The decision ends Pirlo’s hopes of leading the Azzurri after it emerged he holds a commercial contract with Fonbet, a Russian betting company banned in Italy. Strict national regulations prohibit the publicising of gambling, while international sanctions against Russian businesses following the invasion of Ukraine created additional political barriers. Pirlo’s visit to Moscow in May 2026 to promote the brand compounded the ethical questions surrounding his candidacy.

Club owner denies forcing contract

Speculation had suggested Pirlo entered the Fonbet agreement under pressure from FC United Dubai, where he currently manages, with claims that club president Sergey Lomakin held financial interests in the gambling group. However, Lomakin has firmly rejected this narrative. In a statement to La Gazzetta dello Sport, he declared he holds “no financial interests in Fonbet” and that “United FC Dubai… has no association with Fonbet either.” He added: “The supposed connection between Mr Lomakin, United FC and Fonbet does not exist.”

This denial eliminates a potential defence for Pirlo, suggesting the 2006 World Cup winner entered the arrangement personally rather than as a contractual club obligation. Without this mitigating circumstance, Pirlo appears individually responsible for partnering with a sanctioned entity while seeking to represent the Italian federation.

Technical director faces exit

The controversy has also engulfed Paolo Maldini, whom Malagò recently appointed as technical director of the national squad. Reports indicate Maldini continued pushing for Pirlo’s appointment even after the Fonbet scandal emerged, and he is now reportedly ready to resign just weeks into his role. Malagò’s pointed remark about who created the “bad impression” appeared directed at both Pirlo’s judgment and Maldini’s insistence on the appointment despite the regulatory violations.

The former AC Milan defender’s brief tenure now hangs in the balance. His reported determination to advance Pirlo’s candidacy amid mounting ethical concerns has drawn criticism from within the federation, potentially making his position untenable just weeks after his high-profile return to Italian football in an official capacity.

Federation accelerates search

With Pirlo’s path to the role definitively closed, the federation is working to identify an alternative candidate. Malagò confirmed progress on the appointment, stating: “We are working, soon you will know everything.” The episode leaves Pirlo stranded at FC United in the United Arab Emirates, his ambitions of leading the national team thwarted by the incompatibility of his commercial interests with the federation’s ethical and regulatory requirements.

Related coverage

• Italy national football team

• Cape Verde secures remarkable draw against Spain despite managing only 205 passes to their opponents’ 734
• Forty-year-old goalkeeper Vozinha repels 27 shots from the 61st-ranked team in the world
• Flashback to USA’s 1950 triumph over England and Senegal’s 2002 victory against France
• East Germany’s Cold War victory over West Germany in 1974 remains iconic
• African nations feature heavily in the list of greatest tournament surprises

Cape Verde has written a new chapter in World Cup folklore. The Blue Sharks produced a defensive masterclass to hold Spain to a draw, defying a staggering gap in rankings and possession statistics. Vozinha, the veteran shot-stopper aged forty, denied the Spanish attack 27 times while his team completed less than a third of their opponents’ passes. This result joins a long list of moments when smaller nations toppled football’s giants.

The tournament has always provided a stage for the impossible. In 1950, a group of American part-time players shocked England in Belo Horizonte. Haitian-born striker Joe Gaetjens headed the only goal of the game. Newspaper editors in London initially dismissed the telegram as a mistake. It was not. England crashed out, humiliated in their first World Cup appearance.

Cold War tensions spilled onto the pitch in 1974. East Germany faced West Germany in Hamburg for their only competitive meeting. Jürgen Sparwasser scored the decisive goal, handing the hosts a rare defeat. Ironically, both teams advanced, with West Germany eventually lifting the trophy.

Cuba’s adventure in 1938 remains equally astonishing. They travelled to France with merely fifteen players. After drawing with Romania, they won the replay 2-1 to reach the quarter-finals. In a bizarre twist, their first-choice keeper Benito Carvajales missed the rematch because he chose to earn money as a radio commentator instead. Sweden ended their run with an emphatic 8-0 victory.

North Korea caused a sensation in 1966. Pak Doo-ik’s strike eliminated Italy at Ayresome Park, sending the Italians home to an angry reception. The Koreans raced to a 3-0 lead against Portugal in the next round before Eusébio inspired a 5-3 comeback.

