Spain enter the 2026 World Cup as tournament favourites following their Euro 2024 triumph, with Mikel Oyarzabal and Fabian Ruiz emerging as vital components of a newly evolved side.
Alvaro Morata captained the national team in Germany two years ago but has been omitted from the squad after failing to score for Como in Serie A.
In his absence, Oyarzabal has seamlessly seized the opportunity to lead the line for the European champions.
The Real Sociedad forward has scored 13 goals in 16 appearances since netting the winner against England in the Euro 2024 final.
Oyarzabal reimagined as central threat
Previously deployed as a winger, the 29-year-old has transitioned into a highly effective central striker.
He recently surpassed Alfredo Di Stefano to enter the top 10 goalscorers in Spanish national team history.
His impressive international strike rate now betters legendary figures such as Fernando Torres, Raul and Emiliano Butragueno.
Former Spain international Gaizka Mendieta believes the versatile attacker will be a defining figure at the tournament.
“Oyarzabal will surprise a lot of people,” Mendieta said.
“People will be thinking about Lamine Yamal and all the Barca guys, but Oyarzabal just won the cup with Real Sociedad and has improved his game a lot.”
Mendieta praised the forward’s relentless work ethic and his newfound habit of delivering in crucial matches.
Ruiz steps out of Rodri’s shadow
While Barcelona prodigy Lamine Yamal and Ballon d’Or winner Rodri dominate global headlines, other key figures have quietly elevated their status.
Fabian Ruiz has cemented his world-class reputation after securing back-to-back Champions League titles with Paris St-Germain.
The formidable midfielder was arguably Spain’s standout performer at Euro 2024, despite his Manchester City team-mate taking the official player of the tournament award.
Mendieta highlighted the Parisian star’s unique physical and technical attributes as a late bloomer in the European game.
“I love everything about him,” Mendieta added.
With these established stars expertly supporting their younger talents, the Spanish side look formidably equipped to conquer the global stage.
Thierry Henry has issued a public clarification after comments he made about Nigeria during a World Cup broadcast sparked an online backlash.
The former France striker was working as a pundit for US broadcaster FOX Sports alongside Zlatan Ibrahimovic when he interacted with internet personality IShowSpeed.
Their televised exchange occurred during the opening match of the 2026 tournament between the United States and Paraguay in Los Angeles.
Mixed kits and bad luck
The content creator was wearing a United States national team jersey paired with Nigeria shorts.
The Arsenal legend pointed out the mixed attire, joking that breaking up a matched set would invite misfortune.
Moments after the French icon made his remark, Paraguay scored against the tournament co-hosts.
The timing of the goal prompted the television pundit to tell the YouTuber that he was personally responsible for the setback.
Addressing the backlash
A clip of the interaction circulated rapidly across social media platforms, drawing criticism from offended Nigerian supporters.
This fierce online reaction prompted the former Barcelona star to release a video statement on his Instagram account to explain his intentions.
Hello my people, this is Thierry.
I needed to clarify something because I don’t think people understand when a joke is a joke.
He explained that his comments were entirely focused on the superstition of wearing mismatched clothing rather than the African nation itself.
I just said to him it’s bad luck to break the set.
It could have been the shorts of France, Italy or Spain, I would have said the same thing.
Respect for the Super Eagles
The football icon emphasised his deep admiration for the country and its passionate supporters.
I have mad respect for Nigeria and the people there.
A lot of Arsenal fans out there, so don’t misunderstand stuff, please.
The Super Eagles boast household names like Victor Osimhen and Ademola Lookman but failed to qualify for the 2026 finals.
They suffered a penalty shootout defeat to DR Congo during the qualification stages last November.
Despite the early setback against Paraguay, the United States eventually secured an emphatic 4-1 victory at SoFi Stadium.
Victor Wembanyama has described his first NBA Finals defeat as the “biggest lesson of my life” after the New York Knicks clinched the championship with a 94-90 victory over the San Antonio Spurs in Game 5.
The French international cut an emotional figure following the conclusion of the series at the Frost Bank Center.
Despite establishing double-digit leads in all five games, the Spurs succumbed to a 4-1 series defeat against their Eastern Conference opponents.
San Antonio squandered a 16-point advantage in the decisive encounter before ultimately collapsing during a pivotal fourth quarter.
A painful learning experience
Taking time to compose himself during the post-match press conference, the towering centre insisted he would use the disappointment as motivation.
“It’s painful, but I’m not running away from that,” Wembanyama stated.
“I’m using it to fuel me. I’m not satisfied with not winning. This is the biggest lesson of my life.”
The former number-one draft pick delivered a commanding defensive performance in the first half, recording five blocks to stifle the visiting offence.
Brunson heroics seal Knicks triumph
However, San Antonio’s failure to execute consistently down the stretch proved costly against a resilient New York outfit.
