World Soccer news

• Are FIFA’s hydration breaks helping or hurting the World Cup? Experts aren’t convinced

  18-06-2026 17:24 via sports.yahoo.com
  
  For the first time in World Cup history, FIFA has mandated hydration breaks for all soccer players, a move aimed at safeguarding them from the dangers of extreme heat. With this summer's tournament, co-hosted by the U.S., Mexico, and Canada, anticipated to be one of the hottest on record, player welfare concerns are paramount.In response, FIFA implemented three-minute hydration breaks midway through each half, irrespective of the ambient temperature. However, the new regulation has drawn critici
  
  Read more

• 2026 World Cup: Canada's Ismaël Koné stretchered off with potential leg injury

  19-06-2026 01:27 via sports.yahoo.com
  
  Canadian midfielder Ismaël Koné has been stretchered off in Canada’s World Cup match against Qatar after suffering a potentially nasty leg injury.Koné was tackled by Qatar midfielder Assim Madibo about 10 minutes into the second half of Thursday’s game. Koné looked in pain immediately afterwards, grabbing at his left leg, and trainers quickly came to tend to him. It took little time for Canada’s medical staff to bring out the stretcher, while the Canad
  
  Read more

• Canada midfielder Ismaël Koné stretchered off with serious injury

  19-06-2026 01:26 via sports.yahoo.com
  
  Canada midfielder Ismaël Koné stretchered off with serious injuryThe Canadian Men's National Team have been hit with a significant injury blow on Thursday during their group stage clash with Qatar.Already playing against 10-men, midfielder Ismaël Koné was seriously injured following a tackle by Assim Madibo just before the hour mark. Players on both teams were immediately distraught, and official broadcast commentary captured a range of emotions from all in
  
  Read more

• Mauricio Pochettino noncommittal on Christian Pulisic status for Australia game: ‘We’ll see’

  19-06-2026 01:04 via sports.yahoo.com
  
  Christian Pulisic has been following a ‘modified’ training schedule this week.Photograph: Jamie Squire/Getty ImagesUS men’s national team head coach Mauricio Pochettino offered very little clarity on the injury status of playmaker Christian Pulisic on Thursday, casting further doubt on his availability before the Americans’ second World Cup group-stage match against Australia on Friday.“I think as you know he was training individually all week,” Pochettino tol
  
  Read more

• Advertisement

• South Africa and Czech Republic keep knockout hopes alive with turgid draw

  19-06-2026 01:03 via sports.yahoo.com
  
  A late penalty from Teboho Mokoena secured South Africa a 1-1 draw with the Czech Republic football in Atalanta, which keeps alive both sides’ hopes of qualification from Group A at World Cup 2026.After Patrik Schick headed an early chance wide at the far post, the Czechs – showing five changes from the 2-1 defeat to South Korea, including West Ham midfielder Tomas Soucek dropped to the bench – took the lead in the sixth minute.Adam Hlozek raced on to a throw-in down the right
  
  Read more

• Ornstein: Tottenham Target £80m West Ham Midfielder as De Zerbi Shapes Midfield Rebuild

  19-06-2026 01:00 via sports.yahoo.com
  
  Ornstein: Tottenham Target £80m West Ham Midfielder as De Zerbi Shapes Midfield RebuildTottenham Transfer News: Mateus Fernandes and Sandro Tonali Signal Spurs AmbitionFernandes Interest Shows De Zerbi’s IntentTottenham’s summer is beginning to take shape around one clear idea, Roberto De Zerbi wants control. Not control in the passive sense, not sterile possession for possession’s sake, but midfielders who can receive under pressure, progress play and give Spurs a struct
  
  Read more

• 🟥 World Cup 2026 already tops all of Qatar 2022 for red cards

  19-06-2026 00:58 via sports.yahoo.com
  
  🟥 World Cup 2026 already tops all of Qatar 2022 for red cardsStrong tackling, maximum intensity, or unforgiving referees? The reality is that the 2026 World Cup has already surpassed the number of red cards recorded throughout the entire previous tournament in Qatar, even though we are still in the group stage.
  With more than half of the tournament still to go, the trend is clear: players will have to tone it down a bit or they will leave their national teams at a numerical disadvantage.
  
