Barcelona and Spain superstar Lamine Yamal has officially been named a UNICEF Goodwill Ambassador. The 18-year-old sensation will use his global platform to advocate for children's rights, specifically focusing on the essential need for safe environments to play and develop.
Somali official Omar Artan has been handed a high-profile return to the global stage after being appointed to referee the UEFA Super Cup final between Paris Saint-Germain and Aston Villa. The 34-year-old has been at the centre of a diplomatic storm after being refused entry to the United States for the 2026 World Cup.
Portugal head coach Roberto Martinez has sent a clear message to his squad, including captain Cristiano Ronaldo, by admitting he is still undecided on his starting line-up for their World Cup opener. Despite concluding their warm-up schedule with a victory over Nigeria, the former Everton and Belgium boss insists that places are still very much up for grabs.
Assan Ouedraogo has been surprisingly called up to the German national team for the 2026 World Cup. The RB Leipzig youngster was added to replace the injured Lennart Karl and has now humorously described how he learned of his good fortune.
Colombia captain James Rodriguez believes international teammate Luis Diaz is a genuine contender for the upcoming Ballon d'Or following a spectacular season with Bayern Munich. The iconic midfielder insists a deep run on the global stage would validate the winger's world-class status, sparking intense excitement ahead of the nation's return to the tournament.
Thomas Tuchel has “done nothing” so far as England manager, Michael Owen has told GOAL, with World Cup “par” for the Three Lions being explained after breezing through another “waste of time” qualification campaign. Another bid for global glory is about to be opened, with the man calling shots from the dugout already being awarded a contract extension.
Former England defender Kyle Walker has defended Jude Bellingham's position in Thomas Tuchel's starting line-up amid growing clamour for him to be dropped. While acknowledging the incredible rise of Aston Villa midfielder Morgan Rogers, the veteran full-back believes the Real Madrid star's unique aura remains indispensable for the national team.
There’s a running group that trots through the streets of Toronto on Monday nights, swallowing up sidewalks with expansive crowds, especially when summer temperatures take over the city. On a recent evening, the group passed outside Toronto Stadium, adorned with FIFA's World Cup branding and ready to host six games during the 2026 tournament.
Bukayo Saka has registered just 13 Premier League goals for Arsenal across the last two campaigns, with ex-England winger Chris Waddle telling GOAL where the Gunners forward needs to improve - with Mohamed Salah being held up as inspiration. There has never been any doubting Saka’s creative instincts, but his game could be taken to another level if end product were to be delivered in greater numbers.
Toby Alderweireld has told GOAL why Manchester City winger Jeremy Doku is “pure football”, with the tricky forward considered to be a “dangerous” operator that can illuminate the 2026 World Cup with Belgium. Fans across the globe are looking for creative performers of that ilk to get them off their seats as the best players on the planet descend on North America and prepare to compete for ultimate glory.
Former England defender Gary Neville has lauded FIFA for implementing a series of major rule changes ahead of the 2026 World Cup. The Manchester United legend believes the strict new guidelines, designed to eradicate cynical time-wasting and improve on-field transparency, will significantly enhance the viewing experience for match-going fans.
Darren Anderton has told GOAL that Harry Kane “still has a few years left” in him, with England’s record goalscorer bar expected to be set pretty “high” for those that follow in the most illustrious of footsteps. The current Three Lions captain and talismanic No.9 has 79 international efforts to his name at present, and is showing no sign of slowing down.
Arsenal forward Noni Madueke became the target of light-hearted mockery online after squandering a glaring open-goal opportunity during England's final public warm-up match. Despite his error, Thomas Tuchel's clinical side coasted to a dominant 3-0 victory over Costa Rica in Orlando to extend their impressive winning streak.
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.
It's so close you can almost touch it. After years of build-up, the 2026 World Cup will kick-off on Thursday when co-hosts Mexico face off against South Africa in a repeat of the opening game from 2010. Over the next five-and-a-half weeks, records will be broken and legacies rewritten as a number of modern greats do battle to win the most recognisable trophy in all of sport.
We are now just hours away from the start of the 2026 World Cup finals in the United States, Canada and Mexico, with all 48 teams having made their way to North America with dreams of glory driving them. All of the pre-qualifying favourites made it safely through, including Spain, Brazil, England, France and defending champions Argentina.
The 2026 World Cup is set to be a historic tournament, unlike any that have come before it. Expanded to 48 teams for the first time and spread across three countries - the United States, Canada and Mexico - it promises to be the biggest spectacle in the competition’s near-100-year history.
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