Serhou Guirassy looks set to leave Borussia Dortmund this summer, with his release clause dropping again and Europe’s biggest clubs circling. Barcelona are monitoring the situation closely as they search for a long-term Robert Lewandowski successor. While the striker has ruled out a January exit, internal expectations at Dortmund point toward an inevitable departure at season’s end.

• Dortmund bracing for Guirassy's likely departure

  Guirassy’s future at Dortmund is becoming increasingly uncertain as multiple reports in Germany suggest the striker is preparing for a move at the end of the season. After exploding onto the scene at Stuttgart and continuing his form at Dortmund, the 29-year-old has become one of Europe’s most efficient goalscorers and one of its most in-demand forwards.

  A key reason for the looming exit is his contract structure. Guirassy’s deal, which runs until 2028, contains a release clause that decreases every year. Last summer’s €75 million trigger went unused, and a reduced clause will activate next summer, making him a cut-price opportunity for elite clubs. Barcelona, Real Madrid, Manchester United, Manchester City, Arsenal, Chelsea and Liverpool can all activate the clause, putting BVB under growing pressure.

  While Guirassy has dismissed the idea of leaving in January, report that the club privately expect him to seek a new challenge. His brother, also his agent has begun sounding out Saudi Arabian clubs in case the striker opts for a final major payday, though the clause reportedly does not apply to Gulf clubs.

Advertisement

• Getty Images
  

  Kahn makes clear Guirassy’s intentions

  Speaking to about the striker’s situation, Bayern Munich legend Oliver Kahn did not hold back. “There’s absolutely no question that he wants to leave the club as things stand. And that’s why I wouldn’t concern myself with it any further. There’s no reason for him to transfer now.”

  His words reflected a sentiment increasingly shared across Germany: Guirassy is preparing for his next step, and Dortmund will struggle to keep him once the summer window opens.

• Barcelona watching as Guirassy’s value drops

  Interest in the Dortmund striker is no surprise. His output since signing for Dortmund in 2024 has been extraordinary. Across Europe’s top five leagues, only Harry Kane, Kylian Mbappe, Erling Haaland and Robert Lewandowski have scored more goals than him in all competitions. This ability to score at elite levels, paired with a descending release clause has made him one of the continent’s most attractive market opportunities. Barcelona, searching for a successor to Lewandowski and facing financial constraints, see the Guinean as a rare combination of affordability, experience and proven efficiency.

  Even during what has been described as a “slight dip” this season, he has delivered nine goals and four assists across 17 games, plus a brace in the 4-0 win over Villarreal. Dortmund coach Niko Kovac has staunchly defended him during quieter periods. 

  “For me, Serhou is very, very important. He remains our insurance policy because he is a key part of this team,” Kovac said. “They are clearly trying to take our top striker out of the game. That’s why it’s not so easy for him. But I know that in the coming weeks, he will again give us what we need: his goals.”

ENJOYED THIS STORY?

Add GOAL.com as a preferred source on Google to see more of our reporting

• AFP
  

  Dortmund preparing for life after Guirassy

  Die Borussen are already exploring replacements in anticipation of a summer exit. Hoffenheim striker Fisnik Asllani is one of the profiles on their list, with a release clause becoming active next year and the 23-year-old pushing for a move away from Sinsheim. As for Guirassy, two paths are emerging. One is a move to a major European club, where he would immediately compete at Champions League level. The other is a lucrative switch to Saudi Arabia, with his brother testing interest across the Gulf region.

  Barca’s monitoring of his situation adds another layer, especially with the Catalan club planning for a future beyond Lewandowski. Guirassy’s affordability and scoring consistency make him an option they cannot ignore. His intentions are increasingly clear, and as Kahn suggested, the question now is not if Guirassy leaves Dortmund, but where he ends up.

MatériaMais Notícias

O Corinthians perdeu para o Botafogo por 1 a 0, na Neo Química Arena, e entrou na zona de rebaixamento do Campeonato Brasileiro. Com uma vitória em sete rodadas, a equipe comandada por António Oliveira soma apenas cinco pontos e amarga uma sequência de três partidas sem vitórias na competição.

continua após a publicidade

As melhores e mais variadas ofertas para o Brasileirão estão no Lance! Betting! Abra já a sua conta!

