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World Cup

World Cup news

Back soon? Ronaldo reassures fans with latest recovery update

Cristiano Ronaldo has taken to social media to provide a positive update on his fitness as he continues his rehabilitation from a muscle injury. The Al-Nassr superstar is currently sidelined after picking up a thigh problem, but his latest activity suggests that a return to action is not far away.

Thomas Tuchel Ollie Watkins England 2026

England star explains why he KNEW Tuchel would drop him

Ollie Watkins has revealed he expected to be left out of the England squad for March's friendlies against Uruguay and Japan. The Aston Villa striker has struggled for form throughout the 2025-26 season so far but has bounced back with recent goals against West Ham United and Lille and could yet be included in the Three Lions' roster for the 2026 World Cup in North America.

Gattuso: "We're not a bunch of runaways; I chose Bergamo myself"

Italy's head coach talks about the play-offs and the decisions ahead of them.

Bad news for Northern Ireland: Dan Ballard injured; replacement named

Should 16-year-old wonderkid Dowman make England’s WC squad?

Thomas Tuchel has admitted that Arsenal wonderkid Max Dowman has a “chance” of making England’s 2026 World Cup squad, but would an opportunity such as that be arriving too early for the 16-year-old forward? GOAL has put that question to Michael Owen, a man that knows all about making a senior breakthrough with the Three Lions as a teen sensation.

Rooney suggests Trent & Bellingham 'clique' issue led to England snub

Wayne Rooney has expressed his shock after Trent Alexander-Arnold was omitted from Thomas Tuchel’s latest 35-man England squad. The Real Madrid defender is a high-profile absentee for the upcoming friendlies against Uruguay and Japan, leading the former Manchester United captain to suggest a deeper issue. Rooney sparked controversy by questioning if the snub is a tactical move to dismantle a perceived "clique" involving Jude Bellingham.

Delighted at Kwasniok’s departure? El Mala causes a stir

The Kwasniok chapter has come to an end in Cologne. Much to the delight of Supertalent El Mala, perhaps?

Italy on a training camp: the latest ahead of the World Cup play-offs

Manager Gattuso will speak at a press conference today ahead of the first training session.

Cristiano Ronaldo World Cup trophy Portugal

‘They want Cristiano to win that title’ - CR7 World Cup claim

Ricardo Quaresma is tipping Cristiano Ronaldo to get his hands on a long-awaited World Cup trophy as Portugal international team-mates “want” the all-time great to “win that title”. At the age of 41, five-time Ballon d’Or winner Ronaldo is preparing to grace FIFA’s flagship event for a record-setting sixth time. He is desperate to emulate Lionel Messi by landing the ultimate prize.

Feud reignited! Keane brutally labelled a 'c**t' by McCarthy

Mick McCarthy has reignited his feud with Roy Keane as the ex-Republic of Ireland manager considers Manchester United’s legendary former midfielder to be a “c**t”. The pair endured an infamous falling out ahead of the 2002 World Cup that is now the subject of a film from Steve Coogan. Time does not appear to have been a good healer when it comes to historic divides.

Ronaldo’s 1,000-goal 'obsession': Will GOAT stop passing?

Cristiano Ronaldo continues to chase down 1,000 career goals and another entry in his history books, but Portugal coach Roberto Martinez insists that target has not become an "obsession". There are no fears, at least not in international circles, that all-time great CR7 will stop passing to his team-mates in a bid to ensure that another individual milestone is reached.

Luxembourg v Germany - FIFA World Cup 2026 Qualifier

"They all deserved it more": Hamann criticises Sane's nomination

Leroy Sané has regained his place in national team manager Julian Nagelsmann’s squad and stands a good chance of making the World Cup squad. Dietmar Hamann takes a very critical view of this.

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Villarreal CF v Real Madrid CF - LaLiga EA Sports

Arbeloa speaks out on Mbappe and Bellingham's call-ups

Real Madrid manager Alvaro Arbeloa has dismissed concerns regarding Kylian Mbappe and Jude Bellingham joining their national teams. Despite recent injury scares at the Santiago Bernabeu, the coach insists the superstar duo are ready for both club and country, thus he is happy for them to play over the upcoming international window.

Carvajal told by Spain manager how he can return to squad

Spain head coach Luis de la Fuente has laid down the gauntlet for Dani Carvajal after the Real Madrid captain was a surprise omission from the latest La Roja squad. The veteran defender faces a race against time to prove his fitness and form ahead of the 2026 World Cup, with Spain going into the tournament as European champions.

Calafiori: "Italy are the better side; we'll give anyone a run for their money at the World Cup"

The Arsenal defender can't wait to return to the national team.

England 2026 World Cup kits revealed

Nike has unveiled England's kits for the 2026 World Cup, revealing a fresh look for both the home and away jerseys, as well as the goalkeeper strip most likely to be worn by Everton star Jordan Pickford.

World Cup Host Committees remain focused as political tensions rise

The World Cup has brought all sorts of political and logistical problems, but those involved in planning remain committed to putting on a show.

USMNT or Germany? Banks faces difficult choice ahead of World Cup

The center back is the latest dual national player thrust into an impossible choice, but it's one he must make, and likely make soon

Gattuso and the unpopular decision: why it’s right to call up Chiesa for the national team

The Liverpool striker hasn't played for Italy since Euro 2024; his call-up is a real asset for Gattuso.

