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The USA, Canada and Mexico will host the biggest sporting event in the world, with 48 different nations about to lock horns for the gold.

The 23rd edition of the World Cup is coming to North America in 2026, with 48 teams from around the globe battling it out for the right to be crowned undisputed champions.

United States, Canada and Mexico play hosts as the best players from across the planet prepare to showcase their skills, with icons such as Lionel Messi, Cristiano Ronaldo and Erling Haaland expected to be among their number. The group-stage draw took place on December 5, 2025, and excitement is certainly mounting.

Here, GOAL has absolutely everything you need to know about World Cup 2026, including group standings, fixtures, results and more.  

World Cup 2026 schedule

Round Matchday Date(s)

Group stageMatchday 1June 11 – June 17, 2026Matchday 2June 18 – June 23, 2026Matchday 3June 24 – June 27, 2026Knockout stageRound of 32June 28 – July 3, 2026Last 16July 4 – July 7, 2026Quarter-finalsJuly 9 – July 11, 2026Semi-finalsJuly 14 – July 15, 2026Third-place play-offJuly 18, 2026FinalJuly 19, 2026

The opening match is scheduled for June 11, 2026, at Mexico City’s Estadio Azteca.  

The final will be held on July 19, 2026, at MetLife Stadium in East Rutherford, New Jersey (Greater New York area).

AdvertisementWorld Cup 2026 group stageGroup A 

Pos Team P W D L GD Pts

1Mexico0000002South Africa0000003Korea Republic0000004Winner Play-Off D000000        

Date Fixture KO time (local) TV channel

June 11, 2026Meixco vs South Africa13:00TBCJune 11, 2026Korea Republic vs Winner Play-Off D20:00TBCJune 18, 2026Winner Play-Off D vs South Africa12:00TBCJune 18, 2026Mexico vs Korea Republic21:00TBCJune 24, 2026Winner Play-Off D vs Mexico19:00TBCJune 24, 2026South Africa vs Korea Republic19:00TBCGroup B 

Pos Team P W D L GD Pts

1Canada0000002Winner Play-Off A0000003Qatar0000004Switzerland000000

Date Fixture KO time (local) TV channel

June 12, 2026Canada vs Winner Play-Off A15:00 TBCJune 13, 2026Qatar vs Switzerland12:00TBCJune 18, 2026Switzerland vs Winner Play-Off A12:00TBCJune 18, 2026Canada vs Qatar18:00TBCJune 24, 2026Switzerland vs Canada12:00TBCJune 24, 2026Winner Play-Off A vs Qatar12:00TBCGroup C 

Pos Team P W D L GD Pts

1Brazil0000002Morocco0000003Haiti0000004Scotland000000

Date Fixture KO time (local) TV channel

June 13, 2026Brazil vs Morocco18:00TBCJune 13, 2026Haiti vs Scotland21:00TBCJune 19, 2026Brazil vs Haiti21:00TBCJune 19, 2026Scotland vs Morocco15:00TBCJune 24, 2026Scotland vs Brazil18:00TBCJune 24, 2026Morocco vs Haiti18:00TBCGroup D 

Pos Team P W D L GD Pts

1United States0000002Paraguay0000003Australia0000004Winner Play-Off C000000

Date Fixture KO time (local) TV channel

June 12, 2026United States vs Paraguay21:00TBCJune 13, 2026Australia vs Winner Play-Off C21:00TBCJune 19, 2026Winner Play-Off C vs Paraguay21:00TBCJune 19, 2026United States vs Australia12:00TBCJune 25, 2026Winner Play-Off C vs United States19:00TBCJune 25, 2026Paraguay vs Australia19:00TBCGroup E 

Pos Team P W D L GD Pts

1Germany0000002Curacao0000003Ivory Coast0000004Ecuador000000

Date Fixture KO time (local) TV channel

June 14, 2026Germany vs Curacao12:00TBCJune 14, 2026Ivory Coast vs Ecuador19:00TBCJune 20, 2026Germany vs Ivory Coast16:00TBCJune 20, 2026Ecuador vs Curacao19:00TBCJune 25, 2026Ecuador vs Germany16:00TBCJune 25, 2026Curacao vs Ivory Coast16:00TBCGroup F 

Pos Team P W D L GD Pts

1Netherlands0000002Japan0000003Winner Play-Off B0000004Tunisia000000

Date Fixture KO time (local) TV channel

June 14, 2026Netherlands vs Japan15:00TBCJune 14, 2026Winner Play-Off B vs Tunisia20:00TBCJune 20, 2026Netherlands vs Winner Play-Off B12:00TBCJune 20, 2026Tunisia vs Japan22:00TBCJune 25, 2026Tunisia vs Netherlands19:00TBCJune 25, 2026Japan vs Winner Play-Off B19:00TBCGroup G 

