It was a night of equal misfortune for Wales and the Republic of Ireland, who were eliminated from World Cup qualifying. Both teams lost leads in the final minutes before losing painful penalty shootouts to Bosnia and Herzegovina and the Czechia, respectively.
Thomas Tuchel has issued a blunt "pressure" warning to Cole Palmer, warning the Chelsea superstar that his place in the England starting XI for the World Cup is far from guaranteed. The German coach insists that the playmaker must prove his worth in the international setup following an injury-hit campaign.
Thomas Tuchel has delivered a blunt verdict on Trent Alexander-Arnold's international future, insisting the Real Madrid defender "just has to accept" his latest exclusion from the England setup. Despite the former Chelsea boss admitting the decision could be viewed as "unfair", he has prioritised other defensive options for the upcoming World Cup preparation.
Lionel Scaloni has indicated that Lionel Messi has still not confirmed he will lead Argentina at the 2026 World Cup. The national team boss was quick to deflect pressure away from the Inter Miami superstar, reiterating that the decision rests entirely with the player himself.
Brazil legend Zico has delivered an honest assessment of Neymar’s career, suggesting the Santos star has failed to match the professionalism of Lionel Messi and Cristiano Ronaldo. Despite acknowledging his compatriot's immense natural ability, Zico believes off-field habits have hindered the forward’s longevity and consistency.
Antonio Rüdiger has lost his role as the DFB team’s defensive leader. Recently, injuries, scandals and poor performances in the national team’s colours have dominated the headlines. With the World Cup approaching, time is running out for him.
Everything you need to know about the disciplinary history of the World Cup, ahead of the 2026 tournament in the United States of America, Mexico, and Canada. There have been notable dismissals in almost every tournament to date, from sending offs in World Cup finals, to games that saw both teams lose their heads, and more than a few players...
Craig Bellamy produced a classic no-nonsense moment during his latest media briefing, shutting down a reporter who attempted to ask a question relating to Mohamed Salah's Liverpool exit. The Wales boss made it clear that his only priority is the upcoming World Cup play-off.
Cristiano Ronaldo has long been linked with a glamorous move to Major League Soccer to wrap up his legendary career, but one USMNT icon believes that ship has sailed. As the Portuguese superstar continues his journey in the Saudi Pro League, questions are being asked about whether he has the physical longevity to ever touch down in North America.
Premier League legend Alan Shearer has caused a stir by omitting Jude Bellingham and Cole Palmer from his predicted England starting line-up for the 2026 World Cup. The former Three Lions striker has instead opted for a selection based on current form and tactical balance.
The Football Association has come under fire for their "desperate" decision to hand Thomas Tuchel a contract extension before he has even led England into a major tournament. Former Three Lions midfielder Danny Murphy has questioned the logic behind the move, suggesting the FA has left itself wide open to a PR disaster if the 2026 World Cup ends in failure.
Santiago Gimenez is considered to have a “special market”, so will AC Milan listen to offers for the misfiring Mexico international striker during the summer transfer window of 2026? The 24-year-old frontman has found the going tough in Italy, with just one goal being recorded this season, and Rossoneri legend Massimo Ambrosini has told GOAL what the future could hold.
Former England manager Fabio Capello has issued a scathing assessment of the Three Lions' mental fortitude, claiming that the squad is consistently held back by a paralysing "fear" on the big stage. The Italian tactician, who experienced his own World Cup heartbreak in 2010, warned Thomas Tuchel that psychological barriers and physical exhaustion remain the primary threats to England's hopes of ending their long wait for silverware.
With the countdown on to a home World Cup in the summer of 2026, who will be chosen to take on captaincy duties for the USMNT? There are several prominent candidates in the running there, with Tyler Adams back in contention having filled the armband at Qatar 2022. Freddy Adu has revealed his pick to GOAL, with a Landon Donovan comparison being used to explain why Christian Pulisic may be overlooked.
Harry Maguire has revealed the emotional toll of his period away from the England squad, admitting that his mother was moved to tears upon hearing news of his recall. The Man Utd defender feared his international days were over after a lengthy absence from the Three Lions set-up.
The final international window before the end of the 2025-26 club season is here. For most of the globe's traditional powerhouses, this month is about finetuning ahead of the World Cup in the United States, Mexico and Canada. But not every team has the luxury of such forward planning, with several big-hitters still yet to punch their ticket to the tournament.
Kylian Mbappe has joined the growing debate surrounding Neymar’s international future, insisting that he cannot imagine a World Cup without the Brazilian superstar. As pressure mounts on Selecao boss Carlo Ancelotti to recall the veteran forward, Mbappe has backed his former team-mate to prove his fitness in time for the 2026 tournament.
Neymar found himself back in headlines across Europe last week after he was brought up as a topic of debate on The Overlap. Gary Neville introduced a new 'Unpopular Opinions' segment, and kicked it off with the following statement: "No Premier League player in history is better than a prime Neymar."
A new study conducted by Performance Research, in partnership with Full Circle Research, shows the FIFA World Cup 2026 is set to capture a massive U.S. audience, with 75 percent of Americans planning to follow, and younger, urban fans and families driving momentum - even as ticket prices could keep many watching from home. Interest is also rising, with nearly half of the respondents more engaged than for the 2022 tournament.
Fans and players from several World Cup countries could have to pay up to $15,000 in order to obtain tourist visas ahead of the World Cup. According to regulations set by President Donald Trump's administration, residents of five countries - Algeria, Cape Verde, Senegal, the Ivory Coast, and Tunisia - have to pay high prices for bonds for visas. And there is no exemption for the World Cup.
Kylian Mbappe’s long-standing relationship with Nike appears to be reaching its conclusion just as the forward prepares for the biggest summer of his career. The Real Madrid superstar, who has been the face of the American brand’s football division for years, is nearing the end of his current deal with a seismic shift in the sponsorship market looming.
Vinicius Junior has spoken out on his long-term future at Real Madrid as he prepares to enter the final year of his current contract. The Brazilian forward is currently away on international duty with Brazil, but believes he has been living his "best moment" at club level.
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