Deportivo Universitario · Midfielder · #0 · Panama · 25 yrs
⚽️ Kick-off 12pm local, 3pm EST, 8pm BST, 4am Sun AEST⚽️ Player guide | Bracketology | Golden Boot | Mail JohnOne of those Swiss veterans, Ricardo Rodriguez, has quite a back story. From 2018. He has 138 caps for his country and now plays for Betis.The expected formations, are Qatar 4-3-3 and Switzerland 4-2-3-1. Continue reading...
Luis Díaz is the leading light of an extremely well-supported team still built around the 2014 golden boot winner James RodríguezThis article is part of the Guardian’s 2026 World Cup Experts’ Network, a cooperation between some of the best media organisations from the 48 countries who qualified. theguardian.com is running previews from three countries each day in the run-up to the tournament kicking off on 11 June. Continue reading...
Emiliano Buendia's chances to be part of the World Cup remain alive as Argentina head coach Lionel Scaloni claimed that Leonardo Balerdi's position "can be covered" already. Emiliano Buendía was one of the more surprising omissions from Argentina‘s official 26-man World Cup roster following a prolific season at Aston Villa, but his chances of representing the Albiceleste in North America are still alive. With Lionel Scaloni now forced to find a replacement for the injured Leonardo Balerdi, the head coach has suggested the defensive void “can be covered,” while leaving the door wide open on who fills it. The Argentine Football Association confirmed ahead of the Honduras friendly that Balerdi had sustained a muscle injury to the soleus in his right leg during a training session, effectively ruling him out of the tournament. While several defenders have been mentioned as potential replacements, Scaloni has been deliberately vague, declining to limit the search to a natural right-footed center back. At his pre-Iceland press conference, Scaloni expanded on his thinking when asked about potential replacements: “Saying it after the match, I don’t know. But we will have a clearer picture. Fortunately, we can take these few days and by Wednesday, the boy we decide on can be with us. In Balerdi’s position, we can be covered, and we will see where we draw from. We have an idea, and based on how we finish, we will see. I don’t think it will go past Wednesday.“ Scaloni’s comments are consistent with reporting from Argentina insider Gaston Edul, who indicated that Balerdi’s replacement would not necessarily be a right-sided center back. With Cristian Romero and Nicolas Otamendi both capable of covering that position, the search has widened to include other areas of the squad, opening the door for Buendia among others. Leonardo Balerdi of Argentina. Buendia’s competition for the vacant spot According to ESPN Argentina‘s Diego Monroig, Buendia is among the players Scaloni has contacted to put their vacation plans on hold, as they remain in contention for a spot in the final World Cup roster. The door had initially cracked open primarily for Nico Paz, who has since recovered from his injury, but Balerdi’s setback has created a fresh vacancy that multiple players are now competing to fill. Two names already part of the pre-tournament tour are in the running. Nicolas Capaldo and Agustín Giay were originally brought along to cover for the injured Nahuel Molina and Gonzalo Montiel, but one or both could now find themselves earning a permanent place in the squad heading into the tournament. In the midfield, Scaloni is also weighing different profiles. Como’s Maximo Perrone has been reported as a potential option, with Scaloni reportedly asking him to keep training and remain available. Perhaps the most intriguing name to emerge in recent hours is defensive midfielder and World Cup champion Guido Rodríguez, a holding profile that the current squad notably lacks. Buendia, who has been exceptional under Unai Emery at Aston Villa, offers the ability to play out wide on the right or operate as a No. 10 in a more central role. While that space is already crowded with Messi as an unmovable presence and Nico Paz as the creative understudy, Buendia’s versatility and form could still be enough to earn him a late invitation to the World Cup.
With Jhon Arias leading the way with a brace, Colombia secured a 2-0 win over Jordan prior to the beginning of the 2026 World Cup. Colombia faced Jordan on Sunday, June 7, in their final pre-tournament friendly ahead of the 2026 World Cup at Snapdragon Stadium in San Diego, California. Behind a clinical brace from Jhon Arias, Los Cafeteros secured a comfortable 2-0 victory before their upcoming tournament opener against Uzbekistan. Despite dominating possession, Colombia struggled to break through Jordan’s defensive block in the opening minutes. However, by pressing high up the pitch, the South Americans finally broke the deadlock in the 41st minute, when James Rodriguez slipped a brilliant through ball to Jhon Arias, who calmly slotted a finish inside the far post. To start the second half, head coach Nestor Lorenzo injected fresh legs by making a flurry of substitutions, a move that quickly paid dividends. In the 55th minute, following another turnover in the final third, James Rodriguez picked out second-half substitute Santiago Arias down the right flank, who served up a perfect cross for Jhon Arias to head home and double Colombia’s lead. Coming off a 3-1 win over Costa Rica and today’s 2-0 shutout against Jordan, Colombia now has a 10-day layoff before making their World Cup debut against Uzbekistan. Meanwhile, Jordan heads into its opening match against Austria on June 17 looking to bounce back from successive defeats to Switzerland and Colombia.
