Barcelona winger Lamine Yamal is on track to feature in Spain’s opening World Cup fixture against Cape Verde on 15 June after recovering from a hamstring injury.

The 18-year-old has been sidelined since 22 April, forcing him to miss the conclusion of his club’s La Liga-winning campaign.

Spain head coach Luis de la Fuente expressed cautious optimism regarding the teenage forward’s availability for the crucial group-stage match.

However, the manager remained non-committal on whether the highly-rated attacker would be fit enough to start the game.

Attacking trio making progress

The former La Masia prospect was left out of the squad for a final warm-up friendly against Peru in Mexico.

Fellow injury doubts Nico Williams and Victor Munoz were also omitted from the travelling party to prioritise their rehabilitation.

De la Fuente reassured supporters that all three forwards are making positive strides in their respective recoveries.

“All three are on track to be fit to play on the 15th,” he stated.
“We do not know how many minutes they will be able to play. But Lamine’s injury was different from Nico and Victor.”
“Each player will have their own recovery process and timeline.”
“However, the most important thing is that, within the timeframe we had planned, the 15th is achievable and will be met, so that they are with us and are available to be selected at some point during the opening game.”

Training ground intensity

With several key figures working their way back to full fitness, the national team is desperate to avoid any further casualties.

That caution explains the concern sparked by a heavy challenge from Gavi on team-mate Rodri during a Sunday training session.

The Manchester City midfielder appeared to be in considerable pain following the collision and required assistance to get back to his feet.

Despite the injury scare, De la Fuente remained entirely unfazed by the robust nature of the tackle.

“This is football. It’s training,” he added.
“The players are very committed, and nobody has to apologise to anybody.”
“Everything is fine. We know Gavi, he has that energy, that drive.”
“That’s one of his virtues. He has to control it and ration it, but I want this Gavi.”

Euro 2024 winners carry favourites tag

La Roja enter the North American tournament among the heavy favourites after triumphing at Euro 2024.

The Iberian nation boasts an exceptionally formidable record, having lost just once in their last 29 international matches.

That solitary defeat came via a penalty shootout against neighbouring Portugal in the 2025 Nations League final.

However, their recent preparations have been slightly inconsistent, including a 1-1 draw with Iraq last Thursday and a goalless stalemate against Egypt in March.

Attacker Yeremy Pino insists the squad is more than capable of handling the weight of expectation.

“The favourites tag is normal,” he told reporters.
“We’ve had some very good years and we carry that with a lot of pride.”
“Pressure should not make us play worse. It should make us improve and play better.”

Republic of Ireland face France in Grenoble on Tuesday, where a victory would secure automatic qualification for the 2027 Women’s World Cup and complete a historic upset.

The Irish currently sit second in Group A2, trailing the group leaders by a single point heading into the final fixture.

Only the group winners will guarantee their place at the upcoming tournament in Brazil.

Manager Carla Ward has already seen her squad secure a seeded play-off spot for the autumn.

Defying the odds in Group A2

A victory would make the Girls in Green the first fourth-seeded team in League A to top a qualification group.

“No matter what happens this group can be incredibly proud of what we’ve achieved so far and it’s important we don’t lose sight of that,” said Ward.
“No pot four team stays in League A let alone wins three games and wins the group. We’ve written our own records and this would be the biggest one, no doubt about it.”

The campaign began poorly for the fourth seeds, who suffered consecutive 2-1 defeats against both Les Bleues and the Netherlands in March.

Momentum building ahead of showdown

However, consecutive victories over Poland in April revitalised their hopes of securing a top spot.

The team carried that positive momentum into June, displaying immense resilience to defeat the Dutch 3-2 in torrential rain at Cork on Friday.

That dramatic win set up Tuesday’s winner-takes-all clash against the French national side.

“Everyone called it the group of death but we saw it as an opportunity for this group to show what they’re about,” the Republic of Ireland manager added.

Thriving as massive underdogs

Ward acknowledges her team arrive as major outsiders against a heavily favoured home side boasting a star-studded squad.

With the hosts facing immense pressure to perform in front of their own fans, the visitors believe they can capitalise.

“I expect the French to come after us but I don’t think they will underestimate us, they were really respectful when we played them last time.”
“The pressure is off and I mean it when I say it, there is a real calm and a real focus on the game.”

Manchester City remain in advanced negotiations with Chelsea over a compensation package to appoint Enzo Maresca as the successor to Pep Guardiola.

Guardiola announced his departure on 22 May after a trophy-laden decade at Etihad Stadium.

The Premier League champions quickly identified his former assistant as the premier candidate to take the managerial reins.

Senior figures from both clubs are currently discussing the financial terms required to officially secure the 46-year-old.

Chelsea demand financial settlement

The London club believe they are entitled to a substantial fee following the manager’s departure from Stamford Bridge in January.

He was originally contracted to the Blues until 2029 and secured both the Club World Cup and Conference League during his tenure.