O confronto contra o Glorioso também marcou o sexto jogo do Corinthians sem marcar gols no torneio. A única vez que o Timão balançou as redes no Brasileirão foi na vitória por 3 a 0 sobre o Fluminense, em Itaquera.

Apesar dos problemas enfrentados para furar as defesas adversárias, a comissão técnica possui poucas alternativas no banco de reservas. Mesmo com a alteração do esquema tático, que promoveu Coronado ao time titular, o Corinthians continua com dificuldades na construção de jogadas e sofre para dominar o meio campo.

continua após a publicidade

Ángel Romero, vice-artilheiro do clube no ano, caiu de rendimento nas últimas rodadas e perdeu o posto de titular. O atacante, inclusive, não ainda não marcou nesta edição do Brasileirão e pouco rendeu entrando no decorrer dos jogos.

Pedro Raul, contratado em fevereiro por 5 milhões de dólares (R$ 25 milhões, na cotação da época), segue com dificuldades para se adaptar ao estilo de jogo de António Oliveira e acumula um jejum de 13 partidas sem gols.

continua após a publicidade

➡️ Tudo sobre o Timão agora no WhatsApp. Siga o nosso novo canal Lance! Corinthians

Outro reforço do clube para a temporada, Pedro Henrique permanece em trabalho de transição no CT Joaquim Grava e alterna atividades no campo e na acadêmia. O atacante havia se firmando como titular da equipe, mas acabou sofrendo uma lesão no músculo posterior da coxa esquerda ainda em abril, e segue fora desde então.

Com poucas alternativas, António Oliveira terá nove dias de treinamentos para buscar soluções para as carências da equipe que, atualmente, luta contra o descenso na competição. Com uma pausa no calendário, Corinthians volta a campo apenas no dia 11 de junho, contra o Atlético-GO, fora de casa, pela oitava rodada do Campeonato Brasileiro.

Tudo sobre

BrasileirãoCorinthiansFutebol Nacional

عبر فرجاني ساسي لاعب منتخب تونس، عن حزنه لعدم التأهل إلى دور ربع نهائي بطولة كأس العرب، رغم الفوز على قطر. 

وفاز منتخب تونس على نظيره القطري، بثلاثية نظيفة، في المباراة التي جمعت بين الفريقين، ضمن منافسات الجولة الثالثة والأخيرة من بطولة كأس العرب.

طالع.. فيديو.. بن رمضان يقود تونس للفوز على قطر بثلاثية ويودعان كأس العرب رسميًا

وفشل منتخب تونس في التأهل إلى ربع نهائي بطولة كأس العرب، بعد احتلاله المركز الثالث في المجموعة برصيد 4 نقاط. 

وقال فرجاني ساسي في تصريحات على قناة “الكأس”: “أهدارنا نقاطًا أول مباراتين، ولعبنا على حظوظنا لآخر لحظة، سنبني على الأشياء الإيجابية وليست السلبية”.

وأضاف: “شكرًا جدًا لجماهيرنا، كأس العرب بطولة مفيدة وتحضير لكأس أمم إفريقيا، كنا نريد تحقيق نتائج إيجابية”. 

وتابع: “لعبنا لآخر لحظة وآخر مباراة كان من الممكن أن نسجل أهدافًا أكثر أمام قطر”. 

The MLB postseason is underway, some exciting baseball has already been played and some more is around the corner for the next month or so.

In order to properly enjoy this postseason, there are a few key rule changes to brush up on. MLB postseason rules differ from the regular season rules in two key ways.

Here's how.

What are the extra innings rules in the MLB playoffs?

Unlike in the regular season, where a "ghost runner" is placed on second base at the start of the top of the 10th and in any ensuing extra innings, postseason baseball reverts back to traditional rules. This means that, should any of the playoff games go to extra innings, pitchers will begin the frame with no traffic on the basepaths. While the pitch clock (more on that in a moment) will still shorten the game time, the lack of an automatic runner in extra innings could lead to some slightly longer games—and managers having to go deeper into their bullpens.

