Spire Motorsports was once seen as an underfunded pretender, but with new backers and young talents, it has become NASCAR's biggest up-and-coming team.

The 2026 NFL draft picks can be compared by any number of statistical categories. Here are some of the more subjective superlatives from the event.

The Eagles made a trade with the division rival Cowboys on Thursday night, selecting USC wide receiver Makai Lemon with the No. 20 pick.

Manchester United are considering making a move to sign Tottenham Hotspur defender Micky van de Ven. Transfer Talk has the latest.

The Chiefs moved up in the NFL draft Thursday night, acquiring the No. 6 pick from the Browns and using it to select LSU cornerback Mansoor Delane. Cleveland took Spencer Fano at No. 9.

What were the best and worst picks of Round 1? Which trades really stood out? And what can we expect going into Day 2?

Mel Kiper Jr. makes sense of the first round of the NFL draft, sizing up moves like the Makai Lemon, Caleb Downs and Ty Simpson picks.

The 2026 FIFA World Cup will ultimately come to life because of its constellation of stars, and this summers tournament will be full of them. From living legends like Argentinas Lionel Messi and Portugals Cristiano Ronaldo to goal machines Kylian Mbapp of France and Erling Haaland of Norway these are the names wholl take center stage starting in June. Heres one player from each of the 48 World Cup squads worth keeping a close eye on. JUMP TO:Group A | Group B | Group C | Group D | Group E | Group F | Group G | Group H | Group I | Group J | Group K | Group L 2026 FIFA WORLD CUP GROUP A Ral Jimnez | Forward | Mexico Age: 34National team appearances: 123Club: Fulham (England) Jimnez is part of Mexicos veteran core. He scored nine of El Tris 22 goals in 2025, including a brace in both the Nations League semifinal and final. Jimenez also netted the winning goal in the Gold Cup semifinal and added another in the win over the U.S. in the tournament final. Jimenez, who has already played in three World Cups, has also scored nine goals for Fulham across all competitions this season and is in ideal form entering an important summer with a World Cup on home soil. Notable stat:Jimnez has scored 44 goals for Mexico, which is three shy of moving into second all time and nine shy of breaking the record held by Javier "Chicharito" Hernndez. Jimenez's European club career includes stops at Atltico Madrid, Benfica, Wolverhampton and Fulham. Lyle Foster | Forward | South Africa Age: 25National team appearances: 30Club: Burnley (England) Fosterbrings a strong attacking presence to the Bafana Bafana. Hes fast and can be dangerous in the buildup, but his teammates need to find ways to get him the ball. The 25-year-old striker plays for Burnley in the Premier League, where he has scored three goals this season. Foster netted two goals and had two assists in the Africa Cup of Nations as South Africa made it to the round of 16. Notable stat: Foster has made nearly 100 appearances for Burnley since joining the club in 2022 and has scored 10 goals for South Africa in 30 appearances. Son Heung-min | Forward | South Korea Age: 33National team appearances: 142Club: LAFC (United States) Known as "Sonny," South Korea's undisputed star and captain will be a fan favorite. Son is South Koreas most-capped player and is close to becoming the programs all-time leading goal-scorer perhaps hell break that record over the summer. At the 2022 World Cup in Qatar, he led the TaegeukWarriors to a dramatic group-stage win over Portugal, but they fell in the Round of 16 when they lost to Brazil. The winger is in good form for LAFC and leads MLS this season in assists. Notable stat: Before his move to LAFC in 2024, Son spent 10 seasons at Tottenham, where he scored 173 goals in 454 appearances. Tom Souek | Midfielder | Czechia Age: 32National team appearances: 89Club: West Ham United (England) Bayer Leverkusen striker Patrik Schick will likely score goals this summer, but Souek will provide reliability in the midfield for Czechia. Souek has been the team's longtime captain, and he led the squad to qualify for the World Cup by beating both Ireland and Denmark on penalties during the UEFA playoffs in March. Souek was also nominated as the Czech Footballer of the Year in 2025. Notable stat:Souek has made more than 270 appearances for West Ham United since 2019. 2026 FIFA WORLD CUP GROUP B Alphonso Davies | Forward | Canada Age: 25National team appearances: 58Club: Bayern Munich (Germany) Davies will wear the armband for the co-hosts this summer and is looking to bounce back after what's been an injury-marred season for his club. The Bayern Munich standout, UEFA Champions League winner and former FIFA Best XI selection scored the first World Cup goal in Canadas history in 2022 at Qatar. His main attribute is his versatility. He often plays left back for Bayern but takes a more attacking position for Canada. In Bayern's Bundesliga-clinching win on April 19, he scored his first goal of the season. Notable stat: Davies has made more than 240 appearances for Bayern Munich since joining the team in 2018. Esmir Bajraktarevi | Forward | Bosnia and Herzegovina Age: 21National team appearances: 14Club: PSV Eindhoven (Netherlands) It's easy to pick 40-year-old talisman strikerEdin Deko, but let's go with surprise star Bajraktarevi. The 21-year-old MLS academy product he was born and raised in Appleton, Wisconsin, after his parents fled the war-torn Baltic state in the 1990s converted the decisive penalty attempt against Italy in March's World Cup playoffs. Cut from the U.S. Olympic team in 2024 before switching international allegiances, the player who has been affectionately nicknamed the "Milwaukee Messi" now returns to his native country for this summer's World Cup. Notable stat: Bajraktarevi has made nearly 40 appearances for Dutch club PSV Eindhoven since joining that team in 2025 from MLS club New England Revolution. Almoez Ali | Forward | Qatar Age: 29National team appearances: 125Club: Al-Duhail (Qatar) Though hes not yet even 30, Ali has already made well more than 100 appearances for Qatar and is the Maroons' all-time top scorer with 60 international goals. The Sudan-born striker was also part of the 2022 World Cup squad for Qatar, which hosted the tournament. Notable stat: Ali led Qatar to two AFC Cup titles and was the top scorer in the 2019 edition. Manuel Akanji | Defender | Switzerland Age: 30National team appearances:79Club: Inter Milan (Italy) Although defensive midfielder Granit Xhaka is the captain, look for Akanji to also take on a big responsibility. The Manchester City man, whos on loan at Inter Milan this season, has helped get the Italian club on the verge of two domestic trophies. For Switzerland, he's been an anchor for a defense that conceded just two goals in six games in the final round of UEFAs 2026 World Cup qualifying tournament. Notable stat: Since 2017, Akanji has made more than 330 appearances for Borussia Dortmund, Manchester City and Inter Milan. 2026 FIFA WORLD CUP GROUP C Raphinha | Forward | Brazil Age: 29National team appearances: 37Club: Barcelona (Spain) On a star-studded roster, who do you pick? Let's lean onRaphinha. While Real Madrid winger Vincius Jnior gets most of the plaudits, the Barcelona attacking midfielder has arguably been the better player over the last year, despite some hamstring injuries. Raphinha was the lone Brazilian to earn a Ballon dOr nomination in 2025, and his ability to also play on the wings will keep opponents on their toes this summer. Notable stat:Raphinha has made more than 170 appearances for Barcelona since joining the club in 2022 from Leeds United, totaling more than 130 goal contributions. Brahim Daz | Forward | Morocco Age: 26National team appearances: 24Club: Real Madrid (Spain) Paris Saint-Germain defender Archaf Hakimi is seen as a top-10 player in the world,butBrahim Daz could be a breakout star for Morocco at this World Cup. The Real Madrid midfielder scored five goals for the Atlas Lions in the Africa Cup of Nations, and fans are hoping that was just the jumping off point. Daz played for the Spanish youth national team before committing to Morocco and is a rising star who former manager Walid Regragui said could be "the best player in the world." The 26-year-old was not part of Morocco's 2022 World Cup team, which made it to the semifinal, but he could be a reason why the squad makes another deep run in 2026. Notable stat: The 26-year-old has made nearly 300 appearances in his time with Manchester City, AC Milan and Real Madrid; he appeared in 12 Champions League games this season as well. Johny Placide | Goalkeeper | Haiti Age: 38National team appearances: 79Club: Bastia (France) Placide could be very busy this summer. The 38-year-old French-born goalkeeper has been Haitis captain for the last 15 years and will backstop the team's effort this summer in a group that includes five-time champion Brazil and 2022 semifinalist Morocco. Notable stat: Placide has been a part of Haiti's two bronze-medal finishes at the Caribbean Cup, coming in 2012 and 2014. Scott McTominay | Midfielder | Scotland Age: 29National team appearances: 69Club: Napoli (Italy) McTominay has had a renaissance over the past year. The 6-foot-3 attacking midfielder led Napoli to the Italian title last season, earning a Ballon dOr nomination along the way. It was his spectacular bicycle kick that opened the scoring in Scotlands World Cup qualifying clincher over Denmark. A former Manchester United player, McTominay will be the focal point for the Tartan Army. Notable stat: McTominay was named the 2024-25 Serie A Footballer of the Year, becoming the first Scottish player to win the Italian award. 2026 FIFA WORLD CUP GROUP D Weston McKennie | Midfielder | United States Age: 27National team appearances: 64Club: Juventus (Italy) HasMcKennienow surpassed AC Milans Christian Pulisic who struggled mightily in early 2026 as the Americans' most influential player? The all-action Juventus midfielder is having a career season (four goals during Champions League competition) in which hes been the best player for Italys most successful club. It was promising that he scored for the USA in the March friendly against Belgium, despite the 5-2 loss in Atlanta. Now a veteran presence for the Stars and Stripes, McKennie can further solidify his stardom on home soil this summer. Notable stat: McKennie has made more than 220 appearances for Juventus since joining the club in 2020, with more than 50 goal contributions in that span. His 64 caps are third-most among active players behind Pulisic's 84 and Tim Ream's 80. Miguel Almirn | Midfielder | Paraguay Age: 32National team appearances: 75Club: Atlanta United (United States) Almirn is familiar to fans on three continents, having moved from Cerro Porteo in his native country to Argentine club Lans to MLS side Atlanta United to Premier League mainstay Newcastle United before returning to Atlanta last year. With Paraguay being the USA's opening match opponent, Almirn could also help spoil the Americans party during group stage action. Notable stat: Almirn made 223 appearances for Newcastle United from 2018 to 2025, scoring 30 goals and 12 assists. Jordan Bos | Defender | Australia Age: 23National team appearances: 25Club: Feyenoord (Netherlands) The 23-year-old Feyenoord left back is a quicking turning heads in European club soccer. Bos has experience scoring against the USA, and he could do so again when the Socceroos take on the co-hosting team in Seattle in group-stage play. Last October, he had the Aussies lone goal in a 2-1 loss to the U.S. in an exhibition match in Denver. He scored in his next two appearances, too, including a game-winner over Cameroon in March. Notable stat: Bos made 46 appearances in two seasons for Westerlo (Belgian Pro League) before making his move to the Dutch Eredivisie. Kenan Yldz | Forward | Trkiye Age: 20National team appearances: 28Club: Juventus (Italy) Expect a tough matchup for the USA when it takes on Yldz and Trkiye in what could be the Group D decider this summer. Real Madrid forward Arda Gler is continuing to shine this season (despite suffering an injury on April 23), but 20-year-old Juventus playmaker Yldzhas already established himself as one of the game's most gifted youngsters in global soccer. In 2024-25, the Juventus winger scored Serie As "Goal of the Season." Notable stat: In 42 appearances for Juventus this season, Yildiz has scored 11 goals and recorded 10 assists. 