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Leboeuf backs Mbappe to fulfil France captaincy as third World Cup looms
Frank Leboeuf has defended Kylian Mbappe's leadership credentials ahead of France's World Cup opener, arguing the captaincy will bring out the best in the 27-year-old, just as it did for Zidane, Deschamps and Lloris before him.
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Sancho leaves Man Utd without a club after toxic feud, WhatsApp exile and five wasted years
Jadon Sancho will depart Manchester United when his contract expires on June 30, ending a deeply troubled five-year spell that included a public falling-out with Erik ten Hag, removal from the first-team WhatsApp group, and a complete breakdown in his career trajectory.
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Brazil rescued by Vinicius Junior as Morocco lead slips in World Cup opener
Brazil were outplayed for long stretches by Morocco at the New York New Jersey Stadium before Vinicius Junior dragged them level to earn a 1-1 draw in their 2026 World Cup opener.
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Man City's Van Dijk precedent shows why £120m Anderson bid rejection may not end pursuit
Manchester City have had a £120m bid for Nottingham Forest midfielder Elliot Anderson rejected, with Forest owner Evangelos Marinakis demanding a higher upfront fee. City's history of walking away from Van Dijk in 2017 suggests they are prepared to hold firm or move on.
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Amorim's likely AC Milan move set to slash Manchester United's £16m severance bill
Manchester United paid roughly £15.9m to sack Ruben Amorim and his coaching staff in January, but that figure is expected to fall significantly if Amorim completes a move to AC Milan, where he is now the leading candidate to replace Massimiliano Allegri.
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United's interest in Casado could reopen Barcelona door for Rashford this summer
Manchester United are monitoring Barcelona midfielder Marc Casado, according to reports in Spain. The potential move could revive a permanent or loan return to the Nou Camp for Marcus Rashford, whose £26m purchase option Barcelona are not expected to activate.
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Matt Holland wonders what Ireland could have achieved at 2002 World Cup had Roy Keane stayed
Former Republic of Ireland midfielder Matt Holland has reflected on the Saipan crisis, describing Roy Keane as the one player every nation at the 2002 World Cup would have wanted — while also recalling the agony of his missed penalty against Spain.
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Viduka reveals Ferguson talks, Elton John slip and life in a coffee shop after Leeds glory
Mark Viduka scored 59 Premier League goals for Leeds United, held secret talks with Sir Alex Ferguson, and was nearly outed by Elton John mid-concert. The Australian striker reflects on a remarkable career that ended far from the spotlight.
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World Cup 2026 approaches: how well do you know historic tournament shirts?
With 48 nations set to descend on North America for World Cup 2026, FourFourTwo has compiled a 20-question quiz challenging fans to identify nations from their classic World Cup kits.
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Yaya Toure takes first head-coach role at Champions League side Slovan Bratislava
Yaya Toure has signed a three-year contract as head coach of Slovakian champions Slovan Bratislava, marking his first managerial role after assistant stints at clubs and national teams across Europe.
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Scotland stun Haiti to top World Cup Group C above Brazil on opening night
Scotland beat Haiti 1-0 in Boston to sit top of World Cup Group C after matchday one, with John McGinn's deflected 28th-minute strike ending a 36-year wait for a World Cup win. Brazil, held 1-1 by Morocco earlier in the day, trail Clarke's side on goal difference.
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Merino names Spain's 2010 legends as inspiration ahead of World Cup debut
Arsenal midfielder Mikel Merino says the Spain squad that won the 2010 World Cup shaped his generation, and that lifting the trophy in North America this summer would fulfil a childhood dream.
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Two charged as England's stolen World Cup equipment valued at £13,500
Two men have been charged by prosecutors in Jackson County, Missouri, after England's equipment was stolen en route to Kansas City ahead of their World Cup 2026 opener against Croatia. The total value of the stolen items, which included analysis whiteboards, has been confirmed at roughly $18,000 (£13,500), with most gear since recovered.
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Ancelotti tops World Cup 2026 manager salary list at £8.5m as Tuchel ranks fourth
Carlo Ancelotti is the highest-paid coach at the 2026 World Cup, earning a reported £8.5 million per year with Brazil. England's Thomas Tuchel sits fourth on £4.9 million, while defending champion Argentina's Lionel Scaloni ranks only 14th.
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Mourinho seals £51.7m Cucurella deal for Real Madrid, ending interest in Arsenal's Calafiori
Real Madrid have agreed to sign Chelsea left-back Marc Cucurella for £51.7m, with José Mourinho opting for the Spain international over Arsenal's Riccardo Calafiori as he moves quickly to rebuild his defence.
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World Cup quiz: Which player completes the Cafu-to-Mbappe sequence?
FourFourTwo's Pre-Match Poser no.31 challenges readers to identify the next player in a sequence that runs from Cafu through Marco Amelia, Alberto Gilardino, Toni Kroos, Andre Schurrle, and Kylian Mbappe. Last week's answer revealed Giuseppe Meazza as the longest-serving incumbent World Cup-winning captain.
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Curacao score their first-ever World Cup goal against Germany in Houston
Curacao made history at the 2026 World Cup, scoring their first-ever goal in the tournament during their Group Stage clash with Germany at the NRG Stadium in Houston. The Caribbean island nation, with a population of just 155,000, is appearing at their maiden World Cup.
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Chelsea agree £47.5m fee to sell Cucurella to Real Madrid after four years at Stamford Bridge
Marc Cucurella is set to leave Chelsea for Real Madrid in a deal worth up to £47.5m, ending a four-year spell at Stamford Bridge. The Spain left-back will join under new Real Madrid manager Jose Mourinho, who is targeting defensive reinforcements.
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Netherlands face Japan in World Cup 2026 Group F clash of dark horses
Netherlands and Japan meet in Group F at World Cup 2026, with both sides considered among the tournament's most dangerous underdogs. Ronald Koeman's defensively solid Dutch side face a cohesive, pressing Japan team missing Kaoru Mitoma.
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Germany face Curacao in World Cup 2026 opener with Nagelsmann chasing record fifth title
Germany begin their World Cup 2026 campaign against debutants Curacao in Group E in Texas, with Julian Nagelsmann's side targeting a record-equalling fifth world title. Emma Hayes, Juan Mata and Ian Wright will provide studio analysis for UK viewers.
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