Despite the USMNT suffered back-to-back defeats against Belgium and Portugal, star Christian Pulisic and head coach Mauricio Pochettino remain positive ahead of the 2026 World Cup.

The USMNT wrapped up the highly anticipated March international break, the last before the 2026 World Cup, with back-to-back defeats against Belgium and Portugal. Despite those setbacks, head coach Mauricio Pochettino and team captain Christian Pulisic remain confident in the team’s chances heading into the tournament.

After a strong November window that featured wins over Paraguay and Uruguay, the March tests came against two top-ten European sides. Following a promising first half, the match against Belgium ended in a 5-2 defeat, and against Portugal, the Americans struggled to create clear-cut chances in a 2-0 loss.

Despite the results, Pulisic said he has been able to draw positives from both performances. “Obviously we’re disappointed with the results, but, to be honest, I’m taking a lot of positives from it. I think we’re a lot closer than it might’ve seemed. I still feel positive, and I still believe in this team. We put a lot of pressure on both games during the first half. We were able to create chances,” he told TNT Sports after the Portugal match.

Now operating in the No. 9 role for the USMNT, Pulisic acknowledged his recent scoring drought but insisted he is in good physical shape and confident in what lies ahead: “If I finish a couple of chances, which I know I’m going to, things are going to be a bit different. There were a couple of moments where we lacked concentration and gave up goals, but I feel we’re right in the game, and that good things are coming.“

Pochettino, meanwhile, described the March camp as “very positive,” pointing to the clear areas of improvement it revealed, particularly as he works through the process of trimming a 55-man pool down to a 26-man World Cup roster. As for the results themselves, the Argentine made clear that both games were ultimately decided by fine margins.

While also framing Pulisic’s frustration as a sign of commitment and desire, Pochettino remained firm in his belief that the USMNT is capable of competing with the world’s best. “I am more positive now than before because seeing the team compete, we are not far away. It’s only details that we need to improve.“

USA doesn’t have ‘top 100 players,’ says Pochettino

While Pochettino’s tenure has delivered mixed results in the CONCACAF Nations League and Gold Cup, recent months have seen growing optimism around the USMNT, fueled in part by the coach’s evident belief in the team’s World Cup potential. The March games served as something of a reality check, while also raising questions about how the side might fare against elite opposition in the tournament itself.

When asked whether he could iron out those “small details” in the team’s favor, Pochettino made a candid admission about where the USMNT currently stands. “We are USA, and we are competing against Belgium, Portugal. I think for sure Belgium and Portugal have, in the top 100 players, a few or some players playing in that top 100. I think we don’t. That is why it’s good to play against these types of teams.“

Far from using the assessment to undermine his players, Pochettino sees these experiences as essential fuel for their development, exposing them to elite competition so they can learn how to make the right decisions when it matters most. “We should play more games. Even though this is painful, it is the only way to improve, it is the only way to learn, it is the only way to see how the top players and teams compete,” he concluded.

In the latest FIFA rankings update, Kylian Mbappe’s France has claimed the top, leaving Lamine Yamal’s Spain and Lionel Messi’s Argentina behind.

The FIFA rankings received their final update of the March international break ahead of the 2026 World Cup, bringing with it several significant changes. The most notable is that Kylian Mbappe‘s France have claimed the top spot, leapfrogging Lamine Yamal’s Spain and Lionel Messi’s Argentina in the process.

The previous ranking update dates back to late January, following the conclusion of the Africa Cup of Nations, which saw Senegal crowned champions with a 1-0 win over Morocco. While that update had a limited impact, largely affecting African nations and leaving the rest of the table largely undisturbed, the March window brought far greater movement, driven by high-profile friendlies and the final rounds of World Cup qualifying.

After the first week of matches, changes were already beginning to emerge, with France overtaking Argentina for second place as the most notable early shift. Then on April 1, FIFA released the full updated rankings, with Les Bleus claiming the top spot for the first time since September 2018, just months after winning the World Cup in Russia.

Key changes in the FIFA rankings

Fueled by wins over Brazil and Croatia, Mbappé’s side now sits atop the rankings with 1,877.32 points, with Spain and Argentina close behind at 1,876.40 and 1,874.81 respectively. Yamal’s draw against Egypt and Messi’s side facing lower-ranked opposition in Mauritania and Zambia proved costly, giving France the opening it needed to claim first place.

England took a significant hit after their defeat to Japan but managed to hold on to fourth place, while Portugal, without Cristiano Ronaldo, overtook Brazil to move into fifth. Another notable development sees Mexico climb to 15th with 1,681.03 points, surpassing the United States, who dropped more than four points to sit 16th with 1,673.13.

This latest update also serves as a significant benchmark for national teams, as it will be the last ranking cycle with major movement before the 2026 World Cup kicks off in June. Between now and then, nations will be finalizing their squad lists and arranging pre-tournament friendlies, expected to take place just weeks before the competition gets underway.

FIFA ranking top 10 ahead of the 2026 World Cup

1. France — 1877.32 points.
2. Spain — 1876.40 points.
3. Argentina — 1874.81 points.
4. England — 1825.97 points.
5. Portugal — 1763.83 points.
6. Brazil — 1761.16 points.
7. Netherlands— 1757.87 points.
8. Morocco — 1755.87 points.
9. Belgium — 1734.71 points.
10. Germany — 1730.37 points.

After Iraq's 2-1 win over Bolivia, Kylian Mbappé's France and Erling Haaland's Norway will welcome Iraq to Group I at the 2026 World Cup.

Kylian Mbappe and Erling Haaland will be seeing plenty of each other when France and Norway square off in one of the most anticipated matchups of the 2026 World Cup group stage. Group I is now complete, with Iraq earning the final spot after coming through the international playoff round.

On Tuesday, Iraq and Bolivia clashed at Estadio BBVA in Monterrey, Mexico, for a place at the World Cup, and after a 2-1 victory, the Asian nation will be competing on soccer’s biggest stage for only the second time in its history. The winner of that playoff series had already been slotted into Group I alongside France, Norway and Senegal.

With the group now finalized, Haaland, who guided Norway to its first World Cup since 1998, will open his tournament against Iraq on Matchday 1 on June 16th, while France will face the Middle Eastern nation on Matchday 2 on June 22nd. Then, on the 26th, Mbappe and Haaland will finally share a pitch at the World Cup on Matchday 3, in what figures to be a first-place showdown.

Erling Haaland holds a narrow edge over Mbappe

Erling Haaland and Kylian Mbappe have been two of the most prolific strikers of their generation, with each claiming one of the last three European Golden Boots. But when it comes to head-to-head meetings on the pitch, the Norwegian holds a slight edge over the Frenchman.

In matches where both players saw time, Haaland and Mbappé have crossed paths three times, with the Norwegian coming out on top twice against just one win for the French star. That lone victory for Mbappe came in the 2019-20 UEFA Champions League Round of 16, when PSG edged Borussia Dortmund 2-1 in the first leg of their opening meeting.

Haaland answered back with a 2-0 win in the second leg of that same tie, and then in the 2024-25 UCL playoff round, Manchester City defeated Real Madrid 3-2 in the first leg. Haaland sat out the second leg, and across their three most recent encounters in the 2025-26 Champions League, spanning the league phase and the Round of 16, the two have yet to share the pitch at the same time.

Head-to-head between France and Norway

On the international stage, the last meeting between France and Norway came back in 2014, a time when neither Mbappe, who earned his first cap in 2017, nor Haaland, who debuted in 2019, had yet pulled on their national team jerseys. That means their upcoming clash at the 2026 World Cup will mark the first time they face off while representing their respective countries.

Looking at the all-time series between the two nations, France holds the upper hand with seven wins, while Norway has claimed victory on four occasions, with four additional matches ending in a draw. The most recent chapter came in that May 2014 friendly ahead of the Brazil World Cup, where Les Bleus ran out convincing 4-0 winners over the Scandinavians.

With Aymen Hussein scoring the 2-1 in the game against Bolivia, Iraq has secured the final spot for the 2026 World Cup.

Iraq and Bolivia clashed on Tuesday, March 31, at Estadio BBVA in Monterrey, Mexico, in the FIFA international playoff. With Aymen Hussein scoring the decisive goal, the Asian side claimed the last ticket to the 2026 World Cup.

The game got off to a fast start for Iraq, who broke the deadlock in the 10th minute through a well-delivered corner from Amir Al-Ammari that Ali Al-Hamadi headed home inside the box. Bolivia leveled in the 38th minute, just as they had against Suriname, with Moises Paniagua controlling a shot from Ramiro Vaca and finishing clinically inside the box.

Iraq struck again early in the second half, with substitute Marko Farji making an instant impact just one minute after coming on, delivering the cross that allowed Hussein to restore the lead in the 53rd minute. From that point, La Verde resorted to long-range efforts and constant crosses, but a well-organized Iraqi low block proved too difficult to break down.

With their place secured, Iraq have been slotted into Group I at the 2026 World Cup alongside France, Norway and Senegal. The Lions of Mesopotamia will open their campaign against Erling Haaland’s Norway, before facing Kylian Mbappe’s Les Bleus on Matchday 2 and rounding out the group stage against Sadio Mané’s Lions of Teranga, in what will be only their second World Cup appearance since Mexico 1986.

Argentina is hosting the game against Zambia for an international friendly, so stay put in out live coverage of the game to not miss a single detail.

Argentina hosts Zambia on Tuesday, March 31, in the national team’s final home match before the 2026 World Cup. Stay with us for every detail as we bring you live minute-by-minute coverage throughout the game!

Watch Argentina vs Zambia live on Fubo

The Albiceleste enters the match on the back of a 2-1 win over Mauritania last Friday, a result that raised eyebrows both among fans and within the squad itself. Star goalkeeper Emiliano “Dibu” Martinez spoke candidly about whether the team would be up to the challenge had they been required to face Spain in the since-cancelled Finalissima.

To address the recent dip in form, head coach Lionel Scaloni has made clear that the final World Cup roster cuts will be decided based on individual performances. One notable change from the Mauritania game is that Lionel Messi will be in the starting lineup from the opening whistle.

