Wataru Endō (Japan National Team, Liverpool)
March 2025 (World Cup Qualifiers)
Endō is on the verge of becoming the latest Japan captain to secure World Cup qualification.
Japan leads Group C with a nine-point advantage and can qualify with a win against Bahrain. If not, they have another chance against Saudi Arabia next week.
Mexico national team
September 2025
Mexico will host Uruguay at Estadio TSM Corona, returning to Torreón for the first time since 2022. The friendly is meant to test El Tri against elite opposition ahead of the 2026 World Cup, building experience for Javier Aguirre’s squad. Director Ivar Sisniega highlighted Torreón’s world-class facilities and Uruguay’s strong competition as key factors. The match, part of Aguirre’s preparation strategy, continues a tradition of Mexico using Torreón as a proving ground, having hosted Brazil and other rivals there previously.
Rayan Cherki
December 2025
Cherki opened the scoring with a vicious strike from the edge of the box, chesting down a loose clearance before smashing into the roof of the net. He then marked the moment by mimicking Haaland’s meditation celebration, underlining his growing confidence since arriving from Lyon in the summer. The French playmaker now has four goal contributions in his last four games, including a rabona-assist for Foden against Sunderland. Guardiola has praised his personality and decision-making in tight areas, even likening aspects of his final-third craft to Messi while stressing that Cherki’s special talent must always be built on simple, reliable basics.
Ipswich Town
May 2026
Ipswich Town secured promotion to the Premier League with a dominant 3-0 victory over QPR, clinching automatic qualification and completing a remarkable turnaround after last season’s struggles. Early goals set the tone before Ipswich controlled the match, ensuring no late drama in a tight promotion race. McKenna’s tactical rebuild and squad evolution delivered consistency, sparking celebrations as fans marked a return to the top flight.
Laura Berry, Mia McAulay, Scotland, Rangers
1 June 2026
Rangers teenagers Laura Berry and Mia McAulay were called into Scotland’s squad for Women’s World Cup qualifiers against Israel. They replace Sophie Howard and Freya Gregory after both players withdrew from Melissa Andreatta’s group before the double-header.
The call-ups come just after Rangers lost the Women’s Scottish Cup final to Celtic. Scotland lead Group B4 on goal difference from Belgium, with the top three still moving into play-offs for the 2027 World Cup.
Rico Lewis (Manchester City)
June 2025
Rico Lewis’ red card suspension has been extended to three matches by FIFA, ruling him out of City’s final Club World Cup group game vs. Juventus and their last-16 tie.
Lewis was sent off for a late challenge against Wydad AC. City appealed, but FIFA upheld the extended ban under Article 14(1)(e). Guardiola must now reshuffle, with no natural right-back available and Kyle Walker absent from the U.S. tour.