  Read more

• 2026 World Cup hits stunning red card quota 😅

  19-06-2026 00:57 via sports.yahoo.com
  
  2026 World Cup hits stunning red card quota 😅We're not even midway through the group stages of the 2026 World Cup, and red cards have been dished out plenty.Three were shown during the tournament opener as Mexico faced South Africa, and now three more were shown on Thursday as Group B action continued.This time, it was Bosnian centre-back Tarik Muharemović, plus Qatar's Homam Ahmed and Assim Madibo, who were sent marching.It means the 2026 tournament (six red cards) has now surpasse
  
  Read more

• Advertisement

• 🎥 ‘I brought it on’: Xhaka explains gesture after criticism row

  19-06-2026 00:53 via sports.yahoo.com
  
  🎥 ‘I brought it on’: Xhaka explains gesture after criticism rowAfter the opening draw against Qatar, there was a lot of unrest among the Swiss. Granit Xhaka then spoke out critically and was met with a great deal of media backlash. In the 4-1 win over Bosnia and Herzegovina, the Swiss captain scored and did not miss the chance to comment on the events of the past few days with a hand gesture. Speaking to Magenta TV, the 33-year-old explained his provocation. "There is al
  
  Read more

• 🫶 Mexico x South Korea! Is this the World Cup’s fan friendship?

  19-06-2026 00:27 via sports.yahoo.com
  
  🫶 Mexico x South Korea! Is this the World Cup’s fan friendship?It’s a match! The fans of Mexico and South Korea seem to have found each other. Even during the World Cup opener between Mexico and South Africa, numerous South Korean supporters mingled with the crowd in Mexico City and celebrated with the hosts. And that despite the two nations being rivals in Group A. Later, they will even face each other directly. Of course, there were also scenes between the two sets of
  
  Read more

• Liverpool to make big bid for World Cup star as Mohamed Salah replacement

  19-06-2026 00:02 via sports.yahoo.com
  
  Liverpool are prepared to pay £86m for Yan Diomande as they seek to make the RB Leipzig winger their successor to Mohamed Salah.New head coach Andoni Iraola is trying to complete a £120m double deal for wingers after arranging to sign Victor Munoz from Osasuna for £34m.Now Liverpool have turned their attention to Ivory Coast’s Diomande as they ready a package worth around €100m.Yan Diomande is one of Europe’s brightest young talents (AP)However, they face compe
  
  Read more

• EXCLUSIVE | Franck Leboeuf: ‘What bothers me is Kylian Mbappé’s inability to change his game.’

  19-06-2026 00:00 via sports.yahoo.com
  
  EXCLUSIVE | Franck Leboeuf: ‘What bothers me is Kylian Mbappé’s inability to change his game.’Ahead of France’s first appearance at the World Cup, Get French Football News spoke exclusively to World Cup winner Franck Leboeuf. He addressed Kylian Mbappé’s form and how those playing around him need to adapt.You talked about the fact that some of the players didn’t score in the warm-up games in 2002. Mbappé missed a lot of chances a
  
  Read more

• Are cards shown too freely? World Cup 2026 on course for record reds

  19-06-2026 00:00 via sports.yahoo.com
  
  Are cards shown too freely? World Cup 2026 on course for record redsThe flood of send-offs at the FIFA World Cup shows no signs of stopping. After three players were sent off straight away in the opening match between Mexico and South Africa, another red card was shown today.In Bosnia and Herzegovina’s 1–4 defeat to Switzerland, Tarik Muharemovic picked up the fourth World Cup sending-off in just the 24th match of the tournament. For comparison: at the 2022 World Cup in Qatar, the sa
  
  Read more

• Sky Sport: Roma in pole position to land Dodo, nearing €12-13 million deal

  18-06-2026 23:55 via sports.yahoo.com
  
  Sky Sport: Roma in pole position to land Dodo, nearing €12-13 million dealOnce the accounts are settled before June 30th, Roma will be able to focus on the transfer market. Among the positions to strengthen are the flanks, and Dodô is one of the names the Giallorossi are following, especially if Gian Piero Gasperini decides to move Wesley to the right. The Brazilian full-back, as confirmed today by sporting director Fabio Paratici, is on his way out of Fiorentina. According to Sky Spo
  
  Read more

• Liverpool and Barcelona make approach for Micky van de Ven

  18-06-2026 23:55 via sports.yahoo.com
  
  Liverpool and Barcelona make approach for Micky van de VenLiverpool and Barcelona have both made an approach to sign Tottenham Hotspur centre-back Micky van de Ven, according to De Telegraaf.The two sides are aiming to take advantage of the impasse between Van De Ven and Spurs over a contract extension.Liverpool are in the market for a new centre-back following Ibrahima Konate’s departure to Real Madrid. The Reds were linked with Jan Paul van Hecke, but he opted to join Spurs instead.Barce
  
  Read more

• Reform MP branded ‘irresponsible’ over claim England must ‘keep winning’ at World Cup to prevent domestic abuse