Pos Team P W D L GD Pts

1Belgium0000002Egypt0000003Iran0000004New Zealand000000

Date Fixture KO time (local) TV channel

June 15, 2026Belgium vs Egypt15:00TBCJune 15, 2026Iran vs New Zealand21:00TBCJune 21, 2026Belgium vs Iran15:00TBCJune 21, 2026New Zealand vs Egypt21:00TBCJune 26, 2026New Zealand vs Belgium20:00TBCJune 26, 2026Egypt vs Iran20:00TBCGroup H 

Pos Team P W D L GD Pts

1Spain0000002Cape Verde0000003Saudi Arabia0000004Uruguay000000

Date Fixture KO time (local) TV channel

June 15, 2026Spain vs Cape Verde12:00TBCJune 15, 2026Saudi Arabia vs Uruguay18:00TBCJune 21, 2026Spain vs Saudi Arabia12:00TBCJune 21, 2026Uruguay vs Cape Verde18:00TBCJune 26, 2026Uruguay vs Spain18:00TBCJune 26, 2026Cape Verde vs Saudi Arabia19:00TBCGroup I 

Pos Team P W D L GD Pts

1France0000002Senegal0000003Winner Play-Off 20000004Norway000000

Date Fixture KO time (local) TV channel

June 16, 2026France vs Senegal15:00TBCJune 16, 2026Winner Play-Off 2 vs Norway18:00TBCJune 22, 2026France vs Winner Play-Off 217:00TBCJune 22, 2026Norway vs Senegal20:00TBCJune 26, 2026Norway vs France15:00TBCJune 26, 2026Senegal vs Winner Play-Off 215:00TBCGroup J 

Pos Team P W D L GD Pts

1Argentina0000002Algeria0000003Austria0000004Jordan000000

Date Fixture KO time (local) TV channel

June 16, 2026Argentina vs Algeria21:00TBCJune 16, 2026Austria vs Jordan21:00TBCJune 22, 2026Argentina vs Austria12:00TBCJune 22, 2026Jordan vs Algeria20:00TBCJune 27, 2026Jordan vs Argentina21:00TBCJune 27, 2026Algeria vs Austria21:00TBCGroup K 

Pos Team P W D L GD Pts

1Portugal0000002Winner Play-Off 10000003Uzbekistan0000004Colombia000000

Date Fixture KO time (local) TV channel

June 17, 2026Portugal vs Winner Play-Off 112:00TBCJune 17, 2026Uzbekistan vs Colombia22:00TBCJune 23, 2026Portugal vs Uzbekistan12:00TBCJune 23, 2026Colombia vs Winner Play-Off 120:00TBCJune 27, 2026Colombia vs Portugal19:30TBCJune 27, 2026Winner Play-Off 1 vs Uzbekistan19:30TBCGroup L 

Pos Team P W D L GD Pts

1England0000002Croatia0000003Ghana0000004Panama000000

Date Fixture KO time (local) TV channel

June 17, 2026England vs Croatia15:00TBCJune 17, 2026Ghana vs Panama19:00TBCJune 23, 2026England vs Ghana16:00TBCJune 23, 2026Panama vs Croatia19:00TBCJune 27, 2026Panama vs England17:00TBCJune 27, 2026Croatia vs Ghana17:00TBCFIFAWorld Cup 2026 knockout stage bracketRound of 32

Date Fixture KO time TV channel

June 28, 2026Runner-up Group A vs Runner-up Group BTBCTBCJune 29, 2026Winner Group E vs 3rd Group A/B/C/D/FTBCTBCJune 29, 2026Winner Group F vs Runner-up Group CTBCTBCJune 29, 2026Winner Group C vs Runner-up Group FTBCTBCJune 30, 2026Winner Group I vs 3rd Group C/D/F/G/HTBCTBCJune 30, 2026Runner-up Group E vs Runner-up Group ITBCTBCJune 30, 2026Winner Group A vs 3rd Group C/E/F/H/ITBCTBCJuly 1, 2026Winner Group L vs 3rd Group E/H/I/J/KTBCTBCJuly 1, 2026Winner Group D vs 3rd Group B/E/F/I/JTBCTBCJuly 1, 2026Winner Group G vs 3rd Group A/E/H/I/JTBCTBCJuly 2, 2026Runner-up Group K vs Runner-up Group LTBCTBCJuly 2, 2026Winner Group H vs Runner-up Group JTBCTBCJuly 2, 2026Winner Group B vs 3rd Group E/F/G/I/JTBCTBCJuly 3, 2026Winner Group J vs Runner-up Group HTBCTBCJuly 3, 2026Winner Group K vs 3rd Group D/E/I/J/LTBCTBCJuly 3, 2026Runner-up Group D vs Runner-up Group GTBCTBCLast 16

Date Fixture KO time TV channel

July 4, 2026TBCTBCTBCJuly 4, 2026TBCTBCTBCJuly 5, 2026TBCTBCTBCJuly 5, 2026TBCTBCTBCJuly 6, 2026TBCTBCTBCJuly 6, 2026TBCTBCTBCJuly 7, 2026TBCTBCTBCJuly 7, 2026TBCTBCTBCQuarter-finals

Date Fixture KO time TV channel

July 9, 2026TBCTBCTBCJuly 10, 2026TBCTBCTBCJuly 11, 2026TBCTBCTBCJuly 11, 2026TBCTBCTBCSemi-finals

Date Fixture KO time TV channel

July 14, 2026TBCTBCTBCJuly 15, 2026TBCTBCTBCThird-place play-off

Date Fixture KO time TV channel

July 18, 2026Loser semi-final 1 vs Loser semi-final 2TBCTBCFinal

Date Fixture KO time TV channel

July 19, 2026Winner semi-final 1 vs Winner semi-final 2TBCTBCENJOYED THIS STORY?