Zambia, meanwhile, enters Tuesday’s match playing their first friendly of the March international break. With just one win in their last 16 games, the African side will be looking to spring an upset against a home team that has shown its own share of vulnerabilities lately.

Argentina is facing Zambia on Tuesday, making this Lionel Messi's farewell to local fans prior to their trip to North America for the 2026 World Cup.

Argentina is hosting Zambia on Tuesday the 31st at La Bombonera in the second friendly of the March international break. With the Albiceleste expected to come out with something to prove, Lionel Messi will have the opportunity to bid farewell to Argentine fans on home soil ahead of the 2026 World Cup.

Watch Argentina vs Zambia live on Fubo

Last Friday, Argentina left fans with a bitter taste after a narrow 2-1 win over Mauritania, particularly following a second half in which the home side struggled to even register a shot on target. In the aftermath, head coach Lionel Scaloni issued a pointed warning to his players, making clear that given the size of the current roster, he will be making World Cup cuts based on individual performances.

The match against Zambia will be more than just another friendly, serving as the Argentina national team’s farewell to their home supporters. With the federation already planning June friendlies ahead of the World Cup, including a potential date against Serbia, those fixtures are set to be held in North America.

Zambia, currently ranked 91st in the FIFA standings, heads into Tuesday’s game searching for their first victory since last October, when they edged Tanzania 1-0. Their recent form works firmly against them, however, as the national team has managed just one win, three draws and 12 defeats over their last 16 matches.

Messi to start against Zambia

Head coach Lionel Scaloni has already confirmed that Lionel Messi will be in the starting lineup against Zambia. The Inter Miami star came off the bench against Mauritania, a game in which Argentina’s performance took a sharp drop, and he will now look to make an impact from the opening whistle.

Even though Messi has been reluctant to address his international future publicly, the match against Zambia could prove to be his final appearance in an Argentina shirt on home soil. Nicolas Otamendi, who has been alongside him since the 2010 World Cup, has already announced he will retire from international duty following the 2026 edition, inevitably raising questions about what decision the No. 10 will ultimately make.

Projected lineups for Argentina and Zambia

Argentina’s projected lineup (4-3-1-2): Emiliano Martinez; Nahuel Molina, Cristian Romero, Nicolas Otamendi, Nicolas Tagliafico; Enzo Fernandez, Rodrigo De Paul, Alexis Mac Allister; Thiago Almada; Lionel Messi, Julian Alvarez.
Head coach: Lionel Scaloni.

Zambia’s projected lineup (4-2-3-1): Willard Mwanza; Kondwani Chiboni, Kabaso Chongo, Dominic Chanda, David Hamansenya; Obino Chisala, Miguel Changa Chaiwa; Frederick Mulambia, Fashion Sakala, Kings Kangwa; Patson Daka.
Head coach: Moses Sichone.

In the friendly against Mexico, Bruno Fernandes made his debut as Portugal captain, prompting questions on who else got the chance to use the captain armband in Cristiano Ronaldo's era in the national team.

Bruno Fernandes has captained the Portugal national team for the first time in his international career, wearing the armband in the recent friendly against Mexico. With that milestone now checked off, the Manchester United midfielder joins a select group of players to have led the Selecao during the Cristiano Ronaldo era.

The muscular injury Ronaldo suffered on February 28 forced him to miss head coach Roberto Martinez’s call-up for the March international window friendlies. With the captain unavailable, the Spanish coach had to look elsewhere in the squad for someone to wear the armband.

Other players who have deputized as captain in Ronaldo’s absence, including Bernardo Silva and Ruben Dias, were also absent for the March window, and with Joao Cancelo coming off the bench, the choice fell naturally to one of the starters. Against Mexico, in his 86th appearance for Portugal, Bruno Fernandes wore the armband for the 81 minutes he was on the pitch.

Ronaldo and a career defined by the Portugal captaincy

Bruno Fernandes currently ranks 13th on Portugal‘s all-time appearances list with 86 caps, having made his debut in November 2017, and sits just eight games outside the top 10. Ronaldo, however, has left those numbers far behind, having made his debut in August 2003, more than 14 years before his current teammate first pulled on the shirt.

Ronaldo’s first stint as captain came in February 2007 in a friendly against Brazil at just 22 years old, an honor bestowed in tribute to Portuguese FA president Carlos Silva, who had passed away two days before the match. It was not until late 2008, however, that he cemented himself as the undisputed first choice to lead the team. To this day, Ronaldo has worn the armband in 159 international matches, more than any other player in the history of the game.

The select few to captain Portugal in Ronaldo’s era

For the better part of two decades since 2008, Ronaldo has had an almost exclusive grip on the Portugal captaincy, leaving precious little room for anyone else to step in. Still, a handful of names have had the privilege during his absences through suspension, injury or tactical decisions.

In the early years of Ronaldo’s captaincy, the armband was occasionally shared with Simao Sabrosa before Ronaldo assumed sole leadership heading into the 2010 World Cup. During that transitional period, experienced defenders Ricardo Carvalho and Bruno Alves also had their turns at the helm.

Two of Ronaldo’s closest teammates also had their moments in the spotlight. Nani famously wore the armband during the Euro 2016 final after Ronaldo was forced off injured, while center back Pepe has captained Portugal more times than any other player during Ronaldo’s absences, making him the most prominent deputy of the era.

Since Roberto Martinez took charge, the pool of stand-in captains has widened considerably, in part due to Pepe’s retirement from international soccer in 2024. With Ronaldo unavailable at various points, Bernardo Silva, Ruben Dias, Joao Cancelo and now Bruno Fernandes have all led the side under the Spanish manager, reflecting a squad with greater depth of leadership, even if the identity of the first-choice captain remains beyond question.

Portugal head coach Roberto Martinez stated that he doesn't even know when Cristiano Ronaldo will retire from international soccer with the 2026 World Cup on the horizon.

Cristiano Ronaldo recently turned 41, and while the soccer world’s attention is firmly fixed on the 2026 World Cup, the future of one of the sport’s greatest legends remains an open question. With fewer than three months to go before the tournament in North America, head coach Roberto Martinez has acknowledged that Ronaldo’s future with the Portugal national team is still uncertain, even beyond the World Cup.

As far back as late 2025, Ronaldo had acknowledged that the tournament in the United States, Canada and Mexico would be his last World Cup. “Definitely, yes, because I will be 41 years old,” the striker told CNN anchor Becky Anderson in November, while also indicating that his overall retirement timeline extends “probably one, two years” beyond that.

Even so, that does not necessarily mean the World Cup will mark Ronaldo’s final appearance in a Portugal shirt. Asked on Monday by Ben Jacobs about when the star might call it quits internationally, Martinez admitted he has stopped trying to predict it: “It is difficult for me to say. I have learned very quickly not to predict the future with Cristiano. He has got this elite brain about being the best he can be today. If you ask him, he’ll tell you the same. He doesn’t make plans.“

At the same press conference ahead of the clash against the United States, Martinez also spoke to Ronaldo’s continued importance in the squad. “Cristiano is our captain. He has been very influential and important. We won the Nations League with him. His role is important in our team, making the last movements in the box, his goalscoring threat and the way he can finish off moves,” he added.

“His mindset is quite inspiring. He just lives every day as if it was his last one, and he wants to improve. You don’t know when is going to be the end,” Martinez concluded, speaking just days after revealing that much of the current squad views Ronaldo as a role model.

Although Ronaldo is sitting out the March friendlies with a hamstring injury, Martinez has already made his intentions clear, stating that “for the World Cup, the center-forward position belongs to Cristiano and Goncalo Ramos.” With one additional striker spot still to be filled, it is clear that the former Real Madrid man will be first choice up front when fit.

Could Ronaldo make it to the 26-27 Nations League?

While Ronaldo has confirmed that the 2026 World Cup will be his last, he has not said it will be his final appearance in a Portugal shirt. In fact, the “one or two years” of playing career he has suggested he has left could align comfortably with a run at the 2026-27 UEFA Nations League, where Portugal would enter as defending champions.

Last February, UEFA conducted the draw for the fifth edition of the Nations League and released the full fixture schedule. Portugal, placed in League A Group 4, will face Denmark, Norway and Wales, with the group stage to be played across the September, October and November international windows.

With the quarterfinals scheduled for March 2027 and the Nations League Finals set for June 9-13, 2027, the timeline lines up with the final weeks of Ronaldo’s current Al Nassr contract, which runs through June 30. Should Portugal go all the way, Ronaldo could cap his international career by helping the Selecao become the first nation to win back-to-back Nations League titles.

Neymar has suffered yet another blow in his chances to be in the 2026 World Cup as head coach Carlo Ancelotti admitted that Brazil's final squad is "quite defined."

Neymar‘s absence from the Brazil squad for the March international window was widely interpreted as one of his last opportunities to force his way back into the national team picture. Now, his dream of featuring at the 2026 World Cup has taken another hit, with head coach Carlo Ancelotti admitting that his squad for the tournament in North America is “quite defined.”

A long-term injury and persistent fitness concerns have kept Neymar out of the Brazil national team since October 2023, and at 34 years old, the Santos forward has made no secret of his desire to feature at the upcoming World Cup. Since Ancelotti took charge in June 2025, the two have spoken, but the Italian manager has consistently pointed to fitness as the reason behind Neymar’s omission from each of his four call-up cycles.

At Monday’s press conference, Ancelotti gave a clear-eyed assessment of where his squad stands heading into the tournament: “I think this period spent here, this past year, was positive; we qualified early. Afterward, in the matches, we conducted many evaluations of players I didn’t know. Today we have a very clear idea; I have the lineup pretty much set for the first (match) and the final list is also quite defined.“

The Italian manager also noted that the friendlies against France and Croatia were intended to test his preferred starting XI, but a series of key injuries, particularly in the backfield, forced him to experiment more than he had planned. With Estevao sidelined through injury, Raphinha picking up a knock during the France match and not being replaced in the squad, and Neymar still not called up, the Santos star faces a steep climb to change Ancelotti’s mind before the roster deadline.

