The 18-year-old attacking midfielder was included by head coach Julian Nagelsmann in the 26-man squad that traveled to North America to compete for the trophy, but a muscle injury suffered during training on June 5 ended his chances of participating in the tournament.

Karl earned his place with Germany thanks to his performances for Bayern Munich. After making his professional debut in the Bundesliga at just 17 years old, he quickly established himself as an important option for the German side, appearing in 40 matches during the 2025-26 season while recording nine goals and eight assists.

Those numbers convinced Nagelsmann to call Karl into the national team, where he made his debut during the March FIFA window by coming on in the second half against Switzerland. After that, he made two more appearances, against Ghana and Finland, before the muscle injury sidelined him.

As a result, Lennart Karl missed the opportunity to become the second-youngest player to appear in a World Cup for Germany. He would have made his potential tournament debut at 18 years and 109 days old, narrowly missing the record held by Youssoufa Moukoko, who played at Qatar 2022 at 18 years and three days old.

Other Germany absences for the 2026 World Cup

Lennart Karl’s injury was a significant blow for Germany. Not only did they lose a promising young talent who could have provided solutions at key moments during the tournament, but the timing of the setback also came just days before the competition began.

However, other stars had already been ruled out because of physical issues. The first was Marc-Andre ter Stegen. Earlier this year, the goalkeeper decided to leave Barcelona — where he had lost his place in the starting lineup to Joan Garcia — in search of greater opportunities elsewhere.

His destination was Girona, another La Liga club. However, he was barely able to play any official matches there because of a muscle injury suffered in February that sidelined him until May. Without regular playing time at club level, Julian Nagelsmann ultimately left him out of the World Cup squad and instead opted to bring back Manuel Neuer.

The other major absentee for Germany is Serge Gnabry. The Bayern Munich forward was a key figure for the national team and appeared to have secured a place not only in the squad but also in the starting lineup. However, a serious adductor injury suffered in late April ruled him out of the tournament.

Simons suffered a torn anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) in his right knee on April 25 during a Tottenham Hotspur match against Wolverhampton in the Premier League. The injury required surgery and was followed by a lengthy recovery process expected to last between six and nine months.

In addition to missing the World Cup with the Netherlands, the 23-year-old winger is expected to spend most of 2026 on the sidelines. He is unlikely to return to action during the second half of the calendar year, meaning a full comeback is expected in the latter stages of the 2026-27 season.

For the Netherlands, losing Simons was a major blow considering his club performances and the role head coach Ronald Koeman had given him within the national team setup.

Since making his international debut in December 2022 during the World Cup quarterfinal against the USMNT, Simons has recorded 34 appearances and six goals for the national team. Under Koeman, his role has been significant, featuring in 33 of the 38 matches the head coach has overseen since taking charge in 2023, most of them as a starter.

Other Netherlands absences for the World Cup

The loss of Xavi Simons was a significant setback for the Netherlands in their preparations for the 2026 FIFA World Cup, but he was not the only player ruled out. Two other key members of the squad were also sidelined because of injuries suffered during the club season.

The first was Matthijs de Ligt, who, after months of dealing with back problems, had no choice but to undergo surgery in mid-May. That brought an end to both his season with Manchester United and his World Cup hopes.

The other case was much more recent. Jurrien Timber had been included in Ronald Koeman’s 26-man squad for the tournament and even traveled to North America with his teammates. However, during the first few days of training, it became clear he was not fit to play because of a groin injury suffered while with Arsenal. As a result, he was withdrawn from the roster and replaced by Lutsharel Geertruida.

“I hope he doesn’t go coach another national team. I keep putting pressure on him about that. I’ve seen the reports about Italy, and it would be painful,” Mbappe said with remarkable honesty during a recent interview with M6, in the days leading up to France‘s debut at North America 2026.

“It’s our coach, and he means a lot to us. A lot of national teams will want him because of everything he has achieved,” Mbappe acknowledged in the same interview. “Italy should look for an Italian. Didier is French, he’s ours.”

Since long before the tournament, it has been known that this summer’s FIFA tournament will mark the final chapter of Deschamps‘ tenure with France. He took over as head coach in 2012 and, after 14 years in charge, will not renew the contract that expires following the World Cup.

Deschamps looking to extend his record

Didier Deschamps is one of the few individuals to have won the World Cup as both a player and a coach. He was a central midfielder on the France team that lifted the trophy on home soil in 1998, alongside stars such as Zinedine Zidane, Thierry Henry and Lilian Thuram, before retiring from international soccer in 2000.

As a coach, Deschamps guided France to the title at Russia 2018 and to the final at Qatar 2022, where they lost to Argentina on penalties. With that second triumph, he joined the exclusive group of three figures who have won World Cup trophies in both roles.

Mario Zagallo was a member of the Brazil squad that won the tournament in 1958 and 1962. He later coached the team to another World Cup title in 1970. Franz Beckenbauer, meanwhile, won the trophy with Germany in 1974 as a player and again in 1990 as a coach.

In addition to already belonging to that exclusive group, Didier Deschamps has an opportunity to reach another milestone if he wins the 2026 World Cup. He would become just the second coach in history to win the tournament twice, following Vittorio Pozzo, who achieved the feat with Italy in 1934 and 1938.

Deschamps has a history in Italy

Italy are in the midst of a crisis after failing to qualify for a third consecutive World Cup. That makes it understandable that they would pursue one of the most successful international coaches of his generation in Deschamps. But there are other reasons as well.

The French coach also has extensive experience in Italy. He played for Juventus from 1994 to 1999, winning 10 trophies, including the 1995-96 UEFA Champions League. He later managed the club from 2006 to 2007, posting a 69.7% points percentage during his tenure.

In the opening stages, Morocco surprised Brazil by controlling possession and dictating play, allowing them to create several scoring opportunities and put their opponents under pressure.

The African side’s biggest strengths were their speed in pressing and closing down space to quickly recover possession, as well as their patience and intensity on the ball. Ayyoub Bouaddi, Neil El Aynaoui and Azzedine Ounahi were instrumental in executing that game plan.

In that context, in the 21st minute, Brahim Diaz delivered an excellent pass to Ismael Saibari, who found himself one-on-one with goalkeeper Alisson and calmly lifted a delicate finish over the Liverpool player.

Vinicius makes the difference

Brazil appeared stunned by Morocco’s goal and struggled to respond after conceding. However, when they needed it most, their biggest star stepped up to rescue them and bring the match back level.

In the 32nd minute, a pass from Bruno Guimaraes found Vinicius Junior in space on the left wing. The Real Madrid winger controlled the ball, cut inside and, after beating a defender, unleashed a brilliant right-footed strike that left goalkeeper Yassine Bounou with no chance.

How many goals has Vinicius scored at the World Cup?

Saturday’s goal against Morocco was, of course, Vinicius Junior’s first goal at the 2026 FIFA World Cup. However, he was also part of Brazil’s squad at Qatar 2022. There, the Real Madrid winger scored one goal, finding the net in a 4-1 victory over South Korea in the Round of 16.

In total, Vinicius has made 50 appearances for the Brazil senior national team since his debut in 2019, across friendlies, World Cup matches, South American qualifiers and Copa America tournaments. Saturday’s strike was his 10th international goal, and he has also recorded nine assists.

According to ESPN, during the team’s latest training session, the head coach organized several ball drills in which he divided the squad into different groups. One of those groups, consisting of 10 outfield players while the goalkeepers trained separately, appears to be a strong indication of the team set to start the opener.

Cristian Romero, Nicolas Otamendi, Lisandro Martinez, Giuliano Simeone, Rodrigo De Paul, Enzo Fernandez, Alexis Mac Allister, Thiago Almada, Lionel Messi and Lautaro Martinez were the players selected by Scaloni during that portion of the session.

While it was not a formal match simulation, the group featured 10 players who can easily be arranged into a starting lineup, providing valuable clues about the plans the coach has in mind three days before the clash against Algeria.

Scaloni’s dilemmas

The biggest surprise in that potential lineup came at full-back. On the right side, with Gonzalo Montiel and Nahuel Molina only recently returning from muscle injuries, Giuliano Simeone was the preferred option. On the opposite flank, with Nicolas Tagliafico ruled out for the opening match, Lisandro Martinez could fill that role.

Both decisions have been driven by fitness concerns, forcing Scaloni to improvise with players who typically occupy different positions on the field. At Atletico Madrid, Simeone primarily plays as a wide midfielder or winger, while Martinez operates as a center back for Manchester United.

That said, both players possess qualities that allow them to play as full-backs. The movements seen during training were likely part of an evaluation process as Scaloni assesses whether to include either player in the starting lineup.

In Argentina’s pre-World Cup friendlies, Agustin Giay started at right back, although he was not included in the final 26-man roster, while Montiel logged a few minutes against Iceland. On the left side, Tagliafico played the first half against Honduras before suffering a muscle injury that forced him off. Nicolas Gonzalez and Facundo Medina later filled that position.

Argentina closely monitoring the recovery of several players

With Argentina‘s World Cup opener now just three days away, the team’s biggest concern remains the fitness of several key players. However, there has been encouraging news in recent hours. “Argentina have recovered almost all of their injured players: Julian, Paredes, Cuti Romero, Nico Paz, Nico Gonzalez, Molina and Montiel are all training with the group,” TyC Sports insider Gaston Edul said Saturday through his official X account.

“Dibu is increasing his workload and will start the first match,” the reporter added regarding goalkeeper Emiliano Martinez, who has been dealing with a fractured finger since the UEFA Europa League final with Aston Villa. “Tagliafico is the only player still training separately because of a soleus injury.”

The 46-year-old Slovenian referee brings extensive experience at both the domestic and continental levels. In fact, he has been a FIFA-approved international referee for more than 15 years, dating back to 2010.

Throughout his professional career, Vincic has had the opportunity to officiate major competitions. The first of those assignments came at UEFA Euro 2012, followed by UEFA Euro 2020, which was played in 2021 due to the COVID-19 pandemic.

At the international level, he has also worked several matches during the European World Cup qualifiers for North America 2026. Among them were games involving powerhouses such as Italy, Portugal, Netherlands, and France. His most recent high-profile assignment came during the March playoffs, when Sweden defeated Poland 3-2.

At the club level, Slavko Vincic has also been entrusted with officiating decisive matches. He took charge of the 2022 UEFA Europa League final involving Eintracht Frankfurt, and in 2024 he was the referee for the UEFA Champions League final between Real Madrid and Borussia Dortmund.

Brazil vs Morocco could be a heated battle

This summer will mark Slavko Vincic’s first experience at the world’s biggest soccer tournament. And his start at the 2026 FIFA World Cup will be anything but easy, as Brazil and Morocco are expected to deliver a tense and highly competitive contest.

Given their recent track records and the strength of their respective squads, both teams appear destined to battle for first place in Group C, which also includes Scotland and Haiti. As a result, Saturday’s match could prove decisive in giving one side a crucial advantage.

Adding to that are the contrasting styles of the two teams. During Qatar 2022, Morocco showed they are a physical side that are not afraid of contact when the situation demands it, while also boasting one of the most passionate fan bases in the world.

On the other side, Brazil combine the traditional flair associated with their soccer culture with the physical edge required in South American competition. They also feature several high-profile stars, including Vinicius, Raphinha, Casemiro, and Marquinhos, players who command respect from both opponents and referees.

The match will be played this Saturday at MetLife Stadium in New Jersey and will be officiated by Slovenia’s Slavko Vincic. It is the opening match of Group C, which also includes Scotland and Haiti, who will face each other later on Saturday.

After one year in charge of Brazil, Carlo Ancelotti will face his first major international challenge. He was hired as the highest-paid coach among all national teams in the world precisely to reach this moment, with the goal of guiding Brazil to their first World Cup title in 24 years.