How many challenges do managers get in the MLB playoffs?

Unlike in the regular season, where managers only receive one challenge, skippers will have two challenges for each postseason game. Clubs retain the challenge if the call is overturned, but lose the challenge if no calls are overturned.

Other than that, each rule from the regular season carries over to postseason play, though it's worth going over a few of these rules as a reminder.

Is there still a pitch clock in the MLB postseason?

Yes, the 30-second timer between batters, as well as the 15 and 20-second timers between pitches with the bases empty and runners on, respectively, are still rules implemented in the MLB postseason. Additionally, just as is the case in the regular season, pitchers are limited to two disengagements (pickoff attempts or step-offs) per plate appearance, though these reset if the runner or runners advance during the plate appearance.

What about the three-batter minimum rule?

Yes, the three-batter minimum rule, first implemented in 2020, is implemented in the postseason. Pitchers must face a minimum of three batters or finish a half-inning. If the pitcher faces one batter to end an inning, he can be removed from the game but he is also allowed to return for a second inning. If he returns for a second inning, then he must face two more batters to reach the required total of three.

How is home-field advantage determined in the World Series?

The pennant winner with the better regular season record receives home-field advantage in the World Series, regardless of how the teams were seeded for the postseason. If the two pennant winners finished with the same regular season record, then a tiebreaker determines home-field advantage for the Fall Classic, in this order listed below:

Head-to-head recordIntradivision recordIntraleague record

Ruben Amorim has revealed that a blunt and emotionally charged half-time team talk was the catalyst for Manchester United’s much-needed 4-1 victory at Molineux on Monday night, after his side briefly flirted with embarrassment against struggling Wolves. The two teams went in level at the break, but the Red Devils fired in three goals in the second half to walk away with all three points.

First half scare at Molineux

United had started brightly and appeared fully in control when Bruno Fernandes swept his team into an early lead. But a lapse in concentration allowed Jean-Ricner Bellegarde to find the equaliser, which ended Wolves’ nine-hour Premier League goal drought. What had been a calm evening suddenly felt volatile, and Amorim insisted the solution was not tactical reinvention, but rather psychological.

AdvertisementGetty Images SportAmorim reveals what was said during half-time

Speaking after the match, Amorim said that he demanded more clarity and conviction from his players during the interval.

"It wasn't tactical," he said. "It was so clear we are dominating the games but not finishing the plays as we should. We need to be better in the details. Trying to explain to the players we have 45 minutes to win the three points that are crucial for our life."

Amorim criticised the sloppiness that followed Fernandes’ opener, saying it handed Wolves, who are rock bottom of the Premier League with only two points, a belief they didn’t previously have.

"Once again, after we scored a goal, we were a little bit sloppy on the ball and that gave a little bit of hope to the opponent," he said. "We should have finished that half in the different way, and then in the half time they understood that we have everything to win the game, to win three points – and they did that."

Despite bouncing back to secure a comfortable win that edges United close to the Champions League spots, Amorim refused to entertain discussions about the significance of sixth place.

He added: "Nothing. It's always the same feeling we should have more points. But that's in the past, let's focus on the future. Bournemouth (on Monday) is going to be a different world. So we need to to know that, but in our club, it doesn't matter. We need to to improve the way we play."

The manager also confirmed that United remain in negotiations with Cameroon, the Ivory Coast and Morocco in the hope of delaying the departures of Bryan Mbeumo, Amad Diallo and Noussair Mazraoui for the Africa Cup of Nations.

"Let's wait for the middle of the of the week," he added. "I don't know for sure, but we are doing our job and the national teams are talking with us and that is a good sign."

Mount ready for a new beginning at United

Beyond the victory, one of the night’s most encouraging subplots came from Mason Mount. The midfielder, whose United career has been repeatedly interrupted by injury, scored a crisp volley from a Fernandes cross, his second goal in three matches, in another sign that he is finally rediscovering rhythm. Mount had made only five league starts in each of his previous two United seasons and missed 52 matches across that period. This campaign, however, he has featured in 12 of 15 league fixtures and looks increasingly comfortable in Amorim’s system.