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Where to watch World Cup 2026 – TV & streamingWorldwide

Country / Region TV channel & stream

United StatesFOX, Telemundo, fuboUnited KingdomBBC, ITVCanadaTSNMexicoUnivisionMENAbeIN SportsUnited States

World Cup games will be broadcast on the FOX and Telemundo networks, with commentaries in both English and Spanish. Those channels will be available to stream live through fubo. To help you figure out the best package for you, read our review of the service here.

Watch World Cup 2026 live on fuboBrowse deals

United Kingdom

In the United Kingdom, broadcast rights for World Cup games are divided between the BBC and ITV, with both channels usually broadcasting the final.

🇺🇸 Soccer on US TV today & this week🇬🇧 Football on UK TV today & this week

Ireland are in Group A, along with Australia, Japan and Sri Lanka

ESPNcricinfo staff09-Dec-2025Fast bowler Oliver Riley will lead Ireland at the 2026 Under-19 World Cup in Namibia and Zimbabwe next January. Reuben Wilson, another quick, is the vice-captain of the 15-member squad.Ireland will have an eight-day camp in Potchefstroom in South Africa before leaving for Namibia. They play two warm-up matches against West Indies (January 10) and Tanzania (January 13) in Windhoek.Ireland are in Group A at the Under-19 World Cup along with Australia, Japan and Sri Lanka. They play Australia on January 16, Sri Lanka on January 19, and Japan on January 22. Ireland will be coached by Peter Johnston at the World Cup, with Nigel Jones as assistant coach.The tournament comprises 16 teams divided into four groups of four each in the first round. Twelve teams – three from each group – will progress to the next round, where the teams will be divided into two groups of six. The top two from each group of six will contest the semi-finals. The tournament begins on January 15 and concludes with the final on February 6 in Harare.Ireland Under-19 squad: Alex Armstrong, Callum Armstrong, Marko Bates, Sebastian Dijkstra, Thomas Ford, Samuel Haslett, Adam Leckey, Febin Manoj, Luke Murray, Robert O’Brien, Freddie Ogilby, Oliver Riley (capt.), James West, Bruce Whaley, Reuben Wilson (vc)Non-travelling reserves: Peter le Roux, William Shields

Bryce Harper just wrapped his seventh season with the Phillies and 14th MLB season overall, hitting .261/.357/.487 with 27 home runs and 75 RBIs. It was a strong season, but his 3.2 WAR was his lowest mark for a year in which he played at least 100 games since 2018.

It is reasonable to believe that Harper is on the downswing of his career, but even so, it was surprising to hear Phillies president of baseball operations Dave Dombrowski appear to indicate that he no longer believes that Harper is an "elite" player.

"In Bryce's case, of course he's still a quality player. He's still an All-Star caliber player. He didn't have an elite season like he has had in the past," said Dombrowski last Thursday. "I guess we only find out if he becomes elite [again] or he continues to be good. You look around the league, you try to think Freddie Freeman. He's a really good player, he still is a good player. Is he elite like he was before? Probably not to the same extent so that's nothing negative. Freddie's still a tremendous player. That to me is Bryce."

Dombrowski's comments made waves within the world of Philly sports, even helping give rise to some rumors that Philadelphia could look to move the two-time National League MVP. Appearing on , he sought to clarify his Harper comments, while shooting down the bourgeoning trade rumors before they break contain.

"First of all, to me, Bryce Harper's one of the best players in the game of baseball. They asked me, 'What type of year do you think he had?' And I said, 'He had a very good year, I don't think he had an elite year.' And when I say that, when I think of Bryce Harper, it's a compliment, because the reality is there are eight, 10 players in the game of baseball every year, when they're not in the MVP consideration… it's not an elite year for them.

"So the reality is, he's a great player, he's a future Hall of Famer. … Now I've been reading that, . That couldn't be farther from the truth. We love him, we think he's a great player, he's a very important part of our team. I've seen him have better years.”

Dombrowski went on to riff about comments that Phillies legend Mike Schmidt made on the podcast about another of the team's 32-year-old stars, Kyle Schwarber, and the importance for players of that age to keep up a strong training regimen through the offseason. Dombrowski says he has no doubts that Harper will be one of the players who will age gracefully because of his talent and work ethic.

"I'll take my chances with Bryce more than most, because Bryce is an elite talent… I think it's a shame where this has gone. It wasn't meant to be a criticism."

