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Follow @sportsmole for the latest breaking news stories, and follow @sm_headlines to get every headline from Sports Mole
/https%3A%2F%2Fsportsmole-media-prod.s3.gra.io.cloud.ovh.net%2Fuploads%2F2025%2F06%2Fworld-cup-trophy-6849662d01eb6839487128.jpg "General image of the FIFA World Cup trophy on December 18. 2022")
World Cup 2026 draw: When is it? How can I watch it? Who are the favourites for the trophy?
Sports Mole rounds up everything you need to know about the upcoming draw for the 2026 World Cup.08:00
/https%3A%2F%2Fsportsmole-media-prod.s3.gra.io.cloud.ovh.net%2Fuploads%2F2025%2F11%2Fimago1067594787-1-6919a3fcb7b78907255155.jpg "Wales manager Craig Bellamy pictured on October 9, 2025")
World Cup 2026 playoff draw: Wales, Republic of Ireland, Northern Ireland learn opponents, route to Finals
Wales, Republic of Ireland and Northern Ireland learn their opponents for the World Cup 2026 playoffs and potential routes to the Finals in the United States, Canada, and Mexico.Nov 20, 12:03
/https%3A%2F%2Fsportsmole-media-prod.s3.gra.io.cloud.ovh.net%2Fuploads%2F2025%2F09%2Fimago1065906861-1-68c84515d0b82749571014.jpg "Arsenal manager Mikel Arteta pictured on August 31, 2025")
Arsenal injury news: Mikel Arteta receives positive update on defender as 'return date' revealed ahead of North London derby
Arsenal boss Mikel Arteta reportedly receives a positive update regarding the fitness of one of his defenders ahead of the team's clash against Tottenham Hotspur.Nov 16, 18:28
/https%3A%2F%2Fsportsmole-media-prod.s3.gra.io.cloud.ovh.net%2Fuploads%2F2025%2F09%2Fimago1066368181-1-68d05166617ce480958983.jpg "Arsenal's Riccardo Calafiori pictured on September 13, 2025")
Arsenal receive new Riccardo Calafiori injury update as Italy manager reveals match availability
Arsenal left-back Riccardo Calafiori pulls out of the Italy squad with a hip injury, and the Gunners' belief over the severity of his issue is also revealed.Nov 15, 14:16
/https%3A%2F%2Fsportsmole-media-prod.s3.gra.io.cloud.ovh.net%2Fuploads%2F2025%2F11%2Faaa-cal-69160096102bd863879013.jpg "Italy's Riccardo Calafiori on October 14, 2025")
Arsenal injury news: Riccardo Calafiori boost confirmed ahead of Tottenham clash
Arsenal receive a positive update on the fitness of Italy international defender Riccardo Calafiori ahead of the North London derby with Tottenham Hotspur later this month.Nov 13, 15:50
/https%3A%2F%2Fsportsmole-media-prod.s3.gra.io.cloud.ovh.net%2F24%2F42%2Flionel-messi.jpg "Lionel Messi celebrates winning the 2022 World Cup with Argentina")
The top 10 football matches of all time: Which incredible games make the list?
After taking a long trawl through the archives, Sports Mole presents the 10 finest football matches of all time.Nov 10, 14:31
/https%3A%2F%2Fsportsmole-media-prod.s3.gra.io.cloud.ovh.net%2Fuploads%2F2025%2F09%2Fimago1066077538-1-68bbe32538d3a764534219.jpg "Moise Kean and Mateo Retegui of Italy - September 5, 2025")
Preview:Estonia vs Italy - prediction, team news, lineups
Sports Mole previews Saturday's World Cup Qualifying - Europe clash between Estonia and Italy, including predictions, team news and possible lineups.Oct 9, 16:19
/https%3A%2F%2Fsportsmole-media-prod.s3.gra.io.cloud.ovh.net%2Fuploads%2F2025%2F10%2Ffc-68e3f93893091067990439.jpg "Fabio Cannavaro on January 22, 2025")
Abdukodir Khusanov: Man City defender will be coached by iconic Ballon d’Or, World Cup winner after surprise appointment
Manchester City defender Abdukodir Khusanov will soon be working under a Ballon d'Or and World Cup winner at international level with Uzbekistan.Oct 6, 18:17
/https%3A%2F%2Fsportsmole-media-prod.s3.gra.io.cloud.ovh.net%2Fuploads%2F2025%2F07%2Fimago1114625-1-688b2718bf8c4778562995.jpg "Thierry Henry celebrates on April 25, 2004")
The greatest players never to win the Ballon d'Or: Thierry Henry, Andres Iniesta and more
Sports Mole takes a look back in history to identify the greatest players never to win the illustrious Ballon d'Or.Sep 21, 22:11
/https%3A%2F%2Fsportsmole-media-prod.s3.gra.io.cloud.ovh.net%2Fuploads%2F2025%2F09%2Fdonna-68c0130ff3284581514689.jpg "Italy's Gianluigi Donnarumma on September 5, 2025")
Gianluigi Donnarumma: Man City’s new signing given damning Italy rating after defensive ‘horror’ show before Manchester derby
