Manchester United defender Matthijs de Ligt is aiming to return from a long-term back injury before the end of the Premier League season to secure his place in the Netherlands World Cup squad.

The 26-year-old has been sidelined since November after an issue initially expected to rule him out for just a week.

Interim manager Michael Carrick recently admitted uncertainty over whether the centre-back would feature again before the domestic campaign concludes on 24 May.

However, reports suggest the former Ajax and Bayern Munich star is pushing for a comeback to catch the eye of national team boss Ronald Koeman.

World Cup ambitions and defensive competition

The Dutch international faces an intense battle to earn a spot in his country’s squad for the upcoming global tournament.

Koeman has a wealth of defensive options at his disposal following recent international call-ups.

Regaining his place in the starting line-up at Old Trafford will also prove challenging for the returning centre-half.

Harry Maguire has enjoyed a strong run of form, while highly-rated teenager Leny Yoro is continuing his development.

Carrick exercises caution over recovery

De Ligt started all 13 league fixtures prior to his setback but has missed the entirety of Carrick’s tenure since the Englishman replaced Ruben Amorim in January.

The United boss confirmed the defender has been present at the club’s Carrington training complex but urged patience regarding a definitive return date.

“With backs sometimes you think it’s all right and all of a sudden it’s not quite right.”

Michael Carrick stated that the club’s medical staff are working through the issue and giving the player necessary time to heal.

“We’ll give him time and try to get him back as quickly as we can, but it’s really difficult to say.”

When pressed on the possibility of surgery, the former midfielder refused to rule out any medical interventions.

“I don’t want to get into that at this stage. We’ll try and do whatever we can to help and we’re working through that now.”

Selection headache for Leeds clash

The Red Devils host Leeds United on Monday, 13 April, but will be without the suspended Maguire following his dismissal against Bournemouth.

Carrick is hoping Lisandro Martinez will recover in time to fill the void, with 19-year-old Ayden Heaven serving as a potential alternative.

Six final places for the expanded 2026 World Cup are to be decided over the next week, with four-time champions Italy headlining the crucial European and intercontinental play-offs.

The 48-team tournament, co-hosted by the United States, Canada and Mexico, will see four European nations and two intercontinental qualifiers complete its line-up.

Italy face daunting prospect

The Azzurri are the standout name among the hopefuls and face the stark reality of missing a third consecutive global finals.

Manager Gennaro Gattuso admitted the pressure is mounting on his side ahead of Thursday’s semi-finals.

“It’s undeniable that there’s nervousness,” stated the former midfielder.
“Only someone without blood running through their veins wouldn’t feel it.”

Elsewhere, the likes of New Caledonia, Suriname, Kosovo and Albania are striving to qualify for the prestigious tournament for the very first time.

European qualification paths

Europe will send a 16-team contingent to North America, with 12 nations having already secured their berths.

The remaining four spots will be settled through eight one-off semi-finals, followed by four decisive finals next Tuesday.

Italy must navigate Path A, hosting Northern Ireland before a potential final against either Wales or Bosnia and Herzegovina.

Path B sees Ukraine take on Sweden, while Poland clash with Albania.

Turkey face Romania and Slovakia meet Kosovo in Path C.

The final European route, Path D, pits Denmark against North Macedonia and the Czech Republic against the Republic of Ireland.

Intercontinental battles in Mexico

A distinct six-team tournament hosted in the Mexican cities of Guadalajara and Monterrey will determine the final two global participants.

New Caledonia face Jamaica in the first semi-final path, with the ultimate winner advancing to play top-seeded DR Congo.

The second route sees Bolivia take on Suriname for the right to challenge Iraq in a winner-takes-all final showdown.

Nottingham Forest defender Neco Williams says Wales must embrace the pressure of succeeding a golden generation as they prepare for Thursday’s crucial World Cup play-off semi-final against Bosnia and Herzegovina.

The national team is currently transitioning following the international retirement of talismanic figures such as Gareth Bale and Aaron Ramsey.

Those iconic names established a formidable legacy that the current squad must now navigate on the global stage.

The 23-year-old acknowledges that stepping into the void left by such revered stars presents a unique psychological challenge.

Navigating the weight of expectation

When asked if the shadow cast by former greats serves as an inspiration or a burden, the full-back was refreshingly honest.

“A bit of both,” Williams told BBC Sport.

“As kids, you watched the likes of Gareth Bale, Aaron Ramsey, Craig Bellamy. You grew up idolising them.”

The former Liverpool academy graduate is no longer the youthful prospect who helped his nation secure qualification for Qatar 2022.

He now views himself as an established senior professional tasked with guiding the next wave of international talent.

