World Cup News

Liverpool Transfer News: Nico Schlotterbeck Deal Confirmed Liverpool’s transfer plans have taken a notable turn following fresh developments involving Nico Schlotterbeck, with Fabrizio Romano delivering a significant update that will resonate across the Premier League. The Germany international has committed his future to Borussia Dortmund, signing a contract extension that runs until the summer of […] The post Liverpool dealt transfer hammer blow after Fabrizio Romano’s latest update appeared first on anfieldindex.com.

There may be no one better prepared to win the Champions League than Bayern Munich, and they're scoring goals at a rate the Bundesliga has never seen.

Nico Schlotterbeck said his ultimate goal is to help Borussia Dortmund become Bundesliga champions, after ending speculation over his future by signing a new five-year contract. Schlotterbeck’s previous deal was due to expire at the end of this season, and he was linked with Premier League giants Liverpool and Manchester United, among other sides. But […] The post Schlotterbeck outlines title aim after signing new Borussia Dortmund contract appeared first on Soccer News.

Eddie Howe must work out how to get the best out of Newcastle’s club-record signing Nick Woltemade. But if he can’t, it could mean Howe is out of a job at the end of the season. Howe ha…

The famed Champions League star ball is to be remodeled with Nike set to replace adidas as the official match ball provider. German brand adidas has been the competition’s ball supplier since takin…

Bayern Munich will be without Lennart Karl for the foreseeable future after the attacking midfielder suffered a muscle fibre tear in the back of his right thigh.

Leeds United could be without several players, including Gabriel Gudmundsson and Anton Stach, for Monday's Premier League clash with Manchester United.

With 16 goal involvements for a RB Leipzig team closing in on a return to the UEFA Champions League, Yan Diomande's debut season in the Bundesliga has already been a runaway success.

Martyn, Mike and Rob settle down to revisit one of the great weekends in World Cup history. France and Brazil produce a classic and a goal that would be lionised if the result had been different, the hosts suffer a fate that many will over the years: defeat to West Germany on penalties, the surprise package carry on and England v Argentina provides enough for an entire series. France v Brazil - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IZ6pRNMS4KE Mexico v West Germany - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UI46dXRrj9E England v Argentina - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=s3382Hx8pag Spain v Belgium - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JQRWxyRm_og If you want weekly exclusive bonus shows, join our Nessun Dorma community chat, want your episodes without ads and a couple of days earlier or just want to support the podcast, then head over to ⁠⁠⁠patreon.com/NessunDormaPodcast⁠⁠⁠ where you can subscribe for only $3.99 a month (less than 75p a week!). Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

It's time for The Truth! Sam and Dougie are back together (although sadly not in the studio) to take a look at just how well things are going at Bayern Munich right now for Vincent Kompany (and company). After winning 2-1 at the Bernabeu to record their first away win against Real Madrid in 25 years, many people have them as the favourites to lift the Champions League title at the end of the season, and there's plenty of reasons to be positive around Bayern right now. The scintillating form of their front three - Luis Diaz, Harry Kane, and Michael Olise - has led to the trio scoring 87 goals between them this season already, and 52 assists for good measure. There's the age-defying quality of Manuel Neuer in goal, a formidable midfield spearheaded by veteran Joshua Kimmich and rising star Aleksandar Pavlovic, the introduction of Jonathan Tah has been a masterstroke in the middle of defence, and the pace of Alphonso Davies combining with the guile of Konrad Laimer at full back. To top all that off, there's a late-stage rejuvenated Serge Gnabry flying in the middle, the mind-bending talent of Jamal Musiala returning from injury, and the prodigious teenage sensation Lennart Karl popping up with crucial moments that have many in Germany arguing he should go to the World Cup with the National Team. So, right now, are there any weaknesses in this Bayern side? Can this growing team now match up to an Arsenal side that beat them in the League stage? And could PSG be the wildcard in the pack as they attempt to go back-to-back in the Champions League? As ever, The Truth is somewhere in the middle... And remember, if you’d like more from the Rank Squad, including extra podcasts every Monday and Friday (including our weekly Postbox taking a look at the whole weekend of football) and access to our brilliant Discord community, then why not join us here on Patreon? (http://patreon.com/ranksfc) Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com (https://pcm.adswizz.com) for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