Spurs head coach Mitch Johnson conceded his young squad lacked the required experience to lift the Larry O’Brien Trophy.
“We weren’t ready to win an NBA championship. The better team won,” Johnson admitted.
A spirited effort from rookie Dylan Harper, who contributed a team-high 25 points, was ultimately overshadowed by the brilliance of Jalen Brunson.
The Knicks guard orchestrated a devastating 21-7 run in the closing stages to complete the comeback and seal the title.
Brunson finished with an exceptional 45-point performance, rightfully earning the NBA Finals Most Valuable Player award for his series-winning exploits.
Newcastle United have opened talks to sign Manchester City goalkeeper James Trafford as they look to rebuild their squad ahead of the summer transfer window.
The Magpies have rekindled their interest in the highly-rated shot-stopper following a disappointing 2025-26 campaign.
However, any potential deal is complicated by the player’s desire to wait until after the upcoming World Cup before making a final decision on his future.
This timeline clashes with the Tyneside club’s preference to resolve their defensive structure as early as possible.
Pope future in doubt following Jaouen arrival
Eddie Howe’s side have already secured one addition between the posts this summer by bringing in 20-year-old Ewen Jaouen from French club Reims.
The young Frenchman arrived at St James’ Park to provide immediate competition after Aaron Ramsdale returned to Southampton following his loan spell.
With the club actively pursuing another premium option, current number one Nick Pope could be facing an imminent exit.
The veteran stopper has struggled with consistency and high-profile errors over recent seasons, making a permanent departure increasingly likely.
Trafford demands number one status
If a transfer is completed, the sought-after prospect would expect to arrive as the undisputed first-choice goalkeeper.
Former manager Scott Parker previously hailed the English talent as a “world-class” operator capable of dominating his penalty area.
A successful move for the former youth standout would likely see new signing Jaouen assume a developmental backup role.
Once the goalkeeping vacancy is finalised, Newcastle’s recruitment team are expected to target further reinforcements across the pitch.
Scotland have significantly boosted their chances of a historic first World Cup knockout stage appearance following a crucial 1-0 opening victory over Haiti in Boston.
Steve Clarke’s side currently sit top of Group C after the first round of fixtures.
They are unexpectedly leading both Brazil and Morocco in the early tournament standings.
However, the Tartan Army are already calculating the permutations required to reach the last 32.
Three points and goal difference
The expanded tournament format means the eight best third-placed teams from the 12 groups will advance.
A single-goal victory means the national team would finish with a negative goal difference if they lose their remaining two matches.
Statistical models suggest a goal difference of minus one offers an 87.5% chance of progression.
That probability drops sharply to 69.4% with a minus two differential.
Attacking concerns remain
The narrow margin of victory in Massachusetts highlights an ongoing struggle for attacking fluency.
John McGinn secured the three points, while Scott McTominay also struck the woodwork during a tense encounter.
Despite those moments, the overall expected goals (xG) tally for the Scots was a modest 1.05.
Set-piece deliveries were particularly ineffective against the Caribbean nation.
Defensive resilience shines
Fortunately, a resolute defensive display ensured a vital clean sheet under intense pressure.
Former international forward James McFadden praised the squad’s battling qualities following the final whistle.
“Winning games at major tournaments isn’t something Scotland do regularly,” said former Scotland talisman James McFadden on BBC Scotland.
“The resilience shown – that’s what has been forged in this group. It wasn’t enjoyable but I would have taken an ugly 1-0 win beforehand.”
“The next two games are going to be tough, but they have dealt with the pressure of this game.”
The path to the last 32
Securing just one more point would almost certainly guarantee a place in the knockout phases for the first time.
A Friday night clash with the Atlas Lions offers an immediate opportunity to secure that decisive result.
Avoiding defeat would mean the manager’s team are effectively a clean sheet away from making history.
Fans must now debate whether overcoming the North Africans or Carlo Ancelotti’s star-studded South Americans presents the harder challenge.
Lionel Messi and Cristiano Ronaldo are preparing to grace the World Cup stage for the final time, bringing the curtain down on a historic two-decade rivalry that has reshaped international football.
The upcoming tournament marks the twilight of an era defined by two players who pushed the sport to unprecedented levels.
Staggering statistics and shared dominance
Between them, the pair have amassed almost 2,000 career goals and lifted 85 major trophies for club and country.
Their relentless pursuit of perfection yielded a combined 427 international caps, establishing a benchmark that future generations will struggle to match.
Individual accolades further highlight their monopoly over the global game during the past 20 years.
Since 2007, the Argentine playmaker and the Portuguese forward have claimed 20 of the 29 available Ballon d’Or awards.
Contrasting characters united by greatness
Despite their shared dominance, the two icons represent fundamentally different approaches to their craft and public profile.
