Lists

Riyad Mahrez has announced his retirement from international football after Algeria's 2-0 defeat to Switzerland in the 2026 World Cup Round of 32. The former Manchester City winger brings the curtain down on a distinguished 12-year international career that included AFCON glory and 119 caps.

Former Arsenal and Sweden midfielder Stefan Schwarz has told GOAL that while Viktor Gyokeres may not be a “classy attacker”, he is finding his feet in the Premier League - as a title winner - and should be closer to his “best” during the 2026-27 campaign. The powerful frontman enjoyed a productive debut campaign at Emirates Stadium, but continues to see more forwards linked with big-money moves to north London.

Farioli has drafted Nuno Tavares into the Porto squad.

Julian Nagelsmann is no longer Germany manager following the nation's bitter World Cup exit in the round of 32. The tactical mastermind initially insisted he would not run away from the job, but he has now agreed to vacate his position after senior DFB officials withdrew their support during a tense crisis meeting.

Tottenham Hotspur have decided against signing Joao Palhinha on a permanent deal after his loan spell, with the Portugal midfielder now set to return to Bayern Munich. Spurs have shifted their focus after major investment in midfield, while Palhinha's long-term future in Germany remains uncertain.

Barcelona are pushing to complete a deal for Brazil international forward Kerolin which would represent a club-record transfer. The reigning European champions have already had two bids rejected by Manchester City but the two clubs are working to finalise the move, with Kerolin reported to be open to the transfer and City having no objection to selling the 26-year-old.

The France national team are no strangers to World Cup soap operas, with some bizarre headlines being made down the years, but Louis Saha has told GOAL that Rayan Cherki’s apparent snubbing of head coach Didier Deschamps is “not drama”. The enigmatic Manchester City playmaker has seemingly not taken kindly to the lack of game time being passed his way at FIFA’s flagship event.

Real Madrid have moved swiftly to shut down mounting speculation linking them with a sensational summer move for Chelsea midfielder Enzo Fernandez. The Spanish giants issued a firm public statement to distance themselves from the Argentine World Cup winner, despite recent comments from the player's representative hinting at a Stamford Bridge exit.

Cristiano Ronaldo paid an emotional tribute to Diogo Jota after Portugal's dramatic World Cup win over Croatia. Wearing a shirt bearing Jota's old No.21 after the final whistle, the Portugal captain dedicated the victory to his late international team-mate.

Roberto Martinez has revealed how the memory of the late Diogo Jota inspired Portugal during their dramatic World Cup knockout victory over Croatia. The national team manager pointed out several emotional coincidences linking the narrow triumph directly to the former forward, who tragically passed away alongside his brother in a car accident last year.

Nicky Butt has questioned Thomas Tuchel's management after England's unconvincing World Cup win over DR Congo. The former Manchester United midfielder criticised the head coach's squad selection, tactical approach and reluctance to deviate from his plan, warning that those decisions could prove costly later in the tournament.

Lionel Scaloni has defended Argentina's attacking variety ahead of their World Cup knockout opener against tournament surprise package Cape Verde in Miami. The manager insists he remains completely unconcerned by his talismanic captain's heavy goalscoring burden, despite the veteran forward netting six goals during the group stage.

Croatia's dramatic late equaliser against Portugal was ruled out after VAR detected the slightest touch from Igor Matanovic before the ball crossed the line. The striker questioned the decision, while head coach Zlatko Dalic criticised the officiating after Croatia's painful elimination.

"Football's coming home again, with Tommy Tuchel" were the words that rang around the exterior of Atlanta Stadium as tens of thousands of fans walked out into the Georgia heat following England's 2-1 win over DR Congo. The mood was jubilant. Everyone was happy. England won, DR Congo lost. England are now four victories away from ending 60 years of hurt and winning a long-coveted World Cup.

Kylian Mbappe is capable of completing a clean sweep on the trophy front in 2026, Louis Saha has told GOAL, with the France international in contention for World Cup, Golden Boot, Golden Ball and Ballon d’Hor honours. The Real Madrid forward has been starring on the grandest of stages, with the perfect response being delivered to some “strange criticism”.

