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☆ European heavyweights ready for another tilt at World Cup title
▼ + stars: | 2023-07-22 | by ( ) www.reuters.com time to read: +2 min

Their quest begins in Dunedin against Portugal, who are the highest ranked newcomers at this year's event at world number 21. But the focus ahead of their Group E opener was on the training conditions in New Zealand, with Netherlands coach Andries Jonker saying the facilities had been inadequate. "History is history and the future is the future, you can only live where we are now," Sweden coach Peter Gerhardsson said on Saturday. France reached the World Cup quarter-finals on home soil four years ago and will begin their campaign against Jamaica in Group F in Sydney with a clean slate under coach Herve Renard, with off-field issues finally behind them. Renard, who led Saudi Arabia to a group stage win over Argentina at the men's World Cup last year, replaced Corinne Diacre after key players refused to play under her and will hope to pull off another miracle by turning the team into world champions.

Persons: Amanda Perobelli, Vivianne Miedema, Andries Jonker, Jonker, Peter Gerhardsson, Herve Renard, Renard, Corinne Diacre, Hritika Sharma, Christian Radnedge Organizations: Soccer Football, FIFA, Wellington Regional, REUTERS, Jamaica, Argentina, Thomson Locations: New Zealand, Sweden, Wellington , New Zealand, AUCKLAND, France, Netherlands, Dunedin, Portugal, South Africa, Wellington, Canada, Sydney, Saudi Arabia, Hyderabad

☆ Can This Man Fix France’s Women’s Team?
▼ + stars: | 2023-07-22 | by ( Tariq Panja | More About Tariq Panja | ) www.nytimes.com time to read: +1 min

The banner hangs just beneath the central staircase of the elegant hotel that has been taken over by the France women’s national team for the World Cup. The motivational words emblazoned across it are typical of the type of positive messaging teams rally around before major sporting tournaments. But for this French squad, and for Renard, its well-traveled coach, the words carry extra significance after a period many on the team would prefer to forget. “Only team spirit,” it reads, “can make you realize your dreams.”Renard used the phrase the first time he met the French squad earlier this year, only months before the World Cup. “We were missing unity," Renard said in an interview on a sunny terrace in front of the team’s base camp last week.

Persons: Hervé Renard, Renard, “, ” Renard, Corinne Diacre Organizations: France women’s

☆ How to watch Women’s World Cup games as Sweden and France kick off their tournament
▼ + stars: | 2023-07-22 | by ( Thomas Schlachter | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +4 min

CNN —The Women’s World Cup enters its fourth day of fixtures with some of the tournament heavyweights kicking off their campaigns. Sweden takes on South Africa, Women’s World Cup debutant Portugal faces the Netherlands and France plays Jamaica in an action-packed day. In the 2019 Women’s World Cup, Sweden finished third after an impressive tournament, defeating England in the third-place playoff. Banyana Banyana made its Women’s World Cup debut in 2019, losing all three of its group stage games, but will be buoyed by its form since. In 2022, South Africa won the Women’s Africa Cup of Nations for the first time in the nation’s history.

Persons: Gerrit Van Cologne, Kosovare Asllani, Banyana Banyana, Kosovare, Molly Darlington, Vivianne, Lieke Martens, Miedema, Leah Williamson, Andrew Couldridge, Wendie Renard, Corinne Diacre, Eugénie Le Sommer, Hervé Renard, –, Bunny ” Shaw, Shaw, Read, Bob Marley Organizations: CNN, Portugal, FOX Sports, Telemundo, Seven Network, Optus Sport, BBC, ITV, FIFA, South Africa, Getty, South, Sweden, England, Africa, of Nations, Reuters, Portugal Portugal, Arsenal, Jamaica France, Olympique Lyonnais Féminin, French, Super League, Manchester City Locations: Sweden, South Africa, Netherlands, France, Jamaica, Australia, United Kingdom, South, Portugal, South Africa Sweden, Africa, Reuters Netherlands, Reuters France, England

☆ Women’s World Cup 2023: When, how to watch and everything you need to know
▼ + stars: | 2023-07-19 | by ( George Ramsay | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +8 min

CNN —The ninth edition of the FIFA Women’s World Cup gets underway in Auckland on Thursday as co-host New Zealand takes on Norway. For the first time ever, the Women’s World Cup will be hosted across two countries: Australia and New Zealand. Sydney Football Stadium will host six Women's World Cup games. A record 32 teams will take part in the World Cup, eight more than the previous two editions. Brazilian superstar Marta, 37, is set to end her international career having scored a record 17 Women’s World Cup goals, while the USWNT’s Megan Rapinoe has also announced that she will retire after what will be her fourth and final World Cup.