Northern Ireland produced heroics in 1982. Gerry Armstrong fired the winner against host nation Spain in Valencia. After Mal Donaghy received a red card, Billy Bingham’s ten men defended stubbornly to secure their place in the next round.

Morocco became the first African side to win a World Cup group in 1986. They held England and Poland to goalless draws before defeating Portugal 3-1. They narrowly lost to West Germany in the second round.

Senegal announced their arrival in 2002 by beating reigning champions France. Papa Bouba Diop scored the only goal in Seoul. The Senegalese squad, composed largely of players from French leagues, reached the quarter-finals while France suffered a disastrous exit.

Algeria achieved a historic first in 1982. Rabah Madjer and Lakhdar Belloumi scored in a 2-1 victory over West Germany, making them the first African team to defeat European opposition at the finals. Sadly, the “Disgrace of Gijón” followed, when West Germany and Austria played out a convenient 1-0 result that eliminated the Algerians.

These results remind us why the World Cup captivates billions. When the underdog bites, the beautiful game becomes truly magical.

• The 2026 tournament expands to 104 total matches, creating a packed schedule for fans
• Barney Ronay from The Guardian selects the unmissable group stage fixtures
• Expect classic David versus Goliath encounters between football giants and minnows
• Several matches carry significant political undertones beyond just sport
• Star attractions include five-time champions Brazil and Norway’s Erling Haaland

The 2026 FIFA World Cup in North America promises to be the biggest tournament in history. For the first time, fans will watch 104 matches instead of the usual 64. This expansion means more teams, more action, and sadly, more confusion about which games matter most.

Barney Ronay, the chief sports writer at The Guardian, has sorted through this massive fixture list. He has picked out the group stage matches that every supporter needs to see. His choices range from historic minnows taking on superpowers to clashes loaded with political tension.

Brazil, the five-time champions, feature heavily in these must-watch selections. Fans can also look forward to watching Erling Haaland lead Norway’s attack on the world stage. The tournament format may have grown, but these fixtures offer the pure drama that defines World Cup football.

• Germany hit seven goals in dominant friendly win over Curaçao
• Netherlands secure narrow victory against Japan in Dallas thriller
• Japan score late goal but fall short against European opposition
• Football Weekly experts analyse World Cup 2026 preparations

The Germany national team sent a powerful warning to their World Cup rivals with a magnificent 7-0 destruction of Curaçao. The European side showed ruthless efficiency in front of goal throughout the friendly match.

Across the Atlantic in Dallas, the Netherlands and Japan produced a cracking contest that went down to the wire. The Dutch side eventually sealed victory after a hard-fought battle against the Samurai Blue.

Japan left it late to find the back of the net, scoring near the end of the match. However, the goal only served as consolation as the Netherlands held on for the win.

These international friendlies form a key part of preparations for the 2026 FIFA World Cup. Top pundits broke down the action on the Football Weekly World Cup Daily podcast. Host Max Rushden led the discussion with Barry Glendenning, Alex Abnos and Ben Fisher.

The German performance highlighted their attacking strength and tactical discipline on the pitch. Their ability to convert chances will worry other nations aiming for glory in North America.

Japan can take heart from their competitive display against strong European opposition. The Asian side proved they possess the quality to challenge top teams despite the defeat.

• The 2026 tournament in the USA, Canada and Mexico will feature a record 1,248 players
• Nearly 900 footballers will experience their first World Cup finals
• Several teenagers and uncapped prospects aim to make immediate impact on the global stage
• Expert commentators select rising stars who play outside the English top flight
• The list includes the youngest player in the tournament and multiple continental champions

Everyone knows the famous superstars who will play at the 2026 FIFA World Cup. But a new generation of footballers is ready to become household names.

The tournament across North America will welcome a record 1,248 players. Of these, 891 footballers will compete at their first World Cup. Many are young talents looking to prove themselves against the world’s best.

Here are some of the most exciting prospects to watch when the competition kicks off this summer.

Omar Diomande (Ivory Coast)

The 19-year-old winger plays for RB Leipzig in Germany. He won the Bundesliga Rookie of the Season award after moving from Spanish side Leganes for £17.2 million in July 2025. Diomande scored 12 goals and made nine assists in 33 league matches.

