Four nations made debuts at the 2026 World Cup, with Cape Verde, Curacao, Jordan and Uzbekistan gracing the grandest stage in international football for the first time. It is the tournament with the most newcomers since 2006 and Cape Verde have achieved the feat of ending a 16-year wait for a debutant to reach the knockout stages, with the African nation to face Lionel Messi's Argentina on Friday.
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.
Slovenia manager Bostjan Cesar has questioned why Benjamin Sesko repeatedly misses international duty while remaining available for Manchester United. The striker has not played for his country since October despite featuring heavily for the Red Devils this season.
Hungary head coach Marco Rossi has issued a blunt response to Arne Slot after the Liverpool manager publicly called for his international stars to be rested. The Reds boss expressed his hope that national team coaches would manage minutes carefully, but Rossi has made it clear he does not take orders from Anfield.
Slovenia head coach Bostjan Cesar has sent a clear message to Manchester United, insisting he will not be "pushed around" regarding Benjamin Sesko’s international availability. The highly-rated striker has withdrawn from the current squad to manage a fitness issue, but his national team boss is demanding more respect from the Old Trafford giants.
Manchester United duo Benjamin Sesko and Bryan Mbeumo have withdrawn from international duty with injuries, the club has confirmed. The pair have been crucial to the Red Devils' recent turnaround, helping to fire Michael Carrick's side up to third in the Premier League, but will now spend the March break at home rather than represent Slovenia and Cameroon respectively.
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