Following the 2-1 defeat to France, Ancelotti nonetheless expressed confidence that Brazil remains on course to compete for a sixth World Cup title, known as the Hexa. “We are on the right path—one very good game, another slightly less so… We obviously have to improve, but we have a very clear idea of what we want to do in the World Cup. We are at a good point on this journey; in this process, we will be prepared for the biggest matches of the World Cup.“

While FIFA’s official deadline for final rosters is May 30, Brazil national team is expected to announce Brazil’s 26-man squad on May 18. With several teammates and legends having publicly called for Neymar’s inclusion, the Santos forward has fewer than two months to change the coach’s mind.

Danilo, the only name confirmed by Ancelotti

With Brazil set to face Croatia on Tuesday, March 31, Ancelotti will ultimately finalize his World Cup squad having managed just eight matches in charge, with a record of three wins, three defeats and one draw. Of all the players in contention, the Italian manager has publicly confirmed just one name for the final roster: Danilo.

Asked about the veteran defender’s importance to the group, Ancelotti was effusive in his praise: “Danilo is a very important player, not just on the pitch, but also off the pitch. It is certain that Danilo will be in the final list of 26 because I like him. As a character, a personality, and for his game. He can play in every position across the back. Danilo will be among the nine defenders.“

The former Real Madrid, Manchester City and Juventus full back is currently a fringe player at Flamengo and has featured just twice under Ancelotti, against Paraguay and Tunisia. Yet with two World Cup appearances in 2018 and 2022 and two UEFA Champions League titles to his name, his experience and leadership make him a valued presence in the squad regardless of his playing time.

While defining the final 26-player list for the 2026 World Cup, Argentina head coach Lionel Scaloni warned his players that the cut will be based on performances.

National teams are finalizing their plans during the March international window to determine the 26 names that will make up their respective squads for the 2026 World Cup, and Argentina are no exception. Facing a surplus of options, head coach Lionel Scaloni has warned his players that performance will be the deciding factor when it comes to making the final cut.

FIFA has confirmed that national teams must submit a preliminary list of up to 55 players by May 11, followed by the final 26-man roster by May 30. While assembling the preliminary list has not been the issue, Scaloni is facing the tougher task of trimming 29 players from one submission to the next with the World Cup now fewer than 80 days away.

When asked about the roster situation at Monday’s press conference, Scaloni offered a candid assessment: “We have already submitted the 55-man list to the AFA, which they will then have to pass on to FIFA. As for the final 26, in terms of percentages, we are over the limit. We’ll have to start cutting players based on performance.“

Reports have recently emerged suggesting Scaloni has 21 of the 26 spots already decided, with Lionel Messi leading the group. While the coach has not officially confirmed a single name, not even his captain, it is those final five spots that are proving most difficult to settle.

Scaloni also acknowledged that the narrow 2-1 win over Mauritania could factor into his thinking as he works toward the final roster. “There’s no other way, and the match the other day might have been a warning sign, or just a one-off. But these are things that, as a coach, you take note of. The final decision will be made at the end,” he added.

“What matters most is the team. We will think about the good of the team, and based on that, we will make decisions. I have the list fairly clear in my head, but if performances aren’t up to par, we will take action,” Scaloni added, sending a clear message that no player’s place is safe and that a dip in form between now and May could cost them their spot in the final squad.

Argentina and one last test against Zambia

Following the disappointing showing against Mauritania, Scaloni has confirmed that Lionel Messi will start Tuesday’s friendly against Zambia. While the match represents a chance for Argentina to bounce back and send the home fans off on a positive note, it will also serve as a final audition for players fighting to secure their place in the World Cup squad.

When asked about his plans for the Zambia game, Scaloni made clear he intends to go with a full-strength lineup: “Most of the boys we know well will play tomorrow. I think it’s the final test, and regardless of how the match goes, as the minutes pass, we’ll make changes and look at more of the boys again. The idea is to field a more familiar team—the one everyone is used to seeing—and see how things turn out.“

After a disappointing performance against Mauritania, Argentina head coach Lionel Scaloni confirmed that Lionel Messi will be starting in the game against Zambia next Tuesday.

Lionel Messi came off the bench against Mauritania in a decision that raised questions about the star’s fitness management. Following a disappointing performance in the narrow 2-1 win last Friday, head coach Lionel Scaloni has confirmed that the Argentine icon will start the upcoming friendly against Zambia.

At Monday’s press conference, Scaloni addressed the media in the aftermath of the Mauritania friendly, with his focus already shifting to the clash against Zambia. When asked specifically about Messi, the Albiceleste head coach confirmed that the Inter Miami star will be in the starting lineup.

Scaloni was also asked about his thinking behind the second-half substitutions, offering some clarity on his reasoning: “Regarding the changes, I wanted to give Julian (Alvarez) a bit of a rest. Nico González was coming off an injury as well, so we felt it was best to rest him and give an opportunity to other boys.

“Our idea is always to play with two forwards. It wasn’t necessarily something we wanted to do (the substitutions), but that was the plan,” Scaloni added. Messi entered the game in the second half in place of Nico Paz, alongside Rodrigo De Paul, who replaced Nico Gonzalez, and Franco Mastantuono, who came on for Julian Alvarez. The No. 10 struggled to make an impact in a second half in which Argentina failed to register a single shot on target.

Argentina now turn their attention to Tuesday’s clash against Zambia, ranked 91st by FIFA, once again at the Bombonera on March 31. With the Mauritania result leaving a sour taste among fans, Scaloni is ready to go all-out against Zambia, with Messi leading the charge from the start.

Scaloni looks to raise the bar after Mauritania performance

Even without Messi in the starting lineup, Scaloni fielded a team close to his preferred XI against Mauritania, with Marcos Senesi stepping in for the injured Lisandro Martinez and Nico Paz taking on a creative role in the system. The first half was encouraging, with Argentina dominating possession and goals from Enzo Fernandez in the 17th minute and Paz in the 32nd giving the Albiceleste a comfortable cushion.

The second half, however, was a different story, with Argentina’s level dropping off sharply. Emiliano Martinez was called into action three times as Mauritania registered eight shots to Argentina’s one, which was Messi’s blocked attempt. A Lefort goal in the 90th-plus minute made it 2-1 and set up a nervy finish, with the performance drawing widespread criticism and prompting even Martinez himself to offer a self-assessment.

When asked how the players responded to the display, Scaloni said: “It’s a good sign that they believe the match wasn’t good. It’s a sign that the team always competes and that, whether they play well or poorly, they always give the impression of being a cohesive unit—and that was what we failed to do the other day. Besides playing well, these players are intelligent. When that doesn’t happen, they realize it.“

The Argentina boss made clear his hope that the Mauritania display was an isolated episode rather than a cause for deeper concern. “From there, you correct things and move on to a next match that we believe is a good opportunity to get back to where we belong and to evaluate, for the sake of the fans, if it was truly just one match or a symptom of the moment. We hope it was just that one game and that the team shows the face we all know,” he concluded.

After being reelected, president Joan Laporta said that Lionel Messi's departure from FC Barcelona ended up being "the right decision."

Lionel Messi‘s controversial departure from FC Barcelona resurfaced as one of the most talked-about topics in Spain during the presidential elections in which Joan Laporta was comfortably returned to power. Now set to begin his third term at the helm of the club, Laporta addressed the subject once again, this time asserting that Messi’s exit was ultimately “the right decision.”

Ahead of the vote, former coach Xavi Hernandez sent shockwaves through the Barcelona world by claiming that Laporta bore primary responsibility not only for his own departure but also for the failure to bring Messi back in 2023. Despite the controversy, Laporta won convincingly on March 15 with 68.8% of the vote.

In an interview with El Pais, Laporta was asked whether Messi’s abrupt departure would leave a mark on his legacy, and the Barcelona president was direct: “It is something I will always carry with me. I also like to think that it was with me as president that we put Leo in the first team. And for many years, he was the best player in the world with me as president. Later, I had to make a decision, and I believe I got it right.“

Despite the circumstances surrounding Messi’s exit, Laporta argued that subsequent events have vindicated him. “I let the results speak for themselves. We were able to recover the club’s economy, we built a competitive team, and it was time for a generational handover. Leo was at the end of his career, and we had to build a new team. Would I have liked to build the new team with Leo helping? Yes. We tried that, but it wasn’t meant to be,” he concluded.

The backdrop to Messi’s departure was laid bare in 2021 when El Mundo revealed that his final Barcelona contract saw the Argentine legend earn a staggering 555 million euros gross over four years. Faced with that financial burden and unable to comply with Financial Fair Play regulations, Laporta maintained that he “did what he had to do.“

Messi’s silence and a potential tribute at Barcelona

While Xavi, one of Messi’s closest friends and former teammates at Barcelona, chose to make pointed remarks about Laporta, and while Laporta dismissed those claims in turn, the Inter Miami star has stayed out of the dispute entirely. Messi has not made his position public, though reports suggest his relationship with the re-elected Barcelona president remains strained.

Laporta, for his part, has been working to rebuild that relationship, particularly given his close ties to Jorge Messi ahead of the 2021 election. While a return as a player is firmly off the table, the president is pushing for a statue outside Camp Nou and a tribute match in Messi’s honor.

When asked whether the statue proposal could serve as a bridge to reuniting with Messi, Laporta was optimistic: “He is a generational benchmark player: Kubala, Cruyff, and Messi. He must have a statue and also a tribute match. Barca is his home. The relationship of the future and the immediate present will be whatever Leo wants and whatever Barca wants. At some point, our interests will converge again.“

Set to depart from Manchester United after the 2026 World Cup, Casemiro is reportedly getting closer to playing alongside Lionel Messi at Inter Miami rather than with Cristiano Ronaldo at Al Nassr.

Casemiro has emerged as one of the most serious candidates to become Lionel Messi‘s next teammate, with a potential move to Inter Miami gaining momentum. Despite reported interest from Al Nassr in reuniting him with Cristiano Ronaldo, reports suggest the Brazilian midfielder is closer to Fort Lauderdale than Saudi Arabia.

With his contract set to expire at the end of the 2025-26 season, Casemiro announced his decision to leave Manchester United back on January 22. Since then, the Brazilian has been one of the team’s standout performers and among the most consistent midfielders in the Premier League, prompting fans to call for him to trigger a one-year extension clause available in his deal.