He spent three years living in Florida as a teenager, so he knows the American environment well. He recently started for Ivory Coast in their surprise friendly victory over France.

Diego Mora (Mexico)

At just 17, the attacking midfielder is the youngest player at the tournament. He plays for Tijuana and became Mexico’s youngest ever senior player at last summer’s Gold Cup.

Coach Javier Aguirre trusted him to start the final against the United States, which Mexico won 2-1. Mora is also the youngest goalscorer in Liga MX history. He found the net in August 2024 when he was only 15.

However, he faces competition for a starting place. Alvaro Fidalgo recently chose to represent Mexico instead of Spain, which could push Mora to the bench.

Manfred Manzambi (Switzerland)

The 20-year-old midfielder stars for SC Freiburg in Germany. He helped his club reach the Europa League final this season. He can play in different positions across midfield and attacks well.

Swiss captain Granit Xhaka has praised him highly. Coach Murat Yakin says Manzambi has incredible hunger to score goals. He won the UEFA Europa League Revelation of the Season award and scored seven goals in the competition.

Manzambi was born in Geneva. He scored his first international goal against the United States last summer. Top clubs in Germany and England are already watching him closely.

Ricardo Pepi (United States)

The 23-year-old striker plays for PSV Eindhoven in the Netherlands. He scored 19 goals last season as his club won the Dutch league title. Six of those goals came in his final five matches.

Pepi has 13 goals in 35 matches for his country. He recently returned to the national team after a short absence. He provided an assist in a 3-2 friendly win against Senegal. The home fans hope he can score the goals that take the USA deep into the tournament.

Nico Paz (Argentina)

The 21-year-old midfielder is the son of former Argentina defender Pablo Paz. He currently plays for Como in Italy under manager Cesc Fabregas. Real Madrid sold him in 2024 but kept a buy-back clause until 2027.

Paz completed more dribbles than any other player in Serie A this season. He scored 13 goals and provided eight assists. He is left-footed and plays best as a number 10 behind the striker. He scores goals, creates chances and works hard without the ball. He scored his first goal for Argentina in March against Mauritania.

Gessime Yassine (Morocco)

The 20-year-old right-winger plays for Strasbourg in France. He moved from second-tier side Dunkerque in January for around £6 million. He is left-footed and loves to dribble past defenders.

Yassine helped Morocco win the Under-20 World Cup last year. He has made his senior debut and hopes to play at the finals. His club has links with Chelsea, and Barcelona have also shown interest in him.

Lucas Holmes (Australia)

The 18-year-old centre-back plays for Colorado Rapids in the United States. He represents the new wave of defensive talent emerging from the MLS. His club form has earned him a place in the Australian squad as they look to build a solid backline for the future.

These young players represent just a sample of the fresh talent ready to make history at the 2026 World Cup.

• Iran’s football authority says Fifa has cancelled all ticket allocations for Iranian supporters
• Fans had already started buying tickets before the sudden reversal
• The decision comes amid ongoing diplomatic tensions between Iran and the United States
• Iran’s team must fly in and out of the US for each match due to visa restrictions
• The federation accuses organisers of mixing politics with sport

The Football Federation Islamic Republic of Iran (FFIRI) has revealed that official ticket allocations for Iranian supporters have been withdrawn just days before the tournament kicks off.

According to football’s global governing body regulations, each national association receives eight per cent of tickets for their respective matches. The Iranian governing body confirmed they had already begun sales to supporters, many of whom have arranged travel to North America.

The 2026 tournament, which Canada, Mexico and the United States are hosting together, begins this Thursday. Iran’s opening fixture against New Zealand takes place in Los Angeles on 15 June, followed by a clash with Belgium in the same city six days later. Their final group match against Egypt happens in Seattle on 26 June.

In a strongly worded statement, the FFIRI described the move as a violation of fair play principles. “Denying Iranian fans their legal entitlement to these tickets contradicts the spirit of international competitions,” the federation declared. They urged Fifa to maintain neutrality and follow established rules.

