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Champions League

Champions League news

Chelsea FC v Manchester City - UEFA Women's Champions League Quarter Finals Second Leg

James in contention to start Chelsea's UWCL tie with Barca

Chelsea could hand Lauren James her first start of the season when they face Barcelona in their Women’s Champions League clash, though Sam Kerr will remain unavailable despite her return to action earlier in the campaign. James, who has been slowly building back towards match readiness after an ankle injury, has been named in contention for Thursday night’s heavyweight contest.

Eberechi Eze Beast Mode On podcast GFX 16:9

VIDEO: Eze talks Arsenal, England & more in new Beast Mode On podcast

In the latest episode of the Beast Mode On podcast, Adebayo Akinfenwa sits down with Arsenal and England star Eberechi Eze to discuss his incredible journey from suffering multiple club rejections as a teenager, to becoming one of the Three Lions' most gifted players. The pair, who were team-mates at Wycombe, relive their days together in the EFL, and talk through Eze's emotional return to his boyhood team last summer.

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UEFA give green light to Barcelona for Camp Nou return

Barcelona have received a major lift in their season after UEFA approved their request to return to Camp Nou for the Champions League. The iconic stadium has been closed for major refurbishment since 2023, forcing the team to play at the Olympic Stadium in Montjuic. The original return target was late 2024, but construction delays pushed the schedule back several times.

Arizona Cardinals v San Francisco 49ers

Roger Goodell confirms plans for more NFL games at Bernabeu

NFL commissioner Roger Goodell has confirmed that a game will return to Spain in the foreseeable future. The Santiago Bernabeu, home of La Liga giants Real Madrid, hosted the meeting between the Miami Dolphins and the Washington Commanders on Sunday, in which Miami claimed a 16-13 overtime win in the final international game of the 2025 season.

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Expert explains repercussions of ITV's £1 billion Sky deal

ITV confirmed earlier this month that it is in preliminary discussions to sell its broadcasting business to Sky for £1.6 billion. The talks come as the television industry faces fierce competition from the rise of streaming services such as Disney+, Prime Video and Netflix. The former platforms already own rights to show one Champions League and one La Liga match per gameweek.

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UEFA plan to host Champions League final at revamped Bernabeu

A renovated Santiago Bernabeu has played host to the first-ever NFL match played at the stadium, helping to elevate its status to a multi-purpose stadium and, Impressed with the revamped stadium, UEFA are reportedly planning to host a Champions League final at the Bernabeu in the near future.

Hansi Flick Barcelona 2025

Barca handed huge injury boost ahead of Chelsea clash

Barcelona have finally received the kind of news they have been waiting months for. Pedri’s accelerated recovery puts him on course to face Chelsea in a crucial Champions League clash, Joan Garcia is set to return after the break, Raphinha has also entered the final phase of his rehabilitation, with their injury returns coming at an ideal time for manager Hansi Flick.

Kylian Mbappe Real Madrid 2025-26

Mbappe admits to 'very bad' Madrid displays and slams Alonso tension talk

Kylian Mbappe has broken his silence on Real Madrid’s recent slump, admitting the team “played very badly” in the defeats to Atletico Madrid and Liverpool. His comments arrive at a sensitive moment for Xabi Alonso, whose strict methods have unsettled parts of the dressing room and exposed a tactical transition that is proving far more turbulent than expected.

Paris Saint-Germain v FC Bayern München: Quarter-final - FIFA Club World Cup 2025

Bayern defender addresses transfer talk as Real Madrid circle

Dayot Upamecano has addressed ongoing uncertainty over his Bayern Munich future as several European giants circle ahead of a possible free transfer in the summer. The French defender has yet to agree a new deal with Bayern and insists his focus remains on performance, even as Real Madrid, Paris Saint-Germain and Premier League clubs prepare their approach. Upamecano has promised to make the “right decision” when the time comes.

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'Best I've seen in years' - Bayern made 'statement' with PSG win

Former Borussia Dortmund chief executive Hans-Joachim Watzke has heaped praise on Bayern Munich, heralding the Bavarian giants' first-half performance in their 2-1 away win over PSG as "some of the best football" he has seen in years. Vincent Kompany's side are in imperious form to start the season, winning a record-breaking 16 straight games to open the 2025/26 season.

Manchester City v Borussia Dortmund - UEFA Champions League 2025/26 League Phase MD4

Foden's 'smooth control and finish' held up as example for BVB star

Niko Kovac held up Manchester City star Phil Foden's 'smooth control and finish' as an example for Dortmund forward Karim Adeyemi after yet another disappointing performance on the pitch. Foden starred with a brace, while Erling Haaland and Rayan Cherki also found the back of the net as City thrashed the Bundesliga side 4-1 in a Champions League clash on Wednesday at Etihad Stadium.

FC Barcelona Open Training Session in Spotify Camp Nou

Barca chief dismisses 'irrelevant' criticism of Flick's style

Barcelona director Deco has labelled discussion of coach Hansi Flick's style "irrelevant" after a chaotic 3-3 Champions League draw with Club Brugge. Despite defensive frailties, Deco insists the club "know perfectly well" where to improve and will rely on nothing other than hard work, drawing parallels to overcoming difficulties last season.

