In a sudden change of plans, the two rivals of Lionel Messi's Argentina prior to the 2026 World Cup have been reportedly revealed.

Lionel Messi is in the final stages of his preparation ahead of Argentina‘s campaign at the 2026 World Cup across the United States, Canada and Mexico. With just two friendlies remaining before the tournament begins, the Inter Miami star is now dealing with a change of opponent.

As announced by AFA, Argentina will face Honduras and Iceland in the two friendlies scheduled for the June international window ahead of the World Cup. The match against Honduras is set for June 6, while the clash against the Icelandic side follows on June 9, leaving Messi and company just one week to regroup before their tournament opener against Algeria on the 16th.

The Honduras fixture had long been floated as a possibility, even during the March window when Argentina ultimately faced Mauritania and Zambia. The Iceland match, however, came as a surprise to fans, not because of the opponent itself, but because Serbia had been widely expected to fill the European slot on the schedule.

In his press conference on March 26 ahead of the Mauritania game, head coach Lionel Scaloni had spoken with confidence about the June plans: “Regarding the June matches, it is my understanding that one of them will be against Serbia. That is my understanding; we requested it, thanks to the fact that (Claudio) Arzeno is on Serbia’s coaching staff, and we were able to speak with him. If the match can be played, I believe one of our opponents will be Serbia.“

A recent L’Équipe report noted that Argentina’s upcoming opponents carry a combined average ranking of 85th in the FIFA standings, reigniting the debate around the quality of the Albiceleste’s warm-up schedule. While none of the three sides have qualified for the upcoming World Cup, Argentina, ranked third in the latest update, will face Honduras, ranked 66th, and Iceland, ranked 75th, with the originally planned Serbia, ranked 39th, now out of the picture.

Messi set for iconic college football venues

While the caliber of the opposition may not generate much excitement, the settings certainly will. Messi and his Argentina teammates are set to play in front of massive crowds at two storied college football stadiums ahead of their World Cup title defense.

The game against Honduras on June 6 will be held at Kyle Field in College Station, Texas, home of the Texas A&M Aggies and one of the largest stadiums in the country with a capacity of 102,733. The venue last hosted a high-profile soccer occasion when Brazil defeated Mexico 3-2 in a friendly that drew an attendance of 85,249, according to ESPN.

The clash against Iceland will then take place at Jordan-Hare Stadium in Auburn, Alabama, home of the Auburn Tigers and another iconic Southeastern Conference venue. With a capacity of 87,451 and the game set to be played on a grass surface, it will mark the first time in the stadium’s 87-year history that a soccer match has been played on its field.

Luis Suarez could end up facing Lamine Yamal’s Spain after leaving the door open for a return to Uruguay national team ahead of the 2026 World Cup.

Luis Suarez had not been part of Uruguay‘s World Cup plans until now, currently 39 years old and winding down his career at Inter Miami. But the veteran striker could yet find himself facing Lamine Yamal‘s Spain after leaving the door open to a surprise return to the Celeste.

Suarez brought his international career to a close in September 2024, playing the full 90 minutes in Uruguay‘s CONMEBOL World Cup qualifier against Paraguay before stepping away. Since then, he has been absent for the Celeste’s last 17 matches, including the remaining qualifying fixtures and the most recent round of friendly games.

In an interview with Uruguayan outlet Diario Ovación, Suarez opened up about what retirement from the national team has felt like: “I’ll be honest with you… It’s a reality that since I retired from the national team… The flame of football has been slowly dying out for me. You maintain the desire, that passion for football through goals, through dreams, and you always dreamed of being in the national team.“

The striker then shed some light on the thinking behind his decision, while also hinting at second thoughts. “I retired from the national team to pave the way for other players and because I thought a time had come when I could no longer be useful to the national team.” But he stopped short of closing the door entirely. “Obviously, the national team is always what you want. Today you start thinking and turning things over in your head, and you are close to the World Cup, and if they need you, what do you do?” he added.

One of the biggest obstacles standing between Suarez and a potential comeback is not his form in front of goal, but his strained relationship with head coach Marcelo Bielsa. Just a month after announcing his international retirement, Suárez publicly took aim at the Argentine manager, claiming that “Bielsa has separated the entire group, even through his way of training.“

Despite that friction, Suárez made his loyalty to Uruguay crystal clear, with the final squad list expected to be submitted in May. “I will never say no to my country; I will absolutely never say no to my country. If they need me, I will never say no to the national team. That is impossible, as long as I keep playing, as long as I remain competitive,” he concluded.

Suarez and Yamal could clash for the first time

Although Suarez was one of Barcelona’s most lethal strikers during his time at the club, he and Lamine Yamal never shared a pitch in the first team. Suarez left Barcelona in 2020 and Atletico Madrid in 2022, while Yamal made his debut in April 2023, by which point the Uruguayan had already returned to South America.

The 2026 World Cup, however, could bring together the past, present and future of FC Barcelona on the same field. Uruguay and Spain have been drawn together in Group H and are set to meet on Friday, June 26, at Estadio Akron, in what figures to be a pivotal match in the group standings, one where both Yamal and a potentially returning Suárez could prove to be the difference-makers.

With Julian Alvarez scoring an incredible free kick, Atletico Madrid secured a 2-0 win against Barcelona in the UEFA Champions League quarterfinals.

FC Barcelona hosted Atletico Madrid on Wednesday, April 8, in the first leg of their 2025-26 UEFA Champions League quarterfinal tie at Spotify Camp Nou. Goals from Julian Alvarez, via a stunning free kick, and Alexander Sorloth gave the visitors a commanding 2-0 away victory.

Barcelona controlled the ball for much of the opening period but struggled to create clear-cut chances against an Atletico side that threatened on the counter on multiple occasions. The game turned on its head in the 42nd minute when, following a long ball from Alvarez, Pau Cubarsi brought down Giuliano Simeone and was initially shown a yellow card, only for a VAR review to prompt referee Istvan Kovacs to upgrade the decision to a red.

Absolute brilliance from Julián Álvarez 😮‍💨🔥 pic.twitter.com/SeyR3AjDrg

— CBS Sports Golazo ⚽️ (@CBSSportsGolazo) April 8, 2026

From that very free kick, Alvarez stepped up and curled a stunning effort into the top right corner to give Atletico the lead just before the break. Despite being reduced to ten men, Barcelona refused to sit back and pressed high in the second half, but Atletico punished them again in the 70th minute when Matteo Ruggeri delivered a fine cross for Sorloth to finish with his left foot and double the advantage.

Lamine Yamal was a constant threat throughout, but Juan Musso produced a series of outstanding saves to preserve the clean sheet. Atletico now hold a significant advantage heading into the second leg at the Riyadh Air Metropolitano next Tuesday, April 14, where Barcelona will need to mount yet another comeback against the same opponents, though this time the task will be even more daunting on the road.

Set to face Atletico Madrid in the UEFA Champions League, Raphinha will be a major absence for FC Barcelona.

Barcelona host Atletico Madrid in a high-stakes first leg of their 2025-26 UEFA Champions League quarterfinal tie at Spotify Camp Nou. While fans will be hoping to see every available star on the pitch, Raphinha‘s absence from the squad has raised questions ahead of the match.

Raphinha will not feature against Atletico Madrid due to injury. The winger suffered a tear in the biceps femoris of his right leg while representing Brazil in their friendly against France during the March international break on the 26th, and has been sidelined ever since.

The timing could hardly be worse for both the player and the club, with Raphinha expected to be out for a minimum of five weeks. Under that recovery timeline, the Brazilian will miss both legs of the Atletico Madrid tie as well as Barcelona’s next four La Liga fixtures.

According to Mundo Deportivo, head coach Hansi Flick is targeting El Clásico on Sunday, May 10, as the date Raphinha could return to action. Should Barcelona maintain their winning form up to that point, a victory over Real Madrid could clinch the 2025-26 La Liga title with three games to spare, making it a significant moment for the winger to make his comeback.

FIFA to reimburse Barcelona

Currently sitting atop the La Liga table with 76 points and still alive in the Champions League, Raphinha’s injury has prompted Barcelona to direct their frustration toward FIFA. As reported by Diario Sport, the governing body will be compensating the club for the duration of his absence.