Executives in west London are exploring legal options to ensure a suitable payout is reached.

The timeline and exact valuation of this complex compensation package remain entirely unclear at this stage.

A familiar face in Manchester

The Italian tactician is already deeply acquainted with the setup at the reigning champions.

He served as an instrumental assistant during the historic Treble-winning campaign of 2022-23.

Prior to that first-team role, the former West Bromwich Albion and Juventus midfielder successfully managed the club’s elite development squad.

He subsequently departed for Leicester City, immediately guiding the Foxes to Premier League promotion in his solitary season in charge.

Fractured Stamford Bridge exit

The final months of his tenure in the capital were heavily marred by a deteriorating relationship with the ownership group.

Tensions reportedly arose over fundamental disagreements regarding transfer policy, medical staff decisions and team selections.

Despite these prominent behind-the-scenes issues, he remained highly popular among the playing squad.

Chelsea hierarchy figures feel his sudden exit severely destabilised the team, ultimately causing them to miss out on European qualification.

Midfield reinforcement targeted

In separate transfer activity, the Manchester club have seen an opening offer for Elliot Anderson rejected by Nottingham Forest.

The 23-year-old England international is viewed as the ideal replacement for departing captain Bernardo Silva.

Forest owner Evangelos Marinakis is known to be a formidable negotiator and will not be swayed easily.

The East Midlands club are demanding a British record fee exceeding the £105m Arsenal paid for Declan Rice last year.

Julian Alvarez’s agent has denied that Real Madrid have made a £130m approach for the Atletico Madrid striker, amid reported transfer interest from Arsenal and Barcelona.

The Argentine forward has been heavily linked with a move away from the Metropolitano Stadium this summer following a 20-goal campaign last season.

Speculation intensified last week when Real Madrid president Florentino Perez stated he was preparing a blockbuster £130m offer for an unnamed player.

However, Fernando Hidalgo, who represents the former Manchester City attacker, has moved quickly to quash rumours of a cross-city switch.

“We have no information on the matter and no one has contacted us about it.”

Fernando Hidalgo told Mundo Deportivo

Simeone uncertain on striker’s future

Atletico manager Diego Simeone recently admitted he is unsure whether his leading goalscorer intends to remain with the club.

The 54-year-old coach acknowledged that the World Cup winner is fully in control of his own destiny ahead of the new season.

“This isn’t a question for me; it’s a question for Julian. He’s old enough to know what he’s going to do, and I imagine he’s already made his decision.”

Diego Simeone

Premier League and La Liga rivals circle

Arsenal are reportedly monitoring the situation closely following their recent defeat in the Champions League final.

Mikel Arteta’s side signed Victor Gyokeres last summer, but the Swedish international’s inconsistent form has left the Gunners searching for additional attacking firepower.

Barcelona are also in the market for a prolific frontman following the departure of veteran striker Robert Lewandowski.

The Catalan club’s financial constraints could complicate a deal, particularly after spending £70m to acquire Anthony Gordon.

Former Liverpool and Belgium striker Divock Origi has announced his retirement from professional football at the age of 31.

The forward enjoyed a trophy-laden spell at Anfield after initially being signed by Brendan Rodgers in 2014.

He established a reputation as the ultimate big-game player during his eight years on Merseyside, despite often serving as an impact substitute.

During a distinguished career, the 31-year-old also represented Lille, Nottingham Forest and AC Milan, while earning 32 caps for his country.

Cult hero status at Anfield

The Belgian attacker etched his name into folklore with a series of crucial late goals under former manager Jurgen Klopp.

He was instrumental in securing European glory in 2019, scoring twice in a miraculous semi-final comeback against Barcelona before striking in the final against Tottenham.

Domestically, the towering striker was a constant thorn in the side of local rivals Everton.

He netted six times in Merseyside derbies, including a dramatic 96th-minute winner at Anfield in 2018.

Reflecting on iconic moments

Speaking about his decision to step away from the sport, the Champions League winner admitted his memorable European nights stand out above the rest.

“Three goals come to mind: Barcelona, in the Champions League final, and the Everton derby in the 96th minute. Each one is iconic in its own way.”

Divock Origi

The former Reds forward acknowledged that the showpiece final in Madrid represented the pinnacle of his playing days.

“But if I had to choose one, I’d say the Barcelona goal. The emotion and the feeling of those three will stay with me forever.”

A glittering trophy haul

The frontman departs the game having secured a spectacular array of medals.

His honours list includes the Premier League, Champions League, FA Cup, Uefa Super Cup and Fifa Club World Cup.

Despite facing stiff competition for minutes throughout his career, his unique bond with the Anfield faithful remained unbreakable.

“Klopp holds a special place for me. We shared special moments and won the biggest trophies together.”

Norway manager Stale Solbakken has branded Scotland “unprofessional” after Steve Clarke’s side abruptly cancelled a planned training-ground friendly ahead of the World Cup in North Carolina.