Claudio Gugnali, former assistant coach of Argentina, spoke with Lionel Messi and expressed confidence that he will play in the 2026 FIFA World Cup. The uncertainty surrounding Lionel Messi’s participation in the 2026 FIFA World Cup is getting closer to being resolved. All signs appear to point toward a positive outcome—something also sensed by former Argentina assistant Claudio Gugnali. “For me, Messi will be at the World Cup, there’s no doubt. I felt it, and I saw him in great shape on the field,” Gugnali said in a recent interview with Radio Gol, following the friendlies Argentina played against Mauritania and Zambia in Buenos Aires during the March FIFA break. Gugnali served as assistant to head coach Alejandro Sabella between 2011 and 2014, when the national team reached the World Cup final in Brazil, where they lost 1-0 to Germany. Those years allowed him to build a close relationship with Messi, who was, of course, a key part of that squad. With the forward’s visit to Buenos Aires during the international break, Gugnali had the opportunity to meet with him at the Argentine Football Association training facility and have a private conversation. “We talked about family and his time in Miami; he told me he’s very happy, not like in Paris, where he suffered,” Claudio revealed. View this post on Instagram A post shared by Claudio Gugnali (@claudiogugnali) Finally, Gugnali made it clear that he has no doubts about Lionel Messi’s commitment to the Argentina national team and how much every international tournament means to him. “I saw him cry in Brazil and in Qatar; he truly cries for the national team,” the coach said, referring to the Copa America 2021 and World Cup 2022 titles. What will determine whether Messi plays in the 2026 World Cup? During the celebrations after winning the title in Qatar, Lionel Messi said that it had been his last World Cup, adding that he wanted to “keep playing a little longer with Argentina as world champion.” That timeline, however, has gradually extended to include the entire South American qualifiers for 2026, as well as Copa America 2024. With the tournament in North America approaching, the forward has yet to make an official decision about his participation, as he nears his 39th birthday and remains uncertain whether his physical condition will meet the demands of the most intense competition in soccer. “I’ll take it day by day, being honest and trying to be realistic and feel good,” he said in late 2025 in an interview with ESPN. Messi has also expressed optimism that the MLS calendar could work in his favor: “Having a preseason in the middle, I think that changes everything for me… European players arrive at the end with so many matches on their legs. For us, it comes at a different point in the season.” When does Messi have to make a decision? Lionel Messi’s uncertainty cannot last much longer, as FIFA imposes strict deadlines for each national team to finalize its squad. In just over a month, on May 11, coaches of the 48 participating countries must submit a preliminary list of up to 55 players. The final deadline is May 30, when that list must be cut down to the official 26-man roster.

Manchester United cult hero Javier Hernandez has taken on a brand new job for this summer’s World Cup. Hernandez, better known as Chicharito, will be working for Fox Sports as an analyst for …

Felix Zwayer, Robert Kempter, Christian Dietz and Bastian Dankert will feature at the FIFA 2026 World Cup after being named on the tournament's list of match officials.

This week’s quarter-finals provided some classic action as this season’s competition hurtles towards its conclusion Bayern Munich had not won at the Santiago Bernabéu since May 2001, when they beat Real Madrid in the Champions League semi-final on their way to becoming European champions. Tuesday night’s match changed all that. The 29th Champions League meeting between the teams lived up to its heavyweight billing, though Bayern, superior on the night, may rue their failure to extend their 2-1 lead. Real Madrid meanwhile could point to Manuel Neuer making nine saves – not bad for a 40-year-old. “We won’t win the competition without more of these kinds of performances,” said Bayern’s manager, Vincent Kompany, of his keeper. Big trophies are rarely won without great goalkeepers and Neuer continues to play like an all-time great. Bayern’s second goal was a trademark finish from Harry Kane, who made the difficult look easy. The goal will also have calmed England fans’ fears that their captain will arrive at the World Cup suffering from his usual summer malaise. A word too for Luis Díaz and Michael Olise, Bayern’s brilliant wingers whose performances brought back memories of the club’s modern greats Franck Ribéry and Arjen Robben. Kompany’s team were commanding in Madrid, but may fear the backlash from the 15-times champions, the kings of comebacks.