No Ronaldo & Silva! Martinez reveals why Portugal icons miss out

Roberto Martinez has named a Portugal squad missing the iconic duo of Cristiano Ronaldo and Bernardo Silva for the upcoming international fixtures. The Selecao boss has opted for a mix of caution and experimentation as he prepares his side for the road to the 2026 World Cup.

Tuchel gives Dowman a 'chance' to make the World Cup squad

Thomas Tuchel has hinted that Arsenal’s teenage prodigy Max Dowman remains in the frame for a World Cup spot. Despite his omission from the latest Three Lions squad, the 16-year-old’s record-breaking form has placed him firmly on the international radar.

Without a Real superstar: Tuchel surprises with an XXL squad

England manager Thomas Tuchel has surprised everyone with an XXL squad for the training camp in March. However, there was no place for a Real Madrid superstar.

Tuchel reveals plan to 'split' 35-man England squad

Thomas Tuchel has explained the thinking behind picking a larger 35-man England squad for the upcoming international break, revealing that he intends to split the group into two separate camps for the friendlies against Uruguay and Japan as he prepares his final squad assessment ahead of this summer's World Cup, where he will have to trim down to just 25 players.

BDO Power Rankings: Haaland slides as Kane keeps foot down

With the Lionel Messi-Cristiano Ronaldo duopoly presumably disappearing into the rearview mirror, the battle for the Ballon d'Or hasn't felt so open for the best part of 20 years, with countless players now beginning each campaign believing they have a chance of claiming the most prestigious individual prize football has to offer. Ousmane Dembele emerged from a career plagued with inconsistencies to win the Golden Ball in 2025, and he was among a crowded field of contenders as the 2026 race got going.

Italy: the squad list for Northern Ireland and Bosnia/Wales: Chiesa returns

The manager's selections for the World Cup play-offs.

Argentina claim victory as CONMEBOL chief trolls Spain and UEFA

CONMEBOL president Alejandro Dominguez has sensationally declared Argentina "two-time champions" of the Finalissima. The South American chief hit out at Spain and UEFA after the highly anticipated clash between the continental kings was officially scrapped.

BVB star's absence: Club legend criticises Nagelsmann

Roman Weidenfeller is missing one particular Borussia Dortmund player from national team manager Julian Nagelsmann’s March squad.

FC Bayern München v Atalanta BC - UEFA Champions League 2025/26 Round of 16 Second Leg

'Looks like a seasoned pro' - Bayern youngster tipped for World Cup after rapid Germany rise

Dietmar Hamann has urged Julian Nagelsmann to ensure Bayern Munich starlet Lennart Karl is on the plane for the upcoming World Cup, claiming the teenage sensation already plays like a veteran. The former Liverpool and Germany midfielder believes the 18-year-old offers a unique threat that the national team simply cannot do without on the biggest stage.

Kane for Ballon d'Or? Bayern & England star ‘in the discussion’

Harry Kane is “in the discussion” for Ballon d’Or honours, but may need to win the Champions League with Bayern Munich and star for England at the 2026 World Cup in order to land the Golden Ball. Emile Heskey admits as much, with the former Three Lions forward telling GOAL how his fellow striker can earn the prestigious billing of best player on the planet.

Long-serving international: conversation with Nagelsmann "not great"

Matthias Ginter of SC Freiburg has once again failed to make the German national team squad – and is, naturally, disappointed.

Frequently asked questions

: Egypt are the team who have won the most AFCON titles in history, with seven to their name. It was in 1957, the inaugural edition of AFCON, where Egypt attained glory. They would go on to add three more trophies before the turn of the century (1957, 1986, 1998), before completing a threepeat in 2006, 2008, and 2010.
: The first-ever AFCON featured just three teams. Between 1968 and 1990, eight teams featured in the tournament. An expansion in 1992 saw 12 teams feature in AFCON, and 16 from 1998. The latest expansion in 2019, though, sees 24 teams fight for glory.
: Cameroon legend Rigobert Song set the record of most AFCON appearances in 2010, playing in his 36th game in the tournament. That record was equalled by Ghanaian icon Andre Ayew in 2024.
: Cameroon icon Samuel Eto'o leads the all-time goalscoring charts with an impressive 18 goals over the course of 29 matches during six different tournaments.
: Egypt's Essam El Hadary is the oldest player ever to play in AFCON at the age of 44 years and 21 days. He achieved this feat in 2017 during Egypt's 2-1 loss to Cameroon.
: Former Ghana defender Joseph Odoi made his AFCON debut in 1984 at the age of 15 years and 164 days, becoming the youngest player ever to feature in the African Cup of Nations.
: Samuel Eto'o, Mohamed Salah, Yaya Toure, Didier Drogba, Jay-Jay Okocha, Sadio Mane, Roger Milla, Ahmed Hassan, George Weah, etc, are some of the biggest names to have featured in the African Cup of Nations.
: Charles Gyamfi, Hassan Shehata, Herve Renard, and Avram Grant are some of the most famous coaches to have led their respective teams at AFCON.

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