Persons: Sydney –, Cameron Spencer, Jason McCawley, Alex Morgan, Brad Smith, Sam Kerr, Kerr, Michael Regan, Marta, Megan Rapinoe, Trinity Rodman, Sophia Smith, Alyssa Thompson, Spain’s Alexia Putellas, d’Or, –, Keira Walsh, Asisat Oshoala, Ada Hegerberg, Ballon d’Or, Caroline Graham Hansen, Wendie Renard, Pernille, Alexandra Popp, James Williamson, Vivianne Miedema, Leah Williamson, Beth Mead, Macario, Giulia Gwinn, Iman Beney, Becky Sauerbrunn, Mallory Swanson, Gianni Infantino Organizations: CNN, FIFA, Zealand, US Women’s National, Southern Hemisphere, Australia –, Sydney, Sydney Football, Australia, FOX Sports, Telemundo, Seven Network, Optus Sport, BBC, ITV, Republic of Ireland, Stadium Australia, England, Gracenote, Wales, USSF, Getty, of Ireland Nigeria Canada Group, Spain Costa Rica Zambia, England Haiti Denmark China, France Jamaica Brazil Panama Group, Africa Italy Argentina, Germany Morocco Colombia South Korea Players, Chelsea, Manchester City, Ballon, Japan Locations: Auckland, Norway, Australia, New Zealand, Brisbane, Adelaide, Perth, Melbourne, Dunedin, Hamilton, Wellington, Sydney’s, France, United Kingdom, Republic of, Sydney, United States, Germany, Netherlands, Haiti, Morocco, Panama, Philippines, Portugal, Republic of Ireland, Vietnam, Zambia, Sweden, England, Spain, San Jose , California, New Zealand Norway Philippines Switzerland, Spain Costa Rica, Spain Costa Rica Zambia Japan, England Haiti, United States Vietnam Netherlands Portugal, France Jamaica, Africa, Germany Morocco Colombia, Brazilian, Barcelona, Norwegian, Denmark, Brazil, Swiss, Qatar

☆ Former France captain Henry recalled for Women's World Cup
▼ + stars: | 2023-06-07 | by ( ) www.reuters.com time to read: +1 min

June 7 (Reuters) - Former France captain Amandine Henry was included in coach Herve Renard's provisional 26-player squad for the Women's World Cup, returning to the international set-up after a two-year absence. Henry, who captained France at the 2019 World Cup, and all-time leading goal scorer Eugenie Le Sommer were left out of the squad by Diacre for last year's European Championship in England. France sacked Diacre in March after a number of players, including captain Wendie Renard, said they would no longer represent the national side as long as Diacre was in charge. Defender Renard and her Lyon team mate Le Sommer have been included in the World Cup squad, which will be trimmed to 23 players for the July 20 to Aug. 20 tournament in Australia and New Zealand. France begin their World Cup campaign against Jamaica on July 23.

Persons: Amandine Henry, Herve Renard's, Corrine Diacre, Henry, Eugenie Le Sommer, France, Wendie Renard, Herve Renard, We've, Renard, Le Sommer, Kadidiatou Diani, Marie, Antoinette Katoto, Delphine Cascarino, Hritika Sharma, Peter Rutherford Organizations: France, Diacre, Lyon, World, St Germain, Jamaica, Thomson Locations: England, Australia, New Zealand, France, Hyderabad

While there have been improvements in diversity within writers' rooms in recent years, writers of color, women of color, disabled writers and LGBTQ+ writers in Hollywood still lag in opportunities. Demands for more compensation and larger writers' rooms may be newer concerns for what Hines refers to as the "upper echelon of writers," but this has been an unresolved struggle for underrepresented writers for years. "When it comes to the issues of writers of color, there's a constant feeling of being left out of the negotiation," Hines said. Many WGA members also believe the specific strike demands, including adding larger writers' rooms, offer a better chance for writers on the sidelines to join in. "That would be absolutely huge for all kinds of underrepresented writers, and disabled writers as well, because we are wildly underrepresented," said Jamey Perry, vice chair of the WGA's Disabled Writers Committee and "Lincoln Rhyme: Hunt for the Bone Collector" writer.