Gipo Viani and the development of catenaccio at Salernitana This piece was written by Alberto Facchinetti for issue 42 In the summer of 1940, Giuseppe Ferruccio ‘Gipo’ Viani found himself unemployed with an estranged wife, a partner and a four-year-old son to provide for. He didn’t know where to turn. His footballing career had just […] The post The Reserve Net appeared first on The Blizzard.

Verdict: Borussia Dortmund win Best Odds: 1/1 Bookmaker: Dachbet In what is a blockbuster Bundesliga battle this weekend, Borussia Dortmund will welcome Bayer Leverkusen to rural Germany. Borussia Dortmund Starting with the hosts, while Borussia Dortmund might have already accepted that the best they can muster is another silver medal finish among Germany’s elite this […] The post Prediction: Borussia Dortmund vs Bayer Leverkusen – Betting Tips, Team News, Key Facts appeared first on Soccer News.

Two camps who will get their respective Europa League quarter-final adventures underway on Thursday night, Freiburg will welcome Celta Vigo to Germany for their first-leg battle. Suffering a spectacular late collapse against reigning Bundesliga champions Bayern Munich on their return from March’s international break last weekend, Freiburg will know the importance of claiming an immediate […] The post Freiburg vs Celta Vigo Bet Builder Tips – 4/1 Europa League Special, Analysis & Predictions appeared first on Soccer News.

The German goalkeeper has already made it clear whether or not there is a possibility of a return Leer

Hansi Flick raged that Barcelona should have been given a penalty and Marc Pubill sent off after his team crashed to a 2-0 defeat to Atlético Madrid at Spotify Camp Nou in the Champions League on Wednesday.

Second-placed Borussia Dortmund host UEFA Champions League-chasing Bayer Leverkusen in a potentially pivotal clash as we approach the business end of the campaign. This is how the two teams stack up ahead of Saturday's Matchday 29 encounter…

The English Premier League has officially guaranteed a minimum of five entrants for next season's UEFA Champions League following Arsenal’s 1-0 victory over Sporting CP.

The performance of Manuel Neuer with Bayern Munich against Real Madrid in the UEFA Champions League has sparked debate in Germany over whether he should be part of the 2026 FIFA World Cup. Bayern Munich’s 2-1 win over Real Madrid in the first leg of the UEFA Champions League quarterfinals was built, in part, on Manuel Neuer’s performance. That put the veteran goalkeeper back in the spotlight, fueling debate over whether he should return to the Germany national team for the 2026 FIFA World Cup. “This version of Neuer is world-class; he belongs in the national team,” said legend Lothar Matthaus after the match, according to Marca. He also sent a message to the Germany head coach: “I hope Nagelsmann watched the match. I would love to see Neuer in this kind of form at the World Cup… but I also know that won’t happen. Nagelsmann won’t open that door.” That push comes nearly two years after Neuer’s retirement from international soccer. He chose to close that chapter of his career following Germany’s elimination from UEFA Euro 2024 in the quarterfinals against Spain. In that way, the goalkeeper said goodbye to Germany after 15 years, having first been called up in 2009. During that span, he played in four World Cups and four European Championships, and won the sport’s biggest prize at the 2014 World Cup in Brazil, defeating Argentina 1-0 in the final. In total, he made 124 international appearances and recorded 54 clean sheets. Germany coach Julian Nagelsmann. “The best players have to go to the World Cup, and Manu is by far the best goalkeeper in the world,” said former star Benedikt Howedes, who was Neuer’s teammate at the 2014 World Cup. Even a current Germany and Bayern Munich player, Aleksandar Pavlovic, shared his view: “I would never say no to Manu, no matter his age. He is still an exceptional goalkeeper.” What did Neuer say about a possible return to Germany? Those calls for Manuel Neuer’s return to the Germany national team generated enough speculation that the 40-year-old goalkeeper addressed the topic himself after the match against Real Madrid in the Champions League. “Everything has already been said about it,” Neuer replied when asked about a potential appearance at the 2026 World Cup. Instead, he chose to focus on his club objectives: “What matters now is finishing the rest of the season with Bayern. I’m enjoying my time with the team, at the club, with the coaching staff. It’s true that I’m 40 years old, but I’m still here.” How have Germany replaced Neuer? Since Manuel Neuer’s international retirement, Julian Nagelsmann has been forced to test different options in goal for Germany. Over the past two years, the coach has used three different goalkeepers in official matches and friendlies. The most-used has been Hoffenheim’s Oliver Baumann, with a total of 11 appearances. Behind him is Marc-Andre ter Stegen, who has managed just four matches due to injury issues during his time with Barcelona, which have also kept him sidelined at Girona. The third goalkeeper selected by Nagelsmann is Stuttgart’s Alexander Nubel, who has featured in three matches.

