World Cup news

Harry Kane is “not a player that is really exciting”, Matt Jansen has admitted to GOAL, but the prolific Bayern Munich striker could still end up going down in history as the England GOAT. One of the most consistent forwards on the planet is already the Three Lions’ all-time leading goalscorer and has their appearance record in his sights during the countdown to another World Cup.

Harry Kane has aired his ambition to become a Ballon d’Or contender, having maintained stunning individual standards with Bayern Munich, while revealing the secrets behind his current form. One of the greatest goalscorers to have ever played the game has been red hot at the start of the 2025-26 campaign, suggesting that he could come into contention for a prestigious Golden Ball award.

Jack Grealish's omission from Thomas Tuchel's latest England squad was not just a surprise, but also completely ridiculous. Only a handful of Premier League players have made better starts to the season than Grealish, who has quickly rediscovered the form that once saw him touted as one of the brightest talents of his generation, since joining Everton on loan from Manchester City in the summer transfer window.

World Cup-winning captain and Ballon d’Or winner Fabio Cannavaro has taken charge of Uzbekistan, leading the Asian underdogs into uncharted territory ahead of their first-ever World Cup campaign in 2026. For a nation long on promise but short on global recognition, his arrival marks the beginning of an audacious new era built on ambition.

Chelsea’s defensive injury crisis continues to deepen, with Reece James being forced to withdraw from the latest England squad. The Blues captain had been called upon by former Stamford Bridge boss Thomas Tuchel for upcoming clashes with Wales and Latvia. James will play no part in those fixtures after picking up a knock, with his place in the Three Lions’ ranks going to Manchester City full-back Nico O’Reilly.

FIFA's official ticket resale platform for the 2026 World Cup will extract 15 percent fees from both buyers and sellers, according to The Athletic. The ticket platform, which launched Thursday using dynamic pricing, featured tickets listed at prices higher than their original face value, with some premium seats reaching tens of thousands of dollars.

The U.S. State Department reportedly denied visa requests from Iran's delegation ahead of the upcoming 2026 World Cup draw in Washington D.C. According to the Tehran Times, the U.S. government has not approved visas for Iran Football Federation President Mehdi Taj, coach Amir Ghalenoei and seven other members.

Thomas Tuchel has explained why Jude Bellingham was left out of the latest England squad, with the Three Lions boss speaking to the Real Madrid midfielder before making his selection. Many expected Bellingham to earn an immediate recall after returning to action at club level following shoulder surgery. He has, however, been overlooked alongside the likes of Manchester City playmaker Phil Foden and Everton winger Jack Grealish.

Connectivity, innovation, and symbolism: Trionda pays tribute to Mexico, Canada and the U.S. as hosts of the 2026 World Cup

Eintracht Frankfurt defender Nathaniel Brown has received his first call-up to Germany’s senior national team for upcoming World Cup qualifiers. The 22-year-old dual national, still eligible for the United States, could permanently tie his international future to Germany if he appears in either of the competitive matches.

Copenhagen confirmed that after an MRI, Rodrigo Huescas has been diagnosed with a torn ACL. The former Cruz Azul fullback will miss the rest of the season and faces a race against time to be fit for the 2026 World Cup. The injury occurred 13 minutes into Copenhagen’s Champions League clash against Qarabag. Huescas went down in clear pain.

Alexi Lalas backed Weston McKennie for the USMNT’s 2026 World Cup squad following his recall for the October friendlies. The Juventus midfielder had been absent from Mauricio Pochettino’s recent rosters, raising doubts about his role. But with the manager calling this group his potential A squad, McKennie’s inclusion is an encouraging sign.

Casemiro has received the backing of his former Real Madrid and current Brazil head coach Carlo Ancelotti to wear the captain's armband for the Selecao in the build up to next year's World Cup. Having marked his return to the national team setup after a prolonged absence, Casemiro hasn't lost the trust of Ancelotti, who has urged the resurgent Manchester United man to "set an example everyday."

France head coach Didier Deschamps admitted that he has no doubt that Paul Pogba's goal is to return to the national team ahead of next year's World Cup in the USA. At a press conference on Thursday, Deschamps explained what the 32-year-old must do in order to earn a recall to Les Bleus' squad, with the ex-Manchester United and Juventus player expected to make his Monaco debut later this month.

Everything you need to know about how and where to watch the CONMEBOL World Cup qualifying soccer games

Former USMNT star Landon Donovan has changed his tone regarding Christian Pulisic following the winger's exceptional performances for AC Milan. Donovan, who previously criticized Pulisic's decision to skip the Gold Cup, emphasized his support for the 26-year-old's success while explaining the reasoning behind his earlier comments.

Former USMNT star Landon Donovan is questioning the reliability of forward Ricardo Pepi and attacking midfielder Gao Reyna following their recent injury setbacks. The USMNT's all-time joint leading goalscorer suggested that availability issues could threaten both player’s roles in the national team under coach Mauricio Pochettino.