FIFA World Cup 2026

With just a few months to go before the 2026 World Cup, Lionel Messi seemed to suffer a major setback with Argentina, as Cristian Romero appeared to have picked up a serious injury. However, he has received an injury update that gives him hope of making it to the anticipated tournament. After shining in the CONMEBOL Qualifiers, Argentina stand out as one of the national teams favored to win the 2026 World Cup, aiming for their second consecutive title. However, Lionel Messi seemed to suffer a major setback, as Cristian Romero went off injured in tears in Tottenham Hotspur’s latest match. Despite this, the Argentinean defender’s injury extent has reportedly been revealed, keeping his hopes of reaching the anticipated tournament alive. According to Martín Arevalo, covering ESPN Argentina, Tottenham Hotspur star Cristian Romero has been diagnosed with a knee injury, leaving him out for 5–8 weeks. Moreover, Gastón Edul, specialist covering Argentina national team, reports that he does not have collateral ligament tear, avoiding surgery. Nonetheless, the defender will not play with the English team this season, leaving them in a sensitive spot. CUTI OUT VARIAS SEMANAS @CutiRomero2 tiene una lesión en la rodilla que le demandará entre 5 y 8 semanas de recuperación. Dentro de la mala noticia que es que un futbolista se lesione, para la Selección es una buena noticia porque uno de sus mejores jugadores llega al Mundial. pic.twitter.com/U4SM4Czdoy — Martin Arevalo (@arevalo_martin) April 13, 2026 As a defensive cornerstone for Lionel Messi’s national team, his potential participation in the anticipated tournament would be a significant boost. Not only was he key to the 2022 World Cup title, but he also remains one of the leaders in the dressing room. However, coach Scaloni will be the one to decide whether to call him up, as his match fitness could become an issue for the opening games of the tournament. Alongside Nicolás Otamendi, Cristian Romero has led a great era for Argentina, winning two Copa América titles and a World Cup with them at the back. In addition, Lisandro Martínez also emerges as a key figure for Lionel Messi’s side, providing stability to the team. For this reason, head coach Scaloni could opt to call him up, aiming to give him minutes so he can reach full fitness, as he is key both on and off the pitch. Cristian Romero of Argentina fights for the ball with Jonathan Osorio of Canada. Cristian Romero’s absence may truly affect Tottenham Hotspur Unlike previous seasons, Tottenham Hotspur are going through the worst moment in their history. After dismissing Ange Postecoglou, Thomas Frank, and Igli Tare, they find themselves fighting to avoid relegation to the EFL Championship. Because of this, Cristian Romero’s absence could prove to be the definitive blow to their season, leaving everything in the hands of Kevin Danso and Micky van de Ven. In case his injury extend is confirmed, Cristian will miss the remainder of the season with his club. With only five matches left, the Argentine may not return in time to help avoid relegation under Roberto De Zerbi. As a result, they will have to place their season in the hands of Kevin Danso and Micky van de Ven, moving closer to the EFL Championship than to staying in the Premier League. Cuti Romero no tiene rotura del ligamento colateral pero tiene una lesión. No necesita operación pero si recuperación. Por lo menos seis semanas. Van a ir evaluando su evolución. No va a jugar más en Tottenham en esta temporada. pic.twitter.com/Oji1tSrCul — Gastón Edul (@gastonedul) April 13, 2026

The 2026 FIFA World Cup will be the largest of its kind as it will be hosted over three countries for the first time in history, featuring 48 teams from the six football federations, an increase of 16 countries from the regular format of 32 nations that has been in place since 1998. The… The post Newcomers and Second Appearances: What to Expect in the 2026 World Cup first appeared on Breaking The Lines.

In football, success is often measured in trophies and results — but by the time those arrive, the real work has already been done. Long before dominance becomes visible, it is constructed through structure, repetition, and identity. What appears as success is often just the final outcome of a system that has been built over… The post Built Before Success: How Football Identity Shapes Long-Term Performance first appeared on Breaking The Lines.

