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 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.
James Rodriguez says he has no intention of retiring after representing Colombia at this summer's World Cup. Reports had said that the veteran midfielder would call it quits after the upcoming tournament, but Rodriguez, who started the MLS season with Minnesota United on a short-term deal, says he expects to play on.
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.
Lionel Messi has thrown his weight behind former team-mate Neymar, insisting the Santos superstar "deserves" to be part of Brazil's World Cup squad despite his recent struggles with injury. The Inter Miami captain described his close friend as a "very special" talent who remains one of the finest players on the planet.
Neymar Jr. proved once again that Vila Belmiro is his backyard by leading Santos to a 2-0 victory over Red Bull Bragantino. In an inspired performance, the number 10 not only scored a goal but also took an important step towards potentially securing his place on the final list of players called up for the Brazil national team for the 2026 World Cup.
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?
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 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.
Arsenal’s Premier League title charge and England’s World Cup preparations have been dealt a massive blow following a significant injury to Ben White. The versatile defender was forced to withdraw during the first half of Sunday's clash against West Ham United, leaving both Mikel Arteta and Thomas Tuchel sweating over his fitness.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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 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 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.
Christian Pulisic has hit back at critics questioning his recent form, labelling concerns over his 2026 goal drought as "bad questions" ahead of the World Cup. The AC Milan forward, who recently featured as a cover star for Time magazine, remains confident in his ability to deliver for the USMNT as they prepare to co-host the tournament.
Donald Trump admitted that he would be reluctant to pay the reportedly high prices for World Cup tickets in an interview with the New York Post. The U.S. president conceded that he "did not know" tickets were being sold for more than $1,000 for the USMNT's opening fixture against Paraguay and noted that he "wouldn't pay" such fees to see a World Cup game.
Sixteen years after the global phenomenon of 'Waka Waka', Shakira is set to take centre stage again for the upcoming 2026 World Cup. The Colombian singer has released a snippet of the official song for the tournament titled 'Dai Dai', a collaborative project with Nigerian artist Burna Boy.
Antonio Cassano has revealed Lionel Messi's retirement timeline after meeting the Argentina icon in Florida. Despite approaching his 39th birthday, the Inter Miami superstar appears to have no immediate intention of hanging up his boots as he eyes further success in MLS and potentially on the international stage.
Curacao became the smallest nation to ever qualify for the World Cup, and their historic achievement has offered a moment of unity for an island long shaped by racial tension.
FIFA president Gianni Infantino joked he would personally deliver hot dogs and soft drinks to anyone paying $2 million for a World Cup final ticket. The comment comes as resale listings for the 2026 showpiece reach extraordinary levels, sparking criticism over affordability.
Landon Donovan has issued blunt advice to Gio Reyna as the United States build towards the 2026 World Cup on home soil. The former USMNT star says the talented playmaker must focus on football and team unity if he wants to play a leading role in the tournament.
Canada national team head coach Jesse Marsch has launched a scathing attack on Tottenham Hotspur boss Roberto De Zerbi, labelling the Italian "a real a*shole." The outburst stems from De Zerbi's controversial treatment of midfielder Ismael Kone during their brief shared tenure at Marseille.
The prospect of Neymar joining his former Barcelona team-mates in Major League Soccer is heating up as the Brazilian superstar considers his next move away from Santos. While a reunion with Lionel Messi and Luis Suarez at Inter Miami remains a romantic possibility, the playmaker is also being linked with a surprise switch to Ohio.
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