Re-elected president Joan Laporta aired his grievances with Món Esport over the situation: “In some way, we should demand that FIFA create an international calendar that takes into account the competitions of the most important clubs. It’s true that when one of your best players gets injured in a friendly match between France and Brazil in the United States, it is very frustrating. The problem is the congested fixture list, especially at this point in the season when we are playing for everything. It is exasperating!”

Under FIFA’s established compensation framework, clubs receive a daily payment of 20,548 euros, applicable for a maximum of 365 days and capped at 7.5 million euros per player. With Raphinha projected to miss approximately five weeks, reports indicate Barcelona stand to receive around 143,836 euros in reimbursement.

After the early exit in the Champions Cup, Lionel Messi's Inter Miami suffered a drop of four places in the CONCACAF rankings.

Inter Miami have struggled to live up to the expectations that surrounded them heading into the season, suffering an early setback with an earlier-than-expected elimination from the 2026 CONCACAF Champions Cup. The Herons’ inconsistent run has now cost them in the standings, with Lionel Messi‘s side dropping four places in the CONCACAF club rankings.

Ahead of the start of both the 2026 MLS season and the Champions Cup back in February, CONCACAF published their updated club rankings with Inter Miami sitting third, ahead of every MLS side and trailing only Toluca and Cruz Azul. Two months on, the picture looks considerably different for the Herons.

Cruz Azul has since overtaken Toluca as the top-ranked club in CONCACAF, while Inter Miami have tumbled from third down to seventh in the same two-month span. The Herons have been leapfrogged by Seattle Sounders, LAFC, Club America and Tigres UANL, all of whom have boosted their standing by advancing to the quarterfinals of the current Champions Cup.

Nashville’s series: the biggest blow for Inter Miami

As CONCACAF explains, its rankings are calculated using a weighted system that factors in performances across domestic leagues, national cups, continental tournaments and global competitions. Inter Miami had climbed to third on the strength of their 2025 MLS Cup triumph, but their recent results have steadily eroded that standing.

The most damaging blow came in the CONCACAF Champions Cup, where Messi and company entered directly at the Round of 16 and were promptly knocked out by Nashville SC in a shocking upset. Combined with an inconsistent MLS campaign featuring three wins, two draws and one defeat, the Herons have seen their status as one of the continent’s dominant clubs take a significant hit.

Are Inter Miami relying too much on Messi?

Inter Miami’s slide in the CONCACAF rankings is also a reflection of a broader concern about the team’s overall trajectory, having fallen short in one of their primary objectives for the 2026 season. The issue is not a decline in Messi’s individual level, but rather the extent to which the team has become dependent on him to produce.

Through six MLS games, Inter Miami have scored 11 goals, with Messi leading the way as the team’s top scorer with five. No other player has managed more than one goal, with the rest of the tally spread across six different scorers including Mateo Silvetti, Telasco Segovia, Rodrigo De Paul, Gonzalo Luján, Micael and most recently Luis Suárez, while designated strikers Tadeo Allende and German Berterame have struggled to find the net.

The lack of firepower from the supporting cast is further highlighted by Messi’s own numbers, as the Argentine has yet to register a single assist through five MLS appearances despite posting an expected assists figure of 1.71 on SofaScore and averaging 2.2 key passes per game.

After finishing the 2025 regular season with 81 goals in 34 games, a rate of 2.4 per match, Inter Miami’s current average of 1.8 goals per game is a sign of a team running well below its capabilities, and a problem head coach Javier Mascherano will need to address sooner rather than later.

With his hat-trick against Orlando City, LAFC star Denis Bouanga claimed the fifth MLS Player of the Matchday award in his career, but remains far from legends Lionel Messi and Hani Mukhtar.

Denis Bouanga was one of the standout performers of Matchday 6 in the 2026 MLS season, scoring a hat trick in LAFC‘s dominant 6-0 win over Orlando City. The Gabonese striker claimed his fifth career MLS Player of the Matchday award in the process, though he still has plenty of ground to make up on Inter Miami’s Lionel Messi and Nashville SC’s Hany Mukhtar.

In Saturday’s rout of Orlando, Son Heung-min turned heads by registering four assists in the first half alone, matching one of Messi’s records in the process, though three of those passes set up Bouanga, who made no mistake in front of goal. MLS opted to award the goalscorer over the South Korean as the match’s standout player.

It marked Bouanga’s first Player of the Matchday honor of the 2026 season and the fifth of his MLS career since joining LAFC in 2022. That total places him among the top three active players in the category, trailing only Mukhtar and Messi.

Keeping pace with that duo, however, will be no easy feat. Mukhtar sits second on the all-time active list with eight Player of the Matchday awards since arriving at Nashville SC in 2020.

Topping that list is an even steeper climb. Messi leads all active players with 13 MLS Matchday awards, eight more than Bouanga, having become the first player to claim six across back-to-back seasons in 2024 and 2025. He has already added another in 2026, taking home the Matchday 2 honor, also against Orlando City, a strong sign that his form shows no signs of fading.

Bouanga chasing hat-trick record

Unlike Messi and Mukhtar, who operate more as playmakers, Bouanga has built his MLS reputation on his goal-scoring ability. Saturday’s hat trick pushed his regular-season contributions to 99, with 69 goals and 30 assists in 107 games. Netting all three goals within the first 28 minutes also made it the fourth-fastest hat trick from the opening whistle in MLS history.

One milestone he is firmly chasing is the all-time MLS regular-season hat-trick record. His tally now stands at five, leaving him within striking distance of Josef Martinez’s mark of seven. By contrast, Messi has scored just two MLS hat tricks, both with Inter Miami, with the most recent coming in October 2025 against Nashville.

Sporting CP are hosting the game against a weakened Arsenal side in the UEFA Champions League, son make sure not to miss a single detail of the game with our live blog coverage.

Sporting CP and Arsenal clash on Tuesday, April 8, in the first leg of their 2025-26 UEFA Champions League quarterfinal tie at Estadio Jose Alvalade in Lisbon. Stay with us for every twist and turn as we bring you live minute-by-minute coverage throughout the match.

Sporting arrive in excellent form after pulling off a stunning comeback against Bodo/Glimt in the Round of 16, overturning a 3-0 first-leg deficit with a dominant 5-0 victory in the second leg. Back at Estadio Jose Alvalade, the Leoes will be looking to turn their home into a fortress and set up a favorable position heading into the second leg at the Emirates Stadium.

Arsenal, meanwhile, enter the tie as one of the competition’s favorites on paper but in the midst of a difficult spell. The Gunners have suffered back-to-back defeats, first in the Carabao Cup final against Manchester City and then in an FA Cup elimination at the hands of second-tier Southampton, and will now be looking to reset and refocus with their Champions League hopes very much alive.

With the winning goal against Atletico Madrid, Robert Lewandowski is close to matching a 75-year goalscoring record in La Liga not even Lionel Messi got the chance to challenge.

Robert Lewandowski proved once again that age is just a number, delivering the decisive blow for FC Barcelona in their win over Atletico Madrid despite being 37 years old and operating in a reduced role this season. That late winner has now positioned the Polish striker on the brink of a 75-year-old La Liga goalscoring record that even Lionel Messi was unable to reach during his time at the club.

With head coach Hansi Flick deploying Dani Olmo as a false nine, neither Ferran Torres nor Lewandowski was in the starting lineup against Atletico Madrid. Coming off the bench in the 79th minute with the score level at 1-1, Lewandowski pounced in the 87th minute, turning home a rebound from Juan Musso after a powerful Joao Cancelo strike, to seal a crucial 2-1 victory and inch closer to a remarkable milestone.

According to Diario Sport, that goal against Atletico leaves Lewandowski just one behind the record set by Juan Vazquez, who became La Liga’s top scorer among players aged 37 or older during the 1950-51 season with Celta de Vigo, netting 13 goals. Lewandowski, 75 years on, now sits at 12 La Liga goals for the campaign.

