The United States will host a reformatted 2024 Copa America, CONMEBOL has confirmed.

Ecuador had been due to stage next year's competition but withdrew in November due to concerns over security and infrastructure.

The USA previously hosted the tournament in 2016 for a special centenary edition, with that the only previous occasion it has been held outside of South America.

It has also been announced that the 2024 edition will feature its usual 10 teams from South America, plus six from North and Central America and the Caribbean.

The USA, who will also jointly-host the 2026 World Cup along with Mexico and Canada, are not guaranteed a place at the Copa America.

Argentina won the delayed 2021 tournament thanks to 1-0 win over hosts Brazil at the Maracana, though coronavirus restrictions meant stadia capacities were restricted.

Clemson sprinter Kiara Grant started her 2023 collegiate season in ominous form with a personal best and world leading 7.09 seconds to win the 60m at the Red Raider Open at the Sports Performance Centre in Lubbock, Texas on Friday.

The 22-year-old former Alpha standout’s time was also a new ACC record, shattering Tonya Carter’s record of 7.15 seconds, which had stood for 23 years. She is also now the joint eighth-fastest Jamaican in the event.

American Marybeth Sant-Price, the World Indoor bronze medalist from last year, was second in 7.18 with Sedrickia Wynn of Texas State taking third place with a time of 7.35.

Elsewhere, Jamaican Texas Tech sprint hurdler Demisha Roswell produced a time of 7.98 seconds to finish second in the 60m hurdles.

The 25-year-old Vere Technical alum, who lowered her 100m hurdles personal best to 12.44 last season, was beaten by Kentucky’s Masai Russell who ran a collegiate record 7.75 for victory.

LSU’s Leah Phillips was third in 8.14.

World Athletics Under-20 championships gold medallist Ackera Nugent has moved from Baylor University to the University of Arkansas.

The former Excelsior High star runner, who won gold in the 100m hurdles at the world junior championships in Nairobi, Kenya in 2021, had attended Baylor for the past two seasons.

On Wednesday, Nugent, the World U-20 indoor record holder in the 60m hurdles, posted a photograph of herself on Instagram wearing a University of Arkansas shirt while clearing a hurdle with the word ‘Arkansas’ on it.

“Rule #3, forget ATTENTION and GROW in PRIVATE. I spoke less and God did the rest. (Psalms 27:1),” she captioned the post.

At Arkansas, she will join several Jamaicans including World Championships men’s long jump finalist Wayne Pinnock and Olympian Carey McLeod, who both transferred from the University of Tennessee; discus throwers Ralford Mullings, who transferred from Arizona State and Roje Stona who previously attended Clemson University.

Shakwon Coke also signed for Arkansas after leaving Barton County College along with World Under-20 triple jump champion Jaydon Hibbert, who had previously signed with Tennessee. Jamie Farr, Ryan Brown and sprint hurdler Phillip Lemonious are also on the men’s team.

Nickesha Pryce, formerly of Vere Technical and Iowa Western Community College, and Joanne Reid, formerly of St Jago High, are also on the women’s roster.

Jamaica’s men were the only Caribbean nation to crack the top ten for the most points accumulated at the 2022 World Championships in Oregon in July.

The team, who is in a rebuilding phase after dominating men’s track and field for almost a decade, finished in a three-way tie for fifth on the table with 20 points. Eight points are accumulated for first place and a point for eighth.

Hosts USA, thanks to standout performances from the likes of Noah Lyles, Michael Norman and Fred Kerley to name a few, absolutely dominated the Championships and finished at the top of the table with 118 points.

The rest of the top ten was rounded out by Kenya (46), Great Britain (28), Canada (24), Jamaica (20), Ethiopia (20), Uganda (20), Norway (17), Spain (17) and South Africa (12).

Jamaica’s only medal came in the 4x400m where the team of Akeem Bloomfield, Jevaughn Powell, Nathon Allen and Christopher Taylor ran 2:58.58 for silver behind the USA.

