World Soccer news

• Is there a favourite? First Copa knockout tie is set

  25-06-2026 04:59 via sports.yahoo.com
  
  Is there a favourite? First Copa knockout tie is setThe conclusion of another group, on Wednesday night (24), determined the first knockout matchup of this year’s FIFA World Cup.South Africa finished in second place in Group A and will face Canada, the runner-up in Group B, in the fight for a spot in the round of 16.The match is scheduled for next Sunday (28) in Los Angeles and will be the first of the tournament’s round-of-32 fixtures.The other teams already qualified for the knocko
  
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• The Gakpo conundrum facing Liverpool

  25-06-2026 10:09 via sports.yahoo.com
  
  Cody Gakpo has scored five World Cup goals in seven games for the Netherlands [Getty Images]In the aftermath of scoring twice for the Netherlands against Sweden, Cody Gakpo was asked about his role for his country compared with how he is deployed at Liverpool."A good question. Obviously it's a little bit different," Gakpo responded. "It's different where the coach wants me to be, the freedom that I have," he added, before stopping himself from saying any more.Those latest World Cup goals for Gak
  
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• Real Madrid make decision on returns of three highly-rated academy graduates

  25-06-2026 10:05 via sports.yahoo.com
  
  Real Madrid make decision on returns of three highly-rated academy graduatesAlthough not many of them have been able to retain a position with the first team, the Real Madrid academy has still churned out some very promising and talented players in the last few years. One of these players, Raul Asencio is still a part of the first team, while another of them, Thiago Pitarch, also impressed a lot with his performances under Alvaro Arbeloa in the second half of the last season.Meanwhile, there wer
  
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• Ramon an option in Chelsea centre-back hunt

  25-06-2026 10:02 via sports.yahoo.com
  
  [Getty Images]Chelsea are aiming to rebuild their defensive line under new manager Xabi Alonso this summer.The Blues want to add at least one central defender to their squad - amid interest in Trevoh Chalobah from Serie A club Como - and Crystal Palace's Maxence Lacroix is emerging as a key target.Another option being considered by Chelsea is 21-year-old Como centre-back Jacobo Ramon.Ramon is also still linked to former club Real Madrid through various clauses, while the Spanish giants have made
  
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• How a ‘naive’ Mauricio Pochettino’s lowest moments turned the USMNT into World Cup darlings

  25-06-2026 10:00 via sports.yahoo.com
  
  Mauricio Pochettino after a defeat in March 2025. Photograph: John Dorton/ISI Photos/USSF/Getty Images for USSFTears welled in Mauricio Pochettino’s eyes. His US team had just lost the 2025 Gold Cup final in a hard-fought match to determine the regional crown. To make matters worse they had been beaten by Mexico, their arch-rivals.Were they tears of sadness, of frustration at the result? Perhaps in part. But as Pochettino explained this week, these were also tears of empathy for his player
  
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• EA Guingamp player passes away after drowning amid heatwave in France

  25-06-2026 10:00 via sports.yahoo.com
  
  EA Guingamp player passes away after drowning amid heatwave in FranceAt least 40 people have drowned in France since 18th June, Prime Minister Sébastien Lecornu announced. It comes amid an historic heatwave in the country. Kenzo Kies, formerly of AS Saint-Étienne and under contract at Ligue 2 side EA Guingamp at the time of his death, has passed away after drowning in the Rhone River on Monday. He was pulled out of the water and was in a state of brain death until passing away
  
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• How is Derry City's new pitch 'World Cup standard'?

  25-06-2026 09:58 via sports.yahoo.com
  
  The first match on the new grass-hybrid pitch at the Brandywell will take place on Friday as Derry City host Drogheda United [Getty Images]In a city renowned for its shirt making past, its seems strangely fitting that the sound of sewing has returned to the home of Derry City.But the colossal sewing machine at work over recent months has not been crafting collars or cuffs – instead it's been stitching together a new playing surface at the club's Brandywell groundThe Candystripes have been
  
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• Curtis Jones Transfer Race Takes Twist as Another Serie A Giant Joins Chase