However, the midfielder has made his decision to leave Old Trafford final. “I believe the announcement is now done. It is huge, the affection that the fans have shown towards me. But I do really believe the decision is made and done. I am enjoying myself right now. I believe it will be some difficult moments, these final games at Manchester United,” he told The Athletic‘s Adam Crafton on Thursday following Brazil’s 2-1 defeat against France.

Under those circumstances, Fabrizio Romano has reported that Inter Miami are among the leading clubs interested in signing Casemiro. The Herons have already made their move, opening talks with the Brazilian’s representatives and submitting an initial proposal that could bring him to the East Coast alongside Messi.

Romano also noted that interest in Casemiro extends to clubs in Europe and Saudi Arabia, two areas where Inter Miami may struggle to compete financially. Diario Marca has reported that Al Nassr have already made the 34-year-old an offer to pair him with Ronaldo in Saudi Arabia, one that would be significantly more lucrative.

However, Casemiro’s decision does not appear to be purely financial, as the midfielder has been sending signals of his own. Diario AS reports that the Brazilian recently purchased a home in Miami, a clear indication that Inter Miami’s ambitious project holds genuine appeal beyond just the numbers.

Inter Miami’s financial hurdles in pursuing Casemiro

From a squad perspective, Casemiro would be a significant addition to Inter Miami, particularly given the struggles the club has experienced in central midfield this season. Sergio Busquets’ retirement left a major void, and David Ayala, brought in from the Portland Timbers as his replacement, has found it difficult to settle, contributing to the team’s Round of 16 exit in the CONCACAF Champions Cup.

On the financial side, the obstacles are considerable. While Casemiro would arrive as a free agent, sparing Inter Miami any transfer fee as would be the case with a potential Bernardo Silva deal, the club has just $17,361 in available 2026 General Allocation Money, as revealed by MLS in February. With the midfielder commanding a base salary of around $25 million, matching that figure is simply not realistic for the Herons.

With all three Designated Player slots currently occupied by Messi, Rodrigo De Paul and German Berterame, Inter Miami’s options are limited but not entirely closed. The club acquired an international roster slot from the New England Revolution in the last transfer window, though it must be returned if unused by July.

If the Herons can move on enough players to free up funds, and if Casemiro is willing to take a significant pay cut, there remains a path for him to join Lionel Messi for the second half of the 2026 MLS season.

While Al Nassr face more schedule changes, now in the Saudi Pro League, Cristiano Ronaldo has reportedly entered the final stage of his recovery from injury.

Cristiano Ronaldo‘s muscle injury forced him to miss the Portugal national team’s March international window in order to complete his recovery in Saudi Arabia. With Al Nassr also navigating schedule changes in the 2025-26 Saudi Pro League, the Portuguese star is reportedly entering the final stretch of his rehabilitation.

The hamstring injury Ronaldo suffered against Al Fayha on February 28 has kept him off the field for the entire month of March. The forward has missed two club matches and was also passed over for Portugal’s two friendlies, but his return to action is now drawing close.

As reported by Al Nassr reporter Abdulaziz Al-Osaimi, Ronaldo has been reporting to the club’s training facilities regularly. However, the Portuguese star is currently limited to individual sessions rather than full group training alongside his teammates.

Reports have emerged suggesting that team physician Dr. Carlos Miguel has cleared both Ronaldo and Sadio Mane to rejoin group training from Sunday onward. However, Ronaldo has opted to remain cautious and take a measured approach to avoid any risk of a setback.

Ronaldo offered an encouraging update on his recovery two days ago with an Instagram post captioned “On the ball” during a training session. With their respective rehabilitation programs now complete, head coach Jorge Jesus could have both Ronaldo and Mane available for the next match against Al Najma on Friday, April 3.

More schedule changes for Al Nassr

With the March international break now behind them, clubs are set to return to action next week, and Al Nassr are no exception. For Ronaldo, however, his comeback from injury coincides with a notable shift in the team’s fixture schedule.

The Saudi Pro League has confirmed that Al Nassr’s Matchday 29 clash against Al Ettifaq at Al Awwal Park has been moved to Wednesday, April 15, nine days earlier than its original date of Friday, April 24. As a result, the team will now face Al Najma on April 3, Al Okhdood on April 11 and Al Ettifaq on April 15 in a compressed run of fixtures.

The reshuffle also overlaps with what could be Al Nassr’s run to the AFC Champions League Two semifinals. The club is set to face Al Wasl on April 19 at Zabeel Stadium in Dubai in the single-leg quarterfinals, a format that has already drawn displeasure from the Saudi side, and the semifinals are scheduled to fall just one or two days before the original Al Ettifaq date, making it effectively impossible to fulfill both commitments under the previous schedule.

Moving the Al Ettifaq match to April 15 eases some of the congestion, but Jorge Jesus still faces a significant decision with only three days of rest before the Al Wasl quarterfinal, namely whether to prioritize the Saudi Pro League title race or manage his squad with an eye on the Champions League Two.

With France set to face Colombia, Kylian Mbappe and Ousmane Dembele's absence in the starting lineup raised some doubts among fans.

France and Colombia meet in one of the most compelling matchups of the March international window on Sunday at Northwest Stadium in Landover, Maryland. However, when the starting lineups were released, both Kylian Mbappe and Ousmane Dembele were notably absent from the France XI.

Neither Mbappe nor Dembele will start against Colombia, with head coach Didier Deschamps opting for a heavy rotation following the win over Brazil. The French manager has taken a completely different approach for the clash against Los Cafeteros, making wholesale changes throughout the lineup.

In fact, compared to Thursday’s starting XI against Brazil, not a single player has retained their spot for the Colombia match, including goalkeeper Mike Maignan, who has been replaced between the posts by Brice Samba.

Against Brazil, Dembele’s involvement was limited to 58 minutes before Deschamps brought on Maxence Lacroix following Dayot Upamecano’s red card. Mbappe, who opened the scoring in that match, was substituted in the 66th minute, with Marcus Thuram coming on to take his place up front.

Nos 1️⃣1️⃣ Bleus pour débuter face à la Colombie 🇨🇴✊

Coup d’envoi à 21h sur TF1 📺#FRACOL pic.twitter.com/arcK8VSop9

— Equipe de France ⭐⭐ (@equipedefrance) March 29, 2026

Colombia head coach Nestor Lorenzo has taken the opposite approach, naming a full-strength side that includes James Rodriguez, Luis Diaz and others from the start. With a bench that still includes Mbappe and Dembele, however, Deschamps retains the element of surprise should he need to call on his biggest names.

Mbappe closes in on France’s all-time top goalscoring record

Having long since left Thierry Henry in his rearview mirror, Kylian Mbappe is now on the verge of becoming France’s all-time leading scorer. His chipped goal against Brazil last Thursday brought his tally to 56, leaving him just one shy of the record.

That record belongs to Olivier Giroud, who scored 57 goals in 137 appearances. Mbappe sits one behind with 95 caps to his name, and should he find the net against Colombia, he will become France’s all-time top scorer with the World Cup just around the corner.

Amid the scrutiny he's received over his preparation for the 2026 World Cup, Kylian Mbappe addressed the situation by mentioning Cristiano Ronaldo.

Kylian Mbappe has become a focal point of conversation given the ongoing doubts surrounding his fitness, with Real Madrid fans growing increasingly concerned about his readiness for the 2026 World Cup. Amid the scrutiny, the French striker invoked the name of Cristiano Ronaldo to address the situation.

Currently in the United States with the France national team, Mbappe found himself at the center of reports about his knee injury, with the player himself having to push back against claims of a misdiagnosis by Real Madrid’s medical staff. With the World Cup now fewer than 80 days away, speculation has also grown among fans that Mbappe might prioritize his fitness for the tournament over his club commitments with Los Blancos.

Speaking from France’s training camp, Mbappe made his commitment to Real Madrid clear in an interview with Telefoot: “In Spain, they are a bit worried about that—that I might not play… and that I’ll head straight to the World Cup. The best way to prepare is to win everything beforehand with Madrid.“

The French star went on to address how the passionate nature of the Real Madrid fanbase can amplify concern beyond what might otherwise be warranted. “The people are very passionate. For them, Real Madrid is a religion. Everything to do with the club and with me creates a combination that makes everyone talk and speculate. Sometimes with reason, sometimes without it.”

Mbappe then invoked some of the club’s all-time greats to put his own situation in perspective: “At Real Madrid, they have criticized everyone—Cristiano Ronaldo, Di Stefano… I don’t see why I should escape that kind of criticism. You have to deal with the critics. Stay calm, focus on the work, and have the confidence to believe that you can improve the situation on the pitch.“

Even Cristiano Ronaldo faced scrutiny

Despite his recent knee injury, Mbappe remains Real Madrid’s standout performer this season in front of goal. Through 35 appearances across all competitions in the 2025-26 campaign, he leads both the La Liga and UEFA Champions League scoring charts with 38 goals and six assists.

That status was once synonymous with Cristiano Ronaldo, who shattered records at Real Madrid as a goalscorer during his peak years at the club. Yet even as the team was winning back-to-back Champions League titles, the Portuguese star was not immune to criticism from the stands.

One of the most memorable episodes came in April when Real Madrid eliminated Bayern Munich, and despite Ronaldo scoring a hat-trick, he was still met with whistles from sections of the crowd. “I don’t tell them to be quiet, never, I only ask them not to whistle because I always give my best in every game. Even if I don’t score goals, I try to work hard to help Real Madrid,” he said after a Champions League quarterfinal.

Time for Mbappe to knock Bayern Munich out

Now facing a situation not unlike the one Ronaldo navigated, Mbappe is expected to be the decisive figure if Real Madrid are to go deep in the Champions League. Los Blancos face Bayern Munich in the quarterfinals over the first two weeks of April, and the Frenchman has made clear he is confident about getting past one of the competition’s most in-form sides.

“We are still involved in the two remaining competitions, La Liga and the Champions League. We are going to play against Bayern, who I believe are the most in-form team in Europe right now. But if there is one team that can beat that kind of side, it’s Real Madrid,” he said, sending a message of confidence to the club’s supporters.