The former Barcelona captain has largely eschewed the spotlight, leaning on natural genius rather than cultivating a global celebrity brand.
Conversely, the former Real Madrid top scorer has actively embraced his fame, building a billionaire enterprise alongside his status as the game’s most prolific finisher.
Their relationship has always been defined by professional obsession rather than personal friendship.
“You cannot compare a Ferrari with a Porsche.”
That was how the Portuguese star once characterised the endless comparisons before ultimately declaring himself the best.
An eternal debate reaching its conclusion
The argument over who is the definitive greatest of all time has consumed football discourse for a generation.
Many observers feel the debate was settled four years ago when the eight-time Ballon d’Or winner lifted the World Cup in Qatar.
Others maintain that his longtime rival remains the ultimate goalscorer in football history.
Ultimately, reaching a universal consensus is both impossible and unnecessary as they prepare for their international farewell.
Fans are instead encouraged to appreciate the final weeks of a rivalry that the sport may never witness again.
Los Angeles Sparks guard Kelsey Plum and Phoenix Mercury counterpart Kahleah Copper have made WNBA history by becoming the first opponents to score 40 points in the same game during a 111-102 overtime victory for the Sparks on Saturday.
The historic shootout at the Mortgage Matchup Center saw both players register career-high scoring totals in a thrilling WNBA encounter.
Plum finished with a spectacular 43 points, while her Phoenix rival tallied 41 in a remarkable offensive showcase.
Record-breaking night for Los Angeles playmaker
The ninth-year guard successfully converted 14 of her 26 attempts from the field, including five three-pointers, alongside seven assists.
Her exceptional tally tied retired star Kristi Toliver for the Los Angeles franchise’s single-game scoring record.
The dynamic scorer also matched a team benchmark by pouring in 17 points during a decisive fourth-quarter surge.
Los Angeles head coach Lynne Roberts was left thoroughly impressed by the unprecedented dual scoring exhibition.
“That was an offensive display by both Kah and KP,” Roberts said.
“When they both have it going like that, it’s impressive and fun to watch.”
Copper joins exclusive Mercury club despite defeat
Despite falling short of the win, the Mercury standout etched her own name into the record books with a 40-point double-double that included 10 rebounds.
She joins retired legend Diana Taurasi as the only player in Phoenix history to reach the 40-point milestone in a single contest.
The performance also marks just the second time in league history a player has scored 40 points in a defeat, echoing Lauren Jackson’s 2007 effort for Seattle.
Phoenix’s struggles continue despite the historic individual effort, with the team dropping to a 4-11 overall record for the season.
Plum powers Sparks resurgence
The dramatic overtime victory extends a three-game winning streak for Los Angeles, improving their regular-season record to 7-6.
Their standout guard is currently enjoying a phenomenal campaign, leading the WNBA with a staggering average of 26.6 points per game.
She attributes her current career-best form in points, assists, and shooting efficiency to an intensified off-season conditioning programme.
“In the offseason this year, I really took my weight-room strength and conditioning to another level,” Plum said.
“Another thing is just mentally I’ve grown and been a lot more patient. I appreciate that coach gives me the freedom to really go out there and just play.”
Netherlands captain Virgil van Dijk faces an unprecedented physical burden as he leads his nation into the World Cup following a gruelling domestic season.
The Liverpool centre-back will turn 35 before the tournament’s quarter-finals but remains indispensable to manager Ronald Koeman.
He has already played almost 6,000 minutes of competitive football for club and country this season.
Seeking redemption on the global stage
The veteran defender heads into what is presumably his final global tournament with an unusual undefeated record.
He has never lost a World Cup match over the course of 90 or 120 minutes.
The Oranje crashed out of the 2022 tournament in Qatar on penalties to eventual winners Argentina.
Their skipper missed the opening spot-kick against Emiliano Martinez during a fiery quarter-final encounter dubbed the Battle of Lusail.
Mounting pressure and missing partners
Koeman will rely heavily on his defensive leader during a challenging group stage featuring Japan, Sweden and Tunisia.
The pressure on the 34-year-old is compounded by the sudden loss of key personnel around him.
Arsenal defender Jurrien Timber has been ruled out of the World Cup through injury, forcing a late tactical reshuffle.
At club level, the former Southampton man has also recently seen his trusted Liverpool defensive partners Andy Robertson and Ibrahima Konate depart.
A demanding domestic campaign
The Dutch skipper recently admitted that Liverpool’s domestic season was unacceptable, despite providing vital stability for new club manager Arne Slot.
He faces an immediate reunion with club team-mate Alexander Isak when the Netherlands take on Sweden in the group stages.
History could yet repeat itself for the Dutch national team in the United States.
Manager Koeman saw his own international playing career end with a World Cup defeat on American soil 32 years ago.