Soccer (FIFA)

Soccer (FIFA)

17% - According to the Opta Predictor, reigning UEFA European Championship winners Spain are the favourites to win the FIFA World Cup 2026 (17%) - they could become the first nation to hold both simultaneously for a second time (2008, 2010, 2012 previously). Elect. #WorldCup pic.twitter.com/tjCZKsEuj8 - OptaJoe (@OptaJoe) December 5, 2025

Ipswich climbed into the automatic promotion places in the Championship following a 2-1 victory over struggling Oxford. Their success came via first-half goals from leading scorer Jaden Philogene and Chuba Akpom, while Will Lankshear replied for the visitors. Ipswich moved a point above Middlesbrough after they fell to a 1-0 defeat at Derby, while Oxford remain three points from safety.

Former Liverpool manager Jurgen Klopp has been linked with a return to Anfield in recent months. Liverpool have had a disappointing season so far, and there have been rumours that Arne Slot could be shown the door. They are currently 4th in the league table, and they were expected to fight for the league title. If the Dutchman is shown the door in the near future, Klopp could emerge as a potential candidate.

It's time for another dastardly football wordsearch from FourFourTwo. It is the destiny of every great footballer to end up in a puzzle for fans to solve in their tea or coffee breaks, and have we got some great footballers for you. 20 Brazil players have been hidden in our wordsearch grid just waiting to be found. There's no time limit for you to crack this one but we do want to know your time,

I saw him make Cristiano Ronaldo cry in the locker room, a man who gives his all on the pitch, because for once he didn't chase the opposing full-back,

After the bongs and fireworks, 2026 has finally begun. Naturally, no one really cares about resolutions, the real interest is in whether your team will sign a new left-back. Tittle-tattle is back in the limelight and the Rumour Mill will be firing up the very best and worst of it over the coming month. It seems like everyone in the Premier League needs to get the pen and chequebook out to solve their problems, making it an intriguing month ahead.

Levi's Stadium, Santa Clara, California USA (Image credit: Getty Images) Levi's Stadium is one of the 11 United States stadiums hosting matches at World Cup 2026 and one of two in the state of California. It will host six matches including one in the Round of 32. It's one of 16 World Cup 2026 venues across the United States, Mexico and Canada, and already has a wealth of experience when it comes to hosting football matches.

This season we're still competing in all the competitions. We've made sure we go into 2026 with the possibility of winning all three titles. That's the goal as a team, to win everything this season. Personally, I want to help the team by continuing to score goals. It's been the best start to a season in my career, so that shows me I can still improve. And then there's the World Cup in the summer. It's obviously a great year and a great chance to make history,

"We are running 18 coaches and people keep contacting us," said Mr Richardson, whose company TreadTracker is the team's kit sponsor.

Goals from Sam Smith and Oliver Rathbone before the break were enough to secure all three points on the road for Phil Parkinson's side, seeing them extend their winning run in the competition to three games. Wrexham were ahead after just 11 minutes against a struggling Blackburn side, with Matty James' long ball over the top of the Rovers defence taken down and slotted in at the near post by Smith.

This weekend's derby between Dundee United and Dundee will be shown live on television at 15:00 GMT - despite a decades-long ban that normally prevents matches from being shown at that time on Saturdays. Since the 1960s, football fans in the UK have been familiar with the 3pm blackout rule, which is in place to encourage stadium attendance at games.

Defenders Chris Richards (foot) and Chadi Riad and Daniel Munoz (both knee) are out injured. Midfielder Cheick Doucoure (knee) and widemen Caleb Kporha (back) and Rio Cardines (muscular) are also sidelined. Midfielder Daichi Kamada is expected to be out until February with a hamstring problem. Forward Ismaila Sarr is at the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) with Senegal. Crystal Palace starting XI: Henderson, Lacroix, Guehi, Lerma, Clyne, Hughes, Wharton, Mitchell, Devenny, Pino, Mateta