After seemingly completing the Yan Diomande transfer, Real Madrid now turn their attention towards the centre-back position where Jose Mourinho has been demanding a new signing for a while now.Alessan...
FC Barcelona, and Joan Laporta in particular, have a great relationship with super-agent Jorge Mendes, which means a number of his clients are offered to the Catalan club.Among the many Mendes clients...
The prize money earned by every team that was part of the 2026 World Cup. The final match of the 2026 World Cup has Spain and Argentina trying to lift the trophy, which comes with a huge prize money reward. For this competition, the winner is going to receive 50 million dollars. This comes thanks to the improved prize money pool, which increased by 50% from the previous edition to reach a total of 655 million dollars. Whoever loses the final is definitely going to leave upset after not being able to reach glory. For that team, the consolation prize in money is still going to be huge, with a total of 33 million dollars. The remaining prizes While there isn’t too much at stake in the third-place match in terms of the title, there is still a difference between finishing in those positions. The team that ends in third place gets 29 million dollars, with the fourth-place team receiving 27 million dollars. Bukayo Saka helped England end in the third place (Buda Mendes/Getty Images) These prizes aren’t just for the teams that reach the final stages of the competition, as every team that participated receives prize money even if they weren’t able to gain a single point. For the teams that finish from 5th to 8th, the prize is 19 million dollars. The teams in 9th to 16th place receive 15 million dollars, those who finish from 17th to 32nd get 11 million dollars, while teams from 33rd to 48th receive 9 million dollars. Minimum prize The entity also establishes a 1.5-million-dollar fee to cover preparation costs for this edition for every team. As the lowest positions get 9 million dollars, the minimum amount teams will receive in the competition is 10.5 million dollars, a sum that could be huge for some small federations that were part of it.
After reaching another World Cup final, Lionel Messi shared words of appraisal to his Argentina teammates: "This group never stopped believing." Lionel Messi delivered yet another masterclass at the 2026 FIFA World Cup, orchestrating Argentina‘s high-stakes semifinal comeback against England with a pair of brilliant assists to punch the Albiceleste’s ticket to the final. Following the emotional victory in Atlanta, the Argentina icon was quick to praise his squad’s relentless drive to turn the match around, stating proudly, “This group never stopped believing.“ Speaking to TyC Sports on the pitch, Messi opened up about the heavy historical gravity and raw emotion of the clash: “Everything we experienced was incredible. From the beginning, even though it was just a football match, when we started walking out, the anthem and everything, we felt it wasn’t just another victory. This group is incredible. Today we went for it again. We never stopped believing, never stopped trying. When we were down on the scoreboard, we pinned them back in their box. So, it brings enormous happiness.“ The legendary playmaker also emphasized his unwavering faith in his teammates, acknowledging that their collective strength goes far beyond any individual brilliance. “It’s crazy how things are playing out. Honestly, before the World Cup started, I had faith in this group. I thought we were going to be among the final four, that we were going to fight for it. I know, and we knew, what we were capable of,” he added. The grueling extra-time period required to dispatch Switzerland in the previous round clearly took a physical toll on the roster’s fitness, but Argentina showed championship resolve to overcome that fatigue: “Maybe people had doubts because of how we came into it, with players pushed right to the limit. But when this group comes together and is united, we feed off each other and find strength out of nowhere to give even more.” Lionel Messi #10 of Argentina celebrates with teammates. (Buda Mendes/Getty Images) Messi concluded with a heartfelt message to the traveling Argentine supporters back home and in the stands, as the nation prepares to compete in its third World Cup final across the last four tournament editions. “Enjoy this moment just like we are. Today we’ve made it into another World Cup final. We’ve been enjoying being world champions for four years, and now we are playing in a new final. We achieved what we all wanted. Now, it will be whatever God wills,” he stated. Lionel Scaloni on Argentina’s dramatic qualification Since Lionel Scaloni took the helm in 2018, Argentina has embarked on an unprecedented run of five consecutive tournament finals across the Copa America (2021, 2024), the Finalissima (2022), and the World Cup (2022, 2026). Yet, despite all the silverware, this resilient squad continues to leave its manager in awe after delivering another legendary comeback. Following the final whistle, Scaloni reflected on the squad’s intangible qualities and the sheer grit required to pull off the victory: “It’s a combination of many things, about the group, about brotherhood. About fighting until the very end. We are going out there to win a final; we are going to try to win it. These guys have moved me. I don’t have much else to say. I am so grateful to the players. Without them, it is impossible. And above all, to those who don’t play, to those who support from the outside. And the ones who came off the bench have been crucial.” In the buildup to kickoff, the matchup drew inevitable comparisons to the historic 1986 clash defined by the “Hand of God” and the “Goal of the Century,” and while Wednesday’s drama carved out its own legacy, Scaloni kept his focus on the immediate future. “I can’t compare this match with that one (the one from ’86), I was very little. We thought the game against Egypt was the absolute peak, but I think this surpassed it. Regardless of the opponent, it was a semi-final. I am worried, because now we have t
⚽️ Kick-off time: 7pm local/8pm EDT/1am BST/10am AEST⚽️ Third-place table | Player guide | Group tables | Mail Beau⚽️ Uruguay v Spain – live match updates with Tom Lutz1 min Choppy start, but now Saudi Arabia will control.Play stops, though, because Ryan Mendes is down after a knee-to-knee collision. Continue reading...