The 2026 FIFA World Cup, co-hosted across the United States, Canada, and Mexico, is not just the biggest sporting event of the decade. For the online gambling industry, it is a structural inflection point — one that is reshaping betting markets, accelerating casino cross-sell strategies, minting millions of first-time bettors, and forcing operators to think… The post How the 2026 World Cup Is Shaping the Future of Football Betting and Online Casinos first appeared on Breaking The Lines.

Lionel Messi's wife contacted a sports journalist after an interview with her husband went viral during the World Cup

Danny Murphy has claimed Cristian Romero’s tears during Tottenham’s latest defeat were not over the club’s worsening relegation fears. The Spurs captain was spotted crying as he left the pitch foll…

Antonio Conte reiterated his commitment to Napoli as he hit out at speculation linking him with taking charge of Italy. The Azzurri will require a new coach after Gennaro Gattuso’s departure in the wake of their failure to qualify for the World Cup. Last week, Conte, who coached Italy between 2014 and 2016, seemed to […] The post Conte hits out at press for ´twisting´ his Italy job comments appeared first on Soccer News.

The Arsenal boo boys were out in force after a damning defeat to Bournemouth at the weekend. Today, Marcus, Jim, Pete and David discuss what Arsenal need to change to get their title bid back on track. Elsewhere, Man City wore Arsenal's tears as they eased past Chelsea. Plus, the threat of relegation gets very real for Spurs and David Moyes is giddy at the thought of Champions League football. Get your Ramble merch HERE. Find us on Bluesky, X, Instagram, TikTok and YouTube, and email us here: [email protected]. Sign up to the Football Ramble Patreon for ad-free shows for just $5 per month: https://www.patreon.com/footballramble. ***Please take the time to rate us on your podcast app. It means a great deal to the show and will make it easier for other potential listeners to find us. Thanks!*** The Football Ramble, the original and best football podcast. Brand new podcasts every single weekday throughout the Premier League season and every day throughout the 2026 FIFA World Cup. No cliches. No ex-pros like Peter Crouch or The Rest is Football. Just the funniest football conversation out there. Your guardian for the season, daily not weekly. Stick to the Ramble, totally. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

The coach will have to decide whether to call up the midfielder even if he hardly plays for Betis Leer

The European and World Cup finalists meet again in qualification for next year’s global tournament in Brazil.

Italy failed to qualify for a third consecutive World Cup but FIFA's answer to a big problem could open the door to a reprieve

Brazil coach Carlo Ancelotti believes Neymar still has time to get back to being 100% and play at the FIFA World Cup.

By: Oliver Fisher Rafael Leao’s adventure at AC Milan, which began in the summer of 2019, seems to have reached its final credits. That is according to Corriere della Sera (via MilanNews), who report that the rather loud jeers from the fans during Saturday’s match against Udinese hurt Leao and perhaps marked the definitive end of his love […] The post CorSera: Leao’s Milan spell at ‘end credits’ – price slashed as two destinations emerge appeared first on SempreMilan.

The clock is ticking, June 11 is getting closer by the day, and if you are among the tens of millions of football fans who

Neymar still has time to make Brazil World Cup squad - Carlo Ancelotti espn.in

VfB Stuttgart have paid Angelo Stiller a fee to remove his release clause, which was previously set at around €40 million, giving the German club full control over any negotiations this summer and dealing a blow to Manchester United and Chelsea, who had been hoping to trigger the clause and complete a deal before the […] The post Stuttgart have quietly removed release clause of Manchester United & Chelsea target and now they hold all the cards heading into the World Cup first appeared on Premier League News Now.

With plenty of late-night kick-offs, London’s beleaguered pubs and clubs are hoping to net tens of thousands in extra revenue from the Men’s World Cup, reports Jonathan Prynn

Ngezana's World Cup dream alive, but… Kick Off

Argentina’s World Cup defense suffers potential blow after injury to star player Pulse Sports Nigeria

