World Cup news

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”.

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.

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.

Comprehensive match preview of Colombia vs Ghana at the World Cup 2026. We talk tactics, team news, and more ahead of this Round of 32 clash in Kansas.

Comprehensive match preview of Australia vs Egypt at the World Cup 2026. We talk tactics, team news, and more ahead of this Round of 32 clash in Arlington.

Comprehensive match preview of Canada vs Morocco at World Cup 2026. We talk tactics, team news and more ahead of this round of 16 clash in Houston.

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.

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.

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.

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.

Landon Donovan joins Ocho and Raheem on The Late Run to revisit a career built far from the spotlight. He reflects on leaving home for Bayer Leverkusen at 16, grinding to sell MLS tickets, his 2012 mental-health sabbatical, the Klinsmann World Cup snub, facing Messi and Ronaldo, Beckham’s impact on MLS, the pay-to-play problem threatening U.S. soccer and why a home World Cup could change everything.

Jesse Marsch calls preparing for Morocco a "gory, horrible nightmare" as Canada chase a historic World Cup quarterfinal berth. GOAL breaks down five keys.