Soccer News
Transfers, results, the World Cup, and the debates fans actually have
63 pieces: the 2026 final, transfer and injury news, the full history of the tournament, the Messi-vs-Ronaldo debate, and the making of a realistic 3D browser football game.
Search & filter the archive
Recent news
Chelsea Secure Ahanor: Future Investment or Defensive Gamble?
The Blues are set to sign the 18-year-old Serie A standout, but reports suggest an immediate loan move could be on the cards for the young defender as Chelsea look to balance a high-volume transfer window.
Elliot Anderson Injury Update: Relief for Enzo Maresca and Manchester City
After a dramatic victory at the Etihad, manager Enzo Maresca has provided a positive update on the fitness of record signing Elliot Anderson, confirming he is ready for selection despite his second-half substitution last weekend.
Newcastle United Secure Nico Gonzalez in £52 Million Deal
The Magpies have finalized a deal for the 24-year-old Spaniard as they look to bolster their ranks. The midfielder is now set to undergo a medical in the North East after being granted permission to travel.
Alonso’s Chelsea Era Begins with Thrilling 3-2 Fulham Victory
Chelsea’s new-look attack dazzled at Craven Cottage, but defensive fragility and goalkeeping errors left Xabi Alonso with plenty to address in his debut.
Arsenal Cruise: Champions Open Title Defence With Coventry Rout
Mikel Arteta’s side showed no signs of a championship hangover as they dismantled Coventry in a one-sided opening night performance that sent a clear message to their rivals.
Arsenal Secure Ezri Konsa in £55 Million Defensive Statement
The Premier League champions have moved decisively to add depth to their backline, signing the Europa League winner to a four-year deal.
Spurs Secure Savinho: Record-Breaking £85m Move Signals Ambition
The Brazilian forward is set for a medical in London as Spurs push to finalize a massive summer spending spree that has already exceeded £380m in their pursuit of attacking reinforcements.
Maresca’s City Nightmare: Defensive Frailties Exposed in Cardiff
Enzo Maresca’s competitive debut as Manchester City manager ended in a tactical collapse at the Principality Stadium, where Arsenal dismantled his side.
Browse by topic
Heroes
Messi vs Ronaldo: The GOAT Debate, One Last World Cup
Ronaldo's World Cup ended in the round of 16. Messi's ends Sunday, one win from a second title. Fifteen years in, the trophies, the goals and even the goal-counting method still don't settle who's the greatest.
Rodri's Comeback Isn't Finished: A New Injury Cloud Right Behind It
Rodri leads the 2026 World Cup in touches, passes and line-breaking balls heading into Sunday's final. He also needs surgery the moment it's over. The reigning Ballon d'Or winner's comeback, in two acts.
Dibu Martinez and the Dark Art of the Penalty Shootout
Argentina have won all four major-tournament shootouts Emiliano Martinez has kept goal in. This is the method behind that record, and the evidence for whether any of it actually works.
Diego Maradona's 1986 World Cup: The Whole Tournament
Five goals, five assists, an unbeaten run through Mexico, and a match-winning pass in the final itself. There was a lot more to Maradona's 1986 than four minutes against England.
Franz Beckenbauer Won the World Cup as Captain, Then as Manager
Beckenbauer won the World Cup as captain in 1974 and as manager in 1990. Only one other man in the tournament's history has done both jobs as captain first.
Geoff Hurst's Hat-Trick: The Only One By a World Cup Winner
Geoff Hurst scored three goals for England in the 1966 final at Wembley. One of them has never stopped being argued about.
Iniesta 2010: Spain's Only Title and the Shirt Underneath
Andres Iniesta scored the only goal of the 2010 final in the 116th minute, then pulled up his shirt to reveal a message written for a friend who had died the year before.
Johan Cruyff Lost the 1974 Final and Changed Football Anyway
Cruyff's Netherlands scored the fastest goal in World Cup final history, then lost anyway. Half a century on, more of modern football traces back to that defeat than to the team that won it.
Lamine Yamal: Spain's Right Flank, Carried by a Teenager
One goal in seven matches, a hamstring that would not leave him alone, and still the player Spain's whole right side is built around. Yamal's tournament, in full.
Mario Gotze's 113th-Minute Goal, and What Came After
Mario Gotze scored the only goal of the 2014 World Cup final as a substitute, deep into extra time. The four years that followed were nothing like the goal itself.
Mbappe's Two World Cup Finals: A Goal at 19, Then a Hat-Trick
One World Cup final goal at 19. A hat-trick four years later. Kylian Mbappe has scored more in World Cup finals than anyone in history - and he is still 1-1.
Messi and Argentina's Road to the 2026 World Cup Final
A last-gasp comeback against Egypt, extra time against Switzerland, and a semfinal assist for the ages. Inside Argentina's nerve-shredding run to the final.
Messi's Last World Cup: What a Second Title Would Mean
Messi turns 39 in what he calls his last World Cup and is one win from a second title. What beating Spain would add to the GOAT debate, and why 2026 is nothing like 2022.
