World Cup

World Cup news

Ballon d'Or Power Rankings GFX

BDO Power Rankings: World Cup set to decide Golden Ball winner

With the Lionel Messi-Cristiano Ronaldo duopoly presumably disappearing into the rearview mirror, the battle for the Ballon d'Or hasn't felt so open for the best part of 20 years, with countless players now beginning each campaign believing they have a chance of claiming the most prestigious individual prize football has to offer. Ousmane Dembele emerged from a career plagued by injuries and inconsistencies to win the Golden Ball in 2025, and he is among a crowded field of contenders again in 2026.

Power rankingsBallon d'Or
World Cup winners GFX

GOAL writers predict the winners of the 2026 World Cup

It's so close we can almost taste it. The 2026 World Cup is now just hours away, with the best players on the planet having descended on the United States, Canada and Mexico for what promises to be a superb summer of football. While some teams will solely harbour dreams of getting out of the groups, others know that anything other than a trophy parade in late-July will go down as failure. We're set, then, for five-and-a-half weeks of drama, filled with joy and heartbreak in equal measure.

OpinionEngland
England v Costa Rica - International Friendly

Tuchel convinced England set for 'amazing' World Cup

England manager Thomas Tuchel has declared his squad fully prepared for the upcoming World Cup following a comprehensive 3-0 warm-up victory over Costa Rica in Orlando. The German tactician praised the immense cohesion and team spirit within the camp as the Three Lions look to end their 60-year wait for global silverware.

T. TuchelEngland
Santiago Gimenez AC Milan 2025-26 new kit

World Cup ready? Why Gimenez struggled in goalless season

Santiago Gimenez failed to register a single Serie A goal for AC Milan during the 2025-26 campaign, with legendary Mexican striker Jared Borgetti explaining his fellow countryman’s struggles to GOAL. Despite enduring a tough time at club level, leading to inevitable transfer talk, the 25-year-old forward is still looking forward to starring at a home World Cup finals.

S. GimenezExclusive
Advertisement
England Costa Rica ratings GFX

Rashford, beware! Electric Gordon stakes World Cup claim

England completed their World Cup preparations with a comfortable 3-0 victory over Costa Rica in their rain-delayed final warm-up friendly on Wednesday. It was a bruising encounter against a physical opponent, but Thomas Tuchel's men kept their cool to dominate in the sweltering Orlando heat courtesy of goals from Declan Rice, Anthony Gordon and Ollie Watkins.

Player ratingsEngland
Vinicius Raphinha Brasilien Nationalmannschaft

Raphinha backs Vinicius Jr to secure Brazil's sixth World Cup

Barcelona winger Raphinha has expressed immense confidence in Real Madrid star Vinicius Junior and himself to lead Brazil to their sixth World Cup triumph this summer. Speaking from the national team's training camp ahead of the 2026 tournament, the attacker highlighted the crucial blend of youth and experience required to succeed, as they look to end a drought dating back to 2002.

Vinicius JuniorRaphinha

Betting spotlight

Canada vs Bosnia Predictions, Lineups, Odds & Tips: A cagey low-scoring opener for Canucks
See more betting articles
England v Costa Rica - International Friendly

Tuchel sees upside of England kick-off delay

Thomas Tuchel has urged his England players to remain focused after their final World Cup warm-up match against Costa Rica was hit by severe weather disruption in Florida. The Three Lions saw their preparations thrown into chaos when a massive storm in Orlando forced a delay to their final outing before the tournament begins.

T. TuchelEngland
FIFA World Cup 2026 Opening Press Conference

'Chill, relax' - Infantino hits back over Somalian referee deportation

FIFA president Gianni Infantino has controversially urged people to "chill and relax" after Somalian match official Omar Artan was denied entry to the United States for the upcoming World Cup. Infantino insisted that the governing body are not the "kings of the world" and cannot override strict border decisions, leaving the referee devastated and stranded ahead of the global showpiece.

USAO. Artan
Virgil van Dijk Netherlands 2026

Koeman and Van Dijk confident ahead of tough World Cup opener vs Japan

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.

NetherlandsV. van Dijk
Thomas Tuchel - England

England vs Costa Rica delayed by Florida storm

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.

EnglandEngland vs Costa Rica
Lamine Yamal

Spain wait on Yamal return as RFEF allay Barca fears

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.

SpainL. Yamal
Jude Bellingham Morgan Rogers England 2026 World Cup Camp

Bellingham on the bench! Carragher backs Rogers to start but wrans Tuchel

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.

J. BellinghamEngland
Messi-Neymar

Real Madrid legend backs Messi to play until 2030 World Cup

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.

L. MessiArgentina
NewerOlder