Cristiano Ronaldo Micky van de Ven

CR7 is king! Spurs stars snub Van de Ven in 'best goal' stakes

Micky van de Van scored a stunning solo goal for Tottenham in their Champions League clash with FC Copenhagen, but a couple of his club colleagues have snubbed the Dutchman when naming the best strike that they have ever seen. Another effort recorded in European competition, by Portuguese GOAT Cristiano Ronaldo, gets the nod from a few of those in north London.

Marseille's English forward #10 Mason Greenwood celebrates

Everyone except Greenwood is useless at Marseille, says ex-France star

Marseille’s Champions League campaign has unravelled under Roberto De Zerbi, with just one win in four games and mounting criticism over his tactics and squad choices. After a frustrating 1-0 home loss to Atalanta, former France international Jerome Rothen blasted the Italian coach’s approach, saying he “can’t find the ingredients” to make Marseille click - while labelling everyone but Mason Greenwood and goalkeeper Geronimo Rulli “useless.”

Virgil van Dijk Wayne Rooney 2025-26

'Fair play' - Rooney ends Van Dijk feud after awkward exchange

Wayne Rooney has sought to bring an end to his supposed feud with Liverpool defender Virgil van Dijk. The Manchester United legend has found himself caught up in a war of words with the Netherlands international, with the pair coming face-to-face during an awkward television exchange after Van Dijk helped Liverpool to a Champions League win over Real Madrid.

Jamie Carragher Manchester City 2025-26

Carragher launches 'sympathy about 115 charges' City accusation

Jamie Carragher has accused a Daily Mail journalist of having "sympathy about 115 charges" at Manchester City after seeing his attempts to sit in the away end at the Etihad Stadium reported on. The legendary former Liverpool defender has mingled with Borussia Dortmund fans in the past and had hoped to join them again for a Champions League fixture on English soil.

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De Zerbi and Marseille players rage at 'huge injustice' against Atalanta

Marseille fell to a 1-0 home defeat against Atalanta in their Champions League clash on Wednesday, a match overshadowed by controversial refereeing decisions late on. Several Marseille players, along with head coach Roberto De Zerbi, were left furious after the referee declined to award a potential penalty just moments before Atalanta netted the decisive goal in the dying minutes.

Trent Alexander-Arnold Roy Keane Liverpool

'Really poor' - Keane blasts Liverpool fans for booing TAA

Roy Keane has slammed Liverpool supporters for booing Trent Alexander-Arnold on his first return to Anfield since joining Real Madrid, accusing them of lacking 'class' after jeering a player who gave 'his everything' to the club. The Manchester United legend was left 'shocked' by the treatment of the local hero, who was booed throughout his late cameo in Los Blancos' Champions League defeat.

Lamine Yamal Lionel Messi Barcelona 2025

‘1000s of goals like that’ - Yamal ignores Messi comparisons

Lamine Yamal is ignoring his latest comparisons to Barcelona legend Lionel Messi, with the teenage wonderkid pointing out that the Argentine GOAT has “scored 1000s of goals” that are similar to the strike he recorded against Club Brugge. Yamal delivered another moment of magic in that Champions League contest, but is reluctant to liken himself to an all-time great.

Romeo Lavia Enzo Maresca Chelsea

'Ashamed' - Maresca offers Lavia update as injury hell continues

Romeo Lavia’s luckless spell at Chelsea took another cruel twist as the midfielder limped off just eight minutes into their 2-2 Champions League draw with Qarabag. Manager Enzo Maresca admitted he and the club “feel very ashamed” over the Belgian’s relentless injury troubles, which have restricted him to only 30 appearances since his £58 million move from Southampton in 2023.

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'Breaks my heart' - Mourinho denies punishing Benfica star in UCL loss

Benfica head coach Jose Mourinho was empathetic while speaking about his decision to take off young left-back Samuel Dahl just minutes after his costly error gifted Bayer Leverkusen a goal during their Champions League encounter on Wednesday. Mourinho leapt to the defender's defence, arguing that conceding the goal was the team's mistake and not Dahl's.

Erik ten Hag

Ten Hag back to Ajax? Talks scheduled amid decline under Heitinga

Ajax are considering a sensational reunion with Erik ten Hag, with director Alex Kroes holding fresh talks to bring the former coach back amid mounting pressure on John Heitinga. The Dutch giants’ struggles under the ex-Liverpool assistant have prompted calls from fans and insiders for change as the club seek stability after another bruising European night.

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'Club Brugge were ROBBED! - Van Basten claims Barca didn't deserve a draw

Legendary former AC Milan and Netherlands footballer Marco van Basten blasted the officials for disallowing Club Brugge's goal, which would have potentially won them the game against Barcelona in the Champions League on Wednesday. The Dutch icon erupted in anger after the game, claiming that the Belgian heavyweights "were robbed" and insisting that VAR made an incorrect decision.

