PL Update: Chelsea outmuscle Manchester United
Anna Jackson, Robbie Earle, and Danny Higginbotham analyze Aston Villa's win over Tottenham Hotspur and Chelsea's victory against Manchester United to kickoff Matchweek 37.
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New York Times
9 minutes ago
- New York Times
The Chelsea goalkeeping conundrum: Would Mike Maignan have represented an upgrade?
At the end of an eventful June mini-transfer window that briefly looked as if it might address both of the biggest concerns that Chelsea supporters have about their team, the sporting leadership at Stamford Bridge have opted to park any reassessment of their goalkeeping options for now. Liam Delap has arrived to provide a real No 9 alternative to Nicolas Jackson in time for the upcoming Club World Cup and, at the other end of the pitch, Milan and France No 1 Mike Maignan was the market opportunity upon whom Chelsea homed in to potentially give coach Enzo Maresca a more polished, proven foundation for his team than Robert Sanchez or Filip Jorgensen. Advertisement Maignan is entering the final year of his contract at San Siro but, as detailed in this week's Transfer DealSheet, Milan are holding to a valuation significantly higher than the €15million (£12.7m; $17.1m) Chelsea have indicated they are willing to pay for a player who could move as a free agent in summer 2026. As a result, they have ended their interest in the 29-year-old for now — though there is nothing to stop them pursuing a pre-contract agreement with him in a little more than six months' time. A footballer's value is typically determined by the mechanics of the transfer market, with sporting directors and owners of rival clubs engaging each other in a game of negotiation and leverage. That is vital in determining whether or not a mooted deal happens, but in this case it is ultimately less interesting for supporters than the footballing proposition: would Maignan actually represent a meaningful upgrade on Chelsea's current options at his position? Looking at a goalkeeper's primary responsibility (saving shots) provides the foundation for a compelling case to sign him. Over the course of 23,153 league minutes played for French side Lille and Milan since the start of 2017-18, he has 8.7 goals prevented — calculated by Opta as the difference between actual goals conceded and the post-shot xG value of chances conceded — at a mildly positive average of 0.03 goals prevented per 90 minutes. Sanchez and Jorgensen are both significantly inferior to Maignan in this metric, across far fewer league minutes. Djordje Petrovic, who shone on loan at Strasbourg in the French top flight this season, has performed better than Maignan, with 22.2 goals prevented at an average of 0.23 per 90. Petrovic may simply be an exceptional shot-stopper, but at age 25 has played fewer than 9,000 league minutes since the start of 2017-18, so it is also possible that his eye-catching numbers would regress at least a little over a larger, more comparable sample size. The positive value of his goals prevented is concentrated overwhelmingly in his seasons with New England Revolution in MLS and Strasbourg, while he struggled in his lone campaign playing for Chelsea. Advertisement Maignan's ability to be a net positive in terms of keeping the ball out of his goal, over the equivalent of more than 250 league appearances for Lille and Milan, marks him out as a safe pair of hands. But in the modern game, goalkeepers in elite teams are asked to do much more than simply save shots. Maresca wants Chelsea's goalkeeper to be just as comfortable operating outside his penalty area as within it, both to disrupt opposition attacks and to provide an additional passing option in possession. When it comes to being a sweeper-keeper, Maignan is as active as they come; no goalkeeper in Europe's top four leagues (England, Germany, Italy and Spain) made more ball recoveries outside their penalty area in 2024-25. His average of one ball recovery outside the box per game was precisely double Sanchez's average (0.5) for Chelsea in the same campaign, and also far more frequent than Jorgensen's average in 2023-24, which was his final season as Spanish club Villarreal's No 1 (0.6). Maignan is quick out of his box to intercept longer opposition passes behind his defence, but also remains controlled enough to make a good decision once he reaches the ball. Here, against Napoli in March, he jumps to meet a bouncing ball at head height with opposition striker Romelu Lukaku in close proximity and cushions a header to a team-mate rather than clearing it out of play: There is every reason to think that Maignan could be an asset to any team who seek to defend high up the pitch, but what about his ability in possession? That aspect of Petrovic's game has always been regarded as the most questionable fit with Maresca's style of play, while match-going Chelsea fans have not exactly relished the experience of watching Sanchez and Jorgensen bait pressure from opposition forwards before attempting to play through and around it. Advertisement Maignan absolutely backs himself on the ball; it is not difficult to find clips online of him dribbling around other teams' attackers, dropping a shoulder and chopping the ball away from attempted tackles, and waiting until the last possible moment before playing a pass. It is rare for him to be caught out in these moments, and he generally makes good decisions. But any Chelsea supporters who think replacing Sanchez with Maignan would bring an end to those heart-in-mouth sequences of passing under pressure would probably be disappointed. The prevailing trend to court danger in your own defensive