World Cup News

I’m aware there’s been a lot of speculation about Sporting Lisbon players in the last few days, with transfer rumours about two names in particular. I’ve done a bit of digging and it looks like there are some conversations that have gone in in the last few days that has to led to a number of stories, […] The post Sources: Arsenal ask Euro giants about three potential signings despite “bad blood” appeared first on CaughtOffside.

Celtic have stayed right in the hunt as the 2025–26 William Hill Premiership season reaches its peak, though the race for the trophy is still anyone’s game. Their last league game ended in a tight 1–0 win over St Mirren on 11 April, coming off the back of a 2–1 victory away at Dundee on […] The post Celtic Could Be Forced To Accept Offers For 20 G/A Player: Will It Help The Club? appeared first on The 4th Official - A view from the sideline.

Around the world, here are the channels you can watch Newcastle United v Bournemouth Live TV. The global TV listings are featured below for local (to you) coverage on Saturday... You can click here to read the full article.

This piece was written by Suridh Hassan. Competition: To celebrate Tifo: The Art of Football Fan Stickers, we’ve teamed up with publisher Soi Books to give away a copy. For your chance to win, email your answer to the below question to [email protected] with TIFO in the subject. Where does the word “tifo” come […] The post What football stickers remember appeared first on The Blizzard.