Harper just crossed the midway point of the mammoth 13-year, $330 million deal he signed with Philadelphia, and is still owed nearly $153 million through 2031. Removing the human element from it, if the Phillies believe they'll get diminishing returns from Harper as he enters his mid-30s, it makes sense for them to consider a trade. It doesn't sound as if Dombrowski is near that point yet, however, despite how it may have sounded a week ago.

Bowling through heartbreak and hardship, he rose from life’s roughest pitches to script a spell of unforgettable highs

Sidharth Monga07-Jul-20252:38

Aaron: Akash Deep has been through so much turmoil

In another timeline, one in which India fail to win at Edgbaston or win it through someone else’s heroics, Akash Deep wouldn’t have been interviewed, he wouldn’t have been overcome with emotion, we wouldn’t have discovered the ordeal life has put him through yet again, and he would have quietly just gone on with his ill fortune, as he has done much of his life.It was a poignant moment, with ecstatic scenes of a Test win around him: Akash Deep telling Cheteshwar Pujara he wanted to dedicate the win to his sister, who had been diagnosed with cancer two months ago. One match-winner to another, who is now a broadcaster, somebody who lost his mother to cancer as a young boy. Veterans of hard knocks in life, well aware of what it is to be a common person in India and the desperation needed to come out of that commonness through cricket, one of the rare legal routes to upward mobility in India.Eight or so years ago, Akash Deep lost his father after a stroke and consequent paralysis. A couple of months after that, one of his brothers caught a cold, a common cold. In his small town, he wasn’t diagnosed properly and died on the way to the nearest city, Varanasi.Related

Akash Deep joins nightwatch lore with Oval knock to remember

Akash Deep ten-for seals statement win for India

Shubman Gill: Akash bowled with so much heart

Breaking Baz – India cook up the perfect new-ball formula

Akash Deep was born an ordinary Indian with an ordinary build into an ordinary Indian family in an ordinary small town of an ordinary state that didn’t have a cricket association. He was given more than his fair share of misfortune, but also the rare gift to endure it with equanimity and find the heart to keep moving on, to to be happy after experiencing all kinds of trauma.His happiness was cricket. Even when his father was alive and disapproving of the game, Akash Deep left home on the pretext of looking for a job but kept at cricket and started to send home a part of the stipend he was making playing for small-time clubs.We wondered if he was on a hiding to nothing when asked to replace Jasprit Bumrah in what has been carrying an image of being a Bumrah-or-nothing team. Such thoughts would have entered his mind only if he had ever got anything easy in life. The flat pitch minus Bumrah in the attack was a challenge but it must have paled in front of the ones he had overcome.While doing so, Akash Deep developed a bowling style that gave him a chance. Incidentally, a meeting with Mohammed Shami when Akash Deep was still an erratic newcomer in the Bengal team turned it around for him. Shami told him what he needed to stay fit to be able to sustain the intensity and the accuracy.Akash Deep produced a lion-hearted performance at Edgbaston•Getty ImagesAkash Deep came to the India team as the closest resemblance to Shami in world cricket. The release is perhaps not as pristine as Shami’s, but he runs through the crease, extracts any seam movement that there might be, and always appears to hurry batters up. All these things happen because Akash Deep has a high release and quick arm action.Of all the fast bowlers India have in England, only Prasidh Krishna has a higher release point, but only slightly. Their average release height is only 0.013 metres apart despite a 0.03m difference in height. Akash Deep releases the ball from a higher point than Josh Tongue and Ben Stokes. A higher release point and the near-perfect upright seam on release are what help him draw seam movement from the surface. It is possible that when the ball seams, it makes the batter react in a hurry, which gives the impression that he is a skiddy bowler.Akash Deep also taught a lesson or two to the host bowlers on how to bowl on a designer flat pitch. He repeatedly kept going wide on the crease to target the channel around the off stump. When he wanted the ball to seam away, he went wider on the crease and really full. It doesn’t always work. You can only aim for it. When it does, it becomes memorable as in the wickets of Ollie Pope in the first innings and Joe Root in the second. Between the two innings, Tongue used the same ploy to get KL Rahul out.2:12

What makes Akash Deep stand out?

Like Shami, Akash Deep kept going when on a roll. On the final morning, Shubman Gill gave an over to Prasidh to execute a change of ends to bring Akash Deep to his desired end. However, Gill saw that Prasidh was in good rhythm and gave him a spell.It didn’t bother Akash Deep at all – he bowled a spell of 6-1-22-2 from the “wrong” end to kickstart India’s final push for victory.This was nothing but Akash Deep putting his head down quietly expecting his poor luck in Australia during the Border-Gavaskar Trophy 2024-25 – when he kept going past the bat without success, drawing special praise from Steven Smith, and then getting injured – to continue. In between Tests, he perhaps spent more time in hospitals meeting specialists than on the cricket field. During IPL 2025, where he represented Lucknow Super Giants and played six matches, he would visit his sister in the hospital almost every night that he was in Lucknow.An unlikely hero in Birmingham, Akash Deep is the first India fast bowler to take a ten-wicket match haul since Umesh Yadav. Even Bumrah doesn’t have one. He told Pujara he just wanted to see a smile on his sister’s face. There are many more smiling, Akash Deep, and marvelling at your ability to keep going without complaining.

