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Fabio Cannavaro has moved to shut down claims of mistreatment towards his Uzbekistan side after footage emerged of the squad being subjected to intense security screenings in the United States. The legendary Italian defender, currently leading the Asian nation into their first-ever World Cup, insisted that the use of sniffer dogs and tarmac searches was simply standard procedure.

Netherlands captain Virgil van Dijk and head coach Ronald Koeman are projecting confidence ahead of their World Cup Group F opening fixture against Japan. Despite mounting anxiety among Dutch fans following poor friendly results, Van Dijk's trophyless club season, and Koeman's mixed record, the Oranje camp remain steadfast as they focus on their Kansas City preparations.

While Michael Olise continues to shine for Bayern Munich and the France national team, his younger brother Richard Olise is searching for a new club. Chelsea have officially confirmed the departure of the 20-year-old defender as part of a major academy restructuring, bringing an emotional 11-year spell at Stamford Bridge to an end without a senior competitive appearance.

England's preparations for the World Cup have hit a literal stumbling block after their final warm-up fixture against Costa Rica was delayed due to severe weather conditions. A massive tropical storm has battered Orlando, Florida, leaving the pitch flooded and sparking serious safety concerns just hours before the scheduled kick-off.

Spain are prepared to exercise patience regarding the fitness of Lamine Yamal, with Football Federation (RFEF) technical director Aitor Karanka insisting the national team will not rush the Barcelona sensation back into action. With just five days remaining until La Roja’s World Cup opener, concerns had grown over the teenager's availability following a period on the sidelines.

Former Spain manager Javier Clemente has humorously taken credit for the incredible successes of Pep Guardiola, Luis Enrique and Luis de la Fuente. Following a dominant season for Spanish coaches across Europe, the veteran boss explained the unique and amusing lessons he imparted on the trio during their playing days under him, while labelling them as the very best.

Ipswich Town have been hit with a massive blow ahead of their Premier League return as Kieran McKenna has officially confirmed his departure from the club. The 40-year-old coach, who masterminded consecutive promotions for the Tractor Boys, has apparently decided to take some time away from the game, dashing recent reports of a possible move to Fulham.

GOAL dives into the summer that changed the sport of soccer with stories from those who lived it

Joshua Kimmich has opened up about just how close he came to ending his long-standing association with Bayern Munich during a period of extreme uncertainty at the Allianz Arena. The German international revealed that he was almost tempted by a lucrative offer from Paris Saint-Germain after being told by club hierarchy that he was available for transfer.

Tottenham's search for a new sporting director has hit a significant roadblock after former Borussia Dortmund chief Sebastian Kehl turned down a move to north London. Despite extensive negotiations and a personal visit to the capital, the German executive has opted against joining the Premier League side.

Tottenham have officially announced the signing of Argentina international defender Marcos Senesi on a free transfer following the expiration of his contract with Bournemouth. The left-footed centre-half will join the London club on July 1, adding top-flight experience to Roberto De Zerbi’s squad as they prepare for the upcoming campaign.

Jose Mourinho is flying to Spain this Wednesday afternoon to complete his return to Real Madrid on a three-year contract. The former Chelsea manager plans to head straight to the training ground to begin work immediately, opting to skip any formal press conference or welcoming ceremony until his new contract officially begins in the Spanish capital this July.

From Roger Milla to Peter Shilton, GOAL looks at some of the legendary performances from aging stars at World Cups

Roberto De Zerbi is already making waves in the market as he looks to reshape his Tottenham squad, but a move for Moise Kean might not be as certain as reports suggest. While the former Everton man has been linked with a return to the Premier League, a friend of the Spurs boss has cast doubt on a deal materialising.

Mexico enter the World Cup opener unbeaten in 2026, with Raul Jimenez chasing a full-circle moment, Brian Gutierrez rising and Rafa Marquez’s role growing.

Former England defender Jamie Carragher expects Real Madrid star Jude Bellingham to be benched in favour of Aston Villa attacker Morgan Rogers at the upcoming World Cup. The pundit warned manager Thomas Tuchel that omitting such a high-profile figure could easily trigger a massive media storm and completely dominate the airwaves throughout the national team's tournament this summer.