  18-06-2026 23:46 via yahoo.com
  A Reform UKMP has been branded "irresponsible" for suggesting England’s football team needs to keep winning World Cup matches to prevent a rise in domestic abuse incidents. Sarah Pochin, the Reform MP for Runcorn and Helsby, made the claim in a short social media video the day after England’s 4-2 victory over Croatia in their opening fixture.“England won the football last night, and thank goodness they did,” she said.Ms Pochin added: “Because on the occasions that E
  
  Read more

• PSG and Premier League target Maghnes Akliouche addresses Monaco future

  18-06-2026 23:40 via sports.yahoo.com
  
  PSG and Premier League target Maghnes Akliouche addresses Monaco futureAS Monaco forward Maghnes Akliouche (24), currently competing at the FIFA World Cup with France, has addressed his future. Akliouche has come through the ranks at Monaco. His formative club have not shied away from stating that the playmaker will be available this summer at the right price. There is no shortage of interest. The likes of Paris Saint-Germain, Manchester City, Tottenham Hotspur, and more recently, Liverpool
  
  Read more

• Liverpool sign Munoz and offer £86m for Diomande

  18-06-2026 23:31 via sports.yahoo.com
  
  Yan Diomande and Victor Munoz are both playing in this summer's World Cup[Getty Images]Liverpool have signed Spain winger Victor Munoz - and told RB Leipzig that they will pay a package worth about 100m euros (£86m) for Yan Diomande.The Reds confirmed the signing of Munoz from Osasuna after triggering his 40m euro (£34.5m) release clause.Munoz is part of Spain's World Cup squad, with Liverpool sending staff to the United States to conduct his medical on Wednesday. Diomande is also at
  
  Read more

• Real Madrid legend sends transfer message to Manchester City’s Rodri

  18-06-2026 23:30 via sports.yahoo.com
  
  Real Madrid legend sends transfer message to Manchester City’s RodriSpain and Real Madrid legend Iker Casillas wants to eventually see Rodri at the Santiago BernabeuThe FIFA World Cup winning goalkeeper praised Rodri’s leadership qualities for SpainRodri is into the final 12 months of his current Man City deal amid renewal talksReal Madrid and Spain legend Iker Casillas has admitted his personal desire to see Manchester City’s Rodri eventually wear the white shirt of Los Blanco
  
  Read more

• 🎥 20-year-old shines off the bench as Switzerland romp, watch

  18-06-2026 23:30 via sports.yahoo.com
  
  🎥 20-year-old shines off the bench as Switzerland romp, watchJohan Manzambi, just 20 years old, arrived at the FIFA World Cup as one of Switzerland’s bets.And the Freiburg striker made ALL THE DIFFERENCE for his national team this Thursday (18).Wearing the No. 9 shirt, he became the main attraction in the 71st minute — when the deadlock still held at SoFi Stadium in Los Angeles.He opened the scoring three minutes later and also netted Switzerland’s third in th
  
  Read more

• Monaco’s Caio Henrique subject of Ajax interest

  18-06-2026 23:25 via sports.yahoo.com
  
  Monaco’s Caio Henrique subject of Ajax interestAS Monaco defender Caio Henrique (28) is the subject of interest from Eredivisie side Ajax Amsterdam, as per a report from Foot Mercato.Last season, Henrique was the starting left-back for Monaco. The defender suffered injury issues towards the end of the campaign and, despite featuring in Brazil squads in recent months, subsequently missed out on a call-up for the FIFA World Cup.There is expected to be a change at the left-back position
  
  Read more

• Chelsea Are Ready To Rival Barcelona For This Juventus Left-Back: Should Alonso Snap Him Up?

  18-06-2026 23:25 via sports.yahoo.com
  
  Chelsea Are Ready To Rival Barcelona For This Juventus Left-Back: Should Alonso Snap Him Up?In a recent report, La Gazzetta dello Sport mentioned that Chelsea are ready to rival Barcelona for Juventus left-back Andrea Cambiaso. It is understood that the Blues are showing interest in bringing the Italian defender to Stamford Bridge this summer.Cambiaso’s Solid Campaign In Serie AThe 26-year-old enjoyed a decent run of form at the Turin club as he managed to produce a run of impressive displ
  
  Read more

• Arsenal Are In The Running For This Crystal Palace Midfielder: Good Choice For Arteta?

