World Cup news

The countdown to the 2026 FIFA World Cup has officially begun, and this time, fans won’t just watch history being made, they’ll be able to build a piece of it.

Thomas Tuchel has been told that he must find space in his World Cup plans for Nottingham Forest midfielder Morgan Gibbs-White. Reds legend and former England international Stan Collymore has explained to GOAL why a proven Premier League performer at the City Ground should be handed tickets on the plane to a major tournament in North America.

From humiliation to redemption, from doubt to eternal glory - this is the story of how Zinedine Zidane rose from the shadows to lead France to their greatest triumph. At the 1998 World Cup, the shy playmaker from Marseille became the face of a new nation, turning pain into pride and silence into legend. This is ICONS - a GOAL podcast and feature series that revisits the last 10 World Cups from unique perspectives, bringing the spirit of the tournament back to life...

GOAL spoke to several of the USMNT's key MLS-based stars about how they approached time off knowing what was to come.

The 2026 World Cup will be unlike any before it - bigger in size and scope, without a clear favorite, and staged in some of the most iconic venues in world sport. Here’s everything worth knowing.

Mason Greenwood is preparing for arguably the most high-profile match of his Marseille career so far as Premier League champions Liverpool arrive on the south coast of France. But while the Champions League clash will be talked up as an audition for England's World Cup squad in some grubby corners of the internet, the reality is that the damage done to Greenwood's reputation in his homeland is irreparable - regardless of his exploits at Stade Velodrome.

Everton loanee Jack Grealish has suffered a suspected stress fracture in his foot that could keep him sidelined for 'months'. The winger has been rejuvenated at the Toffees after falling down the pecking order at Manchester City. But his hopes of making it into England's 2026 World Cup squad have been handed a blow after picking up an untimely injury.

Mic'd Up: The former USMNT striker talked about the pre-World Cup mindset, the U.S. striker situation and why Mexico will always be the team under the most pressure.

World Cup winner Kleberson, who once played alongside Cristiano Ronaldo at Manchester United and in MLS, has explained to GOAL how Inter Miami superstar Lionel Messi can land himself a record-extending ninth Ballon d’Or in 2026. The Argentine superstar is readying himself for another shot at global glory, which could put him in contention for Golden Ball recognition.

Puma delivers bold Swiss flair with dynamic home design and an eye-catching away look ahead of North America.

Roberto Martinez has suggested that Cristiano Ronaldo will not be undroppable when Portugal open their quest for 2026 World Cup glory. The evergreen 40-year-old forward remains captain of his country, and an inspiration to millions across the globe, but he is not immune to a spot of bench duty and will be replaced if remarkable individual standards are allowed to dip.

Tartan reds get a bold Puma refresh as Austria heads back to the World Cup stage.

This is Legacy, GOAL’s podcast and feature series following the road to the 2026 World Cup. Every week, we dive into the stories and legacies that shaped football’s greatest nations. Today we look at Spain’s search for a new symbol, 16 years after the golden glow of 2010. From Andres Iniesta’s magic in Johannesburg to the rise of a fearless teenager lighting up Barcelona, it’s the story of Lamine Yamal, and how one young prodigy could lead La Roja back to the top of the world...

Cristiano Ronaldo will not want to stop without a World Cup win that allows him to emulate eternal rival Lionel Messi, the Portuguese’s former Manchester United team-mate Kleberson has told GOAL. A man who knows all about the mindset of an all-time great has also boldly predicted that evergreen CR7 could play on until the age of 50 if he really wants to.

There really is nothing like the World Cup. Even just qualifying generates a level of nationwide excitement that the club game simply cannot match, which is why we witnessed truly joyous scenes all across the globe during the November international break, as 14 more countries booked their seat at next summer's festival of football in North America.

Neymar remains “the most talented player in Brazil”, Kleberson has told GOAL, with Carlo Ancelotti being told that he must find space for the Santos superstar in his 2026 World Cup plans. The man who helped the Selecao to global glory in 2002 has also picked out the natural heir to Neymar’s playmaking crown and explained what a modern day great needs to do in order to join the GOATs.

GOAL takes a look at the history of a move that has revolutionised the way that spot kicks are taken since coming to prominence in 1976