Robert Lewandowski has had a disappointing season, losing his starting position at Barcelona and missing out on the 2026 World Cup. Following this, the Polish now faces one of the most important challenges of his career: Convincing the Blaugranas and securing his future. Despite arriving in Barcelona as a seasoned veteran, Robert Lewandowski managed to put in an impressive performance in his first few seasons, scoring 42 goals last season and surpassing 25 goals in the two seasons prior. Despite this, the Polish striker is having a season to forget, missing out on the 2026 World Cup and raising serious doubts among the Blaugranas. As a result, he faces a tough challenge: convincing the Spanish side to keep him and securing his future. Shortly after the start of the 2025–26 season, Robert Lewandowski suffered two muscle injuries that limited his impact at Barcelona. As a result, Ferran Torres took his starting spot, delivering strong performances. Beyond the injuries themselves, this situation highlights a growing concern: his declining physical output. While the Polish striker remains in good shape, Hansi Flick’s tactical system demands far more than just goals, something he has not been consistently providing. Unlike his previous season, Robert Lewandowski has been far less productive in front of goal. In the 40 matches he has played this season, he has managed to score just 17 goals, marking his lowest scoring output since joining Barcelona. With his contract set to expire in June 2026, the Blaugranas are not fully convinced about renewing him, reportedly offering only a one-year extension with a reduced salary and a secondary role. His struggles have not been limited to Barcelona, as Lewandowski has also failed to impress with Poland. Despite being an undisputed starter, the veteran was unable to make a decisive impact in the final stages of the World Cup qualifiers, going scoreless against Sweden and missing out on the 2026 edition, leaving him with just two World Cup appearances in his career. Robert Lewandowski of FC Barcelona looks on from the bench. Lewandowski disappointed with Poland in the 2026 World Cup Qualifiers Robert Lewandowski is one of the most important players in the history of Poland. After 165 appearances, he has scored 89 goals, making him the nation’s all-time leading scorer. He also ranks among the top five international goal scorers of all time, alongside players like Cristiano Ronaldo and Lionel Messi. Despite this, the 37-year-old striker did not deliver his best performances in the 2026 World Cup qualifiers. During the 2018 World Cup qualifiers, Lewandowski set a historic record by scoring 16 goals in 10 matches. Far from slowing down in the 2022 edition, the Polish forward once again impressed, netting 9 goals in 9 games and leading his national team to the tournament. However, he was unable to replicate that level in the most recent campaign, producing a less effective return. Unlike the previous two editions, Lewandowski managed just five goals in nine matches for Poland. While he has played a key role in creating space and assisting teammates, his goal output has dropped significantly. He also failed to score against Sweden in the play-off final, leaving his side without his usual scoring contribution and reflecting a difficult season in which he has struggled to find his best form. Lewandowski no longer fits in at Barcelona under Flick Hansi Flick has managed to establish a highly dominant style of play in Europe. Since his arrival in Barcelona, he has relied on intense high-pressing and pressure after turnover involving his forwards. As a result, the Blaugranas have excelled offensively, creating far more scoring opportunities. While Lewandowski performed brilliantly in the 2024-25 season, his physical condition has declined this season, making him less productive. During the 2025–26 season, Robert Lewandowski has become a less effective goalscorer, though he has maintained his importance in overall play by drawing defenders and creating opportunities for his teammates. However, head coach Hansi Flick has a clear demand for his striker: high pressing and immediate pressure after losing possession. As a veteran forward, Lewandowski has struggled to meet those physical demands. Given his declining goal output and high salary, Barcelona are reportedly no longer counting on him as an undisputed starter. Instead, they are pursuing the signing of a younger forward such as Julián Álvarez, prioritizing pressing, pace, scoring ability, and creativity. That said, the Polish striker could still play a key role off the bench, offering experience and finishing quality as a more traditional central striker. Robert Lewandowski of Barcelona With one of the highest salaries in the squad, Robert would need to significantly reduce his wages and accept a secondary role. While this scenario would be ideal for Barcelona, he could struggle to adapt to those conditions. In addition, he continues to attract strong interest from clubs that could offer him a more lucrative contract or a more prominent role. As a result, Lewandowski is not entirely open to staying at Barcelona, feeling neglected by the club, reports Nil Sola, via SER. How has Lewandowski’s playing style changed compared to previous seasons? Robert Lewandowski has gone through several distinct phases throughout his career. During his tenure at Borussia Dortmund, the Polish striker established himself as a brilliant forward, physically dominant and relentless in pressing defenders to score. While not yet a standout in collective play, he still managed to record 103 goals and 42 assists in 187 appearances, attracting interest from Real Madrid and several top European clubs. With his move to Bayern Munich, Lewandowski underwent a clear evolution in his playing style. Under the influence of Pep Guardiola, he developed into one of the most complete strikers in the world. Not only did he excel as a goalscorer, but he also became fully integrated into the team’s collective play, frequently rotating positions with Thomas Müller. At the same time, he maintained his physical dominance, finishing his spell with 344 goals and 73 assists in 375 matches. After his historic stint in Germany, Lewandowski chose to join FC Barcelona. Despite already being a veteran, he made an immediate impact under Xavi Hernández. Thanks to his game intelligence, he stood out by scoring 33 goals in his first season, playing a key role in creating space, pressing, and winning duels against defenders. However, he has since had to adapt his style, maintaining his importance while seeing a decline in pure scoring output. Even though Lewandowski had previously scored 42 goals for Barcelona under Hansi Flick, he has shown a noticeable physical decline this season. As a result, he has shifted his focus toward drawing defenders and facilitating play for Fermín López and Lamine Yamal. In doing so, he has remained highly influential in the team’s overall structure, albeit with a reduced scoring role, particularly as he is no longer applies pressure on opponents. Robert Lewandowski may be an ideal fit for AC Milan Robert Lewandowski can still thrive in European leagues, and AC Milan could be an ideal fit. Arriving as a free agent, the Polish striker would suit head coach Massimiliano Allegri. Unlike Barcelona, the Rossoneri are looking for a forward capable of dominating aerially and positioning himself between opposing center-backs. While he is not coming off his best season, he could still fulfill the role required by the Italian side. As a more traditional, fixed center-forward, Lewandowski could maintain solid output in Serie A. Without heavy creative or pressing responsibilities, he could preserve his physicality to outmuscle defenders and convert chances consistently. With his clinical finishing, he could become a key solution for Allegri, especially as a partnership with Christian Pulisic could significantly boost his goal production. Compared to Christopher Nkunku and Rafael Leão, Lewandowski has consistently demonstrated elite scoring ability in recent seasons, comfortably surpassing 15 goals. He also offers a strong aerial presence, which could be decisive, particularly as Milan have relied on Adrien Rabiot in that aspect. In addition, his presence could create more space for Leão and Pulisic to operate more effectively. While Lewandowski may no longer possess the physical profile to dominate in a high-intensity collective system, he remains highly effective as a fixed striker. Moreover, he could serve as an ideal mentor for Francesco Camarda, who could develop significantly as his backup—something the club does not currently get from options like Christopher Nkunku and Santiago Giménez.

