World Cup news

He's only gone and done it again! A year after becoming the first player to win NXGN twice, Lamine Yamal has finished top of GOAL's annual list of the top teenagers in world football for the third time in a row. It's not as if the outcome of the 2026 vote was ever in any doubt either. Yamal is no longer just the most talented young player in the game today. He's also its most talented player, full stop.

During an interview with Sky Sports in October 2024, Trent Alexander-Arnold was asked about his remaining career goals and whether he would rather win another Champions League, become Liverpool captain, lift a trophy with England or win the Ballon d'Or. The right-back went with the latter, the most unrealistic - and unimportant - option.

Romelu Lukaku has officially withdrawn from the upcoming Belgium squad for their international friendlies against the United States and Mexico. The experienced Napoli striker is recovering from a long-term hamstring injury and has chosen to stay in Italy to focus on regaining his full fitness ahead of this summer's highly anticipated World Cup tournament.

Bayern Munich star Joshua Kimmich has warned that Germany cannot be considered among the top favourites for the 2026 World Cup. As the captain prepares his squad for their upcoming friendly against Switzerland, he insists that past tournament failures mean the four-time world champions must prove themselves all over again on the global stage.

Brazil national team manager Carlo Ancelotti has compared his squad's footballing DNA to the vibrant energy of Carnival ahead of the upcoming World Cup. While the Italian tactician praised his team's incredible attacking talent and promised an entertaining style of play, he also openly addressed a concerning lack of depth in the traditional full-back positions.

Didier Deschamps is preparing to step down as the manager of the France national team following the 2026 World Cup in North America. After 14 years in charge, he is leaving his options open regarding his next career move, while legendary former Real Madrid head coach Zinedine Zidane has reportedly reached a verbal agreement to take over the managerial reins this summer.

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Cristiano Ronaldo has some new threads, with PUMA dropping Portugal's new home and away kits ahead of the World Cup this summer. These are the strips that CR7 will wear in what is almost certainly his last dance at a major tournament - a monumental football moment.

The signs that Zinedine Zidane is set to take charge of the French national team are becoming increasingly clear.

Tottenham forward Dejan Kulusevski is set to link up with the Sweden national team ahead of their 2026 World Cup playoff despite his ongoing injury struggles. The winger has been sidelined for nearly a year following a serious knee injury suffered last season.

Neymar allegedly spent almost an entire day playing "high-stakes" poker while sidelined from his duties at Santos due to "load management". The Brazilian icon was ruled out of his club's latest game against Cruzeiro, but his activities off the pitch have sparked a fresh debate regarding his professional commitment.

Italy is once again fearing for its World Cup hopes; the pressure on the four-time world champions is immense ahead of the decisive matches for one of the last places.

France have unveiled their kits for the 2026 World Cup - and they’re anything but ordinary.

Who will make it into the German national team’s final squad ahead of the crucial World Cup phase, and which DFB stars will have to stay at home? Spox has all the answers.

United States men’s national team head coach Mauricio Pochettino has dropped a significant hint regarding a future return to the Premier League. The Argentine, who enjoyed five years in north London at Tottenham, confessed his deep affection for the English game and revealed that Spurs previously attempted to re-hire him during his tenure at Paris Saint-Germain.

Mauricio Pochettino has hit back at Thierry Henry, labelling the Arsenal legend's criticism of his Paris Saint-Germain tenure as "disrespectful". The current USMNT boss specifically addressed claims that he failed to utilize Lionel Messi correctly during his time at the Parc des Princes.

TV presenter Laura Wontorra has openly expressed doubts about the suitability of the DFB’s training camp for the upcoming 2026 World Cup.