They also finished just outside the medals in the 4x100m where Akeem Blake, Oblique Seville, Yohan Blake and Jelani Walker combined to run 38.06 to finish behind Canada (37.48), USA (37.55) and Great Britain (37.83).

Individually, Seville had the best performance finishing fourth in the 100m in 9.97 behind the American trio of Fred Kerley (9.86), Marvin Bracy (9.88) and Trayvon Bromell (9.88).

Jamaica’s other two individual finalists to place in the top eight were Jaheel Hyde who finished sixth in the 400m Hurdles and Christopher Taylor who finished seventh in the 400m.

 

Gio Reyna's alleged fallout with United States head coach Gregg Berhalter at the World Cup was "a non-story", according to team-mate Tim Ream.

USA reached the knockout rounds on their return to the competition after eight years away, but saw their stay at Qatar 2022 curtailed after a last-16 loss to the Netherlands.

There was a limited role for Reyna, widely considered one of their best players, with just two appearances off the bench throughout the USMNT's run.

Reports pointed to a disagreement with Berhalter over a lack of effort in training, but Ream has moved to settle the story once and for all as the team continue to decompress.

"For us, it's a non-story," he said on his podcast Indirect. "We dealt with it in camp, things moved on, we moved past it and that's where we are. We can put that to bed.

"We addressed it in camp and [Reyna] did what he had to do, and obviously came on against the Netherlands and helped to drag us back into the game. For us, that's it. That's the end of it."

Meanwhile, USMNT team-mate Christian Pulisic also disclosed he has no current plans to leave Chelsea as it stands, though that could change further down the line.

A coaching turnover between Thomas Tuchel and Graham Potter at Stamford Bridge is yet to improve Pulisic's playing time, but speaking on the podcast, the forward stated he is not plotting an exit.

"Right now, I'm absolutely back at Chelsea," he said. "That's where my mind is at, ready to finish the season. But you know in football, things change. Anything can happen."

Borussia Dortmund sporting director Sebastian Kehl described reports of poor behaviour from Giovanni Reyna during the United States' World Cup campaign as "incomprehensible."

Gregg Berhalter's young USA side suffered a last-16 exit against the Netherlands after finishing second in Group B at the tournament, with Reyna playing a limited role.

The attacking midfielder featured for a total of just 51 minutes in Qatar, and reports have since suggested the USA almost sent him home due to a lack of commitment in training.

Reyna labelled such reports "highly fictionalised" in a social media post on Monday, expressing disappointment that any dispute with Berhalter or his staff had been made public.

The 20-year-old has the backing of his club, with former BVB midfielder Kehl saying any questions over his professionalism are unjust.  

"The contents of the reporting on Gio Reyna have surprised us a lot in the last few days," Kehl told DPA.

"He's had a really difficult time with multiple injuries. We've known the boy for many years, even though he's only 20. 

"We see him as a good guy who works professionally and is a valued team-mate in the dressing room. 

"After a few days in Qatar, that this is now being fundamentally questioned is incomprehensible for us at BVB and does not do justice to Gio Reyna."

Having missed most of the 2021-22 campaign through injury, Reyna has also struggled for fitness this term, managing three Bundesliga starts and playing just 363 minutes in the competition.

LeBron James is among those to have paid tribute to Grant Wahl following the American sports journalist's death while covering the World Cup in Qatar.

Wahl was in attendance at Friday's quarter-final tie between Argentina and the Netherlands at Lusail Stadium when he took ill in the media tribune.

The 48-year-old was a correspondent for CBS Sports and had previously worked for Sports Illustrated, where he did a cover story on the then up-and-coming James 20 years ago.

"I'm very fond of Grant and having that cover shoot – me being a teenager and him covering that, it was a pretty cool thing," Los Angeles Lakers star James told reporters following his side's 133-122 loss to the Philadelphia 76ers.