This development marks the latest difficulty for Iran’s participation. Last month, the team relocated their training base from Tucson, Arizona to Tijuana in Mexico. They claimed American authorities refused to host them properly.

Visa restrictions continue to hamper preparations. Team officials revealed that fifteen backroom staff members received entry denials earlier this month. Players must also follow strict protocols, entering and leaving the United States only on match days.

The disputes stem from wider geopolitical issues. American Secretary of State Marco Rubio previously warned that anyone connected to the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps could face entry bans, though players themselves remain welcome.

In April, Canadian border officials blocked FFIRI president Medhi Taj and other delegates from attending Fifa’s annual congress in Vancouver. Iran was the only participating nation absent from that meeting.

Security concerns relating to Middle East conflicts have overshadowed Iran’s preparations throughout the qualification period. The federation had initially presented Fifa with ten conditions for their involvement, including provisions for officials with military service backgrounds.

• The 2026 World Cup will feature 48 teams for the first time in history
• Twelve groups of four teams will compete in the opening stage
• Thirty-two nations will reach the knockout rounds under new rules
• The eight best third-place teams will join the top two from each group
• Bookmakers have released early odds for potential surprise teams

The 2026 FIFA World Cup will introduce a major change to its format. A total of 48 countries will take part in the competition. This is the first time the tournament has expanded beyond 32 teams.

The teams will form 12 groups labelled A to J. Each group contains four nations. The top two teams from every group will move to the knockout stage. In addition, the best eight third-place teams will also advance.

This new system means 32 teams will compete in the knockout rounds. Officials will use tiebreakers to separate third-place teams with the same number of points. These rules will decide which eight nations complete the last-32 lineup.

Betting companies have already published odds for the tournament. Many fans are looking at underdog teams who might benefit from the new format. The extra places available give smaller nations a better chance to reach the later stages.

The competition will take place across the United States, Canada and Mexico. Football supporters in Kenya can follow the action as the expanded tournament offers more matches than ever before.

• Christian Eriksen collapsed during the second half of Denmark’s friendly match against Ukraine on Sunday
• Medical officials abandoned the fixture in Odense after the 34-year-old received pitch-side treatment
• The midfielder confirmed his implantable cardioverter-defibrillator (ICD) delivered a corrective shock to his heart
• Eriksen insists this incident differs from his cardiac arrest at Euro 2020 and is now resting with his family
• The former Manchester United star currently plays for German Bundesliga club VfL Wolfsburg

Christian Eriksen has confirmed he is safe and recovering at home after collapsing during an international friendly. The Danish midfielder fell to the ground in the 65th minute of the match against Ukraine in the city of Odense.

Television footage showed the 34-year-old clutching his chest before lying down on the pitch. Medical teams rushed to assist him, and officials stopped the game immediately.

Eriksen later explained through an Instagram post that his implanted heart device had delivered a shock to regulate his rhythm. He stated this situation was not as severe as the cardiac arrest he suffered while playing at the European Championships in 2021.

“I want to let everyone know that I am doing well and that I am home with my family,” Eriksen wrote. He thanked the medical staff who treated him on the field and the doctors who have monitored his heart condition over the years.

The device was fitted after Eriksen collapsed during a match against Finland at Euro 2020 in Copenhagen. That incident required emergency CPR treatment to save his life.

Italian football regulations prevented Eriksen from continuing his career at Inter Milan while wearing the heart-starting device. He subsequently moved back to English football with Brentford in January 2022.

Eriksen then spent two seasons at Manchester United, where he won the Carabao Cup in 2023 and the FA Cup in 2024. He left Old Trafford when his contract ended in 2025 and now represents VfL Wolfsburg in Germany.

• Norway manager Stale Solbakken brands Scotland boss Steve Clarke “unprofessional” following the cancellation of a practice match
• Scotland withdrew from the Monday fixture in North Carolina, blaming minor injuries picked up by players
• Solbakken complains that Clarke failed to telephone him personally to explain the decision
• Norway’s team manager Brede Hangeland reveals they had organised the closed-door game for many months
• The Scottish FA defends its actions, insisting proper procedure was followed through team managers rather than head coaches

Scotland manager Steve Clarke has faced strong criticism from Norway head coach Stale Solbakken. The Norwegian boss has called Clarke “unprofessional” after Scotland cancelled a private training game between the two countries.

