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World Cup

World Cup Overview

Ancelotti Brasil Copa do Mundo

Alisson explains how Ancelotti has 'transformed' Brazil national team

Liverpool goalkeeper Alisson Becker has hailed the impact of Carlo Ancelotti since his arrival as Brazil head coach, claiming the Italian has completely "transformed" the atmosphere in the dressing room. Ahead of their World Cup opener, the Selecao No.1 admitted the squad had endured a testing time before the former Real Madrid boss took the reins.

England v Costa Rica - International Friendly

Tuchel urges Anderson to 'stay humble' amid Man City links

England boss Thomas Tuchel has urged Elliot Anderson to "stay humble" as the Nottingham Forest star continues to be linked with a British record move to Manchester City. The 23-year-old is expected to be a cornerstone of the Three Lions' midfield when they begin their World Cup campaign against Croatia next week, and Tuchel doesn't want him to be distracted by transfer noise.

Jimenez Quinones Mexico South Africa GFX

Lift off for Mexico! Quinones & Jimenez ensure perfect start

Mexico made the perfect start to their 2026 World Cup campaign as the co-hosts ran out 2-0 winners over South Africa in the opening game of the tournament on Thursday. Goals from Julian Quinones and Raul Jimenez ensured a routine victory for the Group A favourites in a game that featured three red cards in the second half.

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Standings

PosTeamPWDLFA+/-PTSForm
1AC Mailand crestAC Mailand00000000
2Atalanta Bergamo crestAtalanta Bergamo00000000
3Bologna crestBologna00000000
4Cagliari crestCagliari00000000
5Como crestComo00000000
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Frequently asked questions

Brazil have won the World Cup five times, more than any other country. They first lifted the trophy in 1958, before successfully defending their title four years later. They then made it three in 1970, while also emerging victorious in 1994 and 2002 to show what they're made of.

The most recent edition of the World Cup, which took place in Qatar in 2022, featured 32 teams. However, from the upcoming edition in 2026, as many as 48 teams will be contesting for the ultimate prize in international football. The number of teams that will be featuring has almost quadrupled since the inaugural edition in 1930, which hosted 13 teams.

Lionel Messi holds the record of making the most appearances in World Cups, having represented Argentina 26 times across five editions.

Germany's Miroslav Klose tops the all-time goalscoring charts in World Cups, having scored an incredible 16 goals in 24 games across four consecutive editions from 2002 to 2014.

Egyptian legend Essam El Hadary is the oldest player to have ever featured in a World Cup game. The goalkeeper was 45 years and 161 days old when he participated in Egypt's 2-1 loss to Saudi Arabia at the 2018 World Cup.

Former Manchester United man Norman Whiteside is the youngest player ever to play a World Cup game. The midfielder was just 17 years and 41 days old when he featured for Northern Ireland in a game against Yugoslavia at the 1982 World Cup.

The likes of Didier Deschamps, Franz Beckenbauer, Luiz Felipe Scolari, Vicente del Bosque, Vittorio Pozzo, Louis van Gaal, Sven-Goran Eriksson, and Ivica Osim are some of the most accomplished individuals to have managed at the World Cup finals.