"Even when I moved up in the ranks and became a professional and he kind of went to a different sport and things of that nature over the years, anytime his name would come up I would always think back to me as a teenager and having Grant in our building down at St. V. It's a tragic loss.

"It's unfortunate to lose someone as great as he was and I wish his family the best. And may he rest in paradise."

No further details surrounding his death have been released.

FIFA president Gianni Infantino said in a statement: "It is with disbelief and immense sadness that I have been made aware of the passing of renowned sports journalist Grant Wahl, while reporting on a quarter-final match during the FIFA World Cup in Qatar.

"Only some days ago, Grant was recognised by FIFA and AIPS for his contribution to reporting on eight consecutive FIFA World Cups, and his career also included attendance at several FIFA Women's World Cups, as well as a host of other international sporting events.

"His love for football was immense and his reporting will be missed by all who follow the global game. On behalf of FIFA and the football community, we express our sincerest condolences to his wife Celine, his family, and his friends at this most difficult time."

The US Soccer Federation added: "The entire US Soccer family is heartbroken to learn that we have lost Grant Wahl.

"Here in the United States, Grant's passion for soccer and commitment to elevating its profile across our sporting landscape played a major role in helping to drive interest in and respect for our beautiful game. 

"As important, Grant's belief in the power of the game to advance human rights was, and will remain, an inspiration to all. Grant made soccer his life’s work, and we are devastated that he and his brilliant writing will no longer be with us."

Wahl wrote in his Substack column on Monday he had visited a medical clinic in Qatar after feeling unwell.

"My body finally broke down on me. Three weeks of little sleep, high stress and lots of work can do that to you," he wrote. 

"What had been a cold over the last 10 days turned into something more severe on the night of the USA-Netherlands game, and I could feel my upper chest take on a new level of pressure and discomfort. 

"I didn't have COVID (I test regularly here), but I went into the medical clinic at the main media center today, and they said I probably have bronchitis.

"They gave me a course of antibiotics and some heavy-duty cough syrup, and I'm already feeling a bit better just a few hours later. But still: No bueno."

US State Department spokesman Ned Price confirmed on Friday that talks are ongoing with senior Qatari officials "to see to it that [Wahl's] family's wishes are fulfilled as expeditiously as possible."

Wahl was at the centre of controversy earlier in the World Cup when he was initially prevented from entering Ahmad bin Ali Stadium for the United States v Wales match as was wearing a rainbow shirt. He was eventually allowed into the stadium.

Memphis Depay has taken a swipe at ex-NBA star and American TV analyst Charles Barkley following the Netherlands' 3-1 win over the United States in the World Cup round of 16 on Saturday.

Depay opened the scoring in the victory, which came after Barkley had started trash talk in the lead-up to the knockout stage clash.

Barkley said on NBA on TNT: "We're going for the Netherlands. We opening up a can of whoop-a** 'cause I guarantee the Netherlands is in trouble."

The official Dutch team Twitter account responded with a hype video of Barkley's quotes shortly prior to kick-off with Barcelona attacker having the last laugh.

"Lotta bark, no bite," Depay posted on Twitter only a few hours after the game, with an image of a forlorn-looking Barkley under the 3-1 scoreline.

The victory means the Netherlands will take on Argentina in the quarter-finals, while the USA's World Cup is over.

Gregg Berhalter is hopeful United States talisman Christian Pulisic will be fit to face the Netherlands this weekend, believing he "looks pretty good" ahead of training on Friday.

Pulisic suffered a pelvic injury when scoring the winning goal in the USA's victory over Iran on Tuesday.

The Chelsea forward was substituted at half-time, but hopes to recover in time to take on the Oranje in their last-16 clash at Khalifa International Stadium on Saturday.

While Boss Berhalter is confident Pulisic will feature, he is less optimistic about forward Josh Sargent, who injured his ankle in the win over Iran.

"We're going to see him on the training field today," he said.

"What I think is it looks pretty good. But we're going to have to see him on the training pitch today to get confirmation of that.

