France have looked unplayable at the 2026 World Cup, brushing aside Senegal, Iraq and Norway in the group stage, before picking apart Sweden in the round of 32.

Les Bleus have scored 13 times in just four matches, and possibly have the best squad depth in the entire tournament. For most people, France are the favourites to lift the trophy, even if they’ve only played one team in the top 20 of FIFA’s rankings.

Lamine Yamal, meanwhile, has watched much of that group stage from the bench, with Spain managing his minutes carefully after a hamstring injury threatened to rule him out of the tournament entirely. Even so, it hasn’t stopped Zlatan Ibrahimovic from declaring him the best player in the world.

But, when Yamal himself was asked who had impressed him most, his answer skipped right past France’s best players.

Vinicius Junior, Lionel Messi and a Surprise Inclusion

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In what might be somewhat of a surprise, despite beginning the World Cup as well as any player, he opted for a Real Madrid star, as well as a Barcelona legend that he likely would have always included. “Vini Jr for sure, then obviously there’s Messi,” he said, putting two of the tournament’s biggest draws at the top of his list.

Neither name will shock anyone, with Vinicius continuing to terrorise defences down the left for Brazil, and Messi still finding moments of magic in what could realistically be his final World Cup.

Both men make up two of the trio of players who scored in all three of their group stage matches, but the third was also part of his picks:

Saibari has a far smaller profile than the two he’d just named alongside him, but he’s already sealed a £47.5 million transfer to European giants Bayern Munich, and his performances at the World Cup have him primed for further success.

Saibari has been a key part of an Atlas Lions side that has impressed plenty of neutrals so far, and for Yamal to put him in the same breath as Vinicius Junior and Messi is a notable show of respect. Even if Yamal’s Moroccan ties might carry some slight bias, it’s been well backed up by the 25-year-old’s finishing.

The Kylian Mbappe and Michael Olise Snub

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What’s more surprising is who didn’t make the cut. Kylian Mbappe has been the standout figure of France’s World Cup campaign, scoring six times and moving clear of Olivier Giroud as his country’s all-time top scorer in the process, as well as overtaking Miroslav Klose for second on the list of all-time World Cup scorers, with the chance for him to overtake Messi for the outright lead if he can finish this tournament with two more goals than him.

Michael Olise has been just as influential on the right flank, registering five assists. Add in contributions from Ousmane Dembele, Bradley Barcola and Desire Doue, and France’s front line is statistically the most productive unit at the entire World Cup by some distance.

For Yamal to overlook both Mbappe and Olise, given the weight of what they’ve produced, suggests it’s not just about who’s topping the stat sheets. Vinicius, Messi and Saibari have all had their own moments of quality this tournament, so it’s less a case of Yamal favouring flair over output, and more that he’s simply picked out three players whose performances have stuck with him.

Iconic former Germany striker Miroslav Klose has been proven wrong after Kylian Mbappe eclipsed his World Cup goalscoring record.

Mbappe is in red-hot form for tournament favourites France, and the Real Madrid forward was at the double in a 3-0 win over Sweden. He took his tally to six goals in four games with two brilliant strikes.

The 27-year-old is now level with Lionel Messi in the goalscoring charts, and the pair are staging a memorable battle for the Golden Boot. His brace against the Swedes also made history as he overtook Klose as the outright second all-time top scorer in World Cup history.

Klose Backed Mbappe to Break World Cup Record

Mbappe has now managed 18 goals in as many World Cup games, putting him second behind Messi in the all-time goalscoring charts. The Argentina legend sits on 19 in 21 games, which includes the six he’s registered during the ongoing tournament.

Klose held the record for the most goals in the competition’s history for 12 years, but he has now moved down to third. The German hero had tipped Messi to break his record this year, while incorrectly predicting that Mbappe would do so at the 2030 World Cup.

The former Bayern Munich striker told Sport BILD: “I’m sure my goal-scoring record at the World Cup will be broken soon. Either Lionel Messi will achieve it at this World Cup, or at the latest Kylian Mbappe will do it at the next one.”

Mbappe has been magic for France, and he’s now chasing Messi in a hotly-contested Golden Boot race. Klose added:

“I’m a huge Messi fan. If it happens, I’d hope it’s him, if he’s still playing. But Mbappé is also an incredible talent. I wish them both good health and the ability to perform.”