Should he return to the national team for the upcoming 2026 World Cup? The goalkeeper made his position clear. Leer

PLAYERS were forced to intervene as an angry fan attempted to run on to the pitch and confront the referee during a match in Germany. MSV Duisburg hosted VfL Osnabruck in the German third tier last night. The visitors went into the match top of the table, while Duisburg needed a win in order to...

Florian Wirtz has opened up on his difficult start to life at Liverpool, but the Germany international believes he is now a better player for the experience at Anfield

England and three other footballing nations are set for a historic swap. The Three Lions, along with Brazil, Germany and Italy are getting ready to trade Panini for Fanatics when it comes to exclus…

Liverpool’s decline is not about missed chances alone but a deeper loss of identity, intensity and balance that must be corrected this summer. Liverpool’s season has unfolded in a way few anticipated. From champions to uncertainty in the space of a year, Arne Slot’s side have gone from setting the standard to searching for answers.… The post How Liverpool Can Fix Their Structural Problems This Summer first appeared on Breaking The Lines.

Jimbo is joined by Art De Roché, Liam Twomey and Daniel Storey to discuss Tuesday night's Champions League action. Bayern beat Real Madrid 2-1 in an end to end encounter at the Bernabéu. It could have been more for Bayern and yet Mbappe could have got a hat-trick too, with both teams racking up 20 shots each. Are Bayern the team to beat? Is Harry Kane the best in the world? Meanwhile in Lisbon, Arsenal fought hard against an impressive Sporting Clube to earn a revitalising away win in the Estádio José Alvalade, via a stoppage time goal made by two substitutes Martinelli and Havertz. How big a difference did David Raya make? Plus an EFL roundup, Ramsey retires, Mudryk trains and a tribute to Mircea Lucescu. Produced by Charlie Jones and Jesse Howard. • PART 1: Rundown of the results (0.40) • PART 2: Real Madrid 1-2 Bayern (3.45) • PART 3a: Sporting 0-1 Arsenal (20.20) • PART 3b: Ramsey retires & where’s Mudryk? (27.40) • PART 4a: A tribute to Mircea Lucescu (40.15) • PART 4b: EFL roundup (41.30) Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Borussia Dortmund plans for next season are already well under way. In an interview with German outlet Sport Bild, BVB managing director for sport Lars Ricken discussed the club's strategy to replace the outgoing Julian Brandt and whether former star Jadon Sancho could return for a third stint to fill the void.

The Premier League has guaranteed itself a fifth Champions League slot for next season. English sides have been rewarded for their place in the UEFA Coefficient Table by being handed a European Per…

LEGENDARY right-back Philipp Lahm made a low-key appearance at Bayern Munich's Champions League clash last night. The German giants faced 15-time European champions Real Madrid at the Bernabeu. Lahm, 42, appeared to be in amongst the home support as he was surrounded by Real Madrid fans. He watched his former club prevail in the first...

Topps, owned by Fanatics, will take over licenses for England, Brazil, Germany and Italy, ending long-term deals with Panini.

Bayern Munich and Freiburg's European ties against Spanish opposition in the 2025/26 quarter-finals will be extra important as the Bundesliga look to secure an extra UEFA Champions League qualifying spot for the following season.

After arriving in Heidenheim via Arminia Bielefeld, Werder Bremen and Borussia Dortmund’s reserves in 2018, it is an understatement to say Patrick Mainka has developed into a mainstay of the side as he approaches a rare feat in the modern game.