Bellamy’s obsessive managerial style

The Dragons are currently led by another legendary figure in the form of Craig Bellamy.

The former Newcastle United and Manchester City forward took charge of the national setup following Rob Page’s dismissal.

Williams has quickly developed a profound admiration for his new manager’s relentless approach to the sport.

“How good he was as a player, he’s the exact same as a manager. He’s obsessed with football,” he explained.

“He’s just constantly talking about football. He’s obsessed with Wales and you want a manager like that.”

Chasing redemption after Qatar struggles

Victory in Cardiff would set up a decisive play-off final against either Italy or Northern Ireland next week.

Securing a spot in the upcoming summer tournament would offer the squad a chance to improve upon their difficult previous experience in Qatar.

Their last qualification campaign was severely disrupted due to a delayed fixture against Ukraine.

“So it felt like everything about that tournament was a little bit rushed,” the defender recalled.

The Welsh camp ultimately struggled on the biggest stage, finishing bottom of their group with just a single point.

However, the tight-knit nature of the current roster gives their experienced defender supreme confidence that they are better equipped this time around.

Scotland have qualified for their first men’s World Cup since 1998 after defeating Denmark in a breathtaking encounter at Hampden Park.

The historic qualification was sealed when Kenny McLean launched a stunning 50-yard strike over Kasper Schmeichel.

Such was the sheer volume of the celebration, the nearby Glasgow Geothermal Observatory recorded seismic activity akin to a minor earthquake.

Scott McTominay had earlier provided a remarkable opening goal to ignite the chaotic national stadium.

A campaign defined by fine margins

The journey to this summer’s tournament required navigating a perilously complex qualification climax.

Just days before the decisive showdown in Glasgow, automatic progression seemed to be slipping away during a disastrous outing in Greece.

Trailing heavily in Piraeus, the visiting camp believed their only remaining route was via the purgatory of the play-offs.

So much optimism after a loss. It was like nothing made sense anymore.

Lewis Ferguson

Dramatic twists across Europe

Assistant manager Steven Naismith was already calculating suspension permutations for the play-offs while trailing on the Mediterranean coast.

Midfielder Ryan Christie vividly remembers the overwhelming tension as news filtered through to the bench.

You go into it thinking it’s win or draw or bust, basically. Then you find yourself 3-0 down. You’re thinking ‘we’ve really messed up the chance, haven’t we?’

Ryan Christie

However, shocking score updates from Copenhagen suddenly altered the entire complexion of the group.

Underdogs Belarus miraculously traded goals with the Danish hosts, keeping the qualification door slightly ajar.

Those plans about the bookings are out the window because we’re still in this. You’re like, ‘This is mental.’ It could have been the end – and it wasn’t.

Steven Naismith

Smelling magic at Hampden

The tense climax in Greece ended in a 3-2 defeat, leaving the players anxiously awaiting the final whistle from Denmark.

When confirmation arrived that the automatic spot remained within reach, the stage was set for an unforgettable Scottish victory.

Reflecting on the monumental triumph that followed, the national team manager perfectly encapsulated the mood of an entire country.

Steve Clarke noted that he could “smell magic” around the famous Glasgow terraces.

Czech police have detained dozens of individuals across the country as part of a major investigation into widespread football match-fixing and bribery.

State prosecutors confirmed that officers from the organised crime unit conducted extensive raids nationwide.

David Trunda, head of the Czech Football Association, revealed the organisation initiated the inquiry years ago after suspecting rigged matches.

Local media reports indicate the corruption encompasses the top four club tiers and potentially youth competitions.

World Cup preparations overshadowed

Trunda confirmed that 47 people are now facing a formal disciplinary investigation by the governing body.

“We will do everything to ensure that the betting mafia disappears from the Czech sports.”

The scandal has erupted just two days before the national team face the Republic of Ireland in Prague for a crucial World Cup play-off semi-final.

The victor of Thursday’s tie will host either Denmark or North Macedonia for a place at the upcoming tournament in North America.

The Central European nation has not qualified for international football’s showpiece event since 2006.

Parallel Turkish betting investigation

This development follows a similar ongoing investigation into alleged match-fixing and illegal wagering within Turkish football.

Last month, authorities in Turkey detained 32 individuals, including several club executives, across 10 provinces.

Suspects in that parallel investigation are accused of placing illicit bets on their own fixtures, with some wagering on opposing sides.

The Turkish Football Federation suspended over 1,000 players in November as the crisis rapidly deepened.

Among those sanctioned was national team defender Eren Elmali, who had featured regularly for Galatasaray in the Champions League earlier this season.