Argentina and Mauritania are clashing on Friday, in one of the last Lionel Messi games with the national team prior to the beginning of the 2026 World Cup.

Argentina will host Mauritania on Friday, March 27, in an international friendly at the Bombonera. With fans eager to see Lionel Messi in action, the match represents one of the Albiceleste’s last tune-ups before the 2026 World Cup gets underway.

Argentina head into the game after seeing their original plans for the March window fall apart. Friday was supposed to be the date of the Finalissima against Spain, but the match was ultimately canceled due to the conflict in the Middle East and the two federations’ inability to reach a scheduling agreement.

Mauritania now represents an opportunity for the Argentine Football Association to avoid another gap in their World Cup preparation and get some meaningful work in. Messi and company had already been dealt a setback in November, when they were limited to a single friendly, a 2-0 win over Angola on the road.

On the other side, Mauritania, currently ranked 115th in the FIFA standings, arrive having failed to qualify for the Arab Cup after a 2-0 defeat against Kuwait in November. The nation also took part in CAF World Cup qualifying, finishing fifth in Group B in 2025 with one win, four draws and five defeats in 10 matches, in a group topped by Senegal.

Scaloni on Argentina’s opponents and the Finalissima

With the Finalissima off the table, the Argentine Football Association pivoted to arranging home friendlies in March so that fans could bid farewell to Messi and the national team before the World Cup. However, the late addition of Mauritania and Zambia as opponents has renewed questions about the level of competition the Albiceleste has been tested against in recent months.

When asked Thursday about why Argentina has not been facing higher-caliber opponents, Scaloni was direct: “November was the only window in which we could have played against a European side. Before that, they were tied up in the Nations League, and now the suspension happened. People can say whatever they want, but that is the reality. There are 60 people traveling; it’s not as easy as it seems to relocate at the last minute after a cancellation like the one we just had. Playing against the best doesn’t guarantee you anything,” the coach said.

Confirmed lineups for Argentina and Mauritania

Argentina’s confirmed lineup (4-4-2): Emiliano Martinez; Nahuel Molina, Cristian Romero, Marcos Senesi, Marcos Acuña; Nico Paz, Enzo Fernandez, Alexis Mac Allister, Nicolas Gonzalez; Thiago Almada, Julián Alvarez.
Head coach: Lionel Scaloni.

Mauritania’s confirmed lineup (4-3-3): Babacar Diop; Ibrahima Keita, Lamine Ba, Jordan Lefort, Aly Abeid; Maata Magassa, Oumar Ngom, Beyatt Lekoueiry; Aboubakary Koita, Mamadou Diallo, Djeidi Gassama.
Head coach: Aritz Lopez Garai.

FC Barcelona have confirmed that Raphinha suffered a hamstring injury in the game against France, a news that could end up jeopardizing his dream of performing in the 2026 World Cup with Brazil.

FC Barcelona have confirmed that Raphinha sustained an injury during Thursday’s international friendly against France at Gillette Stadium. With the latest update now official, questions have emerged over how this setback could affect the Brazil national team’s preparations, especially with the 2026 World Cup less than three months away.

Brazil fell 2-1 to France in a match where Kylian Mbappe scored the opener, with Raphinha among the starters for coach Carlo Ancelotti. The Barcelona winger was the first substitution of the second half, immediately raising questions over whether it was a tactical call by the Italian manager or a sign that something was wrong physically.

On Friday, Barcelona released a statement confirming that Raphinha has suffered a right hamstring injury. The diagnosis was carried out by the Brazilian Football Confederation (CBF) following the discomfort he experienced during the France match, and the results confirmed the worst fears.

As confirmed by the Spanish club, Raphinha is returning to Barcelona to begin the appropriate treatment, with the estimated recovery period set at five weeks, ruling him out for the remainder of March and all of April.

Raphinha set to miss several key games

The timing of Raphinha’s injury could not be worse, for either Brazil or Barcelona. With a five-week recovery timeline, the winger will be sidelined until at least May 1, missing up to seven matches, with that number potentially rising if Barcelona continue their run in the UEFA Champions League.

Among the games he will sit out is Brazil’s upcoming friendly against Croatia, but it is Barcelona who face the steeper consequences. Raphinha will miss the upcoming La Liga fixtures and the Champions League quarterfinals against Atletico Madrid, and will also be short of match fitness for the El Clasico at Camp Nou scheduled for May 10.

This outlook assumes Raphinha does not suffer any additional setbacks during his recovery. Throughout the 2025-26 season, the Brazil star has already missed 13 games through injury, the majority of them coming between September and November due to a muscle injury in his right thigh.

With Ancelotti reportedly planning to submit his final World Cup squad list around May 17, Raphinha will have precious little time to prove his fitness before the deadline. Given that the Italian manager has consistently cited full fitness as a prerequisite for national team selection, pointing to it as a key reason for Neymar’s omissions, this injury to the same area as his previous one could put one of Brazil’s most important players in a very precarious position heading into the tournament.

Set to face Mauritania on Friday, Argentina star Lionel Messi is starting the game on the subs bench.

Argentina will host a friendly against Mauritania at the Bombonera on Friday, March 27, as part of the March international window. With the 2026 World Cup now just weeks away, questions have emerged over whether Lionel Messi will feature in the starting lineup.

Lionel Messi will not be starting against Mauritania. While the specific reasons for his omission from the first XI have not been disclosed, load management is believed to be the primary factor, with the coaching staff keen to avoid exposing him to unnecessary physical strain.

Even without Messi in the starting lineup, fans will not have to wait long to see him in action. Head coach Lionel Scaloni has already confirmed that the Inter Miami star will feature in both Friday’s game against Mauritania and Tuesday’s match against Zambia.

“Leo is going to play. I don’t know if he’ll start in this match or the other, but he will be in both. As a bonus, for Argentines to have Messi for two more matches, when we thought he wouldn’t play anymore, it’s a beautiful opportunity for everyone to see and enjoy,” Scaloni said when asked about the Argentina captain at Thursday’s press conference.

In holding Messi back from the start, Scaloni also indicated that the coaching staff plans to field “a mix of boys we want to see” in order to “recover certain performance levels.” With several Argentina regulars having struggled for form at their respective clubs of late, the Albiceleste boss is looking for a noticeable upturn in the coming days.

Scaloni eager to see Messi at the World Cup

At 35 years old, Messi captained Argentina to the World Cup title in Qatar in 2022. There were serious doubts at the time about whether the Inter Miami star would even be available for the upcoming tournament in the United States, Canada and Mexico, and while his participation now appears closer to being confirmed, Messi has yet to make an official announcement.

When asked about the matter on Thursday, Scaloni was careful not to speak on Messi’s behalf but made clear his desire to have him involved: “That is more of a question for him. For my part, you already know what I think. I will do everything possible to ensure he’s there. I believe that, for the good of football, he has to be there. It will be up to him, his state of mind, his physical condition. It’s difficult.“

The coach then spoke to the broader excitement Messi generates among fans worldwide. “It’s not just the Argentines who want to see him. Everyone wants to see him. When he’s there, if he’s fit to play the whole match, he is the one who decides. He has earned the right to decide calmly. We are in no rush for that. Whatever he decides will be what’s best for both the team and for him,” Scaloni concluded.

FIFA has confirmed the rule changes for the 2026 World Cup, including VAR expansion and new time management measures.

FIFA has been working on significant rule changes to be applied throughout the 2026 World Cup. With fewer than 90 days to go before the tournament kicks off in North America, the governing body has now announced the modifications set to be implemented, with VAR expansion and new time management measures headlining the list.

The International Football Association Board (IFAB)has spent recent months working on the approval of several adjustments to the laws of the game, designed to address recurring issues and clarify common match situations.

With the details now finalized, FIFA’s plan is to roll out the new rules starting next season, with key changes set to be introduced at the World Cup following pilot tests across several competitions, including the Arab Cup and the U-20 World Cup.

New rules in the World Cup

10-second maximum per substitution

One of the key changes involves the time a player has to exit the field when being substituted and the consequences for non-compliance. The substituted player will now have a maximum of 10 seconds to leave the field, and if that window is not met, rather than the offending player being shown a yellow card, their replacement must wait one minute before entering the pitch, temporarily leaving the team a man short.

Countdown for game restarts

One of the most common time-wasting tactics involves teams, typically those protecting a lead, taking their time to restart play from throw-ins and goal kicks. Under the new rules, a five-second countdown will be applied to both situations at the 2026 World Cup, with any team exceeding the time limit conceding possession.

Players receiving medical attention must temporarily leave the field

Another common tactic used to slow the tempo of a game involves players going down to receive medical attention on the pitch. Under the new rule, any player treated on the field must leave and wait one minute before returning, with exceptions made when the injury was caused by a foul resulting in a card, or when the player in question is the goalkeeper.

VAR influence expanded

The VAR has become one of the most debated additions to the modern game, particularly in a sport historically resistant to significant rule changes. While the video assistant referee’s scope was previously limited to potential red-card offenses and penalty decisions, its reach will now be extended to cover second yellow cards that result in a red, as well as incorrectly awarded corner kicks.

Only captains permitted to address referees

While this principle has been in place for some time, the rule requiring captains to be the only players authorized to approach and speak with match officials is now being formally enforced with teeth. Any player other than the captain who approaches the referee to contest a decision will now be automatically cautioned with a yellow card.

Kylian Mbappe got on the scoresheet as France edged Brazil 2-1 despite finishing the game with 10 men.

Brazil and France meet in a friendly for the March international window on Thursday, March 26, at Gillette Stadium in Foxborough. In a thrilling finish with Les Bleus reduced to 10 men, Kylian Mbappe led France to a 2-1 victory over the Canarinha.

France were the dominant side in the first half in terms of possession (65%), but struggled to break down a Carlo Ancelotti’s Brazil side sitting deep in a low block. The breakthrough came in the 32nd minute, when Aurelien Tchouameni won the ball in the middle of the pitch, allowing Ousmane Dembele to play a great through ball in behind the defensive line for Mbappe, who chipped Ederson coolly to open the scoring at Gillette Stadium.

