Mexico made history in their World Cup opener, but Cesar Montes’ red card left a sour note. GOAL breaks down the winners and losers from El Tri’s 2-0 win.
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 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.
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.
Spain have received a significant fitness boost ahead of their 2026 World Cup opener, with Lamine Yamal and Nico Williams returning to full training. The dynamic duo had been major doubts for the group clash with Cape Verde, but their presence at the team's base camp suggests they are ready for the big stage.
The wait is over. Christian Pulisic and the USMNT open their home World Cup vs Paraguay on Friday, with Chris Richards' fitness and key decisions in focus.
German football icon Lothar Matthaus has mapped out two distinct paths that could see national team manager Julian Nagelsmann exit his post early despite holding a contract until 2028. Speaking ahead of the 2026 World Cup, the 1990 World Cup winner insisted that the 38-year-old's future hinges entirely on performance, outlining both an immediate dismissal in the event of a group-stage disaster and a voluntary departure to club football should Germany lift the trophy.
Argentina have reclaimed the number one spot in the FIFA Men’s World Rankings. The update comes at the perfect time for Lionel Scaloni’s side, with the 2026 World Cup now officially underway as Argentina seek to defend their crown.
Newcastle United have reportedly opened negotiations with Osasuna to sign Spain World Cup star Victor Munoz as they look to fill the void left by Anthony Gordon. The Magpies are moving aggressively in the early stages of the summer window to secure the 22-year-old before his stock rises further on the international stage.
Japan captain Wataru Endo has been forced to withdraw from the 2026 World Cup squad due to a persistent injury, bringing a premature end to his international career. The Liverpool midfielder confirmed he is stepping away from the national team entirely after failing to recover in time for the tournament in North America.
The New York Knicks pulled off the biggest comeback in NBA Finals history, and USMNT star Tyler Adams’ celebration with teammates was caught on camera. The clip has gone viral, racking up more than 5.2 million views on X, and Adams admitted he has drawn inspiration from the Knicks’ never-quit attitude against the San Antonio Spurs.
Barcelona and Spain superstar Lamine Yamal has officially been named a UNICEF Goodwill Ambassador. The 18-year-old sensation will use his global platform to advocate for children's rights, specifically focusing on the essential need for safe environments to play and develop.
Somali official Omar Artan has been handed a high-profile return to the global stage after being appointed to referee the UEFA Super Cup final between Paris Saint-Germain and Aston Villa. The 34-year-old has been at the centre of a diplomatic storm after being refused entry to the United States for the 2026 World Cup.
Portugal head coach Roberto Martinez has sent a clear message to his squad, including captain Cristiano Ronaldo, by admitting he is still undecided on his starting line-up for their World Cup opener. Despite concluding their warm-up schedule with a victory over Nigeria, the former Everton and Belgium boss insists that places are still very much up for grabs.
Assan Ouedraogo has been surprisingly called up to the German national team for the 2026 World Cup. The RB Leipzig youngster was added to replace the injured Lennart Karl and has now humorously described how he learned of his good fortune.
Colombia captain James Rodriguez believes international teammate Luis Diaz is a genuine contender for the upcoming Ballon d'Or following a spectacular season with Bayern Munich. The iconic midfielder insists a deep run on the global stage would validate the winger's world-class status, sparking intense excitement ahead of the nation's return to the tournament.
Thomas Tuchel has “done nothing” so far as England manager, Michael Owen has told GOAL, with World Cup “par” for the Three Lions being explained after breezing through another “waste of time” qualification campaign. Another bid for global glory is about to be opened, with the man calling shots from the dugout already being awarded a contract extension.
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