A muscle issue during preseason slowed Lewandowski’s start to the 2025-26 campaign, gradually costing him his place as Barcelona’s undisputed first-choice striker. Still, he opened his La Liga account with a brace against Valencia on Matchday 4 on September 14, and with his birthday falling on August 21, every single one of his 12 league goals this season has been scored as a 37-year-old.

Messi has claimed countless records in La Liga over the years, both as Barcelona‘s all-time top scorer and across the competition’s history. However, his 2021 departure from the Blaugrana at age 34 cut short any chance he had of ever challenging Vazquez’s mark, leaving the record untouched for Lewandowski to now chase.

With 30 La Liga matchdays in the books, Lewandowski still has up to eight games remaining to not only match but surpass the 75-year-old record. Having scored 12 goals in 25 appearances, if he can maintain anywhere near that pace, the Polish legend is well-placed to make history before the season is out.

Lewandowski chasing another record he already shares with Messi

Several factors have chipped away at Lewandowski’s status as an automatic starter, including his contract expiring at the end of the season, the emergence of Ferran Torres and Flick’s tactical flexibility in deploying Marcus Rashford or Dani Olmo in central positions. Yet the veteran continues to prove his value from the bench, where he is now chasing yet another record.

Lewandowski has scored six goals as a substitute in the current season, matching the total Ferran Torres managed last season and equaling Messi‘s own benchmark from the 2012-13 campaign. The outright record belongs to fellow Argentine Juan Antonio Pizzi, who scored eight goals off the bench across the 1996-97 seasons, another milestone well within the Polish striker’s reach before the curtain falls on the campaign.

Ahead of the UEFA Champions League clash against Real Madrid, Bayern Munich legend Lothar Matthaus slammed Vinicius Junior and his constant "complains and whines."

Real Madrid will host Bayern Munich in one of the most anticipated matchups of the 2025-26 UEFA Champions League, with Vinicius Junior among the players drawing the most attention ahead of the tie. However, German legend Lothar Matthaus has taken aim at the Brazilian star in the buildup, calling out what he described as a persistent habit of “complains and whines.”

With the Champions League quarterfinals getting underway this week, Real Madrid vs. Bayern Munich shapes up as a clash that could easily have been a final, pitting a Spanish side that relies heavily on individual brilliance from the likes of Vinicius and Federico Valverde against a Bavarian outfit built on relentless high-intensity soccer. While the Brazilian has the quality to tip the balance in Real Madrid’s favor, Matthaus chose to shine a light on the more controversial side of the winger’s game.

Speaking on Sky Sports Germany, the legend turned pundit did not hold back in his assessment of Vinicius: “He is, of course, a great player, but he provokes incessantly. When someone puts in a proper tackle on him, all he does is complain and whine.“

The 65-year-old also revisited the fallout from the 2024 Ballon d’Or ceremony, where Rodri was named the winner over Vinicius and the entire Real Madrid squad chose to boycott the gala in Paris. “Rodri was chosen and they said: ‘It’s unfair. One of ours should have won. We are boycotting it,’ and you just don’t do that. Out of respect for the opponent, the other teams, and the other players,” he added.

Matthaus wrapped up his comments by suggesting that this pattern of behavior has taken a toll on the club’s standing in the game: “That is how a club that has achieved great things, which has a truly glorious history, loses prestige. I also don’t think Real Madrid‘s behavior in recent years has been correct.”

The timing of Matthaus’s remarks adds an extra layer of tension to an already charged occasion, coming on the heels of the alleged racial abuse Vinicius suffered during the game against Benfica, as well as the Brazilian’s taunting gesture toward Manchester City fans after Rodri’s flag was displayed in the stands last season. With such a prominent German voice weighing in, all eyes will be on Vinicius to let his performance do the talking when the two sides meet.

Vinicius’ strong record against Bayern

Real Madrid and Bayern Munich rank among the most storied clubs in European soccer, with Los Blancos holding a historical edge in their head-to-head record of 13 wins to Bayern’s 11, with four draws across 28 meetings. When Vinicius has been on the pitch, that advantage has been particularly pronounced on the continental stage.

The only Champions League series between the two clubs in which Vinicius featured came in the 2023-24 semifinal. The first leg in Munich ended 2-2, with Vinicius scoring both of Real Madrid’s goals, before Los Blancos edged the return leg 2-1 at the Santiago Bernabeu to advance, a tie in which the Brazilian proved to be the decisive difference-maker against the German giants.

As concern grew in Colombia over his fitness for the 2026 World Cup, Minnesota United issued a positive update on James Rodriguez's health.

James Rodriguez sent alarm bells ringing after the Colombia national team revealed the midfielder had suffered a severe case of dehydration following the March friendlies, with the 2026 World Cup just months away. Several days after the episode, Minnesota United offered an encouraging update on the star’s condition.

Rodriguez had been determined not to miss out on representing his country, captaining Colombia in both friendlies against Croatia and France. However, on March 30, the day after the match against Les Bleus, he was examined and diagnosed with severe dehydration, leading to a hospitalization that the federation described as stemming from a “non-sports-related condition.“

On Monday, April 6, Minnesota issued a statement with welcome news. “James reported to the club’s training facility today, Monday, April 6, and participated in a supervised return-to-activity session. His reintegration into full team training will follow the protocols established by the club’s medical department and will be guided entirely by his clinical progress,” part of the update read.

The medical setback forced Rodriguez to sit out Minnesota’s last match, a 2-1 road win over the LA Galaxy last Saturday, adding to what has already been a stop-start start to the MLS season in which he has managed just 39 minutes across two appearances.

The Monday statement also moved to put to rest speculation that Rodriguez had been suffering from rhabdomyolysis, with the club stating that “medical professionals can unequivocally state there has been no clinical or laboratory evidence of rhabdomyolysis.” Minnesota also called for restraint around speculation regarding the midfielder’s health, confirming that all future updates would come directly through official club channels.

Minnesota’s next fixture is an away match against San Diego FC in the 2026 MLS season on Saturday the 11th. While no specific timeline for his return has been provided, the news of Rodriguez not only being discharged but reporting to the club’s training facility has been welcomed by both the Loons and the Colombian national team, who have serious ambitions heading into the World Cup.

Luis Diaz opens up on James Rodriguez’s episode

The March international window was a difficult one for Colombia, who were beaten 2-1 by Croatia and 3-1 by France in back-to-back results that served as a sobering reality check with fewer than three months until the World Cup begins. But for one of Rodriguez’s teammates, Luis Diaz, something about the captain had seemed off even during the games themselves.

Speaking to ESPN on Monday, the Bayern Munich winger shared what he had observed from Rodriguez during the international window. “I saw him looking a bit unwell after the match. He was feeling poorly after the game; it was like food poisoning, but I don’t have the details. I hope he is doing very well and recovers soon,” Diaz said.

Diaz then spoke to Rodriguez’s dedication to the national team and expressed confidence that the No. 10 would arrive at the World Cup in top form. “He is the captain, and obviously he is going to want to be there, helping the team, keeping us in sync to always try to help as much as possible. He is always available; he is going to want to play every time, whether he is physically well or not. Let’s hope he can get his rest in properly, that he continues to make the most of his situation with his club, that he keeps reaching the level we all want from him, and he will arrive (at the World Cup) in good shape,” he concluded.

Al Nassr is facing a legal dispute with Al Hilal over Abdullah Al-Hamdan, a scenario that could end up affecting Crtistiano Ronaldo's team.

Al Nassr have seen their 2025-26 Saudi Pro League title push complicated by a legal dispute with Al Hilal involving one of their most recent signings, Abdullah Al-Hamdan. With a ruling yet to be handed down, several scenarios could emerge that would have a direct impact on Cristiano Ronaldo and his teammates.

Al-Hamdan joined Al Nassr in February as one of the few notable moves of the 2026 winter transfer window, arriving on a free transfer after terminating his contract following five years at Al Hilal. However, the manner in which the 26-year-old striker departed has not sat well with his former club, which has since decided to pursue legal action over the move.

Al Hilal filed a formal complaint against Al-Hamdan following his move to Al Nassr on February 5. According to Saudi outlet Al Arriyadiyah, the complaint is currently under review by the Professionalism and Player Status Committee of the Saudi Football Federation, meaning a ruling that goes against the player or the club remains a possibility.

