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Celtic Identify This 27-Year-Old Keeper As A Summer Target: Why He Could Become Schmeichel’s Successor At Parkhead
If a recent report from Spain (as quoted by The Daily Record) is believed to be true, Celtic are keeping close tabs on Dinko Horkas ahead of a potential summer swoop. But they are not alone in the hun...
Why Denmark failed to qualify for the 2026 World Cup
Denmark have managed to build a roster full of talent, with several of their players excelling in Europe. Despite this, head coach Brian Riemer failed to lead the national team to the 2026 World Cup, ending a streak of two consecutive qualifications. Basing their sporting project on young talent, Denmark have managed to establish a highly promising setup. Not only has Rasmus Højlund excelled at the highest level, but so have Mikkel Damsgaard, Patrick Dorgu, and others. Despite this star-studded roster, head coach Brian Riemer failed to lead the national team to the 2026 World Cup. As a result, they have seen their streak of two consecutive tournaments qualifications come to an end. After finishing second in Group C of the UEFA Qualifiers, they faced the Czech Republic in the playoff final, losing on penalties. While Højlund managed to score five goals across the matches, head coach Brian Riemer failed to establish defensive solidity, causing his side to trail on the scoreboard for much of the game. Denmark qualified for the 2018 and 2022 World Cups. Therefore, failing to qualify for the 2026 edition, despite the expansion of available spots, represents a complete failure. Beyond Højlund and Mikkel Damsgaard, they also possess players such as Morten Hjulmand, Pierre-Emile Højbjerg, Joachim Andersen, Patrick Dorgu, and others who could have provided consistency in their play, but Brian Riemer failed to find the right path. Rather than dismissing Brian Riemer, the Danish Soccer Association has decided to back the continuity of its project. With many young players in the squad, they are betting on their continued development and a return to the World Cup in 2030. However, their performance at UEFA Euro 2028 could determine the next steps of the project. Rasmus Hojlund of Denmark runs with the ball under pressure from Stepan Chaloupek of Czechia. How many times have Denmark played in the World Cup? Denmark have not managed to become a dominant force in UEFA competitions, with their most recent major titles being UEFA Euro 1992 and the 1995 Confederations Cup. However, they have been regular participants at the World Cup, appearing in six editions. Since the 2002 tournament, they have qualified for four of the last six editions, highlighting their status as a competitive national team. Despite being frequent World Cup participants, they have not consistently emerged as true contenders. In their first-ever participation, Denmark reached the Round of 16, but Spain defeated them with a harsh 5-1. Then, they had their best performance in the 1998 edition, when they reached the quarterfinals, but Brazil defeated them 3-2. In the 2002 edition, Denmark also reached the Round of 16, surprising everyone. However, England defeated them in a 3-0. After being left out of the 2006 edition, they disappointed in the 2010 edition, just reaching the group stage, being surpassed by Netherlands and Japan. Denmark significantly improved their performances at the 2018 World Cup. After advancing from the group stage, they reached the Round of 16, where they were eliminated by Croatia on penalties. However, they disappointed once again in the 2022 edition, as they exited the tournament without winning a single match and finished bottom of their group.
