Alexander Nuebel (Stuttgart)

Defenders: Robert Andrich (Bayer Leverkusen), Waldemar Anton (Borussia Dortmund), Nnamdi Collins (Eintracht Frankfurt), Robin Koch (Eintracht Frankfurt), Maximilian Mittelstadt (Stuttgart), David Raum (RB Leipzig), Antonio Rudiger (Real Madrid/ESP), Jonathan Tah (Bayern Munich)

Midfielders: Karim Adeyemi (Borussia Dortmund), Nadiem Amiri (Mainz), Serge Gnabry (Bayern Munich), Leon Goretzka (Bayern Munich), Pascal Gross (Borussia Dortmund), Joshua Kimmich (Bayern Munich), Jamie Leweling (Stuttgart), Paul Nebel (Mainz), Angelo Stiller (Stuttgart), Florian Wirtz (Liverpool/ENG)

Forwards: Niclas Fuellkrug (West Ham/ENG), Nick Woltemade (Stuttgart)

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Thomas Tuchel Extends Contract as England Coach Until Euro 2028

Soccer Football - Premier League - Liverpool v Manchester City - Anfield, Liverpool, Britain - February 8, 2026 England manager Thomas Tuchel in the stands REUTERS/Phil Noble
Soccer Football - Premier League - Liverpool v Manchester City - Anfield, Liverpool, Britain - February 8, 2026 England manager Thomas Tuchel in the stands REUTERS/Phil Noble
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Thomas Tuchel Extends Contract as England Coach Until Euro 2028

Soccer Football - Premier League - Liverpool v Manchester City - Anfield, Liverpool, Britain - February 8, 2026 England manager Thomas Tuchel in the stands REUTERS/Phil Noble
Soccer Football - Premier League - Liverpool v Manchester City - Anfield, Liverpool, Britain - February 8, 2026 England manager Thomas Tuchel in the stands REUTERS/Phil Noble

Thomas Tuchel has signed a new contract that will see him remain head coach of the England national football team through to the end of Euro 2028 in the UK and Ireland, the Football Association announced on Thursday.

Tuchel was confirmed as the successor to Gareth Southgate in October 2024 and has overseen an unbeaten qualification run to this year's World Cup in North America, with England winning all eight group games under their German boss.

"I am very happy and proud to extend my time with England," said the 52-year-old former Chelsea boss, whose previous deal with the national side ran only until the end of the 2026 World Cup.

"It is no secret to anyone that I have loved every minute so far of working with my players and coaches, and I cannot wait to lead them to the World Cup.

"It is an incredible opportunity and we are going to do our very best to make the country proud."

According to AFP, the FA said the new agreement with Tuchel would provide "clarity and full focus" on the World Cup.

Tuchel had been previously touted as a possible permanent successor to sacked former Manchester United manager Ruben Amorim, even though the English giants have experienced an upturn in form under caretaker boss Michael Carrick.

But in signing a new England contract, Tuchel appears to have ruled himself out of a post-World Cup move to Old Trafford.

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Ukraine Skeleton Racer Disqualified from Olympics over Memorial Helmet

(FILES) Ukraine's Vladyslav Heraskevych wears a helmet which depicts Ukrainian sportsmen and women, victims of his country's war with Russia, as he takes part in the skeleton men's training session at Cortina Sliding Center during the Milano Cortina 2026 Winter Olympic Games in Cortina d'Ampezzo on February 9, 2026. (Photo by FRANCK FIFE / AFP)
(FILES) Ukraine's Vladyslav Heraskevych wears a helmet which depicts Ukrainian sportsmen and women, victims of his country's war with Russia, as he takes part in the skeleton men's training session at Cortina Sliding Center during the Milano Cortina 2026 Winter Olympic Games in Cortina d'Ampezzo on February 9, 2026. (Photo by FRANCK FIFE / AFP)
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Ukraine Skeleton Racer Disqualified from Olympics over Memorial Helmet

(FILES) Ukraine's Vladyslav Heraskevych wears a helmet which depicts Ukrainian sportsmen and women, victims of his country's war with Russia, as he takes part in the skeleton men's training session at Cortina Sliding Center during the Milano Cortina 2026 Winter Olympic Games in Cortina d'Ampezzo on February 9, 2026. (Photo by FRANCK FIFE / AFP)
(FILES) Ukraine's Vladyslav Heraskevych wears a helmet which depicts Ukrainian sportsmen and women, victims of his country's war with Russia, as he takes part in the skeleton men's training session at Cortina Sliding Center during the Milano Cortina 2026 Winter Olympic Games in Cortina d'Ampezzo on February 9, 2026. (Photo by FRANCK FIFE / AFP)

Ukrainian skeleton racer Vladyslav Heraskevych was disqualified from the Winter Olympics on Thursday after refusing to back down over his banned helmet, which depicts victims of his country's war with Russia.