Real Madrid legend Roberto Carlos believes that Lionel Messi can comfortably play in another World Cup after the 2026 tournament. Speaking ahead of the global showpiece, the iconic left-back also assessed Neymar's crucial role under Carlo Ancelotti as the forward races to return to full fitness for the Brazil national team following recent injury struggles.

Josko Gvardiol is reportedly set to commit his long-term future to Manchester City, dealing a significant blow to Bayern Munich's summer transfer plans. Despite firm interest from the Bavarian giants, the Croatian international is leaning towards extending his stay at the Etihad Stadium as the club prepares for life under new management.

Chelsea attackers Cole Palmer and Joao Pedro have surprised football fans by making unexpected cameo appearances in a bizarre new short film directed by pop icon Madonna. Following a difficult domestic season and being snubbed for the upcoming World Cup, the two stars appear briefly in a bathroom scene in the 14-minute project, titled Confessions II.

Everton have been ordered to pay Burnley nearly £40 million in a landmark compensation ruling that could reshape how financial breaches are handled in English football. The payout follows a protected legal battle regarding the Toffees' breach of Profitability and Sustainability Rules (PSR) during the 2021-22 season.

Bayer Leverkusen have secured one of Germany's brightest young talents after winning a heated race for Hertha Berlin sensation Kennet Eichhorn. The 16-year-old has reportedly passed a medical with the Bundesliga club ahead of a €9m transfer to BayArena, having decided to snub interest from Liverpool and RB Leipzig.

After 18 years of protests, controversy, disillusion and division, the Glazer family's time in charge of football operations at Manchester United came to an end after Sir Jim Ratcliffe and INEOS' purchase of a 25 percent stake in the club in early 2024. United had been debt-free until the Glazers invested just £270 million (£346m) of their own money into the £790m ($1 billion) deal that saw them become new owners back in 2005, with the rest borrowed against the club. And the Glazers have been accused of using the Red Devils as a cash cow to fund their business empire in the United States ever since.

Former Arsenal manager Arsene Wenger has leapt to the defence of Kylian Mbappe, claiming the forward has been unfairly targeted during a turbulent second season at Real Madrid. The legendary coach believes the Frenchman has been cast as a "scapegoat" at the Bernabeu but is tipped to explode back into form at the upcoming World Cup.

Paris Saint-Germain stars Vitinha and Joao Neves have been the subject of intense transfer speculation ahead of the summer window, with Real Madrid reportedly monitoring the Portuguese pair. However, super agent Jorge Mendes has now stepped in to clarify where his clients will be playing their football next season.

Chelsea legend Joe Cole has urged the Blues to consider a sensational swoop for Marcus Rashford as the Manchester United forward prepares to return to Old Trafford. The 28-year-old spent a successful season on loan at Barcelona but now finds himself in transfer limbo ahead of a crucial summer window.

Tottenham Hotspur have officially begun their summer overhaul by announcing the departure of 11 players following the expiration of their contracts. The list is headlined by midfielder Yves Bissouma, who leaves north London after a turbulent period despite previously helping the club to continental success.

Arsenal legend Paul Merson has floated a sensational transfer theory, suggesting that Mikel Arteta may be weighing up the shock sale of captain Martin Odegaard this summer. Despite the Norwegian leading the Gunners to their first Premier League title in over two decades last season, concerns over his recent impact and injury record have led to questions regarding his long-term future in North London.

In March, after the U.S. men's national team suffered back-to-back humblings at the hands of Belgium and Portugal, Mauricio Pochettino wondered aloud about the players he had at his disposal. Whether that vocal wondering came from a place of honesty or from a place of motivation, only Pochettino knows. The only certainty was that his assessment was blunt: his team, man for man, wasn't as good as the elite.

Mohamed Salah is preparing for life after Liverpool, and the Egyptian has reportedly set out a specific set of demands for any potential suitor. As he enters the final stages of his career, the veteran forward is leaving nothing to chance regarding his next destination.