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Iran's allocation of fan tickets for the group stage of the World Cup has been revoked just days before the start of the tournament, says the country's football federation.The World Cup, co-hosted by Canada, Mexico and the United States, begins on Thursday, with Iran scheduled to play New Zealand on 15 June and Belgium on 21 June - both in Los Angeles - before facing Egypt in Seattle on 26 June.Iran's governing body says Fifa regulations state each federation involved in the World Cup receives 8% of the tickets for each of their matches, to distribute to supporters.It added that it had already begun selling tickets but can no longer provide them to fans, some of whom have already made travel arrangements."Depriving Iranian supporters of access to their lawful and official allocation of tickets is an action contrary to the spirit of governing international competitions and the principle of equality among participating countries," the FFIRI statement said."This development raises serious questions about the interference of non-sporting and political considerations in the organisation of the world's biggest football event."The FFIRI also called on Fifa "to uphold the principles of neutrality, fairness, and established regulations".The flag Iranians are not allowed to wave at the World CupAttributionNewsPublished1 day agoLast-minute visas and moving training camp: Iran's road to the World CupAttributionNewsPublished1 day agoIran's involvement in the World Cup has been plagued with uncertainty, linked to the ongoing war in the Middle East and related security concerns.On 25 May, Iran moved their training base from Tucson, Arizona to the Mexican city of Tijuana, claiming the US were unwilling to host them.Under the conditions of their visas, they will have to fly in and out of the United States on matchday for each of their three group games.Less than a fortnight later, on 6 June, they accused the US of denying visas to "integral" members of the national team's backroom staff, with 15 administrative officials denied entry.The FFIRI had previously presented Fifa with a list of 10 conditions for their participation in the World Cup, including allowing players, coaches and officials who have completed military service with the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC).US secretary of state Marco Rubio has said Iran's players will be welcome at the tournament but individuals with links to the IRGC could face entry restrictions.Iran were the only country not present at Fifa's annual congress in Vancouver in April after a delegation of FFIRI officials, including president Medhi Taj, were turned away at the Canadian border.Everything you need to know about the World Cup

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Max Rushden is joined by Barry Glendenning, Jonathan Wilson, Paul Watson and Sid Lowe to preview Groups E-H.Subscribe to The Guardian Football Weekly ► https://www.youtube.com/@FootballWeeklyPodcast?sub_confirmation=1On the podcast today; the second of our World Cup previews. We begin at Group E. A group that features Germany, Ecuador, Ivory Coast and Curaçao. It also features a 40-year-old goalkeeper and a 78-year-old manager. The panel debate whether Germany’s recent poor performances at major tournaments qualifies them as dark horses and what we can expect from debutants Curaçao.In Group F, are the Netherlands very good actually or will there be a time-honoured implosion? Can Japan maintain their dark horse status without Kaoru Mitoma? Tunisia and Graham Potter’s Sweden also feature.Group G looks straightforward for Belgium as they take on Egypt, Iran and New Zealand. And then finally to Group D, as Sid Lowe joins to discuss Spain. They line up against Uruguay, Cape Verde and Saudi Arabia. Are Spain the favourites?Apple ► https://podcasts.apple.com/gb/podcast/football-weekly/id188674007Spotify ► https://open.spotify.com/show/6w8qWe0kjgHEHSWDSDGoLW?si=231c666f7f5a4453Instagram ► https://www.instagram.com/guardian_footballweekly/TikTok ► https://www.tiktok.com/@guardian_footballweekly#footballweekly #football #sport #fifa #worldcup #worldcup2026 #worldcuppreview

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The tournament kicks off on Thursday in Mexico City. Here’s what newcomers can expect from one of the world’s largest and most watched eventsIt is! Every four years the best men’s teams on the planet gather to see who will be crowned world champions. This year’s tournament will be co-hosted by frenemies Canada, Mexico and the United States in 16 cities as different as Vancouver, Kansas City and Guadalajara. The 48 teams are initially divided into [does arithmetic] 12 four-team groups with each team playing the others in the group once. The top two from each group, along with the eight best third-placed teams – 32 in total – will advance to the knockout stages. Matches from that point on are single-elimination - lose and you’re out. If scores are level at the end of extra-time, the match is decided by a penalty shootout.The final will be on 19 July in “New York” (actually New Jersey, referred to by Fifa as New York/New Jersey), after 104 matches across three countries. The opening match of the tournament will take place this Thursday – 11 June – at Estadio Azteca, where co-hosts Mexico will play South Africa.That was the case in the last World Cup, and the few that preceded that one (there were only 13 teams in the first tournament, in 1930). Cynics would say soccer’s governing body, Fifa, increased the field to boost revenue from the tournament – the last World Cup in 2022 generated around $7.5bn. But Fifa points to the fact that income from the tournament goes towards developing the sport’s grassroots and the expanded field means there is a chance for plucky underdogs with little chance of winning – such as Jordan, Curaçao and England – to compete with the big boys.Wellllllllllll … not universally, no. Fifa has come under heavy criticism for the eye-watering ticket prices for matches this summer – a Guardian analysis in December found the cheapest for this year’s final are nearly 10 times more expensive than they were for the 2022 tournament. Fifa also collect 30% in fees for ticket sales on its resale site. Then there’s Fifa president Gianni Infantino’s decision to award a peace prize to Donald Trump. Yep, the Donald Trump who is currently embroiled in a war with Iran and threatened to make one of the tournament’s co-hosts a 51st state of the US.Because this is a gathering of some of the finest athletes in the world fighting it out for one of the most coveted prizes in sports. There will be brilliant goals, shocking results (eventual champions Argentina lost to lowly Saudi Arabia in their opening match at the last World Cup), heartbreak for the losers and unbridled joy for the champions.Spain are aiming to follow up the European title they won in 2024 with the World Cup this time around (they also won the tournament in 2010). They have excellent young players, excellent veterans and an excellent coach: other than that they’re a pushover. It’s much the same story with France, who reached the final in 2022. The reigning champions, Argentina, will be contenders but are not as strong as they were four years ago and their old rivals England are among the betting favorites although that’s much to do with their often delusional fans putting money on them. Brazil and Germany have nine titles between them and shouldn’t be counted out even though neither team are at their peak.If you want to have a go at making your own predictions, we recommend using our Bracketology game.No lesser a source than New York City mayor/democratic socialist hunk Zohran Mamdani told the Guardian that Morocco will win the tournament. If they do so they would be the first African team to lift the trophy and they have some pedigree - they made the semi-finals in 2022. Norway, fresh off beating the brakes off the rest of the world at this year’s Winter Olympics, have the formidable goalscorer Erling Haaland at their disposal. Mexico, Canada and the US should all make it out of the group stages but will probably hope for a place in the quarter-finals at best.The most famous players at the tournament will be Cristiano Ronaldo and Lionel Messi although – at 41 and 38 respectively – they are not the best. Ousmane Dembélé, fresh off helping his club, Paris St-Germain, to the Champions League title is generally acknowledged as the best player in the world, although Spain’s 18-year-old winger Lamine Yamal is the most thrilling. Haaland, England’s Harry Kane and France’s Kylian Mbappé are ruthless goalscorers while Vitinha’s wile and craft in Portugal’s midfield has won him admirers among his fellow players.If you can’t get yourself to one of the 16 stadiums hosting matches (two in Canada, three in Mexico and 11 in the US) then you can settle into your couch and watch the whole thing on TV. In the US, Fox (English) and Telemundo (Spanish) are the broadcasters, in Australia you can watch every match live on SBS and SBS Viceland, TSN and CTV will have the matches in English in Canada, while coverage in French will be on RDS. In the UK, the BBC and ITV will share duties during the tournament. Of course, if you want the best coverage their will be live coverage of every match on the Guardian website.Canada, Mexico and the US’s bid for the tournament emphasized that this would be a World Cup shared between the three countries. But the US has actually ended up with 78 of the matches, with Canada and Mexico getting 13 each, and every game from the quarter-finals onwards will be hosted by the Americans. The 2026 bid book also spoke about the co-hosts’ commitment to the environment, but this World Cup will involve a lot of travel. If they reach the final, most teams (and their diehard fans) will have travelled more than 8,000km.