Kylian Mbappe scored for Real Madrid against Bayern Munich and joined stars like Lionel Messi and Cristiano Ronaldo in a select UEFA Champions League group. On Tuesday, Real Madrid lost 2-1 to Bayern Munich in the first leg of the UEFA Champions League quarterfinals. Kylian Mbappe scored for the Spanish side, joining Lionel Messi and Cristiano Ronaldo in an elite group: players who have scored the most goals in a single edition of the competition. In the 74th minute, Real Madrid were down 0-2 and Bayern Munich had chances to extend their lead, which would have all but sealed the tie. In that context, a low cross from Trent Alexander-Arnold found the French forward inside the box for Los Blancos’ goal. That was Mbappe’s 14th goal in this season’s European campaign. So far, only six players had scored that many or more in a single Champions League edition since its creation in 1955, according to statistics expert Mister Chip on his X account. Top scorers in a single Champions League edition The first player to score 14 goals in a single Champions League edition was Jose Altafini, an AC Milan legend, who reached that mark in 1963 while leading the Italian side to its first European title. That record stood until 2003, when Ruud van Nistelrooy matched it with Manchester United. Real Madrid are back in the tie 👊 Kylian Mbappé with a fine finish from an incredible assist by Trent Alexander-Arnold ⚪️ pic.twitter.com/9wFJWh4XVk — CBS Sports Golazo ⚽️ (@CBSSportsGolazo) April 7, 2026 From that point on, several other players have reached – and surpassed – the 14-goal mark: Lionel Messi, Robert Lewandowski, Karim Benzema, and Cristiano Ronaldo. The Portuguese star holds a special place on this list, as he is the only player to achieve it on three separate occasions. Mbappe can keep making Champions League history Real Madrid’s 2-1 defeat at the Santiago Bernabeu does not mean the tie is settled in Bayern Munich’s favor. The teams will meet again next week in Germany, where anything can happen. Kylian Mbappe will not only look to help his team reach the semifinals but also continue adding to his goal tally. At best, he could have up to four more matches left in the Champions League if Real Madrid reach the final. That could allow him to challenge Cristiano Ronaldo’s record for most goals in a single edition of the competition. The Portuguese forward set the mark in 2013-14, scoring 17 goals during Real Madrid’s title run. Mbappe is just three goals away from that record, and at his current pace, he could realistically reach it. At the same time, the French star is climbing the all-time scoring charts in European competitions. On Tuesday, he matched Filippo Inzaghi with 70 goals, placing him seventh on the list. His next target is another active player, Harry Kane, who has 75. Above them are Raul Gonzalez (76), Karim Benzema (92), Robert Lewandowski (117), Lionel Messi (132), and Cristiano Ronaldo (145).

Steven Gerrard says he’d love to see Luis Diaz make a sensational return to Liverpool. The winger proved decisive for Bayern Munich by scoring his side’s opener in Tuesday’s 2-1 Champio…

Antonio Conte has been told by the Napoli president that his club commitments won’t be an issue if he wants to become the new Italy manager. Gattuso’s departure was made official on Fri…

The London Card Show is back and bigger than ever before as it prepares for its first event at Excel London. Once hosted in a sports hall, it’s now set to welcome thousands of trading card co…

The 2028 UEFA European Championship will be spread across four different nations for the first time as Spain aim to defend their title. With the World Cup not far away, it should be an automatic re…

Verdict: Both teams to score Best Odds: 8/11 Bookmaker: Olympusbet Two camps who will get their respective Europa Conference League quarter-finals adventures underway on Thursday night, Mainz will welcome Strasbourg over to Germany. Mainz Starting with the hosts, while Mainz might have struggled to find any kind of stability prior to signing off 2025, the […] The post Prediction: Mainz vs Strasbourg – Betting Tips, Team News, Key Facts appeared first on Soccer News.