Lamine Yamal Barcelona 2025-26

'All lies' - Barca wonderkid Yamal bites back after being booed

Barcelona wonderkid Lamine Yamal has hit back at misleading reports regarding his physical condition and mental state, claiming that a lot of what has been written and discussed is “all lies”. The 18-year-old looked fine when scoring a stunning goal in a thrilling Champions League draw with Club Brugge, but was subjected to jeers throughout that contest.

FC Internazionale Milano v FC Kairat Almaty - UEFA Champions League 2025/26 League Phase MD4

Inter 'should have done better' but Martinez captures 'the right spirit'

Inter coach Cristian Chivu believes his side could have played better during the 2-1 win over Champions League debutants Kairat Almaty, but had words of encouragement for his captain Lautaro Martinez, who scored his seventh goal of the season across all competitions. The Argentine has been urged by Chivu to play with a smile on his face and rediscover his passion for the game.

Hansi Flick

'We need to talk' - Barca stars in for lecture after chaotic draw

Hansi Flick refused to abandon Barcelona’s attacking principles despite a chaotic 3-3 draw with Club Brugge in the Champions League. The German coach insisted his side’s issues stem from lapses in intensity and not tactics after the Catalans came from behind three times to salvage a point on another frustrating European night.

Manchester City v Borussia Dortmund - UEFA Champions League 2025/26 League Phase MD4

'I'm loving it' - Foden has got his smile back after 'tough year'

Phil Foden has admitted he is feeling happy again amid his resurgence in form following a difficult last season with Manchester City. Foden scored two spectacular goals as City thrashed Borussia Dortmund 4-1 in the Champions League on Wednesday night at the Etihad and he highlighted the team's improved attitude and team spirit compared to one year ago.

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Chelsea blasted by Qarabag manager for being 'inattentive'

Chelsea's players were criticised by Qarabag manager Gurban Gurbanov for being "inattentive" in their 2-2 draw in the Champions League on Wednesday. What was expected to be a routine night for the Premier League giants quickly descended into chaos as the travelling Blues clung on to secure only one point on their travels to Azerbaijan.

Frequently asked questions

فازت البرازيل بأكبر عدد من بطولات كأس العالم، بمجموع خمس مرات، حيث رفعت الكأس لأول مرة في عام 1958، ومجدّدًا في أعوام 1962 و1970 و1994، وأخيرًا في عام 2002.

شهدت النسخة الأخيرة من كأس العالم، التي أُقيمت في قطر عام 2022، مشاركة 32 منتخبًا. لكن ابتداءً من النسخة المقبلة في 2026، سيرتفع العدد إلى 48 منتخبًا يتنافسون على اللقب الأغلى في كرة القدم الدولية. ويُعد هذا توسعًا كبيرًا، إذ تضاعف عدد المنتخبات تقريبًا أربع مرات مقارنة بالنسخة الافتتاحية عام 1930، والتي شارك فيها 13 منتخبًا فقط.

يحمل الأسطورة الأرجنتينية ليونيل ميسي الرقم القياسي لأكبر عدد من المشاركات في مباريات كأس العالم، بعدما مثّل منتخب الأرجنتين في 26 مباراة عبر خمس نسخ مختلفة.

يتصدر الألماني ميروسلاف كلوزه قائمة الهدافين التاريخيين لكأس العالم، بعدما سجل 16 هدفًا مذهلًا في 24 مباراة، خلال أربع نسخ متتالية بين عامي 2002 و2014.

يُعد الحارس المصري الأسطوري عصام الحضري أكبر لاعب سنًا يشارك في مباراة بكأس العالم. فقد كان يبلغ من العمر 45 عامًا و161 يومًا عندما شارك في مباراة مصر ضد السعودية في مونديال 2018.

يحمل نورمان وايتسايد، لاعب مانشستر يونايتد السابق، لقب أصغر لاعب يشارك في تاريخ كأس العالم. إذ كان عمره 17 عامًا و41 يومًا فقط عندما لعب مع منتخب أيرلندا الشمالية ضد يوغوسلافيا في مونديال 1982.

شهدت بطولات كأس العالم مشاركة العديد من أساطير كرة القدم عبر التاريخ، من بينهم: بيليه، دييغو مارادونا، زين الدين زيدان، غيرد مولر، روبرتو باجيو، رونالدو، روماريو، أوزيبيو، يوهان كرويف، دافيد فيا، سيرجيو راموس، لوكا مودريتش، ليونيل ميسي، وكريستيانو رونالدو، وغيرهم من الأسماء الخالدة في عالم المستديرة.

قاد العديد من المدربين التاريخيين منتخباتهم في نهائيات كأس العالم وحققوا إنجازات كبيرة، مثل: ديدييه ديشان، فرانز بيكنباور، لويز فيليبي سكولاري، فيسنتي ديل بوسكي، فيتوريو بوتسو، لويس فان خال، سفين غوران إريكسون، وإيفيكا أوسيم، وغيرهم من أبرز الأسماء في عالم التدريب.