26 Superstars: Raphinha
In February 2016, Raphinha left Brazil for Europe as a virtually unknown teenager. A decade later, aged 29, he is set to arrive at the FIFA World Cup 2026™ as one of the most prolific players of his era and a household name among the game’s elite. This summer may well prove to be the […]
Spain stay top as England rise
Spain continue at the top of the FIFA/Coca-Cola Women’s World Ranking following the latest round of European qualifying for the FIFA Women’s World Cup 2027™. Despite a narrow 1-0 defeat to England, La Roja’s status as the No1 team on the planet remains intact. While the 2023 world champions were immovable at the summit, there […]
World Cup wonder goals: Arthur tricks Alan
51 days to go… We’re counting down to the FIFA World Cup 2026™ by showcasing a golazo from the global finals each day. Zico Brazil v Scotland Spain 1982 | Group 6 Estadio Benito Villamarin, Seville A flash sighting in an Andalusian tunnel gave Zico a flashback. He saw Alan Rough and remembered scoring a […]
51 days to go: A semi-final goal spree
Fifty-one goals were scored in only 10 World Cup semi-finals from Switzerland 1954 to Mexico 1970. It made for an average of 5.1 goals per game – a preposterous total given the stage. The games were West Germany 6-1 Austria and Hungary 4-2 Uruguay in 1954, Brazil 5-2 France and Sweden 3-1 West Germany in […]
World Cup 2026 groups: How teams qualify and tie-breakers
The stage is set. The full list of 48 teams who will compete in the FIFA World Cup 2026™ is now confirmed and the 12 groups are complete for the global showpiece in Canada, Mexico and the United States. The 104-game tournament kicks off on Thursday, 11 June as co-hosts Mexico tackle South Africa at […]
Applications now open to volunteer at the U-20 FIFA Women’s World Cup Poland 2026™
The application process for the U-20 FIFA Women’s World Cup Poland 2026™ Volunteer Programme is now open. For the second time, volunteers will play a vital role in setting the stage for the future stars of football while warmly welcoming the world to Poland. From 5 to 27 September, 24 of the world’s top women’s […]
Hagi returns as Romania coach
Gheorghe Hagi, who is considered one of Romania’s greatest ever players, has been appointed the men’s national team coach for a second time. The 61-year-old has signed a contract with the Romanian Football Federation that runs for two qualifying cycles until the FIFA World Cup 2030™. Hagi replaces Mircea Lucescu, who passed away aged 80 […]
Top performers from Concacaf qualifying
The first phase of Concacaf qualifying for the FIFA Women’s World Cup 2027™ is complete and six teams – Costa Rica, El Salvador, Haiti, Jamaica, Mexico and Panama – have joined Canada and USA in the 2026 Concacaf W Championship, which serves as the qualifying tournament for Brazil 2027. The Championship will take place in […]
Andersson: The bronze that felt like gold
When Sweden equalised late in extra time against Romania in the USA 1994 quarter-finals, Ralf Edstrom was surely swept up in a whirlwind of emotions. With a microphone in hand, the former national hero, by then a pundit for Swedish national radio, had a front-row seat for Kennet Andersson’s late leveller. It was a goal […]
World Cup wonder goals: Strawweight staggers orange giants
52 days to go… We’re counting down to the FIFA World Cup 2026™ by showcasing a golazo from the global finals each day. Bakary Kone Netherlands v Côte d’Ivoire Germany 2006 | Group C Gottlieb-Daimler-Stadion, Stuttgart He was, at 1.63 metres, the shortest player in Germany, but Bakary Kone packed a punch in his right […]