World Cup Preparation

The pressure is quietly building around Thomas Tuchel as the countdown to the 2026 FIFA World Cup begins. The pressure is quietly building around Thomas Tuchel as the countdown to the 2026 FIFA World Cup begins. England may have cruised through qualification, but doubts linger, and the scrutiny surrounding the manager’s methods is only intensifying. For the national team, the situation feels delicate. England has shown moments of control and authority, yet recent performances have left questions unanswered, particularly about balance and identity under Tuchel’s leadership. The Three Lions’ qualification campaign was close to flawless on paper. The team won all eight matches in their group without conceding a single goal, underlining defensive discipline and efficiency. However, those numbers tell only part of the story. Under the German boss, England has struggled to convince in key moments, particularly in friendlies against Uruguay and Japan, where performances lacked cohesion and attacking sharpness. The challenge ahead is far from straightforward. England has been drawn into a difficult group alongside Croatia, Ghana, and Panama. This group has already been labeled one of the toughest in the tournament. REAL MADRID PLAYERS, WORLD CUP SCHEDULE (All times CET) 🏴󠁧󠁢󠁥󠁮󠁧󠁿 England – Group L June 17th, 22:00 – England vs Croatia 🏴󠁧󠁢󠁥󠁮󠁧󠁿🇭🇷 June 23rd, 22:00 – England vs Ghana 🏴󠁧󠁢󠁥󠁮󠁧󠁿🇬🇭 June 27th, 23:00 – England vs Panama 🏴󠁧󠁢󠁥󠁮󠁧󠁿🇵🇦 pic.twitter.com/xH9wk4PcB8 — Madrid Zone (@theMadridZone) April 1, 2026 Croatia brings experience and pedigree, while Ghana and Panama offer unpredictability and physical intensity. For Tuchel, this context raises the stakes. Any tactical uncertainty or lack of cohesion could quickly be exposed on the biggest stage. Hoeness reveals how Kompany is better than Tuchel It is in this tense build-up that criticism from Uli Hoeness has added another layer of concern. Speaking publicly, the Bayern figure delivered a sharp assessment of Tuchel’s time at the German club. “Two things are important,” Hoeness began by explaining in the Auf eine weiss-blaue Tasse podcast. “This coach [Vincent Kmpany] makes every player better. And I’ve never seen him conduct a press conference where he said: I need a left-back, I need a right-back, as was the case under Tuchel.” The 74-year-old honorary Bayern president also questioned Tuchel’s approach to accountability, claiming: “When the team didn’t play well, he never questioned himself; it was always the team’s fault.” Hoeness highlights issues in player treatment and trust The critique went deeper, touching on Tuchel’s man-management. Hoeness pointed to specific examples involving players, including comments about individuals that were seen as dismissive or overly critical. “That right-back isn’t working, Kimmich isn’t a good player… I can’t use him at all,” Hoeness recalled, referencing Tuchel’s reported remarks about members of the squad. He also shared a striking anecdote: “He once asked Josip Stanisic if he could speak German, even though he was born here.” For Hoeness, such moments reflected deeper issues in communication and connection within the team. The ex-forward also highlighted the coach’s repeated public requests for new signings, arguing that it created unnecessary pressure on the squad structure. The former Bayern Munich boss frequently demanded reinforcements in key positions, particularly in defensive midfield, which he felt was missing a “holding six.” He contrasted this with a more development-focused approach under Vincent Kompany, suggesting a philosophical divide in squad management. The implication was clear: Tuchel’s methods, in Hoeness’ view, leaned too heavily on external fixes rather than internal solutions. Thomas Tuchel, Head Coach of England, reacts What it means for England The timing of these comments is significant. As Tuchel prepares to finalize his squad, questions about his leadership style are resurfacing at a critical moment. England’s recent history has been one of near misses, reaching major finals without lifting a trophy. Now, with expectations high once again, the margin for error is slim. The concern is not purely about tactics. It is about whether Tuchel can foster unity, manage big personalities, and maintain trust within the dressing room when pressure peaks.

Saudi Arabia, one of Spain’s rivals at the 2026 FIFA World Cup, have decided to part ways with head coach Herve Renard. Despite the short time remaining before the start of the 2026 FIFA World Cup, some national teams are still making abrupt structural changes in an effort to arrive in peak condition. Saudi Arabia have dismissed Herve Renard, a move that will impact Spain’s preparations. “Saudi Arabia sack head coach Herve Renard with immediate effect before World Cup,” reported Italian journalist Fabrizio Romano on Friday via his official X account. According to reports, the decision stems from the national team’s disappointing recent results, which raised concerns ahead of the tournament. This development not only forces a logical shift in Saudi Arabia’s own planning—now requiring a rapid adjustment under a new manager with just two months before competition begins in North America—but also triggers a strategic rethink for at least three other national teams. Spain, Uruguay, and Cape Verde were drawn alongside Saudi Arabia in Group H of the World Cup, and their respective managers have spent months preparing to face those opponents based on the playing styles each side had developed. That preparation may now need to be revised. 🚨 OFFICIAL: Saudi Arabia sack head coach Hervé Renard with immediate effect before World Cup! 👋🏼🇸🇦 Renard had returned for a second spell as Saudi coach at the end of 2024. pic.twitter.com/yhwU0OMAkS — Fabrizio Romano (@FabrizioRomano) April 17, 2026 Now, with such a sudden managerial change and virtually no time for formal testing before the tournament begins, Saudi Arabia become something of an unknown for the rest of the group. They will open their campaign on June 15 against Uruguay in Miami, face Spain six days later, and close out the group stage against Cape Verde on June 26. Renard unable to replicate previous success with Saudi Arabia Herve Renard had been serving as Saudi Arabia’s head coach since 2024, marking his second spell in charge of the national team. His previous tenure, from 2019 to 2023, brought global recognition after Saudi Arabia’s stunning victory over Argentina in their opening match of the 2022 FIFA World Cup in Qatar. However, his return did not produce similar results. Both performances and outcomes were underwhelming, and the March international break proved crucial in the Saudi federation’s decision to move on. During that window, the team faced Egypt and Serbia, suffering defeats in both matches: a 4-0 loss to the Africans and a 2-1 defeat to the Europeans. Renard’s likely replacement With the World Cup fast approaching, Saudi Arabia are under pressure to appoint a replacement quickly—and that process already appears to be underway. “Expectation is Georgios Donis leads Saudi Arabia at the 2026 World Cup on a one-year contract,” Ben Jacobs reported on X, in a claim echoed by other outlets such as Diario AS. Expectation is Georgios Donis leads Saudi Arabia at the 2026 World Cup on a one-year contract. Donis set to join from Al-Khaleej and also be in charge for the 2026 Arabian Gulf Cup and 2027 Asian Cup as part of a proposed one-year contract.🇸🇦 https://t.co/x3jxt9y19n — Ben Jacobs (@JacobsBen) April 17, 2026 Georgios Donis is a 56-year-old Greek manager with extensive experience in Saudi Arabian soccer. He has coached five clubs in the country, with his most recent role at Al-Khaleej, where his team currently sits 11th in the Saudi Pro League standings. This will be Donis’ first experience at the international level.