2026 FIFA WORLD CUP GROUP E Florian Wirtz | Midfielder | Germany Age: 22National team appearances: 39Club: Liverpool (England) Wirtz may be struggling this season with Liverpool, but he'll give Germany a shot at making a deep run at the World Cup. The 22-year-old midfielder helped Bayer Leverkusen go undefeated en route to winning the German title two seasons ago before being named Bundesliga Player of the Year in 2025. He then moved to Liverpool later that year on a blockbuster $156 million transfer deal but continues to adjust to life in the Premier League. In March, Wirtz scored his 10th goal in just 39 games for his country. Notable stat: Before moving to Liverpool this season, Wirtz scored 57 goals and 65 assists in 197 appearances for Bayer Leverkusen from 2019 to 2025. Eloy Room | Goalkeeper | Curaao Age: 37National team appearances: 70Club: Miami FC (United States) With debut team Curaao facing some stiff competition in this group, Room figures to be plenty busy for the Blue Wave this summer. Tied for the most caps (with former Aston Villa striker Leandro Bacuna) inCuraaos history, Room's journeyman career has taken him across several clubs in the Netherlands and Belgium. He did have a notable stint in MLS as he helped the Columbus Crew win the 2020 MLS Cup. Room now plays for Miami FC in the USAs second-tier USL Championship. Notable stat: Room recorded a clean sheet for the Columbus Crew in the 3-0 victory in the2020 MLS Cup final over the Seattle Sounders. Franck Kessi | Midfielder | Ivory Coast Age: 29National team appearances: 102Club: Al-Ahli (Saudi Arabia) Kessi is not just Ivory Coasts heart-and-soul central midfielder, but he is also the Elephants captain. Now playing his club ball in Saudi Arabia, the 29-year-olds resume includes stints with European juggernauts Barcelona and AC Milan. A good showing this summer at the World Cup could land him a return to a European club. Notable stat: During his time at AC Milan and Barcelona, Kessie totaled 266 appearances, scoring 40 goals and 19 assists. Moiss Caicedo | Midfielder | Ecuador Age: 24National team appearances: 60Club: Chelsea (England) Regarded as perhaps the finest defensive midfielder in the game, Caicedo will lead a stacked Ecuador side that also features 36-year-old all-time scoring leader Enner Valencia and young Paris Saint-Germain defender Willian Pacho.La Triis seen as a dark-horse side, but Caicedo helped Chelsea win the 2025 FIFA Club World Cup and is the linchpin in Ecuador's lineup. Notable stat: Caicedo's transfer from Brighton Hove & Albion to Chelsea in 2023 was the fourth-most expensive for a central midfielder in the world at $129.5 million, according to Transfermarkt. 2026 FIFA WORLD CUP GROUP F Virgil van Dijk | Defender | Netherlands Age: 34National team appearances: 90Club: Liverpool (England) Van Dijkis the best center back in the world. The main thing about the 6-foot-5 stalwart defender is his leadership. He captains both his Liverpool club and his country, and his energy and tone trickle down to his teammates. Hes literally and figuratively the quarterback of his back line. Hes composed on the ball, rarely makes mistakes, wins one-on-one battles and is a bully in the air. Hell turn 35 during the World Cup, but his age doesnt matter van Dijk is a reason why the Oranje are automatically contenders against any opponent. Notable stat: One of the most decorated Dutch players of all time, van Dijk is a former English Premier League Player of the Season and five-time Team of the Season selection. Takefusa Kubo | Forward | Japan Age: 24National team appearances: 48Club: Real Sociedad (Spain) Liverpool midfielder Wataru Endo is a key player for Japan, but will he be able to come back in time for the World Cup after ankle surgery in February? Regardless, the Samurai Blue will need players like Kubo to step up. The Real Sociedad winger, who was once dubbed the "Japanese Messi," has looked good following his return from a hamstring injury in January. He's been a key contributor for Real Sociedad, which won the Spanish Copa del Rey in April. Notable stat:Kubo played for Barcelonas youth academy and was acquired by Real Madrid in 2019, never making an appearance for the team but totaling more than 200 appearances in La Liga play for Mallorca, Villarreal, Getafe and Real Sociedad. Viktor Gykeres | Forward | Sweden Age: 27National team appearances: 32Club: Arsenal (England) Sweden will have two elite strikers in Liverpool's Alexander Isak and Arsenal's Gykeres, but the latter has been a bit more prolific this season. The Arsenal star scored four goals in Swedens two playoff games against Ukraine and Poland. Isak is working his way back from surgery on a fibula fracture last December, which means Gykeres is the most in form at the moment to lead the Swedish attack this summer. Notable stat: Before moving to Arsenal this season, Gykeres scored 97 goals and 28 assists in 102 appearances for Sporting Lisbon. Mohamed Ali Ben Romdhane | Midfielder | Tunisia Age: 26National team appearances: 54Club: Al-Ahly (Egypt) Tunisias bread and butter may be its defense, but Romdhane is known for his proficiency on the ball and has a nose for goal. The 26-year-old plays for Al Ahly in Egypt, and he scored a goal against Portuguese powerhouse Porto at the 2025 Club World Cup. He also scored the goal that booked Tunisia's spot at the World Cup in a 1-0 qualifier win overEquatorial Guinea in September.The Eagles of Carthage will likely be over-matched by their group opponents, but any foe certainly has to account for Romdhane and his propensity to impact the game. Notable stat: Romdhane spent eight seasons playing at clubs in Tunisia and Hungary before moving to Al Ahly in the Egyptian Premier League in 2024. 2026 FIFA WORLD CUP GROUP G Jrmy Doku | Forward | Belgium Age: 23National team appearances: 41Club: Manchester City (England) Napoli midfielder Kevin De Bruyne? Real Madrid keeper Thibaut Courtois? We're going with standout winger Jrmy Doku. Belgium boasts elite players up and down its lineup, including veteran defender Thomas Meunier and captain Youri Tielemans, but the 23-year-old Manchester City dangerman a key threat is its undisputed game-breaker. He scored against the USA in the March friendly, and the Red Devils will go as far as he takes them. Notable stat: Since signing with Manchester City in 2023, Doku has made more than 120 appearances for the team, with 20 coming in the Champions League. Mohamed Salah | Forward | Egypt Age: 33National team appearances: 115Club: Liverpool (England) Mohamed Salah is easily the greatest player in the countrys history with 67 goals. The Pharaohs captain and Liverpool icon, who'll leave the club this summer, could overtake current national team coach Hossam Hassans Egyptian record of 69 goals in what could be his final World Cup. Notable stat: Salah is a two-time African Footballer of the Year winner and a two-time English Premier League Player of the Season. He's won nine major trophies with Liverpool including two league titles and the Champions League. Mehdi Taremi | Forward | Iran Age: 33National team appearances: 103Club: Olimpiacos (Greece) Taremi stands out for Team Melli. The talented striker is Iran's captain and best player, having played across several prominent European teams. A key factor for Greek power Olimpiacos, Taremi was a UEFA Champions League runner-up with Inter Milan last season. Notable stat: In 225 combined appearances with Porto and Inter Milan, Taremi scored 94 goals and added 65 assists. Chris Wood | Forward | New Zealand Age: 34National team appearances: 88Club: Nottingham Forest (England) If New Zealand score any goals this summer, it'll likely be by Chris Wood. The 34-year-old Premier Leaguer has more goals and caps than any player in the countrys history. The 6-foot-3 Nottingham Forest striker also wears the armband for the Kiwis under English coach Darren Bazeley. Notable stat: Woods career includes stops all around the English Premier League, having played at Leicester City, Leeds United, Burnley and Newcastle United before making the move to Nottingham Forest in 2023. 2026 FIFA WORLD CUP GROUP H Lamine Yamal | Forward | Spain Age: 18National team appearances: 25Club: Barcelona (Spain) World Cup fans will be relieved that Yamal is expected to be in action this summer for Spain, despite a hamstring injury that will keep him out of Barcelonas final stretch. This will be the 18-year-olds first World Cup, and he will be an absolute delight for fans. Hes creative and unafraid on the ball and is a force in the attack, when healthy, be it for Spain or his club Barcelona. While this will be his debut on the global stage, Yamal has already won a Euros medal, and his unique talent already has soccer fans wondering if hes the best player in the world already or if it's only a matter of time. Notable stat: He is the most expensive player in the world at $235.5 million, according to Transfermarkt. At age 17, he became the first player ever to score or assist in the quarterfinals, semifinals and final of a single European Championship during the 2024 edition. Dailon Livramento | Forward | Cape Verde Age: 24National team appearances: 20Club: Casa Pia (Portugal) Livramento carries the hopes and dreams of this island nation off the coast of Africa. The 24-year-old plays in Portugal and has scored the two most important goals in his nations history: the opener in a 3-0 win over Eswatini during World Cup qualifying and then the game-winner against Cameroon, clinching a spot for this summer's tournament. Notable stat: Livramento spent the early part of his career playing in the Netherlands before making the move to Italy for Hellas Verona in 2024 and made 31 appearances. Salem Al-Dawsari | Forward | Saudi Arabia Age: 34National team appearances: 107Club: Al-Hilal (Saudi Arabia) Al-Dawsari is one of the best players in Saudi football history and has made more than 100 appearances for his country. The 34-year-old midfielder plays for Al-Hilal and captains his national team. He scored a stunning goal in the win over Argentina at the 2022 World Cup in Qatar. With a team like Spain looming in the group stage, perhaps hell have more heroics up his sleeve this summer. Notable stat: Al-Dawsari is a two-time Asian Football Confederation (AFC) Player of the Year winner (2022, 2025) who has scored more than 140 goals for Al-Hilal while leading the team to six Saudi Pro League titles. Federico Valverde | Midfielder | Uruguay Age: 27National team appearances: 73Club: Real Madrid (Spain) Valverde is one of Uruguays more familiar and established players. He has experience and has Champions League, La Liga and FIFA Club World Cup titles to his name. Valverde has more than 70 caps forLa Celeste and was on Uruguay's rosters for both the 2018 and 2022 World Cups. Notable stat: Considered one of the best midfielders in the world, Valverde has made more than 360 appearances for Real Madrid since joining the team in 2018. 