Thomas Tuchel has officially confirmed that Declan Rice will serve as England's vice-captain for the upcoming World Cup. The Arsenal midfielder has arrived at the Three Lions' training base in Florida to begin preparations for the tournament in North America.
Rayan Cherki is rapidly becoming the talk of the France national team, with one international team-mate left stunned by his technical ability. The Manchester City playmaker has transitioned seamlessly to the elite level, drawing high praise from those playing alongside him for Les Bleus.
Barcelona superstar Lamine Yamal has finally lifted the lid on the mystery surrounding his constant use of a hand bandage. The teenage sensation, currently preparing for the 2026 World Cup with Spain, revealed the look actually started with a gaming mishap and a nod to a Real Madrid legend.
Marc Cucurella is no stranger to making bold promises when it comes to international success, and the Chelsea defender has now hinted at his biggest sacrifice yet. After famously dyeing his hair red following Spain's Euro 2024 triumph, the full-back has suggested a much more permanent change could be on the cards for the 2026 World Cup.
Thomas Tuchel has faced a scathing assessment from Danny Dyer after the England manager opted to leave Jarrod Bowen out of his squad for the 2026 World Cup. The legendary actor didn't hold back, labelling the omission of his son-in-law as "ridiculous" while revealing the family had already begun preparing for a trip to the United States.
Rafael Leao has broken his silence following a shock dismissal during Portugal's World Cup warm-up clash against Chile. The AC Milan forward saw red for violent conduct after an altercation spiralled out of control in first-half stoppage time. Despite the controversy, Selecao boss Roberto Martinez has moved quickly to shield his player from criticism.
It's so close we can almost taste it. The 2026 World Cup is now just days away, with the best players from around the globe descending on the United States, Mexico and Canada for what promises to be a superb summer of football. While some teams will solely harbour dreams of getting out of the groups, others know that anything other than a trophy parade in late-July will go down as failure. We're set, then, for five-and-a-half weeks of drama, filled with joy and heartbreak in equal measure.
Harry Kane will never have a better chance than this. England's captain arrives at what is likely to be his last-ever World Cup in the form of his life, and he will carry the hopes of a nation in North America. After collective and individual heartbreak in 2018 and 2022, respectively, this simply has to be the tournament where he seizes his moment.
We are now just days away, and World Cup fever is gripping the globe as teams from 48 countries descend on the United States, Mexico and Canada for the biggest tournament FIFA have ever staged. Managers are making their final plans ahead of the opening round of group games, but for some there are still massive decisions to be made.
Moise Bombito will miss the World Cup, with the Canadian center back deemed not fit enough to contribute for Jesse Marsch's side this summer. The defender, who plays his club soccer for Nice, broke his leg in October 2025. After admitting he was "sore" following 30 minutes in a warm-up friendly, Canada decided to prioritize his long-term health.
Canada's World Cup tuneups are complete, but concerns remain. GOAL examines Moïse Bombito's injury setback and the key issues facing Jesse Marsch's side.
GOAL breaks down who boosted their case, who still has questions to answer, and what Mauricio Pochettino may have learned from the USMNT's final pre-World Cup friendlies.
Bernardo Silva is facing a defining moment in his career as his contract with Manchester City nears its conclusion this month. The Portuguese playmaker has long been linked with a move to La Liga, and his national team manager believes he possesses the unique attributes required to thrive at the highest level.
Anthony Gordon has opened up about his blockbuster £70m move from Newcastle to Barcelona, revealing the private role Marcus Rashford played in the transition. Despite their rivalry for a starting spot in Thomas Tuchel’s England side, the Manchester United forward has been acting as a mentor following his own 2025-26 loan spell with the Catalan giants.
Spain head coach Luis de la Fuente has hailed Lamine Yamal as a player who was "born for this," comparing the Barcelona sensation's natural talent to that of Lionel Messi. As La Roja prepare for the World Cup, the manager believes his young winger possesses a rare quality only seen in the game's true geniuses.
Spain's World Cup preparations have been rocked by an incident involving Barcelona star Gavi and Manchester City midfield anchor Rodri. During a training session in the United States, the young midfielder’s trademark aggression resulted in a challenge that left his veteran teammate crumpled on the turf in significant pain.
Roy Keane has told Harry Kane to curb his playmaking instincts and stay in the final third if England are to have any hope of World Cup glory. Despite the captain securing a narrow victory over New Zealand, the pundit believes tactical discipline will be the deciding factor in the tournament's extreme conditions.
Liverpool sensation Rio Ngumoha admitted he was left "speechless" after receiving his first senior England cap from Real Madrid star Jude Bellingham following a dream debut for the Three Lions. The 17-year-old winger was introduced as a second-half substitute in the pre-World Cup friendly victory over New Zealand, capping off a remarkable breakthrough season with a maiden international appearance.
France have received a double boost ahead of their final World Cup warm-up fixture against Northern Ireland, with William Saliba's fitness clear and Ousmane Dembele set for a return. Manager Didier Deschamps has moved to calm fears over his star defender while confirming a tactical shift for his attacking line.
The 2026 World Cup has been plunged into fresh diplomatic controversy after it was revealed that Iran's national team will be forced to follow strict same-day entry and exit rules for their matches in the United States. Following a series of security claims and heightened geopolitical tensions, the squad has been told they can only step onto American soil on the actual days they are scheduled to play.
Brazil's final World Cup preparations have been rocked by a significant injury scare involving Roma full-back Wesley. The defender was forced off early during the Selecao's 2-1 friendly victory over Egypt, leaving the pitch in visible distress as the tournament approaches. The situation has left manager Carlo Ancelotti concerned about Wesley's condition.
Endrick shone brightly in Brazil's last friendly before the World Cup, scoring the winning goal in a 2-1 victory over Egypt. The young striker took advantage of the euphoria to send a strong message to Carlo Ancelotti, reaffirming his commitment to the Brazilian National Team.
Germany have been dealt a massive blow ahead of the 2026 World Cup with the news that Bayern Munich starlet Lennart Karl has been ruled out of the tournament. The 18-year-old’s dreams were crushed during the final training session before Germany's friendly against the USA, leaving Julian Nagelsmann to find an emergency replacement. Team-mate Deniz Undav later detailed the awful setback.
Bernardo Silva has finally addressed the intense speculation linking him with a move to Barcelona as he prepares for life after Manchester City. The veteran playmaker is one of the most high-profile free agents on the market this summer, and while he played down talks of a 'dream' agreement with Blaugrana, he remains open to all possibilities for his next destination.
Thomas Tuchel has hit out at England’s tactical discipline during their final preparations for the 2026 World Cup, labelling their first-half performance against New Zealand as "freestyle" football. Despite securing a 1-0 victory in Tampa, the German coach was far from satisfied with how his players deviated from his specific instructions on the pitch.
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