The behind-closed-doors fixture was scheduled to take place on Monday as both nations ramp up their tournament preparations in the United States.

However, the Scottish camp called off the encounter at short notice, citing minor injuries within their squad.

Solbakken demands personal contact

The late decision provoked a furious reaction from the Scandinavian setup, who were left scrambling to adjust their training schedule.

Solbakken expressed intense frustration after his side played out a 1-1 draw against Morocco, who are coincidentally drawn in Scotland’s World Cup group.

“It was at least as surprising to me, and it is unprofessional of Scotland,” Solbakken told Norwegian broadcaster NRK.

The Norwegian head coach was particularly aggrieved by the lack of direct communication from his opposite number.

“It is unprofessional that the coach has not called me, that they use the team manager and call and say it after we have finished training.”

Scotland cite injury caution

Norway’s backroom staff were equally scathing about the broken agreement.

Former Fulham defender Brede Hangeland, now serving as team manager for his country, labelled the late withdrawal as “embarrassing” and “weak”.

With both squads based just 90 miles apart in North Carolina, the logistical setup had been planned for many months.

Responding to the mounting criticism, the Scotland boss offered a brief defence of his cautious approach.

“It was just going to be a training game for an hour at our training ground,” Clarke told BBC Scotland.
“We picked up one or two niggles last week and decided it wasn’t worth the risk.”

Crucial tournament preparations

The dispute highlights the intense pressure international managers face to keep their squads fully fit on the eve of a major global tournament.

Clarke will be desperate to avoid any serious injuries to key personnel as the national team finalises tactical plans for a challenging group stage.

Scotland forward Claire Emslie has returned to international football just six months after the birth of her son as she targets the upcoming World Cup finals in Brazil.

The 32-year-old started in Melissa Andreatta’s side during their emphatic 6-0 World Cup qualifying victory over Israel in Budapest last Friday.

Now, the Los Angeles-based attacker is preparing to face Israel again on Tuesday as the national team aims to hold off Belgium and finish top of Group B4.

Her rapid return to the pitch completes a remarkable turnaround that began when her waters broke unexpectedly during a workout session.

A surprise arrival ahead of schedule

“Through my whole pregnancy, my club were brilliant,” Emslie told BBC Scotland.
“My body was able to do so much more than we expected and I could train right up to the day I gave birth.”

The Scottish international explained that she was exercising when her son Jamie decided to make a sudden appearance two weeks ahead of his late-December due date.

“My water broke in the gym. I was doing an exercise and as I stepped back, I felt it and I was like, ‘oh man, here we go’.”

Patience through physical rehabilitation

Following a Caesarean section, the experienced professional had to exercise patience before resuming elite-level physical activity.

“Three weeks later, I started with pelvic floor physio,” she added.
“My main recovery was getting my abs back together. Everything else was intact and it was just getting the abs back together and allowing my body time to recover.”

By mid-January, the versatile winger was already back in light training.

Returning to the global stage

She subsequently made her club comeback on Mother’s Day in the United States, stepping onto the pitch for Angel City on May 10.

Now fully integrated back into the national setup, she is laser-focused on securing qualification for the showcase tournament in South America.

FIFA is navigating a major diplomatic crisis ahead of the 2026 World Cup in North America following severe geopolitical tensions between the United States and Iran.

The expanded 48-team tournament is scheduled to take place across the US, Canada and Mexico from June 11 to July 19.

However, the build-up to the competition has been heavily overshadowed by off-field political conflicts.

Global football’s governing body previously faced significant scrutiny during the 2022 edition in Qatar regarding infrastructure and human rights, setting a precedent for off-field controversies.

Geopolitical tensions impact fixtures

A brewing diplomatic crisis emerged following significant military action involving the US, Israel and Iran.

The Middle Eastern nation had originally threatened to boycott the upcoming tournament entirely following the airstrikes.

Logistical hurdles have since multiplied, with swathes of their national team’s backroom staff reportedly denied entry visas.

I really don’t believe it is appropriate that they be there, for their own life and safety.

Donald Trump

Visas and logistical hurdles

The Asian qualifiers have subsequently moved their pre-tournament training base from Arizona to Mexico.

Team officials accused tournament organisers of discrimination after being instructed that players must enter and exit the host nation on the same day as their scheduled group-stage matches.

Alternative contingency plans were briefly discussed, including the possibility of relocating affected fixtures to Mexico at short notice.

FIFA leadership under scrutiny

Despite the escalating logistical challenges, Gianni Infantino remains adamant that the international event will proceed smoothly.

We are about to see the greatest event that humanity has ever seen.

Gianni Infantino

The Swiss-Italian administrator has consistently sought to promote the competition as an absolute party.

His leadership has drawn additional scrutiny following a controversial December ceremony where he awarded the US President with an inaugural FIFA Peace Prize.