
World Cup Echoes Reshape Premier League Preparations
The 2026 World Cup is already influencing Premier League storylines, with fitness concerns, emerging talents and potential moves shaping the upcoming season.
Latest Slidescroller coverage mentioning Ali Al-Hamadi across Football, Soccer.

The 2026 World Cup is already influencing Premier League storylines, with fitness concerns, emerging talents and potential moves shaping the upcoming season.

A thunderstorm delay tested both teams, but France emerged victorious with a 3‑0 result, featuring Mbappe's record‑tying goals and a glimpse of Messi's all‑time scoring milestone.

A thunderstorm that halted play for nearly two hours gave way to a dramatic finish as France edged Iraq 3‑0, with Mbappe moving to within one goal of Lionel Messi in the Golden Boot race.

Iraq's recent performances, full squad availability and key player line‑ups set the stage for a decisive Group I encounter with Norway, broadcast live in the UK on BBC One.

After a 2‑1 win over Bolivia, Iraq’s national football side earned a spot in the 2026 World Cup, prompting a two‑day public holiday and a wave of national unity that bridges ethnic, religious and geographic divides.

Aymen Hussein, Iraq's leading World Cup striker, spent nearly seven hours under questioning at O'Hare International Airport before being allowed entry, while photographer Talal Salah was denied entry after a prolonged inspection. Their experiences underscore the heightened scrutiny facing the team as it prepares for its first World Cup appearance in four decades.