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Jordan Henderson has leapt to the defence of England team-mate Jude Bellingham, admitting he finds it "hard to read" the constant media scrutiny aimed at the Real Madrid superstar. The veteran midfielder believes Bellingham possesses a unique "X-factor" that will be vital for England's 2026 World Cup hopes in North America.

Jude Bellingham may have been billed as a generational talent, but David James has told GOAL why England are right to treat the Real Madrid superstar in the same manner as Glenn Hoddle and Paul Gascoigne. The Three Lions have not always built around their most gifted players, with Thomas Tuchel seemingly adopting that stance again in 2026.

Manchester United are finally set to open their doors to the world after confirming a record-breaking agreement for an Amazon Prime 'All or Nothing' docuseries. The fly-on-the-wall production will capture the 2026-27 campaign as the club enters a new era under the leadership of Michael Carrick and the INEOS sporting department.

Ousmane Dembele is reportedly on the verge of committing his long-term future to Paris Saint-Germain following a period of unprecedented success at the Parc des Princes. The French winger has become the cornerstone of a side that has established true dominance on both the domestic and European stages.

The Sundowns goalkeeper has leaped to the defence of the national team coach following a wave of criticism in the wake of South Africa's opening World Cup defeat. The Belgian mentor has come under fire for his tactical approach after the national team slumped to a 2-0 loss against tournament co-hosts Mexico at the iconic Estadio Azteca.

Barcelona love an entertaining playmaker - having seen Diego Maradona, Ronaldinho and Lionel Messi grace their books - and Frank Leboeuf has told GOAL that Rayan Cherki could go on to forge an “insane” attack alongside Lamine Yamal at Camp Nou. The French midfielder is currently starring for Manchester City, but a future switch to La Liga cannot be ruled out.

Bafana Bafana's long-awaited return to the world stage didn't go according to plan, as they slumped to a 2-0 defeat against co-hosts Mexico. Central to the fallout was the Tondela midfielder, whose high-profile errors and subsequent red card turned him into a lightning rod for criticism.

Crystal Palace have moved decisively to secure their next managerial appointment, reaching an agreement with ex-Lens head coach Pierre Sage. The Frenchman, who led Lens to the Coupe de France title and a runners-up finish in Ligue 1 last season, is set to succeed Oliver Glasner at Selhurst Park on a three-year contract.

Tottenham full-back Pedro Porro has signed a new contract ahead of the 2026-27 season, ending any hopes of a summer transfer for reported suitors Manchester City and Real Madrid. The Spaniard, who initially joined the club from Sporting CP in January 2023, has committed his future to Spurs through to 2031.

Jordan Pickford has stated his desire to take a penalty for England, but would the Everton goalkeeper be picked to step up in a shootout if a 2026 World Cup fixture went the distance? Former Three Lions shot-stopper David James has told GOAL what Thomas Tuchel’s stance is likely to be, with history dictating that plans do need to be drawn up in that department.

Ruben Amorim is set for a return to the touchline after reaching an agreement to become the next manager of AC Milan, according to reports. The Portuguese tactician, who has been out of work since his dismissal from Manchester United in January, is expected to sign an initial two-year deal to replace Massimiliano Allegri at San Siro.

Ricardo Goss has expressed his deep frustration with the level of criticism aimed at the national team following their difficult start to the 2026 World Cup. Speaking from the team base in Mexico, the shot-stopper directed his ire specifically at television analysts, many of whom are former professionals and ex-teammates of the current squad.

Bayern Munich are on the verge of completing a blockbuster deal for Ismael Saibari, with the PSV Eindhoven winger reportedly agreeing to a move worth €55 million. The Morocco international was one of the standout performers in the Eredivisie last season and is now set to undergo a medical with the German giants.

Graham Potter’s World Cup debut as Sweden manager was a dream on the pitch but the former Chelsea boss was left nursing a bloodied ear following a dominant 5-1 victory over Tunisia. While his side moved to the top of Group F with a ruthless attacking display, Potter sustained a mystery injury during the post-match celebrations.

Jude Bellingham has been told there will be “no hiding place” for him in the Real Madrid circus as Jose Mourinho returns as ringmaster, with ex-England international Peter Reid telling GOAL what the all-action midfielder needs to prove. A place has been found in Thomas Tuchel’s World Cup plans despite a testing campaign at club level being endured in 2025-26.