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Iraq’s No2 discusses his recipe for a World Cup shock, the players’ singing and his time assisting Sir Alex Ferguson at Manchester UnitedIraq’s journey to their first World Cup in 40 years involved sacrifices unmatched by any other side. After 20 qualifiers, the team faced a decisive playoff in the Mexican city of Monterrey but, with Iraq dragged into the Middle East war and airspace closed, several staff and players had an arduous job getting there.“They had to travel from different cities to Baghdad by car or bus,” says René Meulensteen, the assistant to Iraq’s coach, Graham Arnold. “Some of those journeys took up to eight hours. Then, from Baghdad they travelled roughly 15 hours on bumpy roads to Amman, in Jordan, where occasional flights were still operating. The other Asian-based players made their own way to Amman, so they could all travel together.”It was hardly ideal preparation for what Meulensteen, a former Manchester United coach under Sir Alex Ferguson, describes as “the most important game in their lives”. But the team arrived with time for recovery and beat Bolivia 2-1 to secure the tournament’s final spot in front of a crowd that featured plenty of support for Iraq.“All the remaining tickets were given to local Mexicans, so they were there in a big number, together with a large group of Iraqis based in the US,” Meulensteen says.The location provided a full-circle moment. “We told the players: ‘Let’s realise what kind of journey we’ve had to get here and perhaps the match is meant to be here, as Iraq’s previous World Cup participation was staged in Mexico.’”Back home, the scenes were electric. “It was absolute madness in Baghdad, where it was early in the morning,” says Meulensteen, who was shown videos of celebrations. “The whole nation has been craving something to celebrate and this gives people a huge boost of energy and hope. You can really feel the sense of pride; there’s a genuine feelgood factor.”Qualification adds to achievements such as fourth place at the 2004 Olympics, where they beat Cristiano Ronaldo’s Portugal, and winning the 2007 Asian Cup. That triumph briefly united a country gripped by civil war and the 1986 World Cup and 2004 milestones also came against a backdrop of conflict.“Iraq is still a country that is really feeling the aftereffects of the second Gulf war,” says Meulensteen. “You can see that in the cities. They are recovering, but logistically and organisationally you can’t compare it to Dubai or places in Saudi Arabia.”Meulensteen, 62, enjoys the culture and the squad. “You should hear them on the bus to training and matches, singing and listening to music. It’s absolutely brilliant.”Iraq have been drawn in arguably the toughest group, with France, Senegal and Norway. “It’s like Manchester United against Grimsby,” says Meulensteen, but the minnows won that tie last August and the Dutchman too intends to defy the odds, just as he and Arnold did with Australia at the last World Cup.“We had France, Denmark and Tunisia in our group and weren’t given much chance of going through either,” he says. “But that’s where our biggest strength lies: the element of surprise.” Australia beat Denmark and Tunisia and gave Argentina a tough game in the last 16.Iraq’s squad is made up of players born there and others with Iraqi heritage. Not all speak Arabic, but Meulensteen has an intermediate level after his early coaching years in Qatar. To make that move in 1993, he had to marry his girlfriend, because living together out of wedlock was not allowed.Meulensteen arrived at United eight years later via the academy director Lee Kershaw and a recommendation from Dave Mackay, who had met Meulensteen while managing Qatar’s under-17s. Meulensteen started in the academy before taking on individual work with first-team players. That role intensified in 2007 after a brief spell as Brøndby’s head coach and he worked closely with Ronaldo. “I had several sessions with him on and off the pitch, using videos to show certain things. We focused on the key aspects of finishing, dividing the penalty area into zones to make him aware of his positioning, the type of crosses coming in and the best finish for each situation.”Meulensteen more generally encouraged Ronaldo to focus less on flair and more on efficiency. “I told him it’s all about being as unpredictable as possible, varying your game … Over the years, he mastered that perfectly.“What really stood out with Cristiano was his drive for perfection. And that’s still the case. At Carrington, we had this fenced cage with rebound boards. After training he would often go in there by himself for another 10 or 15 minutes. I also showed him exercises using those boards to handle the ball in different creative ways. He absolutely loved that.