FootXtra – Football News & Updates FootXtra brings you the latest football news, live updates, match previews, transfer stories, and in-depth analysis from leagues and tournaments around the world. Stay connected to the beautiful game every day.

Kylian Mbappe has firmly established himself as a pivotal figure in modern soccer, highlighted by his 2018 FIFA World Cup triumph. Since making his debut for France in 2017, this prodigious striker has consistently demonstrated his dazzling talent, emerging as a team leader despite his youth. During the 2026 World Cup qualifiers, Mbappe not only dazzled on the pitch but also boldly expressed his ambition to surpass Olivier Giroud’s all-time record with France.

Even though Christian Pulisic missed the 2025 Gold Cup, USMNT coach Mauricio Pochettino has called him up for the friendlies against Ecuador and Australia. Pulisic is in peak form after his impressive performances with AC Milan in Serie A. However, the spotlight has shifted to his national team colleague, Weston McKennie. The midfield star, a standout in Italy, has surprised many by reportedly considering a move to MLS.

The World Cup is, along with the Olympic Games, the most important sporting event on the planet. Millions of fans from every continent turn their eyes to the tournament every four years — and they’ll undoubtedly do so again in 2026, when it takes place in the United States, Mexico, and Canada. However, FIFA president Gianni Infantino addressed potential changes for the future.

FC Barcelona are set to play their first-ever La Liga match outside of Spain, with their clash against Villarreal being moved to Miami — a decision that sparked a strong reaction from captain Frenkie de Jong. After the midfielder publicly voiced his disagreement with the league’s plan, club president Joan Laporta made his stance clear.

South Korea are one of six AFC teams that have already secured a spot in the FIFA World Cup 2026. That means they won’t be playing any official matches during this international break, just friendlies. The first of those is set for Friday against Brazil, where Son Heung-min is expected to hit an impressive mark.

Alhassan “Lalas” Abubakar may have been born in Kumasi, Ghana, but it’s fair to say that he’s made his name in the United States.

It’s a plan that has set European soccer alight — and one that leaves Christian Pulisic and his Milan teammates preparing for an extraordinary journey. In February 2026, Milan will make Serie A history by playing a domestic league match on another continent. The Rossoneri’s fixture against Como will take place not in Italy, but at Optus Stadium in Perth, Australia, following UEFA’s approval of a once-unthinkable proposal.

Poland are set to face New Zealand in a friendly on Thursday in Chorzów before resuming their campaign in the UEFA 2026 World Cup qualifiers next week. As lineups were confirmed for both sides at the Silesian Stadium, eyebrows were raised when star forward Robert Lewandowski was nowhere to be seen in the starting XI.

For a club in fine form, the international break should bring calm. Yet for Milan, it may deliver the opposite. Christian Pulisic and Santiago Gimenez, the two forwards who have become Massimiliano Allegri’s trusted attacking duo, are once again the cause of his growing unease — and not because of anything that’s happening on the Serie A pitch.

Although Portugal had slipped from global prominence in recent years, Cristiano Ronaldo revitalized the national team by securing their first three titles in history. His recent achievements and exceptional form during the UEFA 2026 World Cup qualifiers have captivated global attention. Unbeaten in their first two matches, head coach Roberto Martinez has decisively outlined his ambitions as the team gears up for this crucial tournament.

Real Madrid have managed to surprise fans with their impressive performance following the arrival of Xabi Alonso. Although they suffered a hard defeat against Atletico Madrid, they have managed to remain at the top of the LaLiga standings and undefeated in the Champions League. Both Vinicius and Kylian Mbappe continue to excel, though rumors of their strained relationship persist. Recently, the French star dispelled tension by addressing the situation directly.

Even at 40 years old, Cristiano Ronaldo continues to dominate headlines both on and off the pitch. After receiving yet another individual honor in his homeland — the Globo de Prestigio award at the Portuguese Football Gala — the Al-Nassr superstar made a statement that has left fans in Saudi Arabia both proud and uneasy.

Could Milan be willing to bolster Christian Pulisic‘s roster even further? That’s the question echoing around Milanello this week as the Rossoneri quietly explore one of the most ambitious transfer ideas in Europe. Milan, already reshaped by Pulisic’s brilliance on the right flank, is now said to be studying a move that would replicate the impact of Kevin De Bruyne’s arrival at Napoli — a bold signing of one of his former Manchester City teammates.

When England meets Wales at Wembley, the rivalry alone is enough to electrify the stands. It’s a clash steeped in history and pride — a game that rarely feels “just a friendly.” But this week, the build-up has centered around one surprising headline: Harry Kane will not play.

Few players have transformed both their image and their club’s fortunes quite like Christian Pulisic has done at Milan. Since arriving at San Siro in 2023, the American winger has become a pillar of consistency, creativity, and drive — a player whose every touch seems to breathe new life into the Rossoneri’s attack. His sharpness in front of goal, relentless work rate, and leadership have now earned him admiration from a man who knows a thing or two about Italian greatness: Alessandro Del Piero.