Cole Palmer appears to be making the most of his unexpected summer break, having been spotted relaxing in Ibiza alongside Wayne Lineker following his omission from the England squad. The Chelsea star was a high-profile absentee from Thomas Tuchel’s 26-man selection for the upcoming World Cup.
Switzerland’s World Cup preparations have been thrown into chaos after star striker Breel Embolo was sensationally blocked from travelling to the United States. The Rennes forward was forced to remain behind while the rest of Murat Yakin’s squad jetted off to their training base in San Diego.
Real Madrid have moved decisively to secure their first major signing of the summer, reaching a full agreement to bring Inter's Denzel Dumfries to the Bernabeu. The Spanish giants have opted to bypassed lengthy negotiations by triggering a remarkably low release clause to land the Netherlands international.
Cristiano Ronaldo does not want to win the World Cup “because of Lionel Messi”, Eric Djemba-Djemba has told GOAL, with the Portuguese GOAT driven by an insatiable desire to succeed. A global title on North American soil this summer would, however, complete the 41-year-old’s medal collection and see him emulate the achievements of his eternal rival.
Former Portugal team manager Carlos Godinho has expressed a deep desire to see Cristiano Ronaldo finish his legendary international career by lifting the World Cup trophy. With the Al-Nassr forward now 41 heading into the 2026 tournament, those close to the Selecao believe this may be his final chance to secure the one major prize missing from his cabinet.
When Marcus Rashford first attempted to speak Spanish, Lamine Yamal fell over laughing. It came during the Manchester United loanee's first training session in Catalunya - or, at least, the first one made public - and after chasing shadows in a rondo, Rashford said something pretty much unintelligible to the Ballon d'Or favourite. Contrast that, then, with the first impression made by Barca's latest English arrival, Anthony Gordon, whose almost fluent Spanish shocked those tuning in for his introductory press conference.
Cristiano Ronaldo might have lost a tiny fraction of his peak speed, but former Portugal team-mate Ricardo insists the legendary forward remains a lethal goalscoring machine. Now working as the national team's goalkeeper coach, Ricardo explains how the 41-year-old icon has evolved his game from a tricky dribbler into a devastating striker whose hunger and passion remain totally unmatched.
Scott McTominay is heading into the 2026 World Cup on the back of the most transformative year of his career, fueled by a Scudetto win and a new life in Naples. The Scotland international has been recharging his batteries alongside partner Cam Reading before joining up with his national team-mates for the global showpiece.
Argentina manager Lionel Scaloni has revealed that Lionel Messi has full control over his retirement timeline. Ahead of the 2026 World Cup, the World Cup-winning boss explained the elite mentality that keeps the Inter Miami superstar playing at the highest level, insisting the eight-time Ballon d'Or winner remains the absolute best because of his unquenchable thirst for success.
MLS will be represented by a record 44 active players at the 2026 FIFA World Cup, the most of any league in the Western Hemisphere. The league also announced that 103 current and former MLS players will compete in the tournament, highlighting the growing impact of MLS clubs, academies, and MLS NEXT Pro on the global stage.
Arsenal defender Gabriel Magalhaes has seen a remarkable 350 per cent surge in his shirt sales following his crucial penalty miss against Paris Saint-Germain in the Champions League final. Despite the heartbreak of the shootout defeat, the Gunners' fanbase has rallied behind the centre-back, making his name the most requested on replica kits.
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.
Manchester City defender Ruben Dias is not convinced the 2026 World Cup will mark the end for veterans like 41-year-old Cristiano Ronaldo, defending champion Lionel Messi, 38, and Luka Modric, 40. The Portuguese centre-back discussed the immense motivation his squad feels to capture the only major trophy their iconic captain has failed to win.
Argentina legend Lionel Messi is receiving special treatment at the team's training camp ahead of the 2026 World Cup in North America. As he prepares to lead his nation in a record-breaking sixth tournament, the Inter Miami star has been granted a unique luxury not given to anyone else in the squad, allowing him to focus entirely on defending the crown they won in Qatar.
Steffen Freund believes England are currently better equipped than Germany to challenge for the 2026 World Cup, though he has warned of a potential stumbling block for Thomas Tuchel. The former Tottenham and Borussia Dortmund midfielder suggests that while the Three Lions possess superior squad depth, the manager's history with man-management could pose a threat to their pursuit of silverware.
Bayern Munich star Harry Kane believes he will be a strong contender for the Ballon d'Or if he leads England to World Cup glory. Following a spectacular season where he scored 61 goals across all competitions, the prolific forward is fully confident that lifting the ultimate international trophy will solidify his claim for the sport's top individual prize.
The typical lineups of the national teams participating in the 2026 World Cup: all the probable starters and the possible starting formations of the coaches.
England's squad numbers appear to offer an early indication of Thomas Tuchel's thinking ahead of the World Cup. Marcus Rashford has been handed the iconic No.11 shirt, a move that could point towards a starting role, while Harry Kane, Jude Bellingham and Jordan Pickford retain key numbers.
It's September 13, 2024, and Mauricio Pochettino is all smiles. Dressed in a blue suit with a big U.S. Soccer pin on the lapel, Pochettino is being introduced to the wild world of American soccer for the very first time. Flanked by his new bosses, Pochettino seems determined to make the right first impression; in America, first impressions are generally best made by being bold.
Arsenal defender William Saliba could be forced to undergo back surgery immediately after the upcoming World Cup as his ongoing physical discomfort continues to intensify. Despite successfully managing the issue to play a starring role for the Gunners, recent medical assessments indicate that the centre-back requires long-term surgical intervention.
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.
Thomas Tuchel’s England squad has touched down in Florida to begin a hot-weather training camp ahead of the upcoming World Cup tournament. Captain Harry Kane has firmly embraced the manager's collective ethos, insisting that the clear expectation for the Three Lions is to finally cross the line and bring home football's ultimate prize.
'Golden Generation'. Football has Adam Crozier, the former chief of the Football Association, to blame for the term, after he famously dubbed the England team as such following their 5-1 battering of Germany in a World Cup qualifier in Munich. It was a remarkable performance, but also a potentially catastrophic turn of phrase.
This is Legacy, GOAL’s podcast and feature series that is counting 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 revisit the matches that shaped Morocco's identity, the coaches and players who carried the hope of a nation, and the moment that proved nothing is impossible when a country decides to dream together.
Javier Aguirre’s Mexico roster mixes history, trust, and risk, with Guillermo Ochoa chasing a sixth World Cup and German Berterame left out despite a late push.
.jpg?auto=webp&format=pjpg&width=3840&quality=60)
.jpg?auto=webp&format=pjpg&width=3840&quality=60)
.jpeg?auto=webp&format=pjpg&width=3840&quality=60)
.png?auto=webp&format=pjpg&width=3840&quality=60)
.jpg?auto=webp&format=pjpg&width=3840&quality=60)
.jpg?auto=webp&format=pjpg&width=3840&quality=60)