Klose won the World Cup with Germany back in 2014, and he is the only player to win four medals, having finished third place in 2006 and 2010 and runner-up in 2002. He made 24 appearances in the tournament during his career, posting 16 goals and four assists.

Mbappe on Chasing Klose’s ‘Surreal’ Record

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Mbappe is participating in just his third World Cup campaign, and he already has a winners’ medal from France’s 2018 title. He lit up that tournament at the age of 19 and is now in his prime eight years later.

The time he’s taken to eclipse Klose’s record is simply astonishing, and he acknowledged this ahead of this year’s competition. He told Olivier Giroud for La Parisien in mid-June:

“Everyone talks to me about Klose’s record. I think it’s the first time in my life that a record has felt unreal. Because to me, it was unthinkable that in a competition every great legend of the game has played in, I’d already be at that level after just two World Cups at the age of 27.”

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Mbappe added: “To imagine being the person who has scored the most goals in the entire history of the World Cup is pretty surreal.”

The France captain insisted his main priority is to win the World Cup and “bring home a third star.” If he and Les Bleus continue as they are, no team will prevent them from becoming world champions.

LeBron James will no longer be a Los Angeles Laker. The 41-year-old has told the franchise he intends to sign elsewhere for the 2026/27 season, just one day after his son, Bronny James, saw his own contract with the Lakers become fully guaranteed.

It is a stunning twist that leaves father and son on separate paths for the first time since Bronny was drafted, and it throws the entire NBA free agency period into pure chaos.

So, where does the four-time champion go next? CanadaCasino have already installed a clear favourite, but there is no shortage of teams dreaming about a late-career run with one of the greatest players the sport has ever produced.

Here are the odds on LeBron’s next franchise, working from the rank outsiders up to the team everyone expects to land him.

LeBron James’ Next Team: Latest Odds

16. Portland Trail Blazers (60/1)

This feels like the longest of long shots, included here more for completeness than expectation. The ‘Blazers had leaned into a youth movement, even before landing Ja Morant in a trade with Memphis, and James joining what most would consider a rebuilding project, aside from the sentimental addition of Damian Lillard, would represent a complete departure from his recent history of chasing championships.

15. Boston Celtics (50/1)

The idea of James in Boston colours has always been pure fantasy given the rivalry the Lakers have shared with the Celtics for multiple decades, but stranger things have happened in NBA free agency. The Celtics would offer a genuine shot at contention if their roster stays largely intact, and James has never been shy about going where he believes he can win. Even so, the history between player and franchise makes this one feel like a non-starter in practice.

14. Denver Nuggets (50/1)

Denver already boasts a genuine superstar in three-time MVP Nikola Jokic, and James linking up with the Serbian to chase one more ring is the kind of romantic, long-odds storyline that gets attached to every big-name free agent. The roster fit makes some sense on paper, with James capable of playing alongside another ball-dominant offensive hub. Realistically, the salary issue and the lack of concrete links make this one a footnote rather than a contender.

13. Houston Rockets (50/1)

LeBron and the Lakers eliminated the Rockets from the playoffs only a few months ago, which makes this pairing an intriguing twist rather than an obvious next step. Houston’s young core has plenty of upside, and James’ mentorship, alongside Kevin Durant, could theoretically accelerate their timeline. Despite this being a solid idea, there’s been nothing concrete around such a move, and it’s hard to see the Rockets being willing to disrupt their development plan for a 41-year-old on a short-term deal.

12. LA Clippers (50/1)

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Staying in Los Angeles without staying with the Lakers would be a fascinating subplot, and the Clippers have shown a willingness to chase star power in the past. Their own roster situation remains in flux, given that Kawhi Leonard has just been traded to the Toronto Raptors, which makes it difficult to know exactly what shape this team will take by the time free agency gets going. Until that picture clears up, the Clippers remain a speculative shot rather than a serious contender.

11. Philadelphia 76ers (50/1)

After seeing star player Joel Embiid miss almost 50% of his games in his career, Philadelphia have had their own injury and roster headaches in recent seasons, and adding a 41-year-old with heavy mileage would be a curious response to those problems. There’s little to suggest the ‘Sixers are actively pursuing James, and his preference for proven title contenders makes a project still searching for full health and continuity an unlikely destination. Once again, this one sits firmly in the realm of speculation rather than true substance.

