France's record-breaking captain doesn't deserve to be crowned the best player in the world, despite having the backing of his new manager at Real Madrid
The race to host the 2030 World Cup final has taken a dramatic turn following a public intervention from the Moroccan government. Prime Minister Aziz Akhannouch has officially rebuked the nation's football chief for making premature claims about the tournament's showpiece event.
The Argentine national team has been plunged into a state of absolute uncertainty as a series of off-field scandals and internal disputes threaten to derail the squad. Reports from Italy suggest that a combination of legal battles involving federation leadership and simmering resentment over unpaid bonuses has created a toxic atmosphere ahead of the upcoming international break.
Harry Kane is well on course to reach 100 goals for England. If he does did hit that milestone, will that be a record that stands forever? Former Three Lions striker Andy Cole has answered that question during an exclusive interview with GOAL. The ex-Manchester United star believes that somebody else is capable of posting “frigenting” numbers in the future.
The Norwegian forward's new look might have raised eyebrows, but his surprise trim certainly hasn't had a negative effect on the striker's ever-growing profile
Mexican football icon Rafael Marquez has officially been presented as the new head coach of El Tri with a clear mandate to lead the nation into the 2030 World Cup. The 47-year-old former Barcelona defender, who previously served as assistant coach, is determined to surpass the quarter-final ceiling that eluded him during his storied playing career.
Crystal Palace striker Eddie Nketiah is weighing up his international future after Ghana made a fresh approach to secure his allegiance. Despite having previously represented England at senior level, the forward remains eligible to switch to the Black Stars under current FIFA regulations, leaving him with a major decision to make regarding his long-term international career.
Former Tottenham manager Mauricio Pochettino has sensationally claimed that Spurs should be retrospective winners of the 2016-17 Premier League title. The Argentine argues that Chelsea’s admission of financial rule breaches means the trophy belongs in north London. Though the Blues were fined £10 million by the FA earlier this summer, Pochettino believes a lack of sporting sanctions is a betrayal of fair play.
Harry Kane has his “hat in the ring” when it comes to Ballon d’Or recognition, ex-England striker Andy Cole has told GOAL, but the prolific Bayern Munich striker is not considered to be a guaranteed pick for Golden Ball glory in 2026. The Three Lions captain does figure on the list of nominees, but faces fierce competition from the likes of Rodri, Kylian Mbappe, Lamine Yamal, Michael Olise and Khvicha Kvaratskhelia.
With the Lionel Messi-Cristiano Ronaldo duopoly presumably disappearing into the rearview mirror, the battle for the Ballon d'Or hasn't felt so open for the best part of 20 years, with countless players now beginning each campaign believing they have a chance of claiming the most prestigious individual prize football has to offer. Ousmane Dembele emerged from a career plagued by injuries and inconsistencies to win the Golden Ball in 2025, and he is among a crowded field of contenders again in 2026.
France Football has officially revealed the shortlist for the 2026 Men's and Women's Coach of the Year awards, highlighting the tactical masterminds who defined the last season. The nominations for the Johan Cruyff Trophy are heavily dominated by Spanish talent, reflecting a golden era for the nation’s coaching exports across Europe’s top leagues.
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