The crux of Al Hilal’s complaint is the accusation that Al-Hamdan terminated his contract without “just cause,” with the club characterizing the move as “a clear violation without just cause and a blatant circumvention of the regulations.” At the heart of the dispute is Al-Hamdan’s decision to end his deal unilaterally rather than negotiating a mutual termination with Al Hilal first.

According to the same outlet, Al-Hamdan’s contract with Al Hilal was set to expire on February 6, but the striker notified the club of his unilateral decision to terminate via email. Just two days before the winter transfer window opened, Al Nassr moved quickly to sign him on a free transfer, and he has since featured in 10 games, scoring four goals and adding one assist.

How could Ronaldo’s Al Nassr be affected by the legal dispute?

Because Al Hilal’s complaint was filed specifically against Al-Hamdan, the initial expectation would be that any ruling from the Professionalism and Player Status Committee would fall on the player alone. However, precedents from similar cases suggest that Al Nassr could also find themselves on the wrong end of a decision.

Should the ruling favor Al Hilal, Al-Hamdan could be ordered to pay a significant financial penalty. On the sporting side, he could also face a suspension from official competition, with a maximum ban of six months on the table.

As for Al Nassr, FIFA and Saudi Arabian Football Federation rules stipulate that if Al-Hamdan is unable to cover any financial penalty, the club would be liable to pay it on his behalf. Furthermore, if it is determined that Al Nassr played a role in inducing the player to breach his contract, the club could face a ban on registering new players for up to two consecutive transfer windows.

A relevant precedent dates back to 2022, when Mohamed Kanno, with his contract winding down, appeared set to join Al Nassr before ultimately signing a new deal with Al Hilal. The resulting breach of the agreed arrangement led to Kanno receiving a four-month ban, while Al Hilal were handed a two-window transfer ban and a $7.2 million fine, a case that underscores the very real risk facing Ronaldo’s side if the committee rules against them.

In order to keep the pursuit of the Saudi Pro League, Cristiano Ronaldo has received a key squad boost with Kingsley Coman returning to Al Nassr training sessions.

Cristiano Ronaldo has returned to Al Nassr at the perfect moment to reignite their push for the 2025-26 Saudi Pro League title and end the club’s recent trophy drought. Adding to the positive mood around the squad, star teammate Kingsley Coman has also made his way back to training.

Coman had been sidelined after picking up a muscular issue during a training session in the March international break, forcing him to miss Al Nassr’s last league outing against Al Najma. With Ronaldo netting a brace in a 5-2 victory over the bottom-of-the-table side, the team got the result they needed, and with tougher fixtures on the horizon, Coman’s return could not come at a better time.

After a two-day rest following Friday’s match, Coman rejoined the group for training on Monday. According to Al Riyadiyah, the French winger made a strong impression despite returning from injury and is expected to be in contention for Al Nassr‘s next fixture against Al Okhdood on Saturday, April 11.

With several players unavailable through injury, head coach Jorge Jesus shifted to a 4-4-2 formation rather than his preferred 4-2-3-1, pairing Cristiano Ronaldo with Abdullah Al-Hamdan up front and deploying Sadio Mané and Abdulrahman Ghareeb on the flanks. Coman’s return gives the Portuguese manager a welcome attacking option to rotate back into the mix.

🦁🇫🇷 pic.twitter.com/pvvGJlwrTB

— AlNassr FC (@AlNassrFC_EN) April 6, 2026

Since arriving from Bayern Munich, Coman has wasted no time making himself at home at Al Nassr. Comfortable on either flank but particularly effective on the right, the Frenchman has racked up 10 goals and 11 assists across 32 appearances in all competitions, five of those assists going directly to Ronaldo, cementing his status as one of the forward’s most important partners on the pitch.

Al Nassr still managing key absences

Ronaldo’s return from his month-long hamstring layoff, capped by a brace against Al Najma, and Coman’s comeback have provided a significant lift for the squad. However, with seven games remaining in the Saudi Pro League and Al Nassr sitting at the top of the table, the club is still navigating some important injury concerns.

The most pressing issues are at the back, where both Mohamed Simakan and Iñigo Martínez are causing concern. The French center back was restricted to gym work after featuring against Al Najma, while the former Barcelona defender continues to recover from a hamstring tear sustained before the March international break and has yet to return to team training.

Joao Felix, the squad’s leading contributor with 21 goals and 15 assists, is another significant name on the injury list. Reports indicate that after missing the Al Najma game, he remains in a rehabilitation program, though both he and the other absentees could potentially be fit in time for Saturday’s fixture.

Ahead of the clash against Bayern Munich, head coach Alvaro Arbeloa backed Kylian Mbappe with a bold statement: "He knows what Real Madrid is."

Kylian Mbappe has finally returned to Real Madrid‘s starting lineup, but the team has continued to struggle for consistency even with their star striker back in the fold. Now facing a pivotal test against Bayern Munich in the 2025-26 UEFA Champions League, head coach Alvaro Arbeloa has come out in strong support of the French forward, insisting that “he knows what Real Madrid is.”

For the first time since February 17, Mbappe was back in Madrid‘s starting eleven over the weekend against Mallorca, a match that ended in a stunning 2-1 defeat for Los Blancos. The loss dealt a significant blow to their La Liga title hopes, with Barcelona extending their advantage at the top, and questions quickly emerged about Mbappe’s impact and the shift in playing style compared to when Brahim Diaz had been filling his role.

At Monday’s press conference, Arbeloa was asked about Mbappe’s place in the team ahead of the Bayern tie and did not hesitate to back his man: “It’s clear that Mbappe has different qualities and characteristics than Brahim, and because of that, we have to play in a different way. But I am delighted to have that ‘problem’—to have great players at my disposal, and to have a player like Kylian Mbappe, who joined Real Madrid for matches like tomorrow’s, for knockout ties like this one.“

Arbeloa also expressed full confidence in the player who currently leads the Champions League scoring charts. “I am certain we will see Kylian at his very best, leading the team as he always has, and with great confidence in the rest of the players. In the same way you mention Bellingham, it is a stroke of luck to have everyone available and not have a squad with 10 or 11 injuries, as we’ve had in the past,” he added.

One of the most pointed moments of the press conference came when Arbeloa was asked whether Mbappe had yet to fully grasp what it means to represent Real Madrid, drawing a sharp and direct response. “Mbappe knows perfectly well what Real Madrid is. He dreamt about being a Real Madrid player. I’d like you to ask me again after the Bayern tie,” he said.

Mbappe will also be walking a disciplinary tightrope on Tuesday night. A booking in the first leg at the Santiago Bernabeu would trigger an automatic suspension through yellow card accumulation, ruling him out of the second leg in Germany.

Does Mbappe’s presence affect Real Madrid’s performance?

Despite missing both the second leg against Benfica and the first leg against Manchester City, Mbappe still leads the competition with a remarkable return of 13 goals in just nine games. However, the Mallorca result immediately reignited debate about how Real Madrid’s style and effectiveness shifts depending on whether the Frenchman is in the lineup.

During Mbappe’s limited involvement in recent matches due to a knee sprain, Real Madrid put together five wins, including victories over Manchester City and Atletico Madrid in La Liga, showing impressive levels of both individual quality and tactical cohesion. That run came to an abrupt halt against Mallorca, in the very game that marked Mbappe’s return to the starting lineup.

As Arbeloa confirmed, Brahim Diaz is expected to make way for Mbappe, with the attacking line set to be led by the Frenchman alongside Vinicius Junior. The two are known not only for their exceptional individual qualities but also for their limited defensive output, a trait that raises legitimate concerns against a Bayern Munich side that thrives on building fluidly from the back.

Cristiano Ronaldo has returned from injury and is fit to play for Al Nassr.

Cristiano Ronaldo, even at 41 years old, remains a central figure for both his club, Al Nassr, and the Portugal national team. Still drawing global attention, the key question now is when the legendary striker will take the field again.

Cristiano Ronaldo’s next game with Al Nassr is scheduled for Saturday, April 11, when they’ll be visiting Al Okhdood for Matchday 28 of the 2025-26 Saudi Pro League at Prince Hathloul Stadium. The Portuguese made his return from his hamstring injury in the 5-2 win against Al Najma where he scored a brace.