Celtic are in an interesting spot as the Scottish Premiership moves into the final few weeks. Fans at Celtic Park recently saw the team grind out a 1-0 win over St Mirren, coming right after a tough 2-2 draw with Dundee. Interim boss Martin O’Neill is still in charge, having stepped in to settle things […] The post This 24-Year-Old Celtic Star Has Set His Sights On A PL Move: Should The Bhoys Sanction A Record Sale? appeared first on The 4th Official - A view from the sideline.

As Newcastle United fans you will well remember supporters of both Arsenal and Liverpool taunting us. Arsenal fans throughout much of last season seeing it as a formality that Alexander... You can click here to read the full article.

What was he thinking?!

Brazil former star Filipe Luis highlighted the importance of Carlo Ancelotti at this crucial moment. With two months to go before the start of the 2026 FIFA World Cup, Brazil are hopeful that Carlo Ancelotti can provide the national team with a tactical identity that allows them to compete for the title in North America. Filipe Luis expressed confidence that the Italian coach will get the job done in time. “Ancelotti brings us many good things,” Filipe Luis said during a conference organized by Conmebol this week, according to Diario AS. “There are no guarantees we’ll win anything, but it’s the best that could have happened.” The former Atletico Madrid defender pointed to the timing of Ancelotti’s arrival to take over the national team. In mid-2025, Brazil were coming off a heavy loss to Argentina in Buenos Aires and, with four matches remaining in the South American qualifiers, had not yet secured their place in the World Cup. Carlo Ancelotti delivered the results needed to achieve that goal and has since used every FIFA break to shape a team that had struggled to meet expectations since the departure of Tite after the 2022 World Cup at Qatar. Vinicius Junior is subbed off by Carlo Ancelotti, Head Coach of Brazil. Filipe Luis believes in Brazil’s chances The general consensus among fans and analysts lists Spain, France and Argentina as the top favorites to win the 2026 World Cup. Despite being the most successful national team in the competition’s history, Brazil are not placed in that top tier, but rather in a second group alongside other powerhouses such as Germany, England and Portugal. However, Filipe Luis warned those who might count Brazil out of the title race. “Brazil will always be one of the favorites, even when things aren’t going well,” said the former Flamengo manager, extending that view to Argentina as well. To support his confidence in Ancelotti’s squad, Filipe Luis pointed to the team’s individual talent: “People don’t believe Brazil can win. But if you look at the five best players in the world, we have two: Raphinha and Vini Jr.” Brazil’s path in the 2026 World Cup Brazil are in Group C of the 2026 FIFA World Cup. They will open their campaign on June 13 against Morocco at MetLife Stadium in New Jersey, before traveling to Philadelphia six days later to face Haiti. Their final group-stage match will be on June 24 in Miami against Scotland. If everything goes as expected and Carlo Ancelotti’s side finish top of the group, they will advance to the Round of 16, where they would face the runner-up of Group F — made up of Netherlands, Japan, Sweden and Tunisia — in Houston on June 29.

