World Cup 2026
FIFA Men's World Cup — USA, Canada, Mexico.
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Seventeen World Cup players Manchester United and Michael Carrick are monitoring this summer
Manchester United manager Michael Carrick, working with director of football Jason Wilcox and CEO Omar Berrada, will use the 2026 World Cup to assess potential signings. Seventeen reported targets — including Rafael Leao, Aurelien Tchouameni and Alexis Mac Allister — are set to feature in the tournament.
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Carrick to scout 17 Manchester United transfer targets at World Cup 2026
Manchester United manager Michael Carrick will use the World Cup in the USA, Canada and Mexico as a scouting opportunity, with 17 reported targets — including Rafael Leão, Aurélien Tchouaméni and Alexis Mac Allister — set to feature in the tournament.
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Konsa jokes Prince William knighthood awaits if England win the 2026 World Cup
Aston Villa and England defender Ezri Konsa has revealed Prince William calls him a 'Rolls Royce' and texts with players, joking the heir to the throne might knight him should England lift the World Cup trophy.
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Chicharito predicts Mexico's World Cup run while urging fans to reset expectations
Javier 'Chicharito' Hernández, Mexico's all-time leading scorer, has shared his World Cup prediction for El Tri while calling on fans to abandon unrealistic expectations about playing style and embrace a more pragmatic approach to the tournament.
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Spain thrash England 4-0 in Mallorca to seize Women's World Cup qualifying lead
A Alexia Putellas brace and goals from Patri Guijarro and Claudia Pina gave Spain a commanding 4-0 win over England in Mallorca, pulling level on 12 points at the top of qualifying Group A3 and leaving the Lionesses' direct World Cup qualification in the balance ahead of Tuesday's final fixtures.
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Tuchel will not block England players from completing transfers during World Cup
Thomas Tuchel has confirmed he will allow England players to finalise transfer deals while on World Cup duty, provided negotiations do not take place on matchdays or the day before. Elliot Anderson, Morgan Rogers, and John Stones are among those linked with summer moves.
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Ancelotti announces possible return of Neymar to group training next week
Absent from the Brazil squad since October 2023 due to a torn anterior cruciate ligament, Neymar could rejoin the Brazilian group as early as next week if his MRI scan proves conclusive, according to Carlo Ancelotti.
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Dalot reveals Ronaldo warned him a Man United striker lacked the fire to succeed
Diogo Dalot has recalled Cristiano Ronaldo telling him during their 2021-22 season together at Manchester United that a fellow striker 'wasn't gonna make it' — because he failed to chase a hat-trick after scoring twice in one game.
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Messi vows to play 'until I can't anymore' as injury clouds World Cup preparations
Lionel Messi, turning 39 this month and facing what is widely expected to be his final World Cup, says he will keep playing as long as his body allows — though a hamstring problem has disrupted his build-up to the 2026 tournament.
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Richards ruled out as USA face Germany in final World Cup warm-up at Soldier Field
Chris Richards, the United States' first-choice centre back, will miss Saturday's pre-tournament friendly against Germany at Soldier Field after damaging ankle ligaments last month, leaving coach Mauricio Pochettino short of his most important defender ahead of the World Cup.
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Tuchel confirms Kane will be managed carefully through England's World Cup campaign
Thomas Tuchel says Harry Kane will not be required to play every minute of England's World Cup campaign this summer, with the Bayern Munich striker set to receive just 45 minutes in Saturday's friendly against New Zealand.
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Tuchel voices pitch concerns ahead of England's friendly against New Zealand in Tampa
Thomas Tuchel says he is 'a little bit worried and concerned' about the patchwork pitch at Raymond James Stadium ahead of England's World Cup warm-up against New Zealand on Saturday, though he insists it will not affect his team selection.
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Iran's World Cup squad granted US visas ten days before Los Angeles opener
Iran's football squad has been granted visas to enter the United States, a White House official confirmed on Friday, clearing a major obstacle just ten days before their Group G opener against New Zealand in Los Angeles on June 15.
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Wales drop points in Montenegro draw to stay level at top of World Cup qualifying group
Wales were held to a 1-1 draw by Montenegro in Podgorica, leaving them level on 11 points with the Czech Republic in Women's World Cup qualifying Group B1. Hannah Cain's first-half penalty was cancelled out by Jasna Djokovic's 79th-minute equaliser.
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Caroline Weir hat-trick fires Scotland to 6-0 win over Israel as Cuthbert suffers knee injury
Caroline Weir scored a hat-trick and created the opener as Scotland thrashed Israel 6-0 in Budapest to strengthen their grip on top spot in Women's World Cup qualifying Group B4, though the victory was tempered by a potentially serious knee injury to Erin Cuthbert.
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France Women Beat Poland to Provisionally Top World Cup Qualifying Group
Goals from Malard (47') and Baltimore (63') gave France a 2-0 victory in Gdansk and a two-point lead over the Netherlands in Group A2 of the 2027 World Cup qualifiers.
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Starmer demands FIFA reverse World Cup water bottle ban, calling it a 'money grab'
UK Prime Minister Keir Starmer has publicly criticised FIFA's decision to ban reusable water bottles from World Cup 2026 stadiums, calling the policy change wrong and financially motivated. FIFA reversed a previous ruling that had permitted empty transparent bottles of up to one litre.
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FIFA reverses empty bottle policy for World Cup 2026 amid fan backlash over heat concerns
FIFA has updated its World Cup 2026 entry rules to prohibit fans from bringing water bottles into venues, reversing an earlier policy that permitted empty, transparent containers of up to one litre. The decision has drawn widespread criticism given the sweltering conditions expected at North American stadiums this summer.
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FIFA's $355m World Cup fund to pay clubs $5,000 per player per day in North America
FIFA has detailed how it will distribute a $355 million club compensation fund during the 2026 World Cup, with clubs earning roughly $5,000 per day for each player selected. Manchester City lead all clubs with 19 players named in squads for the 48-team tournament.
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Mark Bosnich faces surgery after rupturing quadricep at World Cup promotional event
Former Manchester United and Australia goalkeeper Mark Bosnich, 54, ruptured his quadricep while saving a penalty during a celebrity shootout ahead of the 2026 World Cup. He was taken to hospital and has confirmed surgery will be required.
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