Paolo Rossi 1982: From Betting Ban to World Cup Hero
Banned for two years over a betting scandal he denied, Paolo Rossi went scoreless through four World Cup matches in 1982 - then scored six goals in the next three and won it for Italy.
Pele at 17: What Two Goals in a World Cup Final Meant in 1958
At 17 years and 249 days old, Pele scored twice as Brazil beat Sweden 5-2 to win their first World Cup. No other teenager scored in a final again for sixty years.
Puskas and the Mighty Magyars: 1954's Best Team That Lost
Hungary went 31 games unbeaten, humiliated England twice, and were 2-0 up inside eight minutes of the 1954 final. Then they lost anyway.
Rodri: The Least Spectacular Player Who Could Decide the Final
Rodri will not feature on Sunday's highlight reel. But the version of football that wins World Cup finals runs through exactly the player nobody is watching.
Ronaldo Nazario: The 1998 Final and the 2002 Redemption
Hours before the 1998 final, Ronaldo had a seizure and played on. Four years and two ruptured tendons later, he scored twice in Yokohama to win the World Cup he had lost to himself.
Zidane's Two Finals: Two Headers in 1998, One in 2006
In 1998 Zidane won a World Cup final with two headers. In 2006 he lost one after using his head a different way. Same player, same stage, eight years apart.
History
Hand of God, Goal of the Century: Four Minutes in 1986
In four minutes at Estadio Azteca, Diego Maradona scored the most notorious goal in World Cup history and then, by FIFA's own vote, the greatest one.
Jules Rimet and the World Cup That Almost Never Happened
Jules Rimet invented the World Cup, then had to talk Europe into actually showing up to the first one - and watch a world war nearly kill the whole idea.
The 1966 Ghost Goal: What Goal-Line Technology Says Now
Geoff Hurst's disputed 1966 final goal has never been proven either way. Modern goal-line technology would answer it instantly - and the real reason it exists has nothing to do with Hurst.
The First 48-Team World Cup: What Expansion Actually Changed
Twelve groups instead of eight, a round of 32 that never existed before, and 40 extra matches. Here is exactly what the 48-team expansion changed - and what it did not.
The First World Cup: 13 Teams, a 15-Day Boat, Two Balls
Thirteen teams, a fortnight at sea, and a coin toss over whose ball to use. The first World Cup was assembled from almost nothing - and still produced a final worth telling properly.
The Maracanazo: 173,850 People, and a Final That Never Was
173,850 people watched Uruguay beat Brazil 2-1 at the Maracana in 1950 - still the biggest crowd in football history. By FIFA's own rules that year, it was not technically a final.
The World Cup Trophy: Stolen Twice, Found by a Dog
The Jules Rimet Trophy was stolen from a stamp exhibition in 1966, found six days later by a dog named Pickles, then stolen again in Rio in 1983 and never seen since.
West Germany 3-2 Hungary: The Upset That Rebuilt a Nation
In 1954, nine years after the war, a squad of semi-professionals beat the best team in the world 3-2 in Bern - and Germans still call it the day the Federal Republic was truly born.
Transfers
Gabriel Martinelli Seals Record £60m Move to Al-Hilal
The Brazilian international departs the Emirates Stadium as part of a significant financial move, joining the Saudi giants on a four-year contract after being told he was surplus to requirements by Mikel Arteta.
Chelsea Secure Ahanor: Future Investment or Defensive Gamble?
The Blues are set to sign the 18-year-old Serie A standout, but reports suggest an immediate loan move could be on the cards for the young defender as Chelsea look to balance a high-volume transfer window.
Newcastle United Secure Nico Gonzalez in £52 Million Deal
The Magpies have finalized a deal for the 24-year-old Spaniard as they look to bolster their ranks. The midfielder is now set to undergo a medical in the North East after being granted permission to travel.
Arsenal Secure Ezri Konsa in £55 Million Defensive Statement
The Premier League champions have moved decisively to add depth to their backline, signing the Europa League winner to a four-year deal.
Spurs Secure Savinho: Record-Breaking £85m Move Signals Ambition
The Brazilian forward is set for a medical in London as Spurs push to finalize a massive summer spending spree that has already exceeded £380m in their pursuit of attacking reinforcements.
Atletico Madrid Secure Cristian Romero in €40m Tottenham Exit
The Argentina international leaves Spurs for Diego Simeone’s side, marking a significant shift for the Premier League club’s defensive future after a turbulent campaign.
Manchester City Secure Elliot Anderson in Record £116m Deal
The 23-year-old midfielder arrives at the Etihad Stadium as a statement signing, aiming to bolster Pep Guardiola’s squad for the upcoming campaign. Having emerged as one of the Premier League's most consistent performers, Anderson is ready to test himself at the highest level of European football.
Results
Alonso’s Chelsea Era Begins with Thrilling 3-2 Fulham Victory
Chelsea’s new-look attack dazzled at Craven Cottage, but defensive fragility and goalkeeping errors left Xabi Alonso with plenty to address in his debut.