Arsenal take on Chelsea this weekend in a blockbuster Premier League clash which could help to define this year’s title race, and Mikel Arteta has provided some team news ahead of the clash.

Arsenal take on Chelsea in mouth-watering Sunday encounter

Arsenal’s emphatic 3-1 victory over Bayern Munich on Wednesday evening has catapulted the Gunners into Sunday’s London derby with serious momentum.

Arteta’s side complemented their 100 per cent Champions League record with a dominant display that overwhelmed the Bundesliga champions, who were unbeaten in all competitions before their defeat at the Emirates.

It was a massive performance by Arsenal on a real night to remember, but attention now turns immediately to Stamford Bridge, where the league’s top two meet in what represents a genuine six-pointer.

Arsenal arrive at Chelsea’s home ground boasting a formidable recent record against their London rivals.

The north Londoners are unbeaten in their last seven matches against Chelsea, recording five wins and two draws over that mightily impressive run.

Arsenal 3-0 Nottingham Forest

Athletic Bilbao 0-2 Arsenal

Arsenal 1-1 Man City

Port Vale 0-2 Arsenal

Newcastle 1-2 Arsenal

Arsenal 2-0 Olympiacos

Arsenal 2-0 West Ham

Fulham 0-1 Arsenal

Arsenal 4-0 Atlético Madrid

Arsenal 1-0 Crystal Palace

Arsenal 2-0 Brighton

Burnley 0-2 Arsenal

Slavia Prague 0-3 Arsenal

Sunderland 2-2 Arsenal

Arsenal 4-1 Tottenham

Arsenal 3-1 Bayern Munich

Chelsea currently sit six points behind Arsenal, meaning victory for the hosts would reduce that gap to three and reignite their title challenge.

However, a triumph for Arsenal would establish a potentially insurmountable nine-point cushion over their closest challengers, effectively ending Chelsea’s realistic hopes of catching the leaders barring a miracle.

Both sides enter the fixture riding waves of confidence following midweek European statements.

Arsenal hold 'initial talks' to sign Real Madrid target who Arteta thinks is 'ideal'

The Gunners are moving in ahead of January.

ByEmilio Galantini Nov 28, 2025

Chelsea demolished Barcelona 3-0 with teenager Estevao producing a moment of magic to live long in the memory, while Arsenal’s dismantling of Bayern demonstrated their credentials as genuine Champions League contenders.

Captain Martin Odegaard made his long-awaited return from injury after coming on as a late substitute, gifting Arsenal a major boost ahead of Chelsea after both Noni Madueke and Gabriel Martinelli also made their comebacks recently.

Supporters are now waiting for updates on Viktor Gyokeres, Kai Havertz, Gabriel Jesus, Gabriel Magalhaes and Leandro Trossard, with the latter subbed off against Bayern after picking up a knock.

Mikel Arteta shares Gabriel injury update out of Arsenal

Now, speaking in his pre-match press conference, Arteta has provided some news.

Arteta confirms that Gabriel will miss Arsenal’s trip to Chelsea after a further scan, with the Brazilian still not ready to take part.

Being without the “underrated” star for a little while longer is unfortunate, but there is some positive updates.

The Spaniard says that there is a ‘potential chance’ that Trossard could be available to play Chelsea, and refuses to rule out Gyokeres and Havertz playing a part too, with all three subject to late fitness tests.

When asked about Havertz and Gyokeres, Arteta explained:

As things stand, the Arsenal trio all have a chance for the matchday squad tomorrow, it would seem, which comes as a massive boost given their real shortage of attackers in the last two months.

Havertz hasn’t played since the start of the season due to a knee injury, while Gyokeres has been sidelined since Arsenal’s 2-0 win away to Burnley.

Christian Pulisic broke the deadlock in the 54th minute of the Derby della Madonnina, finishing from close range after Inter goalkeeper Yann Sommer could only parry Alexis Saelemaekers’ long-range effort. The chance came from a swift counterattack, with Milan recycling the break before Pulisic reacted quickest in the box to slot home the opener.

Getty Images SportSecuring Milan advantage

Pulisic delivered the decisive moment in the Derby della Madonnina, scoring in the 54th minute to send AC Milan to a 1–0 win over Inter Milan. The goal capped a blistering counterattack orchestrated by Massimiliano Allegri’s side, beginning with a crucial midfield interception from Youssouf Fofana. The Frenchman released Alexis Saelemaekers on the right, and the Belgian’s powerful strike forced Yann Sommer into a save he couldn’t push clear, allowing the alert Pulisic to finish from close range.

The goal marks Pulisic’s seventh in all competitions this season and his fifth in Serie A, continuing his excellent form since returning from injury.

