Brazil's two-time World Cup winner Cafu said on Monday he believes this year's tournament is the perfect time for the five-time champions to take back the crown for the first time for 24 years.

Frenchman Herve Renard told AFP on Friday he has been relieved of his duties as Saudi Arabia coach, less than two months before the start of the 2026 World Cup.

Iraq coach Graham Arnold said his future beyond the World Cup remains undecided as his contract ends after the tournament and no formal talks have yet taken place, though retirement is not on his mind.

Argentina begin their title defence on June 16 against Algeria.

Gennaro Gattuso quit as Italy coach on Friday as the Azzurri failing to reach a third straight World Cup continued to send shockwaves through Italian football.

Portugal will complete their World Cup preparations with a friendly against Nigeria on June 10, the Portuguese Football Federation said.

Poland captain Robert Lewandowski has hinted at his international retirement following the country's failure to qualify for the 2026 World Cup, marking the potential end for the national team's all-time leading goalscorer.

The Romanian football federation (FRF) announced on Thursday 80-year-old coach Mircea Lucescu has left his position after missing out on qualification for this year's World Cup.

More than three million of these tickets have already been sold during the first three sales phases.

Thomas Tuchel said Phil Foden's place in England's World Cup squad is "not a guarantee" after failing once more to hit peak form for the Three Lions.

Distance has always been a sanctuary for goalkeepers.

With all 48 teams confirmed, the FIFA World Cup 2026 will kick off in Mexico on June 12, with the hosts taking on South Africa in the opening Group A match, while the final will be held in New York City on July 20.

FIFA president Gianni Infantino told AFP Tuesday that Iran "will be at the World Cup" and will play their group matches in the United States as scheduled, despite the Middle East war.

Despite a qualifying campaign in which they slumped to four defeats and finished bottom of their group, Sweden are one game away from qualifying for the World Cup in the U.S., Mexico and Canada thanks to a process that offers teams a number of second chances.

Romelu Lukaku on Monday defended his decision to undergo treatment in his home country rather than at his club after pulling out of Belgium's World Cup warm-up matches in the United States.

The Caribbean nation set to play Germany, Ivory Coast and Ecuador in Group E.

Federico Dimarco insisted on Saturday that Italy respect Bosnia and Herzegovina, after he and team-mates were caught on camera celebrating when their opponents reached the World Cup qualifying final by beating Wales.

Argentina full-back Nicolas Tagliafico says becoming the first team to successfully defend the World Cup title in 64 years would be a "dream" for the three-time world champions.

Only Brazil stand ahead of Germany in terms of FIFA World Cup titles but few nations can match the depth and drama of Germany’s journey to their four crowns.

Argentina will face Mauritania this month in a World Cup warm-up match, the country's Football Association (AFA) said on Friday.