From the young Lamine Yamal and Pedri González, main hopes of the Spanish team, to legendary veterans like Leo Messi, Cristiano Ronaldo, and Luka Modrić, still references for Argentina, Portugal, and Croatia, respectively. Few World Cups in history have had such a wide spectrum in terms of the age of the stars who will be part of it. The World Cup starting this June 11 will be the longest to date (48 teams), and also one of the most fiercely contested. Will the albiceleste" repeat the ecstasy of 2022? Will France be as superior as its starting lineup suggests? Will Brazil once again be a feared opponent by everyone? What will be the surprise team? All these predictions will depend on the role of the ten essential footballers in a tournament that will shake the planet for five exciting weeks.

The most important and anticipated sporting event of the year is almost here. On Thursday, June 11th, the 2026 World Cup in the United States, Canada, and Mexico begins, the first to be contested by 48 national teams (instead of the current 32). Three countries and sixteen cities will host the 104 matches, culminating on Sunday, July 19th (9:00 PM) with the grand final to be played at the MetLife Stadium located in New Jersey (near New York City). This event will mark a generational shift in the world of football, as it will be the last World Cup for Leo Messi or Cristiano Ronaldo, among others, and the emergence of new global stars like Lamine Yamal, who will play in his first World Cup.

Cristiano Ronaldo and Georgina Rodríguez are getting married. The influencer announced it with a post for his 68.4 million Instagram followers, where the couple's hands can be seen, along with an engagement ring with an oversized diamond and the text: "I do. In this and all my lives." The image was taken in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia, where the family has lived since the player signed for Al Nassr in 2022, with a salary of 200 million per season. Specialized magazines suggest that the ring could cost between 5 and 10 million euros. The footballer did not post any message for his 662 million followers. The couple has also not given any further details about the wedding, neither the date nor the location.

UEFA reminded the teams taking part in the European Championship that "sponsors are essential for the tournament to take place". The message came after several players withdrew bottles of soft drinks and beer during press conferences. The organising body linked sponsorship activities "to the development of football throughout Europe, including for young people and women".