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After years of build-up, the 2026 World Cup is almost upon us. The best players in the world are beginning to descend on the United States, Mexico and Canada with dreams of lifting the most prestigious trophy in global football ahead of the action getting under way on June 11.

Manchester United have reportedly stepped up their pursuit of West Ham United midfielder Mateus Fernandes as they look to overhaul their engine room this summer. The Red Devils are leading a crowded race for the 21-year-old, who is expected to leave the London Stadium following a difficult campaign for the Hammers.

England will be without Leah Williamson for Friday's huge Women's World Cup qualifying clash with Spain, after the Lionesses captain pulled out of Sarina Wiegman's squad on Monday. It's a major blow for the European champions and one of two withdrawals they are having to deal with, all while Lauren James' fitness is in doubt.

The 2025-26 European season is over, and it ended just as the 2024-25 did 12 months earlier, with Paris Saint-Germain lifting the European Cup at the end of the Champions League final. Saturday's win over Arsenal in Budapest was a much tighter affair than their thrashing of Inter in Munich, but was greeted with no less joy by the French giants and their supporters as they clinched a double having already won Ligue 1.

Scott McTominay has revealed he is showing no mercy to Napoli team-mate Rasmus Hojlund following Scotland’s dramatic path to the 2026 World Cup. The midfielder, who has become a cult hero in Italy, admitted he and Billy Gilmour have been relentlessly reminding the Danish striker of the spectacular overhead kick that helped seal Scotland's qualification at Denmark's expense.

Declan Rice celebrated Arsenal's historic Premier League title triumph by leading the festivities on an open-top bus, but the midfielder was quick to turn his attention toward future glory. Despite the lingering sting of a European defeat just hours earlier, the England international insisted the Gunners are only just getting started.

Mikel Arteta is set to commit his long-term future to Arsenal following a historic campaign that saw the Gunners finally end their wait for a Premier League title. Despite the late heartbreak of a Champions League final defeat on penalties to Paris Saint-Germain, the North London club are moving swiftly to secure their manager's services.

An era of unparalleled longevity has come to a close as James Milner officially announced his retirement from professional football at the age of 40. The veteran midfielder departs the game as the Premier League's undisputed all-time record appearance holder, ending a remarkable 24-year top-flight journey.

Harry Kane and Michael Olise have been the driving forces behind a dominant season for Bayern Munich, but club legend Thomas Muller believes one holds a distinct advantage in the race for individual glory. Despite the England captain's record-breaking exploits in front of goal, the "magic quality" of his French team-mate may prove more seductive to the Ballon d’Or voters.

Portuguese Football Federation president Pedro Proenca has addressed whether Cristiano Ronaldo will still be leading the line for the Selecao when they co-host the 2030 World Cup. The Al-Nassr superstar remains the focal point of the national team, but questions regarding his longevity continue to dominate the headlines.

Declan Rice and Noni Madueke have delivered a stinging response to social media critics following a whirlwind weekend that saw Arsenal balance the euphoria of a Premier League title parade with the agony of Champions League heartbreak. The Gunners duo didn't hold back after Tottenham's Djed Spence attempted to mock their European final defeat on penalties to Paris Saint-Germain.

Arne Slot has bid a heartfelt farewell to Liverpool supporters after his two-year spell at Anfield came to an abrupt end. Despite leading the club to their 20th league title and securing Champions League qualification, the Dutchman was relieved of his duties following a fifth-place finish this season.

Manchester United forward Benjamin Sesko has identified Old Trafford cult hero Zlatan Ibrahimovic as the primary inspiration behind his rise to the top of European football. The Slovenian international, who has become a fan favourite due to his commanding physical presence and a sharpened eye for goal since Michael Carrick took charge, admitted he spent his youth attempting to replicate the Swede's iconic style.

Arsenal’s long-awaited Premier League title celebrations were hit by a string of emergency incidents as thousands of fans descended on north London to toast their heroes. While the atmosphere was largely festive following a 22-year wait for the trophy, emergency services were kept busy by supporters climbing buildings and the use of pyrotechnics in the streets.

What a season it has been for European women's football. The Champions League campaign was certainly a memorable one, with some thrilling ties throughout the knockout stages and an enthralling introduction to the league phase format, with stars aplenty shining on the biggest stage before Barcelona beat Lyon in the final.

The reigning world champions have officially touched down in the United States as they begin the final countdown to their title defence. Lionel Messi led the Albiceleste squad into Kansas City on Sunday, sparking a frenzy of excitement and inevitable questions about whether this summer represents his international swan song.

Real Madrid president Florentino Perez has delivered a clear message regarding the future of Vinicius Jr, insisting he will not stand in the player's way if he wishes to leave the Bernabeu. The Brazilian forward is currently the subject of mounting transfer speculation as negotiations over a new long-term contract continue to drag on in the Spanish capital.

Cristiano Ronaldo remains the central figure of debate as Portugal gears up for another World Cup campaign, with fans and pundits divided on his role. Lyon boss Paulo Fonseca has now added his expert voice to the conversation, addressing whether the legendary forward is a boost or a burden for the national team.

In the age of PSR and UEFA's financial regulations, the free agent market has probably never been more significant as clubs look to pick up a potentially key player without having to spend a penny. We're now into June, and there are a whole host of big names who will be out of contract at the end of the month - undoubtedly sparking a scramble for their signatures in the coming weeks.

When Thomas Tuchel was hired as the new England manager in October 2024, he was given a simple brief: Win the 2026 World Cup. Some 20 months on and the tournament now looms large, while confirmation of the Three Lions' squad has crystallised the daunting task at hand for the German tactician as they arrive in North America.

And there we have it. The 2025-26 European football season is in the books, capped by Paris Saint-Germain beating Arsenal in the Champions League final to defend their continental crown. Soon the past nine months or so will become distant memories, such is the speed at which the footballing world moves on, especially when major tournaments on the horizon.

Victor Osimhen is once again at the centre of a global transfer scramble following a major admission from the Nigerian national team camp. After a prolific spell in Turkey with Galatasaray, the former Napoli superstar appears ready to make his next career move, with the Premier League and Serie A clubs on high alert.

The World Cup has had no shortage of iconic moments across nearly 100 years of history. Every four years, billions of fans congregate to watch a tournament that has provided more drama, heartbreak and joy than any other event in sporting history. Football's grandest stage, the World Cup has always offered a platform for legends to be born, but it has also seen reputations destroyed and the downfall of so many famous faces.

GOAL breaks down who stood out and who has work to do after the U.S. win

Canada face Uzbekistan and Republic of Ireland in their final pre-World Cup friendlies, with Jesse Marsch managing injury concerns after Marcelo Flores’ heartbreaking setback and searching for goals from Jonathan David and Cyle Larin.

Christian Pulisic looked back to his best, Ricardo Pepi and Folarin Balogun impressed, and the USMNT offered real reason for World Cup optimism against Senegal.

Khadija Shaw and Alex Greenwood starred as new Women's Super League champions Manchester City did the double on Sunday, thanks to a 4-0 win over Brighton in the FA Cup final. It took Andree Jeglertz's side some time to get going in the capital but once they did, they wasted little time, with two goals in the latter stages of the first half putting City into a commanding position that they never let slip.

Lamine Yamal has opened up on the unique mentality that allows him to thrive on the world’s biggest stages without feeling the weight of expectation. The Barcelona sensation, who has enjoyed a meteoric rise to the top of the game, insists that his lack of nerves stems from doing exactly what he has known since childhood.