Sports
8 Sets of Siblings Will Be at the 2026 World Cup
The 2026 World Cup will see eight sets of brothers competing, but they aren’t all representing the same nation as their siblings.
This year’s 48-team tournament is the biggest in the competition’s history, meaning even more countries are given the opportunity to perform on the biggest stage. That also means the number of players showcased in the United States, Canada and Mexico has increased massively.
However, it’s still a surprise to see as many as eight sets of siblings make it to world football’s biggest competition. It’s even more mind-blowing to learn that four of them play for a different country to their brothers.
2026 World Cup Brothers on the Same Side
Some of the more famous brother duos to play at World Cup finals include the Ayews (Jordan and Andre) and the Hazards (Eden and Thorgan). The former both participated for Ghana, while the latter pair appeared as Belgium players.
Following that trend are Arsenal’s Jurrien Timber and his brother, Quinten. The versatile duo are both part of Ronald Koeman’s Netherlands squad. They’ll be delighted to hear they’ve even been predicted to win the whole competition.
Lucas and Theo Hernandez are in the unique position that they are actually competing with each other for the same position in France’s starting XI. The defenders are both left-footed and will hope to be the left-back for Didier Deschamps this summer.
Elsewhere, Laros Duarte and Deroy Duarte are both heading to the competition as Cape Verde make their first-ever World Cup appearance. Likewise, Leandro and Juninho Bacuna are playing for Curacao, with the latter captaining his country.
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Brothers Playing For the Same Nations (2026 World Cup) |
|
|---|---|
|
Players |
Nation |
|
Jurrien and Quinten Timber |
Netherlands |
|
Lucas and Theo Hernandez |
France |
|
Laros and Deroy Duarte |
Cape Verde |
|
Leandro and Juninho Bacuna |
Curacao |
Siblings Competing Against Each Other
The most high-profile set of relatives on opposing sides this summer are the Williams brothers. Nico was a key part of Spain’s Euro 2024 success and is part of Luis de la Fuente’s squad once again. His older brother, meanwhile, will face England as part of Ghana’s hopeful unit.
Desire Doue got firsthand experience of what could happen if his France side come up against Ivory Coast and his sibling, Guela, this summer. In a pre-tournament friendly, the Strasbourg full-back scored and registered an assist as the Africans defeated Les Bleus.
Sunderland striker Brian Brobbey was called up to the Netherlands squad after an impressive debut season in England. His brother, Derrick Luckassen, is a centre-back for Ghana.
The Souttars are heading to the competition. Both are central defenders and are expected to have starting roles for their respective nations. Harry will represent Australia, while John plays for Steven Clarke’s Scotland.
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Brothers Playing For Different Nations (2026 World Cup) |
|
|---|---|
|
Player |
Nation |
|
Inaki Williams |
Ghana |
|
Nico Williams |
Spain |
|
Desire Doue |
France |
|
Guela Doue |
Ivory Coast |
|
Brian Brobbey |
Netherlands |
|
Derrick Luckassen Brobbey |
Ghana |
|
Harry Souttar |
Australia |
|
John Souttar |
Scotland |
Sports
Tottenham Eyeing Evan Ndicka as Van Hecke Bid Rejected
Tottenham have had a busy start to the summer transfer window, and their early business doesn’t look like stopping any time soon.
The Lilywhites have already confirmed the signing of left-back Andy Robertson from Liverpool and are expected to announce the capture of centre-back Marcos Senesi from Bournemouth imminently, with both deals free transfers.
Spurs desperately need a strong summer after narrowly avoiding relegation from the Premier League last season and back-to-back 17th place finishes in the English top-flight.
Reinforcements in defence appears to be the priority for Roberto De Zerbi at this moment in time, and the Italian is reportedly seeking another defender after the additions of Robertson and Senesi.
Brighton CEO Confirms Tottenham Have Made Second Bid for Jan Paul Van Hecke
Tottenham are pushing for the defender.
Tottenham in the race for Roma defender
According to Transferfeed, Tottenham are showing interest in Roma defender Evan Ndicka, alongside Inter Milan and Marseille, after an impressive season in Serie A. Additionally, the centre-back is reportedly being valued at around 35 million euros (£30.2m).
The six-foot-four defender played 42 times for Roma last term as Gian Piero Gasperini’s team finished third in the Italian top-flight, qualifying for the Champions League.
Following his arrival in Italy from Frankfurt in 2023, Ndicka has become one of the best centre-backs in Serie A, earning praise from former bosses Jose Mourinho and Claudio Ranieri, with the latter labelling the Frenchman as a “warrior”.
It is no surprise that De Zerbi has been quick to bring in two experienced defenders this early into the summer after Tottenham’s woeful defensive record last season. Only the three relegated clubs conceded more goals in the Premier League than their 57.
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England World Cup Quiz
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Tottenham Need Ndicka
In Ndicka, Spurs would be signing a defender whose stock is continuously rising, but is still “underrated” according to European football expert Andy Brassell.
There is no doubt that, should the price tag prove to be in the region of 35 million euros, Tottenham would be able to afford the Frenchman. However, the lack of European football could hold them back in their pursuit.
Both Inter and Marseille are also reportedly showing interest in the 26-year-old and will be competing in the Champions League and Europa League respectively next campaign, while Spurs won’t have European football to offer. Roma will also play in Europe’s elite competition.
Tottenham need further additions in defence but they may have to look elsewhere if Ndicka’s priority is to continue competing in European competition next season.
Sports
Pep Guardiola Called Phil Foden a ‘Diamond’ Before World Cup Snub
Across his career, Pep Guardiola has worked with some brilliant players. The likes of Lionel Messi, Xavi, Andres Iniesta, Robert Lewandowski, Philipp Lahm, Sergio Aguero, and Kevin De Bruyne all spring to mind.