REUTERS/Alyssa PointerLOS ANGELES, May 1 (Reuters) - Negotiators for Hollywood writers and film and television studios engaged in 11th-hour contract talks on Monday to try and avert a strike that would disrupt TV production across an industry grappling with seismic changes. The Writers Guild of America could call a work stoppage as early as Tuesday if it cannot reach a deal with companies such as Walt Disney Co (DIS.N) and Netflix Inc (NFLX.O). Writers say they have suffered financially during the streaming TV boom, in part due to shorter seasons and smaller residual payments. Half of TV series writers now work at minimum salary levels, compared with one-third in the 2013-14 season, according to Guild statistics. The WGA wants safeguards to prevent studios from using AI to generate new scripts from writers' previous work.

LOS ANGELES, May 1 (Reuters) - Negotiators for Hollywood writers and film and television studios engaged in 11th-hour contract talks on Monday to try and avert a strike that would disrupt TV production across an industry grappling with seismic changes. Writers say they have suffered financially during the streaming TV boom, in part due to shorter seasons and smaller residual payments. Half of TV series writers now work at minimum salary levels, compared with one-third in the 2013-14 season, according to Guild statistics. The WGA wants safeguards to prevent studios from using AI to generate new scripts from writers' previous work. The last WGA strike in 2007 and 2008 lasted 100 days.

☆ UK PM Sunak faces first test of comeback credentials in local polls
▼ + stars: | 2023-04-28 | by ( Alistair Smout | ) www.reuters.com time to read: +5 min

With voters going through a cost-of-living crisis and inflation stubbornly high at about 10%, local council votes in much of England on May 4 give Labour an opportunity to prove their electoral credentials. Swindon has returned lawmakers representing the winning party at every national election since 1983, making it a bellwether and a key target for Labour, who chose the town for the launch of their local election campaign. "Whilst Sunak's personal poll ratings aren't great, they're not toxic in the way that his predecessors have been," he said. David Renard, the Conservative leader of Swindon Borough Council, said the national picture might hinder his attempts to focus the campaign on more local issues. In its town centre, many voters expressed unhappiness with the Conservatives but some had a degree of sympathy for Sunak personally.

☆ Thirty years on, Zambia mourns national team killed in plane crash
▼ + stars: | 2023-04-26 | by ( Mark Gleeson | ) www.reuters.com time to read: +2 min

The bulk of the team were experienced internationals, fancied to emerge top of their final round qualifying group and secure a first-ever World Cup final appearance at the 1994 tournament in the United States. Engine failure after takeoff from Libreville caused the plane to crash into the sea, killing all on board including the coaches, support staff and crew. A year after the crash, the team were surprise finalists at the 1994 Africa Cup of Nations in Tunisia, losing 2-1 to Nigeria. Twenty years after the disaster, Zambia finally won the African title - in Gabon, site of the crash. Just days before the final, players threw flowers into the sea at the beach where the bodies had washed up.

☆ Depleted Canada team a 'massive' chance for World Cup hopefuls-coach
▼ + stars: | 2023-04-10 | by ( ) www.reuters.com time to read: +2 min

April 10 (Reuters) - The absence of many first-choice players has presented a "massive opportunity" for others to stake their claim in Canada's World Cup squad, coach Bev Priestman said as the Olympic champions prepare to face France in a friendly on Tuesday. "There's a massive opportunity for anybody that gets on the pitch. And, you know, to get that one camp away from your World Cup squad being announced and, you know, going into that World Cup squad, I think I have to look at the opportunity in it and see the bigger picture." "I don't think it's a World Cup injury, but it's not a 'she'll be ready, you know, this week' type injury," said Priestman. Herve Renard took the reins late last month after leading Saudi Arabia to a shock group-stage win over eventual champions Argentina in last year's men's World Cup.

