Carioca Championship Overview

El Manawy will head to his fourth World Cup this summer, and after taking on an ambitious journey in 2022, his goals for next month are loftier.

Liverpool captain Virgil van Dijk has expressed his complete surprise at the club's abrupt decision to sack manager Arne Slot following a highly disappointing campaign. The veteran defender revealed that the hierarchy did not consult him before parting ways with the Dutch tactician, learning about the sudden dismissal only after the news had leaked to the media on Saturday.

Alphonso Davies has opened up on the psychological toll of his recent injury setbacks as he faces a race against time to be fit for the start of the World Cup. The Bayern Munich star is currently managing a hamstring issue that has cast doubt over his involvement in Canada’s historic opening fixture.

France head coach Didier Deschamps has provided a major boost regarding the fitness of Arsenal defender William Saliba ahead of the 2026 World Cup. Despite suffering a back issue following a gruelling Champions League final defeat to Paris Saint-Germain, the centre-back has avoided serious injury, though he faces a mental challenge to recover from the heart-breaking loss.