Following a bruising Champions League exit at the hands of Bayern Munich and a frustrating La Liga campaign that sees Los Blancos languishing nine points behind arch-rivals Barcelona, the patience of the boardroom has seemingly run dry. According to Daily Mail, Real Madrid president Florentino Pérez is already preparing for life after Alvaro Arbeloa, pinpointing […] The post Two Premier League icons on Real Madrid radar as they look for a new manager appeared first on CaughtOffside.

Los Angeles Galaxy winger Joseph Paintsil has criticised former Black Stars head coach Otto Addo for leaving him out of Ghana’s 2022 FIFA World Cup squad — a decision that shocked many football fans and pundits.In an interview with VamosNetwork, the 2024 MLS Cup champion expressed his lingering disappointment over what he described as an unconvincing explanation from the former coach.“I was disappointed with the decision of the coach of the national team… there was no tangible or reasonable reason for me being excluded from the list,” Paintsil said.Paintsil revealed that Otto Addo told him his omission wasn’t due to performance but rather because he “doesn’t defend".“He told me there is no reason, but the only reason is that I don’t defend. There was no tangible explanation, and I was left behind really disappointed.”Ghana endured a tough 2022 World Cup campaign under Otto Addo, crashing out in the group stage. Although Addo later guided the team to qualify for the 2026 FIFA World Cup, he was dismissed earlier this year after a poor run of results and replaced by veteran coach Carlos Queiroz.Ghana now prepares for the upcoming World Cup in the USA, Canada,...

Real Madrid want Jurgen Klopp or Mauricio Pochettino to take the reins should the club part ways with Alvaro Arbeloa, according to the Daily Mail. Pressure is mounting at the Santiago Bernabeu after a bruising week. A Champions League exit at the hands of Bayern Munich has already ended hopes of European glory. Los Blancos […]

The Ghana Football Association (GFA) is set to determine the composition of the Black Stars’ backroom staff following the appointment of Carlos Queiroz as head coach of the senior national team.The restructuring comes after Ghana secured qualification for the 2026 FIFA World Cup, with changes already underway in the technical setup.Otto Addo, who led the team to qualify for the tournament, has been dismissed following defeats to Austria and Germany during the March international window.Winfried Schäfer, who served as technical advisor and director of football at the GFA, has also been relieved of his duties as part of the broader technical overhaul.Speaking in an interview with Asempa FM, GFA Communications Director Henry Asante Twum confirmed that Queiroz has requested additional technical support as he prepares to take charge.He noted that the existing technical team—comprising John Paintsil, Desmond Ofei, Alain Ravera, Kim Lars Björkegren, Fatawu Dauda, Kris Perquy, Gregory De Grauwe, José Daniel Martínez Alfonso, Carlos Lozano Romero, Issah Amadou and Abdul Rahman Alhassan—remains in place for now, with no final decision taken on their future."Carlos Queiroz has proposed bringing in additional backroom staff to support his work, but the current technical team remains in...

U.S. Soccer sporting director Matt Crocker has officially stepped down from his role, and while it won’t have too much affect on the upcoming FIFA World Cup in North America, the optics are negative no matter which way you look at it. Crocker is reportedly set to take up a similar role with the Saudi ... Read more

FIFA High-Performance Specialist Faisal Chibsah has underlined that Carlos Queiroz’s prospects of success with the Black Stars will depend largely on how quickly he adapts.The Portuguese coach, appointed on a short-term four-month deal, has been tasked with steadying Ghana’s preparations for the World Cup following the dismissal of Otto Addo after a string of four consecutive friendly defeats.With limited time before the expanded tournament begins, attention has turned to whether Queiroz can impose his methods effectively in such a compressed window.Chibsah, while acknowledging the pedigree of the 73-year-old former Real Madrid and Portugal coach, stressed that reputation alone will not guarantee results unless he adjusts to the specific realities of the Black Stars environment.“He will bring a bit of discipline to the team, which for me was lacking a lot. We would see [discipline] and also [Ghana would] definitely get an identity.”“The challenge for Carlos now would be how adaptable he can be taking on Ghana.”“Iran, Oman, Qatar [recent jobs of Queiroz] are not Ghana. Ghana, we expect more.”Ghana are aiming to reach the World Cup knockout stages for the first time since 2010, with Group L fixtures against England, Croatia and Panama...

FIFA High-Performance Specialist Faisal Chibsah believes Ghana’s decision to appoint Carlos Queiroz could mark a decisive shift in the Black Stars’ direction, particularly in restoring structure and discipline ahead of the World Cup.Otto Addo was dismissed after a difficult run of four consecutive defeats in international friendlies, leaving the federation to act swiftly with just months remaining before the expanded 48-team tournament.The former Portugal and Egypt coach has been handed a short-term four-month contract to stabilise the team and guide them through the global showpiece.Chibsah expressed optimism about the impact the 73-year-old could have on the squad’s mentality and organisation, while also stressing the demands that come with managing Ghana at this level.“He will bring a bit of discipline to the team, which for me was lacking a lot. We would see [discipline] and also [Ghana would] definitely get an identity,” Chibsah told Joy News.“The challenge for Carlos now would be how adaptable he can be taking on Ghana.”“Iran, Oman, Qatar [recent jobs of Queiroz] are not Ghana. Ghana, we expect more.”Ghana head into the World Cup with ambitions of reaching the knockout stages for the first time since 2010, with Group L...

