World Cup Qualification Inter-Confederation news

Video: Historic celebrations in Congo over World Cup qualification... and outrage in France!

A return after a long absence

Video: Mané: We’ll beat Iraq 3–0

Iraq has been drawn in a difficult group

FIFA Rankings: France leapfrog Spain following Egypt stalemate

Morocco maintains its global standing... and Tunisia makes a significant leap

Video: After qualifying for the World Cup, the Iraqi Prime Minister makes a promise to the Lions of Mesopotamia

A public holiday to mark this historic achievement

Irak v Bolivia - FIFA World Cup 2026 Play-Off Tournament Final

Iraq coach: We will surprise the world at the World Cup

The Iraqi national team has nothing to lose at the World Cup

DR Congo’s historic World Cup qualification leads to a special government decision

Congo DR v Jamaica - FIFA World Cup 2026 Play-Off Tournament

Ex-Man Utd star ends DR Congo’s 52-year World Cup wait

Former Manchester United defender Axel Tuanzebe sparked wild celebrations in Kinshasa by scoring a dramatic 100th-minute winner to send DR Congo to the 2026 World Cup. The historic 1-0 victory over Jamaica in the intercontinental play-off final ends a 52-year absence from the global stage for the Central African nation.

Video: A man of his word... Ayman Hussein revisits his historic statement

Ayman Hussein fulfils his dream nine years after making his promise

World Cup trophy Christian Pulisic Edson Alvarez

World Cup 2026: Full list of qualified teams

GOAL breaks down all the confirmed qualifiers for the 2026 World Cup, plus the teams who could soon be on their way.

World Cup trophy Robert Lewandowski Poland Sandro Tonali Italy

World Cup 2026 play-offs: Fixtures, results & how to watch

The six remaining places at the 2026 World Cup will be decided through two play-off tournaments, featuring the likes of Italy, Poland, Jamaica and DR Congo, among others.

New Caledonia vs Jamaica: Stream, TV channels & where to watch

How to watch the World Cup Qualification Inter-Confederation match between New Caledonia and Jamaica, as well as kick-off time and team news

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.

World Cup 2026 draw: Everything you need to know

The latest information on the World Cup 2026 draw, including the date, what to expect in terms of teams and pots, and how to watch.

The 2026 FIFA World Cup Countdown Clock Is Unveiled In Mexico City

FIFA Play-Off Tournament: Everything you need to know

FIFA Play-Off Tournament — how it works, who qualifies, seeding, format, schedule and other key points you should know.

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Frequently asked questions

: Current title holders Real Madrid are miles ahead of any other club in Europe's most prestigious competition, having gone all the way whopping 15 times – more than twice the number of titles lifted by any other club.
: The newest format, introduced ahead of the 2024-25 season, features 36 teams, four more than in the previous format. The competition was known as the European Cup at the time of its inception in 1955 before being rebranded to the UEFA Champions League ahead of the 1992-93 season. In its inaugural edition in 1955-56, only 16 teams contested.
: Cristiano Ronaldo sits at the top of the appearance-making charts, having played in 183 Champions League games, representing Manchester United, Real Madrid, and Juventus.
: No surprises here! It's Mr. Champions League, Cristiano Ronaldo, who is the leading goalscorer in the Champions League with an astonishing 141 goals to his name!
: Cristiano Ronaldo is not just a prolific goalscorer, but also has a keen eye for his team-mates as his record 42 assists in the Champions League prove.
: Former Italian goalkeeper Marco Ballotta holds the distinction of being the oldest player ever in the Champions League. Playing for Lazio against Real Madrid in the 2007-08 season, Ballotta was aged 43 years and 252 days.
: Borussia Dortmund prodigy Youssoufa Moukoko is the youngest player ever to feature in a Champions League game. He set the record on December 8 2020, in Dortmund's group stage fixture against Zenit St. Petersburg, aged 16 years and 18 days.
: Gianluigi Buffon, Raul, Robert Lewandowski, Ronaldinho, Clarence Seedorf, Arjen Robben, Cristiano Ronaldo, Sergio Ramos, Toni Kroos, Zinedine Zidane, Paolo Maldini, Lionel Messi, and Mo Salah, to name a few, are some of the greatest and most famous footballing faces to have graced the Champions League over the decades.
: Pep Guardiola, Jose Mourinho, Jurgen Klopp, Carlo Ancelotti, Rafael Benitez, Frank Rijkaard, Unai Emery, Thomas Tuchel, Zinedine Zidane, Sir Alex Ferguson, and Arsene Wenger are some of the most famous managers to have coached a club in the Champions League.