For years, Pascal Gross felt like one of football's best-kept secrets. His rise is not the usual football fairytale. It is something rarer.

Manuel Neuer will miss Bayern Munich's German Cup final clash with Stuttgart on Saturday with a calf strain, the latest injury setback for the veteran goalkeeper.

With the start of the 2026 World Cup in North America now barely three weeks away, AFP Sport runs the rule over the leading contenders at the first-ever 48-team finals.

Veteran goalkeeper Manuel Neuer is set for a surprise return to Germany's World Cup squad as the number one option two years after announcing his international retirement, German media reported on Tuesday.

The 2026 World Cup has bucked the trend of international football's struggles to compete with the riches of the club game when it comes to securing some of the world's best coaches.

Here's a look at five of the contenders to become the game's next superstar at this year's finals in the United States, Mexico and Canada.

The 2026 World Cup will be the first to feature 48 teams, with the expansion of the field offering opportunities to several debutants.

Germany forward Serge Gnabry has ruled himself out of the World Cup after tearing a muscle in his right thigh while training with Bayern Munich.

A last-gasp Deniz Undav goal saved Germany's blushes in an unconvincing 2-1 win over Ghana in a friendly in Stuttgart on Monday.

Germany coach Julian Nagelsmann said on Sunday that goalkeeper Marc-Andre Ter Stegen is unlikely to go to the World Cup this summer as he continues his return from injury.

Florian Wirtz starred for Germany with two stunning goals and two assists as Germany edged neighbours Switzerland 4-3 in a breathless friendly in Basel on Friday.

FSE accused FIFA of a "monumental betrayal" in December when tickets were put on general sale ranging from $140 for the cheapest group games to $8,680 for the final.

Jonas Urbig has done wonders to his reputation with consistent performances for Bayern Munich. He has been backed to represent Germany at the FIFA World Cup this summer.

In a chat with NDTV in Stuttgart, Alexander Nubel opened up on his Bayern Munich contract, Germany national team goalkeeping situation and manager Sebastian Honess' brilliance.

Spain and England will face each other in the next edition of the UEFA Nations League following Thursday's draw, which also threw up a clash between France and Italy while Germany and the Netherlands will renew their rivalry.

Manuel Neuer, despite his international retirement, remains the No. 1 goalkeeper in the eyes of many.

World Cup organisers unveiled a new cut-price ticket category on Tuesday after a backlash by fans over pricing for the 2026 tournament in the United States, Canada and Mexico.

The final draw of the FIFA World Cup 2026 will take place on Friday at Washington, DC, the capital of co-hosts USA.