The Ghana Football Association (GFA) has confirmed that newly appointed Black Stars head coach Carlos Queiroz will soon arrive in the country for his official unveiling.GFA Communications Director Henry Asante Twum disclosed that the experienced Portuguese tactician is expected in the coming days, where he will formally present his vision for the senior national team.Queiroz, who has previously managed Egypt, Colombia and Oman, has been handed a short-term deal to lead Ghana into the 2026 FIFA World Cup in North America.The 73-year-old takes over from Otto Addo, who was relieved of his duties in March following back-to-back friendly defeats to Austria and Germany.Speaking on Asempa FM, Asante Twum outlined plans for the coach’s introduction, stressing that the unveiling will offer the public and media an opportunity to hear directly from Queiroz.“In the next few days, Carlos Queiroz will arrive in Ghana to be properly unveiled, where he will personally tell us his plans and his expectations, and his ambitions for the team," he said.“We have only made his statement to us public, but he will be unveiled and made available to the press to answer questions, and then we will make progress from there,”...

Let's answer the four biggest questions following Matt Crocker's decision to step down as U.S. Soccer's sporting director.

Alexi Lalas weighs in on Matt Crocker's leaving U.S. Soccer for Saudi Arabia months before the World Cup.

Chairman of Ghana’s Parliamentary Sports Committee, Ernest Henry Norgbey, has expressed strong support for the appointment of Carlos Queiroz as head coach of the Black Stars, describing the decision as a step in the right direction.The 73-year-old Portuguese tactician was named Ghana’s new head coach following the dismissal of Otto Addo. Queiroz has signed a four-month contract with an option to extend beyond the 2026 FIFA World Cup.Ghana have qualified for the global tournament, which runs from June 11 to July 19 across the United States, Canada, and Mexico. The Black Stars have been drawn in Group L alongside England, Panama, and Croatia.Speaking on the appointment, Norgbey praised Queiroz’s wealth of experience and tactical discipline, expressing confidence that the veteran coach will command respect from the players.“He comes to the table with a wealth of experience, and I think his tactical discipline will propel the team. I’m sure even the players will also have the kind of respect for him because this is a coach with international rating,” Norgbey said.He also commended the Ghana Football Association for making what he believes is a beneficial choice for the national team.“For once, the GFA has taken...

Chairman of Ghana’s Parliamentary Select Committee on Sports, Ernest Henry Norgbey, has praised the Ghana Football Association for appointing Carlos Queiroz as head coach of the Black Stars.Norgbey described the decision as a positive move that will benefit the national team, highlighting Queiroz’s wealth of experience and tactical discipline as key assets.“For once, the GFA has taken a decision that will inure to the benefit of the Black Stars, and I’m happy for the choice that they have made,” Norgbey said.The 73-year-old Portuguese tactician was appointed on a four-month contract with an option to extend beyond the 2026 FIFA World Cup. He replaces Otto Addo, who was dismissed following a string of poor friendly results.Queiroz, who has previously managed Real Madrid, Iran, and Egypt, will lead Ghana in Group L against England, Croatia, and Panama. The Black Stars open their World Cup campaign on June 17 in Toronto.Norgbey expressed confidence that the players will respect Queiroz due to his international standing and believes his tactical discipline will propel the team forward.

Former Ghana Football Association (GFA) Vice President Fred Pappoe has called on Ghanaians to throw their full support behind newly appointed Black Stars head coach Carlos Queiroz as the team intensifies preparations for the 2026 FIFA World Cup.The Portuguese tactician has been handed a short-term contract to lead Ghana at the tournament, replacing Otto Addo after a difficult run of results that included defeats to Austria and Germany in March, as well as Ghana's failure to qualify for the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations.Speaking on Adom FM, Pappoe stressed the importance of unity and collective backing given the limited time before the World Cup.“We have limited time for the World Cup, and if you look into the list available and you check our pocket, I believe we have to rally behind whoever has been appointed,” he said.Pappoe added that Queiroz’s extensive experience—including four World Cup appearances—should be seen as a major advantage rather than a point of criticism.“We were all clamouring for a respected coach, and someone who can transform the team has been chosen, so we must support him,” Pappoe stated.Queiroz is expected to meet the Black Stars squad next month during a...

U.S. Soccer sporting director Matt Crocker has stepped down from his role for a new opportunity in Saudi Arabia. Crocker, 50, has left his current role and will take up a similar role with the Saudi Arabia Football Federation, U.S. Soccer announced Tuesday. Assistant sporting director Oguchi Onyewu, head of women’s development Tracey Kevins and ... Read more

Matt Crocker is leaving his position as U.S. Soccer’s sporting director to take a similar role with Saudi Arabia, multiple sources told me on Monday.

On Tuesday's Football Daily, Phil Egan brings you the latest from Gdansk ahead of this evening's qualifier as well as the Champions League. Carla Ward urges the importance of this double-header window against Poland. Harvey Vale talks about his Republic of Ireland call-up. Arne Slot is hoping for another 'famous Anfield night'. Leeds go 6 points clear of relegation with win over Manchester United. Spurs without captain Romero in relegation dogfight. Declan Rice absent from training ahead of Sporting CP second leg. Keith Treacy talks about Arsenal's recent form. Ghana has a new, familiar manager ahead of June's World Cup Jorginho downplays incident involving Chappell Roan. Become a member and sign up at offtheball.com/join

The Ghana Football Association (GFA) has offered an explanation for why Carlos Queiroz was appointed as the new head coach of the Black Stars. The 72-year-old has been confirmed as the new head coach for the senior national team on a short-term deal ahead of the 2026 World Cup.The former Egypt head coach has replaced Otto Addo, who was sacked after Black Stars' inconsistent performances ahead of the Mundial despite guiding the team to qualify for the Mundial slated for this summer in the USA, Canada, and Mexico.Reportedly, Pitso Mosimane, Kwesi Appiah, Paulo Bento, among other coaches, were all linked to the coach.Speaking to Asempa FM, the Communications Director of the GFA, Henry Asante Twum, explained why the former Real Madrid head coach was appointed."Carlos Queiroz provided a detailed analysis of his observations of the Black Stars, from their AFCON qualification failure to World Cup qualification," he said."He showed strong knowledge of the team’s player profiles and outlined how he intends to guide the Black Stars’ progress from the group stage at the World Cup," Asante Twum added.Queiroz will meet the Black Stars squad next month during their international friendly against Mexico, before concluding...