"Anytime I play I obviously want to play to the best of my ability and perform," Mount told Sky Sports after the win over Wolves. "I've had setbacks. I've had difficult times, I feel now I'm ready to keep pushing on and building on these performances. Getting in the goals, that's the most important thing as a forward player and just keep going and working hard. That's exactly what I'm focusing on now."

On his volley, Mount added: "As soon as I see Bruno [Fernandes] with the ball and has time and space to turn, that's my trigger to try and get in behind and try and time my run. I thought it was going to be a bit close [to offside] but the defender dropped back and bit and kept me onside. Delighted with that. And as I said before, it was about being ruthless in the second half and finishing our chances off. We all know the calibre of player he [Fernandes] is. When he gets on the ball he's always trying to create something. He's a joy to play with as a player that's higher up the pitch because you know he's having a look and he's going to play the ball over the top."

ENJOYED THIS STORY?

Add GOAL.com as a preferred source on Google to see more of our reporting

Getty Images SportWhat comes next?

The win lifted United to within a point of fourth-placed Crystal Palace, strengthening their hopes of qualifying for the Champions League. Amorim knows consistency is now essential. United host Bournemouth next Monday, and the Portuguese coach is determined that the performance at Molineux becomes a platform rather than another fleeting glimpse of promise.

The 2025/26 campaign has deepened and we now have a clear picture of how things are going. For Liverpool, improvements are needed across the board.

Arne Slot has cut a dismayed figure over the past several months, unable to grasp how his high-flying squad have been grounded so miserably. A run of six defeats from seven in the Premier League before the weekend win over West Ham United has cast doubt over his tenure.

With the January transfer window less than a month away, FSG are attentive to potential opportunities, and it’s no secret that Bournemouth star Antoine Semenyo is at the top of the Merseysiders’ Christmas list.

Liverpool's winter transfer plans

While the thought of activating Semenyo’s £65m release clause next month is tempting, he is not the only talented (and versatile) winger on the market.

And Liverpool are not the only club looking to seal his signature. Semenyo is also on Manchester City and Tottenham Hotspur’s radar, with the latter “intensifying their interest”, according to Sky Sports.

But Liverpool have earmarked a number of potential signings, and Caught Offside have revealed that they have been boosted by Real Madrid’s transfer-listing of rogue winger Rodrygo for around €85m (£75m), whose fortunes at the Santiago Bernabeu have been sour for a while now, and is surely set for an exit in 2026.

Rodrygo has not been in good form for Los Blancos this season or last, but there remains a world-class talent in there, and he could finally reach his potential in a leading role at Liverpool.

Why Liverpool want Rodrygo

Rodrygo is one of the most talented forwards in the world. Rodrygo has also gone 30 La Liga matches without a goal.

It’s clear that he needs to leave Real Madrid and restore his reputation as a “world-class superstar”, as he has been called in the past by former teammate Luka Modric. This is a versatile and multi-faceted forward who has proved himself on the biggest stages time and time again.

Cody Gakpo is a consistent force down the left for Liverpool, but he’s not Sadio Mane, who was one of the best players in the world when in his prime. Now, Slot could land such a player in Rodrygo, who is out of sorts under Xabi Alonso’s wing but still, even at an ebb tide, ranks among the top 14% of positional peers for shot-creating actions, the top 6% for progressive carries and the top 10% for successful take-ons per 90, as per FBref.

The Brazil international hasn’t actually played that much football on the left flank, but that is his preferred position. Right-footed, he is at his most prolific when cutting inside and striking on goal, all the while retaining a creative flair that sets him apart from so many other talented wingers.

Right winger

148

34

31

Left winger

89

23

18

Centre-forward

85

22

8

Attacking midfield

4

–

1

Mane was also a versatile and dynamic forward, devastating in the final third. Now 33 and playing in Saudi Arabia, Liverpool have sorely missed their one-time talisman’s presence, accentuated by the sale of Luis Diaz this summer, who was never quite on his predecessor’s level.

