CAIRO (AP) — African soccer confederation president Ahmad Ahmad tested positive for the coronavirus and began self-isolating at a hotel in Cairo on Friday.

BERLIN (AP) — Germany coach Joachim Löw has paid tribute to Jonas Hector after the Cologne left back’s retirement from the national team for personal reasons.

KIGALI, Rwanda (AP) — Facing scrutiny over links to Saudi Arabia, FIFA says new competitions that will bring in $25 billion will not be funded directly by any nation, according to documents seen by The Associated Press.

FIFA President Gianni Infantino is doubling down on his Club World Cup plans with a proposal for an expanded annual tournament despite European soccer's resistance to any competition that challenges the supremacy of the Champions League, a person with knowledge of the talks told The Associated Press.

KAZAN, Russia (AP) — Coach Joachim Loew failed in his bid to combine the experience of past World Cup winners and the youth of talented newcomers, but the future holds much promise for Germany.

MOSCOW (AP) — Germany didn't play the way it usually plays. Coach Joachim Loew isn't sure why.

Stymied by Mexico's skillful forwards and speedy counterattacks, the defending World Cup champions played a sloppy first half, gave up too many chances and ultimately conceded a goal that held up in Mexico's 1-0 victory on Sunday.

"We looked nervous and we were not able to play the way we wanted to play," Loew said. "We will have to analyze why that was the case."

MOSCOW (AP) — No one doubts Germany has a wealth of talent at its disposal for the World Cup — so much that Leroy Sane, Premier League young player of the year, didn't even make the squad.

The world champion's problem this year has been getting all of its talent to work together on the field, and Germany has just one win in its last six friendly games, 2-1 over Saudi Arabia last week.

The German title defense starts with a familiar foe in Mexico.

MOSCOW (AP) — Russia's World Cup is spread across 12 stadiums in 11 host cities. They range from St. Petersburg, which is so far north that the sun doesn't set on some summer days, to Sochi and its subtropical climate on the Black Sea coast.

Cost rises, worker deaths, and corruption have marred the building of Russia's World Cup stadiums.

Unlike in Brazil four years ago, venues are finished on time, but there's sure to be a few last-minute tweaks.

BERLIN (AP) — Germany coasted through World Cup qualifying with 10 wins out of 10 and a European record 43 goals before getting a reality check.

The World Cup holders haven't won any matches since qualifying for Russia. After drawing friendlies against England, France and Spain, Joachim Loew's team lost 1-0 to Brazil to end a 22-game unbeaten run.

Becoming the first team since Brazil in 1962 to defend their World Cup title now looks even trickier for the Germans.

GENEVA (AP) — FIFA is planning to team up with Saudi Arabian, Chinese and American investors in a $25 billion, 12-year deal that could add two major international tournaments to an already crowded soccer calendar.

With preparations for this year's World Cup in Russia reaching a climax, FIFA President Gianni Infantino is looking to launch an expanded 24-team Club World Cup — played every four years starting in 2021 — and a separate global competition for national teams every two years.

MOSCOW (AP) — Cost rises, worker deaths, and corruption have marred the building of Russia's World Cup stadiums.

Unlike at the 2014 tournament in Brazil, construction is largely on time. But, like in Brazil, there are concerns about legacy.

Only five host cities have top-level clubs, and the government will need to cover the stadiums' upkeep with subsidies after the tournament.

Ahead of the draw on Friday, here is a look at the 12 stadiums in 11 cities across Russia:

PASADENA, Calif. (AP) — After Kemar Lawrence ripped an exquisite shot over Mexico's five-man wall and into the top corner for one of the biggest goals in Jamaican soccer history, the defender hushed his teammates and refused to celebrate.

These Reggae Boyz are staying cool, even after a goal that sent them into the CONCACAF Gold Cup final with a chance to make history.

ZURICH (AP) — Mexico coach Juan Carlos Osorio has been effectively banned from the Gold Cup by FIFA for insulting match officials.

FIFA banned Osorio for six matches on Friday for his behavior during the Confederations Cup third-place game last Sunday, when Mexico lost to Portugal 2-1.

Mexico will have to play up to six games to retain the Gold Cup in the U.S., starting on Sunday against El Salvador in San Diego.

Osorio was incensed when his team was not awarded a penalty against Portugal.

ST. PETERSBURG, Russia (AP) — Russia's dress rehearsal for the World Cup is over, and it looks comfortable in the spotlight.

When FIFA's Gianni Infantino sat with Russian President Vladimir Putin at the opening game on June 17, the host nation was under a cloud — facing pressure over widespread doping in multiple, fan racism and a reported 17 deaths during construction of World Cup stadiums.

ST. PETERSBURG, Russia (AP) — Germany's young players got a rough guide to winning a major tournament and proved up to the challenge in a physical Confederations Cup final that threatened to boil over on Sunday.

A tough Chile side tried to intimidate the Germans in a forceful South American style not often seen in Europe.

Germany stood up to the test, defending an early lead for a bruising 1-0 win to accelerate its education ahead of its World Cup title defense.

ST. PETERSBURG, Russia (AP) — Chile's players wanted to prove they were the world's best, but instead showed they're vulnerable.

Since 2015, the Chileans have won two Copa Americas, and reached Sunday's Confederations Cup final — a huge achievement for a country which had never before won a tournament.

They're spectacular to watch, but Chile's hard-charging style and three summers without rest and could leave players drained for next year's World Cup — for which Chile is struggling to qualify.