“All the work we did that season – on the pitch and everything we discussed – I eventually compiled into a DVD for him. It was basically a PowerPoint presentation with video clips, in which I also explained the importance of setting goals, how people with clear targets are far more successful than those without them.”At the start of 2007-08, Meulensteen asked Ronaldo what his target was for the season after scoring 23 goals the previous season. Ronaldo answered 30. “What about 40?” Meulensteen replied. Ronaldo agreed and scored 42 as United won the Premier League and Champions League.In the summer of 2008, Meulensteen was promoted to first-team coach and entrusted with designing and leading training. “Sir Alex basically explained to me on three flipchart sheets how he believed Manchester United should play. And that became the navigation system for designing all the training sessions.“It covered principles both defensively and in possession. But the final sheet, he said, was the most important, as it defined Manchester United the most. He said: ‘When we attack, I want to do so with pace, power, penetration and unpredictability. And I want you to apply those four things in every training session in some way.’ When you look back, during the period when we were at our best, you could see all those elements.”After leaving United in 2013, Meulensteen’s work included a spell at Fulham and time in the US, Israel and India before he helped Australia to the World Cup. He gained invaluable experience that has proved useful in his work as a coach, including in helping players cope with doubts.“If they experience fear, I ask them to give it a shape. What exactly is that fear? It could be the fear of the consequences of not winning a match. You don’t always have control over everything that comes into your head, like what you see and what you hear. But I encourage them to focus on what they want, their desires – like playing well, scoring a goal or reaching the World Cup.”When working with players, he asks them to “add” things to their game rather than change anything. Ferguson also attached great importance to the impact of words. “He always said the two most important coaching words are: well done,” says Meulensteen. When training sessions were nearing their end, Ferguson would often walk past, tap Meulensteen on the shoulder and offer that very compliment.The two developed a strong bond. “He is a great storyteller and has very broad interests. He reads a lot and knows a great deal about politics and history. He is absolutely fascinated by the American civil war; he knows so much about it. But also about movies, actors and actresses, you name it. He was incredibly well rounded.“At United, when we were on the bus or train to away games, we would often play Who Wants to Be a Millionaire? on my iPad. The number of times we made it to the end is unbelievable. He knew things I would have never known.”Every now and then they meet up for a cup of tea. “We’ll sit there for an hour and a half, two hours, and the time just flies by. It’s fantastic.” United, Meulensteen says, provided a “beautiful period” of his life. He hopes to add another this summer.

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"The Iranian team is not playing. The Islamic Republic's team is."For Roozbeh Farahanipour, there is no separating football from politics.Before Iran has kicked a ball in Los Angeles, the team's presence at this World Cup is already fraught.Farahanipour, an Iranian-American activist and chief executive of the West Los Angeles Chamber of Commerce, fled Iran in 2000 after years of political activism.Since then, he has built a life in Los Angeles, home to one of the world's largest Iranian communities outside Iran.The neighbourhood of Westwood, on Los Angeles' west side, has long been known as 'Tehrangeles'.Farahanipour's opposition to the government in Tehran is deeply personal."My mother was killed. My cousin and friends were killed," he says. "There is no peace between me and this regime."Yet he rejects the idea that the answer lies in war."I hate this regime and I hate this war," he says. "Nothing justifies killing innocent people."Those contradictions are becoming increasingly familiar for Iranian Americans as Iran prepares to play two World Cup matches in Los Angeles, and one in Seattle.These are difficult times to be an Iranian football fan especially here in the US.Iran is a football-loving nation, and many here have followed Team Melli, the country's national team, for years.But this World Cup arrives amid a fragile ceasefire, continuing hostility between Iran, the United States and Israel, and deep divisions over what Iran's team represents.Why super-sized and politicised World Cup comes at a costOpponents of the government in Tehran have gathered waving the Lion and Sun flag. It was Iran's flag from before the 1979 Islamic revolution, and for many here, a symbol of resistance to the current regime.From a distance, they look like Iranian flags.But a closer look reveals the symbol at the heart of the dispute.For protesters here, the Lion and Sun represents Iran."It is a stance against the Islamic Republic. This is the real flag of Iran," says Arezo Rashidian, one of the protest organisers.The emblem on the national team's jerseys, they argue, represents a government they want gone. That post-revolution flag has the same green, white and red stripes but also features the Islamic emblem of four crescents