2026 FIFA WORLD CUP GROUP I Kylian Mbapp | Forward | France Age: 27National team appearances: 96Club: Real Madrid (Spain) Mbapp was the leading scorer at the last World Cup with eight goals including a hat trick in the final and hes arguably still the worlds best player when at the height of his powers. Since 2022, he has made the move from Paris Saint-Germain to Real Madrid, where he continues to shine. Already a World Cup winner from the 2018 tournament, a second one would further solidify his case of being among the best of all time. Notable stat: Mbapp is just one of two players ever to record a hat trick in a World Cup final, joining England's Geoff Hurst. He is also five goals away from breaking the all-time record of 16 set by Germany's Miroslav Klose. Idrissa Gueye | Midfielder | Senegal Age: 36National team appearances: 131Club: Everton (England) Sadio Man was a mainstay for clubs like Liverpool and Bayern Munich, but don't overlook Gueye, who is Senegals captain and most capped player. The current Everton and former Paris Saint-Germain midfielder remains a key player for his country even at age 36. Notable stat: Gueye has made more than 380 combined appearances for Aston Villa, Paris Saint-Germain and Everton. Ali Al-Hamadi | Forward | Iraq Age: 24National team appearances: 17Club: Luton Town (England) Al-Hamadi has carved out a respectable club career in England, where he moved with his family as a child. His opening goal against Bolivia in March's intercontinental playoff led to Iraq clinching its first World Cup appearance since 1986. Notable stat: Al-Hamadi made 11 appearances in the English Premier League for Ipswich Town in the 2024-25 season. Erling Haaland | Forward | Norway Age: 25National team appearances: 49Club: Manchester City (England) Haaland is the sports most prolific scorer with an astonishing 55 goals in just 48 games for Norway. Still only 25, no player in international soccer history hit the half-century mark in fewer matches than it took the 6-foot-5 striker. He's already won every major club trophy with Manchester City, including the 2025 Champions League, and now he'll want to make his mark on the international level. Notable stat: Haaland holds the records for the fastest player to reach 100 Premier League goals, in addition to being the fastest player to reach 50 Champions League goals. 2026 FIFA WORLD CUP GROUP J Lionel Messi | Forward | Argentina Age: 38National team appearances: 198Club: Inter Miami (United States) The 2026 World Cup is also known as Messis Last Dance. He led Argentina to a thrilling victory over France to win the 2022 World Cup in Qatar and has helpedLa Abicelestewin the last two Copa Amrica crowns. Messi will turn 39 during the World Cup, but his place and status on the team is as strong as ever. Argentina manager Lionel Scaloni has said Messi can and will be part of the national team for as long as he wants. Now playing at Inter Miami in MLS, winning a World Cup on American soil could be a fitting end to a legendary career. Notable stat: No player has won the Ballon dOr more times than Messi with eight, and he also holds the record for most matches played in World Cup history, along with being tied for the fourth-most goals ever with 13. Riyad Mahrez | Forward | Algeria Age: 35National team appearances: 113Club: Al-Ahli (Saudi Arabia) Mahrez is considered Algeria's best player, winning multiple club trophies with Manchester City and being part of Leicester City's improbable 2015-16 Premier League title team. Now playing club ball in Saudi Arabia, Mahrez will take part in his first World Cup after having led Les Verts to the 2019 Africa Cup of Nations title. Another notable name on Algeria's roster is Granada goalkeeper Luca Zidane, the son of France legend Zinedine Zidane, who switched international allegiances in 2025. Notable stat:Mahrez spent 10 seasons in the English Premier League, where he scored 82 goals and 63 assists in 284 appearances for Leicester City and Manchester City. Marcel Sabitzer | Midfielder | Austria Age: 32National team appearances: 97Club: Borussia Dortmund (Germany) Sabitzer scored the winning goal to beat the Netherlands in the group stage of the 2024 Euros. The 32-year-old midfielder has made 95 appearances for his national team and has scored 23 goals, and he's an integral piece of this squad. Notable stat: Sabitzer has been playing top flight European football since 2014, making more than 330 appearances for clubs like RB Leipzig, Bayern Munich, Manchester United and Borussia Dortmund. Musa Al-Taamari | Forward | Jordan Age: 28National team appearances: 90Club: Stade Rennais (France) There are a few players on this World Cup debut team who are based in Europe, and Al-Taamari is one of them. He predominantly plays right wing for French side Stade Rennais FC, where hes scored three goals and had five assists in Ligue 1 this season. He will be one of the most important parts of Jordans attack. Notable stat: Al-Taamari has made more than 80 appearances in Frances Ligue 1 since 2023, playing for Rennes and Montpellier. With 23 international goals, he is 11 shy of breaking the all-time record for Jordan. 2026 FIFA WORLD CUP GROUP K Cristiano Ronaldo | Forward | Portugal Age: 41National team appearances: 226Club: Al-Nassr (Saudi Arabia) Just like Messi, this is expected to be Ronaldos last World Cup. But unlike Messi, Ronaldo has yet to lift the sport's most prestigious trophy. Its truly the only accolade thats eluded him in his career, and theres nothing the 41-year-old forward wants more. Now, Ronaldo isnt the most important player for Portugal anymore, but hes still captain and the face of the team. He would give anything to ride off into the retirement sunset on top of the football world. Notable stat: On pace to be the first player to officiallyeclipse 1,000 career goals scored, Ronaldo is the only player in World Cup history to have scored in five different editions of the tournament. Aaron Wan-Bissaka | Defender | Congo DR Age: 28National team appearances: 9Club: West Ham United (England) Wan-Bissaka is a household name among Premier League fans. With more than 200 appearances for Crystal Palace, Manchester United and West Ham United, the 28-year-old fullback has carved a solid club career in England. Had he not gotten injured before two of Englands Euro 2020 qualifiers seven years ago, hed likely be permanently cap-tied to the Three Lions under FIFA rules. Instead, he switched to the country of his roots last year. Now hell represent the Leopards on the biggest stage of all. Notable stat: Wan-Bissaka was named the West Ham United Player of the Season in 2024-25 and the Crystal Palace Player of the Season in 2018-19. Abdukodir Khusanov | Defender | Uzbekistan Age: 22National team appearances: 25Club: Manchester City (England) Football fans should be somewhat familiar with this City center back. The 22-year-old defender has had a quick rise from playing youth soccer in Uzbekistan to now thriving as the first player from his country to feature regularly in the Premier League. He was a standout defender in the Carabao Cup final win against Arsenal. Notable stat:Khusanov has made more than 40 appearances for Manchester City this season, including six in the Champions League. James Rodriguez | Midfielder | Colombia Age: 34National team appearances: 124Club: Minnesota United (United States) The main scoring threat for Los Cafeteros will be winger Luis Diaz, but James Rodriguez will serve as captain for Colombia. The 2014 Golden Boot winner will turn 35 during the World Cup, and while the former Real Madrid and Bayern Munich strikers club fortunes have changed his short-term deal with MLS side Minnesota United hasn't gone as planned due to a brief hospitalization in March with dehydration he remains an important player for Colombia. Notable stat: Rodriguez is six appearances and six goals shy of breaking the Colombia national team record in both categories. 2026 FIFA WORLD CUP GROUP L Harry Kane | Forward | England Age: 32National team appearances: 112Club: Bayern Munich (Germany) England is going to need Kane to score some goals this summer. The 32-year-old star striker is the Three Lions' all-time record holder with 78 goals in 112 appearances, and he has 52 this season for his club Bayern Munich. However, this was an area where Kane struggled four years ago in Qatar, only scoring two goals at the 2022 World Cup. Kane will be motivated to do everything to finally bring an international title home. Notable stat:Kane is the English Premier Leagues second all-time leading scorer with 213 goals to his name. Luka Modri | Midfielder | Croatia Age: 40National team appearances: 196Club: AC Milan (Italy) Of course, its the 40-year-old midfielder, who will be playing in his fifth World Cup. Like peers Messi and Ronaldo, we are expecting this to be his last one. Hes become a footballing icon with flair on the pitch with his technical ability and overall presence, as well as off of it as his long hair and headband make him impossible to miss. He figures to reach the 200-game mark during this summers tournament. Notable stat: The greatest Croatian player of all time, he is the overall leader in appearances with 196 and, most notably, won the Ballon dOr in 2018. Antoine Semenyo | Forward | Ghana Age: 26National team appearances: 34Club: Manchester City (England) Semenyo has been a revelation for Manchester City this season (11 goal contributions in 19 appearances), and that bodes well for the Black Stars. And with Tottenham forward Mohammed Kudos still recovering from a hamstring injury sustained in January, there's further responsibility on Semenyo's shoulders this summer. Notable stat: The 26-year-old scored 32 goals and 13 assists in 110 appearances for Bournemouth before being acquired by Manchester City in January of this year. Adalberto Carrasquilla | Midfielder | Panama Age: 27National team appearances: 73Club: Pumas UNAM (Mexico) Carrasquilla is a dynamic and impactful midfielder for Panama. He received a red card in a 2024 Copa Amrica group stage match against the U.S. that forced his team to play down a man though the Panamanians still managed to pull off the victory and eliminate the Americans. Hes a veteran for his national team with 70 appearances and will play an important role for his side as it prepares to face a challenging group. Notable stat: Carrasquilla won the Golden Ball at the 2023 Gold Cup, where Panama finished as runners-up to Mexico. How To Watch The 2026 FIFA World Cup The World Cup will run from June 11 to July 19, 2026. Spread across three countries, the tournament will culminate with the final on July 19 at New York New Jersey Stadium in East Rutherford, New Jersey. All 104 tournament matches will air live across FOX (70) and FS1 (34) with every match streaming live and on-demand within both the FOX One and the FOX Sports apps. A record 40 matches, more than one-third of the tournament, will air in prime time across FOX (21) and FS1 (19).

