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FIFA are all set to push ahead with a major VAR rule change for the 2026 World Cup despite facing initial rejection from stakeholders and members. The new changes in the law will be applicable for VAR checks on corner kicks during the flagship competition. The International Football Association Board convened a meeting in October, where they reached an agreement that VAR could be expanded.

Erling Haaland brought up a century of Premier League goals and Phil Foden continued his impressive scoring streak in a hugely entertaining 5-4 win for Manchester City over Fulham. But Pep Guardiola's side will be hugely concerned about his side's defending as they conceded three goals and almost threw away a victory for the second time in four days.

Tottenham are ready to ramp up their interest in Bournemouth star Antoine Semenyo as the north London club prepare to rival both Liverpool and Manchester City for the winger in January. Semenyo has a release clause worth £65 million ($86m) in his contract, something his suitors are acutely aware of ahead of the reopening of the market.

Mexico have officially confirmed upcoming friendlies against Portugal and Belgium as part of their preparations for the 2026 World Cup. The match against the Portuguese side is set for March 28 at the newly renovated Estadio Banorte (Azteca), while the clash with Belgium will take place on March 31 at Soldier Field in Chicago.

Lucia Kendall's fairytale goal helped the Lionesses see off Ghana on Tuesday night, with one of England's most exciting young prospects scoring the opening goal in a 2-0 win and doing so at St Mary's Stadium, home of the Southampton side she represented for 10 memorable years. It was with the Saints that Kendall broke into senior football and when she made her international debut in October, she became the club's first ever Lioness, so it was fitting that she would find the back of the net on her return to a special venue.

U.S. Soccer have confirmed the U.S. men's national team's final four opponents ahead of next summer's World Cup. The road to the tournament will continue in March as the U.S. host Cristiano Ronaldo's Portugal and Belgium before clashes with Germany and another yet-to-be-named opponent in two pre-tournament friendlies next summer.

Famous presenter Piers Morgan has begged Arsenal to win the Premier League, and kick off an era of dominance that will see them become the Premier League's best-ever team. The Gunners have not won the title since 2004 under Arsene Wenger but Mikel Arteta's side are top of the league in December, and are dreaming of lifting silverware in May.

Former Crystal Palace chief John Textor has revealed an interesting partnership with Nottingham Forest owner Evangelos Marinakis that allows the pair to 'adjust' transfer fees in deals between clubs. Textor previously owned a 43 per cent stake in Crystal Palace, which he sold in June this year for £190million. Textor considers Marinakis to be a close aide and a 'partner' in the world of football.

Lionesses star Chloe Kelly limped off with an injury in England's clash with Ghana on Tuesday night, casting doubt over her availability moving forward as Arsenal prepare to enter a very important part of their season. The Gunners have two huge Champions League games coming up this month, as the holders bid to qualify for the knockout stages, but they could well have to take on those challenges without Kelly.

Former Leicester City star Jamie Vardy's Italian breakfast has been revealed as Cremonese head coach claimed that the former England striker's diet is being embraced in Italy. Having left the Foxes at the end of the 2024-25 season when his contract expired, 38-year-old Vardy signed an initial 12-month deal with the Serie A outfit to cover the 2025-26 campaign.

Erling Haaland became the fastest player ever to score 100 Premier League goals as he struck the opening goal in Manchester City's epic 5-4 win at Fulham on Tuesday. The Norwegian hitman reached a century of goals in 111 games, smashing Alan Shearer's previous record of 100 strikes in 124 matches.

ITV presenter Laura Woods was taken ill during ITV's broadcast of England Women's friendly against Ghana on Tuesday. While speaking with Ian Wright and Anita Asante, Woods fell forward, and the Arsenal legend appeared to try to catch her. The broadcaster then cut to an extended break, with Woods replaced by Katie Shanahan ahead of kick-off.

Chelsea manager Enzo Maresca has confirmed that Cole Palmer is set to make his return after two months out against Leeds in midweek. The Blues star has been absent since the club's defeat to Manchester United on September 20, and while he returned to the bench against Arsenal at the weekend, he did not come on, with the England international being eased back into action.

Manchester United and Bayern Munich icon Bastian Schweinsteiger is getting divorced. Schweinsteiger and former tennis star Ana Ivanovic are all set to split after a nine-year marriage. The sporting power couple met in 2014 and started a romantic relationship, before tying the knot in 2016 in Venice. Schweinsteiger and Ivanovic reportedly broke up earlier this month due to 'irreconcilable differences'.

GOAL takes a look at which American players are playing the best heading into the final weeks of 2025.