Regarding the Portugal national team, Cristiano Ronaldo is expected to return during the June international window. Before the World Cup gets underway, the Selecao will play two friendlies on home soil: the first against Chile on June 6 and the second against Nigeria on June 10.

So far this season, the Portuguese icon has scored 24 goals and provided 4 assists in 27 games for Al Nassr, while netting 5 goals in 5 UEFA World Cup qualifiers for Portugal, with his personal account in 967 career goals. With the World Cup set for the USA, Canada, and Mexico at the end of the campaign, Ronaldo will be determined to arrive at what will likely be his final major tournament in top form.

Ronaldo faced long break due to FIFA schedule

After his stunning bicycle-kick goal against Al Khaleej, Cristiano Ronaldo was rested for Al Nassr’s midweek AFC Champions League Two match. But from that point forward, the Portuguese star endured a 24-day gap without competitive action, a result of the upcoming FIFA competition schedule.

From December 1 through 18, Qatar hosted the second edition of the FIFA Arab Cup, with the final between Morocco and Jordan played at Lusail Stadium, the same venue as the 2022 World Cup final.

With several Saudi Pro League players involved, including stars of the Saudi Arabian national team, clubs, including Al Nassr, were unable to meet domestic player requirements, forcing the SPL into a temporary pause during the tournament.

"With a nod to Lionel Messi, Inter Miami co-owner David Beckham claimed that 'dreams really can come true' as the club debuted at Nu Stadium."

Inter Miami finally christened their new home at Miami Freedom Park, now officially known as Nu Stadium, in Saturday night’s MLS match against Austin FC. With a nod to team star Lionel Messi, co-owner David Beckham described the occasion as a “dream come true.”

Messi‘s arrival in 2023 served as a catalyst for Inter Miami’s ambitious plan to move from Chase Stadium to a state-of-the-art new home. Fast-forward to today, and one of the most ambitious projects spearheaded by co-owners Beckham and Jorge Mas has been realized, with the first competitive match at the venue taking place on April 4, 2026.

Before the opening whistle against Austin, Beckham addressed the crowd with an emotional speech: “When I came to America and MLS 20 years ago, my dream was to win championships, help raise the game of soccer that I love so much and to build my own team.“

The England icon then reflected on the journey, the trophies and the transformative presence of Messi. “Thirteen years ago, I announced Miami was my choice. We had no name. We had no fans. We had no stadium. Today, I stand in our new home. We are champions of MLS. We have the best player in the history of the game playing in Miami. Dreams really can come true,” Beckham stated.

Mas also took the microphone ahead of the first game at Nu Stadium, setting the tone for what he hopes will be a trophy-laden era at the new venue: “I think this is a personification of what’s possible. I think it’s an amazing stadium, an amazing environment. And listen, our goal is to lift trophies and win championships, and I think this will be a proper home to do that with our fans.“

Lionel Messi’s words for Nu Stadium

Messi’s presence at the club has been intrinsically tied to the stadium project, as Inter Miami’s commercial revenues and investment grew exponentially following his arrival, making Nu Stadium a far more attainable reality. His contract extension announcement last year was made while Miami Freedom Park was still under construction, a fitting symbol of how closely his future and the club’s ambitions have been aligned.

Speaking on Inter Miami’s official social media channels ahead of the debut, Messi expressed his excitement about the new home: “Honestly, it’s spectacular getting to see the new home, the new stadium turned out incredible, and it’s really special to be able to experience it. We’d been eager to play there, to make our debut, to finally be competing there officially, and now the moment has arrived.“

Guilherme Biro’s goal in the sixth minute had the distinction of being the first ever scored at Nu Stadium, but it was Messi’s header in the 10th minute that gave Inter Miami their first goal at their new home, with Luis Suarez adding another shortly after. With the next home game against the New York Red Bulls on the horizon, Messi will now look to begin writing his legacy at Nu Stadium just as he has done throughout his time with the Herons.

Former England international Jack Wilshere suggested 16-year-old Max Dowman to be called up for the 2026 World Cup, a move that'd put his as one of the youngest to ever be in the competition.

Max Dowman has captured the attention of European soccer over the past year with his sudden emergence in Arsenal’s first team at just 16 years old. With the 2026 World Cup on the horizon, former England international Jack Wilshere has thrown his name into the conversation as a potential squad inclusion, which would make him one of the youngest players ever to appear at the tournament.

Still only 15 at the time, Dowman broke records as the youngest player ever to appear in the UEFA Champions League and the youngest to score in both that competition and the Premier League. While he has yet to earn his first senior England cap, Wilshere believes the teenager is not only the future of the Three Lions, but ready for the present.

In an interview with The Telegraph, Wilshere made a candid case for Dowman’s inclusion: “The only thing I would say is, Spain would take him. That’s what I think. We have this way at times in England of building them up but then protecting them. You get caught in that (place): ‘If he goes what will people say?’ He is definitely good enough. Even if he goes and he doesn’t play that much. Which I think he can. I think he is good enough.”

Wilshere then drew a bold comparison with Lamine Yamal, whose contributions proved decisive in Spain’s run to the Euro 2024 title. “He is going to be there eventually. I understand people saying, ‘Maybe not’. But I also think Yamal went as a 16-year-old and he was the best player in the tournament,” he added.

Wilshere, who represented England at the 2014 World Cup before retiring from the game, had a front-row seat to Dowman’s development. While serving as Arsenal’s Under-18s coach, he watched Dowman integrate into the squad at just 13 years old, recalling that even then “he was getting the highest numbers in the Under-18s for his sprints, and his high-intensity running.”

Dowman still under Tuchel’s consideration

Despite having yet to earn a senior cap, head coach Thomas Tuchel has not ruled out the possibility of a surprise World Cup call-up for Dowman. After leaving the Arsenal teenager out of his March international break squad, Tuchel was pressed on a potential inclusion at the tournament and left the door firmly ajar.

“We always have the chance to call him up for the World Cup. Why wouldn’t I keep the door open? I keep the door open for anyone with any age. It’s very young and there are arguments that it’s too young but why open all these arguments now? Let him fight for his minutes. At the moment he’s not a regular starter. You could argue you should be maybe a starter at your club to be considered,” he stated in a press conference back in March.

Who is the youngest player ever to appear at the World Cup?

The World Cup brings together the best players from every competing nation, and young stars often find themselves behind more established, experienced names in the pecking order. While Brazil legend Pelé is widely associated with youthful World Cup greatness, currently holding the record as the youngest player to win the tournament, his record as the youngest to play in one has long since been surpassed.

That distinction belongs to Norman Whiteside, who made his World Cup debut for Northern Ireland at Spain 1982 at just 17 years and 41 days old. Behind him sit Samuel Eto’o, who was 17 years and 98 days old when he appeared for Cameroon at France 1998, and Nigeria’s Femi Opabunmi, who was 17 years and 101 days old at Korea-Japan 2002.

Against that backdrop, Max Dowman stands in a position to make history. Born on December 31, 2009, he is currently 16 years old, and with the 2026 World Cup less than three months away, if he earns a call-up and sees the pitch, he would become the youngest player ever to appear in a World Cup match.

With Lionel Messi's MLS and Cristiano Ronaldo's SPL looming as potential destinies, Pep Guardiola's assistant Pep Lijnders confirmed that Bernardo Silva will be departing from Manchester City at the end of the season.

Bernardo Silva‘s future at Manchester City has been one of the club’s biggest open questions, but with fewer than two months left on his contract, his departure has now been confirmed. Set to become a free agent, the Portuguese midfielder has been linked with a move to Lionel Messi‘s MLS or Cristiano Ronaldo’s Saudi Pro League as potential next destinations.

Silva captained Manchester City in their commanding 4-0 FA Cup quarterfinal victory over Liverpool, continuing to play a central role for the club deep into the season. However, Pep Lijnders, Pep Guardiola’s assistant, confirmed after the match that the Portuguese midfielder will be leaving the club when his contract expires at the end of the campaign.