Liverpool’s data analysts are among the finest in the game. They will know to overlook Rodrygo’s woes in recent times and look at the wider picture. For example, he scored only five goals in La Liga last season, but Sofascore show that he missed only one big chance, emphasising the kind of clinical, Mane-like returns Slot would receive.

Big boots to fill, but the South American is one of the most accomplished wingers in the game,

Rodrygo is still young – the same age, in fact, as Mane when the Senegalese completed his move to Merseyside.

The fact he has accomplished so much already is a testament to his quality and will to win. Liverpool could do with a bit of that, and if they bring such a complete and dangerous player to Anfield, it might prove to be the catalyst for sustained change.

He's like Arteta: Liverpool line up "best coach in the PL" to replace Slot

Arne Slot is under intense pressure at Liverpool after a shocking run of form.

2 ByAngus Sinclair Dec 2, 2025

It might not have led to a Premier League title, but Arsène Wenger still had some sensational players in his later years at Arsenal.

The likes of Alexis Sanchez and Aaron Ramsey, for example, became some of the most entertaining players in the league.

However, arguably the best of the lot was Mesut Özil, who sent the fan base into delirium when he joined the club on transfer deadline day in 2013.

The World Cup winner was an artist with the ball at his feet, capable of things most would only dream of, and now, based on reports, it looks like Arsenal could be going after someone who could become Mikel Arteta’s version of Ozil.

Arsenal target their new Ozil

Arsenal went big in the summer window, signing more players than perhaps even the most optimistic of fans would’ve expected.

Transfer Focus

Mega money deals, controversial moves and big-name flops. This is the home of transfer news and opinion across Football FanCast.

However, with a title on the line, the club appear to be in the market for more reinforcements ahead of the winter window, and have been linked to a host of players.

For example, Nottingham Forest’s Murillo has been touted for a £79m move to the Emirates, as has Paris Saint-Germain’s Bradley Barcola.

However, while both players would be excellent additions to Arteta’s squad, neither could really be described as the next Ozil, unlike Arda Güler.

Yes, according to a recent report from Caught Offside, Arsenal are one of several sides interested in signing the Turkish international.

In fact, the report has revealed that the Gunners are now stepping up their pursuit of the 20-year-old, although the likes of Liverpool, Manchester City and Manchester United appear to be doing the same.

In addition to the competition, a potential roadblock for this deal is that, per reports last month, it could cost as much as £88m to get the playmaker out of Real Madrid.

However, while it could be a costly and complicated transfer to get over the line, it’s one Arsenal should fight for, as Güler is an extraordinary talent and could be Arteta’s own Ozil.

Why Güler could be Arsenals new Ozil

Now, while it’s still early in Güler’s career, and it will take some time before he reaches the heights Ozil did, there are still apparent similarities between the pair.

Firstly, were this transfer to happen, then, like the World Cup winner over a decade ago, the young talent would be swapping the white of Real Madrid or the red and white of Arsenal.

Secondly, the 20-year-old is a sensational talent who still has so much room to grow and, like the Gunners’ former star, is someone whose future appears to be more central than out wide.

For example, while he has played on the right and several other positions, attacking midfield is where he has played most of his football and where he has been thriving this season.

Speaking of this season, the Ankara-born wonderkid is proving he is both a goalscoring threat and a creative force for his teammates.

In his 21 appearances, totalling 1365 minutes, the “generational talent”, as described by journalist Dean Jones, has scored three goals and provided seven assists, averaging a goal involvement every 2.1 games, or every 136.5 minutes.

Unsurprisingly, the young dynamo’s underlying numbers also help to justify such labels.

xAG: Exp. Assisted Goals

0.38

Top 1%

Progressive Passes

7.98

Top 1%

Key Passes

3.27

Top 1%

Passes into Final Third

6.49

Top 1%

Live-ball Passes

59.32

Top 1%

Touches

77.43

Top 1%

Pass Completion %

85.3%

Top 2%

Through Balls

0.95

Top 2%

Shot-Creating Actions

6.08

Top 2%

Carries

47.71

Top 3%

Assists

0.41

Top 5%

Tackles Won

1.16

Top 7%

Switches

0.54

Top 8%

Crosses

5.42

Top 9%

Goal-Creating Actions

0.70

Top 10%

According to FBref, he ranks in the top 1% of attacking midfielders and wingers in Europe’s top five leagues for expected assisted goals, progressive passes, key passes, touches and more, all per 90.

