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World Cup

World Cup news

Rudiger denies being 'security risk' for Real

Antonio Rudiger has hit back at accusations that his highly aggressive defensive style makes him a liability for his clubs and country. Following severe backlash over an unpunished challenge during a recent La Liga match against Getafe, the veteran defender firmly defended his on-pitch mentality while also acknowledging that he occasionally crosses the line and must take responsibility.

"It all makes perfect sense": Müller names his World Cup favourite

Thomas Müller is working as a TV pundit during the World Cup. He has a favourite for the tournament – and it isn’t the German national team.

"Idiots! Rubbish! No clue at all!" Klopp works himself into a rage

It was actually supposed to be all about his role as a TV pundit. But when asked about rumours regarding Real Madrid and a potential departure from Red Bull, Jürgen Klopp got worked up.

Thomas Tuchel Trent Alexander-Arnold England

Trust issues! Why have England managers snubbed 34-cap Trent?

Trent Alexander-Arnold made his England debut in 2018 but has only taken his tally of caps to 34, with Gareth Southgate and Thomas Tuchel taking to snubbing Real Madrid’s former Liverpool defender on a regular basis. Michael Owen, who also spent time at Anfield and Santiago Bernabeu in his playing days, has told GOAL why the buccaneering full-back may have seen his 2026 World Cup dream dashed.

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: "I chose Bergamo; now we need to stay calm. Chiesa has some issues; how are the injured players doing?"

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

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.

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.

‘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.

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.

Betting spotlight

Aston Villa vs West Ham Predictions: Nuno’s side to remain competitive

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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.

All the World Cup 2026 kits released so far

Rep your team in time for a summer of football

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.

Frequently asked questions

: Paris Saint-Germain (PSG) have won the Ligue 1 title 12 times, more than any other club. Their first win was in 1986, and they claimed their record-breaking 12th title in 2023, surpassing AS Saint-Etienne.
: The Ligue 1 consists of 18 teams since the 2023-24 season, prior to which 20 teams took part in the league. The inaugural season of the French first division in 1932-33 also consisted of 20 teams, divided in two groups of 10 teams each.
: Mickael Landreau holds the record for the most Ligue 1 appearances, with 618 matches as a goalkeeper. His career spanned nearly two decades, playing for clubs like Nantes, Paris Saint-Germain, Lille, and Bastia.
: Delio Onnis holds the record as the all-time top scorer in Ligue 1 with 299 goals. Playing as a centre-forward, his remarkable goal-scoring feats spanned the 1970s and 1980s, where he starred for clubs like AS Monaco and Reims, making him a legend in French football.
: As of 2024, Dimitri Payet holds the record for the most assists in Ligue 1 history, with a total of 130 assists. The attacking midfielder achieved this milestone during his successful stints with several clubs, including Marseille and Lille.
: Pierre Braine holds the record of being the oldest player in Ligue 1 history, aged almost 45 years in a Ligue 1 game in 1945.
: At 15 years and 225 days, Kalman Gerencseri is the youngest player in Ligue 1 history. The Frenchman played for Lens against Monaco in a Ligue 1 game in 1960.
: Notable players who have graced Ligue 1 include legends like Zinedine Zidane, George Weah, Thierry Henry, David Beckham, Zlatan Ibrahimovic, Ronaldinho, Neymar, and Kylian Mbappe.
: Prominent managers in Ligue 1 include Arsene Wenger, Laurent Blanc, Carlo Ancelotti, Adi Hutter, Luis Enrique, etc.
: The Orange Velodrome in Marseille is the largest stadium in Ligue 1, with a capacity of 67,394 spectators. Home to Marseille since 1937, it is renowned for its electric atmosphere and hosting significant football events in France.
: Neymar is indeed the most expensive player in Ligue 1 history. His transfer from Barcelona to Paris Saint-Germain in 2017 was valued at a record €222 million, which remains the highest transfer fee ever paid for a player.

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