Communications Director of Ghana Football Association (GFA), Henry Asante Twum, has hinted that the FA will review the performance of Carlos Queiroz after the 2026 World Cup. The veteran Portuguese trainer has been appointed on a short-term basis, replacing Otto Addo, who was sacked after the back-to-back defeats against Austria and Germany in a pre-World Cup friendly game.With the former Egypt and Iran head coach set to lead the Black Stars to the Mundial, Asante Twum has revealed that his performance will be reviewed after the tournament in the USA, Canada and Mexico."Carlos Queiroz to lead the Black Stars until the end of the World Cup. After that, the FA will review how things turn out and decide whether to keep him or part ways," he told Asempa FM.Asante Twum also hinted that the 72-year-old has already started working."Carlos Queiroz has already begun work on the Black Stars and is expected in Ghana in the coming days," Asante Twum added.Queiroz will meet the Black Stars squad next month during their international friendly against Mexico, before concluding preparations with a final tune-up match against Wales on June 2.Ghana, preparing for its fifth World Cup appearance,...

Former Ghana Football Association (GFA) Vice President Fred Pappoe has urged Ghanaians to throw their full support behind newly appointed Black Stars head coach Carlos Queiroz as the team prepares for the 2026 FIFA World Cup.The experienced Portuguese tactician has been handed a short-term contract to lead Ghana into the global tournament this summer, replacing Otto Addo, who was relieved of his duties following back-to-back defeats to Austria and Germany during the March international window.Addo, who was reappointed in March 2024, exited after a difficult spell that also included failure to guide the Black Stars to AFCON 2025 qualification, despite continued backing from the Ghana Football Association.Speaking in an interview with Adom FM, Pappoe, a former Black Stars Management Committee chairman, stressed the need for unity and collective backing for the new coach."We have limited time for the World Cup, and if you look into the list available and you check our pocket, I believe we have to rally behind whoever has been appointed," he said."We were all clamouring for a respected coach, and someone who can transform the team and the Ghana Football Association (GFA) together with the Sports Ministry has come out with...

Ghana have appointed Carlos Queiroz as manager for their 2026 World Cup campaign. The Black Stars will face England, Panama and Croatia in group L at this summer’s tournament. Queiroz has bee…

Cristiano Ronaldo has returned from injury and is fit to play for Al Nassr. Cristiano Ronaldo, even at 41 years old, remains a central figure for both his club, Al Nassr, and the Portugal national team. Still drawing global attention, the key question now is when the legendary striker will take the field again. Cristiano Ronaldo’s next game with Al Nassr is scheduled for Wednesday, April 15, when they’ll be hosting Al Ettifaq for Matchday 29 of the 2025-26 Saudi Pro League at Al Awwal Park. The Portuguese extended his goal tally netting the opener in the last 2-0 win against Al Okhdood. Regarding the Portugal national team, Cristiano Ronaldo is expected to return during the June international window. Before the World Cup gets underway, the Selecao will play two friendlies on home soil: the first against Chile on June 6 and the second against Nigeria on June 10. So far this season, the Portuguese icon has scored 25 goals and provided 4 assists in 28 games for Al Nassr, while netting 5 goals in 5 UEFA World Cup qualifiers for Portugal, with his personal account in 968 career goals. With the World Cup set for the USA, Canada, and Mexico at the end of the campaign, Ronaldo will be determined to arrive at what will likely be his final major tournament in top form. Cristiano Ronaldo of Al-Nassr FC scoring a bicycle kick. Ronaldo faced long break due to FIFA schedule After his stunning bicycle-kick goal against Al Khaleej, Cristiano Ronaldo was rested for Al Nassr’s midweek AFC Champions League Two match. But from that point forward, the Portuguese star endured a 24-day gap without competitive action, a result of the upcoming FIFA competition schedule. From December 1 through 18, Qatar hosted the second edition of the FIFA Arab Cup, with the final between Morocco and Jordan played at Lusail Stadium, the same venue as the 2022 World Cup final. With several Saudi Pro League players involved, including stars of the Saudi Arabian national team, clubs, including Al Nassr, were unable to meet domestic player requirements, forcing the SPL into a temporary pause during the tournament.

While the star remains focused on his objective of reaching full fitness with Santos, Neymar's father and agent is reportedly set to hold talks with FC Cincinnati representatives to complete his move to the MLS. Neymar has been linked with a blockbuster move to Major League Soccer, with FC Cincinnati emerging as the frontrunner to land his signature. While the Brazilian star continues working his way back to full fitness at Santos, his agent is reportedly set to hold talks with Cincinnati over a potential deal. According to ESPN Brasil, Neymar’s father, who also serves as his agent and the primary manager of his business affairs, is awaiting a face-to-face meeting with FC Cincinnati to move the conversation forward. With the MLS club’s interest in the former Barcelona star confirmed as genuine, the meeting would represent a significant step in the early stages of negotiations. The outlet reports that Neymar’s entourage intends to hold the meeting with Cincinnati’s representatives in person. While financial terms have not yet been disclosed, the primary objective of the gathering is to assess the viability of a deal, covering salary expectations and bonus structures. The meeting is expected to take place in the coming days, with Cincinnati’s delegation aiming to make their case for Neymar to join the league after the World Cup, regardless of whether he ultimately features in the tournament. Club president and owner Jeff Berding and sporting director Chris Albright are among those set to make the trip, accompanied by a team of image rights specialists to help advance the discussions. Neymar Junior of Santos competes for the ball with Ruan of Atletico Mineiro. Neymar focused on returning to fitness While speculation over his future continues to swirl, Neymar’s attention for now remains firmly on getting back to peak condition and earning a place in Carlo Ancelotti’s Brazil squad for the 2026 World Cup. Despite the noise surrounding his next move, the forward took the field for Santos last Saturday in a 1-0 win over Atletico Mineiro. In an encouraging sign on the fitness front, Santos head coach Cuca expressed confidence that Neymar will be available for every upcoming fixture. “Neymar filled his tank, and Gabigol did too. They performed well in the match. It might have been their best game in terms of competitive and physical levels,” Cuca said after Saturday’s win. “The trend is for him to keep playing; he doesn’t need to play the full 90 minutes. We’ll manage his workload so they are ready to go every three days,” the coach added. Santos face Recoleta on Tuesday in the Copa Sudamericana, followed by Fluminense next Sunday and Coritiba on the 22nd in the Copa do Brasil. The optimism comes at a critical time, as questions have lingered over whether Neymar would be able to withstand the physical demands of a World Cup, where teams can be required to play every three to four days. Notably, Neymar has not played four matches within a three-day window since July of last year, making the upcoming fixture run a significant test for a player who was once considered among the very best in the world.