and a sword in red. The Arabic inscription 'Allahu Akbar' which translates to 'Allah is the greatest' and Muslims recite during prayer, is also featured on the flag.Many of those gathered outside SoFi Stadium accuse the Islamic Republic of using sport to project legitimacy abroad while repressing dissent at home."Regime change is the goal. We're here to show solidarity with the people of Iran," says Ms Rashidian.She says they are against "the mass killings of individuals protesting freely," referring to the anti-government protests in January and February and the widespread crackdown by the regime forces which resulted in thousands of deaths.At the time, state officials acknowledged several thousand casualties, while activist groups and medical sources documented mass shootings, overwhelmed hospitals, and leaked mortuary records indicating the true scale of the violence.Machine guns to machetes: Weapons that massacred thousands in IranAttributionNewsPublished9 FebruaryAround her demonstrators chant against Iran's leadership and call for democracy and freedom.Some carry placards reading: "Shame on Fifa."Football's governing body has banned the Lion and Sun flag inside World Cup stadiums, classifying it as a political symbol under tournament rules."We're in the United States — the land of the free," says Mr Farahanipour. "The First Amendment guarantees freedom of expression and speech. Fifa should not interfere when people want to express themselves."The Iranian Football Federation reportedly made "respect for the official Iranian flag" one of its conditions for taking part in the tournament.The players themselves have repeatedly called for politics to be kept out of football.But for many of the protesters gathered outside SoFi Stadium that is impossible.Almost everyone the BBC speaks to insists they cannot separate Team Melli from the government they say it represents."I wish I could" Tannaz Parsi says, getting emotional."This is not an easy thing for us to do – demonstrating against our people – these are our kids" she said referring to the players. "But they put their hands with the Islamic republic."While Farahanipour says that the team is being used as a propaganda tool for the regime, he admits the situation is not straightforward."The players are Iranian athletes. They are talented people. I respect them individually," he said."But when they wear the uniform of the regime, to me, they represent the regime."But he says he has sympathy for the athletes who will play on American soil against one of the most politically charged backdrops any team at this World Cup will face."I feel bad for them," Farahanipour says. "They have to play under so much pressure."When asked whether he can imagine separating the team from the government, his answer comes quickly."Only if they separate themselves from the Islamic Republic's anthem and flag."When Iran plays here, football will be the centre of focus. But geopolitics will be hovering over the stadium.

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There are young stars and golden oldies available on a free transfer this summer. But which team is stronger?Goalkeeper Illan Meslier, aged 26, contract expiring at Leeds UnitedThe goalkeeper joined Leeds as a teenager but departs the Yorkshire club having not made a first-team appearance since March 2025. Meslier was recently seen alone on the Elland Road pitch, seemingly contemplating his departure.Right-back Óscar Mingueza, aged 26, Celta Vigo The Spain international didn’t make Luis de la Fuente’s World Cup squad but has been linked with a move to Newcastle, Aston Villa and Juventus, among others. The former Barcelona defender can also play at centre-back and reportedly favours a move to the Premier League.Centre-back Ibrahima Konaté, 27, Liverpool The Frenchman is in the prime of his career and had lengthy talks with Liverpool to renew his deal but is now poised to join Real Madrid after Florentino Pérez, announced that the defender is a key target upon being re-elected as president.Centre-backMarco Senesi, 29, Bournemouth Another who missed out on a World Cup call-up despite a sensational season for Bournemouth. After escaping relegation, Tottenham are on the verge of announcing a deal for the Argentinian, who contributed five assists and made more progressive passes per 90 minutes (9.3) than any other Premier League player last season. Left-backSouffian El Karouani, 25, Utrecht A relative unknown on this list but the Dutch-born Moroccan international contributed 18 assists in all competitions for Utrecht in 2025-26. Will join Al-Qadsiah in Saudi Arabia, a club managed by Brendan Rodgers.Right wingAllan Saint-Maximin, 29, Lens The former Newcastle star joined Lens on a sixth-month deal in January having left Club América after claiming his children were the victims of racist abuse in Mexico. Scored a stunning solo goal on his league debut for Lens, who finished as Ligue 1 runners-up to PSG.Central midfieldFranck Kessié, 29, Al-Ahli The former Milan and Barcelona midfielder has spent the last three seasons in Saudi Arabia and will almost certainly have to take a pay cut