AC Milan
Goalkeepers Set to Shape the 2026 World Cup
Goalkeepers who could decide the 2026 World Cup: concise profiles of the tournament’s best. Key reads
Goalkeepers are no longer only shot-stoppers. They are required to command their area, organise defence, save penalties and also initiate attacks with accurate passing. That combination of traditional and modern demands can make the difference between progress and early exit at a major tournament.
Bart Verbruggen retained the Netherlands’ No. 1 spot as they reached the Euro 2024 semifinals and is expected to keep that role at the World Cup. He conceded fewer than a goal per game for the Netherlands and recorded a 50% clean sheet rate. His distribution and sweeping ability stand out, drawing comparisons to Manuel Neuer and attracting interest from Europe’s elite.
Jordan Pickford is not the most glamorous name but remains crucial for England. The Everton shot-stopper celebrates saves with characteristic fervour, even screaming “Vamos!” in his distinctive Mackem voice. He often delivers in big moments, producing spectacular saves and performing in penalty shootouts; he might already be seen as a national hero had England’s attackers not faltered in the Euro 2020 final shootout.
Diogo Costa is a modern-day sweeper-keeper, comfortable with the ball at his feet and vital to Portugal’s possession style. He offers precise short and long passing and is an exceptional penalty specialist, saving over a quarter of spot-kicks he has faced for club and country (excluding shootouts). In Euro 2024 he repelled all three of Slovenia’s penalties in the round of 16, a feat not previously achieved at the European Championships.
Manuel Neuer, now in his forties, remains among the world’s best. As Bayern Munich stormed to another Bundesliga title in 2025–26, Neuer continued to excel with the aggressive sweeper-keeper game he helped pioneer. His reflexes may have dipped but his reading of the game, command of the penalty area and ability on the ball remain world class.
Switzerland moved on following Yann Sommer’s international retirement in 2024 and have Gregor Kobel as a capable successor. The 6’5″ Borussia Dortmund keeper conceded just two goals in five qualifying appearances and finished the club season with a Bundesliga-high 15 clean sheets, reinforcing his standing among Europe’s elite shot-stoppers.
Forget Lionel Messi—it was Emiliano Martínez who was truly Argentina’s hero in the 2022 World Cup final. He made a last-gasp added-time save to deny France a winner, got a glove to Kingsley Coman’s penalty in the shootout and used mind games ahead of Aurélien Tchouaméni’s miss. Martínez has continued to deliver for Aston Villa, helping them to a top-four Premier League finish and the Europa League title in 2025–26.
Alisson Becker remained reliable for Liverpool in an injury-disrupted campaign, excelling in one-on-one situations and offering pinpoint distribution. Heading into the tournament he has five clean sheets in nine World Cup appearances and 44 shutouts in 77 caps for Brazil.
Mike Maignan wears the No. 16 shirt for France but is his country’s first-choice keeper. Despite AC Milan’s torrid 2025–26 season, Maignan ranked among Serie A’s top performers for clean sheets, saves made and penalties saved. His reflexes mark him out as a truly elite shot-stopper and a strong World Cup could accelerate talk of a move away from San Siro.
AC Milan
Amorim to Milan: What the Move Means for Manchester United’s Preseason
Amorim’s move to AC Milan reduces United’s compensation and focuses attention on Aug. 15 friendly. .
Reports that Ruben Amorim is negotiating to become AC Milan manager change more than compensation figures for Manchester United. Amorim’s time out of work is not expected to drag on, with Saturday coverage identifying him as the preferred candidate to take over at AC Milan this summer. As noted by The Telegraph, an anticipated agreement with Milan will spare United from paying the full share of their compensation to the Portuguese tactician.
United finalised their preseason schedule earlier this month, electing to stay in Europe for the first time in 24 years to help players respond to a summer full of World Cup action across the United States, Canada and Mexico. Opponents listed for the Red Devils’ preparations include Wrexham (July 18, Olympic Stadium, Helsinki, Finland), Rosenborg (July 24, Lerkendal Stadion, Trondheim, Norway), Atlético Madrid (Aug. 1, Strawberry Arena, Stockholm, Sweden), Paris Saint-Germain (Aug. 8, Ullevi Stadium, Gothenberg, Sweden) and Leeds United (Aug. 12, Aviva Stadium, Dublin, Republic of Ireland).
United will round out their preparations with a friendly against AC Milan. United and Milan will lock horns at Tarczyński Arena in Wrocław, Poland, on Aug. 15, and all the signs suggest it will be Amorim leading the Italian outfit. While few conclusions can be drawn from preseason fixtures, supporters will demand a positive result against their former boss and many will watch how Milan adapt under Amorim and to the 3-4-2-1 formation to which he appeared so wedded during his tenure at Old Trafford.
