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East Rutherford: Master will take on apprentice when Spain coach Luis de la Fuente lines up against his former student, Argentina’s Lionel Scaloni, in the World Cup final on Sunday.

Nine years ago, Scaloni was just another former professional player pursuing a career in coaching, studying for his pro license at the Spanish football federation’s training center in Las Rozas, on the outskirts of Madrid. mwafrika.life

His teacher on the course? De la Fuente.

In the years since, both men have gone on to forge successful coaching careers in international football.

Scaloni, 48, took charge of Argentina in August 2018, initially on an interim basis -- less than a year after taking coaching lessons in de la Fuente’s classroom.

Since then the former Deportivo La Coruna player has led Argentina into a golden age of tournament success.

He ended their 28-year wait for a major title with victory at the 2021 Copa America and then followed that up with the ultimate prize -- the 2022 World Cup. Another Copa America title was added in 2024.

Over a similar period, de la Fuente has overseen a resurgence in Spanish football fortunes that has left La Roja on course for a second World Cup win, to set alongside their triumph in 2010.

Appointed in December 2022 after Spain’s insipid last-16 exit to Morocco at the last World Cup, de la Fuente, 65, has returned Spain to the top table of international football.

A thrilling victory at the 2024 European Championship was backed up by a run to the final of the UEFA Nations League last year.

Tuesday’s semi-final masterclass against France has left de la Fuente on the brink of topping those successes with a World Cup win.

“He was my mentor, and he taught me everything I know and now we are facing each other in a final,” Scaloni said of de la Fuente following Wednesday’s epic 2-1 semi-final defeat of England.

“I remember after Qatar when we had a conference among coaches, and I had a chat with him for quite a while. He’s done brilliant work with his team, I’m very pleased for him.” Scaloni has strong personal and professional ties to Spain after spending the bulk of his playing career there. His wife, Elisa Montero, is Spanish, and the couple live with their two sons in Mallorca.

On Sunday, though, despite his warm relationship with de la Fuente, Scaloni has no doubt where his loyalties lie.

“Of course everyone knows I live in Spain and have Spanish family. I’m very, very sorry, but I’m going to try to beat Mr de la Fuente."

De la Fuente has reciprocated, describing Scaloni as a model student.

“I have great respect for Lionel,” he said. “He has won everything with the Argentina national team. I agree with many of his ideas, I admire him professionally and personally. He is a great person.

“Lionel was a very diligent student, with a great attitude and interest. He had the touch of someone who is determined to grow. Being his teacher is an honour."

Berlin: Former Liverpool coach Jurgen Klopp on Monday slammed FIFA's decision to overturn US striker Folarin Balogun's suspension, which reportedly took place after an intervention from US President Donald Trump.

Balogun was set to miss Monday's last-16 knockout clash with Belgium having picked up a red card in his previous match, but FIFA on Sunday suspended the ban for a year, making the forward eligible to play.

Former Liverpool manager Klopp, who is set to become the next Germany manager after Julian Nagelsmann's resignation on Friday, hit out at the decision.

"It's a red card, even if it's a shame because Balogun can't play, but it's there in the rules," Klopp said.

"This is our game, not theirs... If Trump and Infantino really worked this all out between themselves, that's crazy. It calls everything into question...

"These two individuals, neither of whom has a clue about football, shouldn't have anything to do with it," the 59-year-old added.

Balogun, 25, was shown straight a red card after a VAR review showed him stepping on the foot of a Bosnia defender in the US's 2-0 last-32 win.

FIFA's regulations state a red card automatically triggers a one-match ban, which cannot be appealed.

But a rule in the FIFA statues allows the governing body to "fully or partially suspend the implementation of a disciplinary measure", essentially amounting to a veto over refereeing decisions.

The previously little-known rule was the basis for overturning a three-game suspension imposed on Cristiano Ronaldo in the lead-up to the tournament which meant the superstar forward was eligible to play in Portugal's first two games.

German FA (DFB) president Bernd Neuendorf demanded an explanation from FIFA, saying the decision jeopardised the tournament's credibility.

"FIFA should now quickly address reports suggesting that the decision to suspend the red card issued to American player Folarin Balogun was preceded by a phone call between US President Donald Trump and FIFA President Gianni Infantino," Neuendorf told AFP subsidiary SID on Monday.

"The impression that there was active political interference in the sport must be swiftly and conclusively dispelled. It is a matter of the integrity of the competition and the credibility of FIFA."

Trump, who was the inaugural recipient of the newly created FIFA Peace Prize in the lead-up to the tournament, praised FIFA's decision on social media.

"Thank you to FIFA for doing what was right, and reversing a great injustice!" Trump wrote on his Truth Social platform.