third begins with the passes that goalkeepers are instructed to play, not necessarily the ones they would choose to make. Maignan is more reliable in these situations than most, but he is no stranger to playing what is earning a reputation as the most dangerous pass in football, as the below sequence in France's 2-0 win against Germany in the UEFA Nations League semi-finals last week highlighted. Maignan draws one German attacker towards him before nudging the ball out to Adrien Rabiot, who has a clear escape pass out to the left flank but receives under serious duress in front of his own penalty area. His first touch takes him the other way, he is bundled to the ground by Niclas Fullkrug and Deniz Undav converts the chance presented to him. Only a VAR intervention, for a foul on Rabiot, prevents Germany halving that two-goal deficit. Longer distribution distinguished Maignan early in his time at Milan. He is capable of launching the ball deep into the opposition half, right onto the head of his striker or perfectly into the stride of a winger, as he does to spring Rafael Leao for a devastatingly direct goal below: Despite his repeated public vows to substitute Sanchez if he kicks the ball long, Maresca does recognise the value of more direct kicking from his goalkeeper in certain situations. The results of this with the Spaniard have been pretty erratic, and it is hard not to conclude that Maignan would at least be an upgrade in this regard. Advertisement Maignan's assertiveness off his line does not always translate to set-piece situations; Liverpool twice exploited his conservative positioning to score through centre-backs Ibrahima Konate and Virgil van Dijk in a 3-1 win against Milan last September in the league phase of the Champions League. One of those was the result of the 32-time France international's misguided attempt to punch the ball clear. But, on the whole, he clears the bar that neither Sanchez nor Jorgensen set particularly high during this season, despite a stronger end to the campaign from the former. Maignan's age could also make him a solid 'bridge' goalkeeper for a few years while Chelsea develop 19-year-old newcomer Mike Penders, who will be involved in their challenge at the Club World Cup. We now know Maignan will not be with them in the United States over the coming weeks, but the market opportunity his contract situation presents is one that Chelsea may want to keep a close eye on in the months ahead.
New York Times
22 minutes ago
- New York Times
Kepa Arrizabalaga and the delicate, complex task of being a backup goalkeeper
The idea of Arsenal signing Kepa Arrizabalaga this summer might raise a few eyebrows, and understandably so. This is a goalkeeper who once commanded a world-record transfer fee. But there should be no confusion: if the move goes through, Arrizabalaga would be joining Arsenal as a clear backup. David Raya remains the undisputed No 1. Advertisement That might seem like an odd career move for a player of his pedigree who recently started rebuilding his reputation with a strong season at Bournemouth and was solid in his final year at Chelsea. But it only seems that way if you underestimate what it takes to fill one of the most difficult and sensitive roles in football, especially at one of the top clubs in England. So, what exactly does a team need to think about when recruiting a backup goalkeeper? It is a job that demands humility, ambition and an extraordinary level of mental discipline. Get the signing wrong, either in the recruitment or the messaging, and it can cause more harm than good. But when you get it right, it can be one of the most quietly impactful signings a club makes. The ultimate goal is to create a healthy dynamic that is competitive but collaborative. You want the starter to feel just enough pressure to stay sharp, but not so much that it drives a wedge between him and the No 2. You want the backup to improve the level in training and challenge and push the No 1 every day, but also accept that the job, most of the time, is to support from the bench. It is a balancing act. Managed well, both goalkeepers can thrive. Managed poorly, you risk unsettling your most crucial position on the pitch. Being a backup goalkeeper is a difficult and generally thankless job. You go into work every day and train just as hard as the starting 'keeper, prepare for the weekend's match as if you were the one playing and then, come matchday, you are watching from the bench. While you can rotate outfielders and move them around to find minutes, you cannot do that with your 'keeper. Only one can play at a time, and if the No 1 stays fit and is in form, it can be weeks, sometimes months, before the No 2 gets a competitive minute. Advertisement Then, when you do get your chance, the expectation is that you perform at the same high level as if you had been playing week in, week out — a tall task when so much of goalkeeping comes down to rhythm, game feel and moments that simply cannot be replicated in training. Staying sharp with consistent game time is hard enough. Staying sharp with no games at all? That is another level of difficulty entirely, and not one that just anyone can do well. When you play well, there is a sense that everyone just expected it. But if you struggle, there are questions about your sharpness, your reliability, your mentality. Everything is questioned and it can sometimes feel like a no-win situation. That is why clarity and communication are essential. Healthy competition is vital, but so is constant dialogue from the club — the manager, the goalkeeper coach, the sporting director — which can be even more important. Everyone needs to be on the same page. The