1. GOAL writers predict the winners of the 2026 World Cup

    It's so close we can almost taste it. The 2026 World Cup is now just hours away, with the best players on the planet having descended on the United States, Canada and Mexico 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.

  2. Rashford, beware! Electric Gordon stakes World Cup claim

    England completed their World Cup preparations with a comfortable 3-0 victory over Costa Rica in their rain-delayed final warm-up friendly on Wednesday. It was a bruising encounter against a physical opponent, but Thomas Tuchel's men kept their cool to dominate in the sweltering Orlando heat courtesy of goals from Declan Rice, Anthony Gordon and Ollie Watkins.

  3. Terry-led Colchester takeover bid collapses

    Chelsea legend John Terry will not be the new owner of Colchester United after the League Two outfit confirmed that a proposed takeover bid from his consortium has officially collapsed. The former England captain had been in detailed negotiations to acquire a majority stake in the Essex-based club, but talks have ended without an agreement being reached.

  4. Barcelona midfielder Casado agrees summer exit

    Barcelona's Marc Casado has reportedly reached an agreement with the club's sporting department to secure a transfer away from Catalonia this summer. The midfielder has been struggling for regular first-team minutes under Hansi Flick following the returns of Gavi and Marc Bernal from injury, prompting him to instruct his agent, Jorge Mendes, to evaluate formal offers.

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Videos

  1. 🎥 | EXCLUSIVE: Saka on all things Arsenal & trophy 'dream'

    Arsenal superstar Bukayo Saka joins Adebayo Akinfenwa on the Beast Mode On Podcast as the England forward opens up on his journey from the Gunners' Hale End academy all the way to the first team and captaining the Premier League leaders. The 24-year-old also reveals his burning desire to win trophies with the north Londoners and discusses his close relationship with Mikel Arteta among many other topics in a truly unmissable episode of the show.

  2. 🎥 | Wes Morgan reveals all about Leicester's miracle title win

    In the latest episode of the Beast Mode On Podcast, Wes Morgan, captain of Leicester City's historic title-winning side, shares the real story behind one of the greatest underdog achievements in football history. The conversation dives deep into the mindset behind the Foxes' impossible Premier League title win, a 5000-1 miracle that shocked the world. The ex-Nottingham Forest defender also discusses his battles with Lionel Messi and Cristiano Ronaldo, his pride at representing Jamaica and more.

The best of GOAL

  1. Trades of the week: Biggest done deals of the summer so far

    With the transfer window opening on June 15 for many of Europe's top leagues, GOAL, in association with eToro, is your go-to resource for all the biggest done deals. Will a Manchester cub break the £100 million barrier to land Elliot Anderson? Could Michael Olise end up at Real Madrid? Track all the biggest trades right here throughout the summer!

  2. Phonzy's fight to ensure World Cup doesn't pass him by

    There’s a running group that trots through the streets of Toronto on Monday nights, swallowing up sidewalks with expansive crowds, especially when summer temperatures take over the city. On a recent evening, the group passed outside Toronto Stadium, adorned with FIFA's World Cup branding and ready to host six games during the 2026 tournament.

  3. Yamal, Haaland & 10 stars making their World Cup debuts

    We're now just hours away from the start of the 2026 World Cup, with teams currently making their final preparations ahead of the big kick-off in the United States, Mexico and Canada on Thursday. This is the biggest World Cup ever, with 48 teams having qualified, meaning there are a whole host of players making their first appearance on the global stage.

  4. Why 2026 is the best managerial line up in World Cup history

    The 2026 World Cup is almost upon us. Over the course of the next week, the time for talking will stop, and teams will have to prove their credentials with their performances on the pitch in North America. All roads, whether through the United States, Mexico or Canada, will lead to New Jersey on July 19, and the biggest football match on the planet: the World Cup final.

Europe's finest

  1. BDO Power Rankings: World Cup set to decide Golden Ball winner

    With the Lionel Messi-Cristiano Ronaldo duopoly presumably disappearing into the rearview mirror, the battle for the Ballon d'Or hasn't felt so open for the best part of 20 years, with countless players now beginning each campaign believing they have a chance of claiming the most prestigious individual prize football has to offer. Ousmane Dembele emerged from a career plagued by injuries and inconsistencies to win the Golden Ball in 2025, and he is among a crowded field of contenders again in 2026.

  2. Platini files criminal complaint against FIFA president

    Michel Platini has filed a criminal complaint in Paris against FIFA president Gianni Infantino, accusing him of active influence peddling and spreading false accusations linked to the events that ended his FIFA presidency bid in 2015. The former UEFA chief is also targeting two former FIFA officials as he seeks to clear his name and pursue accountability.

  3. Real Madrid ask UEFA to strip Barca of titles

    Real Madrid have sensationally called for Barcelona to be stripped of their historic titles as the fallout from the Negreira scandal reaches a definitive breaking point. Following his dominant re-election victory, Florentino Perez has taken the offensive by submitting an extensive legal dossier to UEFA's headquarters.

Queens of football

  1. EIGHT red cards shown as USWNT edge Brazil in chaotic encounter

    The United States Women’s National Team secured a gritty 1-0 victory over Brazil on Tuesday night, but the football was almost entirely overshadowed by total anarchy on the pitch. In a highly contentious game, the officiating took center stage as a staggering eight red cards were issued to the home side's players and coaching staff.