When Carlos Ancelotti embarked on his maiden World Cup journey in the US, a reel where his two adorable grandchildren wish him on his toughest assignment yet had gone quite viral. At 67 years and after having won almost everything that club football can offer as a coach, it would have been befitting for ‘Don Carlo,’ as he is often referred to, to enjoy the perks of a well-earned retired life of great opulence.

However, the tough-as-nails Italian decided to accept a challenge in May 2025 which many of his ilk wouldn’t dare – that of becoming the first-ever foreigner coach to guide the Selecao boys’ fortunes in the World Cup. All their five World Cup winning managers so far have been Brazilians: Vincent Fiola (1958), Aymore Moreira (1962), Mario Zagallo (1970), Carlos Alberto Parreira (1994) and Luiz Felipe Scolari (2002) and it’s going to be a daunting task for Ancelotti to aim for the Hexa with an undercooked team.

‘’It’s a ​new experience, but ⁠obviously a special one,’’ Ancelotti said at a choc-a-bloc first media conference in New Jersey on Friday. ‘’It means having the responsibility and the honour of representing the home of football, the most successful national team in the world. Two things: responsibility and honour.’’

Ancelotti said he wanted to ⁠embrace ​the occasion rather than be swallowed by it. ‘’I want to savour ​this moment with joy and happiness because it is a wonderful moment in my story,’’ he said. ‘’I feel great... I hope ​I can do the work needed to help this team succeed.’’

No wonder, he is easily the most talked about and charismatic manager among the 48 in fray – despite being a newcomer as far as coaching national teams is concerned. The past one year hasn’t really produced a magical transformation in the performance of the Samba Boys, who qualified as the fifth team from the South American zone and would have had to suffer the ignominy of featuring in play-offs for a ticket to the US but for an increase in quotas for all continents. This has, however, not deterred him from putting up a brave face as they launch their campaign against Morocco – the surprise semi-finalists of Qatar 2022 – in the wee hours of Sunday (3.30 am IST).

The canny customer he is, Ancelotti attempted to diffuse the pressure on his boys when he said there would be nothing wrong in case of any signs of nerves. ‘’Fear is an important part of life,’’ said the man with five UEFA Champions League titles lined up on his shelves alongwith all five league titles of Europe. While five Champions Leagues came as a coach, he had won two European Cups in a player’s capacity as well for AC Milan in 1989 and ’90 – leaving aside multiple World Club Cups and Super Cups as a coach.

The fear which Ancelotti talks about is not the psychosis, but the tactical alertness as the first match of a major tournament like the World Cup will always be difficult. The expectations of the Brazilian people, who comprise of nearly one seventh of the global population, of their national football team is scary as they want their team to win every match they play. Any defensive thinking is perceived as negative tactics and an anti-thesis of the beautiful game – or jogo bonito - that King Pele had once espoused.

However, the demands of the modern game call for a more pragmatic approach – and who better than Ancelotti to deploy it in the middle against a Morocco side – comprising of several proven customers in European leagues. Ancelotti has already taken a calculated gamble by naming the 34-year-old Neymar in his final squad despite the mercurial forward still recovering from a severe calf strain. ‘’We called him up not only for his football ability, which is indisputable, but also for the experience and example he can give to the younger players in the group.’’

He will not be available for the Morocco game but according to the coach, Neymar will start training next week. The enigmatic Vinicius junior is hence expected to play the leader alongside the likes of Raphinha, Marquinhos and Casemiro. Let’s keep our fingers crossed!

The FIFA Congress in Vancouver on Thursday night saw geopolitics rearing it’s head when the Palestine and Israel football officials did not shake hands despite an effort from Gianni Infantino to bring them together on stage. It sparked off an awkward moment in full gaze of the delegates at the Vancouver Convention Centre while the Iranian officials’ absence for the conclave was also brought up during their roll call.   

 Palestine Football Association (PFA) President Jibril Rajoub refused to shake hands with Basim Sheikh Suliman, the vice president of Israel’s national football governing body, despite Infantino’s appeal. Both addressed the Congress but when the FIFA boss tried to orchestrate a handshake between the two, Rajoub moved away from Suliman – protested loudly away from microphones before walking away from the stage.

 “President Rajoub, Vice President Suliman, let’s work together. Let’s work together to give hope to the children. Let’s work together for that,” Infantino said on a night he also confirmed that he would be running for re-election.

Rajoub, on his part, urged FIFA to address the Palestine Football Association’s allegations that Israel has breached anti-discrimination regulation by allowing clubs based in the West Bank settlements. He also said that PFA had knocked on the doors of the Court of Arbitration for Sport (CAS) after FIFA ruled in March not to suspend Israel over its West Bank clubs.

The PFA official also questioned whether Israel has “the right to even be part of FIFA. “From my side, I still respect and follow all the legal procedures through FIFA institutions but I think it’s time to understand that Israel should be sanctioned because of the violations of the statutes of FIFA, the human rights,” he said.