Lionesses star Georgia Stanway has been unveiled as Arsenal’s first signing of the summer transfer window, following her departure from Bayern Munich. The England international made it known in January that she would be leaving the club at the end of last season and her move to the Gunners has finally been confirmed after months of speculation.

Luis de la Fuente has acknowledged that Lamine Yamal has not yet reached his absolute peak at the 2026 World Cup, despite Spain's dominant victory over Austria. The national team manager remains completely unfazed by the teenager's lack of goals in the tournament, firmly backing his prized prodigy to make a defining impact very soon.

Liverpool have unveiled a permanent memorial to Diogo Jota and his brother, Andre Silva, at Anfield ahead of the first anniversary of their deaths. The 'Forever 20' tribute stands on 97 Avenue, where supporters gathered to leave flowers and messages following the tragedy, creating a lasting place of remembrance for fans and the brothers' family.

It's fair to say that France's forward line has taken the 2026 World Cup by storm. After winning all three of their group games, Les Bleus defeated Sweden 3-0 in the round of 32 to become the tournament's top scorers at the time of writing, with 13 goals. Unsurprisingly, Kylian Mbappe has accounted for the majority of those goals, with the Real Madrid superstar striking six times in four outings so far.

Cristiano Ronaldo is set to bring down the curtain on his legendary international career at the conclusion of the current World Cup tournament. The Portugal captain's sister went public with the definitive retirement update, revealing that the 41-year-old forward has no intention of extending his record-breaking international career to Euro 2028.

Manchester United have opened talks with West Ham over a move for Crysencio Summerville as they look to strengthen their attack this summer. However, any deal for the Dutch winger is likely to depend on Marcus Rashford's future, with uncertainty over the England international continuing to delay the Red Devils' transfer plans.

Gonacalo Ramos scored a stoppage-time winner after a chaotic contest between Portugal and Croatia, with Roberto Martinez's side squeaked out a 2-1 victory to advance to the World Cup Round of 16. Croatia scored first, but Portugal came from behind. Ronaldo scored once from the penalty spot and was replaced by Ramos, who delivered the match's biggest moment.

Tottenham have reportedly been offered the opportunity to sign Rafael Leao after new AC Milan manager Ruben Amorim deemed the winger surplus to requirements. The Italian club are eager to find a buyer for the Portuguese attacker this summer, potentially paving the way for a blockbuster Premier League move.

Spain outclassed Austria in Los Angeles to reach the last 16 of the 2026 World Cup courtesy of a 3-0 win on Thursday. The European champions avoided any sort of scare by dominating proceedings from the outset, securing a comfortable victory through Mikel Oyarzabal's brace and a header from Pedro Porro as they belatedly clicked into gear at the tournament.

France legend Marcel Desailly believes William Saliba's rise to becoming the "best defender in the world" at Arsenal makes a future move to Real Madrid inevitable. The former Chelsea star insists "the door is open" for Saliba to join the Spanish giants, and has ranked him above Gunners team-mate Gabriel in terms of overall quality.

Real Madrid sensation Endrick has revealed the details of his close bond with Brazil team-mate Neymar, explaining how he learns from the experienced star during the 2026 World Cup. The young forward also expressed his complete trust in manager Carlo Ancelotti, highlighting the Italian's brilliant tactical decisions as the national team prepares for the round of 16.

Anthony Gordon has heaped immense praise on England team-mate Harry Kane, claiming the striker is currently operating at a level comparable to Lionel Messi. Gordon's comments follow Kane's dramatic late brace that rescued England from a shock World Cup exit against DR Congo, highlighting his consistency and elite mindset on the biggest international stage.

Arsenal's pursuit of Leicester City winger Jeremy Monga has hit a serious obstacle, with Manchester City reportedly mounting a strong push to hijack the deal as new boss Enzo Maresca looks to reunite with the 16-year-old sensation he first worked with during his time at the King Power Stadium.

England manager Thomas Tuchel believes his team will receive karmic justice at the Azteca Stadium on Sunday, four decades after Diego Maradona's infamous 'Hand of God' goal. As England prepare to face 2026 World Cup co-hosts Mexico in the last-16, Tuchel is backing his players to banish the ghosts of 1986 and finally make peace with the iconic venue in front of a hostile home crowd.