Well, it certainly could have been easier. If England could have picked their opponents for the 2026 World Cup group stage, they probably would not have chosen a Croatia team that finished third at the last tournament and knocked them out in the semi-finals at the previous one in Russia, or a Ghana side containing two of the most exciting forwards in the Premier League.
Ahead of MLS Cup, Fray joins GOAL Convo to talk growing up near Chase Stadium, playing with Messi and Co., and what this moment means for him and Inter Miami.
The Three Lions have been drawn in Group L for the 2026 World Cup and the draw has served up some lively-looking reunions when the tournament gets underway in America, Canada and Mexico next June. Boss Thomas Tuchel has called it a "difficult" group, but fans have taken to social media to crow over how easy the ride will be for England in the opening stage of football's most coveted prize.
Scotland discovered their World Cup 2026 group opposition after the draw took place in Washington DC, but only after an infernally long pre-draw build-up that left many of those watching fuming. One of those frustrated by the long videos, interviews with stars, including US President Donald Trump, was Scotland star John McGinn, who summed-up everyone's frustrations in one simple, but hilarious image.
The USMNT’s placement in Group D for the 2026 World Cup - alongside Paraguay, Australia, and the winner of Play-Off C (Türkiye, Romania, Slovakia or Kosovo) - quickly ignited debate. Fans, analysts, and pundits reacted in real time, sharing everything from excitement to anxiety as the draw unfolded.
The draw for the 2026 World Cup is finally over! After what seemed like an eternity, the real business finally got underway in Friday's ceremony in Washington DC, with Rio Ferdinand leading the way and sporting icons such as Tom Brady, Shaquille O'Neal and Wayne Gretzky teaming up to throw up some intriguing groups for next summer's tournament in North America.
The 61-year-old celebrated South African tactician believes Hugo Broos' men have enough quality to ensure they don't fall in the initial phase of the prestigious global competition that will be co-hosted by the United States, Canada, and Mexico. The senior national team has, in the past, not made the knockout stage.
The Carling Knockout final is more than a trophy chase. For the Buccaneers, it’s a farewell stage for 20-year-old centre-back Mbekezeli Mbokazi, who departs for Major League Soccer after this match. For Bahlabane Ba Ntwa, it’s a chance to etch their name into history. One night, two stories and a stadium braced for destiny.
Burnley midfielder Hannibal Mejbri has been hit with a four-game suspension and a £15,000 fine after the FA found him guilty of spitting at or towards Leeds United supporters during October’s six-pointer Premier League clash. The Tunisia international admitted the charge, with an independent commission issuing the ban as Burnley continue fighting to escape the drop zone.
Mark Bellingham, the father of England and Real Madrid superstar Jude and Borussia Dortmund midfielder Jobe, has made an unexpected return to amateur football by signing for outfit FC Herdecke-Ende. Bellingham, a prolific striker in English non-league football with over 700 career goals, joined the Kreisliga B side after relocating to Germany to be closer to his youngest son.
Mexico now know their path for the 2026 World Cup. El Tri will open the tournament at the Estadio Azteca against South Africa (61), marking the first time an opening match from a previous edition has been repeated. South Korea (22) and the winner of a European playoff round out a Group A that also spares Javier Aguirre’s squad from several higher-profile opponents.
Canada got the rub of the green as preparations for the 2026 World Cup kicked into full gear. Les Rouges will face Switzerland, Qatar and the winner of a European playoff to open the tournament next summer. On paper, it’s a winnable group - but if the playoff unfolds as expected, Jesse Marsch’s team could be staring down global giants Italy in the early stages.
The U.S. men's national team has learned their World Cup group as Mauricio Pochettino's side was paired with Paraguay, Australia and a yet-to-be-determined European foe to start next summer's tournament. The USMNT's fourth opponent will be either Turkey, Romania, Slovakia or Kosovo, who will face off in March's playoff.
Chelsea and Arsenal have reportedly intensified their pursuit of Lille sensation Ayyoub Bouaddi, with both Premier League giants pushing to position themselves ahead of Paris Saint-Germain in the race for one of Europe’s brightest youngsters. Lille are determined to extend the teenager’s contract and protect a fee that could soar past €50 million (£43.6m/$58.2m) next summer.
South Africa are set for the tournament, where they have been placed in Group A alongside the co-hosts, hoping to get the needed result that will see them get into the knockout phase. The country has never made it past the initial phase in the competition, and this will be a massive chance for them to show the world what they are made of.
The World Cup 2026 draw has been made, with England set to face Croatia in the group stages, and the USMNT to take on Australia. Brazil have been drawn with Morocco, while France will play Senegal and Argentina must face Austria.
The Sea Robbers are set for their 10th final in the Carling Knockout when they will take on Bahlabane Ba Ntwa at the Peter Mokaba Stadium on Saturday. This is also a chance for Bucs to seal another cup, three months after defending the MTN8 trophy. The cup final is a duel between a Pirates side that is quite consistent and a Gallants side that has struggled and is winless for several games.
Liverpool's title defence lays in tatters after a woeful run of six defeats in 14 matches leaving them ninth in the Premier League table and Reds captain Virgil van Dijk has taken aim at the club’s senior players, saying none of them can take their place in the starting XI for granted. Mo Salah has had to sit out the start of Liverpool’s last two games and has been warned his performances must improve.
The Sea Robbers are set to go all the way this weekend and win the annual domestic competition after missing out on several occasions. Under coach Abdeslam Ouaddou, the Buccaneers have been solid despite the rotation of players across all tournaments. Bahlabane Ba Ntwa come into the match as underdogs but can still cause an upset.
Mic’d Up: McCarty breaks down the MLS Cup - why benching Suárez was a “career-defining” call, how Müller made Vancouver must-watch, and which side he thinks has the edge.
Nick Woltemade has hit back at the “absurd” criticism aimed at Germany teammate Florian Wirtz after the Liverpool star’s slow start in the Premier League, insisting the £116 million signing will prove his quality in England. With Wirtz yet to score for Liverpool and facing scrutiny over his adaptation, Woltemade’s public defence adds fresh weight to calls for patience.
Manchester United boss Ruben Amorim has been called out by an Old Trafford legend over his handling of youngster Kobbie Mainoo and suggested the England international could leave unless his treatment improves. Paul Scholes took to social media to post an expletive-laden response to the United bosses’ claims Mainoo is a “starter”, despite the fact the 20-year-old hasn’t started a league game for the club this season.
In only their second season in Serie A, Como 1907 are fifth after completing one-third of the 25/26 campaign. We investigate the secret to their success.
The tacticians have been in charge of Amakhosi since Nasreddine Nabi left just as the season began. Both coaches were assistants to Nabi but were left untouched when the Soweto giants parted ways with the Nedbank Cup-winning Tunisian. Although they have led Chiefs to a historical milestone in the CAF Confederation Cup, their reign has been described as a disaster in waiting for the club.
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