ST. PETERSBURG, Russia (AP) — Germany's experimental young side overcame street-wise Chile to win a bruising Confederations Cup final 1-0 on Sunday, vindicating Joachim Loew's decision to leave most of his world champions at home.

ST. PETERSBURG, Russia (AP) — Arturo Vidal and Chile want to be the unofficial world champions.

It may be only the Confederations Cup on the line when Chile faces Germany in Sunday's final, but the combative midfielder wants to claim the bragging rights over his German teammates at Bayern Munich.

ST. PETERSBURG, Russia (AP) — Russia won praise on Saturday for a successful World Cup warm-up tournament, though it has faced new questions about past doping issues.

Germany captain Julian Draxler joined FIFA President Gianni Infantino in thanking Russia ahead of the Confederations Cup final on Sunday when the 2014 World Cup winner plays South American champion Chile.

ST. PETERSBURG, Russia (AP) — Alexis Sanchez says he won't reveal his decision about his Arsenal future until after Sunday's Confederations Cup final.

Speaking in Russia as Chile prepares to take on Germany in the final, Sanchez says "I am clear" on whether to stay at Arsenal or leave.

SOCHI, Russia (AP) — Germany and its coach Joachim Loew have already exceeded their expectations by advancing to Sunday's Confederations Cup final.

Loew took mostly young and untried players to represent the World Cup winner in Russia, and rested several stars ahead of defending their title next year.

This new German generation rewarded the faith of their experienced coach — who set a goal of reaching the semifinals — with a 4-1 win over Mexico on Thursday.

SOCHI, Russia (AP) — Just how much Leon Goretzka wanted to seize his opportunity in an experimental Germany squad became clear after only eight minutes against Mexico.

With two goals in the space of 109 seconds on Thursday, Goretzka put the defensively-ragged Mexicans on the back foot and set Germany on its way to the Confederations Cup final with a clinical 4-1 victory.

SOCHI, Russia (AP) — Leon Goretzka scored two quick-fire early goals on Thursday as Germany beat Mexico 4-1 to reach the Confederations Cup final.

Exploiting Mexico's defensive frailties, Joachim Loew's inexperienced squad was 2-0 up within 10 minutes.

Loew is using the squad to assess his pool of talent, and this one could end the tournament with more silverware for the world champions if it beats Chile on Sunday in St. Petersburg.

KAZAN, Russia (AP) — Cristiano Ronaldo has left the Confederations Cup in Russia to join his twin sons who were born before the tournament began.

Ronaldo says on his Facebook page after Portugal's semifinals loss to Chile that "I'm very happy to finally be with my children for the first time."

Portugal lost a penalty shootout after a 0-0 draw, and will be without its star player for the third-place match. That is Sunday in Moscow against Germany or Mexico.

KAZAN, Russia (AP) — Chile's biggest asset at the Confederations Cup isn't the dazzling attacking skill of Alexis Sanchez, or even Arturo Vidal's creativity.

It's down-to-earth goalkeeper Claudio Bravo, who saves Chile when its hyper-aggressive pressing is no use at all — at the penalty spot.

KAZAN, Russia (AP) — Claudio Bravo made three penalty saves as Chile crushed Portugal 3-0 in a penalty shootout to reach the Confederations Cup final on Wednesday.

Bravo, who missed the first two cup games in Russia because of injury, stopped penalties by Ricardo Quaresma, Joao Moutinho and Nani, sending Chile to its third straight international final after winning consecutive Copa America titles.

Arturo Vidal, Charles Aranguiz and Alexis Sanchez all scored for Chile in the shootout.

SOCHI, Russia (AP) — The youngest captain to lead Germany into a tournament in 105 years, Julian Draxler has effortlessly taken on the task of mentoring an inexperienced squad.

All while displaying the versatility linking up attacks that has helped to steer Germany into the Confederations Cup semifinals.

ST. PETERSBURG, Russia (AP) — Zenit St. Petersburg has signed Russia teammates Alexander Erokhin and Dmitry Poloz as it seeks to rebuild its squad under coach Roberto Mancini.

The double swoop comes after midfielder Erokhin and forward Poloz both played in all three of Russia's games at the Confederations Cup. They had played for FC Rostov this season in its debut Champions League campaign and arrive as free agents after their contracts expired.

MOSCOW (AP) — After years of controversy, Russian officials think their World Cup has weathered the storm.

Stadiums are either finished or nearing completion, and the Confederations Cup is going smoothly.

"The project is very big and there are some delays or operational questions, minor questions, but nothing critical," Deputy Prime Minister Vitaly Mutko, who oversees World Cup preparations, said Saturday.

ST. PETERSBURG, Russia (AP) — Refereeing at the Confederations Cup in Russia may have been chaotic at times, but Video Assistant Referees have prevented major mistakes from being made, football's governing body says.

FIFA's head of refereeing Massimo Busacca says video reviews have not always looked good in tests at the tournament and admitted "many aspects should be improved" including faster, clearer communication after slow reviews have confused players, coaches and fans.

SOCHI, Russia (AP) — The abuse has followed Timo Werner for months, gathering pace as rapidly as the striker has amassed goals.

No German player was more prolific in the Bundesliga last season. No player was as ostracized.

But Werner is now a full-blown Germany international, scoring his first goals at the Confederations Cup on Sunday, and he could hold the key to the World Cup defense next year.