Kylian Mbappé appeared set to miss the remainder of the season after suffering a muscle tear. However, the French forward now seems increasingly likely to face Barcelona, as Real Madrid star reportedly passed his medical examinations successfully. Amid a disappointing season for Real Madrid, Kylian Mbappé has still managed to establish as one of the best forwards in the world. However, a muscle tear initially appeared to bring his season to an end, weakening the scoring side. After several weeks on the sidelines, the French striker could now be ready to face Barcelona. As per a recent report, he has reportedly passed medical tests, nearing him to a return on field. According to Abraham P. Romero, via El Mundo ES, Kylian Mbappé has passed the tests carried out by Real Madrid. Not only did he complete part of the group training session, but he also performed individual work, gym sessions, and physiotherapy exercises. Following these positive developments, the French forward could be ready to play against Barcelona, either as a starter or from the bench, providing a major boost to the team’s attack. Kylian Mbappé is facing heavy criticism. Despite this, he has remained a key figure in the attack, scoring 41 goals in 41 matches and standing as the team’s top scorer this season. However, his lack of chemistry with Vinicius Jr. has raised serious doubts over whether bringing him back immediately is the best option, or if they should instead rely on Gonzalo García, who appears to have a stronger understanding with the Brazilian star, who is already in full physical condition. Despite the growing doubts, Mbappé’s presence for Los Blancos could be completely decisive, as Vinicius Jr. has shown he is capable of adapting his game and contributing creatively. Far from being an easy match, they are chasing a crucial victory to prevent Barcelona from clinching the LaLiga title in El Clásico. Because of this, head coach Álvaro Arbeloa could indeed count on his presence, whether as a starter or from the bench. Kylian Mbappe of Real Madrid runs with the ball while under pressure from Ricardo Rodriguez of Real Betis. Real Madrid’s Álvaro Arbeloa still face six key absentees vs. Barcelona Throughout the 2025–26 season, Real Madrid have faced a major problem: Injuries. Neither under Xabi Alonso nor Álvaro Arbeloa did the team manage to improve in this area, with several key players ruled out for long stretches of the campaign. Although Thibaut Courtois and Kylian Mbappé now appear set to join the squad that will face Barcelona, Los Blancos still have six major absences that could significantly affect the team. Head coach Álvaro Arbeloa will be unable to rely on Arda Güler, Éder Militão, Rodrygo Goes, Dani Ceballos, Dani Carvajal, and Ferland Mendy, as all are dealing with serious injuries. Because of this, the team will be forced to make adjustments to the rotation, likely repeating the lineup that impressed against RCD Espanyol, with only Mbappé and Courtois remaining as doubts. Nevertheless, much of the hope is placed on Vinicius Jr., who arrives in excellent form.
With the game against FC Barcelona up next, Kylian Mbappe has reportedly raised some discomfort among some Real Madrid teammates over his recent trips outside Spain. Kylian Mbappe has found himself at the center of controversy despite his contributions throughout the 2025-26 season, with his recent travels outside of Spain drawing scrutiny from within the dressing room. Reports have now surfaced suggesting that his behavior ahead of the El Clasico against FC Barcelona has unsettled some of his Real Madrid teammates. In last week’s match against Real Betis, Mbappe was forced off in the 81st minute with what was later described as a muscle strain in the semitendinosus muscle of his left leg. The injury ruled him out of the subsequent game against Espanyol, and cast serious doubt over his availability for the Clasico. With Real Madrid sidelined from all other competitions and Barcelona on the cusp of clinching La Liga, images of Mbappe enjoying time in Cagliari and Sardinia, Italy, went viral over the weekend. The sight of the injured forward vacationing abroad while his teammates prepared for the Espanyol fixture did not go down well with fans, and it appears the reaction inside the locker room was not much warmer. According to Spanish outlet El Mundo, Mbappe’s decision to travel during his recovery has generated friction within Real Madrid’s squad. Given that the injury was described publicly as relatively minor, a number of players are reported to have taken issue with the timing and optics of his latest getaway. Kylian Mbappe of Real Madrid runs with the ball while under pressure from Ricardo Rodriguez of Real Betis. It was not the first time Mbappe’s travel habits had drawn attention. Earlier in the year, he had made a trip to Paris to undergo treatment for a knee injury, with two Real Madrid physiotherapists accompanying him and the full backing of the club and his teammates at the time. However, the latest episode has proven more divisive, particularly with the squad already staring down a trophyless season. Real Madrid got past the Espanyol test on Sunday with a 2-0 win, with Vinicius Junior shouldering the attacking responsibility in Mbappe’s absence and scoring both goals. The El Clasico, the match that could officially hand the La Liga title to Barcelona, is scheduled for Sunday, May 10, and expectations remain high that Mbappe will be fit to feature, though the consequences of his recent trips have yet to fully play out within the squad. Arbeloa backs Mbappe amid the scrutiny While speculation over Mbappe’s future at the club continues to swirl, head coach Alvaro Arbeloa remains focused on steering Real Madrid through the final weeks of a challenging season. The latest controversy has added yet another layer of turbulence to an already difficult campaign. When asked about the situation in his post-match press conference following the Espanyol win, Arbeloa defended Mbappe’s right to manage his recovery as he sees fit: “All planning for injured players is supervised and handled by Real Madrid’s medical services; they are the ones who control when someone should go to Valdebebas and when they shouldn’t. Beyond that, everyone does what they deem appropriate in their free time; I cannot interfere there.” Pressed further on the question of Mbappe’s commitment to the club, Arbeloa did not waver in his support. “I don’t doubt the commitment of any of my players; I believe they all know how important these matches are for us. When you defend the Real Madrid shirt, when you are in this house, you understand the demands of this club. It’s as if they understand what they represent, where they are, and how important it is. And the luck they all have — that we all have — to be at Real Madrid,” he concluded.