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World Cup

World Cup Overview

What is France’s pathway to the World Cup Final?

Don’t miss the opportunity to witness France in World Cup 2026 action — find out where they will be playing and who their opponents will be.

France vs Sweden: FIFA World Cup 2026 Match Preview

Here’s a detailed look at the upcoming World Cup 2026 Round of 32 clash between France and Sweden in East Rutherford. This comprehensive preview examines tactical setups, team updates, and key talking points ahead of the crucial encounter.

Klopp takes a dig at Arsenal after Germany’s disallowed goal against Paraguay

Former Liverpool boss Jurgen Klopp fired a sharp remark towards Arsenal’s tactical style following Germany’s stunning World Cup elimination at the hands of Paraguay. Klopp was incensed after a disputed VAR ruling denied the four-time world champions a decisive extra-time goal before they eventually lost in a dramatic penalty shootout during the round of 32.

‘I would love to continue’ – Nagelsmann vows to stay on as Germany coach despite World Cup exit

Julian Nagelsmann has confirmed he has no plans to resign after Germany’s unexpected 2026 World Cup defeat to Paraguay. The national team coach described the result as “very bitter,” acknowledging his squad’s struggle to break down a “highly defensive” opponent, but reaffirmed his commitment to remain in charge if the DFB wishes him to continue.

What is Portugal’s route to the World Cup Final?

Don’t miss your chance to follow Portugal’s journey through World Cup 2026 — find out where they will be competing and who their rivals will be in each stage.

World Cup 2026 Golden Boot Standings: Messi leads Mbappe and company

The 2026 FIFA World Cup is in full swing, and the contest for the coveted Golden Boot — awarded to the tournament’s leading goal-scorer — is heating up. With 48 nations vying for the ultimate football honour, the race promises to be thrilling. Here’s a look at GOAL’s projected front-runners for the award as we track the event’s most prolific scorers.

World Cup Fixtures & Results

Frequently Asked Questions

Brazil remain the most successful nation in World Cup history, having won the trophy five times. Their first triumph came in 1958, followed by a successful title defence in 1962. They secured their third in 1970, before adding further victories in 1994 and 2002, underlining their dominance on the global stage.

The most recent World Cup, hosted by Qatar in 2022, featured 32 teams. However, the 2026 edition will expand to include 48 teams, nearly quadrupling the number of participants since the inaugural 1930 tournament, which featured just 13 teams.

Argentina’s Lionel Messi holds the record for the most World Cup appearances, having represented his country 26 times across five tournaments.

Germany’s Miroslav Klose leads the all-time World Cup scoring charts with an impressive 16 goals in 24 matches, spanning four consecutive editions between 2002 and 2014.

Egyptian icon Essam El Hadary is the oldest player ever to appear in a World Cup match. The goalkeeper was 45 years and 161 days old when he played in Egypt’s 2-1 defeat to Saudi Arabia during the 2018 tournament.

Former Manchester United midfielder Norman Whiteside holds the record as the youngest player to feature in a World Cup game, aged just 17 years and 41 days when he represented Northern Ireland against Yugoslavia in 1982.

Footballing legends such as Pele, Diego Maradona, Zinedine Zidane, Gerd Muller, Roberto Baggio, Ronaldo, Romario, Eusebio, Johan Cruyff, David Villa, Sergio Ramos, Luka Modric, Lionel Messi, and Cristiano Ronaldo are among the greatest names to have graced the World Cup stage.

Renowned managers including Didier Deschamps, Franz Beckenbauer, Luiz Felipe Scolari, Vicente del Bosque, Vittorio Pozzo, Louis van Gaal, Sven-Goran Eriksson, and Ivica Osim have left their mark among the most accomplished tacticians in World Cup history.