As he has spent the last decade in the Premier League as manager of Manchester City, the Catalan coach has also spent time with some fantastic British talent. For example – after the pair won six league titles, the Champions League, two FA Cups and the League Cup on four occasions together – he dubbed Kyle Walker as ‘one of the greatest’ defenders of all time.
Just a matter of months ago, he called another Three Lions star an ‘incredible diamond’. Despite that glowing endorsement, that man in question has not been called up for the 2026 World Cup squad.
Guardiola Praised ‘Most Talented’ English Player
Phil Foden was one of the hottest prospects in the Man City academy when Guardiola took over, and the iconic manager quickly noticed that. Indeed, speaking in 2017, he said of the then-teenager: “Phil is the most, most, most talented player I have ever seen in my career as a manager. He has everything to become one of the best players.”
Fast-forward to December 2025, and Foden was pushing for a spot in the England squad amid a good run of form. He’d been featured in Tuchel’s team for November’s World Cup qualifying wins over Serbia and Albania, and Guardiola was singing the players’ praises.
He claimed he was ‘incredible’ and a ‘diamond’ after Foden stole headlines with a goal and an assist against Sunderland. Guardiola said:
“Phil is incredible. He is scoring a lot of goals. He came to me after the game and said he didn’t feel well today and look what happened how he runs, in behind, regain the ball.
“When he is in this momentum and this mood, he is a gift and a diamond. He is top.”
At the time, Foden had scored five goals in his last three games and it looked as though he would be on his way to the World Cup that summer. However, the rest of the season did not go to plan.
Non-Football Reason Thomas Tuchel Dropped Foden & Palmer From England World Cup Squad
Phil Foden and Cole Palmer were both overlooked by Thomas Tuchel.
Foden Failed to Land a Spot in England’s 2026 World Cup Squad
Speaking less than a month earlier in November, Guardiola urged Foden to prove he is good enough for England’s 2026 World Cup squad. He said: “England is so lucky to have a mountain of good players – so in this position, there are a lot, and that’s why Phil has to push himself to be better and better.
“He has to say: ‘OK, I’m going to show how good I am.’ Thomas knows perfectly how good Phil is and I’m sure he will do the best for your country.”
But after that flurry of form in the winter, Foden’s levels dropped off. He didn’t score a single goal for the club in the entirety of 2026, and picked up just three assists in that time as well, as City lost out on the league title to rivals Arsenal.
Such poor form meant few were surprised when Tuchel snubbed the 26-year-old from his England squad. Indeed, Foden has not added to his 49 England caps (four goals and 10 assists) since he failed to impress in two March friendlies against Uruguay and Japan, which England drew and then lost.
There is no doubt that Foden and Guardiola enjoyed many brilliant years together, with the midfielder instrumental to some of those six Premier League titles. However, his form over the past few seasons has been worrying.
With the Catalan coach now leaving the Etihad, it will be interesting to see what becomes of one of his most talented former players.
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Sports
Nurse Reveals Heartbreaking Details of WWE Legend’s Final Hours
Newly released police documents have laid bare the final moments of WWE icon Hulk Hogan, with home health care workers revealing the wrestling star was in ‘rough’ shape in the days leading up to his death. The legendary Superstar passed away last July at the age of 71.
While the news came as a shock to the wrestling world, those in close contact with the real-life Terry Bollea knew the truth about his health struggles.
To the world, he was the indestructible face of Hulkamania and Bollea never wanted that to change. Though he was fighting multiple health issues, ‘The Hulkster’ never spoke publicly about them, preferring that people remember the superhero larger than life, not the frail man whose health was in constant crisis.
The sad reality of the final hours of Hogan’s life were revealed in a comprehensive 72-page investigative brief compiled by the Clearwater Police Department.
Hulk Hogan’s Secret Health Battles Confirmed in New Report
The report noted that Hogan was battling a number of serious health problems, including chronic lymphocytic leukemia and atrial fibrillation. The grappler’s wellbeing had declined to such a point that he was frequently checked in on by a nursing team.
On the final day of his life, nurses observed that the former WWE champion, who had been renowned for his verbal abilities in his prime, was “a little mumbly” when he first woke up.
However, Hogan was able to get up and eat a light breakfast of yoghurt and fresh berries while speaking with his care team. Shortly after the meal, Hulk’s occupational therapist, Justin McCamey, went to check on the Hall of Famer’s vital signs to find that he had stopped breathing.
The quiet of the Clearwater neighbourhood in which Hogan resided was soon broken by the sound of emergency sirens as paramedics went into action responding to a high priority cardiac arrest dispatch. Despite the desperate, aggressive intervention of first responders on scene, standard resuscitation protocols failed. The cultural phenomenon that defined a whole era of professional wrestling was pronounced dead shortly after arriving at a local medical facility.
Nurse Makes Tragic Admission About Hulk Hogan’s Passing
In a particularly sad passage of the report, it was revealed that the care team around Hogan weren’t shocked by his passing.
“He’s in bad shape,” McCamey told a responding officer in the frantic moments after the emergency call. Reflecting the quiet inevitability of the wrestling titan’s declining health in his final months, she stated:
“We knew it was going to be happening.”
Confirming that no foul play was suspected of contributing to Hogan’s passing, investigators confirmed that the Superstar had passed away as a result of natural causes, following a cardiac arrest.
“Following an exhaustive review of the statements, medical records, surveillance footage from within the residence, and a visual inspection of Mr. Bollea’s body, there has been no evidence to indicate the death of Terry Bollea was anything other than natural,” investigators wrote.
The report concluded: “Through the course of the investigation, there has been no evidence to indicate any criminal wrongdoing related to his death.”
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