Finally, if you still aren’t convinced, just listen to İlkay Gündoğan, who in 2023 made a clear link between the two midfielders.

“If there is a Turkish football player who is similar to Mesut Özil, the first name is Arda Güler. I see his future bright.”

Ultimately, while there is still a long way to go for Güler to reach the level Ozil did at his peak, he is clearly on his way. He was ranked second in the 2025 Golden Boy awards, living up to writer Neal Gardner’s billing that he is “the single best midfield prospect in world football.”

Therefore, Arsenal should do all they can to sign him

Three players could end Odegaard's Arsenal career & none of them are Eze

Arsenal have a trio of incredible talents coming through, but it could be bad news for Martin Odegaard.

ByJack Salveson Holmes 3 days ago

There are challenges ahead for the new ODI captain but he has an abundance of resources and talent to work with

Karthik Krishnaswamy04-Oct-20258:14

Aakash Chopra: Didn’t see Gill’s appointment coming this soon

Which is the greatest team in ODI history?It’s a difficult question, but not because there are too many plausibly “correct” answers. It’s difficult because there are, when you boil it down, just two equally compelling ones: Clive Lloyd’s West Indies and Ricky Ponting’s Australia, both winners of back-to-back World Cup titles, and both of whom won upwards of three times as many ODIs as they lost.Lloyd and Ponting’s respective win-loss ratios of 3.555 and 3.235, in fact, are the best and third-best of all captains to have led ODI teams at least 20 times.Related

Kohli finds rhythm, Rohit shakes off the rust in India's first training session

Will Rohit and Kohli play 2027 World Cup? 'Stay in the present,' says Gambhir

Gill wants 'to look forward and win everything' he can, in every format

Kohli: India ready to take on the world for next eight years

Between formats and futures: Gill's most unprecedented test yet

Best and… third-best? Yes, because Rohit Sharma’s India sit right between them at 3.500, with 42 wins and 12 losses in 56 matches.Rohit’s India didn’t dominate world cricket for anywhere near as long as the other two teams did, and though they achieved a 15-1 record over two global tournaments, they happened to lose that one match on November 19, 2023. But just the fact that they can be discussed alongside the two GOAT teams in ODIs tells you how good Rohit’s India were.Were.We’ll have to get used to speaking of Rohit’s ODI team in simple past tense, because it’s now Shubman Gill’s team. At 26, he is now captain in two international formats, vice-captain in the third, and in every way the face of Indian cricket.Well, almost. Because over the last week or so, the face that has dominated television promos for India’s upcoming ODI series in Australia hasn’t been Gill’s or even Rohit’s but that of Virat Kohli. Even ads for the women’s World Cup have referenced Kohli and the shirt number 18 he shares with Smriti Mandhana.It’s been nearly four years since he captained India in any format, and he’s retired from two of them, but we remain, in some ways, in the era of Virat Kohli. And we remain, in other ways, in the era of Rohit Sharma. And these are cricketing ways too, because Kohli won India matches in inimitably Kohli ways the last time India played ODIs, finishing among the top run-getters in the Champions Trophy, and Rohit won India the final in an inimitably Rohit way.5:49

Agarkar on Kohli-Rohit: ‘Too early to think about 2027 ODI World Cup’