LAFC will face Cruz Azul on Tuesday in the Concacaf Champions Cup, a matchup that could serve as a valuable test for Son Heung-min ahead of the 2026 FIFA World Cup. Son Heung-min will have a useful opportunity ahead of the 2026 FIFA World Cup, as he travels to Mexico on Tuesday with LAFC to face Cruz Azul in the Concacaf Champions Cup, under conditions similar to those he will encounter this summer with South Korea. The clash between Cruz Azul and LAFC will be played at Estadio Cuauhtemoc in Puebla, a city located 7,005 feet above sea level. That makes for unusual match conditions, with differences in climate and oxygen levels that often impact players who are not accustomed to that environment. This will represent an additional challenge for LAFC, considering they drew 0-0 at home in the first leg of the Concacaf Champions Cup quarterfinal series. They will now need to find a goal to gain an advantage and advance to the semifinals, though the task will not be easy. However, for Son, there is also an opportunity to gain experience that could prove crucial ahead of the World Cup set to take place this summer in North America. South Korea are in Group A and will play all three of their group-stage matches on Mexican soil, where altitude will be a key factor to consider. Son playing for LAFC. South Korea’s altitude challenges at the World Cup Of South Korea’s three group-stage matches at the World Cup, one will be played against South Africa at Estadio BBVA in Guadalupe. At just 1,600 feet above sea level, altitude should not pose a major issue for Son and his teammates. However, the other two matches will present a very different scenario. Both South Korea’s opener against the Czech Republic and their following match against Mexico will be played at Estadio Akron in Zapopan, Guadalajara, where altitude becomes a significant factor at 5,154 feet. The match against the Czech Republic will be relatively even in that regard, as both teams will be dealing with unfamiliar conditions. But the real challenge will come in the second match, when they face the hosts, who are naturally far more accustomed to the environment. That is why Son Heung-min’s prior opportunity to play at altitude — and at an even higher elevation like Puebla — could be invaluable preparation for the World Cup.

The USMNT lost two friendly matches to Belgium and Portugal ahead of the 2026 World Cup.

Lautaro Martinez suffered another injury, keeping Argentina concerned ahead of the 2026 FIFA World Cup. With a little over two months to go before the start of the 2026 FIFA World Cup, Argentina are paying close attention to one of their stars, Lautaro Martinez, who suffered a new injury this week that will prevent him from returning to action in the short term. “Lautaro Martinez aggravated his soleus muscle injury,” journalist Gaston Edul reported Friday via his official X account. The update, however, includes a positive detail compared to his previous muscle issue: “Not as serious.” The striker has played just one official match in the last two months. In mid-February, he was sidelined by a muscle injury that forced him to miss Inter Milan’s UEFA Champions League playoff clash against Bodo/Glimt, as well as five Serie A matches and one Coppa Italia fixture. After recovering from that setback last week, Martinez started in Inter Milan’s 5–2 win over AS Roma in Serie A on Sunday, where he scored twice. However, he has now suffered another setback that will force him to rest again. “He will be out for a few more days,” Edul added on X. Lionel Scaloni, Head Coach of Argentina. Argentina closely monitoring Lautaro Martinez’s situation Although the 2026 FIFA World Cup is still over two months away, Argentina are closely monitoring Lautaro Martinez’s situation. The striker has been a key piece of Lionel Scaloni’s squad throughout his tenure as head coach and is expected to have a place in the 26-man roster heading to North America this summer. However, the fact that Martinez is dealing with recurring physical issues so close to the tournament is a growing concern. In fact, he was left out of Scaloni’s latest squad during the March international break, when Argentina defeated Mauritania and Zambia in Buenos Aires. Lautaro Martinez still has unfinished business at the World Cup Despite playing a decisive role for Argentina in recent years—such as scoring the winning goal in the 2024 Copa America final against Colombia—Lautaro Martinez did not have the same impact during Argentina’s 2022 World Cup title run in Qatar. He started as the team’s main striker in that tournament, but an ankle injury prevented him from being at full fitness. After just two matches, he lost his place in the starting lineup to Julian Alvarez. That led to a disappointing campaign, as he failed to score during the entire World Cup. For that reason, North America 2026 carries special importance for Martinez, who will be looking to settle that unfinished business and deliver for Argentina on soccer’s biggest stage.

