World Soccer news

• Why this will be the largest World Cup in history

  08-06-2026 15:46 via sports.yahoo.com
  
  The 2026 World Cup, co-hosted by the United States, Canada, and Mexico, is poised to be the largest in history, with an expanded 48-team field, 16 stadiums, and a record 104 matches over 39 days. This marks the first tournament since FIFA expanded from 32 to 48 teams, introducing four additional groups and a new round of 32 in the knockout phase.The expansion departs from the 32-team, 64-game format of the last seven editions since 1998. It is also only the second World Cup played across multipl
  
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• Napoli face Vergara dilemma as Spurs, Roma and Como circle €30m talent

  09-06-2026 18:15 via sports.yahoo.com
  
  Napoli face Vergara dilemma as Spurs, Roma and Como circle €30m talentNapoli face a defining decision over the future of Antonio Vergara, with the 23-year-old midfielder attracting significant interest from clubs across Italy and England as his valuation rockets to at least €30 million following an impressive season under Antonio Conte.The question internally is straightforward but far from easy to answer, commit to Vergara as a cornerstone of the new project, or cash in on a substanti
  
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• Why Atalanta have doubts about signing Nottingham Forest’s Nicolo Savona

  09-06-2026 18:10 via sports.yahoo.com
  
  Why Atalanta have doubts about signing Nottingham Forest’s Nicolo SavonaSerie A side Atalanta can part ways with Marco Palestra soon and this will leave them looking around for a replacement. Nottingham Forest’s Nicolo Savona has emerged as a target but a deal has been posing some concerns.Tuttomercatowebreport about the full-back, who came through Juventus’ youth academy. He is liked quite a bit by Atalanta sporting director Cristiano Guintoli, who saw him from up close d
  
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• Four underrated World Cup cities you shouldn’t overlook

  09-06-2026 18:07 via travel.yahoo.com
  
  This year’s World Cup, spread across the U.S., Mexico and Canada, features some of the most famous venues on the planet, from New York City to Los Angeles.But it’s also, as we reveal here, a chance for soccer fans to discover some of North America’s most underrated cities. We highlight four that we believe deserve more tourism limelight.There’s the destination relegated to a “flyover” city by most people, which is home to superb museums and world-beating barbe
  
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• World Cup 2026: England doesn’t expect, beware of Brazil, Mexico could surprise

  09-06-2026 18:05 via sports.yahoo.com
  
  World Cup 2026: England doesn’t expect, beware of Brazil, Mexico could surpriseFasten your seatbelts, everyone! The 2026 FIFA World Cup in the United States, Canada and Mexico finally gets underway on Thursday night.The expanded 48-team line-up means we can revel in the wonder of Germany facing Curacao, an island with a population similar to Blackpool’s.The tournament also presents England with their latest opportunity to get their hands on major silverware. Spoiler alert – it
  
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• Liverpool given £85m boost in pursuit of in-demand Premier League maestro

  09-06-2026 18:05 via sports.yahoo.com
  
  Liverpool given £85m boost in pursuit of in-demand Premier League maestroAndoni Iraola has a lot of work to do before the 2026-27 season kicks off. The Spaniard needs to figure out which players he wants to keep and which players he wants to replace.And, with Andy Robertson, Ibrahima Konate and Mohamed Salah all exiting on free transfers already, he's got a lot that he needs to juggle.Of course, the performance of his players in the World Cup could end up helping him choose what he wants t
  
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• Real Madrid playmaker wants to fight for his place in the team despite Juventus interest

  09-06-2026 18:00 via sports.yahoo.com
  
  Real Madrid playmaker wants to fight for his place in the team despite Juventus interestReal Madrid are set to undergo a summer of change under Jose Mourinho, which could involve the exit of multiple star players.One of the players facing an uncertain future at Santiago Bernabeu is Brahim Diaz. The former Man City starlet could find himself having a reduced role in the team, as Mourinho clearly prefers Nico Paz.The new coach is desperate to have Paz return to Bernabeu, which could greatly impact
  
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• Everything wrong with the 2026 World Cup

