Jesse Lingard has backed England to finally end their trophy drought at the 2026 World Cup, insisting Thomas Tuchel's side have everything it takes to go all the way. The former Manchester United midfielder also revealed that he has been in contact with Brazil superstar Neymar after his surprise transfer to Corinthians in March.
Tottenham Hotspur have been dealt a catastrophic blow in their fight for Premier League survival following the news that Xavi Simons has been ruled out for the remainder of the season. The Dutch international suffered a serious knee injury during Saturday's clash with Wolves, with subsequent scans confirming the worst-case scenario for both club and country. Simons gave wrote an emotional message regarding the situation he is currently facing, confirming the news that his World Cup dream is also over.
James Rodriguez is determined to reach the 2026 World Cup in peak condition. The Colombian playmaker made his first Major League Soccer start for Minnesota United on Saturday, silencing any doubts about his fitness. Despite a narrow loss to LAFC, he showcased glimpses of his former glory before making a vow to Colombia fans ahead of their World Cup campaign this summer.
Neymar has been the face of Brazilian football for over a decade, but the mercurial forward has suffered a major blow ahead of the 2026 World Cup. The 34-year-old has been officially omitted from the iconic Panini sticker album, marking the first time in four editions that he will not be featured among the world's elite players.
Manchester United captain Bruno Fernandes has set his sights on delivering the 2026 World Cup for Cristiano Ronaldo as the ultimate tribute to the iconic forward's career. The midfielder believes winning the global showpiece would be the perfect way to reward his long-time team-mate for his unparalleled contribution to the sport.
Real Madrid are facing a nervous wait over the fitness of Kylian Mbappe after the superstar forward limped out of Friday's 1-1 draw with Real Betis. While initial tests have offered a glimmer of hope to the Bernabeu faithful, the Frenchman remains a major doubt for the season's defining fixtures and this summer's World Cup.
Real Madrid and Brazil have been hit with a devastating injury blow as defender Eder Militao has been ruled out of the 2026 World Cup. According to reports, a recurrence of a hamstring injury suffered against Alaves will require surgery, ending his season and his hopes of representing the Selecao this summer.
Barcelona boss Hansi Flick has provided a reassuring update on Lamine Yamal following the news that the teenage star will miss the remainder of the domestic season. Despite the hamstring blow suffered against Celta Vigo, Flick is confident the 18-year-old will recover in time for Spain’s 2026 World Cup campaign.
Real Madrid legend Fernando Hierro has identified the unique trait that allows Cristiano Ronaldo to remain a dominant force in world football as he nears his sixth World Cup finals. The former Al-Nassr sporting director insists that the 41-year-old’s professional discipline makes him a certainty to lead the Portugal attack during the upcoming tournament.
Nottingham Forest playmaker Morgan Gibbs-White is reportedly mounting a serious challenge for a spot in Thomas Tuchel’s England World Cup squad following a spectacular run of form. Despite being omitted from the recent 35-man provisional group, the 26-year-old’s recent hat-trick against Burnley has reignited the debate regarding his inclusion ahead of the summer tournament.
Arsenal forward Gabriel Jesus has provided a candid assessment of his international standing as he fights to secure a place in Brazil's 2026 World Cup squad. The 28-year-old admitted that a lack of regular game time at the Emirates Stadium has complicated his path back into the Selecao setup.
Brazil's 1994 World Cup winner Rai has cast doubt over Neymar's suitability for the 2026 tournament, claiming the Santos forward is no longer at the physical level required for the international stage despite his undeniable technical brilliance. The former Barcelona and Paris Saint-Germain star is still struggling to build up his fitness with Santos ahead of his country's bid for glory in North America this summer.
Mauricio Pochettino has admitted that he would like to return to Tottenham in the future. The current United States men's national team head coach remains one of the most beloved figures in Spurs' recent history after a transformative five-year spell at the club between 2014 and 2019.
Barcelona have released a statement to confirm that Lamine Yamal will miss the remainder of season due to a hamstring injury. The Spain star suffered the issue in the action of scoring a penalty during his side's 1-0 win over Celta Vigo, with Barca issuing an update on the 18-year-old's World Cup prospects.
Rumours that four-time champions Italy, who were knocked out in the play-offs, could replace the qualified team Iran at the World Cup have gained fresh momentum.
He was a regular starter and a key player for Nagelsmann during the home European Championship, yet his chances of making the World Cup squad currently appear slim—at least at first glance.
Italy icon Gianluigi Buffon has opened up on the most infamous moment in World Cup history, jokingly claiming responsibility for Zinedine Zidane's moment of madness in the 2006 final. The legendary goalkeeper believes his own heroics between the sticks pushed the French icon over the edge before his shocking headbutt on Marco Materazzi.
Former England manager Fabio Capello has issued a stern warning to Thomas Tuchel regarding the psychological and physical hurdles facing the Three Lions ahead of the 2026 World Cup. The Italian suggests that Tuchel must urgently address a deep-seated culture of "fear" and fatigue if England are to compete for the trophy in North America.
Brazil legends Ronaldinho, Adriano, and Kaka turned on the style during a star-studded exhibition match against Mexico. Despite some vintage goals from the Selecao icons, the hosts staged a dramatic second-half comeback.
Leonardo Bonucci has identified Pep Guardiola as the ideal candidate to lead a revolution for the Italy national team. The legendary defender believes the Manchester City boss is the only man capable of modernising Gli Azzurri after their third successive failed World Cup qualification campaign.
This is Legacy, GOAL’s feature and podcast series that counts down until 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 dive into the moment MLS stopped thinking small - because one global icon decided to go first...
Neymar’s homecoming at Santos has turned sour after the Brazil icon was relentlessly booed by his own supporters following a painful 3-2 defeat to Fluminense. The 34-year-old was seen leaving the pitch with his fingers in his ears before taking to social media to deliver an emotional message to his critics.
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