Full preview of Cape Verde for the 2026 World Cup, including squad breakdown, key players, and tactical analysis of their chances. Cape Verde represents one of the most compelling stories of the upcoming summer tournament. Representing a volcanic archipelago of just 600,000 people, the Blue Sharks have officially qualified for their first-ever global showpiece. This historic achievement follows years of steady development. The nation has transformed from a developmental side into one of Africa’s most technically gifted and disciplined rosters. Currently ranked 68th in the world, they enter the 2026 World Cup after famously topping their qualification group ahead of established regional powerhouses. Fans can expect a roster built on defensive solidity under the guidance of a respected homegrown manager. This Cape Verde tactical analysis and preview breaks down their playing style, roster depth, and realistic expectations for the group stage. As one of the most intriguing FIFA World Cup 2026 teams, their debut will be heavily monitored by international soccer fans. Team profile CategoryDetailCoachPedro Leitão Brito (Bubista)CaptainRyan MendesNicknameTubarões Azuis (Blue Sharks)FIFA Ranking68thConfederationCAFGroupGroup HBest Tournament ResultDebutTournament Appearances1 How Cape Verde play Head coach Bubista typically deploys a 4-2-3-1 or 4-1-4-1 setup, mirroring the modern systems used by many international soccer teams 2026 will feature. This Cape Verde formation focuses heavily on high pressing and rapid transitions to unsettle opponents. Their defensive structure proved incredibly resilient during their recent campaign. They allowed fewer than 10 shots and just 0.8 goals per game against regional rivals. When facing superior opposition this summer, the team will likely spend extended periods in a low defensive block. They rely on their work rate in transition to progress the ball from deep areas, using their wingers to isolate opposing fullbacks on the counterattack. However, their main tactical vulnerability lies in the attacking third. Creating sustained pressure and high-quality chances against elite defenses will be a significant challenge. This defensive-minded approach means the Blue Sharks must remain flawless at the back. Their limited goal-scoring output could restrict their ability to chase games if they fall behind early in the tournament. Bubista: The coach behind Cape Verde Pedro Leitão Brito, affectionately known as Bubista, is the architect of this historic qualification. Named CAF Coach of the Year in 2025, the Cape Verde coach previously served as an assistant manager before taking the top job in 2020. Bubista is a former national team captain who earned 28 caps playing as a central defender. His domestic career included stops in Spain, Angola, and Portugal before he returned home to finish his playing days. That locker room experience gives him a deep understanding of the international setup. His leadership style relies on empathy and mutual respect, which has fostered a strong sense of unity within the roster. His ability to organize a disciplined defensive unit will dictate how competitive his team can be in North America. Key player: Ryan Mendes While many Cape Verde key players originate from the European diaspora, their most influential figure is a homegrown talent. Ryan Mendes, born in the city of Mindelo, is the nation’s all-time leading goalscorer with 22 strikes and their most-capped player with 94 appearances. Currently playing for Iğdır Futbol Kulübü in Turkey, the 36-year-old veteran operates primarily as a right winger. Mendes possesses excellent playmaking vision, frequently drifting centrally to create numerical advantages or staying wide to isolate defenders. His discipline also aids the team defensively, but his main value lies in his final-third production. He is adept at entering the penalty area and converting loose balls into scoring opportunities. If Mendes were to miss time, the team
