A record 48 teams will play in the 2026 World Cup co-hosted by the United States, Mexico and Canada.

On Tuesday, England became the first European team to qualify. In African qualifying, South Africa, Ivory Coast and Senegal all clinched spots. Qatar and Saudi Arabia both advanced from Asian qualifying.

Third goalkeeper Abdelhakim El Mesbahi came off the bench near the end of extra time and made the decisive save in the shootout as Morocco edged France 5-4 on penalties Wednesday to qualify for its first Under-20 World Cup final.

The Moroccans will play for the championship against Argentina, which edged Colombia 1-0 to reach its eighth final at the under-20 tournament.

The first doubts are beginning to emerge about Liverpool's Premier League title defense on the back of three straight losses.

With more hope than expectation.

The Bundesliga is waiting to see if Borussia Dortmund can mount a challenge to Bayern Munich in "der Klassiker" on Saturday.

Play was briefly delayed in a World Cup qualifier between Wales and Belgium on Monday after a rat entered the field.

France missed a chance to secure a spot at the 2026 World Cup on Monday after being held to 2-2 at Iceland.

The Court of Arbitration for Sport has rejected appeals by the Israel Gymnastics Federation to be allowed to compete at a world championships in Indonesia this weekend.

Snipers are on the roof of the Israel team hotel in Udine and the Italian city is on maximum alert ahead of a World Cup qualifier on Tuesday.

The sound of helicopters surveilling the city has filled the air since the morning, hours before Italy's match against Israel was set to kick off at Stadio Friuli.

Mohamed Salah is going back to the World Cup with Egypt next summer.

Saudi Arabia beat Indonesia 3-2 on Wednesday to move within 90 minutes of qualification for the 2026 World Cup.