Manchester City’s new signing Gianluigi Donnarumma performed ‘poorly’ as Italy conceded four goals in an enthralling 5-4 win over Israel in 2026 World Cup qualifying on Monday.Sep 9, 12:40
Preview:Israel vs Italy - prediction, team news, lineups
Sports Mole previews Monday's World Cup Qualifying - Europe clash between Israel and Italy, including predictions, team news and possible lineups.Sep 6, 07:58
/https%3A%2F%2Fsportsmole-media-prod.s3.gra.io.cloud.ovh.net%2Fuploads%2F2025%2F06%2Fgat-684edb01cfac5585704683.jpg "Gennaro Gattuso on January 26, 2025")
Preview:Italy vs Estonia - prediction, team news, lineups
Sports Mole previews Friday's World Cup Qualifying - Europe clash between Italy and Estonia, including predictions, team news and possible lineups.Sep 3, 14:52
/https%3A%2F%2Fsportsmole-media-prod.s3.gra.io.cloud.ovh.net%2F24%2F38%2Fpaolo-maldini.jpg "AC Milan's Paolo Maldini during the 2007 Champions League final")
Best defenders of all time: Top 10 greatest stoppers, sweepers and full-backs in football history ranked
Who are the best defenders of all time? Sports Mole counts down the top 10 greatest stoppers, sweepers and full-backs in football history - including Cafu, Sergio Ramos and Paolo Maldini.Jul 30, 19:47
/https%3A%2F%2Fsportsmole-media-prod.s3.gra.io.cloud.ovh.net%2F25%2F08%2Fthibaut-courtois.jpg "Real Madrid's Thibaut Courtois on February 15, 2025")
Best goalkeepers of all time: Top 10 greatest stoppers in football history ranked
Who are the best goalkeepers of all time? Sports Mole counts down the top 10 stoppers in football history, including stars such as Manuel Neuer, Lev Yashin and Gianluigi Buffon.Jul 30, 07:29
/https%3A%2F%2Fsportsmole-media-prod.s3.gra.io.cloud.ovh.net%2F21%2F27%2Fgianluigi-buffon.jpg "Italy goalkeeper Gianluigi Buffon celebrates with the 2006 World Cup trophy")
Italy's 2006 World Cup-winning squad: How many of the players can you name?
To celebrate the 19th anniversary of Italy's fourth World Cup triumph, Sports Mole challenges you to name every member of their 2006 World Cup-winning squad.Jul 9, 13:57
Gennaro Gattuso confirmed as Italy head coach: What “fundamental” traits will he bring to national team job?
Italy confirm the appointment of Gennaro Gattuso as their new head coach of the national team following the dismissal of Luciano Spalletti.Jun 15, 15:13
/https%3A%2F%2Fsportsmole-media-prod.s3.gra.io.cloud.ovh.net%2F22%2F46%2Fdino-zoff.jpg "Italy's Dino Zoff lifts the World Cup trophy in 1982")
The top 10 greatest World Cups of all time, one year out from the 2026 finals in the USA, Canada and Mexico
Sports Mole considers some of the greatest World Cups to have been played and ranks the top 10, one year out from the 2026 finals.Jun 11, 16:46
/https%3A%2F%2Fsportsmole-media-prod.s3.gra.io.cloud.ovh.net%2F22%2F46%2Ffraita.jpg "Referee Horacio Elizondo (C) of Argentina shows France's Zinedine Zidane (L) a red card next to Italy's Gennaro Gattuso during their World Cup 2006 final soccer match in Berlin July 9, 2006")
Top 10 most controversial World Cup moments of all time, ahead of the 2026 finals which start one year today
One year out from the start of the 2026 World Cup, Sports Mole looks back at the 10 most controversial moments in tournament's history.Jun 11, 16:38
/https%3A%2F%2Fsportsmole-media-prod.s3.gra.io.cloud.ovh.net%2F22%2F46%2Fbrager.jpg "Andre Schurrle celebrates with team mates after scoring the sixth goal for Germany against Brazil at the 2014 World Cup")
The top 10 biggest World Cup shocks of all time, one year out from the 2026 edition
Sports Mole looks back at the 10 most shocking results in World Cup history, including the Miracle of Bern from 1954 and the Agony of Mineirao in 2014.Jun 11, 16:26
/https%3A%2F%2Fsportsmole-media-prod.s3.gra.io.cloud.ovh.net%2F18%2F25%2Fkylian-mbappe_1.jpg "Kylian Mbappe scores the opener during the World Cup group game between France and Peru on June 21, 2018")
The top 10 teenagers in World Cup history, one year out from the 2026 edition
With 365 days to go until the start of the 2026 World Cup, Sports Mole looks at the top 10 teenagers to have made an impact on the global stage.Jun 11, 16:15
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