Former Premier League star Luke Moore has told Wrexham fans that they shouldn't hold their breath over the prospect of promotion, as the club aim to find a way out of the Championship and into the promised land of the top-tier. The Welsh side have enjoyed back-to-back-to-back promotions from the National League, but Moore thinks they will simply run into too much resistance to climb out of the second-tier at the first time of asking.

Chelsea players are performing a new on-field ritual in the 2025-26 campaign led by captain Reece James. The new norm has been introduced to the squad in a bid to instil a unified mentality at Stamford Bridge. The Blues have started the new season on a bright note as they are currently third in the Premier League, one point behind Manchester City and six behind league leaders Arsenal.

West Ham manager Nuno Espirito Santo insists that Lucas Paqueta is still affected by the spot-fixing investigation the Football Association (FA) opened against him last season. The midfielder was sent off at the weekend against Liverpool, and later hit out at the governing body for their conduct and their lack of support while the case was being looked into.

A former Barcelona midfielder has urged Manchester United captain Bruno Fernandes to join the Catalan giants amid positional restrictions under Ruben Amorim at Old Trafford. The Portugal international has been deployed in a restricted role at the centre of the park alongside Casemiro in Amorim's starting lineup this season, instead of playing a part in a more attacking area of the pitch.

Switzerland and Como Women's ace Alisha Lehmann has been selected as one of the torch-bearers for the 2026 Winter Olympics in Italy. The former Aston Villa and Juventus star moved to Como in the summer, and has now been picked to run a key part of the symbolic relay, an honour bestowed on a rare few professional athletes at the events.

Serie A giants Roma are reportedly eyeing a swoop for Tottenham forward Mathys Tel, who is seen as a potential alternative to Manchester United's Joshua Zirkzee. What once looked like a straightforward January approach for Zirkzee has been thrown in to doubt by his stellar display for United at Crystal Palace over the weekend, and the fact Ruben Amorim could be short on attacking options over the next two months.

Enzo Fernandez has been reflecting on how he helped Lionel Messi to complete “unfinished business”, with an “incredible” experience being savoured at the 2022 World Cup. The Albiceleste captured a global crown at that tournament, allowing their talismanic captain to complete his medal collection and emulate the achievements of fellow GOATs Pele and Diego Maradona.

Lamine Yamal has been told that relentless comparisons with Lionel Messi are “not helping” his development, with “unnecessary pressure” being lumped onto the teenager’s shoulders. The Barcelona wonderkid has cleared every hurdle put in front of him so far, but he is only 18 years of age and could do without being asked to follow in the footsteps of an all-time great.

Aitana Bonmati's season seems to be all but over after she underwent surgery on her fractured fibula, as Barcelona confirmed a lengthy recovery timeframe for the three-time Ballon d'Or winner. She landed awkwardly in Spain’s final training session before the second leg of the Nations League final. Medical tests carried out shortly after the injury confirmed the grim diagnosis, ending any possibility of her featuring in Tuesday’s decisive match against Germany in Madrid.

A report into the 1989 Hillsborough disaster, which claimed the lives of 97 Liverpool supporters, has stated that 12 police officers would have faced gross misconduct proceedings had the case been handled properly. The Independent Office for Police Conduct (IOPC) report has detailed how "fundamental failures" and "concerted efforts" to blame fans led to justice never being served.

Carlo Ancelotti has warned Neymar and Vinicius Junior that they must be at "100 per cent" to make Brazil's 2026 World Cup squad. The manager delivered his clearest message yet to Brazil’s biggest names, insisting that neither reputation nor past achievements will secure anyone a seat on the plane to the United States, Canada and Mexico. His comments arrive at a particularly delicate moment for Neymar, whose turbulent return to Santos has been overshadowed by persistent physical setbacks.

Dele Alli has been warned that his future may now rest on the outcome of trial spells, with it “scary” how far he has fallen. That is the opinion of former Tottenham star Stephen Carr, who has been telling GOAL about what happens next for an ex-England international who has suffered a humbling tumble from grace and finds opportunities “very slim” despite becoming a free agent.

Former USMNT star Brad Friedel has, in an exclusive interview with GOAL, explained why “workaholic” Mauricio Pochettino could walk away from international management after the 2026 World Cup. The Argentine tactician holds the honour of leading the United States into another major tournament on home soil, but inevitable questions are being asked of his future.

Wrexham have received around £18 million ($24m) in funding for their stadium redevelopment project, despite the personal wealth boasted by the club’s Hollywood co-owners Ryan Reynolds and Rob Mac. The iconic Racecourse Ground is undergoing a serious facelift, with it revealed that said project is being paid for by tax-paying members of the public.