if he wants to return to Europe. Looks likely to land back in Italy, with Inter, Juventus and Roma keen.Central midfieldArthur Avom, 21, Lorient The youngest on our list, but one of the most exciting talents here. Alongside Eli Junior Kroupi in 2024-25, Avom was crucial in getting Lorient promoted back into Ligue 1, where the midfielder has again impressed. A reunion with Kroupi at Bournemouth is not off the cards.Left wingJadon Sancho, 26, Manchester United Became a Europa League winner on loan at Aston Villa but it was another underwhelming season – one goal in 39 appearances under Unai Emery. That Manchester United chose to release Sancho rather than take up a 12-month option to extend his expensive contract says a lot.Attacking midfieldHarry Wilson, 29, Fulham The best season of the Welshman’s career to date, which included a hat-trick for his country, 10 goals and seven assists for Fulham in the Premier League and three goal of the month contenders (including this sumptuous trivela against Crystal Palace). Heavily linked with Aston Villa.StrikerDusan Vlahovic, 26, Juventus Four years on from his £58m signing from Fiorentina, the forward departs for free with just a single Coppa Italia title to his name. Despite featuring in just half of Juventus’s league games, some big names are circling, with Bayern Munich, Chelsea and Newcastle all mentioned as potential destinations.Goalkeeper Yann Sommer, 37, contract expiring at InterThe two-time Scudetto winner has proved a fine successor for André Onana in the past three seasons. Inter have reportedly offered the Swiss an extension as a back-up keeper on reduced terms but there are talks of a rival offer from Ajax.Right-backDani Carvajal, 34, Real Madrid After over 23 years, 450 first-team appearances and 27 major honours, Carvajal departs. The arrivals of Trent Alexander-Arnold and Denzel Dumfries have been fatal for Carvajal, who was named by Florentino Pérez as “a legend and a symbol of Real Madrid and its academy”.Centre-backAntonio Rüdiger, 33, Real MadridThe German’s contract is set to expire later this month, although José Mourinho is a fan of the battle-hardened defender. Real Madrid will reportedly offer a one-year extension – which is a club policy for players over the age of 30.Centre-backJohn Stones, 32, Manchester CityThe World Cup could not have come at a better time for the Englishman, who should get the chance to impress suitors and prove his fitness after 10 trophy-laden years at City. A return to Everton could be scuppered by interest from Bayern and former teammate Vincent Kompany.Left-backAndy Robertson, 32, Liverpool The only player on this list who has, at the time of writing, officially confirmed his plans for next season, as the popular Scot’s move from Liverpool to Tottenham was confirmed on Friday. Spurs manager Roberto De Zerbi is delighted, calling Robertson “a proven winner at the highest level and someone who can be a big player for us, both on and off the pitch.”Central midfieldCasemiro, 34, Manchester United Plenty of ups and downs for the Brazilian who earned close to £365,000-a-week at United, but Casemiro was excellent in the last of his four seasons at United, and received a hero’s farewell at Old Trafford in the club’s final home game. Looks likely to move to either Saudi Arabia or the MLS.Central midfieldJulian Brandt, 30, Borussia DortmundSneaks into this side after turning 30 last month. Brandt was sometimes Dortmund’s best player but could also go missing and was left out of Germany’s squad this summer. Dortmund managing director Lars Ricken said of Brandt: “He was sometimes criticised, but I loved his style.” Atlético Madrid are hovering.Attacking midfieldBernardo Silva, 31, Manchester City Pep Guardiola described Silva as “his weakness” and it is no surprise the Portuguese is following his manager out of the door, despite a brilliant season at City. Agent Jorge Mendes has said Silva will wait until the end of the World Cup before deciding his future, with Barcelona and former club Benfica the favourites for his signature.Attacking midfieldPaulo Dybala, 32, RomaThe little Argentinian is now expected to renew his deal with Roma after the new sporting director, Tony D’Amico, raised the club’s contract offer. But until the ink is dry, all options are open. La Gazzetta dello Sport reported that Palermo have just made an audacious bid to bring Dybala back to Sicily, which was turned down.StrikerRobert Lewandowski, 37, Barcelona Three La Liga titles in four years for Barcelona and 14 league goals this past season shows that the Polish striker is still a world-class player on his day. Despite his years, Lewandowski’s wage demands will be substantial which means a move to Saudi or the MLS looks the most likely next step.StrikerMemphis Depay, 32, Corinthians The Netherlands’ all-time leading scorer has said he would “love to stay” at Corinthians after becoming a fan favourite at the Brazilian club. “I’ve done enough, I think everyone knows my desire,” he said last month. “The club, the fans, they know that I love Corinthians. I’m going to the World Cup. The club needs to show its ambition.”