Here's our NFL Nation reporters' look at the biggest questions for each Round 1 pick and how every player fits with his new team.

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In 2022, Christian Pulisic never looked happier. The U.S. national team headliner was sat at a podium in a tent next to the Americans' training base in Qatar basking in the glory of his first World Cup goal a game winner against Iran that sent the Americans to the round of 16. Normally almost painfully reserved, Pulisic was all smiles as he joked with reporters in the room. The contrast was stark a few days later, when a devastated Pulisic, with tears in his eyes and his voice barley above a whisper, blamed himself for missing a potentially outcome-altering chance early against the Netherlands before the U.S. was eliminated by the powerful Dutch. Like many elite soccer players, Pulisic is streaky. When hes up, hes the most dynamic attacking player the country has ever produced, a truly world-class talent who can win matches at the highest level all by himself. When hes down right now, the 27-year-old is mired in a 17-game goalless streak for the U.S. and Italian club AC Milan Pulisic is a shell of his best self. Pulisic was at the height of his powers earlier this season when, despite playing mostly as a winger or play-making midfielder, he had the best goals-to-minutes ratio of any player in Serie A. His current drought isnt even the longest of his career. He went 21 games between goals with Chelsea in 2020-21 but ended the season in triumph, scoring against Real Madrid in the Champions League semifinals as the Blues went on to win Europes most coveted trophy. The following year, his last in London, Pulisic didnt score in his final 20 appearances. "Like, I know a ball will hit off my knee and go in and then things will change," Pulisic said in Atlanta last month after a 5-2 loss to Belgium in a World Cup warmup. "Im not gonna panic. Better now than in the summer. Things are going to change." They havent in his four games since. May is just around the corner. Summer will be here in a flash. Fun as it is to dig into the weeds and argue about wholl be the 25th or 26th player on Mauricio Pochettinos World Cup roster, how far the tournament co-hosts go on home soil hinges on the performance of its best players, Pulisic chief among them. His next chance comes on Sunday, when the Rossoneri welcome rivals Juventus and fellow USA star Weston McKennie to the San Siro. For Pulisic, Pochettino and U.S. fans, his next goal cant arrive soon enough. With just over a month to go until Pochettino drops the Americans' World Cup squad, heres how other roster hopefuls are faring with their clubs. Stock Up The 25-year-old speedsters career season continued on Wednesday, when he went 84 minutes in Leeds 2-2 Premier League tie with Bournemouth. (Tyler Adams was a second-half sub for the Cherries.) Aaronson notched his fifth assist of the campaign the game prior, a 3-0 victory over Wolves. He and Leeds next face Chelsea in Sundays FA Cup semifinal. With 10 goals in his last 10 contests at club level, Balogun is in the form of his life right now.Hes also scored in eight straight games in Frances top division, putting him just one away from tying the Ligue 1 record. U.S. teammate Mark McKenzie will try to prevent that, as Balogun & Co. head to Toulouse this weekend. Johnny played all 90 minutes of Wednesdays 3-2 loss to Elche, just the fifth time since joining Atleti last summer that hes gone the distance for Diego Simeones side. With their Champions League semifinal first leg against Arsenal looming next week, dont be surprised if Simeone goes right back to Cardoso when Athletic Bilbao visits the Spanish capital on Saturday. Dest wasnt in uniform for the Dutch champs match versus Zwolle on Thursday, but the 2022 World Cup vet insisted this week that hell soon return from the hamstring issue that has sidelined him since March 7. "Im almost back," Dest said with the 2026 event now in sight. "Im gonna be there. I'm gonna be fine." PSV coach Peter Bosz said Dest should return before the Eredivisie season ends on May 17. The Dutch champs have three more games after Thursday, including Sundays trip to historic nemesis Ajax. Somebody asked me this week if Dike, in the wake of Patrick Agyemangs Achilles tear, has any chance of sneaking onto the World Cup squad. I said no. But with two goals in his last two outings for the Baggies, the Oklahoma-born target man is clearly heating up. West Brom hosts Ipswich on Saturday. The little playmaker made it two straight games with a goal last Saturday, the second in his first start of 2026 for RSL. In Wednesday's 2-0 loss to Lionel Messis Inter Miami, Luna went all 90 minutes for the first time this campaign. On Wednesday, the lanky Texan celebrated his 13th league start with two goals, his 15th and 16th across all competitions this season for PSV, in a 6-1 trouncing of Zwolle. He now has 13 in the Netherlands top flight, a new career high for Pepi. Roldan followed up on his two assists in Seattles Concacaf Champions Cup win over Mexican power Tigres on April 15 with two goals in the Sounders 4-1 drubbing of St. Louis three days later. Hes surely headed to a second straight World Cup, though dont tell him that. "I don't see myself as a lock by any means," Roldan said postgame. "I have to keep performing here with the Sounders to give myself the best chance." What a week for Wright, who celebrated the Sky Blues promotion to the Premier League last Friday, then scored his 17th goal of the Championship campaign on Tuesday as Coventry officially clinched the second division title with a 5-1 win over Portsmouth. Stock Down Horrible news out of Italy where the 29-year-old son of former U.S. coach Jrgen Klinsmann suffered a broken neck in a second-tier match against Palermo last weekend. He underwent surgery in Germany on Wednesday, ruling him out for the rest of the season and ending whatever chance he had of making the World Cup roster. The uncapped Klinsmann, called up twice by Pochettino last fall, was not included on the coachs most recent roster. Since scoring against Wolfsburg in a late cameo off the bench back on April 4, Tillman has logged just 16 minutes over Leverkusens next three games, including Wednesdays 2-0 German Cup semifinal loss to Bayern Munich. Now Bild is reporting that the German-born Tillman could be on the move just a year after returning to the Bundesliga, with Premier League Brentford and Fulham among the potential landing spots. The 23-year-old has eight goals and one assist in 38 appearances across all competitions this season for Die Schwarzroten, who face Cologne on Saturday. A groin injury forced the 38-year-old to leave last Saturdays 2-1 loss to NYCFC at halftime, and the same ailment kept Ream out of Wednesday's 4-1 defeat at Orlando City. Its hard to imagine the veteran center back returning when Crowns road trip continues in Nashville on Saturday. After that, hell have just sixmore matches remaining before the national teams pre-World Cup training camp opens in the Atlanta area on May 27. Musahs nightmare stay in Bergamo is mercifully almost over, with Italys Gazzetta dello Sport reporting that Atalanta will not exercise its option to buy Musah from AC Milan following his season-long loan. Musah, a World Cup starter in 2022 who would need a miracle even to crack Pochs 26, has gone unused in four of the clubs last five Serie A games. Where the 23-year-old lands next is anyones guess; hes not in Milans plans either, per Gazzettas report. The towering center back has made just one 64-minute appearance for FCC since sustaining the groin injury that prevented him from playing against Portugal and Belgium last month. Robinson didnt dress for Wednesdays 4-4 tie with NYCFC with what was listed as a leg injury. Cincy hosts Michael Bradleys New York Red Bulls on Saturday.