The International Olympic Committee said he had been kicked out of the Milan-Cortina Games "after refusing to adhere to the IOC athlete expression guidelines".

Heraskevych, 27, had insisted he would continue to wear the helmet, which carries pictures of Ukrainian sportsmen and women killed since Russian forces invaded Ukraine in 2022, during the men's skeleton heats on Thursday.

After the decision, a defiant Heraskevych posted on X "this is price of our dignity", alongside a picture of his headwear, AFP reported.

Ukraine President Volodymyr Zelensky had defended the athlete's right to wear the helmet but he knew he was taking a risk as gestures of a political nature during competition are forbidden under the Olympic charter.

The IOC said in statement on Thursday that the skeleton racer's accreditation for the Games had been withdrawn.

"Having been given one final opportunity, skeleton pilot Vladylsav Heraskevych from Ukraine will not be able to start his race at the Milano Cortina 2026 Olympic Winter Games this morning," the IOC statement said.

"The decision followed his refusal to comply with the IOC's Guidelines on Athlete Expression. It was taken by the jury of the International Bobsleigh and Skeleton Federation (IBSF) based on the fact that the helmet he intended to wear was not compliant with the rules."

Athletes are permitted to express their views in press conferences and on social media, and on Tuesday the IOC said it would "make an exception" for Heraskevych, allowing him to wear a plain black armband during competition.

"Mr. Heraskevych was able to display his helmet in all training runs," the IOC said.

"The IOC also offered him the option of displaying it immediately after the competition when going through the mixed zone."

Olympic chiefs said that IOC president Kirsty Coventry had spoken with Heraskevych on Thursday morning in a vain bid to make him change his mind.

Sports

Premier League's Nottingham Forest Fires Head Coach Sean Dyche

FILE PHOTO: Soccer Football - Premier League - Nottingham Forest v Wolverhampton Wanderers - The City Ground, Nottingham, Britain - February 11, 2026 Nottingham Forest manager Sean Dyche reacts Action Images via Reuters/Andrew Boyers
FILE PHOTO: Soccer Football - Premier League - Nottingham Forest v Wolverhampton Wanderers - The City Ground, Nottingham, Britain - February 11, 2026 Nottingham Forest manager Sean Dyche reacts Action Images via Reuters/Andrew Boyers
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Premier League's Nottingham Forest Fires Head Coach Sean Dyche

FILE PHOTO: Soccer Football - Premier League - Nottingham Forest v Wolverhampton Wanderers - The City Ground, Nottingham, Britain - February 11, 2026 Nottingham Forest manager Sean Dyche reacts Action Images via Reuters/Andrew Boyers
FILE PHOTO: Soccer Football - Premier League - Nottingham Forest v Wolverhampton Wanderers - The City Ground, Nottingham, Britain - February 11, 2026 Nottingham Forest manager Sean Dyche reacts Action Images via Reuters/Andrew Boyers

Nottingham Forest has fired Sean Dyche and the Premier League team is looking for its fourth head coach of the season.

Dyche was relieved of his duties late Wednesday following a goalless draw with the last-place Wolves, having been in charge for just 114 days. Forest’s failure to convert any of their numerous chances against Wolves left them three points clear of the relegation zone.

“Nottingham Forest Football Club can confirm that Sean Dyche has been relieved of his duties as head coach," the club said in a statement early Thursday. "We would like to thank Sean and his staff for their efforts during their time at the club and we wish them the best of luck for the future.

“We will be making no further comment at this time,” The Associated Press quoted the club as saying.

Forest finished seventh in the Premier League under Nuno Espirito Santo last season, missing out on a Champions League spot after a poor end to the campaign. Nuno signed a new three-year deal at the City Ground in June 2025, but was fired in September after a breakdown in his relationship with owner Evangelos Marinakis.

Former Tottenham boss Ange Postecoglou was swiftly brought in as the Portuguese coach’s replacement, but lasted only 40 days in the job with Marinakis ending his tenure within minutes of a 3-0 defeat to Chelsea.

The draw Wednesday’ left Forest with just two wins from their last 10 matches in the Premier League — a run during which they also exited the FA Cup to Championship side Wrexham.