To achieve that, the Italian manager will look to maximize the strengths of his two biggest stars, Vinicius and Raphinha, on the wings, supported by the quality and experience of players such as Casemiro and Marquinhos in defensive roles.

But the challenge will be far from easy, as Morocco are determined to replicate — and even improve on — their run at Qatar 2022, where they reached the semifinals. To do so, they will rely on several stars from that squad, alongside young talents who have emerged in recent years, such as Real Madrid midfielder Brahim Diaz.

Brazil lineup

After experimenting with several options in recent weeks, Carlo Ancelotti appears to have abandoned the idea of playing with four forwards and will instead reinforce the midfield to give his side greater control of possession, with Lucas Paqueta joining Casemiro and Bruno Guimaraes.

With that in mind, Brazil’s confirmed lineup is: Alisson; Ibañez, Marquinhos, Gabriel Magalhaes; Douglas Santos, Bruno Guimaraes, Casemiro, Lucas Paqueta; Raphinha, Igor Thiago, Vinicius Junior.

Morocco lineup

Morocco suffered a major setback over the past week when two of their top players were ruled out of the World Cup: winger Abde Ezzalzouli and defender Nayef Aguerd were sidelined with injuries and replaced in the squad by Amine Sbai and Marwane Saadane.

With that in mind, Morocco’s confirmed lineup is: Yassine Bounou; Achraf Hakimi, Issa Diop, Chadi Riad, Noussair Mazraoui; A. Bouaddi, Neil El Aynaoui; Brahim Diaz, Azzedine Ounahi, B.E. Khannouss; Ismael Saibari.

During an interview with Marca, Dembele was asked whether he believed Messi could win another World Cup. “Of course, he can win every trophy possible. I already saw it in Barcelona,” began the winger, who played alongside Leo for four seasons with the Spanish club between 2017 and 2021.

The Paris Saint-Germain star then pushed back against those who believe Messi is no longer capable of competing at the highest level because of his age. “That changes nothing… He is the best I have ever seen, the best the game has ever seen. He is still dangerous,” said Ousmane.

“It’s difficult to stop him even at 38 years old. He may be that age, but he will always have those qualities. We’ll have to be careful with him because he is capable of winning again,” added Dembele, who experienced Messi’s brilliance firsthand in the Qatar 2022 final, where Argentina defeated France on penalties after a 3-3 draw.

Dembele names his favorites to win the 2026 World Cup

In the same interview, Ousmane Dembele was asked about France‘s chances of competing for the trophy once again. “We know that the French national team has reached the final in each of the last two editions. So we’ll be a team with high expectations,” began the winger. “But we remain focused on the objective. Before thinking about reaching the Round of 16 or the quarterfinals, you first have to get through the group-stage matches.”

He then shared his thoughts on Spain, whom many consider the other major favorite. “They are an exceptional team collectively and have very good players… They have been playing this way for years and years, with players of the highest level,” said Ousmane. “In Spain, possession is something that comes naturally to them.”

However, Dembele made it clear that the race for the title will not necessarily come down to those two teams. “There are many teams that are favorites in this competition… Spain, having just won the European Championship, are certainly one of the favorites. But there are also Argentina, the reigning world champions, Germany, Portugal and England. They are all great national teams,” explained the current Ballon d’Or winner. “That said, we’ll also have to be careful with the teams that are considered less likely to win.”

The opening match for Mauricio Pochettino‘s team is scheduled for 9 p.m. ET at SoFi Stadium in Los Angeles, California. Ninety minutes before kickoff, fans around the world will be treated to a show that promises to be memorable.

Just as the opening ceremonies in Mexico and Canada featured local artists, the same will be true in the United States. Katy Perry will be one of the ceremony’s headline performers, but a long list of artists will take the field in the minutes leading up to kickoff. Rapper Future has also been confirmed as one of the featured performers.

Beyond the presence of stars from the United States, the global nature of the World Cup will also bring artists from other continents to the opening show, giving the event the variety of styles and cultures that have become a hallmark of the FIFA tournament.

South African singer-songwriter Tyla has also been confirmed as a performer in Los Angeles, along with Nigerian singer, rapper, and songwriter Rema. South America will be represented by Brazilian singer Anitta, while Lisa from the K-pop group Blackpink will also take part in the ceremony.

There could be surprises at the opening ceremony in Los Angeles

In addition to the names officially confirmed, surprise appearances are expected during the 2026 World Cup opening ceremony in the United States. “Global superstars Katy Perry, Future, Anitta, LISA, Rema and Tyla will headline the celebrations in Los Angeles, with additional world-renowned artists still to be announced,” FIFA said on its official website.

Fans who have purchased tickets to attend the event at SoFi Stadium in Los Angeles will be able to enter well before kickoff. “Stadium gates will open four hours before kick-off, offering fans access to exclusive activations, captivating entertainment experiences, rewards and live pre-match programming throughout the venue,” the statement added.

Infantino’s expectations for the start of the World Cup in the US

As the leading advocate for the expansion to 48 teams and the first World Cup hosted by three different countries, Gianni Infantino explained his vision for what will take place at SoFi Stadium on Friday. “This opening ceremony in Los Angeles represents the extraordinary scale of what the FIFA World Cup 2026 will become,” said the FIFA president.

“The lineup of artists reflects the cultural diversity of the United States and the vibrancy of its many diasporas, highlighting the nation’s rich influence on music, entertainment and pop culture, while showcasing the power of music to bring people together across the country,” added Infantino.

Full list of artists performing before USA vs Paraguay

Below is the list of artists confirmed to perform during the ceremony before the match between the USMNT and Paraguay at SoFi Stadium in Los Angeles, California, marking the opening of the 2026 World Cup in the United States:

• Katy Perry

• Future

• Anitta

• LISA

• Rema

• Tyla

The 25-year-old left back suffered a hamstring injury on May 6 while playing for Bayern Munich against Paris Saint-Germain in the UEFA Champions League semifinals. Since then, he has focused on his recovery process in an effort to be in the best possible condition for the World Cup.

That process, while gradual, has progressed favorably. However, the player, head coach Jesse Marsch, and Canada‘s medical staff decided not to rush his return and risk any setbacks. As a result, Davies will not be part of the starting lineup against Bosnia and Herzegovina, although he will be available among the substitutes.

Davies himself had spoken about his priorities when planning his preparation for the start of the World Cup, explaining that if missing the match against Bosnia and Herzegovina was necessary to ensure a full recovery, he would have no hesitation in doing so.

“The first game is coming up pretty quickly. I think we understand how important the first game is. But we understand recovery is always an important thing,” the Canadian defender said last week. “There’s no need to rush, just keep continuing the recovery.”

Alphonso Davies’ replacement

With Alphonso Davies still not at 100 percent physically or match-fit, Canada will have to face what is perhaps the most important game in the national team’s history without their biggest star. That is because of the significance of opening a World Cup on home soil and the importance of securing a positive result against Bosnia and Herzegovina to put themselves in a strong position to advance to the Round of 32.

With that in mind, head coach Jesse Marsch had to look for alternatives when putting together his lineup. In recent years, Alphonso Davies has played internationally both as a left back and in more advanced positions.

On Friday, Toronto FC’s Richie Laryea will occupy the left side of Canada’s defense. Meanwhile, Hull City player Liam Millar will take up a role on the left side of midfield.

Canada’s upcoming challenges

Alphonso Davies’ absence from the starting lineup on Friday will give him six additional days to continue building toward full fitness before the next match. Canada will face their second Group B test on June 18 against Qatar in Vancouver. Six days later, they will close out their World Cup group-stage campaign against Switzerland.

During an interview with BBC Sport, a group of former soccer stars that included Alan Shearer and Olivier Giroud were asked for their predictions ahead of this summer’s FIFA tournament. Rooney was among them and made his stance on two of the leading contenders clear.

“England and Spain will make the final,” said the former Manchester United striker, who appeared in three World Cups with the Three Lions. He then added his preferred outcome for the title match: “Hopefully England will win it.”

Rooney’s prediction is backed by the recent form of Thomas Tuchel’s side, which have won all of their matches in the European qualifiers and arrive at North America 2026 with their key players in excellent form. “I’m going with Kane to get the Golden Boot,” Wayne added.

Rooney’s potential surprise teams at the 2026 World Cup

In the same conversation, Wayne Rooney was asked which teams could emerge as surprise packages during the tournament. “Norway could do quite well,” he began, referring to the team led by Erling Haaland. He then added another contender: “I like Ecuador too.”

In a separate interview with Daily Mail, Rooney answered a similar set of questions and expanded on several other predictions. For example, when asked about the tournament’s best goalkeeper, he named a Premier League star: “Maybe David Raya, if he plays.” That caveat is significant, as all indications suggest Unai Simon will start in goal for Spain.

Rooney defines what would qualify as a flop at the 2026 FIFA World Cup

Finally, when asked which team could be the biggest disappointment of the World Cup, Wayne Rooney was cautious in his response. “It’s hard to flop, to be honest. Any of the big teams if they don’t go past the last 32, then I suppose that’s a flop,” he said.

That assessment is tied to the tournament’s expanded format. In addition to the top two teams from each group, eight of the 12 third-place finishers will also advance to the knockout stages. The new structure increases every team’s chances of progressing, and combined with the addition of 16 more teams than in previous editions, it means several lower-ranked nations are now in the field. Those factors should allow the traditional powerhouses to reach the Round of 32 without major difficulty.

“Nicolas Tagliafico is dealing with a physical issue, and it remains unclear whether he will be available next Tuesday, June 16, in Kansas City for the first Group J match,” prominent Argentine outlet Infobae reported on Thursday, in a story also cited by TyC Sports and ESPN.

The 33-year-old left back suffered a knock to his calf during last Saturday’s friendly against Honduras, forcing him to leave the match at halftime. The issue persisted in the following days, preventing him from playing against Iceland on Tuesday. The slow pace of his recovery has raised concerns within the Argentina camp.

The situation is further complicated by the fact that one of Tagliafico’s potential replacements is also dealing with fitness problems. Nicolas Gonzalez filled in at left back during the second half against Iceland and is now facing physical concerns of his own.

“Nico Gonzalez is also not fully fit and has become another question mark, considering his recent injury history,” Infobae added. The Atletico Madrid player missed the final stretch of the season in Spain with a muscle injury that also prevented him from training alongside his Argentina teammates during the first days of camp.

Argentina’s options at left back

For the past four years, Nicolas Tagliafico has been Argentina’s first-choice left back. He started the 2022 World Cup final against France and has remained a regular fixture in Lionel Scaloni’s squad ever since.

With his availability for the match against Algeria now in doubt, the head coach must consider alternatives on the left side of defense. The leading option is Facundo Medina, who played there against Iceland. However, his natural position is center back, and using him as a fullback is viewed primarily as an emergency solution.

Argentina have three other players in the squad capable of filling Tagliafico’s role. One is the aforementioned Nicolas Gonzalez, although his availability for next Tuesday is also uncertain due to fitness concerns. Another option is Valentin Barco, who originally played as a left back but was converted into a midfielder at RC Strasbourg, where his performances earned him a place in the national team.

The third possibility is the most recent addition to Argentina’s World Cup roster: Marcos Senesi. The defender, who impressed for Bournemouth last season, received a late call-up from Scaloni to replace the injured Leonardo Balerdi and is expected to join Argentina training in the coming hours. Although he is primarily a center back, being left-footed also gives him the ability to play at left back, undoubtedly one of the reasons behind his selection.

At 17 years and 240 days old, Mora broke a record set by Manuel ‘Chaquetas’ Rosas in 1930 that had stood for 96 years. The defender, born in 1912, had been Mexico’s youngest-ever World Cup player after appearing against France at the age of 18 years and 134 days at Uruguay 1930.