  09-06-2026 17:56 via sports.yahoo.com
  
  Months before World Cup 2026 got underway, senior figures within Fifa already found the planning hadn’t been going “as expected”. And that’s saying something. When the hosting of Canada-Mexico-USAwas confirmed back in 2018, after all, the widespread feeling in football circles was that it was a return to the “familiar”.Two of the countries had already hosted three of the most successful World Cups of all, and the promise in the bid-book was that this would be
  
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• Ritchie has been 'studying' for new role

  09-06-2026 17:50 via sports.yahoo.com
  
  [Getty Images]BBC Radio Solent's Jordan Clark and Joe Partington discuss the news that former midfielder Matt Ritchie will replace Simon Francis as technical director at AFC Bournemouth."The one thing about Matt above all else, aside from being a wonderfully talented football player, he's an amazing guy," Partington said. "He's a real contributor to that Cherries side, on and off the pitch. Often people don't see what professional footballers are doing away from football. "He's been really study
  
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• 'I'm not only playing for me, I'm playing for both of us' - Robertson

  09-06-2026 17:48 via sports.yahoo.com
  
  [BBC]Rute Cardoso believes her late husband Diogo Jota will be in former Liverpool team-mate Andy Robertson's "thoughts, steps and heart" when he leads Scotland out in their first World Cup since 1998.Robertson, who recently announced his Anfield exit, spoke about Jota after captaining Steve Clarke's side to World Cup qualification back in November 2025: "I couldn't get my mate Diogo Jota out of my head."We spoke so much about going to the World Cup because he missed the last one with Portugal,
  
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• Aldershot sign Farnborough winger Sandah

  09-06-2026 17:47 via sports.yahoo.com
  
  Aldershot Town have signed winger Hakeem Sandah from National League South side Farnborough.The 21-year-old was on the books of Chelsea, Tottenham Hotspur and Huddersfield Town before emerging as a professional at Colchester United, making three appearances in the 2024-25 season.After loan spells with both Maldon & Tiptree and Walton & Hersham, Sandah joined Farnborough last summer and won the club's player of the season award.Shots manager Scott Davies told the club's website: "There's
  
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• 2026 World Cup: 5 best bets for the opening group stage matches, including fading Brazil

  09-06-2026 17:47 via sports.yahoo.com
  
  The 2026 World Cup is finally upon us, meaning I can stop making futures bets and focus on the first set of group games. For more big-picture storylines and pre-tournament plays, check out everything else I've written so far at Yahoo Sports.As the tournament begins, keep the format and scenarios in mind. Both will factor in more later in the group stage, but with only three group games apiece, the possibilities are important from the first kick. Play 2026 Soccer Pick 'Em with FOX One and ma
  
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• Spalletti has no intention of leaving Juventus despite transfer blows

  09-06-2026 17:45 via sports.yahoo.com
  
  Spalletti has no intention of leaving Juventus despite transfer blowsLuciano Spalletti is committed to his Juventus project despite a difficult start to the summer transfer window, with reports suggesting the coach could walk away firmly dismissed by those close to the situation.According to Calciomercato.com, Spalletti has already absorbed a series of setbacks: Alisson Becker’s unavailability, the collapse of the Bernardo Silva pursuit and Dusan Vlahovic’s contract situation, but re
  
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• Manchester City float idea of contract proposal for first-team goalkeeper – Loan agreement involved

  09-06-2026 17:45 via sports.yahoo.com
  
  Manchester City float idea of contract proposal for first-team goalkeeper – Loan agreement involvedManchester City’s hierarchy are reportedly looking to protect the long-term future of their domestic cup hero James Trafford, outlining a specialised path to keep him on the books.Rival Premier League executives are reportedly monitoring the 23-year-old shot-stopper’s fluid club situation.Fresh off steering the club to a FA Cup and Carabao Cup double under Pep Guardiola, the keepe
  
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• Luton sign promotion-winning Johnston from Bolton

  09-06-2026 17:36 via sports.yahoo.com
  
  Luton Town have signed defender George Johnston, who captained Bolton Wanderers to promotion from League One last month.The 27-year-old has signed an undisclosed length contract at Kenilworth Road to become boss Jack Wilshere's first recruit of the summer.Johnston spent five seasons with Bolton, making his 191st and final appearance in the club's play-off final win against Stockport County at Wembley on 24 May.Wilshere told the club's website: "We've tracked him for a few months. As soon as it b
  
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• Report: Liverpool considering move for Sporting CP star

