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Spain v Cabo Verde: Group H - FIFA World Cup 2026

How have debutant teams performed at the FIFA World Cup?

Four nations will make debuts at the 2026 World Cup, with Cape Verde, Curacao, Jordan and Uzbekistan set to grace the grandest stage in international football for the first time. It will be the tournament with the most newcomers since 2006 and all will have ambitions of ending a 16-year wait for a debutant to reach the knockout stages.

World Cup Golden Boot GFX

RANKED: Top 10 World Cup Golden Boot contenders

After years of build-up, the 2026 World Cup is almost upon us. The best players in the world have descended on the United States, Mexico and Canada with dreams of lifting the most prestigious trophy in global football ahead of the action getting under way in Mexico City.

World Cup managers GFX

Why 2026 is the best managerial line up in World Cup history

The 2026 World Cup is almost upon us. Over the course of the next week, the time for talking will stop, and teams will have to prove their credentials with their performances on the pitch in North America. All roads, whether through the United States, Mexico or Canada, will lead to New Jersey on July 19, and the biggest football match on the planet: the World Cup final.

World Cup missing stars GFX

Palmer & the biggest stars to miss out on the World Cup

The 2026 World Cup is almost here. After years of build-up, dramatic qualifiers and numerous good - and bad - news stories surrounding FIFA's flagship finals, players and coaches from around the world are completing their last preparations after descending on the United States, Mexico and Canada for the biggest international football tournament to ever have been staged.

World Cup new wave GFX

Yamal, Haaland & 10 stars making their World Cup debuts

We're now just hours away from the start of the 2026 World Cup, with teams currently making their final preparations ahead of the big kick-off in the United States, Mexico and Canada on Thursday. This is the biggest World Cup ever, with 48 teams having qualified, meaning there are a whole host of players making their first appearance on the global stage.

World Cup kits GFX

RANKED: Top 20 kits at the 2026 World Cup

There's just a few hours to go until the biggest show on earth gets underway, with the 2026 World Cup kicking off in Mexico City on Thursday. If you haven't already caught a serious case of World Cup fever, what better way to get in the mood than by checking out the very best kits that will be on show in North America this summer.

World Cup winners GFX

GOAL writers predict the winners of the 2026 World Cup

It's so close we can almost taste it. The 2026 World Cup is now just hours away, with the best players on the planet having descended on the United States, Canada and Mexico for what promises to be a superb summer of football. While some teams will solely harbour dreams of getting out of the groups, others know that anything other than a trophy parade in late-July will go down as failure. We're set, then, for five-and-a-half weeks of drama, filled with joy and heartbreak in equal measure.

mbappe

Wenger claims Mbappe has been made a 'scapegoat' at Real Madrid

Former Arsenal manager Arsene Wenger has leapt to the defence of Kylian Mbappe, claiming the forward has been unfairly targeted during a turbulent second season at Real Madrid. The legendary coach believes the Frenchman has been cast as a "scapegoat" at the Bernabeu but is tipped to explode back into form at the upcoming World Cup.

Michael Olise France 2026

Hat-trick hero Olise puts on a show in final France warm-up

Michael Olise scored three and France overcame a brief scare from Northern Ireland to wrap up their pre-World Cup friendlies with a comfortable 3-1 win. The Bayern Munich star was effective throughout and good value for his hat-trick as Les Bleus saw off the visitors without really getting out of second gear. It's hard to imagine a better result before France move to the U.S.

World Cup selection debates GFX

Six biggest selection debates facing the World Cup favourites

We are now just days away, and World Cup fever is gripping the globe as teams from 48 countries descend on the United States, Mexico and Canada for the biggest tournament FIFA have ever staged. Managers are making their final plans ahead of the opening round of group games, but for some there are still massive decisions to be made.

William Saliba Croatia v France - UEFA Nations League Quarterfinal Leg One

Saliba injury boost as Deschamps confirms Dembele role

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.

Kylian Mbappe France GFX

World Cup arrives at perfect time for Madrid pariah Mbappe

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.

Spain vs Iraq - Friendlies

Explained: Why ALL squad players must join World Cup pre-match anthems

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.

Kylian Mbappe France 2026

'Might awaken demons' - Mbappe reveals game he'll NEVER watch

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 Real Madrid 2025-26

Will Mbappe play in Premier League? ‘Good destination’ picked out

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.