
Ten Players to Watch as the 2026 World Cup Looms
From Messi's final chapter to the breakout talents eyeing glory, the 2026 World Cup promises unforgettable storylines
Latest Slidescroller coverage mentioning Erling Haaland across Soccer, Football.

From Messi's final chapter to the breakout talents eyeing glory, the 2026 World Cup promises unforgettable storylines

The stadium in Harrison, New Jersey, will host a series of international soccer matches, a FIFA World Cup 2026 fan hub, and a concert series featuring DJ Snake, Justice, Kygo and Kaleo, while Red Bull New York activates its soccer‑inspired activations and family‑focused events.

An overview of the star‑studded line‑up set to define the 2026 World Cup, from veteran legends to emerging talents.

The 2025‑26 Premier League season sees a fundamental shift in how teams approach possession, pressing and player recruitment, driven by evolving tactical trends.

Pep Guardiola's long tenure at Manchester City has concluded, prompting speculation about successors, legal challenges, and the club's future in the Premier League.
The venue reveals a schedule that blends competitive matches, fan‑focused experiences and live performances across June and July.

After a decade of transformative success, Pep Guardiola has announced the end of his tenure at Manchester City. The club now faces a pivotal moment as it seeks a successor, while legal challenges and the evolving landscape of English football add further intrigue.

Despite a season marked by controversy, the Premier League’s best XI showcases a mix of veteran excellence and emerging stars, from David Raya’s clean‑sheet record to Erling Haaland’s third Golden Boot.

Erling Haaland, striker for Manchester City, won the Golden Boot as the top scorer in the Premier League for the third time in four seasons, finishing with 27 goals. No other player in the league reached 20 goals. Haaland was also the top scorer in the 2022-23 and 2023-24 seasons. He is set to participate in his first World Cup with Norway this summer.

Erling Haaland clinched his third Premier League Golden Boot in four seasons, finishing with 27 goals and preparing for his first World Cup appearance with Norway.

Erling Haaland secured the Premier League Golden Boot for the third time in four seasons, finishing with 27 goals and heading to his first World Cup with Norway.

With one round of Premier League fixtures remaining, differential selections could be the key to overtaking rivals in mini‑leagues. Expert Prasun Singhal recommends Richarlison, Jaidon Anthony and Cody Gakpo, while other analysts discuss additional differentials and captaincy options.

Pep Guardiola is leaving Manchester City after a decade of unprecedented success. His 17‑year career, 41 trophies and tactical innovations have redefined the sport and inspired a generation of coaches.

A new ranking reveals the top earners in soccer for the coming year, showing how on‑field contracts and off‑field endorsements combine to create multimillion‑dollar incomes, and how the sport outpaces many others in athlete wealth.

Manchester United’s Bruno Fernandes was crowned Premier League Player of the Season after a record‑tying 20‑assist campaign, while Manchester City’s Nico O'Reilly earned the Young Player honor ahead of a World Cup adventure with England and Portugal.

A look at the biggest transfer stories swirling around the Premier League, La Liga and Serie A as clubs line up multi‑million pound deals.

The expanded 48‑team World Cup will see veteran stars such as Lionel Messi, Cristiano Ronaldo and Luka Modric vie for a final triumph, while emerging talents look to inherit the spotlight.

An editorial look at the excitement, expectations, and uncertainties surrounding the upcoming tournament, from stadium venues to player storylines.

The Athletic reveals its season‑ending honors, recognizing creative brilliance, youthful impact and managerial mastery in football's top leagues.

The Norwegian Seafood Council is deploying a multimillion‑dollar push to position salmon as a staple in the diets of Poland and the Czech Republic, tapping health trends and economic optimism.

Sports Illustrated reports on a flurry of transfer rumors that could reshape rosters across Europe, from Manchester United to Real Madrid and beyond.

Sports Illustrated will release 48 specially commissioned covers for the 2026 World Cup, each crafted by an artist connected to a participating team, celebrating the joy, diversity and community that football inspires.

Nike’s World Cup campaign teaser brings together Cristiano Ronaldo, Erling Haaland, Young Miko and Kim Kardashian in a Polaroid‑styled visual push, while rival brands and agencies roll out their own celebratory efforts.
The BBC’s long‑running football magazine programme, Football Focus, will broadcast its last edition this Sunday, closing a half‑century of coverage that began in 1974.