role of the backup 'keeper might be the most complex and emotionally demanding in a squad. It requires absolute professionalism, real psychological resilience and the ability to walk the tightrope. Support the starter, push him every day, but never undermine him. If the lines are blurred, if the expectations are not spelt out early, it breeds tension. We have seen it before. And when the player's perception of their role does not match the club's, it rarely ends well. Keeping an unhappy backup around is a risk. Discontent can spread fast. Arsenal know all about this process, of course. When Aaron Ramsdale arrived in 2021 to compete with Bernd Leno, the Englishman was initially seen as the backup but Ramsdale quickly became No 1, leaving Leno frustrated and ultimately heading for the exit. Then, just two years later, history repeated itself in a different way: Ramsdale, firmly established as the starter, suddenly found himself displaced by Raya. The lack of clarity around that transition clearly affected both players and created a season-long subplot the club would have preferred to avoid. Newcastle United may be about to face a similar situation. They would like to bring in James Trafford from Burnley, a 22-year-old with international ambitions. But they already have an established No 1 in Nick Pope, so head coach Eddie Howe will need to manage that situation carefully if that transfer does go through. Advertisement During my career as a goalkeeper, I lived both sides of this dynamic. The most successful experiences I had were always the ones where the expectations were made clear. When I joined Helsingborgs in 2015, I was told my job was to support the starter, push him in training and stay ready. If I was good enough, I'd play — but the starter was the guy. I accepted that challenge and embraced the role, and it led to both of us having one of our best seasons. The starter raised his game, I stayed sharp, and when I got my chance, which coincidentally happened quite a lot that season, I was ready. That is what a healthy goalkeeper dynamic looks like. But I've also experienced the opposite. I've been in squads where two 'keepers of similar ability were constantly rotated, where no one had clarity and both of us ended up playing below our level. The uncertainty ate away at our confidence. We second-guessed everything, and the whole team suffered. That season, we were relegated. Goalkeepers need confidence more than players in almost any other position. When they have it, they play free, with instinct and clarity. When they don't, everything becomes forced and uncomfortable. The rest of the team can feel it. That's why having clear roles, strong communication and mutual respect is non-negotiable. This is why transparency from Arsenal will be absolutely essential if Arrizabalaga joins, and they'll need to get the messaging right from day one. He has to know exactly what is expected, how his minutes might come, what the environment will be and how his role fits into the bigger picture. No grey areas. No promises either. As a manager, promises (especially about playing time) are dangerous. They are often tempted, especially when a deal is close, to offer some reassurance. But telling a player they are going to play is one of the worst things you can do. If that promise is not fulfilled, the trust between player and coach is broken. Players stop believing their performances in training matter. Why push yourself if the pecking order is fixed? Advertisement Manchester United managed to strike that balance brilliantly during Sergio Romero's time at the club. Romero was good enough to start for several Premier League clubs when he arrived, but he understood and embraced his role behind David de Gea. He supported him, pushed him in training and performed well when called upon — to the tune of 39 clean sheets in 61 games. De Gea, meanwhile, won the club's player of the year award three times during their six years together. Romero was the blueprint. Experienced, capable, professional and selfless. Zero ego. United never needed to worry about dressing-room tension. They had a backup who understood his job, respected the hierarchy and raised standards simply by being there. That is the kind of setup Arsenal may be trying to replicate with Arrizabalaga and Raya. Raya is manager Mikel Arteta's guy. That much has been made clear. Arrizabalaga would not be walking in to compete for the starting job. Not yet, anyway. But if Raya struggles for form, that door opens and Arrizabalaga will have to be ready for his chance. In many ways, it is a role that suits him. At Bournemouth in 2024-25, Arrizabalaga took a meaningful step forward, playing with more confidence and control than we had seen in his last few seasons at Chelsea. His final campaign at Stamford Bridge also hinted at a 'keeper starting to settle again, no longer burdened by the weight of the price tag, just focused on the job. He may not be the same player who arrived in England with sky-high expectations, but he is a different kind of valuable player now — someone who has been the No 1 at club and international level, taken the hits, bounced back and matured. That kind of experience is gold in a backup. Different profiles can fit this role. Sometimes it's a young 'keeper trying to learn and grow, waiting for their chance. Sometimes it's an older, seasoned veteran acting as a mentor. But more often than not, the perfect No 2 is someone in that middle ground: good enough to play, self-aware enough to wait. Moves like this do not make headlines the way big-money signings do. But they matter and that is exactly why this could be such a smart bit of business from Arsenal.