☆ Player revolts plunge Women's World Cup buildup into turmoil
▼ + stars: | 2023-02-28 | by ( Lori Ewing | ) www.reuters.com time to read: +4 min

Canada's women's team have vowed to boycott a pre-World Cup camp next month over equal pay and support, while Le Graet faced allegations of harassment. A government ministry audit concluded the 81-year-old Le Graet did not have the "necessary legitimacy" for the position. Canada are the reigning Olympic women's champions, while France topped their group in World Cup qualifying. Forward Janine Beckie, who was in Qatar for last year's men's World Cup as part of Canada's broadcast crew, saw the "disgusting" discrepancy between the two programmes. (This story has been corrected to change the World Cup start date in paragraph 6)Reporting by Lori Ewing Editing by Toby DavisOur Standards: The Thomson Reuters Trust Principles.

☆ French football bracing itself for Black Tuesday
▼ + stars: | 2023-02-27 | by ( ) www.reuters.com time to read: +3 min

PARIS, Feb 27 (Reuters) - French football is bracing itself for a major shakedown as both the president of the federation (FFF) and the women's head coach are expected to resign from their positions on Tuesday. Should he refuse to step down, Le Graet, 81, could be brought before the FFF's disciplinary committee or the executive committee could resign to force new elections. According to a report in French multimedia outlet RMC Sport, Renard will not play for the national team as long as Diacre is in charge. The 48-year-old Diacre, who in 2014 became the first French woman to coach a men's team when she took charge of then Ligue 2 side Clermont, was appointed France head coach in 2017. Diacre had previously attracted criticism from other French players, including Gaetane Thiney and Sarah Bouhaddi.

☆ Messi headlines shortlist for FIFA Best Men's Player award
▼ + stars: | 2023-01-12 | by ( ) www.reuters.com time to read: +3 min

Messi, along with his Paris St Germain team mate Kylian Mbappe and Manchester City's Erling Haaland, were among the 14 players shortlisted for The Best FIFA Men's Player award, the world governing body said on Thursday. Real Madrid's Karim Benzema, who won the 2022 Ballon d'Or award, is also in the shortlist. Sarina Wiegman, who led England to last year's European Championship title, is joined on The Best FIFA Women's Coach shortlist by Chelsea's Emma Hayes and Germany manager Martina Voss-Tecklenburg. Liverpool's Alisson Becker, Real Madrid's Thibaut Courtois and Aston Villa's Martinez are among the nominees for The Best FIFA Men's Goalkeeper award. FIFA also announced an 11-player shortlist for this year's Puskas Award for the "most beautiful" goal of the year, with Mbappe's spectacular volley against Argentina in the World Cup final among the nominees.

LANSING — State officials in Michigan announced changes this week to address administrative failures that have made it difficult for some of the state’s most vulnerable foster youth to earn a high school diploma. The actions came after NBC News reported on foster youth in Michigan who were denied credit for classes they took while living in state-funded, state-licensed residential facilities. He was one of five foster youth who addressed the board or had their statements read into the record on Tuesday. “The first thing we need to do is to get into the Legislature and make certain that there’s no such thing as noncredit-bearing courses in Michigan public education. The foster youth and their advocates said they’re hopeful that real change is coming.

☆ A generation that won't be forgotten by the Saudis
▼ + stars: | 2022-12-01 | by ( Shady Amir | ) www.reuters.com time to read: +2 min

[1/3] Nov 22, 2022; Lusail, Qatar; Saudi Arabia midfielder Salem Al-Dawsari (10) is congratulated by teammates after scoring a goal against Argentina during a group stage match during the 2022 World Cup at Lusail Stadium. read moreOnly the heroics of Saudi goalkeeper Mohamed Al-Owais prevented a humiliating defeat, though they still finished bottom of Group C, three points behind group winners Argentina. Yes, in Saudi Arabia we know the players well, but they are unknown to fans around the world," Renard said. Saudi Arabia has been playing a bigger role in sport globally. Saudi's football federation is also hoping Cristiano Ronaldo can be lured to a local club after the Portuguese forward had his contract terminated by Manchester United.