The match will also offer a first public assessment of the rivalry between the two men responsible for United’s recent transition. It will be a chance for newly appointed permanent United manager Michael Carrick to take on his predecessor, having overseen drastic improvement compared to Amorim’s time in charge. The fixture therefore carries financial, tactical and narrative significance for both clubs as they head into the new season.
AC Milan
Amorim emerges as AC Milan’s front‑runner after Allegri exit
Ruben Amorim is reported as AC Milan’s leading candidate after Allegri exit; talks held in Portugal.
Ruben Amorim has emerged as the leading candidate to take charge at AC Milan following Massimiliano Allegri’s departure. The Athletic report that Amorim is the “leading candidate” and that the two parties “held talks” in Portugal last week as Milan begin a clear rebuild.
The 41-year-old left Manchester United after a turbulent spell in which he failed to deliver in the early months of 2025–26, only leading United to sixth place after 20 games. Despite those struggles in Manchester, Milan have placed Amorim at the head of their list as they clear out a number of senior figures.
The Serie A club parted company with Allegri, Sporting director Igli Tare, chief executive Giorgio Furlani and technical director Geoffrey Moncada after failing to qualify for the Champions League. A 2–1 defeat on the final matchday to Cagliari condemned Milan to fifth place, one point behind Como in fourth, meaning the club will compete in the Europa League next season.
Milan initially aimed to appoint Andoni Iraola but his signature was secured by Liverpool following the surprise dismissal of Arne Slot. Iraola signed a two-year deal with the Reds, forcing Milan to return to the drawing board. Reports also linked Mauricio Pochettino, Oliver Glasner and Al Ahli’s Matthias Jaissle to the role, per Fabrizio Romano.
Should Amorim win the race, he will inherit a squad that collected 70 points from 38 matches in 2025–26, 17 fewer than arch rivals and newly crowned champions Inter Milan. Even without European distraction, Milan’s return was judged insufficient, which helps explain the scale of the sporting overhaul.
What happens next with Amorim is no longer Manchester United’s concern. United rallied under Michael Carrick, producing a sensational second half of the season to finish third in the Premier League and qualify for the Champions League. Carrick was given a two-year contract to lead the club permanently, a decision met with widespread praise from fans and players, with Kobbie Mainoo and Bruno Fernandes leading the way.
AC Milan
United confirm Poland friendly with AC Milan as sixth European preseason game
United finalise six-match European preseason; AC Milan friendly at Tarczyński Arena on Aug 15. 2026.
Manchester United have completed a six-match preseason schedule for 2026–27 with a final friendly against AC Milan in Poland. The match will take place at the Tarczyński Arena in Wrocław on Saturday, Aug. 15, a week before the scheduled start of the new Premier League season. The stadium was built for use during Euro 2012 and primarily serves as the home of two-time Polish champions Śląsk Wrocław.
All six fixtures this summer are in Europe and the programme is Scandinavia-heavy. The full schedule lists Wrexham at the Olympic Stadium in Helsinki on July 18, Rosenborg at Lerkendal Stadion in Trondheim on July 24, Atlético Madrid at Strawberry Arena in Stockholm on Aug. 1, Paris Saint-Germain at Ullevi Stadium in Gothenburg on Aug. 8, Leeds Utd at the Aviva Stadium in Dublin on Aug. 12, and AC Milan in Wrocław on Aug. 15.
One clear reason for a Europe-only preseason is the 2026 World Cup, which runs until July 19 and reduces the available preparation window. Manchester United will have 12 players at the tournament. Bryan Mbeumo, Benjamin Šeško and Harry Maguire will report for training after summer vacation on day one of Michael Carrick’s permanent premiership in early July, while many others will still be involved in national team action.
Keeping the tour within Europe shortens travel demands; United are never more than a two-hour, 45 minute flight away from Manchester this summer, which should ease the strain on players returning later from the World Cup.
Historically, United have sometimes travelled long distances in World Cup years, including tours to South Africa in 2006, the U.S. and Mexico in 2010, the U.S. in 2014, the U.S. in 2018 and Thailand and Australia in 2022. The last season with a largely local preseason was 2002, when the club regrouped after the tournament with matches in Ireland, England, Norway, the Netherlands and Denmark. The club’s earliest overseas tour dates back to 1908, when a side featuring Billy Meredith, Sandy Turnbull, George Wall, Dick Duckworth and Harry Moger played six matches on a central Europe trip.
