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.
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.
The 2026 World Cup is almost here. After years of build-up, dramatic qualifiers and numerous good - and bad - news stories surrounding FIFA's flagship finals, players and coaches from around the world are completing their last preparations after descending on the United States, Mexico and Canada for the biggest international football tournament to ever have been staged.
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.
Spain are prepared to exercise patience regarding the fitness of Lamine Yamal, with Football Federation (RFEF) technical director Aitor Karanka insisting the national team will not rush the Barcelona sensation back into action. With just five days remaining until La Roja’s World Cup opener, concerns had grown over the teenager's availability following a period on the sidelines.
Barcelona are reportedly feeling a sense of dread regarding the fitness of Lamine Yamal as the teenage sensation prepares to lead Spain’s charge at the World Cup. Despite the forward’s significance to the national team, officials at the Blaugrana are concerned that the recovery process for their crown jewel is being rushed to meet international deadlines.
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.
Tournament favourites Spain wrapped up their final preparations ahead of the World Cup with a convincing 3-1 friendly victory over Peru in Puebla. Real Sociedad attacker Mikel Oyarzabal continued his magnificent individual form by netting for the sixth successive international match, setting a confident tone for La Roja's upcoming campaign.
Barcelona prodigy Lamine Yamal has opened up on the moment he thought he had secured football’s most prestigious individual honour, only to see it slip away. The teenager admitted that failing to beat Ousmane Dembele to the Ballon d’Or actually served as a vital catalyst for his recent personal growth and maturity.
Luis de la Fuente has robustly defended Gavi after the Barcelona youngster faced a backlash for a heavy challenge on team-mate Rodri during a Spain training session. Despite the tackle causing a brief injury scare for the Manchester City anchor, the national team boss insisted he has no desire to see the midfielder tone down his aggressive style.
Barcelona superstar Lamine Yamal has finally lifted the lid on the mystery surrounding his constant use of a hand bandage. The teenage sensation, currently preparing for the 2026 World Cup with Spain, revealed the look actually started with a gaming mishap and a nod to a Real Madrid legend.
Marc Cucurella is no stranger to making bold promises when it comes to international success, and the Chelsea defender has now hinted at his biggest sacrifice yet. After famously dyeing his hair red following Spain's Euro 2024 triumph, the full-back has suggested a much more permanent change could be on the cards for the 2026 World Cup.
We are now just days away, and World Cup fever is gripping the globe as teams from 48 countries descend on the United States, Mexico and Canada for the biggest tournament FIFA have ever staged. Managers are making their final plans ahead of the opening round of group games, but for some there are still massive decisions to be made.
Spain head coach Luis de la Fuente has hailed Lamine Yamal as a player who was "born for this," comparing the Barcelona sensation's natural talent to that of Lionel Messi. As La Roja prepare for the World Cup, the manager believes his young winger possesses a rare quality only seen in the game's true geniuses.
Spain's World Cup preparations have been rocked by an incident involving Barcelona star Gavi and Manchester City midfield anchor Rodri. During a training session in the United States, the young midfielder’s trademark aggression resulted in a challenge that left his veteran teammate crumpled on the turf in significant pain.
FIFA has announced a significant protocol modification that will see every squad member take part in the pre-match national anthems at the upcoming World Cup. Moving away from traditional sporting custom, football's global governing body has mandated that both starting line-ups and substitutes congregate together on the pitch ahead of kick-off.
Manchester City midfielder Rodri has conceded that winning the Ballon d'Or was never a personal childhood dream because he simply deemed the achievement impossible. The Spain international reflected on his historic individual triumph while tipping international team-mate Lamine Yamal to eventually claim football's ultimate individual accolade.
Barcelona star Dani Olmo has moved to silence speculation regarding potential friction within the Spain camp following the release of squad numbers for the 2026 World Cup. Despite his meteoric rise to global superstardom, teenage sensation Lamine Yamal will not be wearing the iconic No.10 jersey in North America this summer.
Lamine Yamal will wear the No.19 shirt at his first World Cup after Spain confirmed their squad numbers. The announcement has sparked debate among supporters, with midfielder Gavi handed the iconic No.9 jersey and Dani Olmo taking the prestigious No.10 shirt ahead of the tournament.
The World Cup has had no shortage of iconic moments across nearly 100 years of history. Every four years, billions of fans congregate to watch a tournament that has provided more drama, heartbreak and joy than any other event in sporting history. Football's grandest stage, the World Cup has always offered a platform for legends to be born, but it has also seen reputations destroyed and the downfall of so many famous faces.
Lamine Yamal has opened up on the unique mentality that allows him to thrive on the world’s biggest stages without feeling the weight of expectation. The Barcelona sensation, who has enjoyed a meteoric rise to the top of the game, insists that his lack of nerves stems from doing exactly what he has known since childhood.
Barcelona prodigy Lamine Yamal has addressed the constant comparisons to Lionel Messi and Cristiano Ronaldo, outlining his personal ambitions as he continues to break records for club and country. The 17-year-old sensation has become the focal point of a new era for Spanish football following his starring role in their Euro 2024 triumph.
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