Clint Mathis returns for an extended conversation with Matt Doyle and Tab Ramos, diving deep into one of the most fascinating careers in U.S. Soccer history. From growing up in Conyers, Georgia where the odds of becoming a professional soccer player were slim, to emerging as one of the game’s most electrifying talents, Clint shares his full journey. The group revisits his legendary run with the New York/New Jersey MetroStars, his on and off-field connection with Tab, and the unforgettable goals that defined his MLS career. Clint also relives his iconic strike against South Korea at the 2002 FIFA World Cup, a moment that helped push the U.S. out of the group stage, along with memories from the clashes against Mexico and Germany and just how close that team came to the World Cup Final. Off the field, Clint opens up about life in New York City, his “rockstar” persona, and how it may have impacted the length of his career. Plus, he reveals his All-Time USMNT Starting XI and shares the story of how close he came to joining Bayern Munich. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

The Euro Show is back with Jimbo joined by the usual team of Seb Stafford-Bloor, Pol Ballus, James Horncastle and Tom Williams to discuss what’s going on in the continent. A stoppage time winner for Mallorca against Real Madrid means Barcelona are seven points clear at the top of La Liga, after they came from behind to win 2-1 at Atletico. In Italy, there’s a statement win at the top for Inter as they beat Roma 5-2 and further reaction to the Azzurri failing to qualify for a third World Cup in a row. PSG’s lead at the top of Ligue 1 stretches to four points after Lens lose 3-0 in Lille. And in Germany, Bayern Munich also grab a late winner and there’s a nine-goal thriller between Leverkusen and Wolfsburg. Plus the team look ahead to some mouth-watering Champions League Quarter Finals this week. Produced by Lucy Oliva and Xavi Bird. RUNNING ORDER: PART 1: Moments of the week (7mins) PART 2: La Liga review – Mallorca topple Real + Barca beat Atleti (20 mins) PART 3: Ligue 1 review – PSG go four clear (43 mins) PART 4: Serie A review – Azzurri misery + Inter’s big win (1:00:00) PART 5: Bundesliga review – Bayern win + Wolfsburg woe (1:17:00) Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Mark Chapman, Chris Sutton, Rory Smith and Phil Jagielka assess how damaging Arsenal's FA Cup defeat at Southampton could be for the rest of their season. German football writer Rafa Honigstein joins the podcast to look at Tonda Eckert and why Germany is bringing through so many young coaches. With Virgil Van Dijk saying Liverpool "gave up" during their defeat at Man City, the panel discuss whether Arne Slot can turn things around. And assistant coach of Iraq, Rene Meulensteen, tells us about his side's extraordinary qualification for the World Cup. TIMECODES 00:30 Arsenal's disappointing cup exits 17:15 Southampton's excellent display 19:00 Rafa Honigstein on young German coaches 32:18 Did Liverpool "give up" at Manchester City 43:08 Rene Meulensteen on Iraq's World Cup qualifcation

Verdict: Over 1.5 goals Best Odds: 2/5 Bookmaker: Dachbet Two camps who will be looking to claim their own respective first-leg advantages on Thursday night, Freiburg will welcome Celta Vigo to Germany. Freiburg Starting with the hosts, suffering an infamous late collapse on home soil over the weekend as they eventually marked their return from […] The post Prediction: Freiburg vs Celta Vigo – Betting Tips, Team News, Key Facts appeared first on Soccer News.

Florian Wirtz has been tipped to become Liverpool’s main man once Mohamed Salah leaves the club in the summer. The German playmaker has had a mixed first season at Anfield since his arrival last su…

Leeds United have moved two wins away from returning to Europe after reaching the FA Cup semi-finals for the first time in 39 years. Standing in Daniel Farke’s way is Chelsea boss Liam Roseni…

RIOT police and football ultra yobs clashed during a heated second-division match in Germany which descended into chaos. Dynamo Dresden hosted Hertha Berlin on Saturday at the Rudolf Harbig Stadion in a fiery league clash. The game was marred by violence and referee Sven Jablonski was forced to halt the action in order to temporarily...

Luton Town boss Jack Wilshere has made an impassioned plea for his former protege Max Dowman to make England’s World Cup squad. The Hatters’ head coach, who played Dowman as a 13-year-o…

Sunday’s football schedule is headlined by the FA Cup quarter-final between West Ham and Leeds United, but there is also action in Scotland and some high-quality matches in the leading league…

Newcastle have been urged to sign a former Chelsea and Manchester United transfer target to replace struggling striker Nick Woltemade.