France have received a double boost ahead of their final World Cup warm-up fixture against Northern Ireland, with William Saliba's fitness clear and Ousmane Dembele set for a return. Manager Didier Deschamps has moved to calm fears over his star defender while confirming a tactical shift for his attacking line.
It's strange that there isn't more hype around Kylian Mbappe as the days tick down to the 2026 World Cup getting underway, but you can probably put that down to what was a largely forgettable club season with Real Madrid. He will be mightily relieved to be away from the cauldron that is the Bernabeu having become persona non grata during the run-in, shifting his focus to making history with France in North America.
FIFA has announced a significant protocol modification that will see every squad member take part in the pre-match national anthems at the upcoming World Cup. Moving away from traditional sporting custom, football's global governing body has mandated that both starting line-ups and substitutes congregate together on the pitch ahead of kick-off.
France captain Kylian Mbappe has candidly admitted that he has never rewatched his country's heartbreaking 2022 World Cup final defeat against Argentina. Despite netting a historic hat-trick during the thrilling showpiece event in Qatar, the Real Madrid superstar confessed that revisiting the painful memory could reopen old psychological wounds.
Kylian Mbappe is being backed to play in the Premier League at some point, with Louis Saha telling GOAL why Manchester United would be a “good destination” for his fellow Frenchman. The World Cup-winning frontman is currently on the books of La Liga giants Real Madrid, but another high-profile transfer in upcoming windows could see a path that leads to England open up.
Nike has unveiled its new "Rip the Script" campaign ahead of the 2026 World Cup, bringing together some of football's biggest names and global celebrities. Cole Palmer, Erling Haaland, Kylian Mbappe and Vinicius Junior headline the film, which promotes creativity and instinctive play while showcasing the brand's latest football innovations.
Rayan Cherki scored a memorable goal, but a much-changed France side couldn't hold onto the lead as they dropped their first World Cup warmup game to the Ivory Coast, 2-1. Manager Didier Deschamps made plenty of changes, yet still named a strong side. Despite some bright moments, Les Bleus weren't able to piece together a complete performance - and were made to pay.
France head coach Didier Deschamps has provided a major boost regarding the fitness of Arsenal defender William Saliba ahead of the 2026 World Cup. Despite suffering a back issue following a gruelling Champions League final defeat to Paris Saint-Germain, the centre-back has avoided serious injury, though he faces a mental challenge to recover from the heart-breaking loss.
France are preparing to head across the Atlantic in search of World Cup glory, but the squad has already managed to go viral before touching down in the United States. During a formal photo session with President Emmanuel Macron, Manchester City star Rayan Cherki stole the spotlight for all the wrong reasons.
Rayan Cherki is being backed to justify comparisons with Zinedine Zidane, as Louis Saha tells GOAL why the enigmatic Manchester City playmaker can become even better now that Pep Guardiola has left the Etihad Stadium. The most demanding of coaches helped to keep a tight leash on Cherki, but the World Cup-bound midfielder should benefit from a little more leeway when working under a new manager in the Premier League.
Paul Pogba has, following a disappointing return to competitive action at Monaco, been given two reasons why moves to MLS or the Saudi Pro League may be perfect at this stage of his career. John Arne Riise is among those to have been left frustrated at seeing the former Manchester United and Juventus midfielder flop in France and fail to reignite a lost spark.
Arsenal defender William Saliba could be forced to undergo back surgery immediately after the upcoming World Cup as his ongoing physical discomfort continues to intensify. Despite successfully managing the issue to play a starring role for the Gunners, recent medical assessments indicate that the centre-back requires long-term surgical intervention.
William Saliba is facing a race against time to be fit for the upcoming World Cup in North America after a devastating night in Budapest. The Arsenal mainstay, who has been a pillar of Mikel Arteta’s defence, saw his Champions League dreams crushed before receiving a major blow to his international ambitions.
The World Cup has had no shortage of iconic moments across nearly 100 years of history. Every four years, billions of fans congregate to watch a tournament that has provided more drama, heartbreak and joy than any other event in sporting history. Football's grandest stage, the World Cup has always offered a platform for legends to be born, but it has also seen reputations destroyed and the downfall of so many famous faces.
Michael Olise and Lamine Yamal are two of the best right wingers in world football, but Marcel Desailly has told GOAL when Bayern Munich’s superstar Frenchman remains a “step below” Barcelona’s teenage wonderkid. Both forwards continue to post remarkable numbers for club and country, with their awe-inspiring skill sets about to illuminate the 2026 World Cup.
FIFA has confirmed the key dates and squad regulations for the 2026 World Cup. Nations must submit their final player lists by June 1, with strict rules in place regarding injuries, replacements and goalkeeper selections.
French football legend Michel Platini has defended international captain Kylian Mbappe after the forward publicly warned against the far right taking power in France. While validating the Real Madrid star's societal stance, the former UEFA president offered some stern advice regarding the immense responsibilities and risks of such high-profile exposure.
France legend Frank Leboeuf has delivered a scathing assessment of Kylian Mbappe’s leadership credentials as Les Bleus look ahead to the 2026 World Cup. The 1998 world champion believes the Real Madrid superstar is "too selfish" to captain the national side to glory in North America this summer.
Portugal head coach Roberto Martinez has revealed that the national team made a formal approach for Bournemouth's teenage sensation Eli Junior Kroupi ahead of the 2026 World Cup. The 19-year-old forward, who boasts an impressive Premier League record this season, ultimately chose to stick with the French setup, ending Portugal's hopes of a high-profile international transfer.
France
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