World Cup

World Cup news

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Portugal boss Martinez predicts England’s World Cup chances

Portugal head coach Roberto Martinez has opened up about why he believes England have all the necessary “ingredients” to win the 2026 World Cup. Joining host Adebayo Akinfenwa for the latest episode of GOAL’s Beast Mode On Podcast, the Selecao manager predicts the Three Lions will go far at next summer’s showpiece in Canada, Mexico and the United States.

Jude Bellingham England 2025

Bellingham handed England ‘big names’ World Cup boost

Jude Bellingham has been handed a 2026 World Cup boost, with Nigel Winterburn exclusively telling GOAL that he does not expect Thomas Tuchel to overlook any “big names” when it comes to piecing together his England squad. There will inevitably be some disappointed performers when a 26-man group is named, but said selection will be loaded with talent.

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Lionel Messi World Cup trophy

Messi airs WC ‘hope’ & rules out Finalissima clash with Yamal

Lionel Messi has aired his 2026 World Cup “hope”, with there still a chance that he will grace that competition, but has ruled himself out of a meeting with Spain and Barcelona wonderkid Lamine Yamal in the next Finalissima. Argentina are hoping to have their talismanic captain available for the defence of a global title next summer, but will be without him if a clash with the reigning champions of Europe is confirmed.

Cristiano Ronaldo Portugal Ireland 2025

What makes Ronaldo special? GOAT mentality explained

Roberto Martinez has revealed what makes Cristiano Ronaldo special, with Portugal’s national team boss explaining the GOAT mentality that has allowed CR7 to break all kinds of records. The legendary forward is still going strong at 40 years of age, with Adebayo Akinfenwa’s ‘Beast Mode On’ podcast being informed of why a unique character has been able to enjoy such longevity.

Ricardo Pepi Folarin Balogun USMNT

USMNT striker options: Balogun ‘there’ but Wright & Pepi warned

Mauricio Pochettino faces plenty of selection posers ahead of the 2026 World Cup, with the USMNT looking to piece together a squad that can be competitive on the grandest of stages. They will need plenty of firepower in order to make that possible, with Brad Friedel discussing a striker pool that includes Folarin Balogun, Haji Wright, Ricardo Pepi and Josh Sargent during an exclusive interview with GOAL.

Jude Bellingham England Albania 2025

Has Bellingham been ‘put off playing in PL’?

Jude Bellingham’s treatment with the England national team may have put him off “from playing in the Premier League”, claims ex-Manchester City, Chelsea and Three Lions star Shaun Wright-Phillips. Bellingham has seen some of his behaviour questioned by those in his homeland, which could lead to the Real Madrid midfielder shunning a future return to his roots.

Harry Kane Lionel Messi Cristiano Ronaldo 2025

England stars will want to avoid Messi & Ronaldo until WC final

England stars will, if they are being honest, want to avoid Lionel Messi and Cristiano Ronaldo for as long as possible at the 2026 World Cup, says Nigel Winterburn. The ex-Three Lions defender has, in an exclusive interview with GOAL, been discussing the chances of bringing 60 years of pain to a close ahead of the group-stage draw taking place on December 5.

adidas Predator Mania David Beckham Jude Bellingham Trent Alexander-Arnold

Beckham joins forces with Bellingham for throwback Predator

Real Madrid legend David Beckham has joined forces with current Blancos stars Jude Bellingham and Trent Alexander-Arnold to help launch the new throwback Predator Mania from adidas. The ex-England captain is mingling with Three Lions performers of the present as an iconic design is brought back to life in a stunning colourway that will stand out on the field.

GFX Icons 1986

ICONS: The incredible story behind Argentina's 1986 jerseys

When it comes to Argentina’s glorious run at the 1986 World Cup, there are stories that are told over and over again; the Hand of God, the Goal of the Century, and Diego Maradona lifting the trophy at the Azteca. They’re so present in the collective memory of Argentines, as well as fans from around the world, that they almost feel like scenes from a movie we’ve all watched too many times.

Wolverhampton Wanderers v Manchester United - Premier League

Brady, Shaq, Gretzky and Judge to join Rio Ferdinand at WC draw

A star-studded cast of sporting icons - including Tom Brady, Shaquille O’Neal, Wayne Gretzky and Aaron Judge - will join former England captain Rio Ferdinand and broadcaster Samantha Johnson for the FIFA World Cup 2026 Final Draw on Dec. 5. The event will pair football heavyweights with stars from other sports as the 48-team groups are revealed, with Eli Manning set to host the red-carpet arrivals the night before the ceremony.