Try The Athletic for FREE for 30 days: https://theathletic.com/tifofootball 📗 Tifo's new book, "How to Watch Football" is now available internationally: https://linktr.ee/tifobook The World Cup in Mexico 1970 was Brazil's World Cup, the World Cup of Pele, of beautiful football. The first televised, with new technology, inspired by NASA, promised modernity and a vision of the future. But the reality is set against the backdrop of military rule, oppressive governments and a misplaced romanticism. This is the story of Mexico 70. This is the sixteenth in a series, written by Jonathan Wilson, exploring the entire history of football. Illustrated by Philippe Fenner. Join the Tifo Discord Server - https://discord.gg/6nMGtSyyNM Follow Tifo Football by The Athletic: Facebook: http://facebook.com/TifoFootball Instagram: http://instagram.com/TifoFootball_ TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@tifofootball_ X: https://x.com/TifoFootball_ Listen to the Tifo Football podcast: The Athletic UK: http://bit.ly/TifoPodChannel Apple Podcasts: http://bit.ly/TifoFootPod Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/06QIGhqK31Qw1UvfHzRIDA YouTube: https://youtube.com/playlist?list=PLWYJXDKS21OHj085qILmy-O2-yZqFIcuM&si=1tSREkvPh3Gps5NR Watch more Tifo: Tifo Football Podcast: https://youtube.com/playlist?list=PLWYJXDKS21OHj085qILmy-O2-yZqFIcuM&si=1tSREkvPh3Gps5NR Tifo Sports by The Athletic: https://www.youtube.com/@TifoSports About Tifo Football by The Athletic: Tifo loves football. We create In-depth tactical, historical and geopolitical breakdowns of the beautiful game. We know there’s an appetite for thoughtful, intelligent content. For stuff that makes the complicated simple. We provide analysis on the Premier League, Champions League, La Liga, Serie A, Bundesliga, World Cup and more. Our podcasts interview some of the game’s leading figures. And our editorial covers football with depth and insight. Founded in 2017 and became a part of The Athletic in 2020. For business inquiries, reach out to [email protected]. Additional footage sourced from freestockfootagearchive.com Music provided by APM Music #Football #Soccer #History

In this episode of the Designated Players Podcast, the guys are back and this week we're catching up on some recent MLS news. This week we're going to be talking about Pat Agyemang's injury that is going to keep him out of the World Cup, followed by the rumored rebranding of the Colorado Rapids. Lastly, we discuss Neymar's rumored move over to FC Cincinnati. Let us know your thoughts! #MLS #MLSCup #mlscupplayoffs #ATLUTD #atlantaunited #austinfc #charlottefc #forthecrown #cf97 #chicagofire #f...

After missing the last Aston Villa game, Argentina star goalkeeper Emiliano "Dibu" Martinez eased the concern over his participation in the 2026 World Cup with a positive injury update. Emiliano “Dibu” Martinez sent alarm bells ringing on Sunday after being pulled from Aston Villa‘s starting lineup due to an injury, with the 2026 World Cup now less than two months away. Those fears were quickly put to rest, however, following a positive update on the Argentine goalkeeper’s condition. Aston Villa were visiting Nottingham Forest in a crucial push for UEFA Champions League qualification, with Martinez named in the starting eleven. However, during the pre-match warmup, the Argentine was visibly uncomfortable while striking the ball, prompting the club to withdraw him from the lineup and hand the gloves to Marco Bizot. The concern was swiftly alleviated when Argentine football insider Gaston Edul reported that Martinez’s withdrawal was purely precautionary. The discomfort in his left leg was entirely muscular in nature, with his calf feeling tight rather than pointing to any structural concern. The decision to keep him out was made with more than just the national team in mind. Aston Villa face Bologna in the second leg of their Europa League quarterfinal next Thursday, and with Martinez so central to the club’s ambitions, the cautious approach was deemed the sensible call to protect him from any potential setback. In other news, Emi Martínez also picked up an injury during the warm-up before kickoff. pic.twitter.com/q55h9TUUNn — All About Argentina 🛎🇦🇷 (@AlbicelesteTalk) April 12, 2026 Martinez has been a cornerstone of Argentina’s recent trophy haul, playing a defining role in the 2021 Copa America, producing crucial saves and a heroic penalty shootout performance at the 2022 World Cup, and repeating that heroics at the 2024 Copa America. While Juan Musso and Gerónimo Rulli are capable backup options, losing the Aston Villa goalkeeper to injury would represent a major blow to Argentina‘s aspirations heading into the tournament in North America. Concern grows over Cristian Romero While the anxiety surrounding Martinez has subsided, another key Argentina starter is now causing greater worry. Cristian Romero picked up a knock to his right knee during Sunday’s match against Sunderland, after being pushed from behind by striker Brian Brobbey and colliding with Tottenham Hotspur goalkeeper Antonin Kinsky, forcing him off the pitch in the 70th minute. The most troubling moment came as Romero left the field in tears, raising fears that the injury could be more serious than the initial impact suggested. With some instability detected in the knee, the defender will undergo medical tests on Monday to determine the extent of the damage to the ligaments, specifically to establish whether he had sustained a medial collateral ligament injury or whether the pain was simply the result of the collision itself.

