World Cup news

Mauricio Pochettino has left the door open to a spectacular return to Tottenham following the 2026 World Cup. The Argentine will leave his role as USMNT boss following the showpiece event in North America this summer, and he's been linked with a switch to Spurs as a long-term replacement for Thomas Frank at the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium.

USMNT star Brenden Aaronson is being tipped to spark “silly money” transfer talk if club form in the Premier League at Leeds United can be carried over into international duty at the 2026 World Cup. Ex-Elland Road midfielder Lee Sharpe has told GOAL why a playmaker that is full of confidence could have some big decisions to make on his future this summer.

The midfielder has arrived in Minnesota in pursuit of a World Cup dream, but he isn't the first to follow that path

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 with inconsistencies to win the Golden Ball in 2025, and he was among a crowded field of contenders as the 2026 race got going.

Former England star Stuart Pearce has named his "first name on the teamsheet" for this summer's World Cup, and has snubbed both Declan Rice and Harry Kane. The Arsenal and Bayern Munich stars are almost certain to be heavily involved in the Three Lions' bid to end 60 years of hurt, but Pearce has instead picked a Manchester City star as the most important in the squad.

Professional Footballers’ Association chief executive Maheta Molango has warned Chelsea that Cole Palmer is facing "burnout". The Blues star is set to feature heavily in the Blues' run-in as the club attempt to qualify for the Champions League, and is also likely to travel to World Cup 2026 in North America, Mexico and Canada with England in the summer.

A decade into Gianni Infantino’s presidency, FIFA has expanded globally while becoming more polarizing, shaped by growth, controversy and constant change.

EXCLUSIVE: The former NFL star discusses launching GOAL’s The Late Run with Ochocinco and the roots of his love for the beautiful game.

FootballCo and OchoCinco Productions have partnered to launch The Late Run with Ochocinco, a brand new weekly podcast hosted by NFL legend and diehard soccer fan Chad Johnson. The first season, which kicks off on Feb. 26, will feature a star-studded list of guests ranging from legends like Rio Ferdinand and Gerard Pique to rapper Rick Ross and comedian Bert Kreischer, all talking about their experience with the beautiful game.

Chad Ochocinco Johnson and Rahimovic sit down with comedy legend Bert Kreischer for a conversation that goes everywhere: soccer culture in Florida, Messi mania in Miami, the World Cup 2026 “last dance” talk, and the comedy Mount Rushmore. Bert retells The Machine origin story, breaks down what makes a great comedian, and somehow ends up pledging to become a real soccer fan.

Former Manchester United and England star Lee Sharpe has told GOAL why struggles under Ruben Amorim may end up working in Kobbie Mainoo’s favour. The 20-year-old midfielder has returned to favour at club level under interim Red Devils boss Michael Carrick and is considered to be in contention for an international recall ahead of the 2026 World Cup.

FIFA president Gianni Infantino reaffirmed the organization’s full support for Mexico as a host nation for the 2026 World Cup, expressing strong confidence in the country’s leadership despite ongoing security challenges. As FIFA continues to monitor the situation, the governing body made clear that no changes are being considered to the tournament schedule.

The footballing world remains in a state of mourning following the tragic passing of Diogo Jota and the void can be felt deeply within the Portugal national team dressing room. AC Milan superstar Rafael Leao has now spoken candidly about the "devastating" impact the loss has had on the squad as they prepare for life without the forward. Jota, who had recently secured the Premier League title with Liverpool, passed away in a car accident in Zamora, Spain, alongside his brother, after a tyre blowout caused their vehicle to veer off the road.

NFL icon Tom Brady has delivered a glowing assessment of FIFA president Gianni Infantino, crediting the administrator's "tremendous leadership" for the evolving landscape of global football. Ahead of the 2026 World Cup, which will be hosted across the United States, Mexico, and Canada, the seven-time Super Bowl champion has become an increasingly prominent figure in the soccer world. Having taken a minority stake in Birmingham City and recently visited AC Milan to link up with Zlatan Ibrahimovic, Brady is now lending his significant cultural weight to the build-up for the first-ever 48-team tournament.

The anticipation surrounding Neymar’s return to the Brazil setup has reached a fever pitch following Santos' recent exit from the Campeonato Paulista. Despite the heavy scrutiny on the No. 10’s performance during the disappointing loss to Novorizontino, it appears that the result has not altered the long-term blueprint held by the national team’s coaching staff. Carlo Ancelotti is looking towards the future, and for now, that future does not involve a rushed recall for the country's all-time leading goalscorer.

The Portuguese Football Federation (FPF) confirmed it's reassessing plans for its upcoming trip to Mexico after recent security alerts issued across multiple regions of the country. Portugal are scheduled to face the Mexico on March 28 as part of the reopening festivities for Estadio Banorte, formerly Estadio Azteca.

FIFA is monitoring the security situation in Mexico after incidents reported across multiple states in recent hours, according to ESPN. The governing body of world football asked for internal reports detailing the developments, particularly in Guadalajara, Jalisco — one of the host cities for the World Cup and a venue set to stage matches in the intercontinental playoff tournament.