Arsenal are set-piece masters, and no club supplied more players for England's World Cup squad than the Gunners - so it is understandable that Thomas Tuchel will look to play to the Premier League champions' strengths. Here in the United States, Mikel Arteta's dedication to perfecting Arsenal's routines is an approach England head coach Tuchel is looking to replicate. In a tournament environment, when the margins can be so small, Tuchel is keen to take a leaf out of the Arsenal playbook that he admires, and has impressed on his players the importance of exploiting dead-ball situations.
Ivory Coast and Ecuador will be clashing for Matchday 1 of Group E, with Francois Letexier assigned as the referee for the 2026 World Cup match. Ivory Coast and Ecuador meet in what promises to be a compelling Group E opener on Sunday at Lincoln Financial Field, now rebranded as Philadelphia Stadium. Francois Letexier has been assigned as the referee for the 2026 World Cup clash. At 37, Letexier arrives at his first World Cup with an impressive résumé of high-stakes assignments already to his name. Among the most significant are the 2025-26 UEFA Europa League final and the Euro 2024 final between Spain and England, two of the biggest occasions in European football in recent memory. Having officiated across the UEFA World Cup qualifying campaign and Euro 2024, this will be the first time Letexier has refereed a match involving either the Ecuador or Ivory Coast national teams. Throughout his career, Letexier has been recognized for his authority and composure in managing high-pressure games. According to Transfermarkt, across 400 matches, the French official has issued 1,505 yellow cards, 69 straight red cards and awarded 135 penalties. Jose Mourinho, Head Coach of Benfica, is shown a red card by referee Francois Letexier. One of his most scrutinized moments came during the 2025-26 Champions League, when Vinicius Junior accused Benfica’s Gianluca Prestianni of racial abuse during a Real Madrid match. After activating the appropriate protocol and reviewing the situation, Letexier ultimately chose not to issue a red card to Prestianni on the night, a decision that generated significant controversy. Letexier will be assisted by fellow French officials Cyril Mugnier as first assistant and Mehdi Rahmouni as second assistant, with Saudi Arabian Khalid Al Turais serving as the fourth official. In the VAR booth, Englishman Jarred Gillett will lead the video review team, supported by Willy Delajod of France as AVAR 1 and Bram van Driessche of Belgium as AVAR 2. A last-minute referee change Michael Oliver, the experienced English Premier League referee, had originally been assigned to officiate the match alongside his usual assistants Stuart Burt and James Mainwaring. On Friday, however, FIFA confirmed that Oliver had been ruled out due to a minor injury, with Letexier stepping in as his replacement. Oliver had previously officiated at the 2022 World Cup in Qatar, where his most high-profile assignment was the quarterfinal between Croatia and Brazil. While he will miss the Ivory Coast vs. Ecuador match, FIFA indicated that the English referee is expected to be available for selection again in the coming days.
Full preview of Scotland for the 2026 World Cup, including squad breakdown, key players, and tactical analysis of their chances. After a 28-year absence, Scotland returns to the global stage for the 2026 tournament in North America. The national team has appeared in eight previous editions of the competition but has never advanced past the group stage. Now, this modern roster is eager to rewrite history. As one of the most intriguing FIFA World Cup 2026 teams, the squad has transformed from a gritty underdog into a tactically disciplined unit capable of challenging elite opponents. Armed with in-form stars like Scott McTominay and John McGinn, they combine relentless work rate with technical quality. As they prepare to navigate a challenging group, expectations are higher than ever for a historic run to the knockout rounds. Team profile CoachSteve ClarkeCaptainAndy RobertsonNicknameThe Tartan ArmyFIFA ranking43rdConfederationUEFAGroupCBest tournament resultGroup stageTournament appearances8Last appearance1998 How Scotland play Under Steve Clarke, the Scotland formation is built on a pragmatic and defensively robust foundation. The team typically utilizes a three-man backline, relying on structural discipline to frustrate opponents. However, their tactical evolution during the recent qualification cycle showcased a surprising attacking edge. Any comprehensive World Cup 2026 team preview must highlight how the team proved they could thrive in open play, averaging an impressive 2.2 goals per game in their group. This shift relies heavily on the attacking freedom granted to midfield runners. Players like McTominay provide a crucial goal-scoring threat from deep positions, changing the entire dynamic of the Scotland tactical analysis. Despite these improvements in the final third, underlying metrics highlight a glaring vulnerability in transition. When the wing-backs push high up the field to join the attack, the defensive trio is frequently left exposed to elite pace on the counter-attack. Steve