FIFA World Cup 2026

[Lulldapull]

Trump sahb has hijacked the World Cup event. This is what’s going on.

 

[ghazi52]

Messi and Ronaldo get ready for sixth and final World Cup​

This will be the last dance for the football icons

AFP
May 16, 2026

2020 FC Barcelona's Lionel Messi in action with Juventus' Cristiano Ronaldo. Photo: REUTERS

PARIS: Lionel Messi's career seemed complete after he led Argentina to victory at the 2022 World Cup, but the motivation to keep playing is still there for him and his great rival Cristiano Ronaldo as the duo prepare to make history at this year's tournament in North America.

This will be the last dance for Messi and Ronaldo, who will become the first players to appear in six different World Cups, two decades on from their fresh-faced debuts at the finals.

They have since become icons far beyond the football pitch, two of the most recognisable people on the planet as they head into middle age and contemplate retirement.

Messi appeared to suggest that there would not be much point in carrying on after he skippered Argentina to victory in Qatar.

"Obviously I wanted to finish my career with this. I can't ask for any more," he said after dragging Lionel Scaloni's side to victory over France on penalties in that World Cup final in Doha.

"My career is coming to an end because these are my final years. What more could there be after this?"

 

[PK781]

still seeing no hype, hotels, venues, food - all too expensive

then u got visas to US/Canada and flights and all.........too expensive

yeah it should be a bust tournament, probably on its final clutches........

with the extreme oil prices, things will be worse in 4 yrs time.....

Where is all the fifa money coming from?

 

[AZ_HighCountry]

Welcome to Team Turkiye!

Was just announced on the local news that Mesa, Arizona will be host to Team Turkiye for the duration of their stay in the US. They will train at the Arizona Athletic Complex.

 

[Fatman17]

To view this content we will need your consent to set third party cookies.
For more detailed information, see our cookies page.

Accept third party cookies

 

[ghazi52]

DR Congo cancels World Cup training camp over Ebola outbreak​

The outbreak, caused by a rare Ebola species, is thought to have caused 139 deaths so far.

 

[ghazi52]

Empty rooms and Fifa cancellations - US hotels fear World Cup washout​

The World Cup runs from 11 June to 19 July
Dale Johnson
20 May 2026


The World Cup was supposed to provide a tourism boom for the US, but now the fear is it may never materialise.

A report, external produced by the American Hotel & Lodging Association (AHLA) has found that bookings are well below expectations in almost every host city.

The AHLA said this does not align with Fifa's statement that more than five million tickets have been sold,, external and it creates a risk that "the anticipated economic lift may fall short".

The AHLA is the largest hotel association in the US, representing more than 32,000 properties and over 80% of all franchised hotels.

Its report partially puts the blame at the door of Fifa, accusing world football's governing body of block-booking far too many rooms for its own use and creating false demand.

This, the AHLA said, led to artificially high pricing which, after Fifa cancelled a large number of rooms, has been replaced by a vacuum of availability.

 

[ghazi52]

In Ankara, Iran World Cup squad players start US visa process​

AFP
May 22, 2026



Iranian football team players and members of their delegation leave the US embassy in Ankara after submitting their visa applications on May 21. —AFP

ANKARA: At least four Iranian footballers and one of their entourage went to the US embassy in Ankara on Thursday to submit visa applications for the World Cup, an AFP correspondent said.

The squad arrived in Turkey’s southern Antalya resort on Monday for a training camp ahead of the 2026 tournament that is being co-hosted by United States, which has begun bombing Iran alongside Israel on February 28, sparking war. A ceasefire agreement has halted hostilities since April 8.

Four players in navy blue tracksuits along with a staffer in black could be seen entering the embassy in the morning, the correspondent said.

The players were also expected to follow similar procedures at the Canadian embassy — which alongside Mexico is a co-host of the World Cup.

Iran and the United States cut diplomatic ties in 1980 but the Iranian football federation vice-president on Tuesday said he was “very confident” in FIFA’s protocols as the team prepares to play at the World Cup.

 

[Master Chief]

 

[Master Chief]

No: Cole Palmer, Harry Maguire, Phil Foden.

Yes: Jordan Henderson.

Make it make sense!