  25-06-2026 09:55 via sports.yahoo.com
  
  Curtis Jones Transfer Race Takes Twist as Another Serie A Giant Joins ChaseCurtis Jones Transfer Race Heats Up as Juventus Join Inter Milan ChaseLiverpool Face Curtis Jones DecisionCurtis Jones has reached the sort of career crossroads that rarely arrives neatly. According to SportsBoom, Juventus have now joined Inter Milan in the race for the Liverpool midfielder, raising the prospect of a genuine Serie A tug of war for a player whose future at Anfield feels increasingly uncertain.Jones, now 25
  
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• Tamworth sign duo Dyson and Bailey

  25-06-2026 09:47 via sports.yahoo.com
  
  Oliver Dyson made 41 appearances for Spennymoor Town in National League North last season [Getty Images]Tamworth have signed midfielder Oliver Dyson and left-back Joshua Bailey.Dyson, 26, who has previously featured for York City and Barrow, joins the National League side from Spennymoor Town.Bailey, 20, started his professional career with Shrewsbury Town and has joined Tamworth after an impressive season with Worcester City, where he scooped the players' player, supporters' player and young pl
  
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• Carabao Cup first-round draw: Start time, ball numbers and how to watch on TV

  25-06-2026 09:44 via sports.yahoo.com
  
  With the World Cup being in full swing, the start of the new domestic season is also inching ever closer and the draw for the first round of the Carabao Cup will take place this week. The first round will feature 70 clubs, 68 EFL sides plus two teams from a preliminary round, due to the participation of nine Premier League clubs in European competition next season. The preliminary round will see Tranmere Rovers take on Rochdale on 1 August while Crawley Town face York City on 3 August to determi
  
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• Beyond the World Cup... 5️⃣ stories making Thursday

  25-06-2026 09:41 via sports.yahoo.com
  
  Beyond the World Cup... 5️⃣ stories making ThursdayMajor moves in the offices of the capital and revolutionary aesthetic proposals in the Catalan capital promise to shake up the national sports scene in the coming hours.The latest developments are coming from the offices of Real Madrid and Atlético, who are speeding up their key operations of the season, while Rayo Vallecano and Barcelona are looking to the future with ambitious renovation projects both for their stadiums and
  
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• Germany boss delivers encouraging update on Real Madrid veteran’s fitness: ‘His knee isn’t bothering him’

  25-06-2026 09:40 via sports.yahoo.com
  
  Germany boss delivers encouraging update on Real Madrid veteran’s fitness: ‘His knee isn’t bothering him’Antonio Rudiger is set to make his first World Cup start after Germany manager Julian Nagelsmann confirmed the Real Madrid defender is ready to lead the backline following Nico Schlotterbeck’s injury.Germany have already secured top spot in their World Cup group, nad yet, Nagelsmann has decided to hand Rudiger an important opportunity to build rhythm ahead of the
  
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• Fabrizio Romano confirms Liverpool will make 'much higher demands' for wantaway star

  25-06-2026 09:40 via sports.yahoo.com
  
  Fabrizio Romano confirms Liverpool will make 'much higher demands' for wantaway starLast summer, Liverpool had a lot of transfer deals that were rather long and drawn out.Alexander Isak is the best example of this as, even though their interest was first reported in May, they didn't confirm his transfer until deadline day.Most people thought that he'd be unreal for the Anfield outfit but due to fitness and injury issues, he never really got out of first gear.Since then, it seems like Liverpool h
  
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• Chelsea eye move for highly-rated defender as Real Madrid weigh long-term plans

  25-06-2026 09:40 via sports.yahoo.com
  
  Chelsea eye move for highly-rated defender as Real Madrid weigh long-term plansReal Madrid have significantly strengthened their defense for the upcoming 2026-27 season, adding three new defenders, i.e., Marc Cucurella, Ibrahima Konate, and Denzel Dumfries. Meanwhile, Jose Mourinho wants yet another new center-back, while the Merengues have also renewed Antonio Rudiger’s contract for another year.All of these signings show that the white club is currently looking to have more experienced p
  
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• Barcelona double down on commitment to sign veteran star permanently after World Cup displays

  25-06-2026 09:40 via sports.yahoo.com
  
  Barcelona double down on commitment to sign veteran star permanently after World Cup displaysJoao Cancelo’s performances at the FIFA World Cup have reinforced Barcelona’s determination to keep the Portuguese defender beyond this season.According to SPORT, the Catalan club is extremely pleased with the full-back’s displays for Portugal, with sporting director Deco believing the tournament has confirmed that Cancelo remains one of the world’s leading players in his position
  