AdvertisementWatch the goalAFPAllegri's tactical approach pays dividends

Allegri's decision to deploy a 3-5-2 formation with Pulisic and Leão as a front two has proven effective thus far despite Internazionale dominating the opening minutes of the second half. The home side for the derby, the Rossoneri were under the cosh prior to Pulisic’s goal. The match itself leaned in favour of the Nerazzurri, with Inter hitting the woodwork twice in the first half through Francesco Acerbi and Lautaro Martínez, the latter denied by an exceptional save from Mike Maignan.

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AFPMilan rivals set for season-long battle

Sunday’s result could have significant implications for the Serie A title race. The victory lifts AC Milan to 25 points, putting them just two behind league leaders Napoli and level with Roma. Inter, meanwhile, remain on 24 points and drop to fourth place – only their third league defeat of the season.

With the table so tight, the derby result could prove pivotal in what is shaping up to be one of the most competitive title races in recent years.

Arsenal are not expected to enter the race to sign Antoine Semenyo this January. The Gunners will instead prioritise a summer spending spree, leaving Premier League rivals Liverpool, Tottenham and Manchester United to battle it out for the Ghanian international's signature. Semenyo's £65m release clause will come into effect at the start of 2026, prompting a likely bidding war.

Arsenal summer plans rule out move for Semenyo

reports the north London club are unlikely to make any major moves in the winter widow, with sporting director Andrea Berta instead looking ahead to a "record-breaking summer" come the end of the season. 

While the Gunners remain compliant with the Premier League's Profitability and Sustainability Rules (PSR), they are reportedly nearing the limits of UEFA's financial fair play limitations. The confederation's Cost Ratio Limits dictate that clubs spend a maximum of 70% of their total revenue on transfers and wages. A large ticket sale would therefore be required for Arsenal to dip into the market in the coming months.

The Gunners also appear to be happy with the makeup of their squad. A recent spate of negotiations with their incumbent stars have resulted in new contracts for notable players including William Saliba, Gabriel and David Raya, while Mikel Arteta has recently spoken over the possibility of a new deal for main man Bukayo Saka. Looking specifically at Semenyo's preferred spot on the left side of the attack, Arteta has already deployed Gabriel Martinelli, Leandro Trossard, Eberechi Eze and Noni Madueke in that position during the 2025/26 season. 

Furthermore, recent reports on Semenyo's release clause reveal it must be triggered in the first two weeks of January, all but ruling the Gunners out of the chase. 

AdvertisementGetty Images SportArsenal fan Semenyo open to any move

This report may come as something of a disappointment for the highly rated Bournemouth winger. He has been open in his support of the north London club. However, he is open to an opportunity with another big club that can offer European football.

In a 2024 interview with , the Ghanian said: “I am an Arsenal fan. 

“I don’t conflict the two with my job. It is great to play against Arsenal, a team I have watched all my life and I want to play for the top clubs as well. In order for that to happen I need to prove it.

"Any team that plays Champions League, Europa [League] — that’s the aim. I know that’s not going to come with a click of my fingers, it’s going to take some time. It’s going to take goals. It’s going to take a lot of consistent performances. But I’ve worked all my life for that and I’m just going to continue working hard. That’s my mentality."

Race hotting up for Semenyo

The race for Semenyo's signature already looks to be the story of the January transfer window. Reports linking Liverpool with a move for the Ghanian emerged over the past week, with the Anfield brains trust considering him an option in a winter spending spree to kick start their ailling defence of the Premier League crown. 

United and Spurs could rekindle their interest from a year ago. Both clubs saw official approaches for the 26-year-old rebuffed by the Cherries. 

Some pundits have even suggested Semenyo could make a move outside of the Premier League, with Troy Deeney saying the in-form winger will likely end up playing for Real Madrid during his career. 

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Getty Images SportWhat comes next for Arsenal and Semenyo?

With mounting speculation over his future, Semenyo would likely hope to focus on his football over the coming weeks. He has experienced a small setback however. An ankle injury picked up on international duty ruling him out of Bournemouth's Premier League clash with West Ham this afternoon. 

Meanwhile, Arsenal will continue their pursuit of a first Premier League title in 20 years when they take on Tottenham in tomorrow's north London derby. While Semenyo would provide a mid-season shot in the arm for any side, it appears the Gunners will have to make do with their current squad for the remainder of the campaign. 

And were the 20 wickets that fell in Multan the most for the first day of a Test?