Gio Reyna

Reyna’s World Cup ‘bar’ test! USMNT star challenged to do more

Gio Reyna has been set a 2026 World Cup challenge. Former USMNT star Brad Friedel, during an exclusive interview with GOAL, has told the talented Borussia Monchengladbach playmaker what needs to happen in order to make Mauricio Pochettino’s squad for next summer’s tournament, with nobody - regardless of their ability - guaranteed a place in those plans.

Heidi Klum World Cup Nicole Scherzinger

Hart & Klum to co-host World Cup draw with Scherzinger to perform

The 2026 World Cup draw takes place on Friday at the Kennedy Center in Washington DC and promises to be a star-studded event. Global icon Heidi Klum will host the show alongside comedian and actor Kevin Hart. The glitzy affair will also feature music and performances from Nicole Scherzinger as well as Robbie Williams, the Village People and Italian tenor Andrea Bocelli.

Jude Bellingham Thomas Tuchel Roy Keane Sir Alex Ferguson

Bellingham's Tuchel relationship compared to Keane vs Ferguson

Jude Bellingham’s relationship with England boss Thomas Tuchel has been compared to the one that Roy Keane and Sir Alex Ferguson once experienced at Old Trafford. Wes Brown witnessed that at close quarters and has, during an exclusive interview with GOAL, been discussing Bellingham’s role in the Three Lions squad ahead of the 2026 World Cup group stage draw.

National Television Awards 2025 - Arrivals

Lineker inks lucrative Netflix 2026 World Cup podcast deal

Former England striker Gary Lineker has signed a lucrative new deal to take his The Rest is Football podcast to streaming giant Netflix for the 2026 World Cup. The show will run daily throughout the competition in North America, Mexico and Canada and will also feature usual co-hosts Alan Shearer and Micah Richards. It will be filmed in New York but will also feature reports from the England camp and fan zones across the tournament.

Harry Kane England 2025

Tuchel brutally told England 'haven't played anybody'

Thomas Tuchel has been brutally reminded that England “haven’t played anybody” yet as they prepare to discover their 2026 World Cup group stage opponents. Former Three Lions star Nigel Winterburn has, in an exclusive interview with GOAL, been discussing what success - and failure - looks like for a talented squad that is looking to shake their ‘nearly men’ tag.

Luxembourg v Germany - FIFA World Cup 2026 Qualifier

FIFA to push ahead with major VAR rule change for 2026 World Cup

FIFA are all set to push ahead with a major VAR rule change for the 2026 World Cup despite facing initial rejection from stakeholders and members. The new changes in the law will be applicable for VAR checks on corner kicks during the flagship competition. The International Football Association Board convened a meeting in October, where they reached an agreement that VAR could be expanded.

Frequently asked questions

Currently, the most cost efficient package looks to be picking up a TV deal through Virgin Media or EE TV.

Existing TV or broadband customers can add TNT Sports to Virgin Media for £12 per month and Sky Sports for £31.75 per month, adding on Amazon Prime Video for the few weeks in the season when they show football which is £8.99 per month.

EE TV (formerly BT TV) also provide their Big Sport deal which includes TNT Sports and Sky Sports via NOW TV, for £45 per month, which is available for existing broadband customers, with the addition of Amazon Prime Video for the few weeks in the season when they show football which is £8.99 per month.

However, when it comes to bang for your buck, if you’re wanting to spend a little less, then the Complete Sky Sports package from an additional £22 per month on top of your current Sky TV deal is the best option, giving you over 128 games across a single season.

A number of broadcasters have the rights to stream and show highlights on the television, with Match of the Day on the BBC being the most notable of these. Every weekend the BBC show highlights airs on both Saturday and Sunday from around 10.30pm, in the company of Gary Lineker and fellow ex-professionals.

Sky Sports offer highlights slightly earlier, with their packages getting underway from around 7.00pm, while TNT Sports also offer highlights and goals from each and every game on the top flight online too.

Yes. TNT Sports is the new name for what was once known as BT Sport, in both the UK and Ireland. Along with appearing on the same channels as it always has, TNT Sports provides four live sporting channels, with red-button and digital channels, Eurosports channels, TNT Sports Ultimate (4K), and Box Office, depending on what package and provider you opt to go with.

Besides watching matches through the designated TV package your subscription is assigned to, some offer ways to live stream and tune in to the big game through a variety of ways. For games on TNT Sports, the discovery+ Premium app is available on the usual array of live stream options, including on Smart TVs mobile phone, PC, laptop and Mac, as well as video games consoles, Apple and Android devices too. Similarly, if you are using NOW TV for Sky Sports, you can login on a range of devices to keep track of the scores.

Yes. Standard coverage of TNT Sports is available to BT broadband customers.

NBC, Peacock, and USA Network currently have the rights to broadcast the English Premier League in the United States. Matches are available across two of their TV channels, NBC Sports and USA Network, as well as their dedicated streaming service Peacock.