World Cup
Neymar calf scare turns Brazil’s World Cup camp into waiting room
Brazil’s World Cup preparations were jolted on Wednesday as Neymar missed the national team’s first training session to undergo medical tests, leaving his place in the squad hanging in the balance.
The Brazilian Football Confederation (CBF) confirmed the 34-year-old forward, who is recovering from an injury in his right calf, did not take part in the closed session at their facilities in Granja Comary and was referred to a private clinic in Teresopolis for imaging tests.
In a statement, the CBF said “no further information will be released until the Brazilian national team’s medical staff have completed their assessments”, but Neymar’s absence quickly became the dominant storyline on the second day of Brazil’s training camp for the 2026 World Cup.
Brazil will hold three further sessions at Granja Comary before Sunday’s friendly against Panama at the Maracana.
Manager Carlo Ancelotti is already without three players for that fixture. Defenders Gabriel Magalhaes and Marquinhos, along with forward Gabriel Martinelli, are involved in Saturday’s Champions League final between Arsenal and Paris Saint-Germain.
Neymar’s recall last week generated widespread excitement because he had not featured in Ancelotti’s plans during the Italian’s year in charge.
Brazil’s all-time leading scorer with 79 goals in 128 appearances, Neymar has not played for his country since 2023. His return to the fold came amid scrutiny over his fitness and form following years of injury trouble and an underwhelming spell back at Santos.
The timing could hardly be more delicate. After facing Panama, Brazil meet Egypt in Cleveland in their final friendly before opening their World Cup campaign against African champions Morocco on June 13 in New Jersey. Brazil and Morocco have been drawn in Group C alongside Haiti and Scotland.
In an interview with Reuters in early May, Ancelotti made clear that reputation alone would not secure Neymar’s place.
He said that Neymar would receive no special treatment and that his place in the squad would be strictly based on fitness and form, not sentiment.
For now, Brazil wait on the medical verdict — and on whether their most recognisable name will be fit to take centre stage next month.
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A confluence of sports fanatics in need of transportation is set to take place in New York in the coming days, but NJ Transit isn’t planning to do any favours for the home fans.
NJ Transit officials informed multiple outlets on Wednesday that when World Cup matches in New Jersey overlap with NBA Finals games in Manhattan, the transportation authority will maintain priority for World Cup fans ahead of New York Knicks fans. during predetermined match times. That news comes in the wake of the hometown New York Knicks advancing into the NBA Finals and calling the matter into question.
There are eight World Cup games scheduled to take place at MetLife Stadium in East Rutherford, N.J., from June 13 to July 19. The NBA Finals, by contrast, begin June 3. The Knicks, who finished with a worse regular-season record than Western Conference finalists Oklahoma City and San Antonio, are set to host Game 3 and Game 4 on Monday, June 8, and Wednesday, June 10, at Madison Square Garden. If necessary, they’ll also host Game 6 on Thursday, June 16.
The Knicks’ prospective Game 6 would conflict with France’s match against Senegal earlier in the day. Instead of attempting to juggle both groups of fans through Penn Station, people heading to and from MetLife Stadium will be prioritised, per NJ Transit.
For the four hours prior to kickoff and the three hours after the conclusion of all World Cup games, Penn Station will be limited to World Cup travellers.
Knicks fans commuting in from New Jersey will be required to switch to PATH trains as an alternative.
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By Kunle Solaja.
Nigerian-descent striker Folarin Balogun will represent the United States at the 2026 FIFA World Cup after being named in the Americans’ final 26-man squad for the tournament on home soil.
Balogun, who was born in Brooklyn, New York, to Nigerian parents, is one of three recognised strikers selected by head coach Mauricio Pochettino for the competition alongside Ricardo Pepi and Haji Wright.
The AS Monaco forward has rapidly become one of the key figures in the American attack since switching international allegiance from England to the United States. His pace, movement and finishing ability are expected to play a major role as the co-hosts seek an impressive run at the tournament.
Balogun’s inclusion further highlights the growing multicultural character of the U.S. national team, which also features players with African, European and Latin American heritage.
The United States squad will be led by AC Milan star Christian Pulisic, while Bournemouth midfielder Tyler Adams and Juventus’ Weston McKennie are expected to provide leadership and experience in midfield.
Also included in the squad is Tim Weah, son of former Liberian president and African football icon George Weah.
The Americans have assembled a balanced squad featuring players from top European leagues as well as Major League Soccer clubs, with Pochettino banking on youthful energy and tournament experience.
