World Cup news

Luka Modric could be considered unique, given all that he has achieved, but Ivan Perisic has told GOAL that Croatia are capable of producing another Ballon d’Or winner in the future. The most decorated performer to emerge from that part of the world collected a prestigious Golden Ball in 2018. More “great talent” continues to drop off the production line, leaving hopes high when it comes to creating another member of the global elite.

You might catch some of the world's best footballers in action on Canadian soil

Graham Potter has leapt to the defence of his star striking duo Viktor Gyokeres and Alexander Isak, insisting that both players remain elite talents despite receiving mixed reviews in England. The Sweden head coach, who is preparing for a World Cup campaign after a dramatic qualification play-off, believes the external perception of his forwards doesn’t match the reality of their contributions.

Nike has unveiled its new "Rip the Script" campaign ahead of the 2026 World Cup, bringing together some of football's biggest names and global celebrities. Cole Palmer, Erling Haaland, Kylian Mbappe and Vinicius Junior headline the film, which promotes creativity and instinctive play while showcasing the brand's latest football innovations.

Manchester City midfielder Rodri has conceded that winning the Ballon d'Or was never a personal childhood dream because he simply deemed the achievement impossible. The Spain international reflected on his historic individual triumph while tipping international team-mate Lamine Yamal to eventually claim football's ultimate individual accolade.

Brazil forward Endrick has opened up about his testing spell at Real Madrid, revealing how Jude Bellingham and Trent Alexander-Arnold sustained him through regular phone calls. The teenage striker credited their unwavering support for rebuilding his confidence ahead of a transformative six-month loan spell with French outfit Lyon, even though he struggles to understand the pair.

Former England midfielder Nicky Butt has warned Jude Bellingham that manager Thomas Tuchel will ruthlessly ignore player reputations at the upcoming World Cup. Butt believes the Aston Villa star Morgan Rogers possesses the ultimate X-factor and could completely outshine established superstars like Bellingham and Harry Kane on the global stage.

Breel Embolo's World Cup travel uncertainty has finally come to an end after the Switzerland striker received approval to enter the United States. The 29-year-old missed the squad's departure to their training camp in San Diego earlier this week, but is now set to link up with his team-mates ahead of the tournament.

"Who else?!" Those were the words of Jude Bellingham as he careened away in celebration after his quite remarkable bicycle kick had drawn England level in the 95th minute of their Euro 2024 round-of-16 game against Slovakia. The Three Lions had been terrible up to that point, but Bellingham’s heroic moment had kept them alive, continuing a season where he had been the difference-maker for Real Madrid again and again.

The World Cup is now less than a week away, with teams currently making their final preparations for the tournament in North America. The stage is set for a whole host of players to make themselves national heroes, including some of the most exciting youngsters in the game today.

The 2026 World Cup is almost here. After years of build-up, dramatic qualifiers and numerous good - and bad - news stories surrounding FIFA's flagship finals, players and coaches from around the world are completing their last preparations while descending on the United States, Mexico and Canada for the biggest international football tournament to ever have been staged.

GOAL brings you everything you need to know about South Korea vs Czech Republic at the 2026 FIFA World Cup.

How to watch the World Cup match between Canada and Bosnia and Herzegovina, as well as kick-off time and team news

Explore the top game-day foods from 2026 World Cup Groups A, B and C, plus NYC restaurants where fans can watch matches and sample global flavors.

With third-placed teams qualifying for the last 32, one African team could spring a surprise by reaching the quarter-finals, offering notable value.

While goals get the headlines, they wouldn’t happen without the assists. Who will be the 2026 World Cup’s top creator at this summer’s finals?

The World Cup kicks off in Mexico City with the first of 104 matches. European teams are favoured to triumph, but there could be value elsewhere.