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De la Fuente defends Gavi over Rodri tackle

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.

PlayStation & Benzema: Yamal reveals why he wears a bandage on his hand

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.

Spain v Georgia - FIFA World Cup 2026 Qualifier

Cucurella jokes about shaving hair if Spain win World Cup

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.

Six biggest selection debates facing the World Cup favourites

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.

Genius Yamal was touched by God, says Spain boss

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.

Gavi leaves Rodri in pain with brutal training ground tackle

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.

Yamal, Haaland & 10 stars making their World Cup debuts

We're now less than a week 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.

Explained: Why ALL squad players must join World Cup pre-match anthems

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.

World Cup player value tracker: Anderson in at £100m as Olise's price soars

Excitement is building ahead of the start of the latest installment of the greatest show on earth - the World Cup. Throughout the showpiece tournament in North America, GOAL, in association with eToro, is tracking the value of 10 of the world's most sought-after talents. Will their price rise or plummet? Follow our unique player value tracker to find out...

Rodri admits Ballon d'Or was never a dream as he backs 'beast' Yamal

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.

Palmer & the biggest stars to miss out on the World Cup

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 while descending on the United States, Mexico and Canada for the biggest international football tournament to ever have been staged.

Yamal & the NXGN wonderkids to watch at the World Cup

The World Cup is now less than a week away, with teams currently making their final preparations for the tournament in North America. The stage is set for a whole host of players to make themselves national heroes, including some of the most exciting youngsters in the game today.

RANKED: Top 20 kits at the 2026 World Cup

There's just one week to go until the biggest show on earth gets underway, with the 2026 World Cup kicking off on June 11. 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.

Former Cape Verde international to Kooora: We have an edge over Saudi Arabia in this situation... and we can trouble Spain

Yamal can light up the World Cup - but will he be fit enough?

The 2026 World Cup was supposed to be another waypoint on Lamine Yamal's path to becoming a generation-defining superstar, but there is the genuine threat that an injury could deprive the tournament of one of its biggest names. The Spanish wonderkid made everyone sit up and take notice at Euro 2024, and two years on, the 18-year-old seemed primed to seize the limelight once again. But instead, it may well be a waiting game.

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

The 2026 World Cup is almost upon us. In just over a 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.

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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.

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.

RANKED: Top 10 World Cup Golden Boot contenders

After years of build-up, the 2026 World Cup is almost upon us. The best players in the world are beginning to descend on the United States, Mexico and Canada with dreams of lifting the most prestigious trophy in global football ahead of the action getting under way on June 11.

RANKED: 100 most iconic moments in World Cup history

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.

FC Barcelona v Real Madrid CF - LaLiga EA Sports

Yamal doesn’t get nervous and instead feels like a ‘superhero’

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.

Yamal sets Messi and Ronaldo goal

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.

Next stop, England?! Xavi tips Guardiola for international job

Pep Guardiola has officially called time on his legendary stay at Manchester City, leaving a legacy of 20 trophies after a decade of dominance at the Etihad Stadium. While the Catalan tactician is set for a temporary sabbatical, speculation is already mounting regarding his next destination in the dugout. Barcelona legend Xavi Hernandez believes that after conquering the club game in Spain, Germany, and England, his former mentor is destined for the international stage.

Michael Olise Lamine Yamal Bayern Munich Barcelona 2025-26

World’s best right winger? Why Olise is a ‘step below’ Yamal

Michael Olise and Lamine Yamal are two of the best right wingers in world football, but Marcel Desailly has told GOAL when Bayern Munich’s superstar Frenchman remains a “step below” Barcelona’s teenage wonderkid. Both forwards continue to post remarkable numbers for club and country, with their awe-inspiring skill sets about to illuminate the 2026 World Cup.

When are the final World Cup 2026 squads announced?

FIFA has confirmed the key dates and squad regulations for the 2026 World Cup. Nations must submit their final player lists by June 1, with strict rules in place regarding injuries, replacements and goalkeeper selections.

Real Madrid CF v FC Barcelona - LaLiga EA Sports

Vinicius Jr: Yamal can win World Cup single-handedly

Real Madrid superstar Vinicius Jr has heaped massive praise on Barcelona sensation Lamine Yamal ahead of the upcoming World Cup. The Brazil international believes the young Spanish winger possesses such extraordinary talent that he is capable of winning the prestigious international tournament entirely on his own, despite the fierce rivalry between their respective clubs.

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