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Just 50 days away from the United States 12th World Cup appearance, their final stage of preparation is hinging on their finalized roster, which will be announced May 26. With key players like Christian Pulisic suffering goal droughts, attacking midfielder Gio Reyna could stand out as an underrated weapon. Former U.S. men's national team coach Bob Bradley joined "First Things First" to discuss how someone like Reyna could potentially benefit the squad, despite his complicated history of performance and playing time. "We see certain moments when Gio pulls off a play, and we think we need more of that. Yes. But when he's not playing regularly with his club team, you have to then look hard at his fitness level, his ability to come in and handle a role," Bradley said on Wednesday's edition of First Things First. Reyna will have to compete with elite players at his position, like Pulisic, Weston McKennie and Malik Tillman. However, Reyna's talent is not the glaring concern for his role in Pochettino's team, it's his form. The 23-year-old striker only made four starts and 11 substitute appearances, for his club Borussia Mnchengladbach. Despite his lack of playing time, looking at Reyna's true strengths could be a decisive factor in his role on the World Cup stage. "Certainly every team needs a player that can come on the field when you need a goal, when the other team is defending deep and make a play to unlock the defense. And so that's the plus of Gio and that's where Pochettino is going to have to compare him to a few other guys," Bradley said. Reyna was part of Pochettino's squad during the March friendlies against Belgium and Portugal, both losses. He did perform well during the November international window, scoring against Paraguay and nabbing an assist off the bench in the win against Uruguay. "Me and Mauricio have a great relationship, speak often," Reyna said back in March about Pochettino. "I guess you could say it was sort of one of his more difficult decisions, or I guess controversial decisions to maybe bring me in. Again, cant appreciate it enough, love this team, love this staff, love this group of people." 2026 FIFA World Cup: How To Watch The World Cup will run from June 11July 19, 2026. Spread across three countries, the tournament will culminate with the final on July 19 at New York New Jersey Stadium in East Rutherford, New Jersey. All 104 tournament matches will air live across FOX (70) and FS1 (34) with every match streaming live and on-demand within both the FOX One and the FOX Sports apps. A record 40 matches, more than one-third of the tournament, will air in primetime across FOX (21) and FS1 (19).