‘Cristiano Ronaldo deserves to win this kind of trophy’: France 1998 champion David Trezeguet backs Portugal’s World Cup chances
David Trezeguet, world champions with France in 1998, backed up Portugal's chances in the 2026 World Cup, claiming that "Cristiano Ronaldo deserves to win this kind of trophy." The 2026 World Cup represents the absolute final opportunity for Cristiano Ronaldo to capture the most coveted trophy in sports, and he enters the tournament anchoring a loaded Portugal squad that stands as a legitimate heavyweight in the expanded 48-team field. His aspirations received a ringing endorsement from 1998 France World Cup champion David Trezeguet, who candidly stated that “Cristiano Ronaldo deserves to win this kind of trophy.” In an interview with Argentine network TyC Sports, Trezeguet was asked whether the 2026 World Cup would be dominated by modern, hyper-athletic forwards like Erling Haaland or Kylian Mbappe: “The beautiful thing about this World Cup is that it is going to be the culmination of the generation of Messi, Ronaldo, and Neymar, alongside this new one that includes Haaland, Mbappe, and Yamal as well. I have always been a lover of what my own characteristics were—I love the penalty-box number 9, and I think Haaland will be the type of player who makes the difference.“ The legendary striker then pivoted to how Ronaldo could still play a similarly pivotal role for his country over the next month. “But others will be too. Cristiano Ronaldo, when we look at the magnitude of the guy, what he has achieved with different characteristics compared to Lionel Messi. They are the kind of guys who deserve to win these types of titles,” Trezeguet candidly stated. Compared to past iterations, this version of Portugal arrives at the tournament as a battle-tested powerhouse on the global stage. Bolstered by the championship DNA of winning the 2025 UEFA Nations League, combined with a core featuring several newly minted UEFA Champions League winners, the Seleção appear primed to finally take that elusive next step on the grandest stage. Cristiano Ronaldo of Portugal during the international friendly against Chile. Trezeguet went on to break down the sheer depth surrounding Ronaldo in the Portuguese camp. “Portugal is an interesting team with major individual talent, a midfield based on the PSG side that won the Champions League in recent years, meaning you are going to find a nation with a different kind of enthusiasm, with the awareness of knowing they are winners, and that can also be a deciding factor,” he concluded. Historically, Portugal’s deepest World Cup runs came in 1966 and during Ronaldo’s tournament debut in 2006, both resulting in semifinal appearances. Back in 1966, the Selecao secured a third-place finish, whereas in 2006 they dropped the consolation match to Germany, meaning Ronaldo will be highly motivated to raise the bar from the fourth-place finish he achieved exactly 20 years ago. Trezeguet’s own World Cup legacy Despite his deep Argentine roots, Trezeguet chose to represent France internationally, qualifying by virtue of being born in Rouen, the capital of Normandy. After beginning his professional career with Argentine club Platense, he moved to AS Monaco in 1995, and at just 20 years old, he successfully cracked the star-studded French roster that went on to capture Les Bleus‘ historic first World Cup title on home soil in 1998. During that legendary 1998 campaign, he scored against Saudi Arabia in the group stage and delivered two crucial assists, one in a 2-1 win over Denmark and another against Paraguay in the knockout rounds. While he watched the final victory over Brazil from the bench as manager Aime Jacquet favored Stéphane Guivarc’h as a lone target man, Trezeguet’s contributions throughout the tournament were vital to the championship run. Jean-Alain Boumsong, David Trezeguet and Thierry Henry of France look on after losing the World Cup Final in 2006. Following a disastrous group-stage exit in 2002, Trezeguet returned for his final World Cup rodeo in 2006, helping France reach the final before suffering a hear
Prediction: Denmark vs Ukraine
Denmark welcome Ukraine to Odense on Sunday evening for both sides’ final international friendly of the summer, as preparations begin to shift toward the upcoming UEFA Nations League campaign. De Rød‑Hvide arrive seeking a response to recent setbacks, while Syn’o‑Zhovti aim to build on encouraging recent results. Verdict: Draw Best odds: 51/20 Bookmaker: BetNow Denmark […] The post Prediction: Denmark vs Ukraine appeared first on SoccerNews.
'Fantastic servant but forgettable end' - fan on Schmeichel's retirement
Celtic fans, we asked for your views after goalkeeper Kasper Schmeichel announced his retirement from football. Cost us the Scottish Cup and other games too. Celtic clearly need to recruit but Viljami Sinisalo should be the number one, he's earned the right after stepping up to fill in for Schmeichel.
Celtic goalkeeper Schmeichel retires: Have your say
Celtic goalkeeper Kasper Schmeichel has announced his retirement from professional football due to a serious shoulder injury. The 39-year-old has been ruled out of action for over a year after injuring his shoulder and hasn't featured for Celtic since February. The Denmark international, who has earned 120 senior caps for his country, was due to be out of contract with the Glasgow club this summer, two years on from his free transfer after leaving Belgian side Anderlecht.
