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.

Haiti coach Sebastien Migne said Friday his team are targeting a place in the knockout rounds of the World Cup as he named a 26-strong squad for the tournament.

Belgium coach Rudi Garcia named Romelu Lukaku in his World Cup squad on Friday despite saying Belgium's all-time record goalscorer was "out of shape".

Mitoma is one of Japan's best players and scored the winner in their 1-0 friendly victory over England at Wembley in March.

That day, the sky over Liverpool was heavy with clouds. A gentle breeze blew through the July afternoon, and the crowd at Goodison Park was sparse -- just over thirty-eight thousand.

Kylian Mbappe will spearhead France at the World Cup after national team coach Didier Deschamps on Thursday announced his 26-man squad for this summer's tournament in the United States, Canada and Mexico.

At the centre of the uncertainty stood Conte Verde, the ship that would ultimately rescue FIFA’s dream. Carrying European teams across the Atlantic waves to Uruguay, the vessel became inseparably linked with the birth of the World Cup itself.

For Italy, absent from the tournament for a third straight time having failed to qualify, Balich's role ensures a presence on football's biggest stage - albeit this time behind the scenes.

One in four 2026 World Cup games could take place in very hot conditions as climate change has increased the risk of extreme heat in North America since the US hosted the 1994 tournament, researchers warned Thursday.

Madonna, Shakira and K-pop megastars BTS will headline a Super Bowl-style half-time show at the World Cup final on July 19 at MetLife Stadium in New Jersey, FIFA said Thursday.

Iran held a send-off ceremony Wednesday for the national football team as it prepared to play in the 2026 World Cup, co-hosted by the United States, Mexico and Canada.

In order to have the bond requirement waived, ticket holders from affected countries must have registered in that system, known as FIFA PASS, by April 15.

The Bangladesh government on Wednesday initiated a move to ensure the broadcast of the upcoming FIFA World Cup 2026, holding a discussion with the Bangladesh Football Federation (BFF) and state-owned Bangladesh Television (BTV) to address the ongoing telecast uncertainty.

The 2026 FIFA World Cup is knocking at the door. While discussions around teams’ tactics, squads, and schedules are reaching fever pitch, the football world is also preparing to witness the final chapter of an epic.

In the Strait of Hormuz, US warships menace Iran's oil tankers, while in Washington President Donald Trump demands "complete victory." But in Tucson, they're getting ready to welcome the Iranian football team as if nothing were amiss.

Sweden coach Graham Potter announced his World Cup squad on Tuesday but there was no place for Tottenham Hotspur forward Dejan Kulusevski, who has been out of the game for a year with a knee injury and has not recovered in time for the tournament.

Mexico canceled plans to shorten its school year ahead of the World Cup after widespread backlash from parents, think tanks and local authorities, the government said Monday.

In the mornings, Pak Doo-ik worked with a dental drill as an army dentist. In the afternoons, he played football.

Ochoa is set to become one of the few players to appear at six World Cups, alongside Lionel Messi and Cristiano Ronaldo, having previously represented Mexico at Germany 2006, South Africa 2010, Brazil 2014, Russia 2018 and Qatar 2022.

Advocaat, who at 78 will become the oldest manager in World Cup history, resigned in February for family matters.