Football/Soccer 3 Days

Last updated: June 8, 2026, 11:54 AM ET

World Cup Preparations and News

The countdown to the 2026 World Cup intensifies as the tournament finally kicks off on Thursday, bringing together 48 teams in an expanded format that could rewrite the record books 22 times over. As the global football community gears up, ESPN has ranked all 48 squads, identifying the 50 best players expected to feature in the tournament, including potential breakout stars like France's Michael Olise, who could become one of France's very best. Meanwhile, the World Cup will also see some notable absences, with stars like Cole Palmer and others missing from the action, leaving the tournament "just a little duller" without their presence.

The expanded tournament format has raised questions about records that might be broken, with EA Sports predicting the winners for the past four World Cups now turning its attention to 2026. South American teams have maintained a 100% win record in North America-hosted tournaments, prompting questions whether they can continue this trend in the summer heat. The tournament will also be the first to implement new rules, including VAR for corners and other innovations, while fans face sticker shock at ticket prices that have soared into four to six figures on FIFA's resale marketplace.

National Team Developments

Scotland's World Cup preparations have been met with controversy, with Norway's Stale Solbakken branding Steve Clarke "unprofessional" after Scotland cancelled a training-ground friendly before the tournament. Despite this, Scotland captain Andy Robertson has come a long way from amateur football and is edging toward becoming Scotland's most capped men's player, with the team's optimism "through the roof" ahead of their return to the World Cup. Scotland boss Steve Clarke urges his squad to soak up the atmosphere as they prepare for their opener against Haiti, though he has some decisions to make regarding his starting XI.

England's Lionesses are using setbacks as motivation following their humbling defeat by Spain, with manager Sarina Wiegman stating her "hurt" side need such setbacks to improve. The defeat reportedly caused sleepless nights for some players, but Wiegman is looking for a response in upcoming matches. In men's football, Arsenal midfielder Declan Rice has been named as England's vice-captain for the World Cup, while Jude Bellingham has a fight on his hands to secure a starting place according to manager Thomas Tuchel.

Player Selection and Injuries

Several teams have announced their final squads with notable changes due to injuries. Argentina's Leonardo Balerdi has been ruled out with a calf injury, while Brazil full-back Wesley is ruled out due to a thigh injury, with Manchester United-bound midfielder Ederson called up as replacement. Argentina coach Lionel Scaloni confirmed that Lionel Messi is improving from muscle fatigue in his left hamstring and could play in warmups before their World Cup debut.

France's preparations have been affected by squad selection news, with Eduardo Camavinga attending Harvard after missing out on Didier Deschamps' World Cup squad. Meanwhile, France winger Ousmane Dembele predicted the team will end Deschamps' reign on top, suggesting the impending departure of the manager serves as more of a motivator than a distraction.

Recent Matches and Performances

In pre-World Cup friendlies, Brazil secured a 2-1 win over Egypt with Endrick scoring early in the second half, while Argentina rested Messi in a match against Honduras. Portugal defeated Chile 2-0 but saw Rafael Leão sent off for punching an opponent during the match. The USWNT suffered a 2-1 loss to Brazil, with Sophia Wilson scoring her first goal for the United States since 2024, though head coach Emma Hayes wanted a fight and got exactly that animosity from Brazil.

Scotland's Claire Emslie made a remarkable recovery, returning to competitive football just five months after giving birth and now targeting next year's World Cup finals in Brazil. Meanwhile, USMNT player Antonee Robinson earned a 7/10 rating for his stunning volley performance in their final game before the World Cup.

Club Football and Administrative News

Off the pitch, Florentino Pérez was re-elected as Real Madrid president on Sunday after defeating rival candidate Enrique Riquelme in the first contested presidential election in 20 years, with Jose Mourinho set to confirmed as the club's new head coach following the election. In England, West Ham chairman David Sullivan stepped down with immediate effect amid allegations, while Brighton agreed to sign Nigerian winger Zadok Yohanna from AIK Stockholm in a deal worth £21.5m.

Transfer rumors continue to swirl, with Arsenal making an approach to sign teenage Paris St-Germain defender Emmanuel Mbemba on a free transfer, while Real Madrid to join Mateus Fernandes race amid other transfer activity across Europe. Liverpool are reportedly beginning talks for a new target, though specific details remain unclear as the transfer window heats up.

Special Features and Stories

The World Cup will feature the smallest ever nation in Curacao, who qualified for the tournament by defeating Jamaica in a winner-takes-all qualifier on November 18, 2025. Meanwhile, as Lionel Messi prepares for his sixth World Cup, analysts examine his evolution from "dazzling winger to veteran who barely runs."

The tournament also raises questions about player safety in extreme conditions, with experts exploring how athletes with cardiac health issues are able to continue playing and what happens when an ICD goes off. The 2026 World Cup will also present unique challenges with extreme heat levels that could be "brutal, searing and punishing" for players, reminiscent of conditions faced during the 1994 World Cup in the United States.