Nike has acknowledged its World Cup kits contain a design defect, admitting the shirts do not meet their expectations. Last month, the global sportswear brand released its collection of national te…

In a sudden change of plans, the two rivals of Lionel Messi's Argentina prior to the 2026 World Cup have been reportedly revealed. Lionel Messi is in the final stages of his preparation ahead of Argentina‘s campaign at the 2026 World Cup across the United States, Canada and Mexico. With just two friendlies remaining before the tournament begins, the Inter Miami star is now dealing with a change of opponent. As announced by AFA, Argentina will face Honduras and Iceland in the two friendlies scheduled for the June international window ahead of the World Cup. The match against Honduras is set for June 6, while the clash against the Icelandic side follows on June 9, leaving Messi and company just one week to regroup before their tournament opener against Algeria on the 16th. The Honduras fixture had long been floated as a possibility, even during the March window when Argentina ultimately faced Mauritania and Zambia. The Iceland match, however, came as a surprise to fans, not because of the opponent itself, but because Serbia had been widely expected to fill the European slot on the schedule. In his press conference on March 26 ahead of the Mauritania game, head coach Lionel Scaloni had spoken with confidence about the June plans: “Regarding the June matches, it is my understanding that one of them will be against Serbia. That is my understanding; we requested it, thanks to the fact that (Claudio) Arzeno is on Serbia’s coaching staff, and we were able to speak with him. If the match can be played, I believe one of our opponents will be Serbia.“ Lionel Messi of Argentina celebrates after scoring against Zambia. A recent L’Équipe report noted that Argentina’s upcoming opponents carry a combined average ranking of 85th in the FIFA standings, reigniting the debate around the quality of the Albiceleste’s warm-up schedule. While none of the three sides have qualified for the upcoming World Cup, Argentina, ranked third in the latest update, will face Honduras, ranked 66th, and Iceland, ranked 75th, with the originally planned Serbia, ranked 39th, now out of the picture. Messi set for iconic college football venues While the caliber of the opposition may not generate much excitement, the settings certainly will. Messi and his Argentina teammates are set to play in front of massive crowds at two storied college football stadiums ahead of their World Cup title defense. The game against Honduras on June 6 will be held at Kyle Field in College Station, Texas, home of the Texas A&M Aggies and one of the largest stadiums in the country with a capacity of 102,733. The venue last hosted a high-profile soccer occasion when Brazil defeated Mexico 3-2 in a friendly that drew an attendance of 85,249, according to ESPN. The clash against Iceland will then take place at Jordan-Hare Stadium in Auburn, Alabama, home of the Auburn Tigers and another iconic Southeastern Conference venue. With a capacity of 87,451 and the game set to be played on a grass surface, it will mark the first time in the stadium’s 87-year history that a soccer match has been played on its field.

Tottenham have been dealt a fresh injury setback with Mohammed Kudus potentially missing the rest of the season.

We’re back with another AFTN Soccer Show packed full of Vancouver Whitecaps, Major League Soccer, Canadian Premier League, Canadian national team, and general football chat and interviews.The Whitecaps came away with a huge three points against Cascadian rivals Portland Timbers at the weekend thanks to two dramatic stoppage time goals. We pick over the bones of that one and the main talking points coming out of the game, plus we hear from Portland head coach Phil Neville and chat about the fallout from his postgame comments.We also round-up all the weekend action in the MLS West and the CPL, and chat with Halifax Wanderers head coach Vanni Sartini after his emotional first win in his first match in the league. Plus we look at what we learned from Canada's two World Cup warm-up matches and the eventful final round of World Cup qualifiers as the last teams booked their places at this summer's tournament.All of this plus we move onto the letter O in our Canadian Soccer A to Z series, music-wise, Inspiral Carpets continue their residency as our Artists of the Month, The Servants are the latest band to feature in our 40th anniversary tribute year to the C86 movement, and we've another Scottish World Cup song in Wavelength.Here’s the rundown for the main segments from the episode:01.23: Intro chat03.15: Canadian Soccer A to Z - O13.30: Whitecaps stun Portland with late comeback win52.00: The Timbers postgame fallout68.20: The Battle for the Canadian Number One77.55: MLS round-up93.15: CPL round-up as Football Video Support makes debut126.30: Vanni Sartini on his first CPL win138.05: What we learned from Canada's two friendlies158.00: What a week of international footballing drama170.20: Wavelength - Shindig - Come On Scotland

Gareth Barry has advised Manchester United to wrap up possibly their most important transfer of the summer before the World Cup starts.

John Murray, Ian Dennis & Ali Bruce-Ball look ahead to the FA Cup quarter-final weekend and reflect on England’s far from sizzling World Cup send off. Plus the non-league Ted Lasso, Steve Bracknall joins the pod live as his Royal Oak FC prepares to take to the field in real life for a big quarter-final of their own. Messages, questions and voicenotes welcome on WhatsApp to 08000 289 369 & emails to [email protected] 01:10 England struggle in ‘send-off’, 05:00 John gets called out for his ‘shabby shoes’, 11:25 5 Live commentaries this weekend, 13:30 Defining week for Arne Slot? 15:45 What if Spurs get relegated? 23:55 Steve Bracknall joins the pod! 33:30 Unintended pub names, 38:40 Great Glossary of Football Commentary. 5 Live / BBC Sounds commentaries: Sat 1715 Chelsea v Port Vale in FA Cup, Sat 2000 Southampton v Arsenal in FA Cup, Sun 1300 Arsenal v Brighton in Women’s FA Cup, Sun 1630 West Ham v Leeds in FA Cup. Great Glossary of Football Commentary: DIVISION ONE Agricultural challenge, Back of the net, Back to square one, Backside and elbows, Booked, Bosman, Bullet header, Channel of joy, Coupon buster, Cruyff Turn, Cultured/educated left foot, Dead-ball specialist, Draught excluder, Elastico/flip-flap, False nine, Fox in the box, Giving the goalkeeper the eyes, Grub hunter, Head tennis, Hibs it, In a good moment, In behind, Magic of the FA Cup, The Maradona, Off their line, Olimpico, Onion bag, Panenka, Park the bus, Perfect hat-trick, Piledriver, Put his cap on it, Rabona, Roy of the Rovers stuff, Schmeichel-style, Scorpion kick, Spursy, Stick it in the mixer, Sweeper keeper, Target man, Tiki-taka, Towering header, Trivela, Where the kookaburra sleeps, Where the owl sleeps, Where the spiders sleep. DIVISION TWO 2-0 can be a dangerous score, Asterisk, Back on the grass, Ball stays hit, Beaten all ends up, Blaze over the bar, Business end, Came down with snow on it, Catching practice, Camped in the opposition half, Cauldron atmosphere Coat is on a shoogly peg, Come back to haunt them, Corridor of uncertainty, Couldn’t sort their feet out, Easy tap-in, Daisy-cutter, Drubbing, First cab off the rank, Giant-killing, Goalkeepers’ Union, Good leave, Good touch for a big man, Half-turn, Has that in his locker, High wide and not very handsome, Hospital pass, Howler, In the dugout, In the hat, In their pocket, Johnny on the spot, Lackadaisical, Leading the line, Leather a shot, Middle of the park, Needed no second invitation, Nice headache to have, No-look pass, Nutmeg, On their bike, One for the cameras, One for the purists, Played us off the park, Points to the spot, Prawn sandwich brigade, Purple patch, Put their laces through it, Queensbury rules, Reaches for their pocket, Rolls Royce, Root and branch review, Row Z, Screamer, Seats on the plane, Show across the bows, Slide-rule pass, Staving off relegation, Steal a march, Sting the palms, Straight in the bread basket, Stramash, Taking one for the team, Telegraphed that pass, Tired legs, That’s great… (football), Thunderous strike, Turns on a sixpence, Walk it in, We’ve got a cup tie on our hands.