Fox Sports
25 minutes ago
- Fox Sports
The Road to World Cup 2026: The biggest teams to watch and what to expect
The 2026 World Cup is one year away, and the countdown is on to see which teams will qualify for the largest-ever edition of the world's most popular sporting event. So far, only 11 of the 48 teams - including the co-hosts Canada, Mexico and the United States – are officially in. Argentina, winner of the 2022 World Cup, is also set. But even though the full field is still not complete – qualification will go through next March 2026 before the first game kicks off on June 11 – we're expecting the world's best sides to be vying for the trophy. There will be plenty of twists and turns as teams fight for those coveted spots, but we've identified 12 sides to keep an eye on, including the three co-hosts. These teams are packed with some of the world's biggest stars and include some of the heavy favorites to win it all. Let's dive into why we hope (and expect) to see them next summer. The road to '26: Argentina are still basking in the glow from their triumph in Qatar and almost every match this cycle has had the feel of a victory tour. Lionel Scaloni's men added another Copa América title to their collection and cruised through South American qualifying, securing a World Cup berth with five rounds to spare. The opportunity now beckons to become the first repeat World Cup winners since Brazil in 1962, while Scaloni can join Italy's Vittorio Pozzo as the only managers to win two World Cups. Not much has changed since Qatar, save for Ángel Di María's international retirement and the emergence of talented youngsters like Franco Mastantuono. Lionel Messi still commands the spotlight, though Argentina proved they are much more than Messi by dismantling Brazil this past March without their injured star. With prolific strikers Julian Alvarez and Lautaro Martinez, and a midfield built around the likes of Rodrigo De Paul and Alexis Mac Allister, Argentina has no intention of relinquishing their crown. - Mosse The keys to success: Where to begin? What we learned from the Copa América last year is that this is a team that doesn't need Lionel Messi to be a superstar to win trophies. Of course, Lionel Scaloni has said Lionel Messi can and will be part of the national team for as long as he wants. But Argentina has a laundry list of talent playing at the highest levels around Europe who could lead La Albiceleste to another World Cup title. As one of the best goalkeepers in the world, Emiliano Martinez has proven it for both club (Aston Villa) and country. He has a highlight reel and trophy cabinet to prove it. Alexis Mac Allister may only be 26, but he plays more like a veteran in the midfield for both Argentina and Liverpool, who he just helped win the Premier League. And then there's Julián Alvarez, the young and gifted forward who has been killing it for new club Atlético Madrid, where he scored 29 goals across all competitions this season. - Litman The road to '26: Brazil finally got their man in Carlo Ancelotti, hiring the five-time UEFA Champions League winner as the team's new manager earlier this month. But the Italian has plenty of work to do to repair the damage from what's been a disastrous cycle so far. A quarterfinal elimination at the Copa América and disappointing results in qualifying have Brazil at their lowest ebb in a very long time. Ancelotti's first priority is to build a midfield that can exert control over games. The coach who jumpstarted Vinícius Júnior's Real Madrid career must also solve the riddle of why the talented winger can't reproduce the same form for his country. And it wouldn't hurt to have a healthy Neymar back in the fold, though that seems less likely by the day. No non-Brazilian manager has ever won a men's World Cup with this team, so Brazil are hoping Ancelotti can make history next year. One positive omen is that Brazil captured the 1994 World Cup in the United States, ending a 24-year title drought. The five-time champions will go into next summer exactly 24 years removed from their last triumph. - Mosse The keys to success: The five-time champions have been in a rut – just last summer the squad was eliminated in the Copa América quarterfinal after losing to a 10-man Uruguay team in a penalty shootout. Despite an insanely talented and entertaining roster, the Seleção must find another level in order to make a deep run. That will require players like Vinícius (the 2024 Best FIFA Men's Player), Neymar (who has battled injuries and been out of the recent spotlight), Alisson Becker(one of the top goalkeepers in the world who just won the Premier League with Liverpool) and