Bazoumana Toure has been linked with a move away from Hoffenheim at the end of the season, and Liverpool is keen on him. According to Sky Germany, Liverpool have become the first Premier League club to express interest in the 20-year-old, and it remains to be seen whether they can get the deal done. The […] The post Liverpool lead race for 14-G/A forward who “delivers week after week”, face club-record transfer hurdle appeared first on CaughtOffside.

Danny Murphy accused Arsenal of failing to display an ability to think on their feet during Saturday's damaging Premier League defeat against Bournemouth.

Arsenal's Premier League title hopes were dealt a major blow on Saturday as Mikel Arteta's side lost 2-1 to Bournemouth.

Viktor Gyokeres claimed part of Arsenal’s defeat to Bournemouth may have been self-inflicted. Goals from Junior Kroupi and Alex Scott either side of a Gyokeres penalty helped the Cherries to …

Joleon Lescott has named two Premier League stars, including a Chelsea player, who Arsenal 'should have signed' instead of Viktor Gyokeres.

Head coach of FC Naples, Matt Poland, sits down with We Are Soccer to discuss his soccer journey. From NAIA soccer to playing overseas in Finland and Sweden, and then to transitioning into a coaching role. In his first season at FC Naples, he lead the club to a 13-9-8 overall record and made it to the USL League One Championship match. In year two he looks to replicate that success and create new memories for the club and supporters.

Former Legia Warsaw manager Jacek Magiera has died aged 49, the Polish Football Association have confirmed. Magiera had been the national team’s assistant manager since July 2025. According t…

Alan Shearer has warned Arsenal they will likely need to pay Newcastle United a club-record fee if they want to sign Anthony Gordon this summer.

MANCHESTER UNITED have announced five pre-season fixtures in preparation for the summer - although one could be cancelled. The Red Devils will play in Finland, Norway, Sweden and Dublin ahead of the 2026-27 campaign. They will first take on Wrexham in Helsinki on July 18 before travelling to Trondheim for a match against Rosenborg the...

Mikel Arteta has been told Arsenal 'might have won the Premier League already' had they signed a £26m striker instead of Viktor Gyokeres.

Potter's side grasped their second chance by beating Ukraine 3-1 in their semi-final, before a late Viktor Gyokeres goal secured a dramatic 3-2 win over Poland in the final to seal a World Cup berth.

The Sweden striker’s goals had inspired Sporting for two years but in Colombian Luis Suárez they have found an equally prolific target man In Portugal, two of the most familiar sayings claim that “green is the colour of hope” and that “hope is the last thing to die”. For Sporting, a club draped in green, those proverbs are not merely poetic – they are operational. After a humiliating 3–0 defeat in Norway by Bodø/Glimt in the first leg of their Champions League last-16 tie, logic suggested it was all over. Sporting disagreed. Backed by about 50,000 supporters, the team surged with belief and delivered a 5–0 victory that carried the club to their first quarter-final in the tournament in 43 years. Arsenal come next, as does an old question: is hope a cultural relic or Sporting’s most powerful ally?

Sporting manager Rui Borges believes Arsenal's style of play was the reason for the 'initial' struggles that Viktor Gyokeres went through.

Welcome back to It Was What It Was, the football history podcast. Co-hosts Jonathan Wilson and Rob Draper continue on from last week’s episode with Jan Fjortoft to delve into how things went wrong for Graham Taylor during his time as England manager. In this first part of a three part series on Graham Taylor (following our episode with Fjortoft) we take a look at the high of Italia ’90 to the early warning signs of Graham Taylor’s troubled England reign, setting up the wider story of his eventual downfall. Central to the episode is Paul Gascoigne’s rise into “Gaza mania,” the off-field chaos and disciplinary problems that followed, including the 1991 FA Cup final knee rupture and subsequent setbacks. Taylor struggled to manage both the player and the circus around him. England qualified for Euro 1992 but drew twice, lost to Sweden and Taylor’s substitution of Gary Lineker became emblematic as tabloid ridicule culminate in a reputational collapse for Taylor. 01:05 The Impossible Job Era 07:39 Referees And Rotterdam 12:47 Italia 90 Reality Check 20:02 Gaza Mania Begins 25:31 Euro Qualifiers Begin 28:24 Ireland Away Selection 30:08 Taylor Press Tightrope 35:48 Cup Final Knee Rupture 41:46 Euro 92 Sweden Turning Point 42:55 Lineker Sub Controversy 47:50 Fitness Gap And Refuelling 49:32 Turnip Taylor Tabloid Sting Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Sporting Lisbon will certainly be no pushovers against Arsenal – attacking duo Luis Suarez and Francisco Trincao can cause them problems. Arsenal will be looking to brush off their shock 2-1 …