Former Amakhosi coach Cavin Johnson has delivered a scathing assessment of South Africa’s opening performance at the ongoing global showpiece. Following a 2-0 defeat to the co-hosts team, the veteran tactician believes a combination of poor mental preparation and a confusing tactical setup doomed Hugo Broos’ side from the first whistle.

The South African Football Association (SAFA) has taken a firm stand against UEFA president Aleksander Ceferin following controversial remarks regarding the expanded FIFA World Cup format. Joining a coalition of 12 other nations, the South African governing body expressed its "profound disappointment" over suggestions that the tournament's new structure has led to lower-quality matches.

Real Madrid have officially secured the signing of Chelsea defender Marc Cucurella in a deal worth £52 million, marking the first major acquisition of Jose Mourinho’s second tenure at the Bernabeu. The Spanish international returns to his homeland after a five-year stint in the Premier League, ending a period of speculation regarding his future at Stamford Bridge.

Rafael van der Vaart has launched a stinging attack on Virgil van Dijk, comparing the Netherlands captain to a commercial airliner following a shaky defensive display against Japan. Despite the Liverpool man finding the net in the 2-2 draw, Van der Vaart admitted he was stunned by the defender's lack of mobility during the Netherlands' World Cup opener.

Real Madrid believe Manchester United are now the clear favourites to secure the signature of West Ham midfielder Mateus Fernandes. The Spanish giants have reportedly stepped back from a potential pursuit, acknowledging that the Red Devils have moved into an advanced position for the 21-year-old.

Kylian Mbappe has issued a rallying cry to his France team-mates by admitting he must evolve his own game to ensure World Cup glory. The Les Bleus captain acknowledges that his defensive contributions have often been a point of contention and is determined to silence the critics in North America.

Tottenham have been told how many transfers they need to give Roberto De Zerbi complete authority over in the summer window, with Brad Friedel telling GOAL that Spurs can enjoy a “quick resurrection” back into the Premier League’s top six. Such a transformation will, however, only occur if the man in the dugout is allowed to refresh an underperforming squad as he sees fit.

The Al-Ettifaq frontman has paid a glowing tribute to the South Africa coach, crediting the Belgian for the recent resurgence and competitive edge of the national team. Despite the heartbreak of missing the 2026 FIFA World Cup through injury, the winger remains steadfast in his support for the outgoing tactician.

Former West Ham and Sunderland defender Anton Ferdinand joins Adebayo Akinfenwa on the latest episode of the Beast Mode On Podcast. The 41-year-old discusses his journey through professional football and the experiences that shaped him both on and off the pitch. From coming through the ranks with the Hammers and establishing himself in the Premier League, Ferdinand reflects on the highs and challenges of life at the highest level of the game.

Former Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau has found himself at the centre of a social media storm after choosing to attend the USMNT's opening match to support his pop-star girlfriend, Katy Perry, over his own national team. The 54-year-old was a notable absentee as Canada played their first-ever home World Cup fixture, a 1-1 draw against Bosnia and Herzegovina.

Jurgen Klopp has issued a heartfelt apology to Germany head coach Julian Nagelsmann following a controversial slip of the tongue on live television. The former Liverpool manager, who is currently serving as a pundit during the 2026 World Cup, admitted he felt like "an idiot" after a specific word choice sparked a national debate regarding Nagelsmann’s job security.

After Arsenal lost to Manchester City in April, Declan Rice, perhaps a little inadvertently, went viral. The England midfielder slumped on his heels, sprung to his feet defiantly, and was pictured shouting, "It's not done!" to his Gunners team-mates. At the time, it didn't look good; Arsenal's Premier League lead had shrunk to just three points - and City still had a game in hand.

Pep Guardiola is out of work, after leaving Manchester City, but should his sudden availability concern England boss Thomas Tuchel - a man under pressure to deliver at the 2026 World Cup? Former Three Lions star Michael Owen has given two reasons to GOAL why a German tactician filling the most demanding of roles should not fret about the shadow cast by a highly-decorated Catalan coach.

The fallout from South Africa's disappointing 2-0 defeat to Mexico at the Estadio Azteca continues with the finger of blame now pointing directly at the domestic league after claims that a lack of competitive depth is hindering the nation's progress.