USMNT strikers Folarin Balogun and Ricardo Pepi continue to score goals, but the big news of the weekend was the return of midfielder Tyler Adams in Bournemouth’s shock 2-1 win at Arsenal. 🇺🇸 Weekend Review: England Tyler Adams returned to action as a second-half sub in Bournemouth’s 2-1 win at Arsenal. The Cherries blew the Premier […] The post USMNT World Cup Hopefuls: Adams is back for upset win, Balogun and Pepi are back on scoresheet appeared first on Soccer America.

One of the hosts of the international tournament has struggled to win consistently Leer

Like so many Americans, Clay Berling became hooked on soccer following the introduction of the pro game. The post The Soccer America story appeared first on Soccer America.

The 2026 World Cup has sparked an unprecedented amount soccer publishing. The post The Soccer America Library appeared first on Soccer America.

FANS will be free to party until 2am as pubs win extra time for World Cup showdowns, it has been confirmed.  The Sun reported exclusively in February that Home Secretary Shabana Mahmood was planning to rip up normal opening hours and give punters more time to celebrate during home nation matches. Ministers say the change will...

The Government has extended late opening hours even further so bars will be able to open longer for three more vital games that take place in a different time zone across the pond

FIFA Fan Festivals will vary across the 11 U.S. venues, including how many days they'll be open. The post Fan Festivals: 2026 World Cup U.S. venues appeared first on Soccer America.

THE World Cup is just around the corner, and preparation for the England manager is doubtless a massive headache. Fortunately for Gareth Southgate, however, he is no longer the man burdened with the responsibility of guiding England into football's biggest tournament. That headache now lies with Thomas Tuchel, while Southgate has been enjoying his time...

Although England do not take on Croatia until June 17, advanced bookings to secure entry or prime seats in pubs or venues are being snapped up much faster than in previous years.

The Tottenham Hotspur forward still doesn't know if he'll participate in soccer's biggest tournament, but he already knows exactly what he'll do if he gets the call from Carletto. Leer

Germany's preeminent footballing publication reports that matters are about to get legally messy in the case of RB Leipzig's rising Ivorian attacker Yan Diomande.

The Argentine defender took a hard blow to the knee during the match between Tottenham and Sunderland, and his condition has the team and the Albiceleste worried. Leer

Andy Robertson was never offered the chance to stay at Liverpool beyond the end of this season, with the Scotland international hoping to find a new club before the World Cup. It was confirmed on Friday that Robertson will join Mohamed Salah in leaving Anfield at the end of the campaign, having enjoyed nine successful […] The post Robertson reveals Liverpool did not offer new contract, wants to find next club quickly appeared first on Soccer News.

Davide has given the Santos FC star hope regarding his participation in soccer's premier tournament, but he made the conditions clear. Leer

Scott McTominay might be excelling in the Napoli midfield, but their president believes he could also star on the big screen. The Scotland international has been a huge success in Naples since he c…

By: Isak Möller Adriano Galliani has decided not to run for the FIGC presidency despite AC Milan’s attempt, although he has admitted that he thought about it. Since Italy’s failure to qualify for the World Cup, the main talking point has been who should replace Gabriele Gravina as the FIGC president (the Italian FA). Many candidates have been […] The post Galliani turns down FIGC candidacy despite Milan’s attempt: “I thought about it” appeared first on SempreMilan.