Cristiano Ronaldo has been omitted from the Portugal squad for upcoming friendlies against Mexico and the United States after sustaining a hamstring injury.

The 41-year-old has not featured for Saudi Pro League side Al-Nassr since February and is currently undergoing private rehabilitation.

Despite missing the crucial international camp, the forward shared a positive fitness update with his supporters on Monday.

Posting images of his gym-based recovery work, the veteran star confirmed his healing process is well underway.

“Getting better every day.”

Cristiano Ronaldo

Martinez plays down injury fears

Portugal manager Roberto Martinez has moved swiftly to allay concerns that the issue could threaten his captain’s long-term participation.

The national team boss confirmed that Ruben Dias and Nelson Semedo are also medically unfit for the March international break.

“No, he’s not in danger,” Martinez told reporters when asked about his star player’s availability for the 2026 World Cup.

“It’s a minor muscle injury. Everything Cristiano has done physically this season shows that he’s in great shape.”

Targeting a final global appearance

The former Manchester United and Real Madrid striker has previously announced that the 2026 World Cup will be his final appearance at the tournament.

The Portuguese icon made his global debut in 2006 and has since amassed a staggering 226 caps for his country.

He has already secured two European Championship titles but remains determined to add a World Cup trophy to his extensive collection.

The prolific goalscorer will now focus on regaining full match fitness to ensure he can lead his nation one last time on football’s biggest stage.

Liverpool have identified former midfielder Xabi Alonso as a primary target to replace under-pressure manager Arne Slot, with the Spaniard reportedly ready to return to the dugout.

The Merseyside club are currently locked in a tense battle to secure Champions League qualification with only seven Premier League matches remaining.

Despite lifting the domestic title last season after inheriting Jurgen Klopp’s squad, the Dutch coach has overseen a deeply disappointing follow-up campaign.

Missing out on elite European competition is widely considered an unacceptable outcome for the Anfield hierarchy, raising major doubts over the current regime.

Alonso prepares for dugout return

The 42-year-old World Cup winner has reportedly decided he expects to be back in charge of a senior side by the start of the 2026-27 season.

This timeline aligns notably with growing internal uncertainty at Anfield regarding their present tactical direction and long-term project.

The former Real Madrid and Bayern Munich playmaker remains highly regarded following his historic, undefeated tenure at Bayer Leverkusen.

During his time in Germany, he guided Die Werkself to an unprecedented invincible Bundesliga triumph, comfortably dethroning long-standing champions Bayern.

Tactical shift awaits the Reds

A potential appointment would represent a significant shift in playing philosophy for the six-time European champions.

The Spanish tactician heavily favours structured positional play and a controlled tempo, contrasting sharply with the relentless high-intensity chaos traditionally associated with Liverpool.

However, his preference for a double-pivot system and ball-playing central defenders would theoretically suit the technical personnel currently stationed in the North West.

A transition period would undoubtedly be required if the club ultimately decides to pivot toward this methodical philosophy in the upcoming transfer window.

Everton midfielder Idrissa Gueye has branded the decision to strip Senegal of their Africa Cup of Nations victory as ridiculous, insisting his side remains the true champions.

The Confederation of African Football (Caf) controversially awarded the tournament title to Morocco last week.

Officials cancelled the original 1-0 victory for the Lions of Teranga and imposed a 3-0 default defeat instead.

The drastic ruling occurred after the Senegalese team briefly left the pitch to protest a disputed stoppage-time penalty, a move Caf interpreted as a match forfeiture.

‘We won the game on the pitch’

The Premier League veteran vehemently dismissed the boardroom reversal.

“I think this decision is just ridiculous,” stated the former Paris St-Germain player.

“We won the game on the pitch not in offices and as a Senegalese player I’m just proud of what we did.”

The combative holding midfielder emphasised that paper records cannot erase their physical triumph.

“We deserve this trophy,” he added.

“We fight on the pitch and everyone knows what happened and I think if you play 10 times this game we would win it 10 times.”

Fears for African football’s reputation

The experienced international suggested that such administrative interventions actively damage the global standing of the sport across the continent.

“Africa doesn’t need this type of decision because everyone has started to talk about Afcon and compare it against Europe and the Copa America,” he argued.

Despite the intense frustration directed at tournament organisers, the Goodison Park regular was quick to clarify that no bitterness exists toward their North African opponents.

He pointed to his close friendship with Moroccan international and Merseyside teammate Adam Aznou as proof of their continued camaraderie.

“We just laugh about this because sometimes it’s funny,” he explained.

“We are all brothers and no-one can push me to hate Morocco’s people.”