It’s no surprise that Kohli and Rohit are still in India’s ODI squad, even though Ajit Agarkar and his selection panel have made it clear that they are prepared for a future without either. They may not be playing the other two formats, but that’s no reason to leave them out of the one where they have shown little sign of slowing down, and the one in which they are both undisputed all-time greats.India have explosive openers, like Abhishek Sharma and Yashasvi Jaiswal, who could potentially take Rohit’s place; but there’s little evidence as of now that they can do in 50-over games, against two new balls, what they do in T20s against one. India have candidates for the No. 3 role, but can any of them accumulate risk-free runs in pressure situations while still somehow ticking along at a-run-a-ball like Kohli has continued to do into his mid-30s?It’s a tricky time for both, though, because who plays ODIs anymore? Since the start of 2024, India have only played 11, the joint fewest of any team alongside Ireland. India will play nine across the 2025-26 season – three in Australia in October, and then three each against South Africa and New Zealand at home – but nothing, as of now, between January 18 and July 14, which is when they play the first of three ODIs in England.1:19

Chopra: Rohit’s place in the side will now depend on form

Gaps like this are increasingly the norm for most teams. India themselves haven’t played an ODI since the Champions Trophy final on March 9. How are Kohli and Rohit going to handle these gaps, given that ODIs and the IPL are pretty much the only cricket they now play? How keen will they be to play domestic cricket just to keep themselves match-fit and match-sharp? How will they sustain this sort of life for two full years before the next ODI World Cup in Africa in October 2027, when Kohli will be a month away from his 39th birthday and Rohit already 40?And given how intermittently India will play ODIs in the period leading up to that World Cup, they could find themselves juggling two competing desires. They want to make the most of what Rohit and Kohli still have to give; they also want to give other batters a run in the side in case a need arises for someone to step into the outsize shoes of either or both come the World Cup. How do they do both these things at the same time?They could have managed it in, say, the two-year period leading up to the 2011 World Cup. Like they did by resting Sachin Tendulkar frequently in that period, during which he only played 38% of India’s ODIs. But that 38% amounted to 22 matches across which he averaged 66.05. No one plays ODIs at anywhere near that frequency anymore.And because of this, it could be a tricky time for Gill too. He’s already having to navigate being one of a shrinking band of international players who play all three formats. Now, with leadership roles in all three, he may not get too many opportunities to take breaks.3:25

‘Selectors will have to give Gill breaks in cramped schedule’

And as an ODI captain leading a team that may not play the format all that often, he may not have a lot of time between now and October 2027 to formulate and put in place any vision he may have of what a Shubman Gill ODI XI is, and how he wants it to play. And while he figures it out, he’ll have two ex-captains batting either side of him.But as challenging as any of that may sound, this might actually be the best time for a new captain to take over the ODI side. Rohit hands over to Gill a team so dominant they made a place for themselves between Lloyd’s West Indies and Ponting’s Australia. He hands over a team whose last act in ODIs was to win the Champions Trophy without coming close to dropping a game.Above all, he hands over a team of fearsome quality and experience. Even if you take away Rohit and Kohli, Gill has Shreyas Iyer and KL Rahul and Hardik Pandya and Axar Patel and Ravindra Jadeja and Kuldeep Yadav and Jasprit Bumrah and Mohammed Siraj by his side, among other established names, and a seemingly endless list of young players with high ceilings knocking on the door.This, then, is the crux of it, and it’s been the case with India’s ODI team over at least the last three years: they have worries, certainly, but only until they look at the ones other teams are dealing with.

Tanzania will be making their debut in the competition, which will also see Japan featuring in it for the second time

ESPNcricinfo staff19-Nov-2025

Australian had won the previous edition of the tournament in 2024•ICC/Getty Images

The 16th edition of the Men’s Under-19 World Cup is set to take place from January 15 to February 6, 2026. The ICC announced the fixtures for the tournament on Wednesday, with 16 teams participating in the event to be held in Zimbabwe and Namibia.Tanzania will be making their debut in the competition, which will also see Japan featuring in it for the second time after they last played in it in 2020.The 16 teams have been divided into four groups of four teams each. While each team plays the three other sides in its group during the first round of the tournament, the top three ranked teams from each group progress to the Super Six. The top four teams then qualify for the semi-finals on February 3 and 4, which will be held in Bulawayo and Harare, respectively. The final will take place at the Harare Sports Club in Harare.Apart from that venue, the four other grounds that will be hosting the tournament are the Takashinga Sports Club in Harare, the Queens Sports Club in Bulawayo, the recently inaugurated Namibia Cricket Ground in Windhoek, and the HP Oval also in Windhoek. All teams are due to arrive on January 8, before playing warm-up matches from January 9-14, ahead of the tournament proper starting a day later.In 2024, Australia had beaten India in the final to win the previous edition of the Men’s Under-19 World Cup.

