World Cup news

England can secure their qualification for the 2026 World Cup with two matches to spare if they beat Latvia on Tuesday, with Thomas Tuchel's side taking the trip at Daugava Stadium boasting a 100% record in their qualifying campaign thus far. Victory would secure the Three Lions' place at the tournament in North America next summer, while a draw would all-but seal qualification due to a superior goal difference over second-placed Albania.

Folarin Balogun’s performance in a 1-1 draw with Ecuador marked his true breakthrough moment with the USMNT, according to ESPN analyst Herculez Gomez. The former USMNT forward praised Balogun’s intelligent movement and composed finishing, saying the display cemented his place as the frontrunner for the starting striker role heading into the 2026 World Cup.

Former USMNT star Alexi Lalas praised midfielder Diego Luna for his substitute appearance against Ecuador in a 1-1 draw on Friday, highlighting the Real Salt Lake star’s unique flair and presence in midfield. Lalas noted that Luna offers a different look than No. 10 Malik Tillman, bringing a commanding touch to the U.S. attack.

Rangers star Max Aarons has set his sights on an England call-up despite his domestic struggles as the 2026 World Cup looms. The 25-year-old right-back insists that representing the Three Lions is still the biggest ambition of his career, and he’s determined not to let his early issues in Glasgow derail that vision.

Italy coach Gennaro Gattuso and captain Gianluigi Donnarumma both attended the inauguration of the new museum of football at Coverciano on Wednesday. Gattuso was meant to donate the boots he wore in the 2006 World Cup final win over France but revealed that his mother refused to give them up.

Wayne Rooney has hit back at Steven Gerrard's claim that England's 'Golden Generation' were "egotistical losers". The Liverpool legend has attempted to explain why a star-studded group of players failed to savour international success. Manchester United icon Rooney also formed part of that squad for a while, and he is not convinced that fierce club divisions were to blame for the Three Lions struggling to roar when it mattered most.

Morgan Rogers was delighted to make the most of his opportunity to impress for England against Wales, with the Aston Villa playmaker aware that "people will take your role" if the demands of head coach Thomas Tuchel are not met. Real Madrid superstar Jude Bellingham is among those to have missed out on a place in the latest Three Lions squad, with competition for places now fierce across all areas of the field.

Legendary goalkeeper Manuel Neuer is in stunning form and could now extend his stay at Bayern Munich beyond his 40th birthday. With contract talks planned for December and Marc-Andre Ter Stegen injured, speculation is also mounting over a sensational return to the Germany squad for the 2026 World Cup despite the shot stopper having retired from international duty.

Will he or won't he? Lionel Messi has a massive decision to make and, just eight months before the start of the 2026 World Cup, we still don't know whether he'll lead Argentina's title defence. "At my age, it's only logical to think I might not," the 38-year-old told TyC Sports just last month. But, let's face it, there's never really anything logical about Messi's career.

U.S. international Haji Wright is back with the national team after being left out of the September squad, thanks to his strong recent form. The Coventry City forward sits among the Championship’s top scorers with eight goals. Yet U.S. icon Alexi Lalas cautions that club form - especially in England’s second tier - doesn’t always translate to international success.

FIFA President Gianni Infantino believes that the international calendar should be changed in order to accommodate winter World Cups in the future. With the 2034 edition currently scheduled to take place in the height of summer in Saudi Arabia, football's showpiece could follow Qatar's lead in 2022 and move to the winter, which saw domestic seasons start earlier and finish later.

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Martin Odegaard and Arsenal have been given a concerning injury update after seeing the midfielder suffer medial collateral ligament damage. The Norway international picked up that knock during a Premier League clash with West Ham. In what has been a frustrating season on the fitness front for the Gunners captain, he is now facing another spell on the sidelines.

Harry Kane has been advised to spend another “two or three years” at Bayern Munich, with Alan Shearer offering transfer advice to the England captain in an ongoing bid to retain his Premier League goals record. Ex-Blackburn and Newcastle frontman Shearer is aware that prolific former Tottenham striker Kane may have one eye on returning to his homeland and adding another entry to the history books.

Thomas Tuchel has explained why England will be “underdogs” at the 2026 World Cup. The Three Lions have made faultless progress towards that competition, with maximum points being taken from five qualification fixtures. They have enough talent at their disposal to be considered serious contenders for a global crown, but Tuchel has sought to rein in pre-tournament expectations.

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