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Legacy Germany GFX

LEGACY: Nagelsmann's mission to harness Germany's World Cup DNA

This is Legacy, GOAL's feature and podcast series that counts down to the 2026 World Cup. Each week, we explore the stories and the spirit behind the nations that define the world's game. In this edition, we dive into how Julian Nagelsmann is trying to make Germany... Germany again. For years, the national team has drifted away from the identity that made them world champions in Brazil just 12 years ago. Now, their head coach is determined to restore it.

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Rayan hails Casemiro, Vinicius Jr & Raphinha

Bournemouth teenager Rayan has described his first experience with the Brazilian national team as a dream come true, revealing how senior figures like Casemiro and Vinícius Júnior welcomed him into the fold. As Carlo Ancelotti prepares to announce his final 26-man World Cup squad on May 18, the former Vasco da Gama forward remains hopeful that his brief cameo in March was enough to secure a seat on the plane to North America.

Santos v Bragantino - Brasileirao 2026

Neymar in Brazil provisional squad as Estevao misses out

Brazil head coach Carlo Ancelotti has submitted his provisional 55-man squad for the 2026 World Cup to FIFA, offering a massive hint regarding the fitness and standing of several key Selecao stars. While the return of Neymar provides a morale boost, the Brazilian Football Federation (CBF) has simultaneously delivered a blow to the injured Estevao Willian, who was left omitted from the list.

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Athletic Club v Valencia CF - LaLiga EA Sports

Nico Williams avoids serious injury before World Cup

Nico Williams has received incredibly positive news regarding the hamstring injury sustained during Athletic Club's recent clash with Valencia. While initial fears suggested the winger could miss the upcoming World Cup, medical tests have confirmed he should be fit in time for the tournament in North America.

Lionel Messi Argentina 2025

Messi makes the squad! Argentina announce provisional World Cup team

Lionel Scaloni has officially unveiled Argentina's massive 55-man provisional squad for the 2026 World Cup, headlined by legendary captain Lionel Messi. As the Albiceleste prepare to defend their global crown in North America, the manager has mixed established icons with rising stars from the Premier League and beyond. However, the announcement has caused a stir across the footballing world as several high-profile names, including a 40-cap Serie A veteran, found themselves entirely omitted from the longlist.

Tottenham Hotspur FC v Nottingham Forest FC - Premier League

Spurs boss De Zerbi assesses Kulusevski's World Cup chances

Tottenham boss Roberto De Zerbi has expressed serious doubts over Dejan Kulusevski's ability to represent Sweden at the upcoming World Cup. Despite the winger's public determination to recover from a long-term knee injury, his club boss admits it is difficult to see him featuring in the tournament after such a lengthy spell on the sidelines. De Zerbi also delivered an update on Richarlison's fitness ahead of Spurs' crucial Premier League clash with Leeds.

Nico O'Reilly England 2026

O’Reilly backed to nail down England role for ‘next decade’

Nico O’Reilly has been tipped to nail down England’s left-back berth for “the next decade”, with Michael Gray explaining to GOAL why the Manchester City star is an “incredible talent”. With the versatile 21-year-old expected to become a mainstay in the Three Lions’ defence over the course of a 10-year period, what does that mean for United full-back Luke Shaw?

Athletic Club v Valencia CF - LaLiga EA Sports

First Yamal, now Williams! Another major injury scare for Spain

Spain’s World Cup preparations have suffered a devastating blow after Nico Williams was forced off with a muscular injury during Athletic Club's La Liga match against Valencia. Coming just weeks before the tournament and following Lamine Yamal's season-ending injury, the winger's distress on the pitch has sparked major fears over his availability for the national squad.

Weston McKennie USMNT Belgium 2026

‘I don’t feel fear’ - USMNT star McKennie embraces World Cup ‘butterflies’

Weston McKennie has declared that he is ready to transform the immense pressure of a home World Cup into a historic performance for the United States men's national team. The Juventus midfielder insists that while the "butterflies" are inevitable, he feels no fear heading into the 2026 tournament, viewing the global spotlight as a unique opportunity to elevate American soccer to unprecedented heights.

Lionel Messi Argentina

Argentina plan fitting finale to Messi’s World Cup story

Nicolas Tagliafico has revealed that Argentina are determined to provide Lionel Messi with the ultimate farewell by defending their crown at the 2026 World Cup. The defender insists that while "nobody will be ready" for the day the captain eventually retires, the squad is fully committed to supporting their leader until the very end.

FC Barcelona v RCD Espanyol de Barcelona - LaLiga EA Sports

‘He’ll be in good shape’ - World Cup boost for Yamal fans

Barcelona midfielder Fermin Lopez has provided a reassuring update on Lamine Yamal’s fitness as the teenage sensation races against time to be ready for the 2026 World Cup. Despite being sidelined for the remainder of the domestic season with a muscle tear, Yamal is expected to be a focal point for Luis de la Fuente’s Spain side this summer.

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Iran issues 10-point World Cup ultimatum

The Football Federation Islamic Republic of Iran (FFIRI) has thrown the 2026 World Cup into the spotlight by issuing a strict 10-point ultimatum to the host nations. Despite qualifying for the tournament, Tehran has warned that their participation depends on specific security and visa guarantees following recent diplomatic friction.

GFX Lamine Yamal Lionel Messi

Messi picks Barca star Yamal as his heir

Lionel Messi has officially weighed in on the meteoric rise of Lamine Yamal, naming the Barcelona teenager as his natural successor. The eight-time Ballon d'Or winner believes the La Masia graduate is already operating at a level that puts him above the rest of the pack in world football.

GFX Lionel Messi Cristiano Ronaldo

Messi backs Ronaldo's Portugal over Argentina for World Cup

Lionel Messi has provided a surprising assessment of the international landscape ahead of the 2026 World Cup, suggesting that several nations are currently better equipped than Argentina to lift the trophy. The Inter Miami superstar identified four specific rivals he believes are entering the tournament in superior form compared to the defending champions, including Portugal, led by Cristiano Ronaldo.

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USMNT's Tessmann out for rest of Lyon's season with muscle injury

U.S. Men's National Team midfielder Tanner Tessmann will miss the final two games of Lyon's Ligue 1 season after suffering a muscle injury, manager Paulo Fonseca revealed Friday. The injury comes just weeks ahead of the World Cup, with Tessmann widely expected to be in contention for a starting USMNT role this summer.

Cristiano Ronaldo Portugal 2025

‘Not too far’ - Ronaldo could grace 2030 World Cup in Portugal

Cristiano Ronaldo could grace the 2030 World Cup, former Manchester United coach Rene Meulensteen has told GOAL, as a home finals in Portugal are “not too far” away for the history-making GOAT. The Al-Nassr superstar may be 41 years of age, but the evergreen frontman has proved over the course of his remarkable career that anything is possible and he likes nothing more than making a mockery of biological and sporting logic.

Real Club Celta v Olympique Lyonnais - UEFA Europa League 2025/26 Round of 16 First Leg

Revealed: How Endrick mastered French after four months at Lyon

Real Madrid starlet Endrick has taken French football by storm, but it isn't just his prowess on the pitch that is making headlines. The teenage sensation recently stunned fans and media alike by conducting a full interview in fluent French, despite having only joined Lyon on loan just over four months ago.