Clarke: The coach behind Scotland Appointed in May 2019, Steve Clarke is now the longest-serving Scotland coach in history. He has overseen a highly successful era for the national team, ending a decades-long absence from major competitions by qualifying for back-to-back European Championships. Before taking the national team job, Clarke built a strong coaching resume. He served as an assistant during a trophy-laden spell at Chelsea and later managed West Bromwich Albion in the Premier League. His philosophy centers on defensive solidity and collective effort, traits that have defined his international tenure. While he boasts a solid 43.4% win rate over 76 matches, his leadership and tactical adjustments will be the defining factor in whether this squad can finally secure a major finals victory. Key player: Scott McTominay Scott McTominay is the undeniable engine driving this modern Scottish side. The Napoli midfielder possesses the physical presence to dominate the center of the field, but his knack for scoring crucial goals elevates him to elite status. Since moving to Italy, he has flourished as an attacking threat. He netted 12 league goals during the 2024-25 season to help secure a domestic title, followed by another 10-goal campaign the next year. Unlike his previous club roles, he is granted the freedom to crash the penalty area and operate as a shadow striker. The Scotland 2026 World Cup squad relies heavily on his production to break down opposing defenses. Scotland key players must perform at their peak for the team to succeed, and McTominay is the most vital piece of the puzzle. If he is unavailable, the team’s primary route to goal completely disappears. Scotland’s road to the 2026 World Cup The Tartan Army defied expectations by finishing at the top of UEFA Group C, securing their first direct qualification to the global stage since 1998. They recorded four wins, one draw, and a single defeat during the campaign, scoring 13 go
Full preview of Haiti for the 2026 World Cup, including squad breakdown, key players, and tactical analysis of their chances. Haiti returns to the international stage this summer as one of the most compelling stories of the tournament. Currently ranked 83rd globally, the national team has ended a 52-year absence, marking their first appearance at this level since 1974. Drawn into a challenging group alongside Brazil, Morocco, and Scotland, expectations are grounded in reality for the clear underdogs. However, a resilient defensive structure and an impressive qualification campaign provide genuine hope for earning the nation’s first-ever points on this stage. This World Cup 2026 team preview breaks down the tactical approach, highlights key personnel, and examines the Haiti 2026 World Cup squad depth that will define their North American journey. Team profile CoachSébastien MignéCaptainJohny PlacideNicknameLes Grenadiers, Le Rouge et BleuFIFA ranking83rdConfederationCONCACAFGroupGroup CBest World Cup resultGroup stage (1974)World Cup appearances2Last World Cup appearance1974 How Haiti play Sébastien Migné has built a tactical identity rooted in defensive resilience and structural discipline. Operating primarily in a deep defensive block, the team prioritizes staying compact and frustrating opponents. This approach proved highly effective during qualification, where they conceded just six goals across six matches in the final round. In possession, the squad relies heavily on quick transitions rather than sustained build-up play. Their defensive setup allows them to absorb pressure, but it often leaves them isolated in the attacking third. During the qualifying campaign, the team created opportunities but struggled with final-third efficiency, missing 16 big chances overall. Opponents will likely target their transitional vulnerabilities and attempt to break down the low block with sustained wide overloads. This Haiti tactical analysis reveals a team prioritizing defensive solidity over an expansive Haiti formation. Sébastien Migné: The coach behind Haiti Sébastien Migné took charge of the national team in June 2024 and successfully guided the program to its second-ever appearance at the global showpiece. Remarkably, the French manager has led the squad without ever stepping foot in the country due to ongoing domestic conflicts, relying entirely on neutral venues. Before taking this role, the Haiti coach built his resume across Africa, managing Congo, Kenya, and Equatorial Guinea. His leadership style emphasizes collective organization and mental toughness, traits that have quickly resonated with his current roster. Under his guidance, the team has lost just four of 15 competitive fixtures. Migné is widely respected for maximizing the resources available to him. His ability to foster unity and maintain focus amid external challenges will heavily influence how the squad handles the pressure of the tournament. Key player: Wilson Isidor Sunderland striker Wilson Isidor stands out as the primary attacking focal point among Haiti key players. After committing to the national team in March, the forward immediately made an impact, scoring in his second international appearance against Iceland. Isidor enters the summer following a productive debut campaign in the English top flight, where he netted six goals across 34 appearances. He consistently ranks in the top 20% of Premier League strikers for both shots and shots on target per 90 minutes. His tendency to play on the shoulder of the last defender makes him a constant transitional threat. Beyond his finishing, Isidor provides an exceptional work rate off the ball. If he suffers an injury, the team would lose its most reliable outlet for relieving pressure. Haiti’s road to the 2026 World Cup The qualification campaign highlighted a team capable of overcoming adversity. Entering the second round of CONCACAF qualifying, they finished second in their group before dominating the third roun