Other Mexican players near the top of that list include Alfredo Torres (19 years and 16 days at Switzerland 1954), Raul Arellano (19 years and 108 days at Switzerland 1954), Andres Guardado (19 years and 269 days at Germany 2006), and Hugo Sanchez (19 years and 326 days at Argentina 1978).

Mora earned the trust of head coach Javier Aguirre after standing out over the last two seasons with Club Tijuana, where he has made 53 appearances while recording 10 goals and two assists. Despite his young age, those performances have not only brought him international recognition but have also attracted interest from several European giants.

Other records held by Gilberto Mora

In just two years as a professional player, Gilberto Mora has become accustomed to breaking records. When he made his debut for Tijuana in 2024, he became the third-youngest player in Liga MX history, trailing only Victor Manon and Martin Galvan.

At the international level, he has achieved remarkable milestones as well. When he made his senior Mexico debut in January 2025, Mora became the youngest player in the nation’s history to accomplish that feat, at just 16 years old.

Javier Aguirre’s decision to include him in the squad for the 2026 World Cup has now allowed him to claim another Mexico record by surpassing Manuel ‘Chaquetas’ Rosas. In addition, Gil Mora is the youngest of the 1,248 players participating in this edition of the tournament.

Mora falls short of Pele record

If he scores a goal in any of Mexico’s upcoming matches, Gilberto Mora would move into second place on the list of the youngest goalscorers in FIFA World Cup history. The record, which remains untouchable, belongs to Brazil legend Pele. He led his national team to the title at Sweden 1958 and scored at the age of just 17 years and 239 days in a quarterfinal match against Wales during that tournament.

Following the opening ceremony, the official lineups for both teams were announced ahead of the tournament opener. Among Mexico’s starting eleven, the absence of Ochoa stood out, as he will not begin the World Cup as the team’s first-choice goalkeeper.

Instead, Raul Rangel will get the nod, a decision that comes as little surprise considering he started Mexico’s last eight friendlies during the team’s preparation for the FIFA tournament. As a result, Ochoa and Carlos Acevedo will serve as backup goalkeepers.

Ochoa still reaches a World Cup record

Even though he is not part of Mexico’s starting lineup, Guillermo Ochoa will still achieve a FIFA World Cup milestone on Thursday while sitting on the bench—one that no other player has reached before in the tournament’s history.

Ochoa is the first player ever to be part of six different FIFA World Cup editions. His first experience came at Germany 2006, and he has been included in every Mexico squad at the tournament ever since.

In the coming days, Lionel Messi and Cristiano Ronaldo will match that mark, though with one key difference: the stars of Argentina and Portugal have played matches in all six of their World Cup appearances and, barring any unforeseen issues, will do so again this summer. Ochoa, meanwhile, was an unused substitute in both 2006 and 2010 and appears likely to remain without minutes in 2026 as well.

Santiago Gimenez awaits his opportunity off the bench

Just like Guillermo Ochoa, Santiago Gimenez will begin the 2026 World Cup among the substitutes and will have to wait for his opportunity to make an impact in the FIFA tournament. The 25-year-old striker appears to have fallen behind Raul Jimenez in Aguirre’s pecking order, with the veteran forward earning the starting role on Thursday.

The 2025-26 season was a difficult one for Gimenez. He managed just 18 appearances for AC Milan due to physical setbacks, recording one goal and three assists across Serie A, Coppa Italia, and the Supercoppa Italiana. That lack of playing time also affected his standing at the international level, allowing Raul Jimenez to move ahead of him in the battle for the starting spot.

The attacking midfielder is the youngest player ever to represent Mexico at a FIFA World Cup, at just 17 years old. Born on October 14, 2008, he has already showcased his talent and influence on the field in a short professional career, earning a spot in the 26-man squad selected by head coach Javier Aguirre.

Mora made his professional debut for Club Tijuana in August 2024 against Santos Laguna before turning 16 years old. That achievement made him the third-youngest player to debut in Liga MX history, behind Victor Manon and Martin Galvan. He immediately made an impact, recording an assist in his first appearance.

Standing just 5-foot-6 (1.68 m), Gilberto is known primarily for his close control with his right foot and outstanding technical ability. He also stands out for his vision and ability to orchestrate his team’s attacks, a rare trait for a player of his age.

Since his debut in 2024, Mora has made 53 official appearances for Club Tijuana across Liga MX and Leagues Cup competition. In those matches, he has recorded 10 goals and two assists. During the most recent season, 2025-26, the midfielder scored six goals and added one assist in 20 appearances.

Gilberto Mora’s journey with the Mexico national team

His performances at club level earned Gilberto Mora an early opportunity with the Mexico national team. He represented the country at every youth level from the U-15 team through the U-20 side, with whom he competed at the 2025 FIFA U-20 World Cup, where they were eliminated by Argentina in the quarterfinals.

Mora made his senior national team debut on January 16, 2025, becoming the youngest player in Mexico history to achieve that feat. Since then, he has made nine appearances in official matches and friendlies, recording one assist. He was also part of the squad that won the 2025 Concacaf Gold Cup, starting all three knockout-stage matches.

How much is Gilberto Mora worth?

Gilberto Mora quickly demonstrated the talent and potential to become a future superstar, attracting interest from several European clubs. In that context, Club Tijuana took an important step regarding his future.

On June 9, 2026, they signed Mora to a new three-year contract, while also granting him a significant salary increase and handing him the club’s No. 10 jersey. According to reports, the deal also included a €20 million release clause designed to facilitate a future move to Europe.

SiriusXM will be one of the primary options in the United States for English-speaking listeners. A team of soccer analysts and commentators from Fox Sports will provide coverage of every match in the tournament, including those involving the USMNT.

Fans can access the broadcasts through SiriusXM‘s satellite channel 83, as well as through the SiriusXM app on smart devices. During the World Cup group stage, however, some matches will be played simultaneously. In those situations, one of the matches will air live on SiriusXM FC (Channel 157).

Some of the personalities who will be part of Fox Sports’ SiriusXM coverage of the 2026 World Cup include Bob Bradley, Walker Zimmerman, Wes Brown, Tony Meola, Eric Wynalda, Omar Gonzalez, Brian Dunseth and Dax McCarty.

How to listen to 2026 World Cup matches in Spanish in the United States

Fans in the United States who want to listen to live Spanish-language coverage of 2026 FIFA World Cup matches will also have an option. Coverage will be available through Futbol de Primera, the radio network that has held the broadcast rights for events of this kind for more than two decades.

Listeners will be able to access the broadcasts through the official FDP Radio website, the FDP Radio – Futbol de Primera smartphone app, and other platforms such as TuneIn and myTuner Radio.

Argentine-American broadcaster Andres Cantor will be the leading voice of Futbol de Primera‘s coverage of the 2026 FIFA World Cup. He is widely regarded as one of the most recognizable figures in Spanish-language sports media in the United States.

“Argentina weren’t favorites at the last World Cup, and they won,” Guimaraes said during a press conference this week when asked whether he believed Brazil could win the trophy despite their struggles in recent years and the team’s unconvincing performances.

However, the comparison with Argentina is open to debate. Four years ago, Lionel Messi and his teammates entered the 2022 World Cup as the reigning Copa America and Finalissima champions. They were playing convincing soccer and carried a 36-match unbeaten streak that ended in their opener against Saudi Arabia.

There was no unanimous agreement at the time regarding Argentina’s status as title contenders, but many observers did hold that view. By contrast, caution surrounding Brazil‘s chances now appears to be more widespread and supported by tangible evidence.

Brazil finished fifth in the World Cup qualifiers, 10 points behind Argentina, after a turbulent cycle that included the departures of two head coaches before Carlo Ancelotti arrived last summer. Under the Italian manager, they have played 12 matches across official competitions and friendlies, recording seven wins, two draws and three losses.

Guimaraes defends Brazil’s chances

At the same press conference, Bruno Guimaraes defended Brazil’s chances of competing for the title at the 2026 FIFA World Cup. He first pointed to the history and tradition of the national team. “No one has five stars on their chest,” he said, referring to Brazil’s record as the most successful team in World Cup history.

“We have great players shining at the best teams in the world, like Vini and Raphinha,” added the Newcastle midfielder while explaining his optimism about Brazil’s chances. “We must show proper respect to our players.”

Brazil face a tough challenge in their opener

As members of Group C, Brazil will be among the first teams to begin their 2026 FIFA World Cup campaign. They will face Morocco on Saturday in a difficult test against a team that reached the semifinals in Qatar 2022 and finished as runners-up at the 2025 AFCON just a few months ago.

On paper, that will be Carlo Ancelotti’s team’s toughest challenge of the group stage. They will then face Haiti on Friday, June 19, before wrapping up that phase of the tournament five days later against Scotland.

“Today’s game against Costa Rica has been delayed due to weather conditions in Orlando,” England’s official national team account posted on Wednesday afternoon. “We’ll provide further updates as soon as we have them.”

The international friendly was originally scheduled to kick off at 4 p.m. ET. However, heavy rain, the threat of thunderstorms and flood warnings in the area have prompted organizers to take precautionary measures to ensure the safety of players and fans inside the stadium.

A few minutes after that initial statement, England provided an update on the situation: “Following a pitch inspection at the stadium, today’s match against Costa Rica will now kick off at 10pm (UK time) – subject to there being no further lightning strikes in the area.” That means kickoff has been pushed back by one hour from the original schedule. Instead of starting at 4 p.m. ET, the match is now set to begin at 5 p.m. ET.

What is the World Cup’s weather delay protocol?

Although England and Costa Rica are meeting in an international friendly rather than at the 2026 FIFA World Cup, the match is subject to FIFA’s weather safety guidelines for dangerous conditions that may occur before or during games.

Given the time of year in which the World Cup will be played, officials expect weather-related disruptions to occur on more than one occasion across the United States between June 11 and July 19. As a result, FIFA will follow local safety protocols when dealing with these situations.

The first measure is the “8-Mile Rule,” which requires matches to be stopped immediately if lightning is detected within an eight-mile radius of the stadium. Once that happens, a waiting period of at least 30 minutes begins and is reset every time a new lightning strike is detected within that area.

That can, of course, lead to significant delays. FIFA have not established a strict limit on how long a match can be delayed before it is suspended. However, if a game is ultimately called off, it would likely be rescheduled for the following day.

England’s upcoming challenges

After Wednesday’s match against Costa Rica, England will have exactly one week before opening their 2026 FIFA World Cup campaign. On June 17, they will face Croatia in Group L, where Ghana and Panama are also part of the field.

“I felt very good. I was eager to get started, play a little and get rid of those normal fears after dealing with some discomfort,” Leo said during the postgame press conference following the 3-0 win over Iceland. “I wanted to play to get rid of that fear, stop thinking about it and be able to play freely.”

The 38-year-old forward later admitted he had some concerns in the days leading up to the match about the possibility of a setback and needed to get back on the field to put those thoughts behind him. “In training, you think when the ball comes to you… In matches, you play more naturally. The reactions, the movements are different,” he explained.

Messi experienced muscle discomfort during his last match with Inter Miami on May 24 against Philadelphia Union in Major League Soccer, forcing him to leave the field early and preventing him from training normally during Argentina’s first camp sessions. That also kept him out of last Saturday’s friendly against Honduras.

“It hadn’t been long since the last match I played in Miami,” Lionel explained regarding his absence against Honduras. “We took it day by day and monitored how I was feeling. We kept talking,” he added about the joint decision-making process with Lionel Scaloni‘s coaching staff. “Now we have a week to get everyone fully ready and arrive in the best possible shape for the opener.”