Joachim Low has shut down speculation over him taking the Ghana job for the World Cup. The German was linked with the Black Stars vacancy after they sacked Otto Addo, who guided them to the 2026 Wo…

England assistant coach Anthony Barry speaks with BBC Sport Senior Football News Reporter, Alex Howell. They discuss his relationship with head coach Thomas Tuchel and his experience coaching several top European teams, both internationally and domestically. He talks about how they'll cope with the heat at this summer's World Cup and what he deems as success. 0’30 - Why he’s committed to a longer contract. 1’00 - Why he clicks so well with Thomas Tuchel. 3’00 - What goes into picking World Cup squad. 3’50 - What he’s learnt from being at previous World Cups and how they’ll deal with the heat. 5’10 - Impact set pieces will have at World Cup and the 'club feeling' in the England camp. 8’00 - What he’ll take from Club World Cup into World Cup. 9’10 - What is success for England?

Jesse Marsch might have been hoping for more from his team against Iceland and Tunisia, but they put up a decent fight in both matches, and gave plenty of fringe players a chance to stake their claim for the World Cup. This team have been hit by so many injuries over the past few months and that will leave a ton of questions for Marsch to answer within his squad composition for the summer tournament. After consecutive draws with Iceland and Tunisia, here are the looming questions still needing to be answered before the summer.

Australia beat Curacao 5-1 on Tuesday night as they prepare for the World Cup in the summer

After a 2-0 defeat to Portugal, more questions than answers surround Mauricio Pochettino’s USMNT. Jimmy Conrad, Charlie Davies, and Tony Meola break down a frustrating night and a March camp defined by constant tinkering, with tactics, personnel, and, most notably, a back four that still isn’t convincing this close to the World Cup. There were bright spots - Auston Trusty made the most of his opportunity - but who else helped or hurt their case with the roster deadline looming? The guys debate the biggest selection dilemmas and build their ideal XI for the opener against Paraguay. Despite back-to-back losses, Pochettino and Christian Pulisic are striking a positive tone… but is that optimism justified, or a warning sign? Plus, Türkiye punch their ticket to Group D - are they the immediate favorites to top it? And what did Pochettino really mean by saying his squad doesn’t feature “top 100” players? Call It What You Want is available for free on the Audacy app as well as Apple Podcasts, Spotify and wherever else you listen to podcasts. Follow the Call It What You Want team on X:⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠@JimmyConrad⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠,⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ @CharlieDavies9⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠, ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠@TMeola1⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ Visit the ⁠betting arena on CBSSports.com⁠ for all the latest in ⁠sportsbook reviews⁠ and ⁠sportsbook promos⁠ for ⁠betting on soccer⁠ For more soccer coverage from CBS Sports, visit ⁠https://www.cbssports.com/soccer/⁠ To hear more from the CBS Sports Podcast Network, visit ⁠https://www.cbssports.com/podcasts/⁠ Watch UEFA Champions League, UEFA Europa League, UEFA Europa Conference League, UEFA Women’s Champions League, EFL Championship, EFL League Cup, Carabao Cup, Serie A, Coppa Italia, CONCACAF Nations League, CONCACAF World Cup Qualifiers, Lamar Hunt U.S. Open Cup, NWSL, Scottish Premiership, AFC Champion League by subscribing to ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Paramount+⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ Visit the betting arena on CBS Sports.com: ⁠https://www.cbssports.com/betting/⁠ For all the latest in sportsbook reviews: ⁠https://www.cbssports.com/betting/news/sportsbook-promos/⁠ And sportsbook promos: ⁠https://www.cbssports.com/betting/news/sportsbook-promos/ To learn more about listener data and our privacy practices visit: https://www.audacyinc.com/privacy-policy Learn more about your ad choices. Visit https://podcastchoices.com/adchoices

A defeat to France, Raphinha sent home injured for five weeks, Vini Jr doubtful, and a stadium full of supporters calling for an absent Neymar. This was supposed to be Brazil’s final tune-up before the World Cup. It turned… The post Injuries, Controversy and Neymar Chants: How Ancelotti’s Brazil Became a World Cup Crisis in Real Time first appeared on FootballTalk.org.

In this special episode of the Euro Leagues, Steve Crossman, Guillem Balague, Archie Rhind-Tutt and Julien Laurens are joined by Sergei Palkin, CEO of Ukrainian giants Shakhtar Donetsk. Sergei talks about the challenges facing the club since the Russian invasion of Ukraine in 2022 - finding somewhere to play their games, convincing foreign players to sign for them and dreaming of returning to the Donbas Arena. With less than 100 days to go until the World Cup, the panel also discuss how Germany, Spain and France are shaping up. TIMECODES 00:52 - Less than 100 days until the World Cup 04:33 - Germany and Nagelsmann 11:17 - Spain's injury worries 15:05 - France and Deschamps spoilt for choice 26:38 - Shakhtar Donetsk CEO Sergei Palkin 27:23 - Running a football club in wartime 29:18 - The role of sport in Ukrainian's lives 31:04 - Using stadiums as shelters 33:12 - Convincing foreign players to sign 37:17 - Trying to maintain the academy 40:20 - Dreams of returning to the Donbas Arena

David Luiz on how Brazil would handle the pressure of being World Cup hosts in 2014 This piece was written by Rupert Fryer for issue 13. I was standing in a hallway at Soccer City in Johannesburg. Brazil had just finished training ahead of their March friendly with South Africa and I had agreed to […] The post Sideshow takes Centre Stage appeared first on The Blizzard.