England legend Wayne Rooney has made his predictions for the 2026 FIFA World Cup and believes neither Argentina nor France will reach the final. The 2026 FIFA World Cup kicked off on Thursday with Mexico’s 2-0 victory over South Africa. In the coming days, some of the tournament’s biggest contenders, including France and Argentina, will begin their campaigns. However, England legend Wayne Rooney does not believe either side will make it back to the final. During an interview with BBC Sport, a group of former soccer stars that included Alan Shearer and Olivier Giroud were asked for their predictions ahead of this summer’s FIFA tournament. Rooney was among them and made his stance on two of the leading contenders clear. “England and Spain will make the final,” said the former Manchester United striker, who appeared in three World Cups with the Three Lions. He then added his preferred outcome for the title match: “Hopefully England will win it.” Rooney’s prediction is backed by the recent form of Thomas Tuchel’s side, which have won all of their matches in the European qualifiers and arrive at North America 2026 with their key players in excellent form. “I’m going with Kane to get the Golden Boot,” Wayne added. Former England star Wayne Rooney. Rooney’s potential surprise teams at the 2026 World Cup In the same conversation, Wayne Rooney was asked which teams could emerge as surprise packages during the tournament. “Norway could do quite well,” he began, referring to the team led by Erling Haaland. He then added another contender: “I like Ecuador too.” In a separate interview with Daily Mail, Rooney answered a similar set of questions and expanded on several other predictions. For example, when asked about the tournament’s best goalkeeper, he named a Premier League star: “Maybe David Raya, if he plays.” That caveat is significant, as all indications suggest Unai Simon will start in goal for Spain. Rooney defines what would qualify as a flop at the 2026 FIFA World Cup Finally, when asked which team could be the biggest disappointment of the World Cup, Wayne Rooney was cautious in his response. “It’s hard to flop, to be honest. Any of the big teams if they don’t go past the last 32, then I suppose that’s a flop,” he said. That assessment is tied to the tournament’s expanded format. In addition to the top two teams from each group, eight of the 12 third-place finishers will also advance to the knockout stages. The new structure increases every team’s chances of progressing, and combined with the addition of 16 more teams than in previous editions, it means several lower-ranked nations are now in the field. Those factors should allow the traditional powerhouses to reach the Round of 32 without major difficulty.
Given he recently distanced himself from a managerial role until the new season gets under way, I was surprised to see Thomas Frank installed as one of the early favourites for the vacant job at Ipswich. Prior to his difficult spell at Tottenham, the Dane did wonders at Brentford, and he knows how to get out of the Championship and STAY in the Premier League, which is something Kieran McKenna hasn't achieved yet in his career. Liam Rosenior was always going to be linked and I think he would be a sound appointment as well, despite it not working out for him at Chelsea.
There are worse ways to spend your 24th birthday than at your country's first World Cup base camp in 28 years, even if you can't tuck into any cake. Politely passing on the sugary gift from the Fifa broadcasters, Aaron Hickey admits it's a dream come true just to be here. Hickey managed just eight Premier League starts in 2025-26, but is a first pick for Scotland head coach Steve Clarke.
Ben Davies was due to become a free agent this summer, but his stay with Tottenham will stretch to 13 years after he signed a new contract. The post Davies signs new Spurs contract as Bissouma leaves on a free appeared first on SoccerNews.
Leeds United have confirmed that Illan Meslier is set to leave Elland Road when his contract expires later this month, but said he "will always be a big part of the club's history." The French goalkeeper joined in 2020 on a season-long loan, where he helped the club gain long-awaited promotion to the Premier League, and became a mainstay in the side that secured promotion again in 2025. Leeds showed their appreciation for Meslier's efforts and said: "Thank you, Illan, everyone at Leeds United wishes you all the best with your next steps and future career."
