The Iraq World Cup 2026 squad will arrive in North America in the summer with history at their fingertips, needing to secure their qualification first.
When Demetriou, the then Walsall defender, scored the only goal of his 51-cap international career to put Cyprus 2-1 up in Israel, the small but raucous red corner of the Bilino Polje Stadium burst into scenes of pure elation.
Albania has never previously finished higher than third in their qualification group, but finishing as runners-up to England has earned them a play-off opportunity.
Serie A leaders Inter make the trip to Westfalenstadion on Wednesday and sit 14th in the 36-team table, a point behind the automatic qualification places for the last 16. Chivu's side have lost their last three Champions League matches, having been beaten in just three of their previous 27 games (W18 D6 L3). They have never lost four in a row in UEFA's flagship competition, and face a Dortmund side who have lost just once (W13 D7) in their last 21 Champions League home games.
Two former Africa Cup of Nations champions, Algeria and Sudan, face off in Rabat on Wednesday in a Group E fixture that could be crucial in the pair's qualification hopes. After suffering consecutive group-stage exits at the last two AFCON tournaments, Algeria enter the 2025 edition under pressure to make a strong opening statement against a Sudan side without a win at the finals since 2012.
Noni Madueke scored twice to fire Arsenal to a 3-0 victory at Club Brugge and all-but assure their qualification for the Champions League knockout stages with two group matches to play. Madueke opened his Arsenal account against Bayern Munich a fortnight ago and the England international was at it again here in Belgium after 25 minutes. The former Chelsea man picked up the ball just inside the hosts' half before shrugging off the attention of left-back Joaquin Seys and then unleashing a venomous 22-yard strike which crashed off the underneath of the crossbar and into the net.
South Africa (Image credit: Charle Lombard/Gallo Images/Getty Images) The South Africa World Cup 2026 squad is shaping up ahead of their big return. They topped their World Cup 2026 qualification group after beating Rwanda in their final game of qualifying in October 2025. Thousands of their fans are sure to descend on America, much like the fans of the Mamelodi Sundowns in the 2025 Club World Cup.
The Ghana World Cup 2026 squad is starting to become a little clearer though we won't get to watch them this winter. Ghana lost just once through the qualification process for World Cup 2026, and qualified for a second successive tournament, meaning they have qualified for all but two tournaments this century. The Black Stars squad has heaps of talent throughout it, with regular Premier League starters ready to show up for their nation.
Although the World Cup is still a little while away, the German Football Association (DFB) is busy with pre-tournament preparations. According to Bild (via @iMiaSanMia), the final friendly opponents ahead of the World Cup have been finalized. The last opponent before the tournament will be none other than one of the co-hosts, the United States of America. The dress rehearsal will be held in early June.
Manchester United have to navigate an unusual qualification process to reach the main draw of the Women's Champions League. The tournament has a new format after Uefa expanded the group stage of the competition from 16 to 18 teams for 2025-26. Chelsea qualified directly by winning the Women's Super League, while Arsenal qualified by triumphing in the Women's Champions League. Manchester United however have to qualify for the competition after finishing behind Chelsea and Arsenal in the league last season.