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• Italian reports reveal Arsenal’s €50m interest in World Cup star

  25-06-2026 09:30 via sports.yahoo.com
  
  Italian reports reveal Arsenal’s €50m interest in World Cup starManu Kone to Arsenal, Roma Star’s Premier League Path Becomes ClearArsenal Interest Gathers Pace Around KoneManu Kone has become one of those names that begins as a whisper in the market and then, almost without warning, starts to sound like strategy. According to Quotidiano Sportivo, the AS Roma midfielder has Arsenal firmly in mind as he considers the next step in a career now being sharpened by the 2026 World Cup
  
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• England's Rice and James to have fitness assessed

  25-06-2026 09:28 via sports.yahoo.com
  
  [Getty Images]England will assess the fitness of Arsenal midfielder Declan Rice and Chelsea defender Reece James before their final World Cup group game against Panama.Rice limped out of the Boston Stadium after England's goalless draw against Ghana on Tuesday with heavy strapping on his left calf.Sources have indicated there is no major concern the injury could impact his involvement on a longer-term basis in the United States.But it is understood the issue requires assessment and rest before a
  
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• 🎥 Clearly a fan of a World Cup nation! This Yamal video goes viral

  25-06-2026 09:23 via sports.yahoo.com
  
  🎥 Clearly a fan of a World Cup nation! This Yamal video goes viralWhen the World Cup stars are not out on the pitch, they enjoy spending time with their families. The same goes for Spain’s gem Lamine Yamal. His mother, Sheila Ebana, shared a video of the get-together that is now going viral. That’s because the video shows the Spaniard wearing a yellow cap with the Brazilian national flag on it. The forward is sitting at the table next to his mother, watching his you
  
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• Vinicius Jr. reveals Ancelotti promise after Brazil beat Scotland: ‘He owes me a present’

  25-06-2026 09:20 via sports.yahoo.com
  
  Vinicius Jr. reveals Ancelotti promise after Brazil beat Scotland: ‘He owes me a present’Vinicius Jr. delivered another match-winning display as Brazil booked their place in the FIFA World Cup Round of 32 with a convincing 3-0 victory over Scotland.The Real Madrid forward scored twice in Miami, earning the Player of the Match award for the second time in the tournament and continuing his impressive goalscoring form. Following the final whistle, Vinicius reflected on Brazil&rsquo
  
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• The reason why Julian Alvarez prefers Barcelona over Arsenal and PSG – report

  25-06-2026 09:20 via sports.yahoo.com
  
  The reason why Julian Alvarez prefers Barcelona over Arsenal and PSG – reportBarcelona remain determined to bring Julian Alvarez to Spotify Camp Nou, and fresh details have now emerged explaining why the Argentine striker views the Blaugrana as his preferred destination despite interest from Arsenal and Paris Saint-Germain.According to Mundo Deportivo, Alvarez’s desire to join Barcelona is based on the fact that the Catalan giants offer the ideal environment to rediscover his best fo
  
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• 'Hopefully the journey is not over' - McGinn after Scotland loss

  25-06-2026 09:18 via sports.yahoo.com
  
  Scotland will have to wait until potentially the early hours of Sunday to find out if their World Cup campaign will continue, but Aston Villa midfielder John McGinn believes it is "unlikely" and head coach Steve Clarke suspects they are "going home".Knowing a draw would almost certainly be enough to reach the last 32, Steve Clarke's side suffered a chastening 3-0 defeat by Brazil to finish third in Group C."We lost poor goals at poor times against a team that can punish you with quality," Villa
  
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• Bologna open talks for Rangers' Raskin - gossip

  25-06-2026 09:17 via sports.yahoo.com
  
  Rangers midfielder attracts interest from Italy and England and Scotland goalkeeper could land move to Premier League giants...Bologna have opened preliminary talks with Rangers over the signing of Nico Raskin, 25, while new Ibrox manager Derek McInnes would like Scotland midfielder Lewis Ferguson to move in the opposite direction. (TeamTalk)Hull City have made an offer for Rangers midfielder Nicolas Raskin in the region of £12-14m but the Ibrox club value the Belgium international at near
  
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• New Stoke crest installed at bet365 Stadium