يواصل برنامج «الأدعم الصيفي 2026»، المخصص لأبناء وبنات موظفي اللجنة الأولمبية القطرية، فعالياته للأسبوع الثاني بنجاح، بتنظيم إدارة الأحداث الرياضية باللجنة، وبالتعاون مع مؤسسة دوري نجوم قطر والاتحاد القطري للبولينغ والاتحاد القطري الرياضي للشرطة ومركز بيرف آب والمتحف الأولمبي وعدد من الاتحادات الرياضية. بدأت فعاليات برنامج الأدعم الصيفي في الأسبوع الثاني بمشاركة البنات، من خلال سلسلة من الزيارات الميدانية، استهلتها المشاركات امس الأحد بزيارة الاتحاد القطري للبولينغ، تليها اليوم الاثنين زيارة إلى ميدان لوسيل للرماية، ثم زيارة إلى مركز بيرف آب يوم الثلاثاء 7 يوليو، وإلى متحف قطر الأولمبي والرياضي 3-2-1 يوم الأربعاء 8 يوليو، على أن يُختتم البرنامج يوم الخميس 9 يوليو بزيارة الاتحاد القطري للجمباز، وذلك ضمن برنامج متنوع يهدف إلى إثراء تجربة المشاركات، في إطار برنامج متنوع يجمع بين التثقيف والتجربة الرياضية الميدانية.
وفي هذا السياق قال: السيد حسن ربيعة الكواري، المدير التنفيذي للمبيعات والتسويق والاتصال في مؤسسة دوري نجوم قطر: “سعداء بالمشاركة في هذه الجلسة التدريبية ضمن البرنامج الخاص بنشاط الأدعم الصيفي، والذي يمثل فرصة مهمة لاستثمار الوقت في أنشطة هادفة تُسهم في تنمية المهارات الرياضية والاجتماعية.

Doha, Qatar: Seattle braces for another World Cup chapter as co-hosts USA attempt to finally overcome Belgium and book a place in the FIFA World Cup 2026 quarter-finals.

The kick-off is scheduled at 3am, Qatar time.

For the Americans, it is also an opportunity to reach the World Cup quarter-finals for the first time since their memorable run at Korea and Japan 2002. Standing in their way is the same Belgian side that ended the United States’ World Cup dream in Brazil 12 years ago.

The Stars and Stripes enter the contest riding a wave of confidence after an impressive campaign under Mauricio Pochettino. They have scored at least two goals in every match at the tournament, recovering from a group-stage defeat to Turkiye before dispatching Bosnia and Herzegovina 2-0 in the Round of 32. It has been a run that home supporters believe could become the nation’s finest World Cup campaign in more than two decades.

The occasion carries extra emotion after the squad marked the 250th anniversary of American independence while preparing for the biggest knockout match of their careers.

Kevin De Bruyne of Belgium takes part in a training session.

“It is special. It’s definitely special because it’s during a World Cup and triple special because it’s here in the US,” captain Tim Ream said.

Pochettino, however, has received a timely boost ahead of the quarter-final. The United States’ leading scorer, Folarin Balogun, will be available after FIFA suspended the implementation of the one-match ban he initially received following his red card against Bosnia and Herzegovina. His availability gives the co-hosts a major boost as they look to build on their impressive attacking displays.

Christian Pulisic, who has been crucial throughout the tournament, is expected to play a key role, while midfielder Weston McKennie will look to match Belgium’s physicality. Goalkeeper Matt Turner could also have another busy evening against the Red Devils.

Belgium arrive in Seattle unbeaten but tested. After opening the tournament with back-to-back draws, the Red Devils found their rhythm with a 5-1 victory over New Zealand before surviving a dramatic Round of 32 encounter against Senegal, eventually prevailing 3-2 thanks to Youri Tielemans’ penalty deep into extra time.

Belgium have scored eight goals in their last two matches. Kevin De Bruyne continues to dictate the tempo with his creativity, while Jeremy Doku’s pace and Romelu Lukaku’s finishing provide a constant threat. Tielemans has also shown his ability to deliver in decisive moments.

History also favours the Europeans. Belgium have won all five previous meetings between the nations, including the unforgettable 2-1 extra-time victory in the Round of 16 at Brazil 2014. More recently, Belgium defeated the United States 5-2 in a March 2026 friendly, offering another reminder of the challenge awaiting the hosts.

Despite that record, this American team believes circumstances are different. Playing before a passionate home crowd, carrying the momentum of an impressive tournament, the United States feel this is their best chance yet to end the Belgian hoodoo.

Interestingly, both teams have conceded only four goals throughout the tournament, suggesting defensive discipline could prove just as decisive as attacking flair.

With a quarter-final against either Spain or Portugal awaiting, there is little need for extra motivation. One nation will move within three victories of lifting the World Cup.

The other will watch its dream end in Seattle.