William Gallas has advised Mikel Arteta to replace two Arsenal players in this summer's transfer window.

Even though they failed to qualify for the FIFA World Cup, losing to Bosnia and Herzegovina on penalties in the playoff semi-finals, Wales are currently undergoing an exciting tactical revolution under Craig Bellamy. It’s the 46-year-old Welshman’s first-ever managerial job outside of the academy level, and he is already showing his tactical acumen. For many […] The post Craig Bellamy Tactics At Wales 2026: Transforming The Dragons’ Identity – Tactical Analysis appeared first on Total Football Analysis.

Jimbo is back in the chair and joined by Duncan Alexander, Adrian Clarke, Natalie Gedra, with special guest Frida Fagerlund as the final six teams to play at this year’s World Cup are confirmed. It’s disaster yet again for Italy after penalty heartbreak in Bosnia & Herzegovina. The Azzurri become the first ever former winners to miss three World Cups in a row. Where do they go from here? There’s shootout joy for Czech Republic though who beat Denmark, Sweden see off Poland and Turkey are heading to the World Cup for the first time in 24 years after winning in Kosovo. DR Congo and Iraq are also through to the group stages, and there’s another disappointing performance from England at Wembley. Plus, it’s FA Cup Quarter Final weekend with Man City hosting Liverpool as domestic football returns. Producer: Lucy Oliva Video Producer: Jake Liascos Listen to the audio version of the Totally Football Show on Apple Podcasts, Spotify or by following this link: https://podfollow.com/totallyfootballshow 00:00 World Cup Qualifying results 04:16 Bosnian bliss and Italian misery 15:44 Czech ecstasy and Turkish delight 20:55 Potter's wizardry for Sweden 27:52 DR Congo & Iraq 31:45 England v Japan 40:39 USA & Brazil 46:34 De Zerbi at Spurs 49:28 FA Cup preview Get in touch with the show: Email: [email protected] X: @thetotallyshow Instagram: @totallyfootballshow TikTok: @thetotallyshow BlueSky: ‪@totallyshow.bsky.social‬ The Totally Football Show is with you four times a week this season, giving you all the football news you need to know - and plenty that you don't. We've got views, stats and analysis from the very best football writers around. It's smart, it's funny, and it's totally free – so listen to us on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, or wherever you get your podcasts. Thumbnail: Jonathan Nackstrand, Pontus Lundahl / Contributor, Marco Luzzani / Stringer #worldcup #italy #sweden #england

The Cooligans break down growing concerns around Christian Pulisic’s form for both club and country and ask the big question: can the USMNT rely on him at the World Cup? The guys also team up with Meta to answer fan questions straight from Threads, diving into the biggest debates surrounding the U.S. squad. Plus, they react to the drama of World Cup qualifying playoffs—from Italy’s shocking failure to qualify again to feel-good stories from Iraq, Congo, and Sweden, and why the expanded tournament might actually be a win.

Viktor Gyokeres fired Sweden to the World Cup and his father hailed the Arsenal striker's decisive impact after another huge display.