Messi excited about Argentina’s chances

Although no team have successfully defended a World Cup title in the last 64 years, Lionel Messi expressed confidence in Argentina’s chances of competing for the trophy once again.

“As every time we start an official tournament, I’m very excited,” the forward said. “This group has shown that it can compete against any opponent and in any competition, and we’ve shown that we have the same hunger and always want more. We’ll take it step by step, but we’re very excited and convinced of what we’re capable of.”

Argentina’s path at the 2026 World Cup

After playing their final warmup match on Tuesday in Alabama, Argentina returned to Kansas City, which will serve as their training base throughout the World Cup. They will open their campaign there next Tuesday against Algeria in the Group J opener.

Lionel Scaloni’s team will then face two tests in Dallas, Texas. The first will come against Austria on June 22, while five days later they will wrap up their group-stage campaign against Jordan.

During a recent appearance on The Overlap podcast, Klinsmann was asked for his prediction on the next World Cup champion. He made it clear that he has at least two favorites and began by naming one of them.

“Portugal, because I see a little bit similarities to Argentina in Qatar, where everybody played for Messi,” said the German legend. “In Portugal, everybody plays for Ronaldo. Cristiano is fully supported by this incredible team.”

However, Klinsmann did not limit his praise of Portugal to Ronaldo‘s presence alone. He also highlighted other qualities that make the national team a serious contender: “It’s an incredible team of quality, with a very very good coach, Roberto Martinez.”

The other World Cup favorites, according to Klinsmann

In the same conversation, Jurgen Klinsmann named two other teams that, in his view, have just as much chance as Portugal of winning the 2026 FIFA World Cup. “I think Brazil has also a shot at it,” said the former striker.

“And England has absolute qualit… if they have the believe,” added Klinsmann before joking: “I’m not saying that because they have a German coach. I’m saying that because they have the team to do that.” The joke was, of course, a reference to the fact that he shares his nationality with Thomas Tuchel.

Who is Jurgen Klinsmann?

Jurgen Klinsmann‘s comments carry weight given his status as one of soccer’s biggest stars of the late 20th century. He spent five seasons with Stuttgart in the Bundesliga before joining Inter Milan in 1989, where he enjoyed some of the best years of his career. He later played for clubs including Tottenham Hotspur, AS Monaco, and Bayern Munich.

Klinsmann is especially remembered for his performances with the Germany national team. He played a key role in Germany’s triumph at the 1990 FIFA World Cup and also represented his country at the 1994 and 1998 editions of the tournament.

The World Cup ticket sales process began in September 2025 and has gone through several phases since then. During those stages, fans from around the world were able to reserve seats for the matches they wanted to attend, resulting in sellouts for many games.

The presale phases officially ended on January 13, 2026. However, tickets are still available for certain matches. The only way to purchase them is through FIFA‘s official platform, the only legally authorized method for obtaining World Cup tickets.

How to buy tickets for the 2026 World Cup

Through FIFA’s official website, fans can access the platform used to purchase World Cup tickets. With the presale phases now complete, the only remaining option is the Last-Minute Sales Phase, which began on April 1 and will remain open through the end of the tournament on July 19.

“Tickets will be allocated on a first come, first served basis, and purchases will be processed as real-time transactions, subject to availability,” FIFA explains on its official website. “All successfully purchased tickets will be confirmed immediately to the ticket purchasers.”

This allows fans to find available seats for matches that have not yet sold out—typically those not involving the tournament’s top contenders. It also provides access to tickets for matches that were previously sold out but have become available because their owners are willing to resell or exchange them.

The 2026 World Cup will be the biggest in history

The 2026 World Cup will be the largest edition of the tournament since the competition was first held in 1930. The expanded 48-team format and the addition of a new round—the Round of 32—will increase the number of matches from 64, as was the case at Qatar 2022, to 104.

Combined with the fact that the tournament will be hosted across three countries for the first time, the expanded format will allow more fans to attend matches in the United States, Mexico, and Canada. On the other hand, ticket prices have also risen significantly for this edition, with some reaching as much as seven times the cost of comparable seats at Qatar 2022.

Head coach Lionel Scaloni confirmed Messi’s availability for the match during Monday’s press conference, saying: “He is going to play; what I don’t know is how many minutes. I still have to speak with him, we still have today’s training session. We will see how many minutes to avoid taking any kind of risk, and we will decide then. But in principle, yes, he will get minutes.”

This is welcome news for Argentina, as the forward missed last Saturday’s friendly against Honduras while completing the final stage of his recovery from the muscle issue he suffered with Inter Miami on May 24.

The reigning World Cup champions face their final test before next Tuesday’s Group J opener against Algeria. Their opponents on this occasion will be Iceland, the first European side they have faced since the 2022 World Cup final against France. However, Iceland are considered a lesser challenge, having failed to secure qualification for the 2026 World Cup.

Projected Argentina lineup

Unlike Saturday’s match against Honduras, when most of the squad’s key players did not start, Argentina are expected to field several of their biggest stars against Iceland. That will probably include Lionel Messi alongside Lautaro Martinez in attack.

Lionel Scaloni’s projected XI to face Iceland is: Geronimo Rulli; Nicolas Capaldo, Cristian Romero, Nicolas Otamendi, Nicolas Gonzalez; Rodrigo De Paul, Enzo Fernandez, Alexis Mac Allister, Thiago Almada; Lionel Messi, Lautaro Martinez.

Projected Iceland lineup

After finishing third in Group D of the European qualifiers behind France and Ukraine, Iceland were eliminated from contention for a place at the 2026 World Cup. As a result, their goal during the June FIFA international window has been to test themselves against top-level opponents while beginning preparations for the next cycle. After a 1-0 loss to Japan last week, they now face the difficult challenge of taking on Argentina.

Head coach Arnar Gunnlaugsson‘s projected lineup is: Hakon Valdimarsson; Logi Tomasson, Hordur Magnusson, Daniel Gretarsson, Stefan Thordarson, Dagur Thorhallsson; Kristian Hlynsson, Andri Baldursson, Gisli Thordarson, Mikael Ellertsson; Brynjolfur Willumsson.

Nearly a century has passed since the first edition in 1930, played entirely at Estadio Centenario in Montevideo, where hosts Uruguay claimed the title by defeating Argentina in the final. Thirteen national teams from South America, North America and Europe took part in that tournament, and much has changed since then, culminating in the 48-team format that will debut this summer.

Since then, every World Cup trophy has been won by countries from just two continents. Europe accounts for the majority of champions, with 12 titles shared among five different nations, while South America has claimed the remaining 10 through three countries.

As for hosting the World Cup, Oceania remains the only continent yet to stage the tournament. Eleven editions have been held in Europe, five in South America, four in North America (including this year’s tournament), two in Asia and one in Africa.

Which countries have won the World Cup?

Uruguay were the first FIFA World Cup champions, lifting the trophy on home soil in 1930. They repeated the feat 20 years later with their famous victory over Brazil at Rio de Janeiro’s Maracana Stadium in 1950.

The other World Cup titles won by South American nations belong to Brazil and Argentina. Led by Pele, the Brazilians captured the trophies in 1958, 1962 and 1970 before adding titles in 1994 and 2002. Argentina, meanwhile, won their first World Cup in 1978, repeated the feat in 1986 under the leadership of Diego Maradona, and lifted the trophy again in 2022 with Lionel Messi.

The first European champions were Italy, who won back-to-back titles in 1934 and 1938 before adding crowns in 1982 and 2006. Germany have also won four World Cups: 1954, 1974, 1990 and 2014. France are next with two titles, having won on home soil in 1998 before triumphing again in 2018. England have one World Cup title, earned in 1966, while Spain claimed their only championship in 2010.

Which national team has won the most World Cup titles?

After 22 editions, Brazil remain the most successful nation in FIFA World Cup history with five titles. Italy and Germany are next with four each, while Argentina have won three. Uruguay and France have been crowned champions twice, while England and Spain have each lifted the trophy once.

Complete list of World Cup winners

The match was entertaining from the opening whistle. Brazil came out looking to control possession and dictate the tempo, while Egypt focused on staying compact defensively and taking advantage of the pace of their attackers. In that context, Bruno Guimaraes scored the opener in the early minutes after winning the ball near the opposing box and finishing with a precise strike.

However, the African side did not lose confidence and found the equalizer shortly afterward when Marquinhos made a costly mistake with a short pass that was intercepted by Ziko. The winger found himself one-on-one with Alisson and made no mistake. In the following minutes, Brazil created clear chances through Vinicius and Igor Thiago but were unable to convert.

In the second half, Carlo Ancelotti changed almost the entire lineup, looking to protect his key players while also giving valuable minutes to the rest of the squad. The changes paid off immediately, as Endrick, one of the substitutes introduced at halftime, scored on Brazil’s first attack of the second half.

In the remaining minutes, the South American side focused on protecting its lead and avoiding unnecessary risks, given how close the World Cup opener is. Egypt looked for an equalizer after the introduction of Mohamed Salah, but they were unable to make the difference.

What’s next for Brazil and Egypt?

Following the friendly, Brazil will have one week to prepare before opening their 2026 FIFA World Cup campaign. Next Saturday, they will face Morocco in a Group C matchup. Egypt will have even more time to get ready, as their first match is scheduled for Monday, June 15, against Belgium.

Carlo Ancelotti was optimistic this week when discussing Ney’s physical progress. “He is doing excellent individual work,” said the coach before explaining that the forward will undergo medical tests on Saturday to assess his current condition. “If everything goes well, he will rejoin the main group next week.”

Beyond Neymar’s situation, Brazil have an interesting test ahead as they look to gauge their form before the start of the 2026 FIFA World Cup. Last weekend’s friendly against Panama, despite ending in a convincing 6-2 victory, raised some concerns about the team’s overall play, considering the starters held only a 2-1 lead at halftime before the substitutes shined in the second half.

This Saturday at Huntington Bank Field in Cleveland, Ohio, the South American giants will face a much tougher challenge against Egypt. Mohamed Salah and his teammates have proven to be a difficult opponent and will force Brazil to raise their level if they want a positive result.

Confirmed Brazil lineup

In addition to Neymar’s absence, Carlo Ancelotti will be without a few other players who are still working their way back to full fitness ahead of the World Cup. That includes Gabriel Magalhaes, who played in the UEFA Champions League final with Arsenal just one week ago and will be on the bench.

With that in mind, the confirmed lineup to face Egypt is: Alisson; Wesley, Marquinhos, Ibanez, Douglas Santos; Casemiro, Bruno Guimaraes, Lucas Paqueta; Raphinha, Igor Thiago, Vinicius Junior.

Confirmed Egypt lineup

Egypt will open their 2026 FIFA World Cup campaign on Monday, June 15, against Belgium in Group G, making this match against Brazil their final tune-up before official competition begins in North America after last week’s 1-0 win over Russia.

The confirmed lineup selected by head coach Hossam Hassan is: Mostafa Shobeir; Ahmed Fattouh, Hamdy Fathy, Yasser Ibrahim, Mohamed Hany; Marwan Ateya, Mohanad Lasheen, Mostafa Ziko, Trezeguet, Haissem Hassan, Omar Marmoush.

According to analysis by specialist website Transfermarkt, three players stand above the rest among the 1,248 participants in the 2026 World Cup. Mbappe, Yamal and Haaland share first place with an estimated market value of €200 million, or roughly $231 million.

Of the three, Lamine Yamal‘s rise is perhaps the most remarkable. At just 18 years old, he has already established himself among soccer’s elite following a meteoric ascent that included back-to-back successful seasons with Barcelona in La Liga and triumph with Spain at UEFA Euro 2024. Those achievements also helped him finish second in the 2025 Ballon d’Or voting.