"[Sargent] is another one we're going to test in training, see where he's at. With Christian we're hopeful, with him a little less so.

"We'll see. He's going to test. At this stage, it's go time. If you can push through it, you do. I'm sure he'll have that mindset."

A surprise element of the USA's campaign so far has been the limited playing time for midfielder Giovanni Reyna.

The Borussia Dortmund man featured for just seven minutes at the end of the 0-0 draw with England, with Berhalter suggesting the circumstances have not yet been right to unleash the 20-year-old.

"I think a lot of it comes down to timing and circumstances," he added. If you look at how the games unfolded, we've had the lead and had to hold onto the lead late in the games.

"The only game we didn't have that scenario, we actually put him in to help get the victory.

"It's just how we can use him in the most effective way. He's a really talented player, and we're looking for the right moment he can no doubt help this team."

USA are winless in their last 11 World Cup games against European nations (D6 L5) since beating Portugal 3-2 in 2002.

Indeed, they have won just three of their 23 World Cup games against European sides (D7 L13), also beating Belgium in 1930 and England in 1950.

They come up against a Netherlands side that has been criticised for playing uninspiring football in this tournament, but Berhalter does not think Oranje boss Louis van Gaal will be concerned.  

"I'm laughing because there's always criticism of Holland," he said. "How many coaches are there in Holland? Seventeen million now?

"I heard the same thing in 2014. I remember playing away at Ajax, losing 1-0 at half-time, and Ajax were being whistled off because they only scored one goal.

"I think Louis van Gaal has tough enough skin. He realises his job is to deliver wins. He's been doing that. They're undefeated in the group stage.

"I'm sure he's focused on trying to guide his team to the final. He was very successful in 2014, and he has a way to win wherever he goes.

"If I'm the Dutch public, I wouldn't worry about it too much, I'd just wait and see."

Christian Pulisic says he will do everything in his power to be fit for the United States' World Cup round-of-16 showdown with the Netherlands on Saturday.

Pulisic suffered a pelvic injury when scoring the winning goal in the USA's victory over Iran on Tuesday.

The Chelsea forward was substituted at half-time, but hopes to recover in time to take on the Oranje at Khalifa International Stadium this weekend.

A USA team spokesman said of Pulisic's pelvic contusion injury during a press conference on Thursday "it's what it sounds like," but the former captain stated: "No, but at the same time, it's not.

"Like, I didn't get, like, hit in the balls."

He added: "It was very painful. You know, that bone is there for a reason, to protect you, I think. And I hit it well. And it was sore, but like I said, I'm getting better."

Pulisic continued: "I took a knee ... to a nice pelvis area - it was not nice."

The former Borussia Dortmund man is determined to play his part when the USA go in search of a quarter-final place.

"I'm gonna go meet now with the team and the medical staff, and make a decision on [training] today," added Pulisic.

"Just kinda see how I'm feeling, taking it day by day right now. But doing everything in my power to be able to be out there on the field Saturday.

"I will do everything in my power to work with this medical team and make sure that I can play."

Phil Foden is "the best footballer England have", according to former Three Lions captain Wayne Rooney, who suggests the Manchester City star must be played at the World Cup going forward.

The playmaker was an unused substitute during Friday's 0-0 draw with the United States, as Gareth Southgate's side missed the chance to seal top spot in Group B and progress to the knockout rounds.

Having been overlooked to start in both of their matches so far, Foden was forced to watch from the sidelines as his side laboured to a point, prompting criticism from former England players Jamie Carragher and Gary Neville.

Now Rooney, the Three Lions' all-time record goalscorer, has added his voice to the chorus of dissent over the 22-year-old's exclusion from a crucial encounter.

"I found it very strange that Foden did not come on as a substitute against the USA," he wrote in his column for The Times. "Technically, he is the best footballer England have.

"I think if you have a talent like Foden, you simply have to play him. He is now a different player from the one we saw at Euro 2020, when he struggled to make an impact.

