Tuchel works his magic - now he must fix dodgy defence

  1. WC26 Power Rankings: Messi powers Argentina to top spot

    The first round of 2026 World Cup group-stage fixtures is in the books, and the tournament has gotten off to a flyer. Despite a lack of eye-catching fixtures on paper in the new, expanded format, there have been thrills and spills aplenty, with all the big names showing up for their respective countries on football's biggest stage. Well, almost all of them.

  2. Konate to Madrid could quickly go wrong after dire season

    For some football fans, the summer is the part of the calendar that they look forward to the most - and that's not just because it's filled by a World Cup every four years! Rather, it's because the end of the season means only one thing: It's time for transfers! The 2026 window is likely to once again be bust, with some huge names set to make big-money moves before deadline day on September 1.

  3. Gianni shouldn't have bothered! CR7 falls flat for Portugal

    Portugal were held to a disappointing 1-1 draw by minnows DR Congo in their first World Cup group game, with a Yoane Wissa effort cancelling out Joao Neves' opener. Cristiano Ronaldo cut a frustrated figure up front, while Bernardo Silva also had an afternoon to forget as Roberto Martinez's side failed to live up to their billing as one of the pre-tournament favourites.

  4. Morocco wonderkid Bouaddi would slot into any top UCL team

    Just over a month before the start of the World Cup, Ayyoub Bouaddi had yet to decide where his international future lay. Would the France Under-21 midfielder continue representing the nation of his birth? Or accept an offer to represent his parents' homeland, Morocco? In the end, after much deliberation, he went with the latter, and it's already looking like the correct call.

  5. Bellingham brilliance & Kane brace get England up & running

    England made a winning start to the 2026 World Cup as they beat Croatia 4-2 in their Group L opener on Wednesday. Harry Kane scored twice in the first half, only for the Three Lions to be pegged back on both occasions, and it required a brilliant solo goal from Jude Bellingham early in the second period to put Thomas Tuchel's side back ahead before Marcus Rashford made the points safe late on.

  6. Lisa Baum: Leipzig teen being chased by Arsenal, Barca & more

    Tons of big names in the women's game will be on the move in this summer transfer window. From Alexia Putellas to Georgia Stanway, Sam Kerr to Mary Earps and Ona Batlle to Mapi Leon, it's going to be a blockbuster few months, with the likes of Beth Mead and Katie McCabe having already completed transfers. But there are also several lesser known talents, young players with huge potential, whose futures are particular points of interest this summer.

  7. RANKED: Top 20 kits at the 2026 World Cup

    There's just a few hours to go until the biggest show on earth gets underway, with the 2026 World Cup kicking off in Mexico City on Thursday. If you haven't already caught a serious case of World Cup fever, what better way to get in the mood than by checking out the very best kits that will be on show in North America this summer.

  8. Lyon move will earn Weir respect - & trophies - she deserves

    It's here. The 2026 summer transfer window has arrived and it promises to be an extremely eventful one in the women's game, with stars like Alexia Putellas, Georgia Stanway and Mary Earps all set to be on the move in the coming weeks and months. There are plenty of deals that have been rumoured and reported for some time, with only the official announcements seemingly left to be done, but there will be some shocks along the way too, as always.

Advertisement

Transfer news and done deals 🤝

  1. Real Madrid confirm Konate signing on free transfer

    Real Madrid have confirmed the signing of Ibrahima Konate on a free transfer following his departure from Liverpool. The France international has agreed a four-year contract at the Santiago Bernabeu, becoming the latest addition to the club's squad as they continue to strengthen key areas ahead of the new season.

Video

  1. 'Not here to give advice to Arteta!' - Guardiola snaps back at reporter

    A nonplussed Pep Guardiola dismissed a question from a reporter that related to Mikel Arteta chasing his first Premier League title as a manager, insisting that he had not attended his pre-match press conference to offer advice to the Arsenal boss. Manchester City face Leeds on Saturday evening as they look to close the gap at the top of the table to two points, with the Gunners not in action until Sunday, when they host Chelsea.

  2. 🎥 | Anton Ferdinand on John Terry incident, West Ham & more

    Former West Ham and Sunderland defender Anton Ferdinand joins Adebayo Akinfenwa on the latest episode of the Beast Mode On Podcast. The 41-year-old discusses his journey through professional football and the experiences that shaped him both on and off the pitch. From coming through the ranks with the Hammers and establishing himself in the Premier League, Ferdinand reflects on the highs and challenges of life at the highest level of the game.

  3. 🎥 | 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.

