Freiburg starlet Johan Manzambi came off the bench to score a sensational late brace, inspiring Switzerland to an emphatic 4-1 World Cup victory over Bosnia & Herzegovina at SoFi Stadium. The 20-year-old completely transformed the tense affair, keeping the Swiss firmly in the qualification hunt.
Hollywood superstar and Wrexham co-owner Ryan Reynolds endured a gruelling multi-modal journey to witness Canada's historic opening match of the 2026 World Cup. The lifelong football enthusiast was determined to support his home nation in person, joining a packed crowd to witness a monumental milestone on domestic soil.
Canada finally have their first men’s World Cup point, but after Cyle Larin’s late rescue act against Bosnia and Herzegovina, GOAL picks winners and losers from a tense opener.
Cyle Larin came off the bench to spare Jonathan David's blushes by earning Canada a 1-1 draw with Bosnia and Herzegovina in their 2026 World Cup opener on Friday. The Canucks were the better side for the majority of the match but looked set to slump to a seventh consecutive finals defeat after Lovo Jukic headed in a near-post flick from Sead Kolasinac midway through the first half.
Canada captain Alphonso Davies has been ruled out of his country’s World Cup opening fixture against Bosnia-Herzegovina. Head coach Jesse Marsch confirmed that the Bayern Munich left-back is still recovering from a hamstring injury sustained in May. Despite the massive setback, the co-hosts remain hopeful of his return later in the group stage.
It's so close you can almost touch it. After years of build-up, the 2026 World Cup will kick-off on Thursday when co-hosts Mexico face off against South Africa in a repeat of the opening game from 2010. Over the next five-and-a-half weeks, records will be broken and legacies rewritten as a number of modern greats do battle to win the most recognisable trophy in all of sport.
The 2026 World Cup is set to be a historic tournament, unlike any that have come before it. Expanded to 48 teams for the first time and spread across three countries - the United States, Canada and Mexico - it promises to be the biggest spectacle in the competition’s near-100-year history.
The World Cup is now just a few hours away, with teams currently making their final preparations for the tournament in North America. The stage is set for a whole host of players to make themselves national heroes, including some of the most exciting youngsters in the game today.
FIFA has announced a significant protocol modification that will see every squad member take part in the pre-match national anthems at the upcoming World Cup. Moving away from traditional sporting custom, football's global governing body has mandated that both starting line-ups and substitutes congregate together on the pitch ahead of kick-off.
Alphonso Davies has opened up on the psychological toll of his recent injury setbacks as he faces a race against time to be fit for the start of the World Cup. The Bayern Munich star is currently managing a hamstring issue that has cast doubt over his involvement in Canada’s historic opening fixture.
FIFA has confirmed the key dates and squad regulations for the 2026 World Cup. Nations must submit their final player lists by June 1, with strict rules in place regarding injuries, replacements and goalkeeper selections.
As 40-year-old Edin Dzeko enters the late twilight of his career, Bosnian football has a new potential superstar to carry it forward. Kerim Alajbegovic hadn't even been born when the revered striker made his international debut 19 years ago, but the pair are set to shoulder their country's hopes at the 2026 World Cup in North America this summer.
Italy captain Gianluigi Donnarumma has furiously denied reports that the national team squad demanded a lucrative financial bonus prior to their catastrophic World Cup qualifying play-off defeat to Bosnia-Herzegovina. The visibly emotional goalkeeper insists the players never prioritised money over the pride of wearing the Azzurri shirt during the devastating qualification campaign.
Having proven himself at numerous clubs… is it time for him to return to the Azzurri?
The question echoes through Italian football with renewed urgency. After guiding several clubs to silverware, the argument grows stronger that his experience and leadership could once again be vital for the national team. Supporters point to his tactical versatility, his ability to motivate players, and his deep understanding of the game as assets that could elevate the Azzurri at a critical juncture.
Critics, however, caution that past success does not automatically translate into instant results on the international stage. They argue that the national team environment demands a different kind of management style, one that balances the expectations of a football-mad nation with the realities of a crowded international calendar. Moreover, with younger coaches waiting in the wings, some wonder whether the time is right to hand the reins to a new generation.
Nonetheless, the case for his return remains
Bosnia and Herzegovina
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