Early in the second half, Dayot Upamecano was sent off for bringing down Wesley in the 52nd minute, but France still managed to double their advantage when Michael Olise set up Hugo Ekitike in the 65th minute. Brazil pulled one back through Bremer in the 78th minute after a cross from Luiz Henrique, and Vinicius Junior came agonizingly close to snatching an equalizer in the final play of the game, but Les Bleus held on to claim the win.

France will now travel to Landover, Maryland, to face Colombia in their second friendly of the March window, scheduled for Sunday, March 29, at Northwest Stadium. Brazil, meanwhile, head to Orlando to take on Croatia at Camping World Stadium on Tuesday, March 31.

With Brazil and France clashing on a friendly game this Thursday, questions around Kylian Mbappe's presence in the game start to rise.

Brazil and France meet in one of the most intriguing friendlies of the March international window on Thursday, March 26, at Gillette Stadium in Foxborough, Massachusetts. With both nations considered among the favorites for the 2026 World Cup, attention heading into the clash has centered on the availability of Kylian Mbappe.

As reported by L’Equipe, Mbappe is set to start for France against Brazil. The striker declared himself fully recovered from the knee sprain that had limited his involvement in recent matches for Real Madrid, making him available for Les Bleus head coach Didier Deschamps.

“I am happy to be able to feel good again, to feel my knees, and to enjoy myself,” Mbappe said at Wednesday’s pre-match press conference. The plan is for him to start and then be substituted at some point to manage his workload ahead of the second friendly.

Brazil vs France: a remarkably even all-time record

Despite both nations ranking among the most storied programs in the sport, Brazil and France have not crossed paths in several years. When they have met, however, the results have been about as even as it gets between two heavyweight nations.

Across 15 all-time meetings, both countries have claimed six wins apiece, with three matches ending in draws. In terms of the biggest stage, though, France holds the edge, having beaten Brazil 3-0 in the 1998 World Cup final on home soil.

The most recent meeting between the two sides came over a decade ago, when Brazil claimed a 3-1 victory in March 2015. That result also marked the last time the Canarinha came out on top, while France’s most recent win in this fixture dates back 15 years, leaving the overall record delicately balanced heading into Thursday’s clash.

Projected lineups for Brazil and France

Brazil’s projected lineups (4-2-3-1): Ederson; Wesley, Roger Ibanez, Leo Pereira, Douglas Santos; Andrey Santos, Casemiro; Raphinha, Matheus Cunha, Gabriel Martinelli; Vinicius Junior.
Head coach: Carlo Ancelotti.

France’s projected lineups (4-2-3-1): Mike Maignan; Malo Gusto, Ibrahima Konate, Dayot Upamecano, Theo Hernandez; Aurelien Tchouameni, Adrien Rabiot; Ousmane Dembele, Rayan Cherki, Michael Olise; Kylian Mbappe.
Head coach: Didier Deschamps.

Ahead of the 2026 World Cup, Lionel Messi's Argentina is reportedly working on arranging two more friendlies.

Lionel Messi and Argentina are entering the final stretch of their preparation ahead of their title defense at the 2026 World Cup. As the Albiceleste look to put the finishing touches on their buildup, the Argentine Football Association is reportedly working to arrange two additional friendlies.

Beyond the current March window, national teams will have one final international window available after the official squad lists are submitted, with friendlies to be played in North America in the weeks leading up to the tournament. While most federations have already locked in opponents for that window, Argentina has yet to finalize their plans.

As reported by TNT Sports‘ Maximiliano Grillo, Argentina is currently working on scheduling a friendly against Honduras and another against Serbia. The match against Honduras would be held on June 6 in Texas, while the game against the European side is expected to take place on June 9 in Alabama.

There had been excitement around the possibility of Messi facing Mexico in the June window, but despite the buzz, that matchup never came together officially and eventually fell through. The friendly against Honduras had also been floated as an option during the March international window, but both federations opted to push it back, with June emerging as the more suitable slot.

The lack of high-quality opponents in Argentina’s recent windows has been a talking point over the past several weeks, particularly after the friendlies against Mauritania and Zambia. While Serbia, currently 39th in the FIFA rankings, and Honduras, sitting 65th, are not top-20 nations, the matchups will still provide a meaningful test for Messi and his teammates as the tournament approaches.

Messi and company to play one week before World Cup debut

Following the cancellation of the Finalissima and the trip to Qatar falling through, Argentina had to scramble to put together a schedule for the March window. The June friendlies now take on added importance as a proper preparation window, particularly the match against Serbia, which is expected to fall just one week before Argentina’s World Cup opener.

Argentina’s Group J debut against Algeria is scheduled for June 16 in Kansas City, one week after the anticipated friendly against Serbia. Their remaining group stage matches will follow against Austria on June 22 and Jordan on June 27, meaning the Albiceleste could be playing as many as five matches across the month of June before the knockout stage begins.

While also addressing Vinicius Junior's role in Brazil, Kylian Mbappe candidly stated that he "doesn't see a World Cup without Neymar."

Kylian Mbappe has added his voice to the growing chorus of support for Neymar following the Brazilian’s omission from the March international roster, with the 2026 World Cup now just months away. While weighing in on the debate over Vinicius Junior’s role with Brazil, the French star delivered a candid message, saying he “doesn’t see a World Cup without Neymar.”

Brazil is set to face France on Thursday, March 27, in a match that will serve as one of the last auditions for several players looking to secure a spot in the Canarinha squad for the World Cup. When Carlo Ancelotti announced his roster, Neymar’s omission became one of the most debated topics surrounding the squad, with the Italian manager continuing to field questions about the decision given that the Santos forward still holds captain status with the national team.

In an interview with Globo Esporte, Mbappe was asked whether Brazil is now Vinicius‘ team or whether that distinction still belongs to Neymar, and the Frenchman gave an candid answer: “I think it can belong to both. The truth is that Vini needs to take another step forward with the national team now, but Neymar is Neymar.“

Having played alongside both Brazilian stars, first with Neymar at PSG and now with Vinicius Junior at Real Madrid, Mbappe made clear he is firmly in the Santos forward’s corner when it comes to the World Cup. “Neymar is a great player; the World Cup is the competition of the stars, all the stars are here, and in my book, Neymar is one of the biggest stars,” he stated.

“I don’t see a World Cup without Neymar, but in the end, I can’t go against my former coach, Ancelotti. Ultimately, you have to respect his decision, but for me, Neymar is a player who makes a huge difference,” Mbappe said. Ancelotti has consistently cited fitness as the primary reason for Neymar’s exclusion, not only for March but across recent call-up cycles, yet the Real Madrid star clearly believes the Brazilian still has a major role to play.

“I’ve played with him; I’ve learned a lot from him. We’ll see how he is doing too, but I know Neymar, he’s going to prepare for the World Cup and he’s going to be there. I know him,” Mbappe added, offering a confident endorsement of Neymar’s chances of making Brazil’s final roster.

Neymar reportedly starts workload plan for World Cup

FIFA has confirmed that national teams have until May 30 to submit their final World Cup rosters, with Carlo Ancelotti reportedly planning to announce his list on May 18. With that deadline set, Neymar is said to be working urgently toward full fitness in order to be part of the final 26-man squad.

According to Globo Esporte‘s Murilo Tauro, Neymar and his team have put together a plan to protect the meniscus he underwent surgery on in December, built around personalized training sessions, a strict cap on match appearances and the avoidance of long-distance travel.

A key element of the plan is that, out of the 14 Santos matches scheduled before May 18, Neymar intends to feature in roughly half of them to manage his workload while maintaining enough match sharpness to make his case. Perhaps most strikingly, the report states that if Neymar is left off the final roster, he would stop playing for Santos for the remainder of the club season, a development that would send shockwaves through the soccer world.

Legend Pedro Pauleta backed Cristiano Ronaldo's starting role at Portugal national team for the 2026 World Cup.

Cristiano Ronaldo has defied expectations, and at 41 years old, the striker remains a key figure in Roberto Martinez’s Portugal setup. Set to feature in yet another World Cup in 2026, Selecao legend Pedro Pauleta has come out in support of Ronaldo, calling for him to be a starter for the national team.

Due to his recent injury with Al Nassr, Ronaldo is the most notable absentee from the Portugal squad for the upcoming friendlies against Mexico and the United States, a group that will also be without Ruben Dias and Bernardo Silva. Even so, his standing within the team is not in question, either for head coach Roberto Martinez or, as made clear this week, for one of the country’s greatest legends.

In an interview with A Bola’s 90+3 program, Pauleta, Portugal’s historic all-time leading scorer before Ronaldo, was asked about Ronaldo’s role at the 2026 World Cup and left no room for ambiguity: “Cristiano Ronaldo, from the moment he joined the national team squad, he should be a starter. We know he can decide any match at any moment.“

Far from showing any sign of decline, Ronaldo leads the scoring charts under Roberto Martinez with 25 goals in 36 matches as Portugal head coach. “And we know he will continue scoring goals as long as he plays football, and he will always keep scoring,” Pauleta added.

Pauleta’s endorsement comes at a meaningful time, given that Ronaldo’s role at the last World Cup was not without controversy. The striker was dropped to the bench for both the Round of 16 against Switzerland and the quarterfinal against Morocco, where Portugal were eliminated, leaving the enduring image of Ronaldo walking off the pitch in tears in what many assumed would be his final World Cup appearance.

“The most important thing is that the group is united: the players and the entire structure,” Pauleta said in closing, reflecting on what it will take for Portugal to go deep in 2026. With Ronaldo as the top scorer of the Martinez era and the team coming off a UEFA Nations League title won against Spain last year, the conditions appear in place for the striker to finally get his hands on the one major trophy that has eluded him.

Pauleta’s reaction when Ronaldo broke his goal record

Making his international debut in 1997, Pauleta carved out a lasting legacy with the Portugal national team, most notably helping the Selecao finish fourth at the 2006 World Cup, and retired as the country’s all-time leading scorer with 47 goals. However, his final years with the national team overlapped with Ronaldo’s earliest appearances, and it was only a matter of time before the younger man surpassed him.

