Lionel Messi has officially weighed in on the meteoric rise of Lamine Yamal, naming the Barcelona teenager as his natural successor. The eight-time Ballon d'Or winner believes the La Masia graduate is already operating at a level that puts him above the rest of the pack in world football.
The Golden Arrows tactician has spotted what he believes could be the final jigsaw piece in Hugo Broos’ Bafana blueprint, with the global spectacle looming on the horizon. The former Mamelodi Sundowns coach has been outspoken about the national side’s defensive frailties, and is now casting his eye toward Durban in search of a possible solution to shore up the backline.
Lionel Messi has provided a surprising assessment of the international landscape ahead of the 2026 World Cup, suggesting that several nations are currently better equipped than Argentina to lift the trophy. The Inter Miami superstar identified four specific rivals he believes are entering the tournament in superior form compared to the defending champions, including Portugal, led by Cristiano Ronaldo.
Bafana Bafana international is on the move once again after the Belgian side reached a final decision regarding his future at the club. Despite the promise shown during his time in Africa, the winger's European dream has hit a significant speed bump in the Jupiler Pro League.
The Glamour Boys boss has publicly challenged Bafana Bafana head coach over the continued absence of Amakhosi stars from the national team setup. With the tournament fast approaching, the Tunisian tactician believes the domestic form of his players can no longer be ignored by the national team selectors.
George Lebese believes the Buccaneers 21-year-old star has outgrown the 'youngster' tag after a sensational turnaround in form in a more central role under head coach Abdeslam Ouaddou has seen him become the heartbeat of the Bucs' title charge.
The Association has secured a transformative agreement with the top European league, marking a major milestone for the growth of the local game. This historic collaboration is set to open unprecedented doors for young talent across the country while strengthening technical and commercial ties with one of Europe's elite leagues.
U.S. Men's National Team midfielder Tanner Tessmann will miss the final two games of Lyon's Ligue 1 season after suffering a muscle injury, manager Paulo Fonseca revealed Friday. The injury comes just weeks ahead of the World Cup, with Tessmann widely expected to be in contention for a starting USMNT role this summer.
The South African legend has identified the three players he believes should replace the talented centre-back if he fails to recover in time for the 2026 FIFA World Cup. With the former Kaizer Chiefs defender struggling for fitness following a series of injury setbacks in Romania, North America might come too soon for the 28-year-old.
Cristiano Ronaldo could grace the 2030 World Cup, former Manchester United coach Rene Meulensteen has told GOAL, as a home finals in Portugal are “not too far” away for the history-making GOAT. The Al-Nassr superstar may be 41 years of age, but the evergreen frontman has proved over the course of his remarkable career that anything is possible and he likes nothing more than making a mockery of biological and sporting logic.
Real Madrid starlet Endrick has taken French football by storm, but it isn't just his prowess on the pitch that is making headlines. The teenage sensation recently stunned fans and media alike by conducting a full interview in fluent French, despite having only joined Lyon on loan just over four months ago.
Christian Pulisic has hit back at critics questioning his recent form, labelling concerns over his 2026 goal drought as "bad questions" ahead of the World Cup. The AC Milan forward, who recently featured as a cover star for Time magazine, remains confident in his ability to deliver for the USMNT as they prepare to co-host the tournament.
Donald Trump admitted that he would be reluctant to pay the reportedly high prices for World Cup tickets in an interview with the New York Post. The U.S. president conceded that he "did not know" tickets were being sold for more than $1,000 for the USMNT's opening fixture against Paraguay and noted that he "wouldn't pay" such fees to see a World Cup game.
Sixteen years after the global phenomenon of 'Waka Waka', Shakira is set to take centre stage again for the upcoming 2026 World Cup. The Colombian singer has released a snippet of the official song for the tournament titled 'Dai Dai', a collaborative project with Nigerian artist Burna Boy.