☆ Argentina and Lionel Messi face crunch game against Poland
▼ + stars: | 2022-11-29 | by ( Ben Morse | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +5 min

Argentina was stunned by Saudi Arabia in its first game, before getting its campaign back on track with a 2-0 victory over Mexico in which Messi scored the opening goal. Argentina sits second on three points, a point behind Group C leader Poland, knowing a win in its final game against the Polish will assure its progression. Ariel Schalit/APNext up Argentina takes on Poland, and Robert Lewandowski, pictured celebrating scoring his team's second goal during the Group C match between Poland and Saudi Arabia. Andrej Isakovic/AFP/Getty ImagesArgentina faces a Poland team spearheaded by its own iconic striker, Robert Lewandowski, who scored his first World Cup goal last time out against Saudi Arabia. “We are still alive.”Mexico’s hopes are much slimmer, needing to beat Saudi Arabia by at least a three-goal margin, with Poland not losing to Argentina.

☆ Saudi Arabia in the mix for last 16 ahead of Mexico clash
▼ + stars: | 2022-11-28 | by ( Shady Amir | ) www.reuters.com time to read: +3 min

In their five previous participations, Saudi Arabia have qualified for the round of 16 only once, on their debut at the tournament in 1994. In Qatar, Poland lead Group C on four points, one ahead of Argentina and Saudi Arabia, while Mexico are on one point. If Saudi Arabia want to progress they will have to beat Mexico, regardless of the outcome of the match between Poland and Argentina. "Qatar is Saudi Arabia and Saudi Arabia is Qatar. Mexico need to beat Saudi Arabia by at least a three-goal margin, with Poland not losing to Argentina.

☆ Saudi Arabia's injured Al-Faraj out of the World Cup
▼ + stars: | 2022-11-27 | by ( Shady Amir | ) www.reuters.com time to read: +1 min

Al RAYYAN, Qatar, Nov 27 (Reuters) - Injured Saudi Arabia captain Salman Al-Faraj is out of the World Cup after coach Herve Renard agreed to let him leave the camp, the Saudi Football Association said on Sunday. Al-Faraj was injured at the end of the first half of the historic 2-1 victory over Argentina in Saudi Arabia's first match in the tournament on Tuesday. He left the stadium on crutches, with an apparent leg injury, and Renard said he did not expect him to participate in any more matches at the finals. Saudi Arabia, who lost 2-0 to Poland on Saturday, are equal with Argentina on three points while Poland top the group with four and Mexico are last with one point. Saudi Arabia need to beat Mexico in the last match in the group on Wednesday to ensure qualification for the last 16, regardless of the outcome of the match between Poland and Argentina.

☆ Lionel Messi fronts up to defeat after World Cup shock
▼ + stars: | 2022-11-23 | by ( Ben Church | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +5 min

Doha, Qatar CNN —Argentina’s game against Saudi Arabia on Tuesday was supposed to serve as the perfect springboard for Lionel Messi’s last dance at the World Cup. But the Argentine captain was overshadowed by arguably the biggest upset in World Cup history and, as Saudi Arabia celebrated its win, Messi trudged down the tunnel with a face of thunder. The seven-time Ballon d’Or, who has yet to lift the World Cup trophy, didn’t hide from the embarrassment though. At the final whistle, the Argentine fans were slumped in their seats and it was the Saudi supporters chanting Messi’s name ironically. Saudi Arabia faces Poland in its next game before playing Mexico.

☆ Prince Abdulaziz bin Turki Al-Faisal: 'I'm waiting for someone to wake me up,' says Saudi sports minister after remarkable win over Argentina
▼ + stars: | 2022-11-23 | by ( Zeena Saifi | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +6 min

CNN —A day after Saudi Arabia’s historic win against Argentina at the Qatar World Cup, the Kingdom’s sports minister Prince Abdulaziz bin Turki Al-Faisal says he’s “waiting for someone to wake me up.”“It’s been an unbelievable result. Saudi Arabia's victory is the most famous in the Arab world, alongside Algeria's victory over West Germany in 1982. People that don’t know Saudi Arabia, have never been to Saudi Arabia, go out and talk about it as if they’ve lived there for 30 years, 40 years. In honor of the team’s historic win, Saudi Arabia’s King Salman bin Abdulaziz Al Saud ordered a national public holiday for a day on Wednesday. Asked if Saudi Arabia would put in a bid, similar to its takeover of Newcastle United last year, Prince Abdulaziz didn’t confirm nor deny.