On March 5, 2014, in a friendly against Cameroon ahead of the Brazil World Cup, Ronaldo found the net in the 21st minute to move past Pauleta’s record of 47 goals. Fast forward to today, and that tally now stands at 143 goals in 226 appearances, making Ronaldo the all-time leading scorer not just for Portugal but across all international football.

Pauleta recalled the moment warmly: “I was coming back from an under-21 national team match when he broke the record. I called Ronaldo to congratulate him and laughed a lot with him, because I told him: ‘As you can see, you’ve broken the toughest record of your career.‘ Then he laughed, he knew he had broken all the records, so it was just a joke for him.“

With less than 90 days to go for the beginning of the competition, FIFA has announced the deadlines for national teams to submit their preliminary and final 26-player squad lists for the 2026 World Cup.

FIFA has been finalizing details for the 2026 World Cup in recent days, this time addressing how national teams will be required to submit their respective squads for the tournament. While reaffirming that the final roster will consist of 26 players, the governing body confirmed the deadlines for both the preliminary and final submissions.

First, national teams will be required to submit a preliminary list of up to 55 players by May 11. The expanded size of that list is intended to give coaching staffs a wide pool to draw from, accounting for potential injuries, dips in form or last-minute changes within the squad as the season winds down.

From that preliminary list, up to 29 names will then be cut, with the final 26-player roster due on May 30. Those are the players who will travel to North America to represent their respective nations throughout the tournament.

That gives coaching staffs just under three weeks between the preliminary and final submissions to make their last adjustments, factoring in player fitness and form heading into the competition. It is worth noting that most domestic leagues will have concluded by that point, with the one major exception being the 2025-26 UEFA Champions League final, which is scheduled to be played in Budapest on that same date, May 30.

The World Cup will kick off with the opening match between Mexico and South Africa on June 11. In the roughly two weeks between the final roster deadline and the start of the tournament, most national teams are expected to arrange warm-up friendlies to put the finishing touches on their preparation before beginning their campaigns in North America.

No extended 30-player list for 2026 World Cup

The 2026 World Cup will make history not only as the first edition hosted across three different countries, but also as the first to feature 48 national teams. That expansion from the previous field of 32 has added an extra round to the knockout stage, meaning teams will now need to win eight matches instead of seven to lift soccer’s most coveted trophy.

With the addition of a Round of 32 and more games to be played, many federations had anticipated that squad sizes would be expanded further, as happened ahead of Qatar 2022 when rosters grew from 23 to 26 players, with some expecting a further increase to 30 for 2026. However, with this announcement, FIFA has stood firm on the position it first laid out in December 2025, confirming that squads will remain capped at 26 players.

Lionel Messi reportedly tops a list of 21 players already confirmed in Lionel Scaloni's Argentina squad for the 2026 World Cup.

Lionel Messi will be the face of Argentina‘s 2026 World Cup campaign in North America, with the tournament expected to be the final major competition of his career. With the March international friendlies serving as one of the last tests before the roster is set, reports have emerged claiming that Messi headlines a group of 21 players already locked into head coach Lionel Scaloni‘s plans.

Argentina will face Mauritania on Friday, March 27, and Zambia on Tuesday, March 31, in what will be among the final opportunities for players on the bubble to make their case for a World Cup spot. Scaloni has repeatedly stated that only Lionel Messi has his place guaranteed, while the remaining 25 spots are still up for grabs.

However, as reported by ESPN Argentina, Scaloni already has 21 names locked in for the Albiceleste’s World Cup squad. While Messi leads the list, the core group also includes several key members of the side that lifted the trophy in Qatar in 2022.

The matches against the two African nations will not be the only factor in the final decisions, as players will also have the opportunity to impress Scaloni during the training camp on home soil. Depending on how individuals adapt to the tactical setup and build chemistry with their teammates, just five spots remain open ahead of the official roster announcement in May.

Argentina’s 21 confirmed list

The 21 names reportedly locked in by Scaloni, organized by position and team, are the following:

• Goalkeepers: Emiliano “Dibu” Martínez (Aston Villa), Geronimo Rulli (O. Marseille), and Juan Musso (Atletico Madrid).
• Defenders: Nahuel Molina (Atletico Madrid), Gonzalo Montiel (River Plate), Nicolas Tagliafico (O. Lyon), Cristian Romero (Tottenham Hotspur), Nicolas Otamendi (Benfica), and Lisandro Martinez (Manchester United)
• Midfielders: Rodrigo De Paul (Inter Miami), Enzo Fernandez (Chelsea), Alexis Mac Allister (Liverpool), Leandro Paredes (Boca Juniors), Exequiel Palacios (Bayer Leverkusen), Giuliano Simeone (Atletico Madrid), Thiago Almada (Atletico Madrid), Nico Paz (Como), and Nicolas Gonzalez (Atletico Madrid).
• Forwards: Lionel Messi (Inter Miami), Julian Alvarez (Atletico Madrid), and Lautaro Martinez (Inter Milan).

Who is battling for a place in Argentina’s squad?

Compared to the squad that won the 2022 World Cup, Argentina still appear to need one left back, one left-footed center back, one midfielder and one additional forward, with a fifth slot remaining flexible depending on squad needs. For the left back position, the race appears open among World Cup winner Marcos Acuna, Gabriel Rojas and Valentin Barco, the latter of whom has also been used in midfield during his time in France.

At center back, Bournemouth’s Marcos Senesi and Olympique Marseille’s Facundo Medina are the primary candidates for the remaining spot, with Medina holding an edge thanks to his versatility. The battle in midfield appears to be between Franco Mastantuono and Benfica’s Gianluca Prestianni, with Mastantuono having lost some ground due to his performances at Real Madrid.

Finally, the third forward spot behind Julian Alvarez and Lautaro Martinez remains wide open. The leading candidates appear to be Palmeiras’ Jose Luis Lopez and RC Strasbourg’s Joaquin Panichelli, who is currently among the top scorers in Ligue 1.

With potential replacements looming on the horizon, reports suggests that Rafael Leao has chances of leaving AC Milan in the upcoming transfer window.

Rafael Leao has been one of AC Milan‘s standout performers in recent years, but his future at the Italian club has reportedly been called into question over the past several days. With a potential replacement already being discussed internally, the Portuguese star’s situation figures to come to a head in the upcoming transfer window.

As reported by Sky Sports‘ Maurizio Compagnoni, there is a real chance Rafael Leao departs AC Milan in the summer transfer window at the end of the 2025-26 season. The uncertainty stems from the fact that both the club and the player have been unable to reach an agreement on a contract extension.

Leao’s current deal runs through June 2028, but with Milan simultaneously working on renewals for stars like Christian Pulisic and Mike Maignan, his situation is one the club is also eager to resolve. Talks have been underway for several months, with the Italian side tabling a proposal that would keep him at the club through 2030 or 2031.

Through 24 appearances in the 2025-26 season, Leao has contributed 10 goals and two assists. Even so, the Portuguese has been operating below his best, in part because head coach Massimiliano Allegri has deployed him in a more central role as a finisher rather than as an orthodox winger, limiting the one-on-one opportunities in which he has traditionally thrived.

As reported by La Gazzetta dello Sport and other Italian outlets, Arsenal and Manchester United have emerged as the clubs most interested in signing Leao. However, his Transfermarkt valuation of 65 million euros, combined with a reported release clause of 150 million euros, represents a significant obstacle to any potential departure.

An Argentine striker as the main candidate

Allegri has typically preferred more physically imposing strikers, in the mold of Santiago Gimenez or Niclas Fullkrug, over quick, dribble-heavy wide forwards in the mold of Leao. That stylistic tension has been one of the factors behind the underperformance of the Leao-Pulisic combination compared to previous seasons, and a new name has now surfaced as Milan’s primary attacking target.

As reported by Sky Sport Italia, Bologna striker Santiago Castro has emerged as the leading candidate to join AC Milan. The Argentine fits Allegri’s preferred profile well, offering not only the traits of a traditional center forward but also the ability to link up play effectively, as evidenced by his team-leading nine goal contributions this season, seven goals and two assists.

Even so, Castro arriving in Milan remains more hypothetical than concrete at this stage, with only reported interest and no contact between the clubs yet. Prizing him away from Bologna would likely cost between 40 and 50 million euros, a sum that Milan are not currently in a position to commit.

Reports have confirmed that Real Madrid examined the wrong knee on Kylian Mbappe, prompting the France star to seek a second medical evaluation in Paris.

Kylian Mbappe‘s knee injury has kept alarm bells ringing at both Real Madrid and the France national team, especially with the World Cup less than three months away. Now, reports have emerged confirming that, prior to his evaluation in Paris, the Spanish club conducted their injury tests on the wrong knee.

The news broke on Tuesday when journalist Daniel Riolo revealed on RMC‘s “After Foot” program that Mbappe had received “a poor diagnosis in Madrid,” leaving the star reportedly frustrated with the club. French specialist Bertrand Sonnery-Cottet, whom Mbappe consulted in Paris, also confirmed that “work had been done poorly in Madrid,” and went on to propose a muscle-strengthening protocol that avoided surgery and has since allowed Mbappe to recover.

When asked about his condition, Mbappe told Diario AS that he was “recovered 100 percent,” while noting that he had received a thorough diagnosis during his time in Paris. The Real Madrid star also addressed the swirl of speculation surrounding his fitness that had led to misinterpretations during a stretch in which he sat out five consecutive games.

The story was later picked up in Spain by Miguel Angel Diaz on Deportes COPE. “Real Madrid, in the initial diagnosis, got the knee wrong. Instead of examining Mbappe’s left knee, they examined the right one,” said the Spanish journalist, corroborating the reports of negligence in the club’s initial assessment.

These reports would also lend credibility to Mbappe’s decision to travel to Paris specifically for treatment, a move that at the time drew significant questions about his commitment to the club.

Real Madrid head coach Alvaro Arbeloa had cited Mbappe’s fitness as the reason he did not start in the derby against Atletico Madrid, but the star has now pushed back on that framing, raising further questions about his physical condition and the apparent breakdown in communication between the parties involved.