Both teams are currently based in North Carolina preparing for the World Cup. They had planned to play a closed-door match on Monday at Scotland’s training ground in Charlotte. However, the Scottish Football Association called off the fixture on Sunday. Officials explained that several players had suffered minor knocks during the previous week.

Clarke later told the BBC that the game was only meant to last one hour. He said the risk of further injuries was too high. “We picked up one or two niggles last week and decided it wasn’t worth the risk,” he explained.

But Solbakken is angry about how the situation was handled. Speaking to Norwegian broadcaster NRK after his team’s 1-1 draw with Morocco, he said Clarke should have telephoned him directly. Instead, Norway received the news through Scotland’s team manager.

“It is unprofessional of Scotland,” Solbakken stated. “It is unprofessional that the coach has not called me. They use the team manager and call after we have finished training.” He also said he does not believe Scotland’s injuries came from their most recent training session.

Brede Hangeland, the Norway team manager and former Fulham defender, also expressed his frustration. He said Norway had based their World Cup preparations around this match for months. The Norwegian camp is staying in Greensboro, about 90 miles from Scotland’s base.

“It is embarrassing to cancel it a couple of days before,” Hangeland said. “There has been a lot of organisation and gentlemen’s agreements. Then suddenly they don’t want to. I think that was weak.”

The Scottish FA has defended its decision. A spokesperson said the arrangement was always between team managers, not head coaches. They said this was the same process used when they cancelled another fixture on Saturday. The spokesperson added that the game was never announced to the public, so they were surprised when Norwegian media reported it.

Scotland played their final public warm-up match on Saturday, beating Bolivia 4-0. Clarke used most of his squad during that game. Norway drew 1-1 with Morocco, who are Scotland’s opponents in Group C.

The Scots will open their World Cup campaign against Haiti on Tuesday. Norway begin their tournament in Group I against Iraq three days later.

• Christian Eriksen collapsed during Denmark’s match against Ukraine in Odense on Sunday
• The 34-year-old midfielder lost consciousness briefly but walked off the pitch with assistance
• Medical staff confirmed his implanted heart device functioned correctly during the incident
• The friendly match was abandoned in the 65th minute following the medical emergency
• Eriksen previously suffered a cardiac arrest during Euro 2020 and plays with a pacemaker

Denmark midfielder Christian Eriksen suffered a frightening collapse during an international friendly against Ukraine on Sunday evening. The incident occurred at the 65-minute mark of the match in Odense.

The 34-year-old fell to the ground near the touchline. Medical personnel rushed to provide immediate assistance. Fortunately, Eriksen regained consciousness quickly. He was able to walk from the field to an ambulance with support from the medical team.

Denmark’s team doctor, Morten Boesen, provided a positive update on the player’s condition. He stated that Eriksen was doing well after the incident. The doctor explained that the implanted cardioverter defibrillator (ICD) in Eriksen’s chest operated as intended.

“Christian is conscious and walked off the pitch by himself,” Boesen reported. “The pacemaker responded correctly. He was unconscious for a short time but woke up very quickly.”

Eriksen will undergo further medical tests at hospital to identify the cause of this episode. The former Manchester United and Tottenham Hotspur star has played with the heart device since suffering a cardiac arrest during Denmark’s opening match at Euro 2020 against Finland.

The midfielder currently plays for German club Wolfsburg. He was earning his 151st cap for the national team when the incident occurred.

Denmark captain Pierre-Emile Hojbjerg witnessed the event from nearby. He described the shock of seeing his teammate fall. Hojbjerg praised the rapid response from medical staff and the respectful behaviour of all players on the pitch.

Players from both Denmark and Ukraine formed a protective circle around Eriksen while he received treatment. This mirrored the solidarity shown during his 2021 collapse. Both teams later gathered in a circle on the pitch after the match was abandoned.

Denmark coach Brian Riemer confirmed that Eriksen sent messages to his teammates reassuring them of his condition. The coach emphasised that the squad would support each other during this difficult time.

The match was officially called off following the incident. Neither Denmark nor Ukraine had qualified for the upcoming World Cup tournament.