+18 or +21, depending on state | Commercial Content | T&C's Apply | Play Responsibly | Publishing Principles

World Cup

World Cup news

Iran v Syria: Round Of 16 - AFC Asian Cup

Iran announces: "We will not participate in the World Cup in the USA"

Iran’s sports minister Ahmad Donyamali said the country’s national team cannot participate in the 2026 World Cup following recent military conflict involving the United States and Israel. Speaking on Iranian state television, Donyamali said the current circumstances mean participation in the tournament, which will be hosted by the United States, Canada, and Mexico from June 11 to July 19, is not possible.

Iran
Kyle Walker England 2025

End of an England era as Walker confirms retirement

After an illustrious international journey spanning 15 years, legendary defender Kyle Walker has officially announced his retirement from the England national team. The 35-year-old Burnley star leaves behind a remarkable legacy of 96 caps, having played a pivotal role in transforming the Three Lions' fortunes across five major tournaments and multiple historic finals.

EnglandK. Walker
Advertisement
Weston McKennie USMNT

McKennie lifts lid on USMNT dressing room characters & leaders

Weston McKennie has told GOAL what leadership means to him, as a captaincy candidate with Juventus and the USMNT, while discussing the kind of characters that he likes to work alongside. The all-action midfielder is enjoying a productive 2026, with a new contract being signed in Turin, and is counting down the days to a home World Cup on American soil.

W. McKennieUSA
Scott McTominay Napoli 2025-26

‘Big surprise’ - McTominay transfer decision still shocks

Manchester United’s decision to sell Scott McTominay in 2024 remains a “big surprise”, with the all-action midfielder thriving in Italy with Napoli. The history books have been rewritten there, with former Scotland international Gary McAllister telling GOAL why a break from tradition by the Red Devils has generated some uncomfortable questions at Old Trafford.

S. McTominayManchester United
Legacy Argelia GFX

LEGACY: Gijon to Porto Alegre - Algeria's World Cup journey

This is Legacy, GOAL’s feature and podcast series that counts 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 time we look back at one of football’s most emotional journeys: Algeria’s road from Gijon to Porto Alegre. From the heartbreak of 1982 to the pride of 2014, it’s the story of a team that turned injustice into identity, and showed the world that, for Algeria, the dream never dies.

LegacyAlgeria
FIFA President Gianni Infantino Attends US Conference Of Mayors In Washington, DC

Infantino: World Cup will be a ‘total party’

FIFA President Gianni Infantino insists the 2026 World Cup will be a flawless global celebration, brushing aside mounting anxieties over escalating geopolitical tensions in the Middle East. Despite the USA and Israel conflict with Iran disrupting football calendars, causing widespread visa chaos, and forcing Iraq to request a delay, FIFA remains solely focused on record ticket sales.

USAFIFA Club World Cup
Santos v Vasco Da Gama - Brasileirao 2026

Ancelotti names Neymar in Brazil squad

Neymar has been included in Brazil's expansive preliminary squad for the upcoming friendlies, giving the Santos star a lifeline ahead of the 2026 World Cup. However, with Carlo Ancelotti watching, the legendary forward faces immense pressure. Missing the next match for load control, he has just one game left to prove his fitness and secure his spot in the final selection.

NeymarBrazil

Apuestas destacadas

¿Se hunde el Sevilla? La lucha por no descender
See more betting articles
Iraq-Faces-UAE-In-Basra

Iraq urge FIFA to delay WC play-off amid war

Iraq head coach Graham Arnold has issued an urgent plea to football’s international governing body to postpone his team’s intercontinental qualifier for the World Cup because of disruptions caused by the escalating Iran war. The Lions of Mesopotamia are currently scheduled to face either Suriname or Bolivia in a winner-takes-all play-off on March 31 in Monterrey, Mexico, but the logistical mountain has become too steep to climb.

IraqWorld Cup Qualification Inter-Confederation
Weston McKennie USMNT

USMNT star McKennie embraces 'pressure' of home World Cup

Weston McKennie admits that the USMNT will be under “pressure” to deliver at a home World Cup, but considers that level of expectation to bring with it “extra motivation”. The United States is counting down the days to another major tournament on American soil, with McKennie explaining to GOAL how Mauricio Pochettino’s squad will handle the demands of heat and travel.

