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WC26 Power Rankings: France flex as England & U.S. falter

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  1. EXCLUSIVE: Inside the mind of Christian Pulisic

    Throughout the last few years, American soccer has routinely pleaded with Christian Pulisic to acknowledge reality. The question has come in different forms, but it has always circled the same idea: Does he feel the weight of being the face of the U.S. men's national team heading into a home World Cup?

  2. Haaland & the World Cup's England-eligible stars

    Thomas Tuchel has no shortage of world-class talent to choose from within England's squad for the 2026 World Cup. But while the presence of players such as Harry Kane, Jude Bellingham and Declan Rice mean that the Tuchel's team are among the favourites, it's worth imagining a world where every England-eligible player at the tournament opted to represent the Three Lions.

  3. Kane ready to shoulder almost all of England's World Cup hopes

    Harry Kane will never have a better chance than this. England's captain arrives at what is likely to be his last-ever World Cup in the form of his life, and he will carry the hopes of a nation in North America. After collective and individual heartbreak in 2018 and 2022, respectively, this simply has to be the tournament where he seizes his moment.

  4. GOAL writers predict which teams will flop at the World Cup

    It's so close we can almost taste it. The 2026 World Cup is now just a two days away, with the best players from around the globe descending on the United States, Mexico and Canada for what promises to be a superb summer of football. While some teams will solely harbour dreams of getting out of the groups, others know that anything other than a trophy parade in late-July will go down as failure. We're set, then, for five-and-a-half weeks of drama, filled with joy and heartbreak in equal measure.

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U.S. MEN'S NATIONAL TEAM

  1. Top referee barred from entering USA & will miss World Cup

    Somali match official Omar Artan will miss the upcoming World Cup after being sensationally denied entry into the United States. The referee was turned away by immigration authorities at Miami International Airport, completely ruining his historic opportunity to become the first representative from his country to officiate at the global showpiece.

Expert Opinion & Analysis

  1. LEGACY: Messi-mania - How Leo cracked America

    This is Legacy, GOAL’s feature and podcast series that counts down to the 2026 World Cup. Each week, we explore the stories and the spirit behind the nations that define the world’s game. This week, we dive into the rise of the Lionel Messi in the United States, the emotional connection that transformed Miami, his seismic impact on U.S. soccer, and the possibility that the upcoming World Cup might offer him the most fitting stage of his career - one built around comfort, belonging, and a crowd that treats him like their own hero.

  2. What World Cup play-offs mean for wounded Lionesses

    It was all there for England on Friday, as they faced Spain in Mallorca with automatic qualification for the 2027 Women’s World Cup on the line. Avoid defeat and the Lionesses would punch their ticket to Brazil, forcing one of their biggest rivals for next summer’s title to have to navigate the play-offs. It was a huge opportunity, but one they spurned in incredible circumstances, suffering a 4-0 loss that stands out as the biggest for this team under Sarina Wiegman.

  3. Hat-trick hero Olise puts on a show in final France warm-up

    Michael Olise scored three and France overcame a brief scare from Northern Ireland to wrap up their pre-World Cup friendlies with a comfortable 3-1 win. The Bayern Munich star was effective throughout and good value for his hat-trick as Les Bleus saw off the visitors without really getting out of second gear. It's hard to imagine a better result before France move to the U.S.

Premier League

  1. Kennet Eichhorn

    Revealed: Why wonderkid Eichhorn snubbed Liverpool transfer

    Liverpool have failed in their intensive efforts to sign Hertha BSC teenager Kennet Eichhorn. The highly-rated gem has officially rejected a lucrative switch to Anfield, prioritising his footballing development. The youngster wants to stay in Germany, sparking a fierce battle between Bayer Leverkusen and RB Leipzig to secure his signature before the transfer window closes.

  2. Keane announces he's moving to Australia if England win World Cup

    Manchester United legend Roy Keane has hilariously threatened to leave the country permanently if England win the World Cup this summer. The outspoken Irishman admitted his anxiety spikes whenever the Three Lions progress deep into major tournaments, revealing he would choose emigration over witnessing the ultimate English footballing celebration.

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