10. Washington Wizards (50/1)

Washington’s odds owe more to their connection to Anthony Davis than anything else. The 6’10” man has been heavily linked to a trade involving James’ camp, rather than to any direct pursuit of the man himself. The Wizards are deep in a rebuild, as evidenced by their signing of Trae Young and their first overall selection of AJ Dybantsa in this year’s draft. They appear to have shown no appetite for chasing star free agents since.

9. Brooklyn Nets (40/1)

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Brooklyn have been linked to almost every available star over the past few years without ever quite landing one, and James would represent their biggest swing yet. The Nets have salary cap flexibility, but little in the way of a finished roster around it, which makes a title chase a tough sell. Without stronger reporting attaching James to the franchise, this remains a long-shot scenario built on financial logic alone, and one that might actually be priced shorter than it really should be.

8. Milwaukee Bucks (40/1)

The odds of Milwaukee landing James shortened only after their decision to move on from Giannis Antetokounmpo, sending the Greek Freak to Miami. That trade leaves the Bucks searching for a new direction, and James arriving to lead a retooled roster would be one of the more unexpected storylines of the summer. In reality, the Giannis trade only partially eased financial issues in Milwaukee, and likely not the required amount of cap space to lure such a player.

7. Dallas Mavericks (30/1)

Dallas have had to reshape their identity since trading Luka Doncic away, and the Mavericks remain in something of an in-between phase as they work out what their next era looks like. James’ arrival would be an unexpected pivot rather than a natural progression of any existing plan, and there’s an obvious irony in him potentially landing at the franchise that gave up his current Lakers teammate. Concrete links remain thin on the ground, keeping Dallas firmly in outsider territory.

6. Detroit Pistons (30/1)

The Pistons’ rebuild has progressed quickly, and adding a player of James’ calibre would be a significant acceleration of their timeline, albeit temporary given his age. The Pistons have been busy this offseason reshaping their roster, and a marquee free agency splash would fit the ambitious mood around the franchise. Still, there is nothing tying James to Detroit, and a young, rising team may not be the ideal landing spot for a player chasing one final ring.

5. New York Knicks (30/1)

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New York enters this conversation as reigning NBA champions, having swept Cleveland on their way to the Eastern Conference crown before completing the job in the Finals with a 4-1 series victory over the San Antionio Spurs. That success gives them as strong a contending case as almost anyone on this list, even if the idea of James in the Big Apple has circulated for years without ever materialising. The Knicks’ roster construction makes squeezing in another max-calibre piece logistically tricky, but a title-winning core keeps them within shouting distance of a real possibility.

4. San Antonio Spurs (20/1)

San Antonio’s odds are built partly on James’ relationship with Gregg Popovich, one of the most respected figures in the sport, but also on genuine on-court substance. Victor Wembanyama led the Spurs all the way to this season’s Finals, only to fall short against New York, and a roster already proven at that level makes the romantic Popovich reunion story carry a bit more weight, even if Popovic isn’t the coach anymore. It remains speculative, but San Antonio look less like a token long shot than they once did.

3. Miami Heat (10/1)

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After making one seismic move this offseason by trading for Giannis Antetokounmpo, adding James to a Miami Heat roster featuring the Greek forward and Bam Adebayo, would be a genuine title swing. The Heat’s culture and James’ past ties to South Beach add real weight to the speculation, even if the roster around their two stars remains thin. It’s a destination with real logic behind it, even without a confirmed pursuit.

2. Cleveland Cavaliers (3/1)

Cleveland represents the sentimental favourite, with James remaining the franchise’s all-time leader in points, rebounds, assists and steals from his two previous spells there. The Cavs have been linked to a reunion ever since speculation about his Lakers future began. James also fuelled speculation after posting a video on his Instagram story, driving through the streets of his hometown of Akron, captioning it: “ENJOYING A NICE CRUISE THRU MY CITY.” Cleveland’s roster would likely require James to take a significant pay cut to fit financially, as the Cavs are the league’s highest spenders, given that Donovan Mitchell and James Harden are on their books, but the hometown pull remains one of the strongest storylines in this race.

1. Golden State Warriors (1/5)

The Warriors are the overwhelming favourites, and it’s not difficult to see why. Draymond Green’s decision to decline his player option and re-sign on a reduced deal, handed Golden State the financial flexibility to chase both James and possibly trade for Anthony Davis, with the Warriors reportedly eyeing yet another “big four,” built around Stephen Curry, James, Davis and Green. James has spoken before about wanting to play alongside Curry, and with insiders describing Golden State as the league’s most determined external suitor, this is the destination every rival is bracing for.