Welcome to another episode of the Arsecast – the Arsenal podcast. In this episode I’m joined first by Lewis Ambrose to discuss the Arsenal players who went away during the Interlull, and how that might benefit them and us. We start with Viktor Gyokeres whose goals helped fire Sweden to the World Cup, before the […] The post Episode 870 – Gyok ‘n’ roll appeared first on Arseblog ... an Arsenal blog.

Jimbo is back in the chair and joined by Duncan Alexander, Adrian Clarke, Natalie Gedra, with special guest Frida Fagerlund as the final six teams to play at this year’s World Cup are confirmed. It’s disaster yet again for Italy after penalty heartbreak in Bosnia & Herzegovina. The Azzurri become the first ever former winners to miss three World Cups in a row. Where do they go from here? There’s shootout joy for Czech Republic though who beat Denmark, Sweden see off Poland and Turkey are heading to the World Cup for the first time in 24 years after winning in Kosovo. DR Congo and Iraq are also through to the group stages, and there’s another disappointing performance from England at Wembley. Plus, it’s FA Cup Quarter Final weekend with Man City hosting Liverpool as domestic football returns. RUNNING ORDER: Part 1: World Cup Qualifying results (2:45) Part 2A: Bosnian bliss and Italian misery (7:00) Part 2B: Czech ecstasy and Turkish delight (18:30) Part 3A: Potter's wizardry for Sweden (27:50) Part 3B: DR Congo & Iraq (35:00) Part 4A: England v Japan (42:20) Part 4B: USA & Brazil (51:30) Part 5A: De Zerbi at Spurs (58:00) Part 5B: FA Cup preview (1:01:30) Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

How a drab Cup semi-final provoked the split between the two Irish football associations This piece was written by David Owen for issue 41 On February 25 1904, Dublin’s Molesworth Hall hosted the first staging of Riders to the Sea, a one-act play by John Millington Synge now viewed as a key work in the […] The post The Molesworth Hall Revolution appeared first on The Blizzard.

Sweden faced Poland in the finals of UEFAs FIFA World Cup qualification playoffs, and the match ended in a decisive 3-2 win for the hosts after an entertaining battle. Sweden earned a long-awaited return to the World Cup following their absence in the most recent edition; back in 2018, they reached the quarter-finals. Poland have […] The post Sweden Vs Poland [3-2] – 2026 FIFA World Cup Qualification Playoff Final – Tactical Analysis appeared first on Total Football Analysis.

There are some massive names not going to the 2026 World Cup from Robert Lewnadowski to Gianluigi Donnarumma. And we challenged Darren Bent to name his best XI of players that won’t be headin…

Liverpool’s run-in to the end of the season has been given a gargantuan boost as Alexander Isak returns to training. The Reds confirmed the superstar striker will re-join his teammates on Thu…

Graham Potter's side were in ecstasy when they beat Poland on Tuesday night, courtesy of Viktor Gyokeres' 88th-minute winner. The scenes after were heartwarming - and Potter was chuffed.

Roberto Baggio proposed an overhaul of talent pathway in 2011 but it was never acted on and the national team’s approach now is just not working The decline of Italy’s footballing expectations can be read in the headlines that greeted their third consecutive failure to qualify for a men’s World Cup. When the Azzurri lost their playoff against Sweden in November 2017, La Gazzetta dello Sport defined it as “The End” and an “Apocalypse”. After defeat by North Macedonia in 2022, Il Corriere dello Sport saw a country sinking “Into Hell”. On Wednesday both newspapers led coverage of elimination by Bosnia and Herzegovina with a simpler, perhaps sadder, “Tutti A Casa” – Everybody Go Home. What else is there left to say? Italians understood long ago that 2018 was not some aberration but the continuation of a trend, their team having failed to reach the tournament’s knockout stage in 2010 or 2014.