W. McKennieUSA
PSV Eindhoven v FC Bayern München - UEFA Champions League 2025/26 League Phase MD8

'Everything within my power' - Injured Dest determined to return

PSV have issued an update on Sergino Dest's weekend injury, with the U.S. Men's National Team star himself stating that he's determined to be back before the end of the season. The injury occurred on Saturday in PSV's 2-1 win over AZ Alkmaar. Dest has made 24 league appearances for PSV this season and has 37 caps for the U.S.

USAS. Dest
Christian Pulisic AC Milan 2025-26

Pulisic's USMNT-themed 'myth' debunked by Milan legend

Christian Pulisic has seen a USMNT-themed “myth” debunked by AC Milan legend Andriy Shevchenko. The United States international has faced accusations of already turning his attention towards a home World Cup this summer, but Shevchenko has refuted those claims and backed Pulisic to rediscover his best form at club level during the 2025-26 run-in.

C. PulisicUSA
Mauricio Pochettino USMNT HIC

Pochettino: 75-80 players believe they can make USMNT's WC roster

Mauricio Pochettino says that he believes there are between 75 and 80 players who believe they can make the U.S. Men's National Team's World Cup roster. One of the head coach's main priorities has been building out and empowering the player pool, not just the top players, and he believes that the competition for World Cup places is more fierce because of it.

USAM. Pochettino
Kylian Mbappe Thierry Henry France 2026

Has Mbappe eclipsed Henry? ‘Generation’ argument explained

Kylian Mbappe is a World Cup-winning global superstar in his own right, but can the Real Madrid ‘Galactico’ be considered to have eclipsed the legend of fellow Frenchman Thierry Henry? Jeremie Aliadiere - a former Arsenal teammate of another ‘Invincible’ in north London - has explained why all-time lists will always be influenced by generational favoritism.

K. MbappeFrance
Panel Discussion with Pierluigi Colina and Johannes Holzmüller at The REACH

Legendary ref Collina compares VAR to 'crisis with your wife'

Pierluigi Collina has delivered a blunt assessment of the current state of VAR, comparing the technology’s recent struggles to a crumbling relationship. As football prepares for a suite of radical changes to how the game is policed, the man who once struck fear into the world’s best players suggests that the initial love affair with technology has hit a rocky patch.

P. CollinaPremier League
Cole Palmer Thomas Tuchel Marcus Rashford England

Tuchel urged to snub Palmer & pick England ‘world-beater’

Thomas Tuchel has been urged to snub the likes of Cole Palmer and Phil Foden by picking “world-beater” Marcus Rashford on the left wing for England at the 2026 World Cup. Former Three Lions star Lee Sharpe has told GOAL the Manchester United academy graduate, who is currently on loan at Barcelona, possesses qualities that his rivals for an international starting berth do not have.

M. RashfordEngland

Frequently asked questions

With 16 titles to their name, Argentina are the most successful team in Copa America. They won their first-ever title in 1921, winning 15 more since. La Albiceleste also emerged victorious in the most recent edition in 2024, defending their title from 2021.

Generally, since the 1993 edition, 12 teams have been participating in the Copa America. Exceptions include the 2016 and 2024 editions, which featured 16 teams. Initially, there were just four teams, with a permanent expansion to 10 teams in 1975.

No player has made more Copa America appearances than Lionel Messi, with the Argentinian legend featuring in an impressive 39 games.

Former Argentine footballer Norberto Mendez and Brazilian footballer Zizinho share the record of scoring the most goals in Copa America history, having found the back of the net 17 times each.

Chilean goalkeeper Claudio Bravo set the record as the oldest player to participate in a Copa America game when he started against Argentina at the 2024 edition, aged 41 years and 73 days.

Humberto Elgueta is the youngest player to ever play in the Copa America. The midfielder from Chile was aged just 16 years and one day when he featured against Brazil in the 1920 edition.

Lionel Messi, Ronaldinho, Diego Maradona, Cafu, Roberto Carlos, Alexis Sanchez, Diego Forlan, James Rodriguez, Edinson Cavani, Luis Suarez, Mario Kempes, Neymar, Enzo Francescoli, Carlos Valderrama, Tim Howard, Rafa Marquez, and Javier "Chicharito" Hernandez are some of the most famous players to have played in the Copa America.

Marcelo Bielsa, Lionel Scaloni, Guillermo Stabile, Ricardo Gareca, Jorge Sampaoli, Oscar Tabarez, etc are some of the best managers to have managed nations at the Copa America.

NewerLatestOlder