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World Cup

World Cup Overview

Spain v Argentina: Final - FIFA World Cup 2026

Norway files ethics complaint against Infantino

The Norwegian Football Federation (NFF) has launched a formal legal challenge against FIFA president Gianni Infantino, submitting a detailed ethics complaint that calls his leadership into question. The grievance focuses on allegations of political interference and potential abuses of power involving high-profile figures and multi-billion dollar investment plans.

Vinicius Junior Real Madrid 2026-27

‘Five good games & worth 200m!’ - Are Vini & Co ‘superstars’?

Ex-Brazil international Anderson has told GOAL why the likes of Vinicius Junior may have earned “superstar” status prematurely, with any player that has “five good games” suddenly worth “200 million” in modern football. The former Manchester United midfielder continues to use Cristiano Ronaldo and Lionel Messi as the blueprint for what success really looks like.

Lamine Yamal Spain 2026

‘He talks, then he does’ - Why there is ‘no one’ like Yamal

Lamine Yamal is “different”, fellow Golden Boy award winner Anderson has told GOAL, with there “no one” close to the Barcelona wonderkid when it comes to the hottest prospects in world football. The Spain international winger, who now has a World Cup win on his ever-expanding roll of honour, is considered to be a serious contender for the 2026 Ballon d’Or.

FIFA World Cup 2034 Host Announcement

Saudi Arabia suspends $2.5bn Neom World Cup stadium plans

Saudi Arabia’s ambitious preparations for the 2034 World Cup have encountered a significant hurdle following reports that plans for a flagship stadium have been put on ice. The proposed venue, central to the kingdom's futuristic Neom development, was intended to be a crown jewel of the first-ever 48-team tournament hosted by a single nation.

UAFA Jeddah meeting

UAFA board backs Infantino during key Jeddah summit

The Union of Arab Football Associations has officially thrown its weight behind FIFA President Gianni Infantino following a high-level summit in Saudi Arabia. Chaired by Prince Abdulaziz bin Turki Al-Faisal, the board convened to outline the future of the game across the region while praising the current global leadership for fostering unity.

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World Cup, fixtures & results

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Standings

East

PosTeamPWDLFA+/-PTSForm
1Kashima Antlers crestKashima Antlers11007163
W
2Gamba Osaka crestGamba Osaka11004133
W
3Shanghai Port crestShanghai Port11006423
W
4Beijing Guoan crestBeijing Guoan11003123
W
5Jeonbuk Hyundai Motors FC crestJeonbuk Hyundai Motors FC11002113
W

West

PosTeamPWDLFA+/-PTSForm
1Al-Ain crestAl-Ain11004043
W
2Esteghlal crestEsteghlal11003033
W
3Al Hilal crestAl Hilal11002113
W
4Al Qadsiah crestAl Qadsiah11002113
W
5Neftchi Fargona crestNeftchi Fargona11001013
W
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Frequently asked questions

Brazil have won the World Cup five times, more than any other country. They first lifted the trophy in 1958, before successfully defending their title four years later. They then made it three in 1970, while also emerging victorious in 1994 and 2002 to show what they're made of.

The most recent edition of the World Cup, which took place in Qatar in 2022, featured 32 teams. However, from the upcoming edition in 2026, as many as 48 teams will be contesting for the ultimate prize in international football. The number of teams that will be featuring has almost quadrupled since the inaugural edition in 1930, which hosted 13 teams.

Lionel Messi holds the record of making the most appearances in World Cups, having represented Argentina 26 times across five editions.

Germany's Miroslav Klose tops the all-time goalscoring charts in World Cups, having scored an incredible 16 goals in 24 games across four consecutive editions from 2002 to 2014.

Egyptian legend Essam El Hadary is the oldest player to have ever featured in a World Cup game. The goalkeeper was 45 years and 161 days old when he participated in Egypt's 2-1 loss to Saudi Arabia at the 2018 World Cup.

Former Manchester United man Norman Whiteside is the youngest player ever to play a World Cup game. The midfielder was just 17 years and 41 days old when he featured for Northern Ireland in a game against Yugoslavia at the 1982 World Cup.

The likes of Didier Deschamps, Franz Beckenbauer, Luiz Felipe Scolari, Vicente del Bosque, Vittorio Pozzo, Louis van Gaal, Sven-Goran Eriksson, and Ivica Osim are some of the most accomplished individuals to have managed at the World Cup finals.