Arsenal Cruise: Champions Open Title Defence With Coventry Rout
Mikel Arteta’s side showed no signs of a championship hangover as they dismantled Coventry in a one-sided opening night performance that sent a clear message to their rivals.
Maresca’s City Nightmare: Defensive Frailties Exposed in Cardiff
Enzo Maresca’s competitive debut as Manchester City manager ended in a tactical collapse at the Principality Stadium, where Arsenal dismantled his side.
Premier League Preseason: City's Strategic Edge Amidst London Woes
While Chelsea and Arsenal face early setbacks and personnel concerns, Manchester City’s focus on long-term squad pathways continues to set the standard.
Leeds United Stun Liverpool in Thrilling 4-2 Chicago Comeback
A dominant first half from Liverpool evaporated in Chicago as Leeds United capitalized on defensive lapses to secure a statement 4-2 victory, leaving Andoni Iraola with questions to answer before the Premier League season begins.
Joao Pedro Hat-Trick Headlines Xabi Alonso’s Chaotic Chelsea Debut
In a high-scoring pre-season opener in Sydney, Chelsea’s youthful core and late-arriving stars combined to overcome a resilient A-League side in a ten-goal thriller.
World Cup
The 2030 World Cup: Hosts, Venues and Dates, Explained
Twenty stadiums, seventeen cities, six countries, three continents - and a nod to where it all started in 1930. Here's exactly what FIFA has locked in for the 2030 World Cup, and what's still unresolved.
2026 World Cup Final: What the Odds and Models Actually Say
Every sportsbook, statistical model and pundit panel has Spain favored to beat Argentina on Sunday. History says that is exactly the kind of consensus a World Cup final loves to wreck.
How to Watch the 2026 World Cup Final: Times and TV Channels
Local kickoff times worldwide, which channel has it in your country, and how the MetLife Stadium transport and gate rules actually work on final day.
MetLife Stadium: The Venue Built for the 2026 World Cup Final
MetLife Stadium beat out Dallas and Los Angeles for World Cup final rights, then had a grass pitch grown inside its NFL turf bowl. Here's how, and what the ground means for Sunday.
Spain vs Argentina: 2026 World Cup Final Preview
La Roja's control against La Albiceleste's champions' nerve. We break down the July 19 final: the two roads to New Jersey, the match-ups that decide it, and how to watch.
Spain vs Argentina: The Midfield Battle Behind the 2026 Final
Spain want the ball for 90 minutes. Argentina want it back fast, in dangerous areas, so Messi can do the rest. Whoever wins that fight in midfield wins Sunday's final.
Injuries
Elliot Anderson Injury Update: Relief for Enzo Maresca and Manchester City
After a dramatic victory at the Etihad, manager Enzo Maresca has provided a positive update on the fitness of record signing Elliot Anderson, confirming he is ready for selection despite his second-half substitution last weekend.
The Tragic Passing of Chinedu Ozor: A Club and Nation in Mourning
The Nigerian football community is reeling after the sudden death of Chinedu Ozor, a veteran defender whose passing sparked a wave of confusion and grief.
Rodri to Undergo Back Surgery Following World Cup Heroics
Fresh off a Golden Ball-winning performance at the World Cup, the Spain captain faces a critical recovery period that leaves his immediate club future in flux.
William Saliba’s Back Injury: A Career-Defining Crossroads for Arsenal
After gritting his teeth through an exhausting season, William Saliba’s back injury has reached a breaking point, leaving Arsenal’s title defense in jeopardy.
Rivalries
Beyond the Pitch: The Final Chapter of the Messi-Ronaldo Rivalry
The greatest rivalry in sports history is evolving as Messi and Ronaldo transition from on-field icons to boardroom powerbrokers in Spain, marking a new era for both legends.
Elliot Anderson Sparks Derby Fire: City's New King of Manchester
Fresh off a £116m move from Nottingham Forest, England midfielder Elliot Anderson has wasted no time in establishing his allegiance, declaring Manchester City the city's true rulers and setting the stage for a fiery September derby.
Sir Alex Ferguson Remembers His Greatest Rival: The Enduring Legacy of Kevin Keegan
Following the passing of Kevin Keegan at age 75, Sir Alex Ferguson reflects on the fierce battles and the genuine, lasting friendship that emerged from one of football's most intense managerial rivalries.
Scaloni’s Masterclass: Neutralizing the England-Argentina Rivalry
Beyond the tactical adjustments, Scaloni successfully insulated his squad from the weight of history to secure a spot in the World Cup final.
Nations
Argentina's Road to the Final: Nerve, Late Goals, England
Three knockout comebacks, two goals in six minutes against England, and a defending champion that keeps finding a way. This is how Argentina reached Sunday's final.
Spain's Road to the 2026 World Cup Final, Match by Match
From a goalless draw with World Cup debutants Cape Verde to a ruthless 2-0 semi-final win over France in Dallas, this is Spain's full route to the 2026 final.
