New Crystal Palace boss Pierre Sage has said "Oliver Glasner achieved some amazing things, and now I have to do the same", after signing a three-year deal at Selhurst Park. Glasner was in charge of Palace for 28 months and led the side to a historic FA Cup and Conference League victory, as well as winning the Community Shield. Sage has joined the Eagles after winning the French Cup with Lens and finishing second in Ligue 1, six points behind champions Paris St-Germain.
Yan Diomande was sensational as Ivory Coast beat Ecuador 1-0 in their World Cup opener, with the winger a target for some huge clubs. The post Liverpool, PSG target Diomande will decide future after World Cup appeared first on SoccerNews.
Japan arrive consolidated as one of the best national teams in Asia. Under head coach Hajime Moriyasu, they promise to make a great impact at the 2026 World Cup. However, Kaoru Mitoma will be absent from the tournament, being a major loss for the national team. Japan have managed to remain one of the most competitive national teams in Asia. Not only do they have a roster full of stars, but they also possess an imposing collective game under head coach Hajime Moriyasu. However, they will feel the difficult absence of Kaoru Mitoma, as he will not be at the 2026 World Cup, losing one of their most game-changing players in the world. Kaoru Mitoma suffered a severe hamstring tear on May 9, 2026, while playing for Brighton & Hove Albion. With an estimated recovery time of eight weeks, he would return to the pitch at the end of July, which ruled him out of the 2026 World Cup. Without his presence, Japan lose a difference-maker in dribbling, something they may need considerably in the tournament to make the difference. Throughout the 2025-26 season, Mitoma had numerous physical problems that limited him to playing only 27 matches, in which he scored 3 goals and provided just 1 assist. Despite this, he remained an undisputed choice for head coach Hajime Moriyasu, making his absence a very significant one. Nonetheless, he is expected to make a comeback after the 2026 World Cup, with Brighton & Hove Albion. Taking Mitoma’s spot, head coach Hajime Moriyasu may bet on Junya Ito, shinning at KRC Genk, and Daizen Maeda, shinning with Celtic, may take on a bigger role within Japan’s roster. Nonetheless, they need to step up their performances, as they have not been able to take a protagonist role within the national team. Having just three games to prove, they have a huge task ahead. Kaoru Mitoma of Japan celebrates victory. Mitoma leads Japan injury crisis ahead of the 2026 World Cup Japan arrive as one of the favorites in Group F of the 2026 World Cup. While the Netherlands and Sweden are strong teams, Hajime Moriyasu’s team has proven to be highly competitive with its offensive style of play. However, Kaoru Mitoma’s absence is not the only one, as they have suffered two other very significant losses, making their injury crisis for the tournament clear. Takumi Minamino suffered an ACL injury while playing for AS Monaco, ruling him out of the anticipated tournament. Alongside him, Wataru Endo was ruled out shortly before the start of the tournament due to persistent foot problems. With these numerous absences, head coach Hajime Moriyasu will have to notably readjust his style of play, making it more difficult to shine in the tournament.
Against Paraguay, the Monaco striker provided the ruthless finishing the USMNT have often missed in recent yearsWorld Cup newsletter | Daily podcast | Download the appEven after they conceded an early goal on Friday, Paraguay kept affording the United States ample room up the channel. As the ball reached Malik Tillman and Weston McKennie in midfield, their disoriented opponents never quite seemed to know how to station themselves to stem the tide. The US’s off-ball movement further complicated those efforts, dizzying Paraguay’s defense before it could establish an ideal structure.“I just tried to run in behind,” McKennie said after the US had completed their 4-1 victory. “I think I realized early on that they were struggling to follow my deep runs. If it’s not broken, don’t fix it. I keep trying to do it until they figure something out. I was able to find more space than usual, and it was fun. I really enjoyed to get on the ball as much as I did.” Continue reading...
Full preview of the United States for the 2026 World Cup, including squad breakdown, key players, and tactical analysis of their chances. The United States enters the 2026 tournament carrying the massive expectations of a host nation eager for a deep run. Currently ranked 16th globally following a challenging recent international window, the squad features a core group of players entering their prime years. Competing on home soil provides a distinct advantage, but it also amplifies the pressure on a roster heavily populated by talent from Europe’s top leagues. This World Cup 2026 team preview explores whether the USMNT can finally bridge the gap to the global elite. We will break down the tactical approach, highlight the United States key players, and analyze their path through the group stage. Team profile CoachMauricio PochettinoCaptainTim ReamNicknameUSMNT, The Stars and Stripes, The YanksFIFA ranking16thConfederationCONCACAFGroupGroup DBest tournament resultSemi-finals (3rd Place, 1930)Tournament appearances11Last appearance2022 How the United States play A thorough United States tactical analysis reveals a high-intensity, attack-minded approach under their new leadership. The team typically operates in a fluid 3-4-2-1 shape when in possession, relying heavily on advancing full-backs to provide width and support the lone striker. Out of possession, the shape shifts into a structured 4-2-3-1. Tyler Adams drops into a deep midfield role to shield the back line, win the ball, and quickly launch counter-attacks. The United States formation is built on man-oriented pressing and rapid transitions, aiming to force turnovers high up the pitch. This high-octane style proved entertaining during recent international windows but carries inherent risks. Advanced opponents with strong technical security can exploit the spaces left by overlapping full-backs. Ultimately, the effectiveness of this aggressive pressing system against elite FIFA World Cup 2026 teams will heavily influence the hosts’ tournament lifespan. Mauricio Pochettino: The coach behind the United States Mauricio Pochettino was appointed as the United States coach in September 2024, bringing a wealth of elite European experience to the national team. Before stepping into international management, the Argentine built a strong reputation during successful stints with Tottenham Hotspur and Paris Saint-Germain, where he secured a Ligue 1 title. He most recently spent a season managing Chelsea in the Premier League. Known for demanding high physical output and tactical discipline, he has quickly worked to instill a ruthless mentality within the squad. His leadership and experience managing top-tier talent are viewed as crucial assets for a team facing immense home-soil pressure. Key player: Christian Pulisic Christian Pulisic remains the undeniable focal point of the United States 2026 World Cup squad. Now thriving with AC Milan in Serie A, the versatile forward has rediscovered his top form, consistently delivering double-digit goal tallies over recent domestic campaigns. For the national team, his production is elite. Pulisic boasts 32 goals and 21 assists in 84 appearances, operating primarily as an inverted winger. He excels at dropping into pockets of space, receiving the ball from the midfield pivot, and driving past retreating defenders. Christian Pulisic of the USMNT (Getty Images). Beyond open-play creativity, he commands all set-piece and penalty duties. The team relies heavily on his ability to spark transitional attacks and break down compact defenses. Given the lack of a direct replacement with similar game-changing ability, an injury to Pulisic would severely limit the team’s attacking ceiling. The United States’s road to the 2026 tournament As one of the three host nations for the upcoming global tournament alongside Canada and Mexico, the United States earned an automatic berth. Consequently, the team entirely bypassed the traditional CONCACAF qualification cyc
