Articles | The Beautiful Game

Friday

3 APRIL

Mbappe Opens Up on Racist Abuse After Euro 2021 Penalty Miss on The Bridge Podcast

Mbappe Opens Up on Racist Abuse After Euro 2021 Penalty Miss on The Bridge Podcast

Kylian Mbappe appeared on Tchouameni's podcast The Bridge alongside Achraf Hakimi and spoke candidly about the racist insults he received after missing the crucial penalty against Switzerland at Euro 2021. He said he felt like he was "walking like a dead man".

Thursday

2 APRIL

Ghana in Talks With Joachim Low to Take Black Stars Job Ahead of 2026 World Cup

Ghana in Talks With Joachim Low to Take Black Stars Job Ahead of 2026 World Cup

The GFA have officially opened negotiations with former Germany head coach Joachim Low following the dismissal of Otto Addo. Initial talks have been positive. Low won the 2014 World Cup with Germany. Ghana face England, Croatia and Panama in Group L this summer.

De Zerbi Is Tottenham's Third Manager of the Season And He Has Seven Games to Save Them From Relegation

De Zerbi Is Tottenham's Third Manager of the Season And He Has Seven Games to Save Them From Relegation

Roberto De Zerbi has been appointed Tottenham head coach on a five-year contract, arriving with Spurs one point above the Premier League drop zone. The Italian was their summer target. Now he has seven games to avoid the first relegation since 1977.

Wednesday

1 APRIL

Yamal Calls Out Anti-Muslim Chants at Spain vs Egypt — "Ignorant and Racist"

Yamal Calls Out Anti-Muslim Chants at Spain vs Egypt — "Ignorant and Racist"

Lamine Yamal refused to join his Spain teammates on their post-match lap of honour after anti-Muslim chants rang around the RCDE Stadium during Tuesday's 0-0 friendly with Egypt. The next morning, he posted a statement on Instagram. It was measured, direct, and completely right.

Lewandowski Will Not Play at the 2026 World Cup — Poland Eliminated by Sweden in Heartbreak

Lewandowski Will Not Play at the 2026 World Cup — Poland Eliminated by Sweden in Heartbreak

Viktor Gyökeres scored in the 88th minute to send Sweden through 3-2. Poland are out. Robert Lewandowski, 37, with 89 international goals, may never play at a World Cup again. "Football can be brutal," he said. He was not wrong.

Joan Garcia Makes His Spain Debut — Barcelona's Goalkeeper Is Going to the World Cup

Joan Garcia Makes His Spain Debut — Barcelona's Goalkeeper Is Going to the World Cup

Playing in the same game that was overshadowed by anti-Muslim chants, Joan Garcia made his first senior appearance for Spain in the 0-0 draw with Egypt. It was a significant moment for the 23-year-old who has been one of La Liga's best goalkeepers this season.

Raphinha Out Five Weeks — Barcelona Face Atlético Triple-Header and UCL Quarter-Finals Without Their Captain

Raphinha Out Five Weeks — Barcelona Face Atlético Triple-Header and UCL Quarter-Finals Without Their Captain

Barcelona confirmed on March 27 that Raphinha has suffered a right hamstring injury during Brazil's 2-1 friendly defeat to France in Boston. Five weeks out. He will miss both legs of the Champions League quarter-final against Atlético Madrid and at least three La Liga matches. It is a massive blow.

The 2026 World Cup Field Is Complete — All 48 Teams Are Confirmed

The 2026 World Cup Field Is Complete — All 48 Teams Are Confirmed

Italy are out. Bosnia, Sweden, Türkiye and Czechia are in from Europe. DR Congo end a 52-year wait. Iraq return for the first time in four decades. The 2026 FIFA World Cup field is now complete. Forty-eight nations. June 11 to July 19. USA, Canada and Mexico.

Italy Miss a Third Straight World Cup — The Four-Time Champions Have Set a Record Nobody Wanted

Italy Miss a Third Straight World Cup — The Four-Time Champions Have Set a Record Nobody Wanted

Bosnia and Herzegovina beat Italy on penalties to book their place at the 2026 World Cup. For the Azzurri, it is a third consecutive tournament absence — the first ever World Cup champion to suffer that fate. A national crisis that just became a national catastrophe.

Friday

27 MARCH

Raphinha Forced Off at Half-Time Against France With Right Thigh Concern

Raphinha Forced Off at Half-Time Against France With Right Thigh Concern

Barcelona are sweating on Raphinha after he was substituted at half-time in Brazil's 1-2 defeat to France in Boston. The winger complained of muscle pain in his right thigh. Medical tests on Friday will determine the extent of the problem.

Thursday

26 MARCH

Rodri: "Playing for Atlético Doesn't Stop Me Playing for Real Madrid"

Rodri: "Playing for Atlético Doesn't Stop Me Playing for Real Madrid"

Rodri has opened the door to Real Madrid in a bombshell interview on Onda Cero. The Ballon d'Or winner, with one year left on his Man City contract, says you "can't turn down the best clubs in the world" — and his Atlético past is no obstacle.

Trent Alexander-Arnold Left Out of England Squad — World Cup Dream in Serious Doubt

Trent Alexander-Arnold Left Out of England Squad — World Cup Dream in Serious Doubt

Trent Alexander-Arnold has been left out of Tuchel's 35-man squad even with Reece James injured. Tuchel says the decision is "sporting." With the World Cup 11 weeks away, the Real Madrid full-back is running out of time.

Brazil vs France in Boston: The World Cup Warm-Up the World Actually Wants to Watch

Brazil vs France in Boston: The World Cup Warm-Up the World Actually Wants to Watch

Two of the tournament favourites meet in Boston tonight in a blockbuster pre-World Cup friendly. France arrived in the US yesterday. Brazil vs France kicks off at 7pm ET — Vinicius, Mbappé, Rodrygo and Dembélé all expected to feature.

England vs Uruguay: Bellingham, Palmer and Rashford Start — Tuchel Hands Maguire and Mainoo Their Chance

England vs Uruguay: Bellingham, Palmer and Rashford Start — Tuchel Hands Maguire and Mainoo Their Chance

Tuchel rests 11 key players for tomorrow's Wembley friendly including Kane, Saka and Rice. Bellingham returns from injury. Mainoo and Maguire get their first Tuchel starts. It's effectively a World Cup trial against Bielsa's Uruguay.

Messi and Argentina Face Mauritania Tomorrow — The Last Games Before the World Cup

Messi and Argentina Face Mauritania Tomorrow — The Last Games Before the World Cup

Argentina play Mauritania on March 27 and Zambia on March 31 in their final friendlies before the World Cup. Messi has not confirmed whether he will play in North America this summer. These games may give the clearest signal yet.