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Former Manchester City and Argentina striker Sergio Aguero expressed his desire to see Neymar reunite with his former teammate in Major League Soccer. Aguero also provided an insight into when Lionel Messi will decide on his future at Inter Miami. The dream of a Neymar reunion Speculation has frequently linked Santos star Neymar with a move to Inter Miami, which would facilitate a "MSN" reunion alongside Messi and Luis Suarez. Aguero is clearly a fan of the idea, noting that the presence of such legends is vital for the growth of the sport in the United States and specifically for the entertainment value of the league. "Yes, it would be very fun. It would be nice if Neymar joined Leo again, lets hope so. That would be great. Its nice to have players who have won everything in previous teams and especially legends. Going to the MLS for an American audience is spectacular," Aguero explained. Messi's timeline for Miami future Since joining Inter Miami in the summer of 2023, Messis arrival has transformed the club into a global powerhouse. The eight-time Ballon d'Or winner has already led the Herons to a historic trophy haul, including the MLS Cup, the Supporters' Shield, and the Leagues Cup, while also captaining the side to the Round of 16 in the recent FIFA Club World Cup. Despite this success, questions remain regarding his future in South Florida. His close friend Aguero believes the decision will ultimately come down to physical fitness and personal happiness. Speaking to Stake about the timeline for a decision, Aguero suggested that Messi will evaluate his situation after the next major milestones in his schedule. "Leo will do whatever he feels. One year he will look at the contract. If he feels good physically, hes happy and calm, hell continue very calmly. Obviously, knowing Leo, he is very competitive and he hates losing. But he is in a very beautiful city, very comfortable. Many Latinos love him and he feels that affection." Aguero said. "I think it all depends on his physical condition. Looking at him today I think he can play calmly. If I were him I would stay here even if its only five minutes. But if hes okay well know in a few months. "After the World Cup and the MLS season, he has one year left. I dont think hes thinking about what he will do in 2028," he added. A potential Barcelona farewell Despite his MLS commitments, the prospect of a Barcelona return lingers for Messi, the club's greatest legend with 672 goals and 34 trophies over 778 appearances. Aguero believes the emotional bond remains unshakable, noting that a proper Camp Nou farewell would offer the ultimate fairy tale ending for the eight-time Ballon dOr winner and his supporters. Reflecting on the possibility of a return to Spain, Aguero added: "If he goes back its because he grew up there, he feels love for Bara 'Im from here and I retire here.' "But I dont know. It all depends on whether he is happy and calm there and physically he can still enjoy another year. Obviously he is excited about Bara. He will always be related to that club. I imagine his dream is to say goodbye there as he deserves. That is the dream of every Bara fan." Neymar's European door remains closed While some fans dream of a European comeback, Aguero believes that chapter is likely over for Neymar, as he is now focused on enjoying the game at Santos rather than meeting the intense physical demands of elite football. "I see him more in the stage of enjoying football than thinking about giving 100% again in something that is no longer necessary." Aguero commented on a potential return to Europe. "I think today he is more in the stage of wanting to be calm and enjoy."