Mbappe and France arrive in Boston

While the reports surrounding his knee continue to swirl, Mbappe made clear his excitement about rejoining the France national team for the March international window. Les Bleus have already arrived in Boston and are based at the Four Seasons hotel, which will also serve as their headquarters during the 2026 World Cup.

Set to train at New England Revolution facilities on Wednesday, France will open their two-game tour against Brazil on Thursday, March 26, at Gillette Stadium in Foxborough. Mbappe and company will then travel to Landover, Maryland, to face Colombia at Northwest Stadium on Sunday, March 29, wrapping up a challenging run of matches against two of South America’s top sides.

Despite the rumors linking Bernardo Silva to a move alongside Lionel Messi, Inter Miami will face numerous financial obstacles to pull off the signing.

Bernardo Silva has been strongly linked with a potential move to Inter Miami to play alongside Lionel Messi, with his contract set to expire in June 2026. However, despite the reports connecting him to the MLS club, the Herons will face significant financial hurdles to get the deal done.

As reported by La Gazzetta dello Sport, Inter Miami have identified Bernardo Silva as an attractive target for the second half of the 2026 season. The Portuguese midfielder will not be continuing at Manchester City once his contract expires at the end of the 2025-26 campaign, and with his 32nd birthday arriving in August, his agent Jorge Mendes has reportedly begun working to find his client a new club.

While Mendes is one of the most powerful agents in the game and the draw of playing alongside Lionel Messi is undeniable, Inter Miami will not be the only suitor. Beyond the Herons, Mendes is reportedly fielding interest from Europe and Saudi Arabia, with Juventus, Galatasaray and Benfica, the club where Silva came through as a youth player, all considered concrete options.

Bernardo Silva remains a key figure both for the Portugal national team and at Manchester City, where he serves as captain and wears the armband in every game he starts. With 42 appearances for the Citizens this season, contributing three goals and five assists, he could follow the path of players like Son Heung-min and Rodrigo De Paul by making the move to MLS while still performing at a high European level.

Would Bernardo Silva’s signing be financially viable?

With the CONCACAF Champions Cup as the primary objective for the 2026 season, Inter Miami invested heavily in squad reinforcements, spending over $40 million on several signings, with German Berterame the headline addition at $15 million from Monterrey. Now that the club fell short of even reaching the quarterfinals, the Herons are left chasing MLS glory with limited financial flexibility.

As published by MLS in February, Inter Miami currently have the second-lowest amount of available 2026 General Allocation Money in the league, with just $17,361 remaining. With only the LA Galaxy holding less at zero dollars, pulling off a signing of Bernardo Silva’s caliber will be an enormous challenge.

With his contract expiring on June 30, Inter Miami would not owe Manchester City a transfer fee. However, Silva is currently the second-highest-paid player at City behind Erling Haaland, earning $26.7 million per year ($21.4 million base salary plus $5.3 million in bonuses), a figure well beyond what the Herons could realistically offer.

Now approaching 32, it is unlikely any European club would match that salary either, but Inter Miami’s position is no more favorable. At present, the only realistic path to landing Bernardo Silva would involve the club selling off several current players to free up enough GAM, while also clearing at least one of their Designated Player slots, all of which makes this particular deal look closer to a long shot than a done deal.

Cristiano Ronaldo's Al Nassr and Karim Benzema's Al Hilal face a change of plans in their season schedules as the AFC switches the Champions League knockouts to single-leg games.

Cristiano Ronaldo and Karim Benzema have seen their club schedules disrupted by the ongoing conflict in the Middle East, forcing the AFC to make significant adjustments. Al Nassr, Al Hilal and all clubs still competing in the AFC Champions League Elite, Two and Challenge League will now contest the knockout stages in single-leg ties.

Most of the AFC knockout matches had been scheduled as two-legged affairs in early March. Ronaldo’s Al Nassr were set to face Al Wasl on March 4 and March 11 in the Champions League Two quarterfinals, while Benzema’s Al Hilal were due to meet Al Sadd in the Champions League Elite Round of 16 on March 3 and March 10.

The security situation in the West Region forced the Asian Football Confederation to postpone all affected matches until further notice, with ties involving East Region clubs already settled. In a statement released on Tuesday, March 24, the governing body confirmed that, in order to manage the revised schedule, all remaining club competitions “will now be decided in single-leg ties at centralized venues.“

The measures, however, will not be applied uniformly across all three competitions. In the AFC Champions League Elite, Al Hilal and the remaining clubs will play their Round of 16 matches on April 13 and 14 at King Abdullah Sports City and Prince Abdullah Al Faisal Sports City Stadium in Jeddah, Saudi Arabia, one week before the Finals, which are scheduled to run from April 16 to 25.

For the AFC Champions League Two and AFC Challenge League, both in their 2025-26 editions, the timeline will differ. Currently at the quarterfinal stage, both that round and the semifinals will be decided in single-leg matches on April 19 and 22, though the centralized venues have yet to be confirmed.

A change of venues that could affect both Ronaldo and Benzema

Having topped their respective groups in the first phase, both Al Hilal and Al Nassr had earned the right to host the second legs of their knockout ties at home. The shift in both format and venue could prove costly for both clubs, whose home records in the 2025-26 season had been close to flawless.

In Al Hilal’s case, the club has played 17 home matches at Kingdom Arena across the Saudi Pro League and the AFC Champions League Elite this season. Benzema‘s side has gone unbeaten at home, winning 14 of those games and drawing the other three.

A similar story applies to Ronaldo’s Al Nassr. The club has played 16 matches at Al Awwal Park between the Saudi Pro League and the Champions League Two, posting a near-perfect record of 15 wins and just one defeat, a 2-1 home loss to Al Qasidiya on January 8 in league play.

In Ronaldo’s case, if the centralized venues are also based in Saudi Arabia, it could work in Al Nassr’s favor, as head coach Jorge Jesus has noted that the Portuguese star tends to perform at a higher level on home soil. That said, being denied the chance to close out their respective series in front of their own fans still represents a meaningful disadvantage for both Al Nassr and Al Hilal.

After arriving to Argentina to feature in the March friendlies, Lionel Messi shared a message stating that the World Cup "dream remains intact."

Lionel Messi has arrived in Argentina to take part in the March international window friendlies against Mauritania and Zambia. In a message that ignited excitement for the 2026 World Cup among fans, Messi made clear that the “dream remains intact.“

After scoring a free kick in Inter Miami’s most recent win against NYCFC, Lionel Messi touched down in Argentina on Tuesday morning at Ezeiza International Airport to join the national team. Attention now turns to the upcoming friendlies, first against Mauritania on Friday, March 27, and then against Zambia on Tuesday, March 31.

Upon arriving at Argentina‘s training camp, Messi posted on Instagram in a message that quickly caught the attention of fans. “The dream remains intact. Together again,” wrote the Argentine star, sharing photos from his arrival ahead of what will be the last games on home soil before the 2026 World Cup.

With Monday as the squad’s only rest day, Argentina will hold three training sessions before the first friendly, scheduled for Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday, with head coach Lionel Scaloni set to hold his customary pre-match press conference on that final day.

While facing two African sides ranked 91st and 115th in the FIFA standings will not pose a major test on paper, the international window will give several players a chance to stake their claim for a spot at the 2026 World Cup. For Messi, who is expected to feature in both games, it will also serve as a farewell to the home fans, with questions mounting over whether these could be his final appearances on Argentine soil.

Argentina and a squad that underwent several changes

With Lionel Messi as the focal point of the group, head coach Scaloni used this call-up to fine-tune his options ahead of the 2026 World Cup, naming a 28-man roster with an eye on the final picture. However, a series of key absences and late changes disrupted his original plans.

Lautaro Martinez (Inter Milan), Giovani Lo Celso (Real Betis) and Lisandro Martinez (Manchester United), all important figures for Scaloni, are the most notable absentees due to injury. In response, the head coach expanded the roster from 28 to 30 players by adding Real Madrid’s Franco Mastantuono and RC Strasbourg’s Joaquin Panichelli.

Further disruption came when defenders Leonardo Balerdi and Gonzalo Montiel picked up late injuries, prompting Scaloni to call up Lucas Martinez Quarta and Agustin Giay as replacements.

With the 2026 MLS season already underway, questions are being raised about when Argentina and Inter Miami star Lionel Messi will play his next game.

Lionel Messi is still making history at 38 years old, remaining a cornerstone and captain for both Inter Miami and the Argentina national team. With the 2026 Major League Soccer season now underway, fans are wondering when they’ll see the forward back in action.

Lionel Messi’s next match with Inter Miami is scheduled for Saturday, April 4, with the Herons facing Austin FC in the inauguration game of the Miami Freedom Park, now Nu Stadium. Messi will be heading to the game after scoring a free kick in the 3-2 win against NYCFC at the Yankees Stadium.

As for international duty with Argentina national team, Lionel Messi is set to return to action during the March international window. After a discreet performance by jumping in the second half for the 2-1 win against Mauritania, the forward is expected to feature against Zambia on the 31st at the Bombonera.

The 2026 MLS campaign has only just begun for Messi, who has featured in five official matches so far across all competitions, scoring four times without registering an assist. The opener came against LAFC, who handed Inter Miami a 3-0 defeat in front of a packed crowd at the Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum.

Lionel Messi and the task of defending the World Cup title

The year 2026 will be especially significant for Messi, not only because of Inter Miami’s ambitions but also because he’ll head into the 2026 World Cup aiming to defend the title. The triumph in Qatar in 2022 marked one of the defining peaks of his career, and now in North America he’ll enter another tournament wearing the champions’ badge for the first time.

Drawn into Group J, Argentina will open its campaign against Algeria on Tuesday, June 16, in Kansas City at Arrowhead Stadium. The second match will be against Austria on Monday the 22nd in Arlington at AT&T Stadium, before closing the group stage against Jordan on Saturday the 27th, also in Texas.

The Argentina FA has announced that the national team will base itself in Kansas City during the tournament, though training facilities have yet to be confirmed. Expected to be his final World Cup appearance, Messi will have a chance to add to his record haul with a squad coached by Lionel Scaloni that remains one of the strongest in international soccer after winning the last World Cup and back-to-back Copa América titles.