Steven Lynch28-Jan-2025Was Noman Ali’s hat-trick against West Indies the first for Pakistan in a Test? asked Nasir Ahmed from Pakistan
That hat-trick by slow left-armer Noman Ali, which reduced West Indies to 38 for 7 in the second Test in Multan, was the first by a Pakistan spinner in a men’s* Test, but it was their sixth overall. . (They also have one in a women’s Test, by legspinner Shaiza Khan, also against West Indies, in Karachi in March 2004.)The other men were all by quick bowlers: Wasim Akram took two in successive matches against Sri Lanka during the Asian Test Championship in 1999, and he was followed by Abdul Razzaq (2000), Mohammad Sami (2002) and Naseem Shah (2020). When he achieved the feat against Bangladesh in Rawalpindi, Naseem became the youngest to take a Test hat-trick; at 38, Noman is now the second-oldest (after Sri Lanka’s Rangana Herath, who was a month senior against Australia in Galle in 2016). Here’s the list of hat-tricks in men’s Tests. Shaiza Khan’s is one of only three hat-tricks in women’s Tests.There were 20 wickets on the first day in Multan. Was this a record? asked Richard Arkwright from England
Twenty wickets on the first day of the second Test between Pakistan and West Indies in Multan was a new high for any Test in Asia, surpassing 18 on the first day between India and West Indies in Delhi in 1987. But it’s not the overall record: 25 wickets went down on the first day between Australia and England in Melbourne in 1902, and it’s only a year since 23 fell on the first day between South Africa and India in Cape Town last January.The most wickets on any day of a Test is 27, on the second day of the match between England and Australia at Lord’s in 1888.Which player was run-out while attempting to complete his 10,000th Test run? asked Ricky Dooley from Sri Lanka
The man who was run out one short was Sri Lanka’s Mahela Jayawardene, who was beaten by a throw from South Africa’s Jacques Kallis while trying for his 10,000th Test run in Centurion in 2011. He was, according to the ball-by-ball commentary, “less than a yard away from his 10,000th run”. Jayawardene got to five figures with his first scoring shot in the next Test, in Durban.This is a timely question, as Australia’s Steve Smith is currently sitting on 9999 Test runs after also being dismissed one short – caught in the gully rather than run-out – in the final Test against India in Sydney earlier this month. He’ll be looking to make it 10,000 in the Test that starts tomorrow in Galle.Andrew Flintoff was previously the youngest to score a century for England A or the Lions before being overtaken by his son, Rocky•Getty ImagesDid Rocky Flintoff become the youngest Englishman to score a first-class century the other day? asked Martin Hazell from England
Rocky Flintoff, who’s still three months short of his 17th birthday, scored 108 for England Lions in their four-day game against a Cricket Australia XI in Brisbane last week. Had it been a first-class match, he would indeed have become the youngest… but the teams were rotating 14 players, which means it doesn’t count as first-class. He does have another chance to take the record, in the unofficial A-team Test that starts in Sydney on January 30.Rocky’s century was apparently the youngest for England A or the Lions in any match, a record previously held by… his father Andrew Flintoff, who was 20 when he hit 104 for England A in a 50-over game against Kenya in Nairobi in 1998.And so the youngest Englishman to score a first-class century remains Shiv Thakor**, who was aged 17 years and 180 days when he made 134 on debut for Leicestershire against Loughborough MCCU at Grace Road in April 2011. Thank you for answering my question last week about Nos. 9, 10 and 11 top-scoring in a Test innings. But the three highest scores in West Indies’ first innings in the second Test against Pakistan also came from the last three. How often has your answer been made redundant in just three days?! asked Nadeem Moghal from the United States
I did notice, with some astonishment, that West Indies’ last three batters in Multan repeated their achievement in the first Test: No. 9, Gudakesh Motie, top-scored with 55; Jomel Warrican added 36 from No. 11; and Kemar Roach chipped in with 25 from No. 10: the next-highest score in the innings was 21 by the No. 4 Kavem Hodge (no one else reached double figures).This particular achievement did not happen at all in the first 2576 men’s Tests, but has now occurred in successive matches. I certainly didn’t expect last week’s answer to be out of date so quickly! However, even that wasn’t quite a record… during the 2011 World Cup, I was asked about batters who had scored ODI centuries on their birthday. There were three – but on the day the answer was published (March 8, 2011), Ross Taylor made it four with 131 not out for New Zealand against Pakistan in Pallekele on his 27th birthday.January 28, 2024, 15:08GMT
*The answer was amended to clarify that Noman Ali’s hat-trick was the first by a male Pakistan spinner.
** This answer was corrected after publishing.Shiva Jayaraman of ESPNcricinfo’s stats team helped with some of the above answers.Use our feedback form, or the Ask Steven Facebook page to ask your stats and trivia questions

Also returning for the three-match series in Harare were Brad Evans and Tadiwanashe Marumani