  09-06-2026 17:30 via sports.yahoo.com
  
  Report: Liverpool considering move for Sporting CP starLiverpool’s Defensive Rebuild Hinges on Smart Summer RecruitmentLiverpool’s long term planning at centre back is beginning to take shape, with several intriguing names emerging as potential successors to Ibrahima Konaté. According to reporting from CaughtOffside, the Reds are carefully assessing multiple defensive targets as uncertainty continues surrounding Konaté’s future.“With Ibrahima Konaté s
  
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• Feature I Chevalier, Fati, Morton: Ligue 1’s World Cup absentees XI

  09-06-2026 17:30 via sports.yahoo.com
  
  Feature I Chevalier, Fati, Morton: Ligue 1’s World Cup absentees XINumerous – 79, to be precise – are the Ligue 1 players set to represent their countries at the 2026 World Cup. Numerous others, however, have been left out by the respective national team coaches for various reasons. With the tournament about to kick off, Get French Football News presents its XI of the most notable omissions from the French football elite.Goalkeeper: Lucas Chevalier (24) – PSG, FranceWhen
  
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• 2026 FIFA World Cup odds, betting: Winner, top goalscorer, USMNT odds for glory

  09-06-2026 17:30 via sports.yahoo.com
  
  The betting odds for the 2026 World Cup are intriguing for a monster tournament this summer.You can watch every single 2026 World Cup game live on Universo, Telemundo and Peacock en Espanol, here.With the group stage pairings and the route each team has to the final confirmed, the odds reflect how easy, or tough, teams have it. MORE — 2026 World Cup hub | 2026 World Cup venuesWhich one of the giants has been handed a rough draw? Which superstar will finish as the top goalscorer? Who a
  
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• Winger Henderson completes switch to Coleraine

  09-06-2026 17:26 via sports.yahoo.com
  
  Coleraine have signed Scottish winger Jay Henderson as manager Ruaidhri Higgins continues to boost his squad ahead of the new season.The 24-year-old is a product of the St Mirren academy and has experience of playing in both the Scottish Premiership and Championship.He went on to play for the first team at the Paisley-based side and for the Scottish national youth squads.Henderson spent the 2022-23 season on loan at Inverness Caledonian Thistle and played in the Scottish Cup final against Celtic
  
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• Liverpool now front runners for £52m wizard

  09-06-2026 17:25 via sports.yahoo.com
  
  Liverpool now front runners for £52m wizardLiverpool Transfer Plans Gather Pace with Trincao and Diomande in FocusLiverpool’s summer recruitment drive continues to gather momentum, with reports from TeamTalk suggesting the club are exploring a significant reshaping of their attacking options.While much attention has centred on the pursuit of Yan Diomande from RB Leipzig, fresh reports from Portugal indicate that Sporting CP winger Francisco Trincao is also firmly on Liverpool’s
  
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• Gordon thought World Cup chance 'would pass me by'

  09-06-2026 17:20 via sports.yahoo.com
  
  [PA Media]Scotland veteran Craig Gordon admits he thought he had missed his chance to play at a World Cup finals.Now 43, the out-of-contract Hearts goalkeeper will be the oldest player at this summer's tournament - and the second oldest ever - having come through a series of injury setbacks throughout his long career."Oh, without a doubt I thought this opportunity would pass me by on more than one occasion," Gordon said."So to finally be here, to be part of something this big, to finally see it,
  
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• Barcelona remain the priority for Real Madrid target but club only want to pay €120 million

  09-06-2026 17:20 via sports.yahoo.com
  
  Barcelona remain the priority for Real Madrid target but club only want to pay €120 millionThere has been a significant development with regard to Julian Alvarez’s future lately, with Real Madrid now entering the race to sign the Argentine forward.Recent reports suggest Real Madrid have even made first contact with Alvarez, as they look to hijack Barça’s deal to sign the Atletico Madrid star.The Spanish giants are ready to make a €150 million offer, which should be e
  
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• Iran fans and an African referee: All the people unable to enter Trump’s United States for World Cup

  09-06-2026 17:11 via sports.yahoo.com
  
  The revoking of tickets for Iran supporters for the 2026 World Cup, as revealed by the country’s football federation on Tuesday, represents another group of people impacted by the strict and aggressive border restrictions imposed by Donald Trump’s administration in the United States. Long dismissed as an issue by Fifa president Gianni Infantino, the inevitable consequence of Iran being at war with a co-host of the tournament is rearing its head just two days out from the event starti
  