Max Rushden is joined by Barry Glendenning, Lars Sivertsen and Nicky Bandini as Italy suffer World Cup heartbreak once again and England play out yet another disappointing friendly. Subscribe to The Guardian Football Weekly ► https://www.youtube.com/@FootballWeeklyPodcast?sub_confirmation=1 Chapters: 00:00 - Coming up... 00:54 - Italy are NOT on the plane 16:25 - Sweden ARE on the plane 20:00 - Czechia beat Denmark 21:14 - Turkey, are they dark horses? 00:23:13:00 - Ad break 23:15 - Tuchel loses to another good team 33:30 - World Cup round up inc. Iran and Iraq 00:36:42:14 - Ad break 2 36:44 - Spurs appoint De Zerbi Support the Guardian ► https://support.theguardian.com/ Guardian Football Weekly podcast: Apple ► https://podcasts.apple.com/gb/podcast/football-weekly/id188674007 Spotify ► https://open.spotify.com/show/6w8qWe0kjgHEHSWDSDGoLW?si=231c666f7f5a4453 Follow Guardian Football Weekly: Instagram ► https://www.instagram.com/guardian_footballweekly/ TikTok ► https://www.tiktok.com/@guardian_footballweekly #italy #england #worldcup

On Wednesday's Football Daily, Phil Egan rounds off all the international action as Ireland’s campaign ends with a 0-0 draw with North Macedonia at the Aviva Stadium. Troy Parrott has two goals ruled out for offside, with the second likely standing if VAR had been available. Senior debuts for James Abankwah and Bosun Lawal, while Harvey Vale makes his first Dublin appearance. Mark Travers replaces Caoimhin Kelleher at half-time; Seamus Coleman receives a standing ovation on what could be his final Ireland outing. A total of 17 substitutions made, with Johnny Kenny going close late after Adam Idah’s flick. Head coach Heimir Hallgrimsson describes the game as “strange” after the stalemate. Bosun Lawal reflects on a proud moment making his senior international debut. Nearly 40,000 fans attend; Jayson Molumby praises the continued support. Assistant coach John O’Shea calls working with Ireland a privilege amid contract uncertainty. Finn Azaz impresses in attack, with Hallgrimsson highlighting his growing importance. Ireland U21s beat Kazakhstan 1-0, and the U17s qualify for another World Cup after a 7-0 win over Slovakia. League of Ireland coverage returns with Drogheda United hosting Bohemians. Italy miss a third straight World Cup after losing on penalties to Bosnia-Herzegovina. Sweden, Türkiye, DR Congo, Czechia and Iraq confirm World Cup qualification. Scotland lose to Côte d’Ivoire, England fall to Japan, and Northern Ireland draw with Wales in friendly action. Become a member and sign up at offtheball.com/join

Manager and team had hit rock bottom, but together they found redemption and are heading to North America A manager down on his luck after a second failure in quick succession, wondering what the future would hold. A national team struggling at the bottom of their qualifying group given a second chance through the vagaries of the Nations League. That national team happens to be the country where the manager made his name, inspiring a team from a town with a population of 50,000 to win the Swedish Cup. So the two get together, doubting manager and doubting country, and somehow, less than six months after the nadir, they are going to the World Cup finals.

Hello Rank Squad! This international break gave us what we've been waiting for - the final names locked in for this summer's World Cup field. 48 nations have locked and loaded their spots in the biggest tournament in world football. Perhaps the biggest one missing though, once again, is Italy - with the Azzurri beaten on penalties by Bosnia & Herzegovina to make it three World Cups in a row that they have now missed out on qualification for. We break down that game, as well as Czechia's penalty shootout win over Denmark; Sweden's dramatic late show against Poland; and Türkiye's ground out 1-0 win over Kosovo; as the final European nations booked their places, before heading onwards to take a look at some of our favourite things from the now-set group stages. We take a peek at where the biggest upsets could come, the Group of Death, the Group of Life, where the goals will come, where the chaos will come and who has the most to lose, within the 12 groups of four; before rounding things off with the games you cannot miss in that first round of fixtures. It's Ranks! 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.