Antonio Cassano has revealed Lionel Messi's retirement timeline after meeting the Argentina icon in Florida. Despite approaching his 39th birthday, the Inter Miami superstar appears to have no immediate intention of hanging up his boots as he eyes further success in MLS and potentially on the international stage.
Curacao became the smallest nation to ever qualify for the World Cup, and their historic achievement has offered a moment of unity for an island long shaped by racial tension.
FIFA president Gianni Infantino joked he would personally deliver hot dogs and soft drinks to anyone paying $2 million for a World Cup final ticket. The comment comes as resale listings for the 2026 showpiece reach extraordinary levels, sparking criticism over affordability.
Landon Donovan has issued blunt advice to Gio Reyna as the United States build towards the 2026 World Cup on home soil. The former USMNT star says the talented playmaker must focus on football and team unity if he wants to play a leading role in the tournament.
The Brazilians boss has launched a scathing attack on the match officials after seeing his side drop crucial points in a dramatic draw against the Glamour Boys at Loftus Versfeld. The result has revitalised the Betway Premiership title race, handing a massive lifeline to rivals Orlando Pirates.
Canada national team head coach Jesse Marsch has launched a scathing attack on Tottenham Hotspur boss Roberto De Zerbi, labelling the Italian "a real a*shole." The outburst stems from De Zerbi's controversial treatment of midfielder Ismael Kone during their brief shared tenure at Marseille.
The prospect of Neymar joining his former Barcelona team-mates in Major League Soccer is heating up as the Brazilian superstar considers his next move away from Santos. While a reunion with Lionel Messi and Luis Suarez at Inter Miami remains a romantic possibility, the playmaker is also being linked with a surprise switch to Ohio.
From Landon Donovan’s Algeria heroics to Tim Howard’s unforgettable stand against Belgium, GOAL picks the USMNT stars who have defined America’s World Cup history.
The Soweto giants coach has officially thrown down the gauntlet to the Belgian mentor regarding the international future of the experienced goalkeeper. As the 2026 FIFA World Cup approaches, the Bucs shot-stopper has become the subject of intense debate following his consistent exclusion from the national setup.
The centre-back's move from the Soweto giants to the USA may have divided opinion in the coaching dugout, but there is no debating the financial windfall the young defender has secured. The South Africa international has traded the PSL for Major League Soccer in a deal that has catapulted him into a different stratosphere of wealth.
Luis de la Fuente has hailed the incredible work ethic of Barcelona sensation Lamine Yamal as the teenager battles to be fit for the 2026 World Cup. Despite being sidelined for the remainder of the domestic season, the Spain manager is confident that the winger will return in time to make a big impact on the international stage.
FIFA have extended Gianluca Prestianni's ban for homophobic conduct globally, meaning he could now miss Argentina's first two games at the 2026 World Cup. The Benfica winger, who was sanctioned following a high-profile clash with Real Madrid's Vinicius Junior, will now see his club-level suspension apply to international competitive fixtures.
Just a day after the Minister of Sport, Arts and Culture revealed the names of 16 local fans who will go to the tournament after winning the Mzansi to the World Cup Lucky Fan Competition, he also announced that the government had invited the South Africa squad from when they hosted the global showpiece 16 years ago to attend the opening match of the 2026 edition.
The clock is ticking down to a potentially tenure-defining decision for Thomas Tuchel, who will be putting the final touches to his England squad for the 2026 World Cup. However, there is still time for those on the fringes to make a late push into the manager's thinking as the season enters his final weeks. Some, though, stand a much better chance than others.
Tim Weah has always been more than a footballer. He sat down with GOAL to discuss art, identity, storytelling and the role he hopes to play at a home World Cup.
Arsenal and France legend Thierry Henry has weighed in on the eternal debate between Lionel Messi and Cristiano Ronaldo, refusing to separate the two icons. Speaking at a recent event, the former striker compared their enduring rivalry to tennis greats Roger Federer and Rafael Nadal, insisting that both superstars exist in their own footballing galaxy.
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