This is the Premier League

  1. Revealed: When Kane was told he’ll ‘never be good enough’

    Harry Redknapp has revealed to GOAL when a “never be good enough” assessment of Harry Kane was delivered, with the record-breaking England captain going on to make a mockery of that verdict. During his early years at Tottenham, doubts were raised as to whether the ambitious striker would ever make the grade. He is now the all-time leading scorer for Spurs and the Three Lions, while also becoming a Ballon d’Or contender.

  2. Spurs ready to smash transfer record for Tonali

    Tottenham Hotspur are ready to signal a new era of ambition by launching a record-breaking swoop for Newcastle United midfielder Sandro Tonali. Following a period of unprecedented struggle, Roberto De Zerbi has identified the Italian international as the transformative figure needed to anchor his north London revolution.

Queens of football 👑

  1. Lionesses' World Cup qualifying path confirmed in play-off draw

    England will face Greece in the first round of Women's World Cup qualifying play-offs in October, having failed to secure direct entry into next summer's tournament. Defeat to Spain in June proved extremely costly for the Lionesses, allowing the world champions to top the qualifying group instead, and now Sarina Wiegman's side must navigate two rounds of two-legged play-offs instead, starting against Greece.

  2. Lehmann vows to rebound

    Swiss international forward Alisha Lehmann has reflected on a deeply challenging domestic year at Leicester City, pledging to rebuild her physical fitness following a catastrophic season that culminated in heartbreak for her new club. Despite experiencing minimal match action following a high-profile winter switch, the digital superstar remains entirely committed to engineering a rapid promotion charge back to the top tier.

Superstars of the future

  1. Why Chelsea have made a world-record bid for Sweden teen

    Khadija Shaw is one of the best centre-forwards in the women's game, if not the best. Winner of three successive Women's Super League Golden Boots, and scorer of more goals than any other player in Europe's top five leagues since her move to Manchester City in 2021, it's no wonder that Chelsea were trying to bring her to west London as her contract neared its expiry this summer. But as it became apparent that the Blues were going to miss out on Shaw, it says a lot about Felicia Schroder that the Swedish teenager was next on their wish list.

  2. Why City, Barca & more want Palmeiras' next teenage star

    At Palmeiras, Endrick, Estevao, Luis Gulherme, Vitor Reis and Luighi became known as 'The Billion Generation' - a reference to the colossal amount of money four prodigiously gifted players were expected to generate for the Brazil club. However, it now feels as if another name should be added to that illustrious list of outstanding academy products, that of Eduardo Conceicao.

The Chaaaaaampions 🎶

  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.

Hall of Fame

  1. Shevchenko social

    Hall of Fame: How Shevchenko became a Milan legend

    For a particular generation of AC Milan fans, those who grew up in the early 2000s, one name stands out above any other. Andriy Shevchenko combined technical skill with a ruthlessness in front of goal that made him one of the best strikers the game has ever seen, a Ballon d'Or winner and a worthy entrant into GOAL's Hall of Fame...

  2. Hall of Fame: How Platini became 'The King'

    Michel Platini is undoubtedly one of the greatest footballers of all time. Playmaker, assister, goal-scorer: Platini was a complete player, capable of leaving an indelible mark on world football between the late 1970s and mid-1980s. He was the perfect No.10, embodying the true essence of the shirt number both then and now.

  3. Hall of fame Roberto Carlos

    Hall of Fame: Roberto Carlos - the greatest full-back in history

    Modernising the role of a full-back 30 years ago, Roberto Carlos undoubtedly set the benchmark. A tactical genius and a physical specimen, the Real Madrid and Brazil legend won countless trophies at club and international level, contributing bucket loads of goals and assists. No one in the past, present or future can ever claim to be his equal - he was that good.

  4. Hall of Fame: Why Beckham is such an underrated player

    One of the best midfielders of his era, perhaps the greatest crosser of a football ever and a free-kick taker to rival the best the game has ever produced, David Beckham was a special player to say the least. And yet due to his off-field impact, one of the sport's great champions of the past 30 years is generally forgotten when it comes to referencing the true legends of the game.

Rebel United

  1. Stefan Effenberg

    "Public Enemy Number One": How Stefan Effenberg sabotaged his once-promising DFB career

    Stefan Effenberg was once hailed as German football's greatest hope. Yet instead of turning his considerable ability into a glittering career, he infamously flipped the bird to supporters and was shown the exit door by the DFB during the 1994 World Cup. Clashes with teammates, an affair with a teammate's wife, drink-driving convictions and an autobiography laden with erotic photos and spelling mistakes only reinforced his rebellious reputation. This is Part 14 of our Rebel United series.

Hidden Gems FC