Meanwhile, Yariv Teper, acting general secretary of the Israel Football Association, said that they were willing to work with the Palestinian counterparts. “We are in the FIFA Congress,” Teper said. “Our mission is to promote football and a better future for all regions, and this is our mission.”

Earlier in the day, Infantino opened his remarks by addressing the absence of the Iranian delegation. “Let me start at the outset confirming straight away for those who maybe want to say something else, or write something else, that of course Iran will be participating at the FIFA World Cup 2026,” he said.

“And of course Iran will play in the United States of America. The reason for that is very simple, dear friends. It’s because we have to unite. We have to bring people together.”

Iranian soccer federation president Mehdi Taj and other officials had arrived at Toronto Pearson Airport on Tuesday night but were denied entry into Canada. Taj had previously served as a commander in the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps which Canada listed as a terrorist entity in June, 2024.

Commenting on the row, Canadian Foreign Affairs Minister Anita Anand said it was her understanding that the Iranian delegation had received permission to enter Canada but it was then revoked. Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada did not respond to questions about reports that Taj had been issued a temporary resident permit, which allows foreign nationals who are otherwise inadmissible to Canada to enter the country temporarily if there is a ‘compelling’ reason.

Who will win the 2026 FIFA World Cup, set to start in less than 10 days in the US, Canada and Mexico? While the pundits wrack their brains, Opta the supercomputer has identified Lamine Yamal’s Spain as the leading favourite on the basis of topping it’s extensive simulation model.

While La Roja, the reigning European champions, emerged as the favourite after a 16.1 per cent run of 10,000 tournaments, France, England and Argentina continue to be viewed as other major contenders. Each of the three teams surpassed the 10 per cent mark for tournament victories in the model’s projections.

The data also suggest that a maiden World Cup winner remains far from certain with just over a third of simulations producing a first-time champion. The sheer size of the 2026 World Cup means forecasting has become more complicated than ever with 48 teams creating countless possible scenarios.

Spain, however, emerged as the clear frontrunners in Opta’s modelling despite such uncertainty. If they can pull it off, the current bunch will emulate the golden generation of Spain which followed up their 2008 Euro crown with the 2010 World Cup crown.

They were the only nation more likely than not to secure a place in the quarter-finals, doing so in 52.1 per cent of simulations. Their prospects remained strong deeper into the tournament, with a 39 per cent probability of reaching the last four and a 25.6 per cent chance of appearing in the final.

The supercomputer also points to a potentially comfortable start for the Spaniards, who topped Group H in more than three quarters of simulations against opposition including Uruguay, Saudi Arabia and Cape Verde.

Spain may lead the projections, but France, England and Argentina remain firmly in contention according to Opta. France secured a 13 per cent title probability while England and Argentina followed on 11.2 per cent and 10.4 per cent respectively.

France’s path through the group stage is viewed as the most demanding among the tournament favourites with Norway, Senegal and Iraq providing stern opposition in Group I. Argentina and England are expected to dominate their groups, topping them in 73 per cent and 67.9 per cent of simulations. France managed the same feat in 60.3 per cent of projected outcomes.

The new format of the tournament will comprise of 12 groups of four countries and a record 104 matches. Teams finishing first and second in each group will secure direct passage to the knockout stages while the eight strongest third-placed sides will also advance, creating the inaugural round of 32 in World Cup history.

The Kishore Bharati Krirangan, on the eastern fringes of Kolkata, is a modest football venue by any stretch of the imagination, with a capacity of around 10,000 fans. However, it turned into an emotional cauldron on a sultry Thursday night when the Indian Super League (ISL) champions were decided there for the first time on the final day of the 2025–26 season, as East Bengal ended an agonising 22-year wait for a national league title.

No wonder the floodgates of emotion opened as soon as the final whistle blew, as the red-and-gold brigade secured all three points in a nervy encounter against Inter Kashi. The victory helped them edge past arch-rivals Mohun Bagan Super Giant on goal difference to lift the biggest prize in Indian football. If the 22-year wait sounds familiar, it is because Arsenal had ended a drought of the same duration before clinching the Premier League title on Tuesday.

Tears flowed and red-and-gold scarves swirled in the air as East Bengal underlined their status as first-time champions of the elite league — a triumph that also earned them the right to represent India in the AFC Champions League.

“It seems we have a connection with Arsenal,” club supremo Debabrata Sarkar joked after the winners’ trophy was handed over to the players at the stadium clubhouse.

The photo booth set up for the team members to pose with the trophy soon became irrelevant as pandemonium broke loose after the final whistle. Fans invaded the pitch, while the police on duty eventually gave in to public demand and allowed supporters onto the ground for a closer glimpse of their heroes.

The free-for-all inside the ground became alarming after a point as the nightmarish memories of Messi’s visit to Salt Lake Stadium last December was still fresh in memory. Kalyan Choubey, the president of All India Football Federation (AIFF) who was in attendance to present the trophy, finally did the honours within the confines of the clubhouse to prevent any untoward crowd frenzy.