ESPNcricinfo staff02-Sep-2025Brendan Taylor, Zimbabwe’s veteran wicketkeeper-batter, is back in their T20I squad, more than three years after he last played in the format. Taylor, who returned from a three-and-a-half-year ICC ban in August, was named in Zimbabwe’s 16-man squad for the upcoming series against Sri Lanka. The other notable inclusion in the squad was Sean Williams, who is back in the T20I fold after more than a year.Taylor had been banned from all cricket in January 2022, for failing to report an approach from alleged corruptors without delay. With the ban ending earlier this year, Taylor subsequently returned to the international fold in the Bulawayo Test against New Zealand, before playing the ODI series against Sri Lanka last month. Taylor’s last T20I, though, was in April 2021, against Pakistan in Harare.Williams, meanwhile, had previously played a T20I in May 2024, and he’s set for a comeback into the format ahead of the Africa regional qualifiers later this month for the T20 World Cup in 2026. Zimbabwe will be competing in the tournament alongside Botswana, Kenya, Malawi, Namibia, Nigeria, Tanzania and Uganda, with two World Cup spots on the line.Zimbabwe had missed out on qualifying for the T20 World Cup 2024 despite 20 teams participating in the tournament, as they couldn’t finish in the top two of the Africa Region Qualifier after suffering losses against Namibia and Uganda.Among other changes for the T20Is against Sri Lanka, Zimbabwe left out Newman Nyamhuri, Wessly Madhevere, Vincent Masekesa and Tafadzwa Tsiga from the squad that played the tri-series against South Africa and New Zealand in July. Apart from Taylor and Williams, those back in the squad were fast bowler Brad Evans and top-order batter Tadiwanashe Marumani.Zimbabwe and Sri Lanka have so far faced each other in only six T20Is, the last of which was in January 2024. Sri Lanka had won the three-match series after Zimbabwe levelled it with victory in the second match.Zimbabwe’s T20I squad vs Sri LankaSikandar Raza (capt), Brian Bennett, Ryan Burl, Brad Evans, Trevor Gwandu, Clive Madande, Tinotenda Maposa, Tadiwanashe Marumani, Wellington Masakadza, Tony Munyonga, Tashinga Musekiwa, Blessing Muzarabani, Dion Myers, Richard Ngarava, Brendan Taylor (wk), Sean Williams

Lionel Messi continues to see a "last dance" at Barcelona speculated on, with it possible that a loan return to Catalunya could be agreed early in 2026. The Argentine icon is currently plying his trade in MLS with Inter Miami, but could head back to Europe during the American off-season – with Jordi Cruyff, the son of Blaugrana legend Johan, reacting to that transfer gossip.

New contract for Messi: Tied to Inter Miami until 2028

Messi has ruled out a retracing of steps to Camp Nou on a permanent basis, having recently taken in a secret visit to that venue as redevelopment work is completed. The eight-time Ballon d’Or winner has committed to a new contract in South Florida through 2028.

Short-term loans have, however, been agreed by MLS superstars in the past – with David Beckham taking in two spells with AC Milan while on the books at the LA Galaxy and Thierry Henry briefly reuniting with Arsenal when tied to the New York Red Bulls. It has been suggested that Messi could tread a similar path.

AdvertisementGettyMessi transfer: Could Argentine emulate Beckham & Henry?

Cruyff, who represented Barca as a player before becoming the club’s sporting director, is not convinced that Messi will head back to familiar surroundings. He told reporters, as covered by , when quizzed on that shock transfer talk: "One last dance? I don’t know what his plans are, so I can’t answer that, but he’s a very special player because of everything he’s meant since he was a child.

"My father has also left at times in better shape and at other times in worse shape, but the affection becomes mutual again over time. What is clear is that the one who decides his destiny and his future, when and how, is Leo, just as my father did."

Pressed further on whether Messi – who won the MLS Golden Boot in 2025 and has 42 goals to his name this season – could still compete in La Liga having severed ties with Barca in 2021 when leaving for Paris Saint-Germain as a free agent, Cruyff added: "I don’t know, that’s something he has to decide. He is in a different league, he has a World Cup just around the corner, and that will be his great passion right now. [There is] also the issue of the League, and he is competitive; that must be decided by two parties, and I, from the outside, do not have much to say."

Exhibition game: Barcelona trying to arrange match for Messi

Messi is expected to form part of Argentina’s squad at next summer’s World Cup, as they look to successfully defend the global crown that was captured at Qatar 2022. Heading back to Catalunya would allow Messi to stay sharp ahead of that tournament.

Blaugrana president Joan Laporta has, however, said of the return rumours: "Out of the utmost respect for Messi, the professionals at the club, Barca, and the Barca club members, I believe that now, for me to make speculation that is unrealistic, nor do I think is fair, well, I believe that is not appropriate."

He went on to say of arranging a friendly or exhibition match for Messi to grace: "Things didn’t end the way we would have liked … if, in some way, this tribute can make up for what wasn’t done, I think it would be a good thing. It would be right that he has the best tribute [match] in the world, and it would be wonderful to have it here, in front of 105,000 fans."

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Getty ImagesMessi immortalised: Barca plan statue for record breaker

Laporta has also revealed that Barcelona are planning to immortalise Messi with a statue outside of Camp Nou. Said structure would stand alongside those which recognise the achievements of Johan Cruyff and Laszlo Kubala.

Jordi said of a statue helping to rebuild bridges between Barca and Messi following their emotional split four years ago: "Well, my father also had his own character, he was rebellious, he was a rebel; and that kind of character and personality… like my father, Leo Messi is a star. They have the luxury of choosing when they want to, that’s the luck that immortals have, the truly special ones."

Messi took in 778 appearances for Barcelona, netting 672 goals – becoming their all-time leading scorer. He helped them to 10 La Liga titles and four Champions League triumphs and is now the most decorated player in history with 46 major honours to his name.