Mbappe, meanwhile, has the unusual distinction of being one of the world’s most valuable players despite joining Real Madrid on a free transfer in 2024. He left Paris Saint-Germain as a free agent, allowing him to negotiate a massive contract with the Spanish club through June 30, 2029.

Completing the trio is Erling Haaland, whose valuation could be tested against reality sooner than the others. Despite being under contract with Manchester City through 2034, the Norwegian striker continues to be linked with Real Madrid. In fact, presidential candidate Enrique Riquelme has publicly identified Haaland as a future signing should he take charge of the club.

Messi and Ronaldo’s values have dropped significantly

Regardless of how Argentina and Portugal perform at the 2026 World Cup — where both teams are considered among the favorites — it is clear that their biggest stars are no longer the dominant forces they once were.

Cristiano Ronaldo will become one of the five oldest players ever to appear at a World Cup this summer, at 41 years and four months old. Lionel Messi, meanwhile, will celebrate his 39th birthday on June 24 during the tournament.

The inevitable passage of time has impacted their performances, but even more so their market values. According to Transfermarkt, Messi ranks 363rd among the most valuable players at the 2026 World Cup, with an estimated value of $17.3 million. Ronaldo sits even lower in 386th place at $13.87 million.

The most valuable players at the 2026 World Cup

1. Kylian Mbappe — France — $231 million

1. Erling Haaland — Norway — $231 million

1. Lamine Yamal — Spain — $231 million

4. Michael Olise — France — $173 million

4. Vinicius Junior — Brazil — $173 million

4. Pedri — Spain — $173 million

7. Jude Bellingham — England — $161 million

7. Joao Neves — Portugal — $161 million

7. Vitinha — Portugal — $161 million

10. Declan Rice — England — $138 million

10. Federico Valverde — Uruguay — $138 million

10. Desire Doue — France — $138 million

10. Bukayo Saka — England — $138 million

“A wonderkid! Barcelona star, Lamine Yamal wins La Liga Player of the Season,” the Spanish league announced Friday on its official social media accounts alongside a photo of the 18-year-old holding the trophy.

The same post highlighted four other players as Yamal’s main challengers. Kylian Mbappe finished second after an impressive season with Real Madrid despite the club’s lack of silverware and his injury struggles. Also featured among the contenders were Villarreal’s Nicolas Pepe, Mallorca’s Vedat Muriqi, and Real Betis’ Pablo Fornals.

Lamine Yamal played a decisive role in Barcelona’s title-winning campaign, recording 16 goals and 12 assists in 28 matches — an average of one goal contribution per game. Despite dealing with a groin issue early in the season and a hamstring injury that sidelined him during the final stretch of the campaign, the winger established himself as the team’s primary attacking threat. He even carried much of the offensive burden during the absences of Robert Lewandowski and Raphinha, the other star attackers in the squad.

Yamal follows in Messi’s footsteps

In previous years, Lamine Yamal had already shown flashes of brilliance with Barcelona, earning the La Liga U-23 Player of the Season award in both 2024 and 2025. This year, however, he took another step forward and claimed the league’s top individual honor, which had been awarded to Raphinha the previous season.

In doing so, Yamal surpassed Lionel Messi as the youngest player ever to win the award. The Argentine forward first claimed the honor at age 21 after starring during the 2008-09 season.

However, when comparing the two, Lamine still has a long way to go. Messi holds the record for the most La Liga Player of the Year awards with nine, including a streak of five consecutive wins. After his first recognition in 2009, he also won the award in 2010, 2011, 2012, 2013, 2015, 2017, 2018, and 2019.

Cristiano Ronaldo trails far behind

Despite enjoying a brilliant nine-year spell with Real Madrid, Cristiano Ronaldo struggled to establish himself as La Liga’s dominant individual star and spent much of that era competing with Lionel Messi’s overwhelming influence. As a result, CR7 won the league’s Player of the Year award only once during his nine seasons in Spain, claiming the honor in 2014.

“I played with both. Well, I played with Messi and I played against Ronaldo. Cristiano is my idol, but I also played with Leo. And having played against both, the truth is they are really different. They are not similar at all,” Mbappe said in a recent interview on the YouTube channel Sorare and Colombien.

Indeed, Messi and Mbappe were teammates for two seasons at Paris Saint-Germain between 2021 and 2023. Together, they won three trophies: the 2021-22 and 2022-23 Ligue 1 titles, as well as the 2022 Trophee des Champions. However, they fell short of their main objective of winning the UEFA Champions League, suffering Round of 16 eliminations in both seasons.

Cristiano Ronaldo, meanwhile, has only crossed paths with Mbappe as an opponent. They faced each other twice at club level in the 2017-18 UEFA Champions League Round of 16 between Real Madrid and PSG, and three more times internationally between France and Portugal. Ronaldo holds the edge in those meetings, with two wins and three draws.

“The rivalry between them was good because they are completely opposite,” the French forward added before listing some of their contrasting qualities: “One right-footed, one left-footed; tall, short; more refined, more raw; one more impactful, the other with greater vision.”

Mbappe dismisses prejudices about Ronaldo and Messi

During the same conversation, the interviewer asked Mbappe about the common perception that the main difference between Lionel Messi and Cristiano Ronaldo is that the Argentine star relies on talent, while the Portuguese forward is defined by hard work.

“Without condescension, when they say one is hard work and the other is pure talent, that’s the opinion of someone who doesn’t play soccer,” Mbappe said firmly. “You can’t say Cristiano has no talent or that Messi doesn’t work hard. It means you’ve never put on a pair of boots and trained every day in your life.”

Messi, Ronaldo and Mbappe set for the 2026 World Cup

This summer in North America could mark the final international appearances of both Messi and Ronaldo, and there is even a realistic chance they could meet for the first and only time at a World Cup. If Argentina and Portugal win their respective groups and continue advancing through the knockout rounds, they would face each other in the quarterfinals.

France, meanwhile, would be placed on the opposite side of the bracket if they win their group. That means that, if the tournament unfolds as expected, Kylian Mbappe could only face Lionel Messi or Cristiano Ronaldo in a potential World Cup final.

“The first game is coming up pretty quickly. I think we understand how important the first game is. But we understand recovery is always an important thing,” the left back said during a press conference this week alongside head coach Jesse Marsch.

The defender is currently recovering from a hamstring injury suffered on May 6 during a match against Paris Saint-Germain in the UEFA Champions League semifinals. The initial recovery timeline was five weeks, meaning his potential return would come almost exactly in time for the match against Bosnia and Herzegovina.

“If I’m recovering as good as possible, let’s see. If not, then there’s no need to rush, just keep continuing the recovery,” Davies said before expressing optimism about his chances of being available for the opener. “Anything is possible in life. For me, it all depends on how the recovery is going, how these next few days, this week, leading up to the game goes.”

Alphonso Davies has struggled with injuries in recent months

The attention surrounding Alphonso Davies is understandable. He is Canada‘s most important player, given his experience and success in Europe with Bayern Munich. However, recurring fitness issues have limited his availability in recent months.

Head coach Jesse Marsch took over in May 2024, and since then there have been more matches without Davies than with him. The defender appeared in 11 games, including Canada’s entire run at the 2024 Copa America, but missed 18 others. In fact, he has not played an international match since March 2025.

Regardless of whether he is available for the World Cup opener against Bosnia and Herzegovina, Alphonso Davies is expected to be fully fit for Canada’s next two matches, in which they will battle for a place in the Round of 32. They will face Qatar on June 18 before taking on Switzerland six days later to conclude their Group B campaign.

According to valuations compiled by specialist website Transfermarkt, France have the most valuable squad among the 48 teams competing at the 2026 FIFA World Cup. The combined estimated value of the 26-player roster stands at €1.52 billion, or approximately $1.76 billion.

A significant portion of that figure comes from Kylian Mbappe, who, alongside Erling Haaland and Lamine Yamal, is currently the most valuable player in the world. The three superstars are each valued at around $231 million.

France also have another player inside the top 10. Michael Olise climbed to fourth place in the rankings after his performances for Bayern Munich during the 2025-26 season, with an estimated value of $173 million. Other notable French players include Desire Doue (12th at $138 million), Ousmane Dembele (18th at $115 million), and William Saliba (19th at $104 million).

Portugal rank ahead of Argentina

Despite being the reigning World Cup champions and one of the leading contenders to retain the title, Argentina are surprisingly low in Transfermarkt‘s ranking of the most valuable squads at the FIFA tournament.

Lionel Scaloni‘s side sit eighth on the list with an estimated value of €817 million, or roughly $944 million. The most valuable players in the squad are Enzo Fernandez and Julian Alvarez, who are tied for 19th place at $104 million each. Lionel Messi, who is set to turn 39, ranks 363rd among the 1,248 players participating in the World Cup, with an estimated value of $17.3 million.

Portugal, meanwhile, enjoy a much stronger position in the rankings. They sit fourth with a squad value of €1.01 billion (around $1.17 billion), trailing only France, England, and Spain. Joao Neves and Vitinha are both in the top 10 at $161 million, while Cristiano Ronaldo is valued at $13.87 million and ranks 386th overall.

The 10 most valuable squads at the World Cup

1. France — $1.766 billion
2. England — $1.513 billion
3. Spain — $1.452 billion
4. Portugal — $1.174 billion
5. Germany — $1.153 billion
6. Brazil — $1.054 billion
7. Netherlands — $967 million
8. Argentina — $944 million
9. Norway — $694 million
10. Belgium — $626 million

On Thursday, Spain played their final home match before departing for the United States, settling for a disappointing 1-1 draw against Iraq at Estadio Riazor in La Coruna. At the same time, France suffered a surprising 2-1 loss to Ivory Coast at Stade de la Beaujoire in Nantes.

As a result, Argentina will reclaim the top spot in the FIFA rankings when the next update is released on Monday. The rating calculations will favor Lionel Scaloni’s side regardless of the outcome of Saturday’s friendly against Honduras, as they will have 1,874 points even in the worst-case scenario, ahead of Spain’s 1,873 and France’s 1,869.

Until now, the top spot belonged to France, who climbed to No. 1 during the March FIFA international window after overtaking Spain. Before that, Luis de la Fuente’s side had ended Argentina’s reign in July 2025, after the South Americans had led the rankings since winning the 2022 FIFA World Cup in Qatar.

The negative FIFA rankings statistic

While returning to the top of the FIFA rankings may initially seem like good news for Argentina just days before the start of the 2026 World Cup in North America, history suggests otherwise.

Since the FIFA rankings were introduced in 1992, no team entering a World Cup as the No. 1-ranked nation has gone on to win the tournament. In 1994, Germany held the top spot, but Brazil lifted the trophy. Brazil then entered the 1998 World Cup as the top-ranked team, only to lose the final to France.

The team led by Zinedine Zidane arrived at the 2002 World Cup atop the rankings, but Brazil emerged as champions. Four years later, the South American power once again entered the tournament as the top-ranked team, yet Italy lifted the trophy. In 2010, Brazil remained No. 1 in the FIFA rankings and again fell short, while Spain won the tournament.

The reigning champions failed to capitalize on the top ranking in 2014, as Germany claimed the title. The pattern repeated itself in 2018, when Germany entered the tournament atop the rankings but France became world champions. Finally, before Qatar 2022, Brazil led the rankings, yet Argentina went on to win the World Cup.

Messi and his teammates must break several streaks

The so-called curse of the FIFA rankings leader is just one of several streaks Lionel Messi and his teammates will have to overcome in their pursuit of the title in North America in 2026. They must also contend with a 64-year drought without a nation winning back-to-back World Cups, something Argentina have never accomplished in their history.

Koeman spoke at a press conference following the Netherlands‘ 1-0 loss to Algeria on Wednesday and acknowledged that Dumfries missed the friendly because he was completing the final steps of his transfer to Real Madrid.