Raphinha (the Barcelona forward scored a career-high 34 goals in all competitions this season) to lead the way and shed any negative stigma currently associated with the team. - Litman The road to '26: Gareth Southgate's tenure ended with another near miss, as England finished runners-up to Spain at Euro 2024. The task now falls to Thomas Tuchel to guide the Three Lions to their first major trophy since the 1966 World Cup. Tuchel is the third non-English coach this century for this team, following Sven-Goran Eriksson and Fabio Capello. The German will have plenty of talent at his disposal, particularly upfront with Harry Kane still one of the finest strikers on the planet. Jude Bellingham and Declan Rice are capable of controlling the center of the park, while England's conveyor belt has produced another dazzling left-footed winger in Cole Palmer to go with Phil Foden and Bukayo Saka. There are questions at the back, but those didn't prevent the Three Lions from reaching the final of the last two Euros. England has only ever lifted the World Cup on home soil, and there would be a delicious irony if that drought ended in the very summer in which the United States is celebrating 250 years of independence. - Mosse The keys to success: One of the biggest storylines surrounding this team is the fact that we're now in the Thomas Tuchel era after Gareth Southgate's resignation. Another will be how desperate England wants to win a major tournament after falling short at Euro 2024. At the last World Cup, the Three Lions ran into a hot France team in the quarterfinal. If the team is to go further this time and win, it will need the best performances out of what is arguably one of the most talented and deep rosters in the world. There's Harry Kane, who won the Bundesliga with Bayern Munich this season and is anxious to win a World Cup at his age (he'll be 32 next summer). Jude Bellingham, who is only 21 years old and has already won a LaLiga championship and Champions League with Real Madrid. Bukayo Saka, who has become Arsenal's most lethal attacker, will also be a key playmaker. - Litman The road to '26: France came agonizingly close to retaining the World Cup crown in Qatar, and their pedigree in recent decades is the envy of every other nation. Les Bleus have reached the final in four of the last seven World Cups, winning two and dropping the other two on penalties. Their focus is on reclaiming the trophy next year. Didier Deschamps will manage in his fourth and final World Cup, bringing the curtain down on a tenure that, remarkably, stretches back to July 2012. Such is the wealth of talent at Deschamps' disposal that Ousmane Dembele may very well win the Ballon d'Or this year and still end up playing second fiddle to Kylian Mbappe in 2026. Mbappé has found the back of the net 12 times in the last two World Cups, including a hat-trick against Argentina in the 2022 final. Miroslav Klose's record of 16 World Cup goals is very much in sight, and while Mbappé was unable to prevent semifinal defeats to Spain in both Euro 2024 and last week's UEFA Nations League, the Real Madrid star has his eyes on the ultimate prize. - Mosse The keys to success: The thing about France is you can never count this team out. Who could forget the 2022 World Cup final when it seemed like Argentina had the trophy wrapped up until Kylian Mbappé scored that memorable hat -trick (only for Argentina to win on penalties) in what will probably always be considered the wildest World Cup final in history? Just check out the wealth of talent that nearly helped France pull off a stunning comeback against Spain in the UEFA Nations League semifinals last week. Mbappé scored, as did Rayan Cherki (linked with a move from Lyon to Manchester City) and Juventus striker Randal Kolo Muani. PSG duo Ousmane Dembélé and Desire Doue were also dangerous in the attack against Spain, hoping to capitalize on their recent Champions League success. We could potentially see this matchup once again in a World Cup final, and expect these stars to shine if Les Bleus are there. - Litman The road to '26: It seems hard to believe that Germany's 2014 final victory over Argentina represents their last World Cup knockout match. After crashing out in the group stage in both Russia 2018 and Qatar 2022, the Germans will have plenty to prove next summer. The question is whether this squad boasts enough quality to recapture past glory. Germany fell to Spain in the Euro 2024 quarterfinals and to Portugal in the semifinals of last week's UEFA Nations League, both on home soil, and their trophy drought stretches back to the 2017 Confederations Cup. The good news is that both Jamal Musiala and Florian Wirtz have emerged as genuine stars who can command the spotlight in 2026. The pair will be counted on for inspiration, while veterans Antonio Rudiger and Joshua Kimmich should anchor the back line. But the lack of an elite center forward may prove costly, and the international retirements of Manuel Neuer, Thomas Muller and Toni Kroos have robbed Germany of any links to their last era of success. - Mosse The keys to success: It's still hard to believe that four-time champion Germany failed to make it out of the group stage at the 2022 World Cup. For what it's worth, that squad didn't have Bayern Leverkusan's Florian Wirtz, the 22-year-old attacking midfielder who could be playing for Liverpool by the time he suits up for Germany at the 2026 World Cup. Wirtz is a versatile player who can play on either wing or as a No. 9 or No. 10 and scored the lone goal for Die Mannschaft in the 2-1 loss last week to Portugal in the UEFA Nations League. Additionally, Real Madrid center back Antonio Rüdiger is reliable in the back line and Marc-André ter Stegen, one of the best goalkeepers in the world, will play key roles if Germany is to make any kind of run next summer. - Litman The road to '26: The first step towards success in 2026 is qualifying for the tournament, something no Italian will take for granted after missing out on the last two World Cups. Provided the four-time champions can punch their ticket for 2026, Italy will then have to find some genuine solutions in attack. For all their reputation as the land of Catenaccio, Italy have produced some of the most gifted players in the world in recent decades, from Roberto Baggio to Alessandro Del Piero to Francesco Totti. But those players have seemingly vanished from Italian football, leaving the national team shockingly bereft of ideas in recent years. The rest of the picture is less gloomy. Sandro Tonali and Nico Barella are the lynchpins of a quality midfield, while Alessandro Bastoni will anchor a back line playing in front of the most in-form goalkeeper on the planet in Gianluigi Donnarumma. But more is needed if Italy are to make any kind of deep run next summer. - Mosse The keys to success: After the remarkable run to the Euro 2020 title, this team then lost a playoff semifinal match to North Macedonia that kept the Italians out of the 2022 World Cup (they didn't qualify for 2018, either). Perhaps the luck of Gli Azzurri will change. For one, they have Gianluigi Donnarumma in goal, who had six clean sheets for PSG in the Champions League this season, including in the 5-0 win over Inter Milan in the final. They don't call him "The Wall" for nothing. Then there's Inter Milan's Nicolo Barella, the heart of the Italian midfield who could quite literally cover an entire pitch if he needed to. If Italy qualifies this time – and gets out of its group – these guys will be a major reason why. - Litman The road to '26: So much of the discourse around Portugal in recent years has centered on Cristiano Ronaldo's role, given that he failed to find the back of the net in the knockout stage of the last two World Cups and the last two Euros. But manager Roberto Martinez has continued to place his faith in Ronaldo and that likely won't change next summer. The 40-year-old is poised to play in his sixth World Cup, having scored in the previous five, and the good news is he'll be surrounded by a supporting cast sparkling with talent. Bruno Fernandes, Bernardo Silva, and Rafael Leao can all be counted on to provide inspiration, while Vitinha is one of the very best midfielders on the planet. Ruben Dias anchors the back line and Diogo Costa represents a safe pair of hands in goal. It all adds up to a team more than capable of making a deep run, as evidenced by their recent UEFA Nations League triumph. But much will depend on Ronaldo once again turning back the clock and delivering when it matters most. - Mosse The keys to success: The obvious answer here is Cristiano Ronaldo. We can't forget the drama that followed him at the 2022 World Cup – he was benched and later brought on as a sub; then he left the pitch in tears following Portugal's quarterfinal loss to Morocco. But he did score in Portugal's Nations League final victory over Spain, and is still the national team captain. He'll be 41 at the 2026 World Cup and nothing would mean more than to win the country's first-ever trophy in the tournament. Other key players for this Portugal side will be goalkeeper Diogo Costa, who also showed off his heroics against Germany in the UEFA Nations League, as well as PSG midfielder Vitinha, who just helped his club win the Champions League. - Litman