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Mauricio Pochettino has admitted that he would like to return to Tottenham sometime in the future. The current United States men's national team head coach remains one of the most beloved figures in Spurs' recent history after a transformative five-year spell at the club between 2014 and 2019. An emotional connection to north London Despite his recent managerial roles at Paris Saint-Germain and Chelsea, Pochettino has never hidden his deep-seated affection for Tottenham. The Argentine spent over five years at the helm of the Lilywhites, leading them to a Champions League final and consistently challenging at the top of the Premier League table, and he clearly feels that his story with the club has an unfinished chapter. Speaking in an interview with FourFourTwo about his relationship with the club and its supporters, Pochettino was candid about how he views his time in North London. "Tottenham feels like home. Of course, I'd go back if the conditions were right. It is a club that will always be in my heart," he admitted, sparking new speculation about whether a second act could eventually be on the cards for the 54-year-old coach. Reflecting on the Tottenham journey Pochettino's tenure at Spurs was defined by the development of young talents like Harry Kane and Dele Alli, as well as the transition into the club's state-of-the-art new stadium. Although he failed to win a trophy during his time there, the brand of football and Prior to Pochettinos arrival, Tottenham had only secured Champions League qualification once in the Premier League era, but under his leadership, the club transformed into a mainstay among Europes elite with four consecutive qualifications. This transformative era reached its pinnacle during the 2016-17 season, when Spurs challenged for the title and secured a record-breaking second-place finish with 86 points. They also embarked on a thrilling run to the 2019 Champions League final, ultimately losing to Liverpool. The right conditions for a reunion Pochettino's coaching profile has matured significantly since 2019, having added silverware to his resume with Ligue 1, Coupe de France, and Trophe des Champions titles at Paris Saint-Germain, as well as leading the United States to a runner-up finish in the CONCACAF Gold Cup. These diverse experiences, including his challenging tenure at Chelsea, have shaped a more seasoned manager who would only return to Spurs if the project aligns with his evolved ambitions. What comes next? For now, Pochettino's immediate priority is the massive task of preparing the United States for a home World Cup, a project he is fully committed to as he leads a 'golden generation' of American talent. "Right now its about enjoying the World Cup," Pochettino added. "After that, Ive always said I came so close to winning the Premier League and Champions League, and want to try again. Id like to be part of a project with the ambition of winning both." Should Pochettino decide to leave after the World Cup, a potential replacement could be Real Sociedad's Pellegrino Matarazzo. Matarazzo recently became the first American-born manager to win a major trophy in one of Europe's top five leagues after winning the Copa del Rey with Sociedad four months after being appointed. Meanwhile, Spurs find themselves in the midst of a dire season, currently languishing in 18th place and fighting a desperate battle to avoid relegation with only five matches remaining. In a final attempt to secure their Premier League survival, the club has recently appointed Roberto De Zerbi, who has committed to a five-year contract with no break clause in the event that Spurs do suffer relegation.