"He is more mature and came into this tournament on the back of a long period of brilliant performances for Manchester City.

"He has the form to go with the ability. If I were him, I would be very frustrated that I didn't get on the pitch at any stage of Friday’s game."

In a lacklustre performance without the energy and verve of their opening 6-2 win over Iran, England were kept out of danger at the back by another strong showing from Harry Maguire.

Manchester United's club captain has been mostly overlooked at club level this season, but Rooney was effusive in his praise for the centre-back, who recovered from illness to feature against the United States.

"[Maguire] was England's standout player on Friday," he added. "He had an excellent game against Iran.

"[He is] showing the quality on the ball, sound defending and unmistakable threat at set pieces. That makes him so important to the team."

England play their final Group B game against Wales on Tuesday, with Southgate's side looking to secure top spot ahead of the knockout rounds.

Harry Kane insisted England's drab performance against the United States was "not the end of the world for us" and kept the team in a strong position at Qatar 2022.

Captain Kane missed a late chance to make a breakthrough when he planted a header well wide as the game at Al Bayt Stadium finished goalless.

The USA were the better side for large parts of the game, but they passed up half-chances and England survived scares before improving in the closing stages.

"It wasn't our best performance, for sure," Kane told ITV. "We had some good spells with the ball and created some good positions, but we just didn't have the final product today.

"It's a great clean sheet, it puts us in a great position in the group."

After the 6-2 opening win against Iran, the expectations on England went up a level, but this will bring them in check.

"It was a complete contrast with the game against Iran, where we took our chances really well," Kane said, before complimenting the Americans.

"Look, overall they're a tough team, and we'll move on. They pressed us really well and made it difficult for us. I thought at times we dealt with it well, they're a good side and we have to respect that.

"A draw isn't the end of the world for us. We know we can play better than that, but it's a draw in the World Cup, no game is easy in the World Cup."

England had just eight shots, and they have only attempted fewer in two World Cup matches on record since 1966: six against the Republic of Ireland in 1990 and seven against Poland in 1986.

They have still never beaten the USA at the World Cup in three attempts, losing 1-0 in 1950 and drawing 1-1 in 2010 before this stalemate.

The Americans are now winless in their last 11 World Cup matches against European nations (D6 L5) since a 3-2 victory over Portugal in 2002. This was their first World Cup clean sheet against a European team since that famous win over England 72 years ago.

Kane was just happy England took a point, rather than subsiding to a dismal defeat, and they will round off their group campaign against Wales, looking to make sure of a last-16 place.

"I think after our first performance, people thought we were just going to landslide every team we play, but it's not the case, we played a well-organised team with quality players," Kane said.

"The clean sheet is really pleasing. A point's not what we came here for, but it leaves us in a really good position."

Harry Kane will be fit to feature in England's next World Cup match against the United States on Friday, says manager Gareth Southgate.

The Three Lions captain picked up an ankle injury during the second half of their opening 6-2 win against Iran in Group B and was replaced by Callum Wilson.

Kane underwent a scan on Wednesday to ascertain the severity of the injury, but concerns appeared to be abated after goalkeeper Jordan Pickford confirmed he had trained alongside the rest of the squad.

Now Southgate has said his skipper will be in line to play against the Stars and Stripes in Al Khor for their second match of Qatar 2022.

"Harry is fine. He has worked slightly separately from the group but all good for Friday night," he told BBC Sport. "He had a scan [on Wednesday] to make sure everything is fine."

Southgate also confirmed Harry Maguire is set to figure after he was withdrawn midway through the second half on Monday, adding: "He was feeling ill and that was affecting his vision.

"You worry about concussion in that instant, but we were going back through all the footage and there is nothing, so he is in a good area."

England will qualify for the knockout rounds with a win over the United States, regardless of the result between Iran and Wales elsewhere in Group B.

Southgate wants to see his side into the last-16 sooner rather than later, adding: "We would like to get qualification done as soon as possible.