  25-06-2026 09:16 via sports.yahoo.com
  
  Stoke City have announced the club's new crest has been installed at bet365 Stadium.The Potters adopted a new design last summer following several months of consultation with fans and revealed a "phased" introduction at their home ground with similar updates to be made at their Clayton Wood training complex "over the coming seasons".At the time the club said the idea was to produce a crest "that is truly synonymous with Stoke City Football Club and the city of Stoke-on-Trent" and offered a choic
  
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• 🎥 Pure emotion! Neymar's Brazil comeback tugs at the heart

  25-06-2026 09:12 via sports.yahoo.com
  
  🎥 Pure emotion! Neymar's Brazil comeback tugs at the heartNeymar made his last appearance for the Seleção almost three years ago. After numerous injuries, Brazil’s superstar has fought his way back to the big World Cup stage. A moment he himself — and of course millions of people — had been eagerly waiting for.It finally happened in the third group match against Scotland. Neymar came on in the closing stages and once again showed flashes of his exceptional
  
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• 🎥 Parties everywhere, colour in the stands... World Cup fun 🤣

  25-06-2026 09:05 via sports.yahoo.com
  
  🎥 Parties everywhere, colour in the stands... World Cup fun 🤣The first phase is entering its final stretch. But the reactions keep coming, especially with everything that’s still to come...Long night in Bosnia...It has been a long night in some parts of the world. Just ask Bosnia and Herzegovina. The country has erupted with joy after qualifying for the next round, and the night has been very, very long......And in South AfricaIf the night has been long in Bosnia and Herzeg
  
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• What time is the Carabao Cup first-round draw?

  25-06-2026 09:01 via sports.yahoo.com
  
  With the World Cup being in full swing, the start of the new domestic season is also inching ever closer and the draw for the first round of the Carabao Cup will take place this week. The first round will feature 70 clubs, 68 EFL sides plus two teams from a preliminary round, due to the participation of nine Premier League clubs in European competition next season. The preliminary round will see Tranmere Rovers take on Rochdale on 1 August while Crawley Town face York City on 3 August to determi
  
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• Real Madrid set to demand financial compensation for exit-bound midfielder amid free transfer speculation – report

  25-06-2026 09:00 via sports.yahoo.com
  
  Real Madrid set to demand financial compensation for exit-bound midfielder amid free transfer speculation – reportDani Ceballos’ future at Real Madrid remains one of the key stories to watch this summer, but a fresh report has cast doubt on recent claims surrounding the midfielder’s expected departure.Over the past few weeks, multiple reports suggested that Real Madrid were prepared to let Ceballos leave without demanding a transfer fee. The idea was that the club’s
  
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• Manchester City and Hugo Viana ready to meet £100M fee for Aston Villa’s Morgan Rogers

  25-06-2026 09:00 via sports.yahoo.com
  
  Manchester City and Hugo Viana ready to meet £100M fee for Aston Villa’s Morgan RogersArsenal, Chelsea and Manchester City are in active talks over signing Morgan RogersAston Villa are insisting Rogers will cost in excess of £100M this summerArsenal are understood to have made the most impression on the player and his camp so farManchester City are among three Premier League heavyweights locked in an intensifying race to sign Aston Villa’s Morgan Rogers, with Arsenal and
  
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• Barcelona-linked Spain forward finally responds to transfer speculation: ‘I don’t waste much time on it’

  25-06-2026 09:00 via sports.yahoo.com
  
  Barcelona-linked Spain forward finally responds to transfer speculation: ‘I don’t waste much time on it’Barcelona have been linked with several attacking players ahead of the new season, and one of the latest names to emerge is Real Sociedad captain Mikel Oyarzabal. While speculation surrounding his future continues to grow, the experienced Spain international insists his full attention remains on the FIFA World Cup.In an interview with Mundo Deportivo, Oyarzabal addressed
  
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• What do Netherlands, Sweden and Japan need to qualify for the World Cup knockouts from Group F?

  25-06-2026 08:51 via sports.yahoo.com
  
  The World Cup 2026 is nearing the end of its group stage with teams now seeking to confirm their spots in the knockout rounds. A hefty 32 of the 48 nations will progress to the next stage of the competition as the top two sides in each group automatically qualify followed by the eight highest point scorers who finish in third. That means there is lots to play for in the final round of fixtures with progression to the last-32 a plausible possibility for a vast majority of teams after two rounds o
  
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