Chayka Overview

Argentina manager Lionel Scaloni has refused to be drawn into a war of words with Carlo Ancelotti after the Brazil boss suggested his team  "don't play high intensity football". Speaking ahead of his side’s World Cup group stage clash against Austria, Scaloni instead chose to frame the Italian's comments as a compliment to his tactical setup.

Lionel Scaloni has emphasized the unity of his Argentina squad as they rally around captain Lionel Messi following a wave of misinformation regarding his family. The Inter Miami superstar has been the subject of shocking false reports during the 2026 World Cup, forcing both the manager and the Messi family to take a public stand.

Kylian Mbappe has brushed aside comparisons with football's biggest stars, insisting Lionel Messi and Cristiano Ronaldo remain the game's standout players. The France captain also played down talk of individual milestones, including his pursuit of the World Cup's all-time scoring record, as he focused on helping Les Bleus progress in the tournament.

The 2026 World Cup is underway and so is the race for the prestigious Golden Boot - the award given to the tournament's top scorer. There's a long road ahead as 48 nations battle for the top prize, but which star will take home the illustrious award? Here are GOAL's predicted candidates for the prize as we keep track of the tournament's most prolific stars