The road to '26: The Netherlands remain the most accomplished soccer nation yet to win a World Cup. The Dutch have been runners-up three times and fell on penalties to eventual champions Argentina in the quarterfinals in Qatar. This cycle has already featured another near miss in the form of a semifinal exit at Euro 2024. Whether the Netherlands can finally get over the hump next year may depend on whether Cody Gakpo scores enough goals to take some of the pressure off the aging Memphis Depay. Neither one will be starved for service thanks to the emerging Xavi Simons, and the dynamic Denzel Dumfries flying down the wing. Frenkie de Jong, Tijjani Reijnders and Ryan Gravenberch provide plenty of quality in the midfield, while Virgil van Dijk is still an imposing figure at the back. The Dutch won't be lacking in talent, and the hope is that, if they once again arrive at the latter stages of a World Cup, the breaks might just go their way for a change. - Mosse The keys to success: The Netherlands have come oh-so-close to winning a World Cup – they've made the final three times – but to no avail. The Oranje were knocked out in Qatar by eventual champions Argentina following a dramatic quarterfinal penalty shootout, otherwise there's a good chance they would have made a deeper run. Regardless, a talented roster will be assembled, including captain Virgil Van Dijk, who some would consider to be the best center back in the world. The 6'5" Liverpool defender is strong on the ball and in the air, and is not a player an attacker wants to see coming. He's flanked by fullback Denzel Dumfries, who helped Inter Milan reach the Champions League final, and supported by Barcelona's Frenkie de Jong, who controls the midfield. - Litman The road to '26: With all their success in other competitions of late, it's easy to forget that Spain have underwhelmed in each of the last three World Cups, crashing out in the group stage in 2014, followed by round-of-16 exits in both 2018 and 2022. But another early elimination seems unlikely. In fact, Spain might just be the clear-cut favorite in 2026. It has been a remarkable trophy haul so far in this cycle with the Spanish capturing the 2023 UEFA Nations League title, followed by both the Euros and the Olympic gold medal in 2024. A World Cup crown would be the icing on the cake, and it's difficult to bet against them given the presence of Lamine Yamal, a player displaying a level of preciousness not seen since Pele. The Barcelona teenager headlines an explosive attack that includes Nico Williams, while a midfield featuring Pedri and Ballon d'Or winner Rodri will likely ensure that Spain controls every game next summer. Spain captured the 2010 World Cup with one of the greatest teams of all-time, and this current group feels like worthy successors. - Mosse The keys to success: This team is the favorite to win the World Cup. The reigning European champions just seem to keep getting better and better as Lamine Yamal gets more experienced (probably not a coincidence!). The 17-year-old winger is coming off a stellar season with Barcelona where at times he looked like the best player in the world. Yamal plays free and fearless, and exudes joy on the pitch. He's supported by top talents like Manchester City midfielder and 2024 Ballon d'Or winner Rodri, who is currently coming back from a knee injury, as well as club teammate Pedri, who is lethal on the dribble and is one of the most creative midfielders in the game right now. - Litman The road to '26: After reaching the round of 16 in Qatar with the second-youngest squad in the tournament, expectations were supposed to be sky high for the United States in 2026. But concerns began to creep in after a disappointing group stage exit at last year's Copa América, which ultimately cost Gregg Berhalter his job as manager. His replacement Mauricio Pochettino then presided over defeats to Panama and Canada in the Concacaf Nations League, raising further doubts about whether this generation of players is golden after all. The good news is Pochettino has 12 months to address current problems and the potential still exists for a successful campaign on home soil. Christian Pulisic will need to be a genuine match-winner to make up for the lack of a prolific center forward. Tyler Adams and Weston McKennie should help form a strong midfield, while Sergino Dest and Antonee Robinson can provide inspiration from the flanks. Question marks do remain at both center back and in goal. - Mosse The keys to success: There's a lot to be concerned about as it pertains to the 2026 World Cup co-hosts. After a disastrous Concacaf Nations League in March, which