World Cup will have a record 48 teams, and Japan became the first nation excluding the three hosts to secure a spot. Other teams could follow in the current international window. Next year's tournament in the United States,

A serial winner, no one has lifted more Champions League gongs than the godfather himself, Carlo Ancelotti. He's also no stranger to success in the FIFA Club World Cup, having won the tournament with AC Milan in 2007 and twice in his reign at the Bernabeu.

Japan is coming to North America, and maybe Houston. The Blue Samari defeated Bahrain at Saitama Stadium in Saitama, Japan, on Thursday to book the team's spot in the 2026 FIFA World Cup. It is the first country outside of the three host nations — the U.