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Lamine Yamal will miss the rest of Barcelonas season but should be healed from a leg injury in time to play for Spain at the 2026 FIFA Men's World Cup, the club said on Thursday. Barcelona said 18-year-old Yamal will miss the remaining six La Liga games for the leaders as he follows a "conservative treatment" process to heal a muscle injury in his left leg that he picked up on Wednesday while converting a penalty in a 1-0 win over Celta Vigo. The club added in a statement that its doctors "foresee that [Yamal] will be available for the World Cup." Yamal is supposed to make his World Cup debut this summer. Spain's campaign starts against Cape Verde on June 15 in Atlanta. Yamal has emerged as one of the worlds top players since making his Barcelona debut at a record-breaking 15 years old. He helped to lead Spain to the 2024 European Championship and is a major reason why Luis de la Fuentes team is among the favorites this summer thanks to his dribbling, creativity and ability to both score and set up teammates. Yamal went down after he scored the winner against Celta in the 40th minute and immediately looked to the bench to signal he was hurt. He dropped to the ground as his teammates arrived to celebrate, then appeared to grab the back of his left leg. Yamal left the field on his own after being attended by doctors. He talked briefly with coach Hansi Flick on the sidelines before walking into the locker room tunnel by himself. Barcelona leads Real Madrid by nine points with two more rounds before they meet at Camp Nou on May 10. Barcelona will start its run-in without Yamal on Saturday when it visits Getafe. Flick could replace Yamal on the right side with winger Roony Bardghji or mix up his front line and play with an extra midfielder. Yamal leads Barcelona in scoring (24) and assists (18) across all competitions. Reporting by The Associated Press.

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Lamine Yamal has been ruled out for the rest of the season with Barcelona due to a torn hamstring but should be fine for the World Cup, the Spanish champions have announced.

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