Juventus

Juventus

Former Italy under-21 international Cristian Volpato has switched allegiance to Australia before the Socceroos announce their squad for the 2026 Fifa World Cup on 1 June. The 22-year-old midfielder was born and raised in Sydney but holds dual citizenship after moving to Italy in 2020 to join Roma's youth system. He joined Serie A side Sassuolo in 2023 and has represented Italy at youth level. Having only represented Italy at youth level, Volapto meets one of five different sets of circumstances that make a player eligible to switch international allegiance.

We want to play the best World Cup seen from a Swiss team, the coach, Murat Yakin, told Blick. The feeling that we could have reached the final of the last Euros [they lost on penalties to England in the quarter-finals] gives us something to dream about. Switzerland have never got past the quarter-finals at the World Cup, last reaching that stage on home soil in 1954. Since then, their adventures have typically ended in the last 16, as was the case in 2022 in Doha when they lost 6-1 to Portugal.

Japan have beaten Germany, Brazil, England and Spain since 2022, but may struggle to sustain a genuine title push. Previous World Cup appearances: 7 Best performance: Last 16 (2002, 2010, 2018, 2022) First appearance: 1998 (France) Top goal scorer: Keisuke Honda (4) Most appearances: Yuto Nagatomo (15) Player to watch: Takefusa Kubo FIFA world ranking: 18th Fixtures: Netherlands (June 14, Dallas, US), Tunisia (June 20, Monterrey, Mexico), Sweden (June 25, Dallas, US)

The hosts dominated much of the contest and finally broke the deadlock in the 34th minute. Joao Felix delivered an inviting cross following a corner and Sadio Mane rose highest to power a header into the net for 1-0. Al Nassr had already created several chances before the opener. Ronaldo headed over from close range, Mane was denied by goalkeeper Kewin, while Felix and Coman both tested the Damac defence during a lively first half.

Fabrizio Corona, who once ran a stable of paparazzi photographers, is the founder of a website that claimed the Italian prime minister was in a romantic relationship with Manlio Messina. Mr Corona is accused of digitally altering photos to make the pair look like a couple. The allegations of an affair came in October, 2023, a month after Ms Meloni had broken up with her partner, the father of her young daughter.

Cristiano Ronaldo heads to the 2026 World Cup knowing it could be his final chance to lift football's biggest prize. At 41, the Portugal icon remains the central figure for his country as they prepare for a seventh consecutive tournament appearance in North America. Ronaldo has already won multiple major honours during his career, including the European Championship and UEFA Nations League with Portugal, but the World Cup remains the one major trophy missing from his collection.

Brazil's all-time leading scorer Neymar called up for World Cup 2026 as Carlo Ancelotti turns to forward for first time. Neymar has made Brazil's World Cup squad, a selection many local analysts and former footballers deemed unlikely only days ago. The 34-year-old is Brazil's all-time top goal-scorer with 79, but has struggled to return to top fitness since he tore his left ACL in October 2023.

Tunisia manager Sabri Lamouchi has left midfielder Ferjani Sassi - who has 101 caps - out of the country's squad for the World Cup. Sassi, 34, has been omitted along with defender Yassine Meriah, who has made 95 appearances for Tunisia. Former Cardiff City and Nottingham Forest boss Lamouchi, who took over as Tunisia boss in January, left both players out of his squad for two friendlies against Haiti and Canada in his first two games in charge earlier this year.

Paris St-Germain wrapped up the Ligue 1 title for a fifth straight year as Inter Milan won the Coppa Italia to take the double in Italy. PSG - Champions League holders and finalists - needed just a point for their 14th title overall and wrapped up the division by beating second-placed Lens 2-0.

Japan have suspended their head coach, Eddie Jones, for four games and cut his salary for verbal abuse directed at local officials during an Australian tour. Jones will miss Japan's Nations Championship opener against Italy in Tokyo on 4 July, the fourth game of his ban. The Japan Rugby Football Union said the 66-year-old Australian violated their ethics and disciplinary regulations during a Japan Under-23 team tour of Australia from 1 to 15 April.