Arsenal defender William Saliba could be forced to undergo back surgery immediately after the upcoming World Cup as his ongoing physical discomfort continues to intensify. Despite successfully managing the issue to play a starring role for the Gunners, recent medical assessments indicate that the centre-back requires long-term surgical intervention.
Lamine Yamal will wear the No.19 shirt at his first World Cup after Spain confirmed their squad numbers. The announcement has sparked debate among supporters, with midfielder Gavi handed the iconic No.9 jersey and Dani Olmo taking the prestigious No.10 shirt ahead of the tournament.
Thomas Tuchel’s England squad has touched down in Florida to begin a hot-weather training camp ahead of the upcoming World Cup tournament. Captain Harry Kane has firmly embraced the manager's collective ethos, insisting that the clear expectation for the Three Lions is to finally cross the line and bring home football's ultimate prize.
'Golden Generation'. Football has Adam Crozier, the former chief of the Football Association, to blame for the term, after he famously dubbed the England team as such following their 5-1 battering of Germany in a World Cup qualifier in Munich. It was a remarkable performance, but also a potentially catastrophic turn of phrase.
This is Legacy, GOAL’s podcast and feature series that is counting down to the 2026 World Cup. Each week, we explore the stories and the spirit behind the nations that define the world’s game. This week, we revisit the matches that shaped Morocco's identity, the coaches and players who carried the hope of a nation, and the moment that proved nothing is impossible when a country decides to dream together.
With the World Cup now just around the corner, memories of the last tournament in the USA are coming to mind. From a German perspective, these are not happy memories.
Javier Aguirre’s Mexico roster mixes history, trust, and risk, with Guillermo Ochoa chasing a sixth World Cup and German Berterame left out despite a late push.
Despite the convincing 4-0 win over Finland, Germany still lacks tactical discipline at times. Julian Nagelsmann is right to trust his young players, and his instincts are sound. Here are three takeaways from the penultimate friendly before the 2026 World Cup in the USA, Canada and Mexico.
England legend Alan Shearer has sparked a massive debate ahead of the 2026 World Cup by suggesting that Jude Bellingham should be dropped from the starting XI. As Thomas Tuchel prepares his squad for their opening clash against Croatia, the former Three Lions captain believes a change in midfield is essential to unlocking the full potential of Harry Kane.
As Reece James prepares to lead England's defensive line at the upcoming World Cup, the 26-year-old is determined to finally make his mark on the global stage after the heartbreak of missing out on Qatar 2022. While his sister, Lauren James, has already tasted international success with the Lionesses, the Blues skipper insists he has his own blueprint for success.
Portugal boss Roberto Martinez has sensationally refused to rule out Cristiano Ronaldo featuring in the 2030 World Cup. Despite the Al-Nassr superstar being 41 years old, his international manager believes his unique mental drive could see him competing when the tournament reaches Portuguese shores.
William Saliba is facing a race against time to be fit for the upcoming World Cup in North America after a devastating night in Budapest. The Arsenal mainstay, who has been a pillar of Mikel Arteta’s defence, saw his Champions League dreams crushed before receiving a major blow to his international ambitions.
Argentina coach Lionel Scaloni included Lionel Messi in his 2026 World Cup squad on Thursday, even though his captain isn't "fully fit". Of course, neither revelation was particularly surprising. Messi was widely expected to be a part of his the Albiceleste's title defence - just as it was always unlikely that he'd been in optimal physical condition.
Thomas Tuchel has revealed that England are tapping into the elite expertise of Team GB to ensure the Three Lions can handle the brutal heat of the 2026 World Cup. As the squad prepares to fly to Florida for a vital acclimatisation camp, the German head coach is leaving no stone unturned in his pursuit of global dominance.
After years of build-up, the 2026 World Cup is almost upon us. The best players in the world are beginning to descend on the United States, Mexico and Canada with dreams of lifting the most prestigious trophy in global football ahead of the action getting under way on June 11.
Scott McTominay has revealed he is showing no mercy to Napoli team-mate Rasmus Hojlund following Scotland’s dramatic path to the 2026 World Cup. The midfielder, who has become a cult hero in Italy, admitted he and Billy Gilmour have been relentlessly reminding the Danish striker of the spectacular overhead kick that helped seal Scotland's qualification at Denmark's expense.
Curiously, all ten of Germany's outfield starters wore pink boots during Sunday's 4-0 friendly win over Finland. Could this be the personal preference of highly rated young talent Lennart Karl?
Portuguese Football Federation president Pedro Proenca has addressed whether Cristiano Ronaldo will still be leading the line for the Selecao when they co-host the 2030 World Cup. The Al-Nassr superstar remains the focal point of the national team, but questions regarding his longevity continue to dominate the headlines.
Spanish international Marc Cucurella, who tormented the DFB team at the 2024 European Championship on home soil, has Ecuador down as his dark horse for the 2026 World Cup.
While discontent over exorbitant World Cup ticket prices is growing worldwide, 14,000 fans in Mexico will watch the opening match for free. This perk stems from an investment made 60 years ago—and it has weathered recent opposition.
Two goals, one assist – Deniz Undav is making a strong case for a place in the World Cup starting line-up and presenting the national coach with a pleasant selection headache.
Several new rules will debut at the World Cup, mostly aimed at curbing time-wasting. Following two high-profile incidents, the regulations on red cards are also being tweaked.
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