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Saudi U-23 National Team Participates in Toulon Tournament in France

The flag of Saudi Arabia (Asharq Al-Awsat)
The flag of Saudi Arabia (Asharq Al-Awsat)
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Saudi U-23 National Team Participates in Toulon Tournament in France

The flag of Saudi Arabia (Asharq Al-Awsat)
The flag of Saudi Arabia (Asharq Al-Awsat)

The Saudi under-23 national team will participate in the Maurice Revello Tournament Toulon Tournament, in France from June 1 to 16, the Saudi Press Agency said on Tuesday.
The Saudi national team is in Group A alongside France, Korea, Mexico and Cote d'Ivoire, while Group B includes Italy, Japan, Ukraine, Indonesia and Panama.
The national team will hold a preparatory camp in the Qatari capital, Doha, on Wednesday before traveling to France on Friday to participate in the international tournament.
The Saudi under-23 national team will start its participation in the Toulon Tournament against Korea on Monday, June 3, and will meet Mexico on Friday of the same month.
The Saudi national team will be hosted by the French national team on Sunday, June 9, and meet the Ivory Coast national team on Tuesday, the 11th of June.

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Tuanzebe Shines for DR Congo as They Qualify for World Cup

DR Congo's defender #04 Axel Tuanzebe (R) celebrates after scoring a goal in extra time during the 2026 FIFA World Cup qualifiers final playoff football match between the Democratic Republic of the Congo and Jamaica at the Akron Stadium in Zapopan, Jalisco state, Mexico, on March 31, 2026. (AFP)
DR Congo's defender #04 Axel Tuanzebe (R) celebrates after scoring a goal in extra time during the 2026 FIFA World Cup qualifiers final playoff football match between the Democratic Republic of the Congo and Jamaica at the Akron Stadium in Zapopan, Jalisco state, Mexico, on March 31, 2026. (AFP)
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Tuanzebe Shines for DR Congo as They Qualify for World Cup

DR Congo's defender #04 Axel Tuanzebe (R) celebrates after scoring a goal in extra time during the 2026 FIFA World Cup qualifiers final playoff football match between the Democratic Republic of the Congo and Jamaica at the Akron Stadium in Zapopan, Jalisco state, Mexico, on March 31, 2026. (AFP)
DR Congo's defender #04 Axel Tuanzebe (R) celebrates after scoring a goal in extra time during the 2026 FIFA World Cup qualifiers final playoff football match between the Democratic Republic of the Congo and Jamaica at the Akron Stadium in Zapopan, Jalisco state, Mexico, on March 31, 2026. (AFP)

Former England under-21 ‌international Axel Tuanzebe basked in the adulation of one of Africa’s largest nations on Tuesday after his goal in extra time against Jamaica put the Democratic Republic of Congo into the World Cup.

The center back kneed the ball home in their inter-confederation playoff final to book a first World Cup place for the Congolese since they appeared at the 1974 tournament when the country was still known as Zaire.

"To get the winning goal for ‌the country, ‌this is what, as a young boy, ‌you ⁠dream about," said ⁠Tuanzebe. "It's happened for me, and I'm so very happy. I’m so proud of what I could do for my country."

Tuanzebe is Congolese-born but moved with his family to Britain as a five-year-old. He joined Manchester United aged eight and was included in the first-team squad when ⁠only 17.

A member of England’s junior sides, ‌he was released by Manchester ‌United in 2023 and went to Ipswich Town in the ‌Championship.

Congo, who will play in Group K at the ‌finals with Colombia, Portugal and Uzbekistan, made overtures for him to play at the Africa Cup of Nations in early 2024 but he only switched allegiance at the start of ‌the 2026 World Cup qualifiers.

"My dad has been with me all the way and ⁠is here," ⁠said Tuanzebe, pointing at the stands at the Estadio Guadalajara. "My brother too," added the defender, who moved to Burnley at the start of the season.

With a population of almost 110 million DR Congo is one of the continent’s most populous countries, but the majority of its team is made up of players from an extensive diaspora across Europe, who coach Sebastien Desabre said had forged a tight group.

"I’m so happy for the Congolese people and these players. They have fought resiliently through these qualifiers," the French-born coach said.

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Brazil Score Twice Late on to Beat Croatia 3-1 in World Cup Tune-up

Igor Thiago of Brazil celebrates after scoring his team's second goal during the international friendly match between Brazil and Croatia at Camping World Stadium on March 31, 2026 in Orlando, Florida. (Getty Images/AFP)
Igor Thiago of Brazil celebrates after scoring his team's second goal during the international friendly match between Brazil and Croatia at Camping World Stadium on March 31, 2026 in Orlando, Florida. (Getty Images/AFP)
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Brazil Score Twice Late on to Beat Croatia 3-1 in World Cup Tune-up

Igor Thiago of Brazil celebrates after scoring his team's second goal during the international friendly match between Brazil and Croatia at Camping World Stadium on March 31, 2026 in Orlando, Florida. (Getty Images/AFP)
Igor Thiago of Brazil celebrates after scoring his team's second goal during the international friendly match between Brazil and Croatia at Camping World Stadium on March 31, 2026 in Orlando, Florida. (Getty Images/AFP)

Brazil beat Croatia 3-1 in ‌a World Cup warm-up in Orlando on Tuesday, with Igor Thiago converting a late penalty and Gabriel Martinelli adding a stoppage-time goal to seal the win.