“Yes, he had his medical examination near Zeist,” the coach explained, according to Diario Sport. The city of Zeist, located in the province of Utrecht, is about 54 miles from Rotterdam, where the national team played against Algeria. “I gave him permission.”

Asked about his opinion on the next step in Dumfries’ career, Koeman was clear. “I don’t know if the transfer is completely finalized yet, but if anyone deserves it, it’s him,” the coach began. “That said, I would have preferred to see him play for FC Barcelona.”

The comment reflects Ronald Koeman’s strong connection to Barcelona. He starred for the club between 1989 and 1995, making 264 appearances and scoring 88 goals. The most important of those came in the 1992 European Cup final against Sampdoria, giving Barcelona their first UEFA Champions League title.

Dumfries to compete for a place at Real Madrid

The signing of Denzel Dumfries addresses a clear need for Real Madrid. Following the departure of Daniel Carvajal, the club suffered a significant loss at right back, considering the Spanish defender had held that position with distinction for more than a decade.

Now Dumfries will be tasked with replicating the performances he consistently delivered for Inter Milan in order to earn a place in the starting lineup, competing with another international star: Trent Alexander-Arnold, who arrived in Madrid from Liverpool last summer.

What’s next for Netherlands

With Denzel Dumfries back with the squad, Netherlands have one final friendly before beginning their 2026 FIFA World Cup campaign. They will face Uzbekistan on June 8. After that, they will have six days off before opening Group F play against Japan. Their other opponents in the group stage will be Sweden and Tunisia.

The latest was announced Thursday through the league’s official social media accounts. “After 34 match-weeks played, the 2025/26 Saudi Pro League Fantasy team of the season is here,” the post on X reads alongside an image featuring the 11 selected players.

Cristiano Ronaldo was, unsurprisingly, included as one of the forwards in the lineup, alongside Al Ahli’s Ivan Toney and Al-Taawoun’s Roger Martinez. The Team of the Season also features one of CR7’s teammates during Al Nassr‘s title-winning campaign: Joao Felix.

The other players recognized by the Saudi Pro League were Al-Ettifaq goalkeeper Marek Rodak, Al Qadsiah’s Mohammed Abu Al Shamat and Julian Quinones, Al Ittihad’s Danilo Pereira, Al Hilal’s Theo Hernandez and Ruben Neves, and Al-Shabab’s Yannick Carrasco.

What is Saudi Pro League Fantasy?

Saudi Pro League Fantasy is a virtual manager game that allows fans to build their ideal team from the league and compete against other users on a weekly basis. Each participant receives an initial budget to select players, with certain restrictions, including a maximum of three players from the same club.

Based on the performances of those selected players in each match, users earn points. The combined total from the 11 selected players determines the winner of each Matchday and, ultimately, the overall season champion.

Cristiano Ronaldo was one of the highest-scoring players of the season in Saudi Pro League Fantasy with 296 points, earning him a place in the Team of the Season. The top performer was Julian Quinones with 356 points, followed by Ivan Toney with 319 and Joao Felix with 311.

Other honors received by Ronaldo this season

The Saudi Pro League Fantasy Team of the Season selection adds to a lengthy list of honors Cristiano Ronaldo received during Al Nassr’s title-winning 2025-26 campaign. The Portuguese forward was also named among the five finalists for the Player of the Season award, which was voted on by team captains, coaches, media representatives and fans. However, Joao Felix claimed the top honor. Ronaldo, meanwhile, was voted Fans’ Player of the Season.

The Inter Miami forward was present at Wednesday’s training session in Kansas City, but he did not participate in drills with the rest of the squad. Instead, he trained separately as he continues to recover from the muscle issue he suffered on May 24 against Philadelphia Union in MLS.

Alvarez, meanwhile, is in the final stages of his recovery from an ankle problem, which kept him out of Scaloni’s plans during Wednesday’s training session. As a result, with his two usual starting forwards unavailable, the coach tested different options in the lineup.

According to Argentine outlet TyC Sports, Lautaro Martinez and Jose Lopez led the attack, forming a partnership never before seen with the national team. The Palmeiras striker has made just three appearances for Argentina, and in none of them did he share the field with Lautaro. In fact, on two of those occasions, one replaced the other during the match.

Other Argentina players unavailable against Honduras

With two days remaining before the friendly against Honduras at Kyle Field in College Station, Texas, several Argentina players are dealing with physical issues that will keep them out of contention for Lionel Scaloni.

Lionel Messi and Julian Alvarez are on that list, but they are not alone. Emiliano Martinez is also recovering from a minor fracture in his hand suffered before Aston Villa’s UEFA Europa League final. Gonzalo Montiel, Nahuel Molina, Leandro Paredes and Nicolas Paz are also unavailable.

Argentina’s projected XI vs Honduras

Given the physical condition of those players, Scaloni is not expected to take any risks in the matches leading up to the World Cup. In fact, that is why he brought additional players to the United States who are not part of the final 26-man roster but are expected to feature in the friendlies against Honduras and Iceland.

The situation is clearest at right back. With Nahuel Molina and Gonzalo Montiel still recovering, Agustin Giay and Nicolas Capaldo are expected to get opportunities in the pre-World Cup friendlies. Both players were part of the preliminary 55-man squad but did not make the final cut.

The lineup Scaloni tested for Saturday’s match against Honduras was: Geronimo Rulli; Agustin Giay, Nicolas Otamendi, Lisandro Martinez, Nicolas Tagliafico; Rodrigo De Paul, Enzo Fernandez, Alexis Mac Allister, Thiago Almada; Lautaro Martinez and Jose Manuel Lopez.

“Obviously, we don’t have the Messi of five years ago that maybe he can drop deep and get a ball, you know, on the halfway line and just run as before,” admitted Zabaleta during a recent interview with The National. However, he expressed confidence in what the 38-year-old star can still contribute.

“He’s still really good, or good enough to dribble past two, three players and put the ball in the top corner,” said the former defender. “He’s the main man for those moments of magic or that creativity he brings into the team. If you let Messi get a ball in the final third outside the box…”

Messi’s age and physical condition have been the subject of speculation in recent years, with the forward himself fueling the conversation when he publicly questioned whether he would participate in the 2026 World Cup.

Now, with his place in the squad confirmed, Leo is preparing to celebrate his 39th birthday during the tournament on June 24. By then, Argentina will have already played their first two matches, against Algeria and Austria, and will be preparing for their final group-stage game against Jordan three days later.

Zabaleta confident Argentina will support Messi

While acknowledging Messi’s physical decline and how it has affected his style of play, Pablo Zabaleta expressed strong confidence that the team around him will do everything possible to help the forward shine and ultimately make the difference.

“You know, it is Messi surrounded by players that want to do well for Messi. They want to run as much as they can for Messi. I think if the team manages to find a way to rest off the ball, when they get back in possession, they can find him in a good position, he still can do the rest,” said the former player.

“He still has that quality to win games, to score goals. At the end of the day, that’s all you need at the World Cup, is to win games,” added Zabaleta. “We need to enjoy it because it could be Messi’s last World Cup. Hopefully, he still has that moment of magic to win games and to win the World Cup. Why not?”

Who is Pablo Zabaleta?

Pablo Zabaleta’s comments carry particular weight because of the amount of time he spent alongside Lionel Messi both on and off the field. The former right back enjoyed a successful career in European soccer, first with Espanyol — where he faced Leo on several occasions — and later with Manchester City and West Ham in the Premier League.

Those club performances earned Zabaleta a place with Argentina. He made 58 appearances for the national team between 2005 and 2016, including the 2005 FIFA U-20 World Cup, which he won alongside Messi, as well as the 2014 FIFA World Cup and the 2015 Copa America, where they finished as runners-up.

“Nico Paz will become the first player in Argentina national team history to play in a World Cup without ever having played for a club in the country, including at the youth level,” Marca reported on Tuesday, citing a statistic provided by the X account Siempre Seleccion.

Nicolas was born in Santa Cruz de Tenerife, Spain, in 2004, but chose to represent Argentina because of his family roots. His father, Pablo Paz, was also a soccer player and was part of Argentina‘s squad at the 1998 FIFA World Cup in France, where he appeared in a match against Croatia.

However, the young midfielder has never spent any stage of his career in the South American country. He began playing youth soccer with Atletico San Juan and later moved to C.D. Tenerife, both in his hometown, before attracting the attention of Real Madrid.

With Los Blancos, he progressed through the club’s youth system before making his professional debut in November 2023. After appearing in eight matches and scoring one goal for Real Madrid, Paz was loaned to — and later permanently signed by — Italy’s Como 1907, where he has spent the last two seasons.

Nicolas Paz’s history with Argentina

Nico Paz will arrive at the 2026 FIFA World Cup as one of the least experienced international players on the team’s roster. He has made just eight appearances for Argentina since debuting against Bolivia in a World Cup qualifier in October 2024. Since then, the 21-year-old midfielder has played four official matches and four friendlies.

Other similar cases to Nicolas Paz

While no Argentina player has ever appeared in a World Cup without previously playing for a club in the country, there have been several examples of players reaching that level without ever playing professionally in Argentina.

The most obvious example is Lionel Messi. He played youth soccer for several clubs in Rosario, most notably Newell’s Old Boys, before moving to Barcelona as a teenager, where he made his professional debut in 2004. To date, he has never played professionally for an Argentine club.

A similar case is Emiliano Martinez, who left Independiente at age 17 to join Arsenal and has since spent his entire professional career in Europe. There is also another current example on Argentina’s World Cup roster: Giuliano Simeone, who left River Plate to follow his father to Atletico Madrid.

“The French national team players discussed bonuses and match tickets with FFF president Philippe Diallo on Tuesday, and the second topic caused more tension,” reported leading French newspaper L’Equipe on Wednesday.

One issue involves financial compensation. French players will receive performance-based bonuses depending on how far they advance in the World Cup, but the amount remains under discussion. “The Federation asked the players in March to accept a reduction in bonuses due to the much higher-than-expected costs of the World Cup… The issue remains sensitive, and it has naturally resurfaced just a week before the team’s departure for the United States on June 10th,” the report explained.

In that context, negotiations between the two sides appear to be moving toward an agreement. “On Tuesday, discussions regarding bonuses were generally positive and constructive,” L’Equipe reported. “One topic of discussion was the possibility of withholding payments before the semi-finals to increase the total amount. An agreement on this matter therefore seems straightforward.”

France players want more World Cup tickets

With the bonus issue seemingly on track to be resolved, another World Cup-related matter has emerged as the players’ primary concern. “It was the issue of match tickets that caused tension among the French players,” the report stated.

“Diallo proposed offering two tickets per player, allowing each player to purchase a maximum of six. This would leave a total of eight tickets for family and friends, a number deemed far too low by the players,” added L’Equipe. “However, they readily agreed to a special arrangement with the federation’s partners following these ongoing negotiations.”

What’s next for France?

Aside from these internal discussions, France are continuing their preparations for the 2026 World Cup. The team has two friendlies remaining before departing for North America: Thursday against Ivory Coast and next Monday against Northern Ireland.

After that, Didier Deschamps and his players will set up base at Bentley University in Waltham, Massachusetts, as they await their tournament opener on June 16 against Senegal at MetLife Stadium in New Jersey. France will then face Iraq and Norway in the remaining Group I matches.

“Messi has earned everyone’s respect and admiration for his exemplary behavior on the field and for his consistency, humility, and commitment to the collective game,” said Teresa Perales, president of the committee that selected the forward as the winner from a pool of 27 candidates representing 12 different countries.

Among the achievements recognized in awarding Messi the honor, Perales also highlighted “his dazzling talent, his exceptional sporting career, and his remarkable and ongoing charitable work to promote access to education and healthcare for underprivileged children.”