☆ Messi leads Argentina v Saudi Arabia in final World Cup quest
▼ + stars: | 2022-11-22 | by ( ) www.reuters.com time to read: +2 min

Saudi Arabia coach Herve Renard kept captain and midfielder Salman Al-Faraj in the team after his recent recovery from a shoulder injury. Abdulelah Al-Malki will keep Saudi Arabia's first line of defence in front of the back line, alongside Al-Faraj. The Saudi team is entirely home-based, with the local league's financial clout ensuring few leading players aspire to play overseas. Following are the teams:Argentina:Emeliano Martinez, Cristian Romero, Nicolas Tagliafico Nicolas Otamendi, Nahuel Molina, Alejandro Gomez, Rodrigo De Paul, Leandro Paredes, Lionel Messi (c), Lautaro Martinez, Angel Di Maria. Saudi Arabia:Mohamed Al-Owais, Ali Al-Bulaihi, Yasser Al-Shahrani, Mohamed Kanno, Saud Abdulhamid, Abdulelah Al-Malki, Saleh Al-Shehri, Hassan Al-Tambakti, Salman Al-Faraj (c), Salem Al-Dawsari, Firas Al-Buraikan.

☆ Saudi win over Argentina inspires Morocco on eve of Croatia clash
▼ + stars: | 2022-11-22 | by ( Simon Jennings | ) www.reuters.com time to read: +2 min

The Saudis, the second-lowest ranked team at the World Cup and coached by former Morocco boss Herve Renard, beat Lionel Messi's Argentina 2-1 to deliver one of the biggest shocks in the tournament's history. Morocco are 10 places below 2018 World Cup runners-up Croatia in the world rankings and Regragui said his team were inspired by the way the Saudis had outplayed Argentina. "If Croatia doesn't allow us to have full possession tomorrow, OK, then we need to be very strong at the back. He's shown us what we can do and I hope we'll be able to feel the same as Saudi Arabia." Morocco captain Romain Saiss said the Saudi win proved once again that anything was possible in football.

☆ Saudi Arabia vs Argentina: Lionel Messi's team in one of the biggest upsets in World Cup history
▼ + stars: | 2022-11-22 | by ( Ben Church | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +3 min

Lusail, Qatar CNN —Saudi Arabia produced one of the biggest upsets in World Cup history Tuesday, beating Lionel Messi’s Argentina 2-1 in an astonishing Group C match. The thousands of Saudi fans inside the Lusail Stadium couldn’t believe what they were watching as they celebrated their unexpected victory. Saudi Arabia players celebrate their shock win. As full-time neared, fans cheered every tackle and save as if they were goals and, when the match did indeed end, Saudi Arabia fans reacted with frenzy. Argentina will hope to recover against Mexico in its next group match on Saturday while Saudi Arabia faces Poland.

☆ Saudi Arabia’s victory over Argentina is the greatest upset in World Cup history, says data company
▼ + stars: | 2022-11-22 | by ( Alasdair Howorth | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +6 min

According to sports data group Gracenote, Argentina’s 2-1 defeat by Saudi Arabia in their Group C match is the biggest upset in World Cup history. All the pre-match talk focused on Messi, one of the world’s greatest ever players who is likely playing his last World Cup. According to Gracenote, the previous most surprising World Cup win was USA’s victory against England in 1950, in which the American team had a 9.5% chance of victory. David Cannon/Getty ImagesDiego Maradona had taken the world by storm at the 1986 World Cup, delivering a succession of spectacular individual performances as Argentina claimed its secondd title. Keystone/Hulton Archive/Getty ImagesAhead of the 1950 World Cup in Brazil, football had been fully professional in England for decades, though this was the English team’s first appearance at a World Cup having chosen not to appear in the previous three tournaments.

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