  18-06-2026 23:05 via sports.yahoo.com
  
  Arsenal Are In The Running For This Crystal Palace Midfielder: Good Choice For Arteta?In a recent report, Sky Sports mentioned that Arsenal are in the running for Crystal Palace midfielder Adam Wharton this summer. It has been stated that the Gunners have identified the English talent as a target for this summer transfer window.Wharton’s Impressive Form In English FootballWharton had a solid campaign at the London club in the previous campaign when he put in a string of impressive displays
  
  Read more

• World Cup 2026: Johan Manzambi's second-half brace powers Switzerland over Bosnia and Herzegovina

  18-06-2026 23:02 via sports.yahoo.com
  
  Johan Manzambi scored twice, including a 74th-minute volley, to help Switzerland to a 4-1 win over Bosnia and Herzegovina on Thursday.The opening 45 minutes of the Group B match were uneventful. In fact, via Squawka, it featured the second-lowest combined expected goals in a half of the 2026 World Cup. The 0.24 xG was only higher than the 0.11 that Ghana and Panama produced on Wednesday night.World Cup schedule | Group schedule, results | StandingsIt took nearly a half hour into the second half,
  
  Read more

• Hidden meanings behind eleven of the World Cup’s most eye-catching jerseys

  18-06-2026 23:00 via sports.yahoo.com
  
  Beyond the visible marks of effort and passion, the football jerseys worn by players at the World Cup carry profound cultural and historical significance. As the globe's premier sporting event unfolds across the United States, Canada, and Mexico, these kit designs often reveal compelling — and sometimes controversial — narratives woven into their fabric.Cape Verde's flight pathsMaking their World Cup debut, Cape Verde, the tournament's smallest nation by population, defied expectatio
  
  Read more

• Substitute Manzambi inspires Switzerland to World Cup win over Bosnia

  18-06-2026 22:59 via sports.yahoo.com
  
  Xhaka wraps up Switzerland win over Bosnia with late penaltySubstitute Manzambi scores twice, Vargas also nets for SwissMahmic pulls goal back for Bosnia, who had Muharemovic sent off at 1-0Manzambi was picked as one of BBC Sport's 20 young players to watch before tournamentWorld Cup last-32 fixtures as it stands | How to watch the World Cup on BBC | Your guide to all 48 teams Substitute Manzambi inspires Switzerland to World Cup win over Bosnia
  
  Read more

• 🎥 Look at the scenes! Nobody can say Canada isn't a soccer country now

  18-06-2026 22:54 via sports.yahoo.com
  
  🎥 Look at the scenes! Nobody can say Canada isn't a soccer country nowWhen Canada was awarded co-hosting duties of the 2026 FIFA World Cup, there were a few question marks about whether a hockey-loving country really made sense.But that's all been significantly put to bed as the red-and-white faithful have shown up in the thousands to support their team.
  Following a 1-1 draw with Bosnia & Herzegovina in their historic opening match, Canada now travel to Vancouver to face Qatar.
  
  Read more

• Manchester United & Aston Villa battling for Como’s Martin Baturina

  18-06-2026 22:50 via sports.yahoo.com
  
  Manchester United & Aston Villa battling for Como’s Martin BaturinaAs reported by Sky Italia, Como forward Martin Baturina is attracting interest from Premier League sides Aston Villa and Manchester United.It has been an eventful couple of days for the 23-year-old, who opened the scoring for Croatia during their World Cup opener against England. It went in vain, however, as the Three Lions came back to win 4–2.That said, Baturina’s heroics on world football’s grandest
  
  Read more

• Leeds United keen on Parma’s Zion Suzuki and interest can grow

  18-06-2026 22:50 via sports.yahoo.com
  
  Leeds United keen on Parma’s Zion Suzuki and interest can growSerie A side Parma have seen Zion Suzuki grow in stature significantly in the last two seasons and he can now end up in the Premier League.The keeper sustained a long-term injury last season but he returned and became a key player for Parma again. His rise hasn’t gone unnoticed, with English clubs moving in.Gianluigi Longari has reported that even if Aston Villa initially came forward for the Japan international, it is Lee
  
  Read more

• 🚨 No Davies from the off: Qatar v Switzerland XIs are in

  18-06-2026 22:50 via sports.yahoo.com
  
  🚨 No Davies from the off: Qatar v Switzerland XIs are inWhile Switzerland and Bosnia are drawing (at the time of writing), Julen Lopetegui’s Qatar and Canada already have their confirmed lineups for a crucial Group B clash.A defeat will leave the loser badly wounded; a victory will all but secure qualification for the winner.
  These are tonight’s starting XIs in Vancouver:Qatar: Abunada, Homan, Khoukhi, Correia, Al Ouwi; Laye, Madibo, Abdulsallam; Afif, Edm
  
  Read more

Follow @WorldSoccerUSA on Twitter!