"The first objective is to get out of the group. We would love to do that on Friday, but the game won't be anything like Monday.

"We have to make sure we are back to the psychological place we were at the start because the States will be an athletic team, press really well, be organised [and] well coached.

"They have quite a few players we know from the Premier League. Monday was a great start, and it is that reset to be ready for Friday."

Cameron Carter-Vickers hailed the "top-notch" dedication and consistency of former teammate Harry Kane ahead of the United States' showdown with England.

Like Kane, Carter-Vickers came through Tottenham's academy but, having spent most of his 13-year spell out on loan, he departed for Celtic on a permanent deal in July.

But the defender will be reunited with the England skipper on Friday, when the Stars and Stripes and Three Lions face off in Group B at the Al Bayt Stadium.

And Carter-Vickers heaped praise on Kane, who is three goals away from breaking Wayne Rooney's all-time national goalscoring record.

He said: "Training with him, you can see every day how hard he works, his dedication not just on the field, off the field as well. It's top-notch, and you can see how consistent he has been over the last so many years now. 

"That only comes if you are doing the right thing day in and day out. You could say that probably coming from the academy at Tottenham, you look up to players like him and other players in the first team playing well and consistently performing." 

An unused substitute in the 1-1 draw with Wales, Southend-born Carter-Vickers will hope to make his World Cup bow against Gareth Southgate's side, who opened with a commanding 6-2 win over Iran.

The 24-year-old qualifies for the USA through his father - former basketball player Howard Carter - and has added motivation to achieve a positive result against the nation of his birth.

"Obviously, when I saw the group was drawn, and I saw we were in the same group as England, I was excited," he added. 

"They are one of the top teams in the world. To be able to play against them and match up against them to see where you are is a good thing. 

"They’ve got a squad full of top players. So I think we all know that we have to put in one of our best performances to beat them.

"It's a game that I really want to win, just like any other game in the World Cup. I'm not too sure how I'm going to feel when the game comes around. But I do know that I'll be doing everything I can to try and help the team win."

Carter-Vickers' teammate Yunus Musah also grew up in England, the former Arsenal trainee representing the Three Lions at various youth levels before committing to the USA in March 2021.

The Valencia midfielder, who became the Stars and Stripes' first teenage World Cup starter against Wales, is eagerly anticipating the clash.

"I have a lot of respect for them for everything they've done for me," he said. "I don't think I quite know how I'm going to feel that day.

"But it's a special game, for sure, because I played on both sides. And to be able to be on the pitch with the same national team I used to play with is just special."

Bukayo Saka is one of the best young players in the world and will be a huge threat to the United States' hopes when they meet England, according to goalkeeper Matt Turner.

The USA began their World Cup campaign with a 1-1 draw against Wales on Monday, and they will face a stern test of their Group B credentials against Gareth Southgate's team next time out.

Saka took centre stage as the Three Lions crushed Iran 6-2, becoming the youngest player to score a World Cup brace for England (aged 21 years and 77 days).

Turner has seen Saka's talents at close quarters since joining Arsenal from the New England Revolution in June, and he knows the USA must keep a close eye on the tricky winger if they are to stand a chance on Friday.

"I think it's pretty clear - he's one of the young stars of world football," Turner said of Saka on Wednesday.

"He's a top, top player and I think you don't need me to tell anybody on our team how much of a threat that he poses in the game.

"He's scoring goals in a variety of ways. He's really developed and mature.

"He's gotten stronger from what I understand. I've only worked with him for a few months. 

"I'm looking forward to playing against familiar faces. He's a really, really good player who can change any game that he takes part in."

Saka's double came after a fine opening goal from Jude Bellingham on Monday, which represented the first time England have had two players aged 21 or younger score in the same World Cup match.

No England player has scored in consecutive appearances in the competition when aged 21 or younger, with Michael Owen the youngest to do so at 22 years old in 2002.

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