When asked how City could replace Silva, Lijnders was effusive in his praise for the 31-year-old: “You never replace a player with the same kind of player because they don’t exist. Bernardo Silva is unique, the way he control games, the way he moves, the way he receives, the way he leads, the way he sees the solutions, all these things.“

Even without a formal announcement from Silva himself, Lijnders offered a telling glimpse into what lies ahead. “You never search for a replacement of one type of player. You search for what is needed to grow with the team, and somebody who can fit in the first XI… Every good story comes to an end. I hope he enjoys the last months, because it’s only 6 weeks (left). As a good farewell, he deserves all that attention as well,” Guardiola’s assistant stated.

With that candid admission from Ljinders, Silva is now set to leave City after nine years at the club when his deal expires in June 2026. Since arriving from AS Monaco in 2017, the Portuguese has won six Premier League titles, five Carabao Cups, three Community Shields, two FA Cups, one FIFA Club World Cup and the UEFA Champions League.

Where will Bernardo Silva go?

As a soon-to-be free agent still performing at the highest level at 31, Silva figures to be one of the most sought-after players of the summer transfer window. Among the leading options reported so far are MLS and the Saudi Pro League, two leagues that have been aggressively building their profiles in the wake of Messi and Ronaldo’s arrivals.

Reports have already surfaced linking Silva with a potential move to join Messi at Inter Miami. Despite the high-profile appeal of that pairing, the Herons would face significant financial hurdles to make it work, particularly with Casemiro also being linked to the Florida club.

On the other hand, Fabrizio Romano has reported that the Saudi Pro League is another serious option for the Portuguese. A reunion with Cristiano Ronaldo at Al Nassr, however, comes with its own complications, as the club’s allotment of ten foreign players is already full, with Wesley returning from his loan at Real Sociedad at the end of the 25-26 season, meaning Al Nassr would need to move someone out before Silva could come in.

Beyond those options, Ben Jacobs has reported that Juventus have already made inquiries, with clubs in Turkey and Spain also said to be monitoring the situation. Silva will be weighing both sporting ambition and personal considerations in making his decision, while the MLS and SPL options each face their own obstacles as European clubs remain very much in the picture.

FC Barcelona head coach Hansi Flick explained Lamine Yamal's angered reaction after the 2-1 win against Atletico Madrid.

Lamine Yamal made headlines after Barcelona‘s win over Atletico Madrid, not only for his performance on the pitch but also for his visibly frustrated reaction despite the three points. After the match, head coach Hansi Flick offered his take on the episode involving the 18-year-old star.

On Saturday, Barcelona traveled to Atletico Madrid for Matchday 30 in a match marked by controversy and ultimately decided by Robert Lewandowski’s 87th-minute strike to make it 2-1. While the victory was a significant step forward in Barcelona’s La Liga title push, Yamal did not appear to share in the celebrations, heading straight to the locker room the moment the final whistle blew.

Asked about Yamal’s reaction in his post-match press conference, Flick offered a measured explanation: “He was a little bit angry. He gave everything, he tried to score goals and give the last pass. It’s normal. Of course he has emotion. This was the game, with emotion, but he’s in the dressing room and everything is good.“

Flick also admitted he was not entirely sure what had triggered the reaction. “I don’t know exactly what it was, but as I said before, there was a lot of emotion during the game. Some situations, he tried everything, tried everything, but at the moment he does not have this fortune that he scores the goals, but it can come back,” he added.

The timing of the episode is far from ideal, with Barcelona set to face Atletico Madrid twice more, this time in the Champions League. The first leg is scheduled for Wednesday, April 8, at Camp Nou, with the return leg following on Tuesday the 14th at the Metropolitano.

“We have three days now to prepare for the next match. It’s a very important one in the Champions League and he will be in a better mood than after the game,” Flick said, making clear how much he is counting on Yamal to play a decisive role in Barcelona‘s pursuit of European glory.

Yamal’s reason reportedly revealed

Yamal’s performance against Atletico on Saturday fell well short of his usual standards, with the Spanish winger registering seven shots without a single one hitting the target. However, reports suggest his post-match frustration stemmed not from his own display, but from a disagreement with a member of the coaching staff.

According to Mundo Deportivo, Yamal left the pitch visibly overwhelmed by the volume of instructions and information being relayed to him by José Ramón de la Fuente. The 18-year-old was seen walking off alongside the goalkeeping coach, who also carries responsibilities in strategy and set pieces, exchanging gestures that made his displeasure clear for all to see.

After LAFC's crushing 6-0 win over Orlando City, Son Heung-min has equaled an assist milestone only reached by Lionel Messi in the history of the MLS.

Son Heung-min was the driving force behind LAFC‘s dominant 6-0 victory over Orlando City, delivering a stunning performance on Saturday. With four assists on the night, the South Korean star has now matched an MLS milestone previously reached only by Lionel Messi.

The Boys in Gold were off and running in the seventh minute when Son drifted in from the right and delivered a powerful low cross that deflected off David Brekalo for an own goal. Son’s influence only grew from there, as Denis Bouanga completed a first-half hat trick with goals in the 20th, 23rd and 28th minutes, each one set up by the South Korean, before Sergi Palencia made it 5-0 in the 39th minute with yet another Son assist.

The performance made Son just the second player in MLS history to record four assists in a single half of a single game, a remarkable feat that has vaulted him to the top of the 2026 season’s assist leaderboard with six on the year.

The only other player to accomplish that feat was Lionel Messi, who in May 2024 delivered not four but five assists in Inter Miami’s 6-2 win over the New York Red Bulls. Unlike Son, Messi produced all five of his assists in the second half while also finding the net himself, giving him six direct goal involvements in a single MLS game, a record that still stands.

Because the opening goal was credited as an own goal, Son’s involvement on that play does not count as an official assist. Still, his direct impact on five of LAFC’s six goals in the first half is impossible to overlook. The victory moves LAFC to the top of the league table with five wins and one draw from six games, and with no goals conceded all season, the club is shaping up as a serious early contender for the Supporters’ Shield.

Son and Messi, the two most impactful players in MLS

After an initial half-season adjusting to a struggling Inter Miami side in 2023, Lionel Messi has completely transformed the club, rewriting the record books for goals and assists along the way. Son arrived at an already competitive LAFC, and his adaptation to the league has been so seamless that he is drawing direct comparisons to Messi’s impact.

According to data compiled by Squawka, since Son’s arrival in MLS, only Messi has been directly involved in more goals, counting both regular season and playoff matches. While the Inter Miami star sits at 38 total goal involvements, Son has wasted no time making his mark, racking up 12 goals and nine assists in 19 appearances for LAFC for a total of 21.

The Portugal FA has announced the final friendly opponent Cristiano Ronaldo and company will have to face prior to the beginning of the journey in the 2026 World Cup.

Cristiano Ronaldo has his sights set on the 2026 World Cup, widely expected to be his final major tournament with the Portugal national team. As part of their preparations for the competition, the Portuguese FA has now confirmed the last friendly fixture before the tournament kicks off in North America.

On Thursday, the Portugal FA announced that a match against Nigeria has been scheduled for June 10, serving as the final tune-up before Portugal’s World Cup opener against DR Congo on June 17.

Nigeria join Chile as Portugal’s warm-up opponents during a training camp to be held in Portugal ahead of the tournament. While the match against Chile is set for June 6 at the Jamor National Stadium in Lisbon, no official venue has been confirmed for the Nigeria fixture, though reports indicate it is expected to take place at the Municipal Stadium of Leiria.

Notably, the side Portugal will face on Matchday 1 of the group stage was responsible for eliminating Nigeria from World Cup contention. DR Congo secured their spot at the tournament with a narrow 1-0 win over Jamaica in the FIFA international playoff during the March international break.

Portugal and a familiar path to the World Cup

Following Portugal’s quarterfinal exit at the hands of Morocco, the 2022 World Cup was widely expected to be Cristiano Ronaldo’s last. Now 41 years old, the forward has defied expectations by remaining the top scorer under coach Roberto Martinez, and the road to this edition bears a striking resemblance to the one that led him to Qatar.

Ahead of the 2022 World Cup, Portugal also faced Nigeria in a November friendly, with the European side cruising to a 4-0 victory at Estadio Jose Alvalade. On that occasion, Ronaldo was left out of the squad due to a bout of gastritis and did not feature in the match.