The Princesa de Asturias Sports Award is an honor established in 1987 that annually recognizes athletes and institutions whose lives and accomplishments are considered exemplary for contributing to human development and the promotion of sports. “The goals of the Princess of Asturias Foundation are to contribute to the recognition and promotion of scientific, cultural, and humanistic values that are part of humanity’s universal heritage,” according to the organization’s official website.

Who has won the Princesa de Asturias Sports Award?

Lionel Messi is only the third soccer player to receive the award as an individual. The previous recipients were Xavi Hernandez and Iker Casillas, who were jointly honored at the 2012 ceremony following Spain’s UEFA Euro triumph that year.

However, in previous years, soccer had also been recognized through team achievements rather than individual players. Brazil’s national team received the award in 2002, while Spain’s national team earned the honor in 2010, both after winning the FIFA World Cup.

Other notable recipients include British athlete Sebastian Coe (1987), Czech tennis player Martina Navratilova (1994), American track and field star Carl Lewis (1996), German Formula 1 driver Michael Schumacher (2007), Spanish tennis player Rafael Nadal (2008), and basketball players Pau and Marc Gasol. Before Messi, the most recent recipient of the Princesa de Asturias Sports Award was Serena Williams.

During a recent interview with Argentine sports newspaper Ole, Scaloni said there are at least 10 national teams capable of competing for the title in North America 2026. “I don’t know if I’ve left some teams out. Because at a World Cup, of course, Argentina will be there. I don’t know if it will win, but those 10 or 12 teams will compete and try to reach the final,” he said.

“Spain, France, Portugal, England, Brazil, Colombia, Uruguay as well, Argentina, Morocco… I don’t even know how many I’ve named, I’m already forgetting some,” the head coach continued before adding a 10th team: “Croatia, I forgot Croatia! I’m forgetting some others too.”

Among the favorites mentioned by Scaloni are the obvious contenders: the three South American nations that have won the World Cup, along with Colombia, the reigning Copa America runners-up, as well as Europe’s traditional powers and Morocco, which reached the semifinals in Qatar 2022.

However, there were some notable omissions from his impromptu list. The most obvious was Germany, a four-time World Cup champion and a particularly difficult obstacle for Argentina this century, having eliminated La Albiceleste in 2006, 2010 and 2014. Other strong teams not mentioned by Scaloni were the Netherlands and Belgium.

The challenge of defending the World Cup title

In nearly a century since the creation of the FIFA World Cup, only two countries have successfully defended their title. The first was Italy in 1934 and 1938, while the second—and most recent—was Brazil in 1958 and 1962.

Argentina will have the opportunity this summer to end that 64-year streak. “Whenever Argentina plays in a World Cup, it is always a contender. So that isn’t going to change,” Scaloni said. “Argentina is always one of the teams that helps make the World Cup what it is, that’s more than obvious.”

Scaloni’s future

Lionel Scaloni’s contract with Argentina expires on Dec. 31, making his future a topic of considerable interest, especially amid rumors of potential interest from European clubs, as was the case with Real Madrid a few months ago.

Asked about the situation, the coach remained cautious. “It will be resolved after the World Cup. Right now, our focus is on what we’re doing,” Scaloni said in the same interview. “Compared to this, everything else is minor.” However, he also offered an encouraging message regarding a possible extension: “In five minutes, if everyone agrees, we can reach an understanding.”

The Three Lions landed in America on Monday and held their first training session Tuesday in West Palm Beach, where they will be based during their pre-tournament preparations before eventually relocating to Kansas City. However, the players who participated in last week’s European club finals did not travel with Thomas Tuchel.

After losing the 2025-26 UEFA Champions League title on penalties to Paris Saint-Germain, Arsenal’s players were granted additional rest before joining the squad in the United States. They are Declan Rice, Noni Madueke, Eberechi Eze and Bukayo Saka.

Dean Henderson is in the same situation. The 29-year-old goalkeeper, one of the three shot-stoppers selected by Tuchel alongside Jordan Pickford and James Trafford, played in last Wednesday’s UEFA Conference League final, where Crystal Palace defeated Rayo Vallecano 1-0.

England’s next steps

With permission to join the squad a few days later than their teammates, it remains to be seen whether Declan Rice, Noni Madueke, Eberechi Eze, Bukayo Saka and Dean Henderson will be available for Saturday’s friendly against New Zealand at Raymond James Stadium in Tampa.

If not, they are expected to be available for England’s second and final tune-up match before the World Cup, scheduled for June 10 against Costa Rica. In the meantime, to ensure normal training sessions, the head coach has called up a small group of young players to complement the squad. They are Alex Scott, Rio Ngumoha, Josh King, Ethan Nwaneri and Jason Steele.

Once the friendlies are complete, The Three Lions will turn their attention to their World Cup opener. England will face Croatia on June 17 in Dallas in what promises to be one of the most attractive matchups of the tournament’s group stage. The remaining Group L matches against Ghana and Panama will follow.

“Christoph Baumgartner will be missed by the national team at the World Cup,” Austria announced in a statement published Tuesday on their official X account. “We wish you all the best, Baumi!”

The team also provided details about the attacking midfielder’s injury: “This was confirmed following today’s MRI examination. The 26-year-old suffered a muscle injury in his right thigh.”

The injury occurred Monday during Austria’s warm-up session ahead of their friendly match against Tunisia. Baumgartner was expected to be part of the squad for that game, the first of two scheduled tune-ups before the World Cup. The second will take place on June 11 against Guatemala.

Even without the 26-year-old midfielder, Austria managed to secure a victory at Ernst Happel Stadium in Vienna, defeating the African side 1-0 thanks to a goal from Marcel Sabitzer in the 62nd minute.

Baumgartner was in top form heading into the World Cup

The loss of Christoph Baumgartner is especially painful for Austria considering the outstanding form he displayed during the 2025-26 season. With RB Leipzig, he recorded 17 goals and nine assists in 37 matches across the Bundesliga and the German Cup.

“This is undoubtedly very bitter news for Christoph and for us as a team. He is a very important player and a key personality within the squad,” head coach Ralph Rangnick said, according to Marca. “Right now, all our efforts are focused on giving him every possible support so that he can recover properly.”

Austria’s path at the World Cup

After completing their second and final friendly against Guatemala, Austria will turn their attention to their 2026 World Cup opener. The team will face Jordan on June 17 at Levi’s Stadium in Santa Clara, California. Five days later, they will likely face their toughest test in Group J when they take on Argentina. Austria will then close out the group stage on June 27 against Algeria, hoping to secure a place in the Round of 32.

On Tuesday, the plane carrying Brazil’s 26-player squad and the coaching staff led by Carlo Ancelotti landed at Newark Liberty International Airport in New Jersey. The team will now begin preparations for the FIFA tournament, which kicks off next week.

As the squad arrived, much of the attention was focused on Ney, who stepped off the plane after Matheus Cunha. The forward, dressed in the same suit as his teammates and wearing sunglasses, walked down the aircraft stairs carrying his luggage and flashing his trademark smile.

The arrival came just days after Carlo Ancelotti put an end to doubts over Neymar’s inclusion in the final World Cup roster. “The 26 players I chose are the ones who will play in the World Cup,” said the coach.

“Unfortunately, Neymar has this small issue preventing him from training with the group, but he is working very well individually to recover soon,” Ancelotti added, downplaying concerns surrounding the 34-year-old forward’s condition.

Possible return date for Neymar

After suffering a calf injury on May 20, Neymar began a recovery process coordinated by the medical staffs of Santos and Brazil. Last week, when the national team opened training camp, he was unable to work alongside his teammates, and the same is expected to be the case during the first few days of practice in the United States.

The forward missed last Sunday’s friendly against Panama, in which Brazil bid farewell to its home fans with a convincing 6-2 victory. All signs also point to him being unavailable for the June 6 friendly against Egypt.

The most optimistic scenario has him fit to play in Brazil’s World Cup opener against Morocco on June 13. Brazil’s other group-stage matches will be against Haiti on June 19 and Scotland on June 24.

“I see all the players in the Brazil national team doing well, especially Endrick. I personally have a lot of confidence in him,” Cafu said in a recent interview with Marca. “I believe Endrick will be the big breakout star for Brazil.”

The 19-year-old forward earned a place in Carlo Ancelotti’s plans after an outstanding half-season with Olympique Lyonnais. He joined the French club on loan from Real Madrid, where he had limited opportunities, and quickly showcased his talent. With Lyon, he recorded eight goals and eight assists in 21 appearances across Ligue 1, the Coupe de France, and the UEFA Europa League.

Those performances proved decisive in securing Endrick a place among the 26 players traveling to the World Cup. He had not been included in any of Ancelotti’s previous squads and only received his first opportunity during the March FIFA window, when he played 14 minutes against Croatia and provided two assists.

Endrick set for World Cup debut

At just 19 years old, Endrick is set to make his World Cup debut. Among the 26 players selected by Carlo Ancelotti, there are 11 who have never previously appeared in a FIFA tournament: Douglas Santos, Gabriel Magalhaes, Roger Ibanez, Leo Pereira, Wesley, Danilo, Igor Thiago, Matheus Cunha, Luiz Henrique, Rayan, and Endrick.

Cafu confident in Vinicius and Ancelotti

In the same interview, Cafu expressed optimism about the impact Vinicius Junior can have for Brazil, despite not yet matching his Real Madrid form at the international level. “Vinicius had a great season,” the former defender said. “It’s important that he enjoys himself. If he’s happy, he’s going to help the Brazil national team.”

Along the same lines, the two-time World Cup champion praised the head coach: “The important thing is for Brazil to add another star to its jersey, regardless of who the coach is. Ancelotti is an experienced coach who knows how to handle this type of competition and can bring a lot of joy to the Brazilian people.”

“Tim is my captain, he’s the captain of the USMNT,” Pochettino said of the Charlotte FC defender during a press conference on Saturday that both attended. “He has the experience, he has the capacity to be the leader we want. A positive leader.”

The Argentine coach then explained why he chose Ream for the role: “I am so grateful he is with us. He is a great captain not only on the field but more importantly off the field. For me, one of the most important things is to connect with the players, through the players with more experience. He’s amazing, we’re so lucky to have a player like him, with his personality, who helps young players evolve.”

Tim Ream became Pochettino’s first captain after taking charge of the USMNT, wearing the armband in a friendly against Panama in October 2024. Since then, he has captained the team every time he has been in the starting lineup, a total of 17 matches, while spending six other games on the bench.

“This is more than a dream come true,” Ream said about the opportunity Pochettino has given him to captain the USMNT. “It’s the highest honor for me.” The defender will play in his second World Cup after appearing in all four of the team’s matches at Qatar 2022.

Ream’s place in the lineup is not guaranteed, says Pochettino

Despite the praise and confidence he has shown in Tim Ream, Mauricio Pochettino made it clear that being captain does not guarantee a place on the field. “Playing or not playing, he’s the captain,” the coach said.

“Although he is the captain, he’s not sure on the starting eleven. It doesn’t mean that,” Pochettino immediately clarified with a smile while patting the defender on the shoulder. “With or without an armband, he’s our captain and a great guy.”

Has Christian Pulisic ever captained the USMNT?

Tim Ream’s appointment as captain means other leaders within the USMNT will not wear the armband. Among them are Tyler Adams, who served in that role during the 2022 World Cup in Qatar, and Christian Pulisic. The AC Milan forward is, of course, one of the most important players in the squad and has previously had the opportunity to captain the USMNT.

He first wore the armband in a friendly against Italy in November 2018 when he was just 20 years old, and he went on to do so 28 more times in the years that followed. Under Mauricio Pochettino, Pulisic has captained the team twice: in the 2025 Concacaf Nations League against Canada and in a friendly against Australia, also last year.