The match at Camping World Stadium served as Brazil's final chance to assess their options before coach Carlo Ancelotti names his World Cup squad, while it marked their first meeting with Croatia since their quarter-final defeat at Qatar 2022.

"We know the process has been difficult for everyone. We know we need to improve a lot of things, but we’re a powerhouse of players," Casemiro told Brazilian broadcaster Globo.

"We’ll come back strong and give it our all ‌at the ‌World Cup... We know that expectations are always very ‌high ⁠for the national ⁠team and we have to rise to that challenge."

Brazil, who lost 2-1 to France last week, dominated possession from the outset and created their first clear chance in the 20th minute when Danilo’s effort was blocked by Dominik Livakovic.

The Croatian goalkeeper denied Joao Pedro with a low save before producing an outstanding stop to keep out Matheus Cunha as Brazil continued to press.

Croatia ⁠offered little in response, with Andrej Kramaric’s tame effort ‌comfortably gathered by Bento, who later made ‌a fine save to deny Luka Vuskovic’s header.

Brazil finally made their pressure count shortly ‌before halftime. Matheus Cunha released Vinicius Jr, who drove forward past ‌three defenders before setting up Danilo for a composed first-time finish.

Croatia had more of the ball after the break and equalized in the 84th minute when Lovro Majer slipped between defenders to meet Toni Fruk's cross and guide the ball past ‌goalkeeper Bento.

The equalizer sparked Brazil into action and they restored their lead four minutes later when Thiago converted ⁠from the penalty ⁠spot after Endrick was brought down in the box.

Martinelli then sealed the win in stoppage time with a low finish.

"Being here today is the biggest achievement of my life," Thiago said, after earning his first call-up to the national team following an outstanding season with Brentford.

"I want to thank the coach. I know how difficult it is with so many quality players in my position."

Brazil will face Egypt in a friendly in June before kicking off their World Cup campaign in Group C against Morocco. Croatia have two more friendlies, against Belgium and Slovenia, before facing England in their Group L opener.

The World Cup runs from June 11 to July 19 and is being co-hosted by the US, Canada and Mexico.

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Historic England Win Shows Confident Japan Can Go Far at World Cup

Football - International Friendly - England v Japan - Wembley Stadium, London, Britain- March 31, 2026 Japan's Kaoru Mitoma scores their first goal past England's Jordan Pickford. (Action Images via Reuters)
Football - International Friendly - England v Japan - Wembley Stadium, London, Britain- March 31, 2026 Japan's Kaoru Mitoma scores their first goal past England's Jordan Pickford. (Action Images via Reuters)
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Historic England Win Shows Confident Japan Can Go Far at World Cup

Football - International Friendly - England v Japan - Wembley Stadium, London, Britain- March 31, 2026 Japan's Kaoru Mitoma scores their first goal past England's Jordan Pickford. (Action Images via Reuters)
Football - International Friendly - England v Japan - Wembley Stadium, London, Britain- March 31, 2026 Japan's Kaoru Mitoma scores their first goal past England's Jordan Pickford. (Action Images via Reuters)

Coach Hajime Moriyasu cautioned it was only a friendly, but Japan's slice of history with a statement 1-0 win over England at Wembley shows they could go deep at the World Cup.

Japan strolled through Asian qualifying to become the first team to seal their place at the finals in North America and beat Brazil 3-2 in a friendly at home in October.

On Tuesday they faced England, who like Brazil are among the favorites to win the showpiece this summer, and were full value for their victory.

Kaoru Mitoma's composed finish in the first half at Wembley condemned England to their first defeat by Asian nation.

Moriyasu has said that Japan want to win the 2026 World Cup, and on this evidence that does not seem quite so outlandish.

But Moriyasu struck a note of caution, especially with Thomas Tuchel's England missing the influential trio Harry Kane, Declan Rice and Bukayo Saka.

"Coming to the World Cup, I know it will be a totally different team for England," said the coach, whose side beat Scotland 1-0 on Saturday in Glasgow.

"Also, for us, this game at the end of the day is just a friendly game, so we must keep that in mind as well."

Japan, Asia's highest-ranked side at 18 in the world, are in a testing group with the Netherlands, Sweden and Tunisia this summer.

But they should have more than enough to make it through, as they attempt to go beyond the World Cup last 16 for the first time.

- Surging confidence -

At Qatar 2022, Japan beat Spain and Germany in the group phase, before losing on penalties to Croatia in the knockout rounds.

They look well equipped to go further this time with a squad full of technically gifted players who ply their trade in Europe's top leagues.

Wembley match-winner Mitoma, of Brighton, is one of the best wingers in the Premier League on his day.

Japan also have Premier League pedigree in Crystal Palace midfielder Daichi Kamada and Leeds midfielder Ao Tanaka.

Takefusa Kubo did not feature in the recent friendlies because of injury, but the 24-year-old Real Sociedad attacker is well established in Spain's top flight.

Going back to 2019 he has 29 goals and 21 assists in 213 La Liga games.

In goal, Moriyasu kept faith in young stopper Zion Suzuki after a shaky start to his international career.

Now 23, the New Jersey-born goalkeeper, whose father is Ghanaian, has been linked with a move to the Premier League because of his good form for Parma in Italy's Serie A.

Following the England victory, Moriyasu again said that winning the World Cup was the goal.

Moriyasu has his side finely tuned and they know exactly what to expect from him, having been in charge since 2018.

"I'm confident that we can win no matter who we face," he said.