Energie Cottbus Overview

Experienced Netherlands central defender Stefan de Vrij is on the verge of completing an unexpected move to Panathinaikos. The 34-year-old is departing Inter on a free transfer following a successful eight-year spell with the club, with advanced negotiations currently taking place to finalise the remaining details of his switch to Athens.

Frenkie de Jong has bitten back at critics of his game, but does the Barcelona midfielder occupy the same talent pool as Declan Rice and Vitinha? Former Netherlands international Jimmy Floyd Hasselbaink has answered that question for GOAL, with a man that can divide opinion among supporters and pundits being told where he needs to improve in order to become truly elite.

The 2026 World Cup is underway and so is the race for the prestigious Golden Boot - the award given to the tournament's top scorer. There's a long road ahead as 48 nations battle for the top prize, but which star will take home the illustrious award? Here are GOAL's predicted candidates for the prize as we keep track of the tournament's most prolific stars

The first two rounds of 2026 World Cup group-stage fixtures are in the books, and the tournament continues to provide plenty of thrilling moments. Despite a lack of eye-catching fixtures on paper in the new, expanded format, there has been drama aplenty, with all the big names showing up for their respective countries on football's biggest stage.