The run-up to every World Cup inevitably leads to a series of news stories that expose the worst inherent elements of the host nation. These "off-the-pitch concerns/problems/issues" are consistently in the public consciousness in the weeks leading up to the quadrennial soccer/footbal/futbol tournament. In the case of the United States of America and 2026, the sociopolitical … [Read more...] about USMNT Has Two More Chances to Inspire Excitement for Home World Cup
Football/Soccer
Aston Villa Team News vs Liverpool: Amadou Onana, Alysson
The marquee matchup, of the penultimate weekend of the Premier League season, is obviously Liverpool at Aston Villa. The Villans come into this Friday night affair with a squad that is near full fitness- Boubacar Kamara remains sidelined until next season with a knee injury while Amadou Onana and Alysson face a race against the calendar to feature again before the season … [Read more...] about Aston Villa Team News vs Liverpool: Amadou Onana, Alysson
Liverpool Team News at Aston Villa: Florian Wirtz, Mo Salah, Ibrahima Konate, Alisson
Just two weeks/rounds of the 2025-26 Premier League season remain, and as it stands right now, both Liverpool and Aston Villa are in line for UEFA Champions League qualification. The two sides will meet on Friday, kicking off Match Day 37 weekend. Both are in need of a result here, as red hot AFC Bournemouth are nipping at their heels. The Cherries will be hoping for a result … [Read more...] about Liverpool Team News at Aston Villa: Florian Wirtz, Mo Salah, Ibrahima Konate, Alisson
Barcelona Team News at Alaves: Raphinha, Andreas Christensen
Congratulations to the Catalan club, as FC Barcelona are now La Liga champions. The Blaugranes beat their arch-rivals, Real Madrid, at home last night to claim the league title. It was glorious for everyone on their touchline, but even more special for Manchester United loanee Marcus Rashford, who scored the match and league clinching goal. There are still, however, three more … [Read more...] about Barcelona Team News at Alaves: Raphinha, Andreas Christensen
FIFA Making 2026 World Cup the Most Exclusionary of All-Time
If there is one word to describe this upcoming 2026 World Cup, it's "exclusionary." If you wanted the right to buy tickets to the matches, you had to first win a lottery. As with all lotteries (an exercise that Voltaire called "a tax on stupidity"), a very VERY low percentage of entrants actually won. Which means you must turn to the secondary market, where ticket prices are so … [Read more...] about FIFA Making 2026 World Cup the Most Exclusionary of All-Time
Marcus Rashford Discusses Potential Barcelona Future After Title Clincher
Manchester United loanee Marcus Rashford scored much more than the game-winning goal for FC Barcelona today. Nine minutes in, Rashford achieved a scoring strike that proved to be the decisive blow for the La Liga title race. Ferran Torres added another goal, nine minutes in, and Barcelona beat Real Madrid, at the Camp Nou, to become champions of the top flight. … [Read more...] about Marcus Rashford Discusses Potential Barcelona Future After Title Clincher
Manchester City Team News vs Crystal Palace: Josko Gvardiol, Rodri, Abdukodir Khusanov
Josko Gvardiol is back! And just in time too. On Friday, Manchester City manager Pep Guardiola cleared his stellar Croatian defender (who recovered from a tibial fracture) to play, saying at his weekly press conference: "Josko is ready too, so it's good." However, Little Pep did not make the matchday squad, for City's 3-0 home win over Brentford. Gvardiol should not only … [Read more...] about Manchester City Team News vs Crystal Palace: Josko Gvardiol, Rodri, Abdukodir Khusanov
Tottenham Hotspur Team News vs Leeds United: Richarlison, Bentancur, Solanke, Vicario
Tottenham Hotspur have a couple new boosts, to their team injury/fitness situation, ahead of the visit from Leeds United on Monday night. Richarlison and Rodrigo Bentancur are now both passed fit and available for selection. The news is still not better, however, for their once No.1 goalkeeper Guglielmo Vicario. Having undergone hernia surgery, during the March international … [Read more...] about Tottenham Hotspur Team News vs Leeds United: Richarlison, Bentancur, Solanke, Vicario
Newcastle United Team News at Nottingham Forest: Tino Livramento, Lewis Miley, Fabian Schar
Newcastle United heads to Nottingham Forest on Sunday in a matchup that is not quite dead rubber, but close. Forest haven't secured safety yet, but they're pretty much there. There are only two teams left in the relegation scrap- West Ham United and Tottenham Hotspur. Newcastle are in no-man's land. They're mid-table, and nowhere near UEFA competition qualification, but also … [Read more...] about Newcastle United Team News at Nottingham Forest: Tino Livramento, Lewis Miley, Fabian Schar
Everton at Crystal Palace Team News: Idrissa Gueye, Evann Guessand, Borna Sosa
Congratulations to Crystal Palace! In beating Shakhtar Donetsk 2-1 yesterday, in the second leg of their UEFA Europa Conference League Semi-Final tie, the Eagles triumphed 5-2 on aggregate and progressed through to the final. So you know what that means? Yes, an English side will be present in all three European finals, as Arsenal are through to the Champions League finale … [Read more...] about Everton at Crystal Palace Team News: Idrissa Gueye, Evann Guessand, Borna Sosa