World Cup 2026 Digest

Carlo Ancelotti has picked Barcelona forward Raphinha to captain Brazil in Saturday's friendly against Japan in Singapore, after regular skipper...

The article frames the refereeing crackdown as having helped restore goalkeepers' freedom to command their penalty area, with the 'meat wall' now...

Alexi Lalas's latest power rankings put Spain at the top, though he says the top spot is only for now.

• Spain (No. 1): The reigning World Cup...

Spain coach Luis de la Fuente pushed back on suggestions that Lamine Yamal got preferential treatment, insisting "Lamine doesn't have any special...

The post-Ronaldo and Messi era in international soccer has officially begun, with Ronaldo's retirement from Portugal following Messi's exit from...

This listing covers friendlies only and does not tie them to World Cup 2026 preparation.

• One result so far: Chinese Taipei vs Vietnam is marked...

Pulisic returns to the U.S. squad in strong club form, with four goals in six Serie A starts. His path back into the team is less clear.

• Missed...

Nicolò Zaniolo's attempted return to Italy has hit a setback. He has withdrawn from the squad for personal reasons, a move Football Italia can...

Teammate Ibrahima Konate says Mbappé has bounced back, describing him as in a good frame of mind and decisive, and fully focused in training the day...

The expanded format changes what bettors should price, not just how many matches there are:

• Qualifying is not match-winning: A favourite can be...

Midfielder Ramiro Vaca says Bolivia is suffering the "psychological consequences" of missing the World Cup, calling the March playoff loss to Iraq "a...

A sports integrity chief has warned that sponsors and fans will turn their backs on FIFA unless it is fully transparent about the private investor...

Lecturer Peter Auf der Heyde is trying to become a candidate against Gianni Infantino, and his pitch on pay is pointed. He calls Infantino's earnings...

Uruguay's Ronald Araujo is urging his team-mates not to get complacent about Argentina. Lionel Messi's international retirement hasn't changed his...

Morocco's football push rests on two fronts: facilities and players.

• Facilities: The Mohammed VI Sports Complex in Salé, inaugurated in December...

Messi's peers still rate him highly. Nearly 20,000 players voted in the poll run by the global union, putting the 39-year-old in the XI for the 18th...

New England Revolution midfielder Alhassan Yusuf has been selected by Nigeria for its upcoming Africa Cup of Nations qualifiers. At 26 with 10 senior...

The defending World Cup champion arrives on a 42-match unbeaten run and 11 straight wins, set to host the third-placed nation from this summer's...

Ben White says he stands by his decision to leave the England camp in Qatar four years ago, and he doesn't want to throw anyone under the bus.

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England players reportedly aired strong views at a "full and frank" meeting with Tuchel. The main grievance was how he told them to approach the...