saw the USMNT flame out in losses to Panama and Canada, the team was heavily criticized for being entitled and not caring enough about playing for their country. To make matters worse, the team's biggest stars like Christian Pulisic, Antonee Robinson and Weston McKennie are among a larger group that will not play in this summer's Gold Cup, which is the last competitive tournament the team will play in before the World Cup since they don't have to qualify. How will new manager Mauricio Pochettino come up with a roster for next summer that is cohesive, understands each other's tendencies and can win tough games together? That will remain a massive question for the next 12 months. - Litman The road to '26: Mexico entered the last World Cup with visions of getting over the round-of-16 hump, but they failed to even make it out of the group stage. Tata Martino presided over that disastrous campaign, and the lack of success under him has prompted El Tri to turn back to a familiar face on the bench. Javier Aguirre will manage Mexico at a World Cup for the third time, having previously taken charge in 2002 and 2010. His experience paid off this past March in helping the team capture the Concacaf Nations League crown which, coupled with a Gold Cup title in 2023, has allowed Mexico fans to regain some of their swagger. The main catalyst for Mexico's improvement has been the return to health of Raul Jimenez, and the Fulham striker will likely be paired with Santiago Gimenez next year. The tournament co-hosts also won't be lacking support, and with Edson Alvarez providing leadership at the back, the pieces might just be in place for a surprising run. - Mosse The keys to success: If the U.S. is a co-host that's feeling uncertain about its World Cup preparation, Mexico is the opposite. El Tri was crowned Concacaf Nations League champs in March and is a favorite to dominate and defend its Gold Cup title this summer. Forwards Santiago Gimenez (AC Milan) and Raul Jimenez (Fulham) are building chemistry up top and should be an easy reason for fans to feel optimistic about 2026. Mexico has never made it past the quarterfinal stage of the World Cup, but if that attacking duo is clicking and in sync, things could get interesting. - Litman The road to '26: Canada's first World Cup appearance since 1986 didn't last very long, as they dropped all three games in Qatar, exiting at the group stage. But the Canucks get a second bite at the apple, this time as tournament co-hosts, and the arrival of American manager Jesse Marsch has raised hopes for a successful campaign. Marsch proved his worth by orchestrating a semifinal run at last year's Copa América, and a Concacaf Nations League win over the U.S. this past March also endeared him to fans. That victory did come at a cost with Alphonso Davies tearing his ACL, but the Bayern Munich standout is expected back well before the start of the World Cup. Davies headlines a talented generation that includes midfielder Stephen Eustaquio, and the prolific strike pairing of Jonathan David and Cyle Larin. David in particular could be one of next summer's breakout stars, and a strong performance from him would go a long way towards helping Canada confirm all their recent progress. - Mosse The key players to success: Canada won't have defender Alphonso Davies for this summer's Gold Cup while he continues to recover from the torn ACL he sustained vs. the United States in the Nations League, but he's certainly expected to return and be at full fitness in time for the 2026 World Cup. Davies, who is only 24, is a strong and speedy presence on the left side and has been a reliable defender for Bayern Munich since 2019. Elsewhere, Jonathan David is a player who could really use this summer's Gold Cup as an opportunity to boost his stock ahead of what will be an important 2026 for the dynamic forward. David has said he will leave French club Lille when his contract expires, and he'll be a huge get for a bigger European club. David, 25, is Canada's men's all-time leading goalscorer (32 goals in 61 games) and will have plenty of expectations put on his shoulders next summer. - Litman Laken Litman covers college football, college basketball and soccer for FOX Sports. She previously wrote for Sports Illustrated, USA Today and The Indianapolis Star. She is the author of "Strong Like a Woman," published in spring 2022 to mark the 50th anniversary of Title IX. Follow her at @LakenLitman . David Mosse is a researcher for FOX Sports and co-host of Alexi Lalas' State of the Union Podcast. recommended Get more from FIFA Men's World Cup Follow your favorites to get information about games, news and more
