Football/Soccer 24 Hours

Last updated: June 2, 2026, 11:45 AM ET

World Cup squad updates Switzerland’s 26‑man roster arrived in the United States a day early, but the team departed without striker Breel Embolo after U.S. officials placed his ESTA under review, forcing the forward to remain behind the scenes. England, meanwhile, unveiled its squad numbers ahead of the June 1 deadline, allocating the iconic No 9 to Harry Kane and confirming the full complement of 26 players for the tournament. The latest rankings of all 48 qualified squads show the defending champions Argentina and perennial favorites Brazil holding the top two spots, while a tightly packed midfield battle pits Germany against England for the third‑most favored position.

Injury setbacks Defender Taylor Hinds withdrew from England’s camp after an ankle injury sustained in training last week, prompting head coach Thomas Tuchel to reshuffle the back‑line and call up a replacement midfielder for the pre‑World Cup friendlies. Austria confirmed that captain David Alaba cleared a muscle strain and will travel to Qatar, but midfielder Christoph Baumgartner was ruled out, leaving the Red‑White team to rely on a reduced midfield roster. Manchester City’s Rodri stated he will postpone any transfer speculation until after the World Cup, underscoring the midfield’s importance for both club and country as the tournament approaches.

Emerging internationals Braintree Town defender Tommy Smith earned a surprise call‑up to the New Zealand squad, marking a historic milestone as the non‑league player joins a World Cup‑qualified side for the first time. Manchester City’s Abdukodir Khusanov secured a place in Uzbekistan’s 26‑man list, adding a Premier League‑experienced centre‑back to a side coached by former World Cup winner Fabio Cannavaro. Ghana’s roster highlighted the importance of Manchester City forward Antoine Semenyo, with coach Carlos Queiroz insisting the striker’s form will be decisive for the Black Stars’ campaign.

England’s preparation in the U.S.* Tuchel’s squad touched down in West Palm Beach on Tuesday, beginning a two‑week training camp designed to fine‑tune tactics ahead of the group‑stage opener against Croatia. The camp’s schedule includes three warm‑up friendlies, a fitness assessment, and a tactical session focused on set‑piece variations, all aimed at maximizing squad cohesion after the recent injury withdrawals. Kane, who publicly linked personal ambition to a Ballon d’Or campaign, emphasized the need for collective focus, noting that individual accolades must serve England’s World Cup objectives.**

Health updates Liverpool legend Sir Kenny Dalglish confirmed he is undergoing treatment for cancer, a revelation that prompted tributes across the football community and highlighted ongoing health battles faced by former greats. The announcement arrived as the sport’s governing bodies prepare for the World Cup, reminding fans that player welfare extends beyond the pitch.

Managerial movements Fulham head coach Marco Silva is reported to be nearing an agreement to take charge at Benfica, a move that would see the Portuguese giants benefit from his Premier League experience while Fulham prepares for the upcoming season. Liverpool have entered advanced talks with former Bournemouth manager Andoni Iraola to replace Arne Slot, signaling a swift managerial reset after the club’s unexpected title‑winning season ended in a coaching change.

Group‑stage previews Group K pits Cristiano Ronaldo’s Portugal against DR Congo, Uzbekistan and Colombia, setting up a challenging opener for the European side. England’s Group L fixtures—Croatia, Ghana and Panama—will test Tuchel’s tactical flexibility, especially after the recent defender withdrawals. Meanwhile, Japan will benefit from the new time‑limited substitution rule, having already capitalised on a late‑game goal while opponents Iceland played with only ten men.