The last national league East Bengal had won a national league was the erstwhile I-League in 2004 when the likes of Baichung Bhutia, Alvito Da Cunha of an earlier generation used to ply their trade. The elite ISL was introduced with much fanfare in 2014, where East Bengal made a late entry and could never match the strength of Mohun Bagan’s financial muscle and started losing ground – having to rebuild their team from scratch thrice and being constantly on the hunt for a stable sponsor. 

It’s in this backdrop that the title assumes remarkable significance for a team which prides on it’s ethnic origins of being a voice for the displaced people from across the border. ‘’For a club like East Bengal, it was heartbreaking to keep missing out on a national league year after year – and concede ground to our arch rivals. If you look at the head-to-head clashes over the years and across tournaments, East Bengal are still far ahead but when it comes to ISL, we have never been able to beat them. However, this title could be a gamechanger for the future,’’ remarked Rupak Saha, the club secretary.

The curtains hence came down on a truncated version of the elite league which till this January, looked a non-starter with no commercial partner in sight alongwith no confirmation of the official broadcaster. The question mark over the fate of the league, not to speak of the funding of the champion side, who are being bankrolled by the Emami Group at the moment, are also major talking points for the coming months.

There is hence no doubt that their title could not have come at a better time for the historic club. For now, they can savour a well-earned title earned Oscar Bruzon, a journeyman Spanish coach, who turned around the club from the brink after taking charge only last year! 

When Cristiano Ronaldo joined Al Nassr right after the 2022 FIFA World Cup in Qatar, it seemed like a pragmatic move in more ways than one. At 37, the prolific Portuguese forward had already achieved almost everything in the game — five World Cup appearances, a European Championship title, and hundreds of goals — making a move to a less competitive league, coupled with enormous financial rewards, appear like a natural next step.

The intent of the Saudis, of course, was clear – CR7 could be their brand ambassador as they wanted to give a major facelift to the Saudi Pro League to be a part of the sports washing plan in their bid for the 2030 World Cup. The regional big brothers had then just lost a game of one-upmanship to Qatar, who defied all negative publicity to host a successful World Cup, and they wanted to make amends.

As the 41-year-old was named in Roberto Martinez’s 27-man roster on Tuesday, Ronaldo’s decision to opt for a less demanding league was vindicated. It has kept him in top shape and relatively injury-free while the most valuable brand in football still went on doing what he likes best – scoring goals for fun. The first man to play six World Cups in it’s 96-year-old history (his biggest competitor Leo Messi is set to join him once the Argentina squad is named), Ronaldo is expected to play the leader in a seasoned squad which also boasts of the likes of Bruno Fernandez and Joao Felix.

It’s a no brainer that he will not be on the pitch in the upcoming World Cup for 90 minutes, but Martinez backed Ronaldo to be the leader of the pack – unlike the way his predecessor Fernando Santos handled him four years back. ‘’He’s a model captain,’’ the Spanish coach said as he reminded that Ronaldo was a key piece in his jigsaw in Portugal’s recent European Nations League triumph. ‘’When you talk about him, there are two sides: the global soccer icon and there’s our captain.’’

The million dollar question is: what is it that has made Ronaldo hold on to such highest standards of athleticism and consistency? Records say that only seven players over the age of 40 have appeared in World Cup finals with Egyptian goalkeeper Essam El Hadary holding the record for the oldest player to ever appear in a World Cup match - 45 years and 161 days. He made one appearance at the 2018 World Cup in Russia during a 2-1 group stage defeat to Saudi Arabia to set the record by more than two years.

Scotland goalkeeper Craig Gordon, 43, is so far the oldest player to be named in a full squad this year by some distance. However, the expectations of the man with over 970 goals across all competitions is sky high one – making one wonder as to what has made him tick in a career spanning over two decades.

A WHOOP biometric testing had recently put Ronaldo’s physiological age to that of someone under 30 – which is backed by a combination of meticulous physical science, psychological targets and tactical adaptation. Unofficial reports suggest that the star’s annual ivestment runs to over $ one million on this head and includes the following regimen:

* Cryotherapy & ice baths: Ronaldo uses cryogenic chambers twice a week to expose his body to sub-zero temperatures, instantly suppressing inflammation and accelerating muscle recovery.

• Hyperbaric Oxygen Therapy: The star utilizes an oxygen-rich hyperbaric chamber to boost tissue repair and keep his muscles highly oxygenated.

• Active Thermogenesis: He averages a massive 17,000 steps per day, ensuring his metabolism remains highly active even outside of formal team training.

• Calculated sleep and nutrition protocols: He emphasizes fixed waking and sleeping windows, routinely clocking 7 to 8.5 hours of deeply regulated sleep to let his nervous system reset.

This is just the top of the iceberg and the results have been showing so far. Come 17 June, when Ronaldo’s Portugal open their campaign against Republic of Congo, another new chapter is set to be written!