The Zinedine Zidane era of the French national team is finally ready to begin following years of intense speculation regarding the legendary midfielder's future. The French Football Federation (FFF) has confirmed that a major announcement is imminent as they prepare to move on from long-serving manager Didier Deschamps after a disappointing end to the 2018 World Cup.
Eli Junior Kroupi is said to be registering on Arsenal’s transfer radar, but Mikael Silvestre has told GOAL why the Gunners would be “different fish” for his fellow Frenchman if a big-money move away from Bournemouth were to be made. The talented 20-year-old is considered to be the hottest of prospects, with further progress domestically and internationally expected in 2026-27.
Real Madrid icon Luis Figo believes Kylian Mbappe remains a primary contender for the 2026 Ballon d’Or following a stellar World Cup campaign. The former Portugal international also addressed the persistent rumours linking Manchester City’s midfield anchor Rodri with a high-profile move to the Santiago Bernabeu.
Arsenal have confirmed that star defender William Saliba is set for a lengthy spell on the sidelines after sustaining a back injury during the 2026 World Cup. The Frenchman, who was a vital part of Les Bleus' run to the semi-finals, underwent specialist reviews upon his return to London which revealed the extent of the damage.
Real Madrid superstar Kylian Mbappe has officially been unveiled as the face of EA SPORTS FC 27, marking a triumphant return to the spotlight for the world’s premier football simulation. The French captain’s move to the Santiago Bernabeu has solidified his status as the game's ultimate commercial powerhouse, ending a four-year hiatus from the iconic cover.
And so the 2026 World Cup has come to a close after an enthralling 39 days that saw Spain get their hands on the trophy. Throughout the showpiece tournament in North America, GOAL, in association with eToro, has been tracking the value of some of the world's most sought-after talents. Did their price rise or plummet? Check out the final standings of our unique player value tracker to find out...
Kylian Mbappe will have been left “devastated” and “fuming” at his trophy failings with Real Madrid and France, Jeremie Aliadiere has told GOAL, with the ‘Galactico’ forward desperate to emulate Cristiano Ronaldo in the Champions League-winning department. That prestigious European prize has remained elusive to a man who is now the all-time leading goalscorer in World Cup history.
There's no sporting event bigger than the World Cup. It's the pinnacle of professional football, where global superstars are born, dreams die and legends live forever. Sometimes, with just one goal, one pass, one tackle, one block or one save, a previously little-known player can become a national hero, a name eternally etched in the memory of a country's collective consciousness.
After five weeks, a record 104 matches played and 308 goals scored, the 2026 World Cup is officially over. From a purely footballing perspective, FIFA's biggest tournament of all time did not disappoint, with 48 teams doing battle across three host countries and the vast expanse of North America. And when 46 of those nations had been whittled away, only the top two ranked teams on the planet remained: Spain and Argentina.
France’s 2026 World Cup campaign ended in a cloud of toxicity and defensive fragility following a remarkable 6-4 defeat to England in the third-place playoff. While the goal-fest in Miami provided entertainment for the neutral, veteran midfielder Adrien Rabiot was left fuming at the lack of professionalism shown by his teammates during Didier Deschamps' final game in charge.
France
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