“We love them and we are with them,” the England midfielder said in a post-match interview with TNT, backing the two teammates who failed to convert their penalties. “Without them we wouldn’t have won the Premier League.”

Eze was Arsenal’s second penalty taker at a time when PSG held a 2-1 advantage in the shootout. He paused in his run-up, hoping to force goalkeeper Matvey Safonov into an early movement that never came. Faced with that situation, he sent his effort wide of the target.

Magalhaes‘ miss was even more dramatic. The Brazilian defender stepped up to take Arsenal’s fifth penalty, knowing he had to score to keep his team’s hopes alive. Attempting to strike the ball with power, Gabriel sent his shot over the crossbar.

“It’s a lottery on penalties. We win together and we lose together,” Rice said. “It happens in football. They won’t be the last players to miss penalties in finals, and without those two we wouldn’t have won the Premier League.” He concluded with a positive message: “Incredible season and given it absolutely everything. I’m so proud of the boys. We will be back.”

Eze and Magalhaes must move on quickly

Rice is right to highlight the contributions both players made to Arsenal‘s Premier League title-winning campaign. Eberechi Eze was a key figure for Mikel Arteta‘s side throughout the season, recording 10 goals and six assists across all competitions. Gabriel Magalhaes, meanwhile, formed a formidable center-back partnership with William Saliba while contributing four goals and five assists in 51 appearances.

Now both players will have to recover from the disappointment and quickly shift their focus to what will likely be the biggest challenge of their professional careers: the 2026 FIFA World Cup.

Eze was included among the 26 players selected by Thomas Tuchel to represent England, a decision that generated debate given the competition for places from stars who ultimately missed out, including Phil Foden and Cole Palmer. Magalhaes will also be at the 2026 World Cup with Brazil, where he is expected to partner Marquinhos in central defense—the same Marquinhos who was his opponent with PSG on Saturday.

The triumph was the 21st title of Dembele’s career, spanning his time with Borussia Dortmund, Barcelona, and PSG, as well as his accomplishments with France. Among the most notable achievements on his resume are back-to-back Champions League titles and the 2018 FIFA World Cup.

Mbappe was also part of that World Cup-winning France squad and has matched Dembele’s total of 21 career trophies. Among the highlights of the Real Madrid forward’s collection are six Ligue 1 titles with PSG, one with Monaco, and the 2020-21 UEFA Nations League title with France.

However, the Champions League remains the biggest missing piece in Mbappe’s career. He came closest in 2020, when PSG lost the final to Bayern Munich. That disappointment was one of the factors behind his decision to leave the Paris club and join Real Madrid, the most successful team in European Cup history.

The outcome, however, has been unexpected. In his first two seasons in Spain, Mbappe has been unable to lift the Champions League trophy, while PSG have captured the title in both campaigns. Without Mbappe but with Dembele as their leading star, the Parisian side secured the first two Champions League crowns in club history.

Ousmane Dembele’s trophies

Borussia Dortmund (1):
• DFB-Pokal 2016–17

Barcelona (7):
• La Liga 2017–18, 2018–19, 2022–23
• Copa del Rey 2017–18, 2020–21
• Supercopa de España 2018, 2023

Paris Saint-Germain (12):

• Ligue 1 2023–24, 2024–25, 2025–26
• Coupe de France 2023–24, 2024–25
• Trophee des Champions 2023, 2024, 2025
• UEFA Champions League 2024–25, 2025-26
• UEFA Super Cup 2025
• FIFA Intercontinental Cup 2025

France (1):
• FIFA World Cup 2018

Kylian Mbappe’s titles

Monaco (1):

• Ligue 1 2016–17

Paris Saint-Germain (15):

• Ligue 1 2017–18, 2018–19, 2019–20, 2021–22, 2022–23, 2023–24
• Coupe de France 2017–18, 2019–20, 2020–21, 2023–24
• Coupe de la Ligue 2017–18, 2019–20
• Trophee des Champions 2019, 2020, 2023

Real Madrid (2):

• UEFA Super Cup 2024
• FIFA Intercontinental Cup 2024

France (3):

• UEFA European Under-19 Championship 2016
• FIFA World Cup 2018
• UEFA Nations League 2020–21

Havertz‘s goal against PSG on Saturday was his second in a Champions League final. His first came while playing for Chelsea, when he scored the winner in the Blues’ 1-0 victory over Manchester City in the 2021 final.

Messi, meanwhile, also scored two goals in Champions League finals, both for Barcelona. In 2009, he headed home one of the goals in a 2-0 win over Manchester United in Rome. In 2011, again against the Red Devils and this time at Wembley, he found the net in a 3-1 victory.

It is worth noting that despite winning four Champions League titles during his career, the Argentine forward played in only three finals. In addition to the two mentioned above, he featured in the 2015 final, when Barcelona defeated Juventus. His other Champions League title came in 2006, when the Spanish side beat Arsenal. On that occasion, Messi was unable to play because of a hamstring injury.

Cristiano Ronaldo’s goals in Champions League finals

As the all-time leading scorer in UEFA Champions League history, it is no surprise that Cristiano Ronaldo also produced impressive numbers in finals. The Portuguese star played in six Champions League finals between Manchester United and Real Madrid, scoring four goals.

The first of those goals came in 2008, when the Red Devils drew 1-1 with Chelsea before prevailing in a penalty shootout. A year later, Ronaldo came up short in his head-to-head battle with Messi, who lifted the trophy with Barcelona.

After joining Real Madrid, Ronaldo scored from the penalty spot in the 2014 final against Atletico Madrid. Three years later, he netted a brace against Juventus. His final Champions League appearance came in 2018, when Los Blancos defeated Liverpool 3-1, although he did not get on the scoresheet.

The top scorers in Champions League finals

Ahead of Cristiano Ronaldo on the all-time list are two Real Madrid legends. Alfredo Di Stefano and Ferenc Puskas remain the highest scorers in Champions League finals, with seven goals each.

Di Stefano holds the record for scoring in five different European Cup/Champions League finals, having played in seven overall. No player before or since has matched that feat. Puskas, meanwhile, boasts an even more remarkable scoring rate, recording seven goals in just three Champions League finals.

The Spanish coach has chosen to start Myles Lewis-Skelly in midfield, in the role Eze typically occupies, alongside Declan Rice and Martin Odegaard. As a result, the Gunners will feature a more defensive profile in that area of the pitch as they look to counter PSG’s attacking firepower.

Up front, Bukayo Saka and Leandro Trossard retain their places on the wings. At center forward, Arteta has opted for Kai Havertz, meaning Gyokeres will begin the match among the substitutes.

Gyokeres’ Champions League numbers

The decision to leave Viktor Gyokeres on the bench is particularly noteworthy considering he had started every Champions League knockout-stage match for Arsenal up to this point. The Swedish striker started 11 of Arsenal’s 14 matches during their run in the competition, coming off the bench once and missing the other two due to injury.

Gyokeres is Arsenal’s second-leading scorer in this season’s Champions League campaign with five goals, trailing only Gabriel Martinelli, who has six. Kai Havertz, who will lead the line for Arsenal in Saturday’s final, appeared in just five Champions League matches because of injury issues and scored three goals.

Luis Enrique sticks with his trusted lineup

While Mikel Arteta made changes to Arsenal’s starting lineup that differ from the selections he had used throughout the earlier stages of the UEFA Champions League, Luis Enrique has opted to place his trust in the players who guided Paris Saint-Germain to the final.

As a result, PSG’s starting XI features no major surprises compared to previous matches. The Spanish coach’s approach is clear: rely on the ball control and composure of midfielders Vitinha, Joao Neves and Fabian Ruiz, while maximizing the attacking talent of forwards Desire Doue, Ousmane Dembele and Khvicha Kvaratskhelia.

“Were you better than Cristiano Ronaldo?” a LeodiasTV reporter asked Romario during a recent interview. “Yes. I was below Messi, and above Cristiano,” was the emphatic response from the former 60-year-old striker.

Asked by the interviewer to explain why he places the Argentina star above Ronaldo, Romario elaborated: “Because Messi, in my opinion, is a guy who was born with that gift. It’s innate. Everything he has, he already had when he was born.”

By contrast, Ronaldo’s success is, in Romario’s eyes, less a product of talent and more the result of hard work. “Cristiano became one of the greatest in the world throughout his career. In other words, his professionalism made him who he is,” said the 1994 World Cup winner. “But technically, for example, no, they can’t even be compared.”

Romario picks the four greatest players of all time

A few days earlier, in another conversation, Romario spoke about who he believes are the greatest players of all time, maintaining a consistent line with this comparison between Lionel Messi and Cristiano Ronaldo.

“Pele, Maradona and Messi played better than I did. And maybe Garrincha,” admitted Romario, who was a contemporary of Diego Maradona and even faced him in an official match during the 1989 Copa America, when Brazil defeated Argentina 2-0.

On that occasion, when asked about Cristiano Ronaldo’s absence from that ranking, the Brazilian icon explained his reasoning. “When I talk about those who played less, I mean that I was more complete than them. For example, Cristiano Ronaldo. I’ve heard him say and read that he is the best player of all time. For me, he isn’t, but I respect that position one hundred percent — he has the right to say it. He can say he’s among the five best forwards,” Romario said.

Romario claims he scored 1,000 goals

One thing linking Romario and Cristiano Ronaldo is the race toward 1,000 goals. The Portugal star is currently very close to reaching that mark, with 973 goals in his club and international career. If he gets there, CR7 would become the first player to officially achieve it, although Romario insists he already reached the milestone himself.

On May 20, 2007, Romario celebrated what he called the 1,000th goal of his professional career while playing for Vasco da Gama. However, that figure has been questioned by experts because it includes friendly matches, youth tournaments, and unofficial games. According to FIFA’s official records, the Brazilian striker retired with 772 goals.

“I think his injury will clearly give him the opportunity to arrive in good shape for our objective,” Cunha said during a press conference held this week in Teresopolis, where the national team has been gathered since Wednesday working under coach Carlo Ancelotti.

The Manchester United forward dismissed concerns surrounding Ney’s physical condition, making it clear that within the squad they trust their biggest star will be fully fit to play in the World Cup.

However, Cunha also admitted he was “sad” to learn about the injuries suffered by certain players who will not be able to be in North America 2026, such as Rodrygo, Eder Militao and Estevao. “Nobody wants to go through that,” he added.

Neymar’s recovery timeline

After Neymar’s grade-two calf injury was confirmed, Brazil national team doctor Rodrigo Lasmar estimated a recovery timeline of “two to three weeks” for the forward. That leaves him with barely enough time to be ready for the World Cup.

Brazil will play a home friendly against Panama on Sunday, May 31, after which they will travel to the United States. There they will play their final warm-up match on June 6 against Egypt before beginning the countdown to their debut on June 13 against Morocco.

The debate over Brazil’s No. 10 jersey

With Neymar returning to the Brazil national team after an absence of nearly three years, debate has started over who should wear the No. 10 jersey. The Santos forward owned that number for a decade, but during his absence other players such as Rodrygo and Vinicius wore it.

Matheus Cunha wears the No. 10 jersey at Manchester United, which positions him as another contender in that discussion. However, he downplayed the issue. “The number someone is wearing matters very little,” Cunha said when asked whether Neymar should get it back. “We saw his reaction to returning. Someone so great showing all that pride about being back. The issue of the numbers is completely out of our hands.”

In that way, Cunha chose not to get involved in the jersey number debate at all, a different stance from some of his teammates. In fact, Vinicius said days ago that Neymar should undoubtedly be the one wearing Brazil’s No. 10 jersey. “I don’t know what number I’ll wear at the World Cup, but the No. 10 belongs to Neymar, that’s obvious,” Vini said in an interview with CazeTV.