Among the goalkeepers selected are Matt Turner, Matt Freese and Chris Brady.
The defensive unit includes Chris Richards, Tim Ream and Fulham fullback Antonee Robinson.
Creative support for Balogun in attack will come from players such as Gio Reyna, Brenden Aaronson and Bayer Leverkusen midfielder Malik Tillman.
The United States, co-hosting the World Cup alongside Canada and Mexico, are hoping home support and a talented generation of players can help them challenge the traditional global powers.
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World Cup
13 World Cup Debutants, 13 Veterans Make U.S. Squad As Pochettino Banks On Blend Of Youth And Experience
The United States have unveiled a balanced 26-man squad for the forthcoming FIFA World Cup, with head coach Mauricio Pochettino opting for a mix of 13 World Cup debutants and 13 experienced campaigners as the hosts target their deepest run in modern tournament history.
Leading the American charge are captain Christian Pulisic, midfield enforcer Tyler Adams and dynamic Juventus midfielder Weston McKennie, all of whom featured prominently when the U.S. reached the Round of 16 at the Qatar 2022 World Cup.
The squad also includes one of the tournament’s most intriguing family storylines with the inclusion of Tim Weah, son of former Liberian president and African football legend George Weah. Tim Weah, who scored for the U.S. in Qatar, continues to carve out his own international identity after following in the footsteps of his illustrious father, the only African player to have won the Ballon d’Or.
Pochettino expressed confidence in the group selected to carry the expectations of a nation hosting the World Cup for the first time since 1994.
“We are confident this is the best group of 26 players to help us achieve success at the World Cup,” Pochettino said after naming his squad on Tuesday.
“These were very difficult decisions, and we are thankful to all the players who were part of this journey. This group is very focused and ready to give everything they have to represent the United States and deliver performances that will make the fans and the country proud.”
The squad retains significant experience from Qatar 2022, including all three American scorers from that tournament — Pulisic, Weah and Haji Wright.
AC Milan winger Pulisic remains the face of American football heading into the competition, while Bournemouth midfielder Adams is expected to provide leadership and steel in midfield after an impressive Premier League season.
Up front, AS Monaco striker Folarin Balogun is tipped to spearhead the attack, especially if Pochettino deploys his preferred 3-4-2-1 system.
Another notable inclusion is Gio Reyna, who made the squad despite limited playing time at Borussia Mönchengladbach this season. Alejandro Zendejas also forced his way back into contention after an impressive finish to the season with Club America in Mexico.
However, there was disappointment for injured forward Diego Luna and Lyon midfielder Tanner Tessmann, who both failed to make the final cut.
As co-hosts alongside Mexico and Canada, the Americans are under intense pressure to deliver on home soil.
McKennie believes the tournament presents a rare opportunity to ignite passion for football across the United States.
“It’s a great opportunity for everyone on the roster and also for the fans who maybe don’t know a lot about soccer here in America to feel the passion,” McKennie said during the squad unveiling in Manhattan.
“I hope that we can make people fall in love with the game here and maybe be able to etch our names in the history books.”
The United States will begin their Group D campaign against Paraguay on June 12 at SoFi Stadium near Los Angeles.
U.S. 2026 World Cup squad in full
GOALKEEPERS (3): Matt Freese (NYCFC), Matt Turner (New England Revolution), Chris Brady (Chicago Fire).
CENTRE BACKS (5): Chris Richards (Crystal Palace), Tim Ream (Charlotte FC), Mark McKenzie (Toulouse), Auston Trusty (Celtic), Miles Robinson (FC Cincinnati).
FULLBACKS (5): Antonee Robinson (Fulham), Sergiño Dest (PSV Eindhoven), Alex Freeman (Villarreal), Joe Scally (Borussia Mönchengladbach), Max Arfsten (Columbus Crew).
CENTRAL MIDFIELDERS (4): Tyler Adams (Bournemouth), Weston McKennie (Juventus), Cristian Roldan (Seattle Sounders), Sebastian Berhalter (Vancouver Whitecaps)
ATTACKING MIDFIELDERS/WINGERS (6): Christian Pulisic (AC Milan), Tim Weah (Marseille), Malik Tillman (Bayer Leverkusen), Gio Reyna (Borussia Mönchengladbach), Brenden Aaronson (Leeds United), Alejandro Zendejas (Club América)
STRIKERS (3): Folarin Balogun (Monaco), Ricardo Pepi (PSV Eindhoven), Haji Wright (Coventry City).
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