A hat-trick from Republic of Ireland international striker Troy Parrott helped seal the Amsterdam club's joint-worst result this century.

The pendulum has swung in favor of each 2026 World Cup cohost when it comes to regional superiority. So which is most set for the summer?

Biggest surprise of the football year? Most predictable moment? Biggest injustice? Best quote? And a few predictions for 2026...

The World Cup is about so much more than just the football. FIFA's pricing structure for next summer's tournament ignores that

Football Supporters Europe said prices are set at "astronomical levels" and called on FIFA to halt ticket sales and review the figures.

Everything you need to know about Group A at next summer's tournament

The 2026 World Cup will be the biggest in history with 48 countries competing - but 64 teams will be in Friday's draw

On Friday, soccer fans across the world will get an answer to the question they have asked for months: Who are we playing in the men’s World Cup?To help prepare you for the World Cup draw, The Athletic made this simulator. It allows you to play out an unlimited number of draws and see all possible groups for the team you support.Your team:United StatesAt your command, it will let you create as many draws as you want. And it will tell you whether the group drawn is particularly weak or strong.We’ll start you off with a random draw:Group AMexicoMexicoTunisiaTunisiaColombia...

The 2026 World Cup draw is expected to begin at noon Eastern time on Friday, at the Kennedy Center in Washington, D.C. We will update the results live on this page throughout the draw.Draw starts in 16h, 18 min., 55 sec.Group AMexicoMexicoGroup BCanadaCanadaGroup CGroup DUnited StatesUnited StatesGroup EGroup FGroup GGroup HGroup IGroup JGroup KGroup LPot 1ArgentinaBelgiumBrazilCanadaEnglandFranceGermanyMexicoNetherlandsPortugalSpainUnited StatesPot 2AustraliaAustriaColombiaCroatiaEcuadorIranJapanMoroccoSenegalSouth KoreaSwitzerlandUruguayPot 3...

Impress your friends with some weird and wonderful knowledge about the countries involved in Friday's World Cup draw

The 2026 World Cup draw takes place on December 5 with U.S. President Donald Trump expected to be in attendance

As with permanent transfers, uncontrollable factors can have a bearing on the success of the temporary moves made by Brighton players

The 16 remaining European World Cup hopefuls now know their play-off fate for next March

There are 22 nations competing for the six remaining World Cup spots via the play-offs, which will take place across the final week of March

Seamus Coleman was brought in from the cold by Ireland and was key to their remarkable week, but his role at Everton is more complicated

No other competition inspires such uncomplicated, widespread joy. When you strip it back to its core, the World Cup is cynicism-proof

Five goals from Troy Parrott stole the show – but it was a group effort from Heimir Hallgrimsson's side that has kept World Cup hopes alive

After World Cup qualifying action we look at whether Portugal would be OK without Ronaldo, Italy's issues and look ahead to the week

The 40-year-old was red carded just before the hour mark of the game in Dublin after swinging an elbow at Ireland defender Dara O'Shea.

Football fans, particularly in Europe, have reacted angrily to FIFA’s decision to use dynamic pricing at next year’s World Cup.