The 2026 group stage also mirrors the 2022 edition in its composition. Portugal will face DR Congo, Uzbekistan and Colombia, much like they did in Qatar when they were drawn against opponents from the African, Asian and South American confederations in Ghana, South Korea and Uruguay respectively.

Heading into the 2022 World Cup, Portugal were ranked ninth in the FIFA standings with 1,676.56 points. In the latest update ahead of 2026, the Seleção have climbed to fifth with 1,763.83 points, leapfrogging Brazil in the process. As reigning UEFA Nations League champions following their victory over Spain, Ronaldo heads into what may be his final World Cup backed by a more experienced and well-rounded squad than ever before.

Cristiano Ronaldo and Sadio Mane are making their return from injury for Al Nassr to help the team chase the Saudi Pro League title.

Cristiano Ronaldo and Sadio Mane have both recovered from their respective injuries and rejoined Al Nassr for training. With the March international break behind them, the two stars will be looking to fuel their side’s push for the 2025-26 Saudi Pro League title.

Al Nassr face Al Najma on Friday in Matchday 27 of the SPL at Al Awwal Park, with Ronaldo’s side heavy favorites for the fixture. The visitors sit rock bottom of the league with just one win, five draws and 20 defeats this campaign, currently in the midst of a five-game losing streak.

In his pre-match press conference, head coach Jorge Jesus confirmed the return of both stars: “We have a training session today, and Cristiano Ronaldo and Sadio Mane are expected to return. Mohamed Simakan’s injury is minor and he will train with us, while Kingsley Coman is feeling fatigued and we will assess him in today’s training.“

Both players have been included in the squad for Friday’s match. In Ronaldo’s case, it will be his first appearance since suffering a hamstring injury on February 28 against Al Fayha, a setback that kept him out of Al Nassr’s last three matches as well as Portugal’s two friendlies during the March window.

Mane’s situation follows a similar pattern. The winger picked up an ankle injury in early March that ruled him out of Al Nassr’s last two games and forced him to miss Senegal’s international fixtures, but both stars are now back in contention and expected to feature in the starting lineup.

Al Nassr return to SPL title chase

With the international break over, domestic leagues will resume and run through to their conclusion ahead of the 2026 World Cup. For Al Nassr, the final day of the SPL season falls on May 21 against Damac FC, with the league title firmly in their sights.

Al Nassr currently sit top of the SPL with 67 points from 26 games, holding a three-point cushion over closest rivals Al Hilal, with a potentially decisive six-pointer between the two sides scheduled for May 7. With Ronaldo back in the fold, both the star and the club will be looking to end a long wait for silverware and claim the league title for the first time since the 2018-19 season.

The Colombia FA released a statement revealing that James Rodriguez has been hospitalized due to a non-sports-related condition, with the national team and Minnesota United now monitoring the star's recovery ahead of the 2026 World Cup.

James Rodriguez has raised concern after the Colombia Football Federation issued a statement confirming the star had been hospitalized due to a “non-sports-related medical condition.” With both the national team and Minnesota United eager to have the midfielder fit for the 2026 World Cup, his recovery is being closely monitored by both parties.

The news broke on Thursday evening when the Colombia FA released an official update on Rodriguez’s condition, coming in the wake of his departure from international duty following the March friendly window.

“It has been confirmed, after establishing communication with a clinical center in the State of Minnesota, that the midfielder has been under professional observation due to a non-sports-related medical condition,” part of the statement released by the FCF read.

The federation revealed that on Monday, March 30, the day after the France game, Rodriguez was diagnosed with a severe case of dehydration that required hospitalization. The player remained under observation for 72 hours as a precautionary measure while undergoing clinical monitoring and recovery.

The news came as a shock given that Rodriguez had shown no visible symptoms while playing 63 minutes in each of Colombia‘s friendlies against Croatia and France. “It is important to clarify that this situation is not related to musculoskeletal injuries, nor is it linked to the performance of his football activities,” the statement added, leaving the origin of the player’s discomfort unclear.

Colombia and Minnesota United to monitor Rodriguez’s recovery

As confirmed in the statement, both the Colombian FA and Minnesota United will be jointly monitoring Rodriguez’s progress through his current condition. On a positive note, the latest medical report points to a favorable evolution and steady improvement, with no indication that his participation in the 2026 World Cup is at risk.

Minnesota are set to travel to face the LA Galaxy on Saturday, April 5, at Dignity Health Sports Park in the 2026 MLS season. While Rodriguez’s trajectory is encouraging, his return to training with the Loons remains unclear, making an appearance in that fixture unlikely.

Rodriguez’s fitness will remain a key concern for the Cafeteros, having captained the side in both March friendlies under head coach Nestor Lorenzo. Colombia open their World Cup group stage campaign against Uzbekistan on June 17, and with fewer than three months until the tournament begins, both club and country will continue keeping a close eye on their star player’s condition.

Legend Gianluigi Buffon joined the exodus in Italy FA after missing out the qualification to the 2026 World Cup, while Pep Guardiola has been reportedly linked to be the next head coach of the Azzurri.

Italy‘s latest failure to qualify for the 2026 World Cup has sent shockwaves through the federation, triggering the resignation of the president and now the departure of icon Gianluigi Buffon. With a new rebuilding process underway, Pep Guardiola has emerged as one of the names being considered to lead the Azzurri.

Bosnia & Herzegovina secured their World Cup ticket at Italy’s expense in the UEFA playoffs, and within 48 hours of the elimination, heads had already begun to roll. Gabriele Gravina stepped down as president of the Italian Football Federation, with Buffon, who had served as head of delegation since August 2023, following suit shortly after.

“Submitting my resignation one minute after the end of the match against Bosnia was an urgent act, one that came from deep within me. It was as spontaneous as the tears and that heartache that I know I share with all of you. I was asked to wait to allow everyone time for proper reflection. Now that President Gravina has chosen to take a step back, I feel free to do what I consider an act of responsibility,” Buffon wrote in a statement posted to his social media.

Becoming the first World Cup-winning nation to miss three consecutive tournaments has dealt a severe blow not only to the federation, but to Italian soccer as a whole. Minister of Sport and Youth Andrea Abodi weighed in on the crisis, calling for a change in direction and insisting that a rebuild of the national game “must begin with a renewal of the FIGC leadership.”

Guardiola drawn into the conversation as potential Azzurri candidate

While a new federation president is set to be elected on June 22, no official word has been issued regarding the future of national team head coach Gennaro Gattuso. According to Fabrizio Romano, however, the former AC Milan midfielder is expected to depart his role, with one high-profile name standing out above the rest as a potential successor.

As reported by La Gazzetta dello Sport, Pep Guardiola has been put forward as a candidate for the Italy head coaching position. The Spanish manager has yet to make a decision on his future at Manchester City, with the club reportedly giving him the freedom to determine his own path despite his current contract running through June 2027.

The other two prominent names linked to the role are Roberto Mancini and Antonio Conte. Both carry strong Italian credentials and prior experience with the Azzurri, though the federation would face significant challenges in either case, with Mancini currently at Qatari side Al-Sadd and Conte under contract at Napoli, where a compelling project is underway.

According to Romano, Manchester City are prepared to let Guardiola decide his own future, with Enzo Maresca remaining a credible internal option as a potential replacement. Guardiola has previously stated that the Citizens would be his last club job and that he would be open to managing a national team thereafter, and with Brazil now taken by Carlo Ancelotti, Italy could represent the ideal next chapter in his coaching career.

After the friendlies in the March international break, Lionel Messi is now reportedly waiting to confirm his participation in the 2026 World Cup with Argentina.

Lionel Messi is widely expected to compete in what would be his final World Cup in 2026, though the Inter Miami star has been notably reluctant to make it official with fewer than 80 days to go. Following the final round of friendlies before squad lists are due, reports suggest Messi is holding off on a formal confirmation of his participation with Argentina.

The March international window closed with Argentina posting two wins, including a 5-0 rout of Zambia in which Messi scored and assisted. Yet the team’s captain has not spoken to the media throughout the break, despite being visibly emotional in what could prove to have been his last appearance on home soil in an Argentina jersey. According to journalist Fernando Czycz of Doble Amarilla, Messi will be at the World Cup, but an official announcement will have to wait a little longer.