After a dismal run in the qualifiers, Viktor Gyokores and Sweden finally clicked in the play-offs to reach the finals this summer

Arsenal's Viktor Gyokeres scored a late winner to send Sweden to the World Cup with a 3-2 win over Poland on Tuesday night.

Sweden, Bosnia & Herzegovina, Turkey and Czech Republic booked their place at the 2026 World Cup on Tuesday.

The most important goal of Sweden's bizarre World Cup qualifying campaign was arguably scored in UEFA's Nations League in November 2024

The final four European spots in the 2026 World Cup will be decided tonight, the final day of the March international break, with all five home nations also in friendly action this evening. talkSPO…

On Tuesday's Football Daily, Phil Egan brings you all the latest ahead of Ireland’s friendly against North Macedonia at the Aviva Stadium, with live commentary from Stephen Doyle and Stuey Byrne. Heimir Hallgrimsson stresses the importance of performance and continued team growth. Squad update: Robbie Brady, Sammie Szmodics and Jack Taylor ruled out of tonight’s game. Potential senior debuts for Milenec Ali and Bosun Lawal discussed. Dara O’Shea reflects on repaying fans’ support ahead of his possible 43rd cap. Keith Treacy argues Ireland should avoid becoming a possession-based side. Highlights from Off The Ball Breakfast, including analysis and debate. Joe Murphy explains why penalties are tougher for goalkeepers in the modern game. Kevin Kilbane on the mental challenge of recovering from play-off disappointment. Ireland Under-21s face Kazakhstan despite qualification hopes already ending. European World Cup play-off finals preview, including Czechia vs Denmark and Bosnia vs Italy. Key talking points: Edin Dzeko’s longevity, Sweden’s hopes, and Kosovo chasing history. Home nations friendlies: Northern Ireland, Wales, Scotland and England all in action. Club news: Roberto De Zerbi linked with Tottenham and Mauricio Pochettino comments on Spurs. Additional updates: Ghana sack Otto Addo, Roy Hodgson’s interim return, and Newcastle’s backing of Eddie Howe. Become a member and sign up at offtheball.com/join The League of Ireland is back this week and you can listen to live commentary of Drogheda United’s meeting with Bohemians this Friday from 7 o’clock on Off The Ball on Newstalk and the GoLoud App. Jonathan Higgins will be joined in the gantry by former League of Ireland Premier Division title-winner Vinny Perth. The Champions Cup is back with a bang this week, and we will be at the Aviva Stadium with live commentary this Easter Sunday for Leinster’s clash with Edinburgh in the last-16. Kick off is at half-past-5, whilst John Duggan will be in the hot-seat from 1 o’clock on Off The Ball Sunday on Newstalk and the GoLoud App.

Check Out MSC High School Course Here: https://www.modernsoccercoach.com/challenge-page/46214942-e036-4f32-afa6-8383d4608e2d Check Out Zone14: https://zone14coaching.com/ This might be one of the most important conversations we’ve had on the Modern Soccer Coach Podcast. In this episode, Gary Curneen sits down with Joop Oosterveld, transition coach at BK Häcken and former PSV coach, to break down what it actually takes to prepare players for the highest level of the game. We get into why most training environments are too easy, how underloaded pressing (3v7, 4v6) can accelerate development, and why the best players often stop improving if they are not constantly stretched and challenged. Joop shares insights from his time in Holland, Sweden, and learning from environments like Liverpool, giving a clear picture of what elite player development really looks like. This is a must-watch for any coach serious about developing players who can perform at the highest level. A big thank you to Zone 14 for supporting the podcast. Their coach and player journals are built around intentional development, helping coaches plan, reflect, and stay organized while giving players a structure to take ownership of their progress. If you are serious about improving your environment on and off the pitch, check them out and use the code modernsoccer20 for 20% off. If you enjoyed the episode, please like, subscribe, and share with another coach.