Tottenham forward Richarlison has admitted he held several talks with Paris Saint-Germain over replacing Kylian Mbappe at the club. The 28-year-old revealed he was keen to link up with Neymar at cl…

A footballer has been arrested by police after allegedly making a bomb threat on a plane carrying his team to a match, leading to the aircraft being evacuated by explosives officers

Jamal Musiala has responded to a wild claim from Bayern Munich legend Oliver Kahn that he should skip this summer’s World Cup. The 40-cap Germany international has endured an injury-plagued s…

'Goalkeeper of the Season Chaine is going to World Cup' Kick Off

How Mofokeng’s talismanic numbers match up to WC rivals Kick Off

Veteran striker avoids backing Neymar as Brazil boss Carlo Ancelotti keeps door open ahead of 2026 selection Leer

Leer

With only two months left until the 2026 World Cup gets underway, all eyes will soon fall on North America. Watching England sign off their pre-tournament preparations with a downbeat 1-0 loss at home against Japan during March’s international break, Thomas Tuchel’s squad have plenty of expectations on their shoulders this summer. Although battles at […] The post The English duo who are keen to get their futures sorted before travelling to the World Cup this summer appeared first on Soccer News.

World Cup 2026 is a 104-match behemoth – here's your guide to what's happening on every day between the opening ceremony and the final

Carlo Ancelotti has refused to rule out a fairytale return to the Brazil national team for veteran defender Thiago Silva ahead of the upcoming World Cup.

As he remains sidelined by San Diego FC in MLS, Hirving Lozano now appears set to be left out of representing Mexico at the 2026 FIFA World Cup following a conversation with Javier Aguirre. A meeting between head coach Javier Aguirre and Hirving Lozano appears to have been decisive in leaving the Mexico forward all but out of contention for the 2026 FIFA World Cup, amid his ongoing conflict with San Diego FC in MLS. “There was a conversation between Javier Aguirre and Chucky Lozano a few months ago because of this whole situation he had in San Diego,” journalist Gibran Araige said this week on TUDN’s Insider. “Vasco told him: ‘Look, I’m interested in you, I have you on my radar for the World Cup, but I need you to play,’” the reporter continued, outlining the Mexico head coach’s stance. However, Lozano’s response was not encouraging: “Chucky said no.” Aguirre’s position appears reasonable. Hirving Lozano is a player with proven quality and experience at the European level, as well as a long track record with the Mexico national team. However, arriving at a World Cup after more than six months without playing time is difficult to justify. Hirving Lozano played 34 games for San Diego FC. That is why the coach’s intention was for Lozano to do everything possible to leave San Diego FC and find another club where he could secure playing time during this stretch. However, the player chose to prioritize honoring his contract, continue earning his high MLS salary, and potentially give up the chance to play in the World Cup with Mexico. What happened with Lozano at San Diego FC? Earlier this year, San Diego FC announced that Hirving Lozano would not be part of head coach Mikey Varas’ plans for the 2026 MLS season, citing issues related to “style of play” and “environment” as reasons behind the decision. The problems had begun months earlier during a match against Houston Dynamo, when Lozano was substituted at halftime and, according to The Athletic, had a verbal altercation with Varas that led to him being sidelined for a couple of matches. Although Hirving Lozano was later reinstated and played four more matches for San Diego FC during the MLS playoffs, at the start of the new season the coaching staff and club executives opted to leave the forward out of their plans moving forward. Mexico lose a key piece Hirving Lozano has been one of Mexico’s standout players in recent years. Alongside his European career with PSV Eindhoven and Napoli, he has been a regular presence in the national team over the past decade. The forward has appeared in two World Cups. At Russia 2018, he started all four matches for Mexico and scored the winning goal in a 1-0 victory over Germany, one of the most significant results in the history of the national team. At Qatar 2022, he also started all three matches, underscoring his importance over time. Now, with his participation in the 2026 World Cup nearly ruled out, Lozano leaves a significant void in the Mexico national team, even if his recent involvement has already been limited due to injuries and coaching decisions.

After helping Bayern Munich achieve a historic Bundesliga feat on Saturday evening, Jamal Musiala directly responded to former Bayern CEO Oliver Kahn's advice about skipping the World Cup.