Iran is to boycott next week's World Cup finals draw in Washington because the United States refused to grant visas to several members of the delegation, the Iranian football federation announced on Friday.

"We have informed FIFA that the decisions taken have nothing to do with sports and the members of the Iranian delegation will not participate in the World Cup draw," the federation's spokesperson told state television.

Napoli is back.

And just in time as the defending champion visits Serie A leader Roma on Sunday, with just two points separating the sides.

The time has come for Monaco to step up its game as French league leader Paris Saint-Germain travels to the Principality this weekend.

Monaco has a squad packed with talent but already lags 10 points behind PSG , having lost five of its 13 league matches.

The Swiss government teamed up with FIFA on Thursday, giving 120,000 Swiss francs ($149,000) to help fund the building of community football fields in the West Bank.

Switzerland-based FIFA said money from the country's foreign affairs ministry was for "enabling the construction of the facilities and supporting a broader, long-term commitment to restoring access to football across the region."

Top of the Premier League. Top, with a 100% record, in the Champions League.

Arsenal is the best team in Europe right now, no matter what manager Mikel Arteta says.

Sanae Takaichi made history by becoming Japan's first female prime minister in October. She must now decide whether she'll break another barrier: the taboo barring women from the sumo ring.

The winner of the Kyushu Grand Sumo Tournament that ends Sunday will be presented with the Prime Minister's Cup. Some of her male predecessors, including former Prime Minister Junichiro Koizumi, have entered the ring to hand over the cup.

The top two teams in the Champions League standings meet Wednesday as Arsenal hosts Bayern Munich in a game between the leaders in the Premier League and Bundesliga.

Arsenal has yet to concede a goal in four straight wins in the eight-round opening phase but is still second behind Bayern on the tiebreaker of more goals scored, with both having the same goal difference.

The Olympic flame began its journey Wednesday to the Milan Cortina Winter Games — missing a little of its usual magic.

Bad weather lashing western Greece forced organizers to move the torch-lighting ceremony indoors, from Olympia's ancient stadium and temples to a nearby museum.

President Joseph Aoun informed FIFA President Gianni Infantino of his approval to grant him Lebanese citizenship, the head of the Lebanese Football Association told AFP.

"The President informed (Infantino) of the decree and the requirements of the file in order to complete its implementation," Hashem Haidar, head of the Lebanese Football Association (LFA), said.

Ousmane Dembélé trained with his PSG teammates on Tuesday and could make his return from injury for the Champions League match against Tottenham this week.

The Ballon d'Or winner has not played since he was forced off injured midway through the first half of PSG's 2-1 home loss to Bayern Munich in the competition on Nov. 4