World Cup news

Iran has announced they will boycott the event in Washington next month due to the U.S. denying visas to several members of its delegation, but will not withdraw from the World Cup itself, at this time. The U.S. has long-standing, strict visa restrictions on citizens from certain countries, including Iran, for claimed political and security reasons.

Iran have announced they will skip the FIFA World Cup 2026 final draw in Washington, D.C. after several members of their delegation were denied U.S. visas, according to state news agency IRNA. The federation said the decision is connected to issues beyond football and has asked FIFA to intervene. The draw is scheduled for Friday, Dec. 5, 2025.

Mason Greenwood’s international future has sparked fierce discussions among Jamaica’s players, with senior squad members warning it would be a “farce” for the Marseille forward to join only for the World Cup. As the Reggae Boyz stand one step from qualification, figures inside the camp insist loyalty, commitment and integrity must come before marquee talent.

A little over a year ago, Gianni Infantino announced that Inter Miami would participate in the 2025 FIFA Club World Cup. He said the Herons were "deserved participants", having supposedly proven themselves "the best club" in MLS. Only they hadn't. Miami may have finished top of the regular-season standings, but the play-offs had yet to get under way.

Former Chelsea left-back and Strasbourg star Ben Chilwell has revealed that he is not giving up on his dream to play for England at the 2026 World Cup, despite being sold by the Blues over the summer. Chilwell claimed that he has already received positive responses during talks with national team boss Thomas Tuchel, adding that "it would be a nice feeling to prove some people wrong".

Cristiano Ronaldo’s reduced punishment for his red card against the Republic of Ireland has sparked fury across social media, with fans accusing FIFA of "bending the rules" to ensure the Portugal captain is available for the first games of the World Cup. The decision to convert what many expected to be a multi-match violent conduct ban into a one-game ban with two games suspended has ignited a fierce debate.

England could avoid facing France until the World Cup final and any of the top-four ranked teams until the semi-final stage, after it was confirmed that FIFA are set to implement a Wimbledon-style seeding system to the 2026 World Cup draw. Thomas Tuchel's Three Lions will find out their opponents in the group stage on December 5, and the new draw system aims to give the best possible opportunity for a heavyweight clash in the final of the tournament next summer.

Cristiano Ronaldo is set to receive only a one-match ban for his red card against the Republic of Ireland in Portugal's penultimate World Cup qualifier. The five-time Ballon d'Or winner was sent off after elbowing Dara O'Shea off the ball and was set for a three-match ban for 'violent conduct'. However, FIFA's disciplinary committee has decided to let the 40-year-old off easy.

A bold new look for La Roja: inside Spain’s striking 2026 World Cup shirts.

England manager Thomas Tuchel was in attendance at Old Trafford on Monday night for the Premier League meeting between Manchester United and Everton. After the Toffees claimed a first win at the stadium in 12 years, the German was seen in the tunnel speaking with Jack Grealish, setting speculation in motion that an international recall ahead of the World Cup is coming.

Former Tottenham manager Tim Sherwood believes Eberechi Eze has to start for England if Thomas Tuchel deploys a number 10 at next year's World Cup. The playmaker scored a brilliant hat-trick in Arsenal's 4-1 rout of Spurs on Sunday, drawing plaudits left, right, and centre. Now, Sherwood has stated that Eze is England's best attacking midfielder - even ahead of Cole Palmer.

Former Bayern Munich star and Germany legend Lothar Matthaus believes 17-year-old Lennart Karl is in the perfect environment for his growth. The World Cup winner is impressed by Karl's performances at the club level and has accused Germany national team head coach Julian Nagelsmann of being afraid to call him up to the camp for the upcoming quadrennial event.

The high-tech ball uniting Canada, Mexico and USA in every kick

With the 2026 World Cup fast approaching, dual-national midfielder Richard Ledezma has made his intentions clear: he wants to represent Mexico. The Chivas playmaker, who has featured for the U.S. at both youth and senior level, says wearing El Tri’s colors on home soil would fulfill a lifelong dream - one he believes is within reach if he performs in Liga MX.

U.S. Soccer icons Tim Howard and Landon Donovan have each pointed to a clear shift in the USMNT's temperament - a willingness to scrap, defend one another, and press relentlessly - crediting Mauricio Pochettino’s influence for hardening the squad’s identity. Howard said that fighting edge first emerged during the Gold Cup and has since been reinforced by the return of key senior players.

Harvey Barnes has poured cold water on the chance of switching international allegiance from England to Scotland. The Newcastle winger is able to make the change as he has Scottish grandparents, even after making an appearance for the Three Lions. Barnes' sole Three Lions cap came in a friendly, meaning he is still able to turn out for the Tartan Army.

USMNT icon Landon Donovan expressed disappointment over Ricardo Pepi’s limited minutes during the November 2025 window, saying the young striker has slipped in the team’s forward pecking order - now behind Folarin Balogun and Haji Wright - and that the coach’s selections make that clear. Donovan expressed particular concern about Pepi's complete absence in the USMNT's impressive victory over Uruguay.