As Czycz reported, Messi’s primary focus is on arriving at the tournament in peak physical and competitive condition, particularly with Argentina entering as defending champions. With that in mind, the forward intends to assess his form and fitness over the coming months before going public with his decision.

Another factor in the timing involves Inter Miami, who are set to inaugurate their new home, Miami Freedom Park, now known as NU Stadium, in a landmark moment for the MLS franchise. With the club’s first match at the new venue against Austin FC coming up on Saturday, April 4, Messi has no intention of making any announcement that could overshadow that occasion.

Finally, the announcement itself is being carefully managed, with the Argentina FA reportedly preparing a full communication campaign to accompany the moment Messi officially confirms his place in the squad. The federation is said to be waiting for the right moment to make the most of the news when it comes.

Messi’s footwear for the 2026 World Cup reportedly revealed

Even as fans await an official word, the general expectation is that Messi will be suiting up for Argentina at the 2026 World Cup, and even his boots for the tournament have reportedly been revealed.

According to Footy Headlines, Messi will be wearing a highly special edition of Adidas’ F50 boots. Featuring white, gold and sky blue details, the company has named the boot “El Último Tango,” or “The Last Tango,” a nod to what is widely anticipated to be Messi’s final appearance on soccer’s grandest stage.

What did Scaloni say about Messi’s presence?

Following Messi’s lead, Argentina head coach Lionel Scaloni has also stopped short of confirming the captain’s inclusion in the World Cup squad. Still, after the friendly against Zambia, he left no doubt about how much he wants Messi to be part of it.

“It will be a privilege if he decides that it will be his last because you never know; everyone wants to see him and enjoy him, and I will do everything possible to ensure the team can support him,” Scaloni said. “When the time comes, if he decides to come, we will sit down and chat because he wants the same thing we do. If he comes, he is always going to want to be there and to compete. Let’s hope to enjoy him, that he decides to come, and then we’ll see what happens,” he added.

FIFA has reached an agreement with the Canadian Premier League to make a pilot test of the Arsene Wenger’s offside rule.

Arsene Wenger‘s proposed offside rule has been one of the most debated potential changes in soccer over the past several years, ever since the former Arsenal manager joined FIFA. Now, the governing body has given the green light for the rule’s first pilot test in a major competition, set to take place in the Canadian Premier League.

In a statement released on Tuesday, FIFA confirmed that an “alternative offside law” will be tested during the 2026 Canadian Premier League season, which is scheduled to kick off on April 4. After years of discussion, this will mark the first time the Wenger rule has been put to the test at a professional level.

Wenger himself, who currently serves as FIFA‘s Chief of Global Football Development, spoke to the significance of the announcement in the statement: “This is an important pilot. By testing this new interpretation in a professional competition, we can better understand its impact, including in terms of improving clarity and the flow of the game and promoting attacking play. We look forward to analysing the results of the trial phase.“

The CPL will also introduce Football Video Support, or FVS, better known as the “challenge” system familiar from other sports, which will allow coaches to hand a card to the fourth official and request a video review of a specific play. The system was already trialed at the most recent U-20 World Cup and will now be implemented at the professional level for the first time.

How does Wenger’s offside rule work?

Under the current offside rule, an attacking player must keep every part of their body that can legally play the ball behind the second-to-last defender, typically the goalkeeper and one outfield player, or behind the ball. In practice, a line is drawn from the defender closest to the goal line, and if any part of the attacker’s body capable of playing the ball crosses that line, they are ruled offside.

Wenger’s proposed rule would turn that logic on its head. Rather than penalizing any overlap, the new interpretation would only call a player offside if there is a clear and visible gap, referred to as “daylight,” between the attacker and the second-to-last defender. If the attacker is level with or only marginally ahead of that line, play would be allowed to continue.

Wenger’s rule could have been in place for the 2026 World Cup

The International Football Association Board, the body responsible for the laws of the game, spent much of the early part of 2026 debating potential rule changes, most notably during its 140th Annual General Meeting. Wenger’s offside proposal was among the topics on the table, and through cooperation between FIFA, IFAB and the CPL, it has now been cleared for a real-world trial.

While FIFA and IFAB have already confirmed several rule changes that will debut at the 2026 World Cup, the new offside interpretation did not make the cut. Without pilot test data to support its effectiveness, implementing such a fundamental change to the game risked significant backlash from players, coaches and fans alike.

After sitting out the 1-0 defeat against Japan, head coach Thomas Tuchel compared England's reliance on Harry Kane with Argentina's dependence on Lionel Messi and Portugal's on Cristiano Ronaldo.

Harry Kane‘s absence proved costly for England in their final friendly of the March window, as the Three Lions were stunned by Japan in a 1-0 defeat. In the aftermath, head coach Thomas Tuchel drew a bold comparison, arguing that England’s dependence on their striker is no different from Argentina’s reliance on Lionel Messi or Portugal’s on Cristiano Ronaldo.

England had opened the March window with a hard-fought 1-1 draw against Uruguay, a game that felt anything but a friendly given the intensity on display from both sides. But on Tuesday, with Kane sitting in the stands due to a minor injury, the Three Lions were beaten at Wembley Stadium, with Kaoru Mitoma scoring the only goal to hand Japan a 1-0 victory in a result that fell well short of home fans’ expectations.

In a post-game interview with ITV, Tuchel was asked whether the team had become too dependent on Kane, and the German responded with a pointed comparison. “Well, why would Argentina not rely on Messi or Portugal not rely on Cristiano Ronaldo? This is totally normal. Key figures left camp for us, and we saw that a bit. We lacked a punch.“

Pressed on the same topic during the post-match press conference, Tuchel doubled down on his striker’s importance. “In the absence of Harry Kane, we don’t have the same threat. Bayern Munich, in the absence of Harry Kane, don’t have the same threat. For top teams and top nations, it’s normal to rely on top players. We can win without Harry, but it’s easier to win with him, of course,” he said.

Is England too dependent on Kane?

As Tuchel suggested, the quality of a player like Harry Kane can only be measured against that exclusive tier of the world’s best, particularly given his current form. The all-time leading scorer for England with 78 goals in 112 appearances, Kane has also been in devastating club form, tallying 48 goals and five assists in 40 games for Bayern Munich in the 2025-26 season while leading the Golden Boot race.

The numbers over the past two years further underline how central Kane has been to England’s success. In that stretch, the Bayern striker featured in 23 matches, during which the team posted 18 wins, two draws and three defeats, including the landmark victory in the Euro 2024 final, with Kane contributing 16 goals across those games.

In that same period, Kane was absent from the squad for just five matches, and the results paint a stark picture. England lost to Brazil, drew with Belgium, fell 2-1 to Greece in the UEFA Nations League, and now have added defeats to Uruguay and Japan to the tally, producing a record of three defeats, two draws and zero wins without their captain, troubling numbers that speak to a genuine dependence on the striker.

Are Argentina and Portugal equally reliant on Messi and Ronaldo?

No players have shaped their national teams quite like Lionel Messi and Cristiano Ronaldo, both of whom sit at the top of the all-time international scoring charts. Yet in recent years, both Argentina and Portugal have shown they can manage when their talisman is unavailable.

Over the past two years, Argentina played eight games without Messi, winning six and losing just two, both in the CONMEBOL World Cup qualifiers. In that same window, Portugal played six games without Ronaldo, picking up four wins and two draws, with both nations demonstrating enough depth to cover for the absence of their respective legends.

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.

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 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 11, when the Herons host the New York Red Bulls in just the second game at Miami Freedom Park, now known as Nu Stadium. He heads into the fixture off the back of a header in the 2-2 draw against Austin FC at the new venue.

As for international duty with Argentina national team, Lionel Messi is set to return to action during the June international window. Before the World Cup gets underway, the Albiceleste are scheduled to face Serbia in a friendly, though the exact date has yet to be confirmed.

The 2026 MLS campaign has only just begun for Messi, who has featured in seven official matches so far across all competitions, scoring six 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.