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“I did not think I would be playing at 40,” admits Edin Dzeko. But here he is. Not just playing but getting ready to captain Bosnia and Herzegovina at the 2026 World Cup, coming into the tournament fresh off a title win with Schalke in Germany.Ten years ago, he would not have thought it possible. "But I am listening to my body and doing a lot of work before and after training because I am obviously not the youngest anymore and I need to care about my legs, my body and that's what I'm doing," he says."Maybe when you are young, you don't think a lot about coming earlier to training and staying 30 to 45 minutes before training in the gym doing the prevention work and then also staying after training, like 30 to 45, one hour, doing some other prevention work."Maybe as a young player, when you're 20, you say I don't have time for this, I want to go out for coffee or something with friends or lunch. When you get older, you realise that your body needs it if you want to compete at the best level and stay so long in football."Dzeko's longevity is remarkable. He is the third oldest outfield player at the World Cup but the two men older than him, the Ballon d'Or winning duo of Cristiano Ronaldo and Luka Modric, were teenage prodigies. Modric was the player of the year in Bosnia at 18.That same season, in that same league, Dzeko was a struggling midfielder at Zeljo. The story goes that there were those at the club who thought they had won the lottery when flogging the lanky youngster to Czech side Teplice for a five-figure sum back in 2005.Around 450 goals later, Dzeko is still going. Not only is he Bosnia's top scorer with 73 goals for his country - the next man on the list has 28 - but he is a two-time Premier League winner with Manchester City, having been top scorer in the Bundesliga and Serie A.Even so, 11 goalless league appearances for Fiorentina at the start of this season felt like evidence of a player whose long career was winding down. He found himself on the fringes of a Fiorentina team at the foot of the Serie A table. "I was not happy," he admits.By his own admission, he was not playing like he used to play. "Obviously, there was a lot going on in the head, but the one thing I can say about myself is that I was always strong in the head. I know that part of being a football player is ups and downs."Dzeko's January move to Schalke altered the trajectory. "It was about playing more, which I needed." With one eye on the World Cup, he found more than that under compatriot Miron Muslic, helping a fellow old giant to the title and a long-awaited Bundesliga return."I could not have made a better choice, I have to tell the truth," he says. "Everything that happened was even better than expected." There was the buzz of playing in front of huge crowds and six goals in 11 games showed that the old knack has not left him just yet."Experience is a very important thing," he says. Schalke know it and have offered Dzeko a new contract, one last crack at the Bundesliga that he won with Wolfsburg 17 years ago. But his focus right now is on his country and a final appearance at the World Cup.Dzeko has played and scored in a World Cup before but that was 12 years ago in Brazil. "The experience was amazing," he says of a tournament that saw Bosnia face Argentina in the Maracana. But they did not make the knockout stages. "The only thing missing."A dozen years on and he is back again with a new team, a new generation, aiming to go further. Just making it to this World Cup was an against-the-odds achievement. Bosnia were heading out in qualifying before Dzeko's late equaliser against Wales in Cardiff.They went on to win that play-off semi-final on penalties, sparking infamous scenes of celebration among the Italy squad, their final opponents. "Italy put even more pressure on themselves." Dzeko and co duly beat them on penalties too to qualify.Although he would not make the mistake the Italians made and underestimate anyone, the draw appears kinder. "Switzerland are the favourites." But with Canada and Qatar completing Group B and potential for three to go through, it is an opportunity.Dzeko's job is to help a talented team navigate that. "I am the oldest player, obviously. You always have a big responsibility," he says. "I am happy to be captain of this great generation. It will change their lives for sure. Maybe they don't know it yet but it will."There is Tarik Muharemovic, a 23-year-old defender at Sassuolo. "He has a lot of quality but also the right mindset." He talks of 18-year-old Kerim Alajbegovic, one of three teenagers in the squad, having a great future. "He has to keep his feet on the ground."Dzeko has done that throughout an incredible career that began long before some of these newest team-mates were even born. How long can he continue? "Sometimes there is an end for all of us," he concedes. "Maybe mine is coming soon." But not quite yet.

