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World Cup

World Cup news

Portugal v Republic of Ireland - FIFA World Cup 2026 Qualifier

‘Danger is always lurking’ with Ronaldo but he's still improving

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.

FIFA World Cup Qatar 2022 Winners Arrive to Buenos Aires

Retirement plan? GOAT Messi will ‘play as long as he wants’

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.

Paris Saint-Germain v Arsenal FC - UEFA Champions League Final 2026

Gabriel shirt sales soar 350% after Champions League penalty miss

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.

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Lamine Yamal Spain 2024

Why is Yamal not Spain’s No.10? Olmo addresses 'problems' talk

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.

Portugal v Hungary - FIFA World Cup 2026 Qualifier

Dias not convinced 2026 will be 'last dance' for Ronaldo & Messi

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 v Mauritania - International Friendly

Revealed: Unique perk that Messi enjoys in Argentina squad

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.

England Training & Press Conference

'Better chance than Germany!' - England's WC hopes assessed

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.

Albania v England - FIFA World Cup 2026 Qualifier

'One of the favourites' - Kane opens up on Ballon d'Or battle

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.

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England's World Cup squad numbers revealed

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.

Pochettino Portrait gfx

Pochettino's quest to make the world believe in the USMNT

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.

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Saliba surgery fears grow as Arsenal defender's 'pain worsens'

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.

Spain v Serbia - International Friendly

Yamal takes No.19 for Spain as World Cup numbers revealed

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 Announced As New England Manager

'The mission is very clear' - Tuchel & England arrive in USA

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.

England squads GFX

Golden Generation or Class of '26? England squads ranked

'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.

Cristiano Ronaldo Portugal World Cup portrait GFX 1:1

Ronaldo needs a World Cup to match his legendary status

The tears began to flow down Cristiano Ronaldo's cheeks as soon as the full-time whistle blew at the Al Thumama Stadium in Doha on the night of December 10, 2022. The forward was so upset by Portugal's shock World Cup quarter-final loss to Morocco he couldn't even bring himself to acknowledge his side's supporters. The pain was too great. So great, in fact, that he wasn't able to properly express his devastation until the following day - and even then only in a social media post.

Legacy Morocco GFX

LEGACY: From Mexico to Qatar - Morocco's World Cup journey

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.