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• 2026 World Cup preview: Key storylines, predictions as epic tournament set to begin

  09-06-2026 17:08 via sports.yahoo.com
  
  The 2026 men's World Cup is almost here with 48 teams competing across 104 games over 39 days in three countries across North America to be crowned as the World Champions.MORE — How to watch World Cup - Daily schedule, how to watch infoThis will be epic, as the biggest World Cup in history is coming to Canada, Mexico and the USA.MORE — World Cup base camps for every team | 2026 World Cup hubHere we take a look at the key storylines heading into the 2026 World Cup kicking off on Thurs
  
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• Juve-Dibu, Milan-Glasner, Lazio-Fiorentina swap: today’s transfer buzz 🔥

  09-06-2026 17:06 via sports.yahoo.com
  
  Juve-Dibu, Milan-Glasner, Lazio-Fiorentina swap: today’s transfer buzz 🔥The countdown has officially begun. There is less and less time left until the opening match of the World Cup, which will see 48 national teams face off across Mexico, the United States, and Canada. Italy will not be there for the third straight time after failing to qualify, but there is no shortage of Serie A players in the global competition, ready to make their mark. Meanwhile, the transfer market is h
  
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• Richard Hughes must act fast to sign perfect Ibrahima Konate replacement

  09-06-2026 17:05 via sports.yahoo.com
  
  Richard Hughes must act fast to sign perfect Ibrahima Konate replacementIbrahima Konate has already packed his bags and exited Anfield. The Frenchman's future has been up in the air for the last couple of seasons with both Liverpool and the centre-back expecting him to extend his stay.Just a month or so ago, the defender said that the two parties were close to agreeing a new deal but, after failing to iron the last few bits of the contract out, an extension was taken off the table.Since he annou
  
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• Official: Atalanta part ways with Palladino to make way for Sarri

  09-06-2026 17:05 via sports.yahoo.com
  
  Official: Atalanta part ways with Palladino to make way for SarriAtalanta have officially parted ways with Raffaele Palladino, bringing an end to a tenure that lasted just 39 matches and paving the way for the imminent appointment of Maurizio Sarri as the club’s new head coach.The Bergamo club confirmed the decision in a brief official statement, thanking Palladino and his entire coaching staff for their commitment and professionalism.Palladino had been appointed on 11 November 2025 as a r
  
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• Ngumoha to leave England squad having made mark

  09-06-2026 17:01 via sports.yahoo.com
  
  Rio Ngumoha made his senior international debut during England's win over New Zealand [Getty Images]Liverpool's teenage forward Rio Ngumoha will leave the England camp this week after making a major impression on Thomas Tuchel and his international team-mates.The 17-year-old, who is not in England's 26-man squad, was named man-of-the-match for his debut performance as a second-half substitute in Saturday's 1-0 World Cup warm-up win over New Zealand.England play their final pre-tournament friendl
  
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• Real Madrid preparing contract offer for Borussia Dortmund mainstay; will cost between €50 and €60 million

  09-06-2026 17:00 via sports.yahoo.com
  
  Real Madrid preparing contract offer for Borussia Dortmund mainstay; will cost between €50 and €60 millionJose Mourinho is pushing for Real Madrid to beef up the defence ahead of next season as he sees the department to be the weakest link in the side.He is of the idea that a second elite centre-back after Ibrahima Konate, and a new left-back, will add some much-needed depth to the side.The likes of Riccardo Calafiori and Josko Gvardiol have emerged as serious options on that front, an
  
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• OUR WORLD CUP HISTORY

  09-06-2026 17:00 via sports.yahoo.com
  
  OUR WORLD CUP HISTORYAC Milan players have written some of the most memorable chapters in the history of the FIFA World Cup finals and knockout rounds (from the round of 16 to the final). The Rossoneri hold some unique records: AC Milan remains the only Italian club to have had a player score in a World Cup Final before 1982, and can also claim the highest goal tally at Qatar 2022 among players from Serie A. That historic goal came from Nils Liedholm at the 1958 World Cup with Sweden. Il Ba
  
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