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"You probably remember me with long hair," Hernan Crespo jokes - but it is clear this is the same striker who was once feared across Europe.Now a manager, Crespo, 50, bases his coaching on scoring goals, passion and intensity - in what feels like a tribute to his playing career. It is something he hopes can take him back to the top level of European football."I played in all the great events - three World Cups... I reached the Champions League final - an unforgettable one against Liverpool," he says with a knowing laugh as he recalls AC Milan throwing away a 3-0 lead then losing on penalties in 2005."I won the Europa League with Parma as a player, the Premier League with Chelsea, Serie A, the Copa Libertadores, the Olympics. As a man who loves football, I want more. I want to repeat that experience as a coach."Crespo is not taking shortcuts. His coaching career began in the academy at Parma, where he is a club legend, while studying for his coaching qualifications at Italy's renowned football centre in Coverciano.A faltering start at Serie B side Modena prompted a return to his roots in Argentina, where he excelled at Defensa y Justicia - a relatively small club in Buenos Aires - by leading them to success in the Copa Sudamericana.He then won titles at Sao Paulo in Brazil, Al-Duhail in Qatar and, perhaps most remarkably, guided UAE club Al Ain to Asian Champions League success in 2024."I needed to reset in Argentina to come back to Europe stronger," he says. "I am the same Crespo as a footballer and as a coach."My football is about the ball - building, attacking, being aggressive... achieving results in offensive terms, but always with balance in recovering the ball, applying pressure and creating movements to win it back."I will never forget my essence as a person. I was always a forward, so I always thought about scoring goals and being aggressive. It is a spirit I had as a kid. I try to respect that even now."Crespo is speaking in English from his home in Argentina as he awaits news from his agent having instructed him to look for opportunities across the globe.He hopes one day to return to England, where he enjoyed a successful spell at Chelsea."I still follow the Premier League and it is the top destination," he says. "I am working hard to come back."One of the iconic moments from Crespo's time at Chelsea shows him looking mesmerised as he stares at the Premier League medal he won under Jose Mourinho in 2006.However, despite scoring 26 goals in 73 games across two seasons - with more than a third of those appearances coming from the bench - Crespo struggled to fully adapt to England."I always say I wish I had another life where I could have spent more days at Chelsea," he says."I am an older man now, and I would like to come back to understand it better. It was very hard for me personally at that time. My days at Chelsea, and for my family, were not easy - but the fans were amazing."England lives football the right way. When I saw that medal, I remembered everything - from being a kid, the sacrifices, the dressing room with [Gianfranco] Zola, [Gianluca] Vialli and [Ruud] Gullit before me, then arriving at that moment with Mourinho, [Didier] Drogba, a great captain like John Terry, and a great midfielder like Frank Lampard."I will never forget that moment and I am very proud to have been part of it. When I saw that medal, my whole life flashed before my eyes."Crespo says he has enjoyed watching former Manchester City boss Pep Guardiola, ex-Liverpool manager Jurgen Klopp and Tottenham boss Roberto de Zerbi manage in England, but insists he tries to "be myself".He has recently been linked with roles at Rayo Vallecano, Marseille, as well as former clubs Lazio and Parma.Crespo played with Lionel Messi at the 2006 World Cup - his final appearance on the world stage with Argentina, and the current captain's first.He says he knew Messi was "different" from the moment he saw his first touch, and recalls their first meeting in a Champions League tie between Barcelona and Chelsea in 2006, when Asier del Horno was sent off for a foul on Messi.With Messi turning 39 in three weeks' time, it is widely expected this will be his final World Cup, with Argentina defending their title."Whoever loves football will be happy watching him," says Crespo. "It will be the Messi from Qatar - one who sets people up, rather than one who beats three players and scores. That Messi is gone."Players like Enzo Fernandez, Alexis Mac Allister and Emi Martinez all need to step up. Fernandez was the leader of my Defensa y Justicia team, even though he was young. Now he is world famous. I tried to help him become a great player. I am proud, but I only helped him a little, because everything he has achieved is because of him."Argentina have learned how to play with or without Messi. I think they are among the favourites, along with Spain and France. Maybe England can do it, or Brazil - but the other three are my favourites."It is very hard to win it twice in a row and you need to be lucky. It is also very sad that it will be Messi's last one. We want it to be his last dance."Listen to the latest Football Daily podcast

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Forty-eight teams, 104 matches - and you can predict them all across the BBC Sport website and app.A new predictor game is being introduced to cover this year's World Cup, allowing users to pick what they think will be the result from every match.The new game also features streaks, so make sure to check in each day and make your predictions.Players will also have the chance to enter a prize draw to win an official World Cup football signed by members of the BBC World Cup team.Here is all you need to know about BBC Sport's World Cup predictor.Make your selections, or click 'How to Play' to be guided through how it works.For every match, you either choose a winner or a draw.Once your prediction has been submitted you are unable to change it, so be sure to pick carefully.After that, wait for the results to roll in and see how you have done.Every consecutive round you play adds one to your streak, but if you miss a round your streak resets to zero.There are three official World Cup footballs to give away in our prize draws, signed by ex-France defender Gael Clichy, presenter Kelly Cates, and former England internationals Alan Shearer, Micah Richards, Joe Hart, Wayne Rooney, Ellen White and Steph Houghton.Once you play the predictor, you will get a chance to enter the draw by filling in a form.The first draw will run during the group stage, the second includes the last 32 and last 16, and the third for predicting the quarter-finals, semi-finals and final.