 

[ghazi52]

Argentina World Cup 2026 Analysis:​

Messi, Defensive Issues & Quarter-Final Predictions | The Dugout​

To view this content we will need your consent to set third party cookies.
For more detailed information, see our cookies page.

Accept third party cookies

 

[ghazi52]

This Is Why Argentina Still Needs MESSI for 2026 World Cup​

To view this content we will need your consent to set third party cookies.
For more detailed information, see our cookies page.

Accept third party cookies

 

[ghazi52]

Messi leads Argentina squad for sixth World Cup​

• Local media reports said left back Marcos Acuna, part of the 2022 title-winning squad, missed out because of fitness concerns

May 29, 2026
Reuters



BUENOS AIRES: Argentina named their 26-man squad for the World Cup on Thursday, with Lionel Messi set to lead the defending champions at the tournament in the United States, Mexico and Canada.

The ‌38-year-old Inter Miami forward will play in his sixth World Cup, extending his national record, while Emiliano Martinez, Nicolas Otamendi, Rodrigo De Paul, Alexis Mac Allister, Enzo Fernandez, Julian Alvarez and Lautaro Martinez are among 17 players returning from the squad that lifted the trophy in Qatar in ⁠2022.

Coach Lionel Scaloni retained the core of the side that won Argentina’s third world title, although veteran winger Angel Di Maria was not considered after retiring from international football following the 2024 Copa America.

Midfielder Giovani Lo Celso, who missed the 2022 World Cup through injury, returned for his second finals after being part of Argentina’s squad in Russia in 2018 without making an appearance.

Argentina also included several younger players expected to lead the team’s next generation, including ‌Valentin Barco, ⁠Nicolas Paz and Giuliano Simeone, while forwards Jose Manuel Lopez and Thiago Almada are among those set for their first World Cup appearances.

 

[ghazi52]

Argentina ⁠will open their Group J campaign against Algeria on June 16 before facing Jordan and Austria.

Squad:

Goalkeepers: Emiliano Martinez, Geronimo Rulli, Juan Musso.

Defenders: Leonardo Balerdi, Gonzalo Montiel, Nicolas Tagliafico, Lisandro ⁠Martinez, Cristian Romero, Nicolas Otamendi, Facundo Medina, Nahuel Molina.

Midfielders: Leandro Paredes, Rodrigo De Paul, Valentin Barco, Giovani Lo Celso, Exequiel Palacios, Alexis Mac Allister, Enzo ⁠Fernandez.

Forwards: Julian Alvarez, Lionel Messi, Nicolas Gonzalez, Thiago Almada, Giuliano Simeone, Nicolas Paz, Jose Manuel Lopez, Lautaro Martinez.

 

[ghazi52]

Davies in Canada World Cup squad​

He was deemed sufficiently fit for inclusion despite battling a hamstring injury

AFP
May 30, 2026

Alphonso Davies has suffered an injury-plagued season, and faces a race against time to be fit for Canada's first game. Photo: AFP

TORONTO: Alphonso Davies and Jonathan David were the star names in Canada's World Cup squad as coach Jesse Marsch unveiled the co-host's 26-man roster on Friday.

Bayern Munich defender Davies was deemed sufficiently fit for inclusion despite battling a hamstring injury, while Juventus forward David leads the line for a side that has never won a World Cup game but has shot up the FIFA rankings in recent years.

Other key names included were Porto playmaker Stephen Eustaquio, box-to-box Sassuolo midfielder Ismael Kone, Villarreal duo Tajon Buchanan and Tani Oluwaseyi, and Southampton attacker Cyle Larin.

Also named despite injury doubts were Norwich midfielder Ali Ahmed (hamstring) and Promise David (hip), a striker for Belgium's Union SG.

Each player's name was unveiled and displayed on banners displayed on Toronto's famous CN Tower.

"It is an honor to name our squad for a World Cup on home soil," said Canada's American coach Jesse Marsch.

"These players reflect the many communities, cultures, and journeys that make up this country.

"They are determined, fearless, and proud to wear Canada across their chest. We look forward to uniting Canadians this summer, and we invite everyone to be part of this journey with us."

As one of three co-hosts, along with the United States and Mexico, Canada will play all three group games on home turf.