Mauricio Pochettino faces plenty of selection posers ahead of the 2026 World Cup, with the USMNT looking to piece together a squad that can be competitive on the grandest of stages. They will need plenty of firepower in order to make that possible, with Brad Friedel discussing a striker pool that includes Folarin Balogun, Haji Wright, Ricardo Pepi and Josh Sargent during an exclusive interview with GOAL.

• Talent pool: Striking options at Pochettino's disposal

  Pochettino has shuffled his pack across a series of friendly fixtures, allowing him to take a look at as many hopefuls as possible. Some of those have staked more serious claims than others, while form and fitness issues also have to be factored into any equation.

  The United States do, however, have a number of proven goalscorers at their disposal. Many of those are plying their trade in Europe – with Balogun and Pepi on the books of French and Dutch giants at Monaco and PSV respectively. Elsewhere, the likes of Wright, Sargent, Daryl Dike and Patrick Agyemang are all turning out in the English Championship.

Advertisement

• Getty
  

  Who will make the USMNT squad for 2026 World Cup?

  Quizzed on whether only one of those will join Balogun and Pepi in Pochettino’s plans, ex-USMNT star Friedel – speaking in association with – told GOAL: “It could be two. When Mauricio came in he knew the players, but he has this incredible ability to say: ‘Show me from now and forward what you can do for me – not what you did two years ago. I know what you did two years ago, I know what you’re capable of, but it’s what’s happening now’.

  “I think he has a depth chart for sure, that’s how he works. None of those names are for sure – who you and I might think are there. We can think Balogun and Pepi might be there, but one of those guys might be really far down the final chart for reasons that we don’t know. I think Balogun is there – that’s my thinking – but I don’t know if Pepi is a certainty. He could be there, he has every chance.

  “Haji Wright’s performances at Coventry have been really good. But when Haji is in, he doesn’t start all the time with Mauricio, so that suggests to me there is something there that he is not fully convinced about.

  “With Mauricio it’s different. You can never just relax. He’s a compassionate man and you can relax around him, but you never really know. I suppose Harry Kane knew at Tottenham. [Lionel] Messi, Neymar and [Kylian] Mbappe probably knew at PSG. I would say that zero players knew at Southampton that they were starting on a day-to-day basis. Your name has to be something quite special to make sure that you are a certainty.”

• Transfer regret: Should Sargent have left Norwich?

  Sargent appeared to have positioned himself towards the front of the queue at one stage, having posted personal bests on the goal front at Norwich, but the Canaries are enduring a tough 2025-26 campaign and their leading marksman has gone 14 games without finding the target.

  The 25-year-old attracted Premier League interest over the summer, but did not push for a move while being tied to a contract at Carrow Road through to 2028. Asked whether Sargent will now be regretting that decision, Friedel said: “Maybe. It might not have been down to him, but I think that would have helped. The more that you can perform at the highest level, the better.

  “Maybe one of the things was that if he went to the Premier League and then didn’t perform as well, then you can see that argument. It may have been out of his hands. I don’t know the full reason why a deal didn’t transpire. Maybe the teams offered him a low contract, thinking that just because it’s a Prem club he will come.

  “Josh knows now the league, the teams and knows where he feels he can play. He could play at a handful of Premier League clubs with his talent. There are a handful that he couldn’t play at, but there are some that he could.”

ENJOYED THIS STORY?

Add GOAL.com as a preferred source on Google to see more of our reporting

• Getty Images Sport
  

  World Cup draw: USMNT to discover group stage opponents

  Sargent is likely to generate more transfer talk in the January window. He will know by then who the USMNT are preparing to face in the group stage of the 2026 World Cup, with that draw set to take place at the Kennedy Center in Washington DC on December 5.