Sid Lazar

Siddhant Lazar

News writer

Bio: News Writer at GOAL, covering U.S. football’s biggest moments and its hidden corners. Grew up on late-night Premier League matches, gaining a global perspective with a love for the chaos of football culture.

My Football Story: One could say that it started as a child when I would live for playing football on a daily basis, or when I sneakily snuck out of my room and watched the 2006 World Cup final. But it all kicked off on the evening of Aug. 19, 2006 when Gilberto Silva scored a late equalizer for Arsenal, and we screamed the house down. It began a love affair that has thrived nearly twenty years later and shows no signs of stopping.

Favorite Footballing Memory: I will likely never forget the 2010 and 2014 World Cup finals as long as I live but even that doesn’t come close to Leicester City’s miracle. As an Arsenal fan, it was agony; as a devotee of the beautiful game, it was transcendence - proof that football still belongs to the dreamers and the impossible.

Articles by Siddhant Lazar
  1. Weston McKennie USMNT

    Lalas backs McKennie for World Cup spot

    Former USMNT defender Alexi Lalas said he expects Juventus midfielder Weston McKennie to be part of Mauricio Pochettino’s squad for the 2026 World Cup. Speaking on his podcast, Lalas downplayed concerns about McKennie’s place in the team, acknowledging some challenges but saying his positives generally outweigh any negatives as preparations continue for the home tournament.

  2. World Cup 2026 draws record 150 million ticket requests

    The FIFA World Cup 2026 has generated unprecedented demand, with approximately 150 million ticket requests submitted during the first half of the current Random Selection Draw ticketing phase. Interest from fans in more than 200 countries means the tournament - hosted by the U.S., Canada, and Mexico - is oversubscribed by a factor of roughly 30.

  3. Inter Miami CF announce South American preseason tour

    Lionel Messi and Inter Miami CF will open preparations for the 2026 season with an ambitious preseason tour of South America, facing opponents in Peru, Colombia, and Ecuador as they gear up to defend their MLS Cup title. The Herons will begin their tour with a visit to Estadio Alejandro Villanueva on Jan. 24, where they'll face Alianza Lima.

  4. NWSL implements High Impact Player rule despite opposition

    The NWSL announced Tuesday that it will introduce a new “High Impact Player” (HIP) rule beginning in 2026, allowing teams to spend up to $1 million above the league’s salary cap on qualifying players. The decision was met with swift opposition from the NWSL Players Association, which argues the league cannot unilaterally alter compensation structures without collective bargaining.

  1. World Cup 2026 winner set for unprecedented $50m payout

    FIFA approved a landmark financial package for the 2026 World Cup on Friday, confirming a record USD 727 million in prize money for the expanded 48-team tournament. The decision, made by the FIFA Council ahead of this weekend’s Intercontinental Cup final in Qatar, was described by FIFA as part of a broader series of measures shaping the future of the World Cup and global youth football.