Alexi Lalas and David Mosse are back with a new episode of State of the Union! Today we break down all the madness from the final matchday of the Champions League league phase, including a Malik Tillman brace against Villarreal, a massive Benfica upset of Real Madrid, and PSV and Marseille falling just short of their qualification dreams. We then look ahead to this weekend’s Premier League action that will see Brenden Aaronson and Leeds face league-leaders Arsenal, Jedi Robinson and Fulham traveling to Old Trafford, and a suddenly massive match in the relegation battle between Chris Richards and Crystal Palace and Nottingham Forest. In #AskAlexi, the boys ponder if the USA is even fully prepared to win a World Cup and in One for the Road, Alexi talks about his upcoming reunion with members of the 1994 World Cup squad. Intro (0:00)Transfer Roundup: Freeman to Spain & Luna rumors swirl (3:51)U.S. in UCL: Malik Tillman bags brace, Weah & Dest knocked out (8:11)UCL Recap: Jose Mourinho & Co win vs Real at Death (16:54)U.S. in EPL Preview: Aaronson hosts Arsenal (21:46)#AskAlexi: USL vs MLS & Is the U.S. ready for a Men’s World Cup title? (30:19)One For The Road: 1994 U.S. Reunion (43:06) Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Tom and Tab are joined by Paul Tenorio of The Athletic to discuss the latest news on Josh Sargent's struggle to get to MLS, Weston McKennie's leverage over Juventus and Paul's Top 5 USMNT Things to Watch before the World Cup. Tab is honest about Gio Reyna and where he can be useful for the US Team, and Tab also tells an incredible story about the 1990 World Cup and how the US was unprepared for what was coming. Plus, we dive into the bizarre stealing of towels situation at the AFCON Final and talk about Paul's new book, The Messi Effect. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Alexi Lalas and David Mosse are back with a new episode of State of the Union! We reveal our brand new studio look by discussing Ricardo Pepi’s arm injury, Toronto FC’s bid for Josh Sargent and Macclesfield FC’s historic FA Cup victory over Chris Richards and Crystal Palace. We also break down Weston McKennie scoring for Juventus AGAIN and what the next step in his career might look like. After, Alexi and Mosse discuss Barcelona’s triumph over Real Madrid in the Spanish Supercopa and Xabi Alonso’s subsequent sacking. In #AskAlexi, Alexi recaps his time at the Mac Hermann award show, answers how Michael Bradley will do as New York Red Bulls manager, and discusses the news that the German national team will be staying at Wake Forest for the upcoming World Cup. One for the Road ends the show with Alexi and Mosse talking about the current state of affairs in Iran as it pertains to the World Cup. Use my code for $30 off your next order of World Cup Tickets on SeatGeek*:https://seatgeek.onelink.me/RrnK/SOTU Sponsored by SeatGeek. *Restrictions apply. Max $30discount, Min. $200 Purchase Intro (0:00)U.S. Abroad: Pepi out, Sargent to MLS? (6:10)#AskAlexi: Michael Bradley slam-dunk hire for NYRB? (37:00)One For The Road: Iran at the 2026 FIFA World Cup (47:47) Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

The USMNT October roster is here and Alexi Lalas, Stu Holden & David Mosse break it all down. From Christian Pulisic’s red-hot form at AC Milan to Haji Wright’s goal surge in the Championship, we dive into the biggest snubs and storylines ahead of friendlies vs. Ecuador and Australia. Alexi, Mosse, and Stu debate whether Mauricio Pochettino’s latest squad is built for a back three or back four, and what the absences of Sergiño Dest, Ricardo Pepi, Yunus Musah, and Tyler Adams mean for World Cup prep. We highlight rising stars like Diego Luna, Patrick Agyemang, and Tanner Tessmann while asking: is this the best Pochettino roster so far? Plus, we react to the unveiling of the adidas FIFA World Cup 2026 official match ball, the TRIONDA, and rank the greatest FIFA World Cup balls of all time. Keepers: Four on the roster? (6:15)Backline: Back Three or Four? (8:33)Midfield: No Musah? (15:37)Forwards: Who starts up top? (22:25)Pochettino press conference quotes (26:38)TRIONDA reveal (39:52) Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Rog and Clint Dempsey went live with their instant reactions following USMNT 0-2 South Korea friendly match in Harrison, NJ. The gents discuss yet another disappointing performance leading up to next year’s World Cup, including if Mauricio Pochettino knows who his best team is, why South Korea found attacking success in the first half and if automatically qualifying for the World Cup hurts the USMNT's competitiveness. See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Christian Polanco and Alexis Guerreros break down Son Heung-Min’s impressive MLS debut and why Christian may already be wrong about his impact. They also react to the Premier League’s opening weekend with some bold overreactions—will Manchester United improve, or is it déjà vu? Finally, the duo celebrates 10 years of The Cooligans with heartfelt messages and reflections on their journey.

Alexi Lalas and David Mosse break down Tyler Adams’ interview with The Athletic, speaking on Christian Pulisic’s controversy, criticism from the USMNT alumni, and World Cup preparation. We break down his comments and what they reveal about the team’s mentality ahead of. Plus, a busy weekend for Americans abroad, with goals from Josh Sargent, Sergiño Dest, and a trophy lift for Chris Richards. The guys also check in on transfer window moves across Europe.We recap MLS debuts for Matt Turner and Son Heung-min, goals from Jack McGlynn and Brian White, and preview the four MLS squads advancing to the Leagues Cup quarterfinals. In #AskAlkexi, Alexi and Mosse dive into Ballon d’Or nominations, reunions with Revolution fans, and major changes coming to LaLiga. Intro (0:00)Tyler Adams on Pulisic Controversy & USMNT Alumni Criticism (5:08)USMNT Abroad: Sargent, Downs, Dest on the Scoresheet (10:21)Transfer Window News (17:02)Matt Turner Makes Debut (20:28)Leagues Cup Quarterfinals Set (31:33)#AskAlexi: Ballon d’Or Nominations (32:25)La Liga Major Changes Coming (45:01) Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices