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

Time was when a trip to Anfield was like stepping into your own personal horror movie. Liverpool have spent much time planting the seeds of fear on their home turf, and Jurgen Klopp made that garden grow.

Then Arne Slot put on the gloves and helped Liverpool evolve into an even smoother and more stylish outfit than when Klopp departed, taking the Reds through the campaign and out the other end with a Premier League title in tow.

But that’s no longer the case. This season, Manchester United, Crystal Palace, Nottingham Forest and PSV Eindhoven have all beaten Liverpool on Merseyside. This sanctum of stability has been reduced to just another ground, and Slot has to fix that quickly if he is to continue his project over the coming years.

Liverpool might have avoided defeat at home to Sunderland on Wednesday evening, but the point gained merely papers over the glaring problems that have left many fans shaking their heads at the false dawn at West Ham United last weekend.

It was a performance which left plenty to be desired.

How Liverpool performed vs Sunderland

After the draw, Sunderland boss Regis Le Bris spoke of his surprise that his side were afforded so much time and space to play through Liverpool and carve out opportunities in the danger area.

There lies the crux of Liverpool’s problems. They are too weak and brittle, not just suffering from a soft underbelly but a doughy outer shell too.

Alexander Isak toiled in the final third, a few wayward strikes illustrating the record signing’s lack of sharpness. However, it is inconceivable that FSG should have spent around £200m on the Swede and Hugo Ekitike only for Slot to implement a system that cuts off pathways to the central strikers.

Some will take encouragement from the home side’s gear-raising final flurry, seeking out a winner after the fleet feet of Florian Wirtz led to a Nordi Mukiele own goal to restore parity.

But Liverpool are not just shorn of confidence but tactical fluency too. Slot’s strategising across the 2024/25 campaign earned him a reputation for being a “genius” and a “football scientist”, as remarked by Dutch legend Marco van Basten.

Gone is that air about the former Feyenoord boss. Against the Black Cats, Liverpool secured a hard-earned point to narrow the gap on Chelsea after their defeat at Leeds United. Elland Road is where Liverpool head next.

But imbalances and erraticness have become indivisible for the champions this season, whose title defence is in tatters and whose players have fallen by the wayside.

Ibrahima Konate was culpable of some shaky moments, as has so often been the case this term, but there was another Redman who struggled against Sunderland, leading observers to suggest he has morphed into that late version of Fabinho.

Liverpool star looks "like Fabinho in his final season"

Alexis Mac Allister has been abject this season, so far removed from the “superstar” of a midfielder, as said by pundit Joe Cole, who influenced Klopp and then Slot’s trophy-winning campaigns of recent years at Liverpool.

Having spoken about this testing start to the season earlier this week, Mac Allister suggested that he is now back to full fitness after missing out on pre-season and suffering early injury issues. But this was a performance that left much to be desired, underlining the drop-off that is suggestive of a player whose athleticism has gone walkabouts.

Against Sunderland, the 26-year-old failed to impress. Again. He was so slow and stodgy on the ball, and while he won both of his tackles and three of five contested ground duels, as per Sofascore, no chances were created by a player who need to do more and remind the Premier League of his all-encompassing skillset.

Alexis Mac Allister in the Premier League

Stats (per 90)

24/25

25/26

Goals

0.17

0.00

Assists

0.17

0.20

Touches

64.41

64.04

Pass completion (%)

83.5

85.4

Shot-creating actions

4.16

2.73

Progressive passes

6.13

4.34

Progressive carries

1.25

1.72

Successful take-ons

0.55

0.40

Recoveries

5.13

4.14

Tackles won

2.01

0.61

Interceptions

0.76

0.61

Aerials won

0.66

0.51

Data via FBref

After the draw, one content creator even said Mac Allister “looks like Fabinho in his final season”, having “physically fallen off a cliff”.

Fabinho was a stalwart for the club over an illustrious period of Klopp-led success, but he did indeed succumb to a loss of aggression and physicality at the end, at the epicentre of Liverpool’s abject 2022/23 campaign.

This feels similar. The only difference is that Mac Allister is supposed to be stepping into the prime of his career, and is instead languishing so far below expectations it beggars belief.

Can Slot spark a turnaround? Should the Dutchman do so, it feels like Mac Allister will be needed in fine and sustainable fettle, and that has been anything but the case over the past several months.

Mac Allister has been terrible, but his struggles are symptomatic of the wider tactical and mental plague that has spread across Slot’s system this season.

It’s not good enough. It needs to change. Mac Allister is 26, but already he is starting to look like the leggy version of Fabinho, who was sold to Saudi Arabia has Klopp began a midfield rebuild that started with Mac Allister’s signature.

Related FSG could see £75m bid accepted to sign Liverpool their best LW since Mane

Liverpool are in the market for a left-sided winger this winter.

Posts 2 ByAngus Sinclair Dec 3, 2025

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

Thierry Henry offered a measured assessment of the United States’ World Cup prospects, acknowledging that Group D is favorable but still far from simple. He noted that host nations often ride energy and momentum to deep runs, and said a fast start and a strong connection with home support could tilt the tournament in the USMNT’s favor.

• Getty Images Sport
  

  French legend recognizes winnable group

  Henry acknowledged the relief many American supporters felt upon seeing the USMNT paired with Paraguay, Australia, and the UEFA Play-Off C winner rather than traditional powerhouses.

  “When I was there, I could see that people were happy because it could have been worse,” Henry said on CBS Sports Golazo. “And yes, it is a winnable group. You still have to do it. The last games that I've seen from the U.S. were reassuring, I will be honest, but you have to be good when the World Cup starts. I said it at the beginning when they were not playing well in friendlies, "Don't get too sad and don't get too hyped about anything."

Advertisement

• Getty
  

  Henry stresses the importance of momentum

  Drawing on examples of host nations who rode crowd energy to deep runs, the France and Arsenal legend pointed out that a strong start and a clear connection with home supporters could turn the tournament in the U.S.’s favor.

  “And I said it obviously when I was there, I said that I do believe that if the U.S. come out of the group stage playing well, carrying momentum, having that, that understanding with the fans, when the fans can relate to the team and what they see,” Henry said. “I've seen it with South Korea in 2002, I've seen it in Russia when Russia played the World Cup in their country.

  “When you get that momentum, anything is possible. But like I said, you still have to go through the group. It won't be easy, but it could have been worse.”

• Getty Images Sport
  

  Balancing optimism with realistic assessment

  As the tournament approaches, Henry's measured optimism serves as a reminder that favorable draws provide opportunity but never guarantee success, with execution and mental fortitude ultimately determining which teams advance and which go home disappointed.

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• Getty
  

  What's the next for the USMNT?

  The U.S. have an extended break and won't play again until March 28, when they host Belgium. 

Arsenal’s 18-game unbeaten run is over. In that time, they have defeated their arch-rivals 4-1, defeated one of the most in-form sides in Europe in the shape of Bayern Munich 3-1. They have also been to St James’ Park and to Stamford Bridge without losing.

It’s typical, therefore, that the man who Mikel Arteta succeeded, Unai Emery, brought it to an unsavoury end.

This game will always be Emery’s cup final and that showed on Saturday. The Gunners were far from their best. They looked tired, shaky at the back. A 2-1 loss occurred and after Manchester City won later in the day, the gap at the top of the table was narrowed to just two points.

How Emery got the better of Mikel Arteta

A week ago, Arsenal looked like the runaway leaders in the Premier League. They’ll definitely win the title, some cried. Well, how quickly things can change.

While Arteta’s side are still in the driver’s seat to win it next May, they will need to improve on their last two away games with Chelsea and Villa.

This match was classic Emery. He loves facing his former employers and despite amassing plenty of possession in the Midlands, Arsenal seemed powerless to stop the Villans.

While Arsenal were missing Gabriel Magalhaes and William Saliba due to injury, Villa’s swift transitions, counter-attacking football and their willingness to get runners in behind really made life difficult for Arteta’s side.

Ollie Watkins – who was once the subject of a bid from the Gunners – didn’t score but several times he was able to get in behind. Jurrien Timber, who was playing at centre-back, was made to look rather silly.

Watkins could well have scored the opening goal of the game when he got in behind Timber and Piero Hincapie, turning them inside out before forcing a strong save from David Raya.

The combination play between him and Morgan Rogers, as well as Youri Tielemans, posed a colossal threat. Between them, they made three key passes.

Usually an offensive line would be met with a brick wall in the shape of Saliba and Gabriel but Arsenal’s centre-backs were a shadow of what we’ve come to expect with Arteta’s usual centre-back pairing on the sidelines with injury again.

That said, it was a moment of pinball that led to the winning goal. Arsenal failed to clear their lines and despite throwing several bodies in the way, Emilio Buendia was the calmest man in the Midlands, firing the ball past Raya. Bedlam erupted inside the stadium.

Arsenal's summer signing costs them big time

The defensive line of Arsenal has undoubtedly been the best in the country this season. Before their clash with the Villans, the Gunners had shipped just seven goals in the top-flight. Make that nine now.

Any team in world football would miss players of the calibre of Saliba and Gabriel but the league leaders have found out in recent matches just how tricky life is when both of them are unavailable.

Chalkboard

Football FanCast’s Chalkboard series presents a tactical discussion from around the global game.

Cristian Mosquera was forced off with injury in the 2-0 win against Brentford in midweek which meant Arteta was forced to select Timber at centre-half at Villa Park. Smaller, not as physical, and keen to go to ground, he was no match for Watkins and Co.

Equally, Hincapie – who could sign permanently in a £45m deal – endured a topsy-turvy afternoon in what was just his fourth start in the Premier League. The Ecuador international is a physical beast but arguably lacks the same level of composure we’ve so often seen from Gabriel and Saliba in recent years.

He is, of course, new to the English game but his performance levels in the last two away fixtures have left something to be desired.

Against Chelsea last week, he and Mosquera looked rather unsettled and nervous. Fair enough, really, particularly when you consider they had only played together as a pairing once before.

Hincapie improved against Brentford and for the most part against Villa, he looked strong. Against a robust offensive unit, he won all three of his aerial duels, made a whopping seven clearances, six recoveries and won 50% of his ground duels.

This was not a bad performance until one mistake cost Arsenal the game. It was a moment you’d typically associate with the later days of Arsene Wenger’s reign, or even the Unai Emery era.

During those years, you’d associate Arsenal’s defenders with lapses in concentration and mistakes. Hincapie wasn’t riddled with errors on Saturday but his blunder deep into injury time cost Arsenal.

In the words of The Athletic’s Aaron Catterson-Reid, he has been “pretty poor since Spurs” and while that may well feel harsh, the inability to clear his lines late on was certainly poor.

Mins played

90

90

Touches

66

68

Pass accuracy

94%

82%

Tackles won

3/3

1/3

Interceptions

2

1

Clearances

3

7

Recoveries

4

6

Duels won

4/8

6/9

GOAL’s Charles Watts handed the defender a 6/10 rating at full-time and called out his lack of awareness at the end. He had a chance to clear his lines, but instead ran the ball out of play. It was from the Villa throw-in that they ultimately scored the winner.

It felt insignificant when it happened but there was a lack of game awareness. It was like something out of the Emery era. Saliba and Gabriel wouldn’t do that. The dogged defence Arteta has created wouldn’t do that. It could subsequently cost him his place in the team against Brugge in midweek.

Perhaps it’s time to see what Riccardo Calafiori can do at centre-half with Myles Lewis-Skelly at left-back?

Fewer touches than Raya & only 7 passes: Arsenal star must be dropped

Arsenal’s title charge got a whole lot trickier after defeat to Aston Villa at Villa Park.

ByAngus Sinclair 5 days ago

Leeds United have been in excellent form over the last few weeks. The Whites suffered a last-minute defeat against Manchester City, before beating Chelsea 3-1 and then drawing with Liverpool 3-3 in consecutive games at Elland Road.

The number of goals scored across those three games is a real positive. They scored twice in East Manchester and bagged another six combined in the games at Elland Road.

That takes the West Yorkshire outfit up to 19 goals for the season, better than six sides in the Premier League.

There has been a real upturn in form for two of their strikers, Dominic Calvert-Lewin and Lukas Nmecha.

How Calvert-Lewin and Nmecha have turned it around

Leeds were savvy in the summer when it came to their business. Their two new number nines were a prime example of that, both of whom came on a free transfer.

Calvert-Lewin joined upon the expiry of his Everton contract, and Nmecha his Wolfsburg contract.

Chalkboard

Football FanCast’s Chalkboard series presents a tactical discussion from around the global game.

26-year-old Nmecha has begun the season strongly. He already has four goals in 14 games for the Whites, including a goal against City.

He went on a run of three goals in as many games during November.

As for Calvert-Lewin, it was a slow start to life at Elland Road for the Sheffield-born attacker, but his form has really picked up of late.

He also has four goals in 13 appearances this term, bagging in each of the games against their last three opponents.

Someone who has been full of praise for the striker is his ex-teammate at Everton, Conor Coady. The defender described him as an “outstanding footballer” and said playing in a front two is beneficial for him.

However, this upturn in form in front of goal isn’t great news for all Leeds players, with someone on the periphery now seemingly set to struggle even more for a spot in the side.

Leeds' "best finisher" is now out of favour

It has certainly not been an easy campaign for a few of Leeds’ promotion heroes. Daniel Farke has not been able to find a regular place in the side for Ao Tanaka or Daniel James, who have become squad players.

However, it has perhaps hit Joel Piroe the most out of any Leeds star.

Last season, the former Swansea City striker was pivotal as Farke’s side got promoted at the second time of asking. Piroe bagged 19 times and assisted seven in 46 appearances.

His form last term in the Championship was summed up by some impressive underlying stats.

For example, the Dutchman averaged 0.8 goals and assists and created 1.1 chances per 90 minutes.

Goals and assists

0.8

26

Key passes

1.1

39

Dribbles completed

0.4

14

Aerial duels won

0.9

31

Expected goal involvements

0.59xGI

20.44xGI

He had some huge moments in the Whites’ title-winning season, too.

Perhaps the standout was when he bagged four goals inside the first half against Stoke City in the third-to-last game of the season, helping them to a 6-0 thrashing.

Things have not been so straightforward for the former PSV Eindhoven attacker. Piroe has only played eight times in the Premier League, racking up just 197 minutes in that time.

That is a surprise given his form last term, but even more so when you factor in Farke calling him “the best finisher” he’s ever coached.

Yet, it seems like time could be up for the 26-year-old in a Leeds shirt. The fact that he has played so little this term, combined with how well both Calvert-Lewin and Nmecha are playing, does not bode well for his future.

Leeds paid Swansea a reported £16m, including add-ons for the striker, back in 2023. He has certainly justified that price tag with his performances in the second tier, but the fact that there has been no opportunity for him this season is worrying.

It certainly seems as though the man who helped steer Leeds back to the Premier League might not have a future at Elland Road much longer.

Best signing since Raphinha: "Underrated" Leeds star must start every game

Daniel Farke must now start this Leeds United star for every game, who could be considered their best signing since Raphinha.

ByKelan Sarson 3 days ago

Shai Hope and Tagenarine Chanderpaul scored fifties, but no other batter made a big contribution as West Indies fell 64 behind in the first-innings exchanges

Hemant Brar03-Dec-2025

Jacob Duffy leads the team off the field after completing his first five-for in Tests•Getty Images

Jacob Duffy’s maiden five-wicket haul in Test cricket gave New Zealand the upper hand on the second day of the first Test against West Indies in Christchurch. Matt Henry also chipped in with a three-for as West Indies folded for 167 in response to New Zealand’s first-innings total of 231. This despite New Zealand dropping four catches, three of those off Henry, and giving away 28 extras. For West Indies, Shai Hope and Tagenarine Chanderpaul scored half-centuries but only two others reached double-digits. At stumps, New Zealand were 32 for no loss in their second innings, extending their lead to 96.In the morning, West Indies needed only three balls to take the last New Zealand wicket, Zak Foulkes edging Jayden Seales down the leg side. But they themselves lost an early wicket as Foulkes struck with the first ball of the second over. Bowling around the wicket, he induced an outside edge from John Campbell, and Will Young took the catch diving to his left at third slip.However, a few overs later, Young dropped a much easier chance when Henry got Alick Athanaze to edge one. Henry wasn’t to be denied for long, though. In his next over, he got the ball to jag back in from around the wicket to make a mess of Athanaze’s stumps. All this while, the scoreboard moved at a snail’s pace. After 12 overs, West Indies were 10 for 2.Shai Hope batted in sunglasses because of an eye infection, and scored a half-century•AFP/Getty Images

Hope and Chanderpaul, though, hung around without worrying about the scoring rate. The first boundary of West Indies’ innings came in the 23rd over when Hope, batting in sunglasses because of an eye infection, drove Duffy through the covers. In the next over, he drove Nathan Smith through mid-on for another boundary.Chanderpaul, meanwhile, enjoyed his luck. He was dropped twice, on 5 and 24, both times by Devon Conway at leg slip, first off the bowling of Smith and then Henry.Hope brought up his fifty after lunch. With Chanderpaul also looking comfortable, New Zealand were forced to change their plan. Duffy went short against Hope and had him hopping around. Once a short leg was deployed, Hope’s problems increased. Eventually, he ended up gloving a short ball from around the wicket to Tom Latham, who was keeping in place of Tom Blundell. Blundell had hurt his hamstring while batting on the first day and didn’t take the field in the morning.New Zealand dropped four catches – here, Devon Conway reacts after giving Tagenarine Chanderpaul a reprieve•Getty Images

Once Duffy broke the 90-run stand, Henry returned to pick up two in one over. Bowling awayswingers just around off stump, he had Roston Chase and Justin Greaves caught behind for ducks, leaving West Indies on 106 for 5.It didn’t affect Chanderpaul, though. He carried on in his unhurried manner and brought up his half-century. He and Tevin Imlach added 34 for the sixth wicket, a stand that was broken when Conway finally held on to a catch. Chanderpaul pulled Foulkes aerially towards square leg, where Conway flung himself to his left, went with both hands, and landed with the ball in his left.Henry forced Kemar Roach’s outside edge soon after. The ball was going straight to first slip but Michael Bracewell dived across from second and spilled it.Soon, it became dark enough that only spinners were allowed to bowl. But after a short rain break, the sky brightened up again. When play resumed, Duffy did not take long to mop up the remaining four wickets. With the first ball after resumption, he had Imlach caught down the leg side. The batter reviewed the on-field decision only for replays to show he had gloved the bouncer. Johann Layne was caught and bowled in the same over. Duffy then went full and bowled Seales and Ojay Shields to complete his five-for.

England’s Ollie Robinson has emerged as an unlikely figure in Australia’s Ashes preparation after bowling to his former Sussex team-mate Steven Smith in the New South Wales nets on Thursday.Robinson has taken 21 wickets in seven Ashes Tests but has not featured for England since February 2024, falling out of favour after his body let him down in one match too many. He took 39 wickets at 24.74 for Sussex in the County Championship this year, but never appeared in serious contention for a Test recall and was also overlooked by England Lions.