Manchester United defender Matthijs de Ligt has seen his season and World Cup dreams come to an end after undergoing surgery on a persistent back injury. The Netherlands international, who has been sidelined since November, had recently returned to light training but has now been forced to go under the knife to resolve the issue. … Read more
Prolific scorer Robert Lewandowski will leave Barcelona at the end of the season, the Spanish club said Saturday. The Poland striker, who turns 38 in August, was widely expected to be on the move with his contract set to expire. Lewandowski joined Barcelona from Bayern on a 45 million euro ($52 million) transfer in 2022, … Read more
There is a strong and almost undoubted sentiment that France is not only a major contender for the FIFA 2026 World Cup title, but Les Bleus quite simply are the ones to beat. In the last two tournaments, France ended as champion (2018) and runner-up (2022) and as Didier Deschamps looks to end his remarkable … Read more
Romelu Lukaku’s efforts to recover from injuries seem to have paid off after the Napoli striker was included in Belgium’s World Cup squad Friday. Lukaku, midfield great Kevin de Bruyne and Real Madrid goalkeeper Thibaut Courtois are set to play their fourth World Cup campaigns. Lukaku has 124 games for Belgium, de Bruyne 117 and … Read more
One of the final cuts from the United States roster for the 2022 FIFA World Cup in Qatar, Mark McKenzie has been a consistent call-up for current U.S. coach Mauricio Pochettino since the Argentine took over the sideline for the 2026 tournament co-hosts 19 months ago. Four years later, McKenzie — who plays at French … Read more
France coach Didier Deschamps assembled a squad with formidable attacking talent for the World Cup and rewarded goalkeeper Robin Risser with a call-up for the showpiece tournament on Thursday following his breakthrough season. Risser, who plays for Lens, has been one of the revelations of the French league season and won the award for the … Read more
Brazil coach Carlo Ancelotti has extended his contract with the team until the 2030 World Cup. The 66-year-old Italian coach, who took over in May 2025, had already hinted the extension was likely and confirmed the deal in a video published by the Brazilian soccer confederation, CBF, on Thursday. The announcement comes shortly before Ancelotti … Read more
The countdown is on until the USA’s finalized 26-man World Cup roster is released on May 26, and the questions become more pressing by the day. One player who sits on the fence is forward Gio Reyna. FOX Sports’ Rob Stone joined First Things First for its weekly “World Cup Wednesday” segment, and did not … Read more
Robert Lewandowski is moving closer to a sensational exit from Barcelona as interest from the Saudi Pro League intensifies. The veteran striker is reportedly on the verge of accepting a life-changing financial package to head to the Middle East this summer. The future of Lewandowski at the Nou Camp is under serious scrutiny following reports … Read more
Roberto Martinez has dismissed any suggestion that Cristiano Ronaldo’s move to the Saudi Pro League has diminished his effectiveness on the international stage. Following a scouting mission to Riyadh, the Portugal head coach expressed his admiration for the veteran striker’s enduring hunger and physical condition as he prepares for another World Cup. Scouting mission in … Read more