{"id":18798,"date":"2025-12-30T09:27:47","date_gmt":"2025-12-30T09:27:47","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/eplvip.com\/index.php\/2025\/12\/30\/arsenal-and-england-aim-for-the-elusive-trophy-as-cristiano-ronaldo-prepares-to-say-goodbye-what-to-watch-in-football-in-2026\/"},"modified":"2025-12-30T09:27:47","modified_gmt":"2025-12-30T09:27:47","slug":"arsenal-and-england-aim-for-the-elusive-trophy-as-cristiano-ronaldo-prepares-to-say-goodbye-what-to-watch-in-football-in-2026","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/eplvip.com\/index.php\/2025\/12\/30\/arsenal-and-england-aim-for-the-elusive-trophy-as-cristiano-ronaldo-prepares-to-say-goodbye-what-to-watch-in-football-in-2026\/","title":{"rendered":"Arsenal and England aim for the elusive trophy as Cristiano Ronaldo prepares to say goodbye – What to watch in football in 2026"},"content":{"rendered":"
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‘Everything has to be perfect’, Arteta says Arsenal need to reach new heights for PL glory<\/p>\n
Video credit: TNT Sports<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n
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As 2026 arrives, there are many football stories waiting to be written.<\/div>\n
This summer’s FIFA World Cup promises to be one of the richest tournaments in history, bringing together some of the biggest names in sports from the United States, Canada and Mexico.<\/div>\n
Before that, Arsenal, who are crowned domestic champions, will be hoping to repeat their long-standing Premier League title, while Paris Saint-Germain will aim to maintain their crown as Europe’s best team in the UEFA Champions League. <\/div>\n
Live coverage of the Premier League and Champions League will be on TNT Sports and Discovery+.<\/div>\n
Here are some of the big questions that will be answered in 2026.<\/p>\n
Can Arsenal end their 22-year wait for Premier League glory?<\/h2>\n
At the time, it was Thierry Henry, Patrick Vieira and Ashley Cole. Bukayo Saka, William Saliba and Declan Rice are currently the players hoping to lead Arsenal to Premier League glory.<\/p>\n
It’s been a long time coming for Arsenal fans, but an unusual start to the season has filled them with optimism that the trophy could be lifted at the Emirates Stadium in May.<\/p>\n
However, Manchester City, who have been champions in six of the past eight seasons, will be fighting them to the end, with surprise package Aston Villa looking to reverse their disappointing start and challenge for the top spot.<\/div>\n
Wolves, on the other hand, face a huge challenge in maintaining their Premier League status after a shocking run of form with just two points from their first 16 games. They will need to produce something incredibly special under Rob Edwards if they are to avoid relegation.<\/p>\n
You can watch Premier League matches live on TNT Sports and Discovery+.<\/div>\n
Will it be Tuchel’s victory or Ronaldo’s sad farewell?<\/h2>\n
The United States, Canada and Mexico will host the 2026 World Cup in what is expected to be the most glamorous competition ever seen.<\/p>\n
There’s no doubt there will be plenty of spectacle to enjoy off the field, but the action on the field is sure to be even more enjoyable.<\/p>\n
Thomas Tuchel guided England to the tournament with a perfect qualification, while Scotland will play in their first World Cup since 1998, facing Brazil in the group stage.<\/div>\n
Spain are seen as one of the early favorites to win the title after their success at Euro 2024, but Argentina, led by Lionel Messi, will also do well to defend their crown.<\/div>\n
It will probably be Messi’s last tournament, but Cristiano Ronaldo is looking to end his career with Portugal on a high, admitting this will definitely be his last World Cup.<\/div>\n
Arsenal are perfect in Europe, but PSG are meandering<\/h2>\n
6 games. 6th win. It has been a sensational start to the UEFA Champions League for Arsenal, who have conceded just one goal so far.<\/div>\n
Mikel Arteta’s side are top of the league table, with Bayern Munich in second and defending champions Paris Saint-Germain in third.<\/p>\n
The top eight teams will advance directly to the knockout stages, with those ranked 9th to 24th (currently including Liverpool, Barcelona and Borussia Dortmund) qualifying for the play-offs.<\/div>\n
Who is still standing and will finally lift the trophy in Budapest on May 30th?<\/p>\n
TNT Sports and Discovery+ have all the action for you.<\/div>\n
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Highlights: Maduke’s performance as Arsenal beat Brugge<\/p>\n
Video credit: TNT Sports<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n
Can the villa go to Istanbul?<\/h2>\n
The top spot in the UEFA Europa League is very close, with Lyon, Midtjylland and Aston Villa tied on 15 points after six games.<\/div>\n
All are well placed to avoid the play-offs, but Nottingham Forest, currently on 11 points, still have work to do if they are to achieve a top-eight finish.<\/p>\n
Celtic, currently 24th in the table, will be looking to avoid early elimination, while Rangers have only managed one point so far and are almost eliminated.<\/p>\n
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Highlights: Tielemans winner, Villa win over Basel<\/p>\n
Video credit: TNT Sports<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n
Can champions Palace avoid an upset in the cup?<\/h2>\n
Crystal Palace go into the next part of the season with Conference League issues in mind, as well as the small matter of defending their FA Cup title.<\/div>\n
After overwhelming Manchester City in last season’s final, Oliver Glasner’s side will face non-league side Macclesfield, who are bottom of the competition, in the third round.<\/div>\n
Elsewhere, Arsenal face Portsmouth, Liverpool host Barnsley and Grimsby face non-league side Weston-super-Mare.<\/p>\n
Live coverage of the FA Cup Third Round will be available on TNT Sports and Discovery+.<\/div>\n
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“Magic in the Cup!” – McCoist in stitches after slippery corner accident<\/p>\n
Video credit: TNT Sports<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n
Can Bompastor help Chelsea win their seventh FA Cup?<\/h2>\n
Women’s FA Cup holders Chelsea have dominated the competition in recent seasons, winning four of the past five seasons.<\/p>\n
In the previous tournament, they defeated Manchester United 3-0 in the final and achieved the domestic treble.<\/p>\n
They will start their bid to remain in the league with a home draw against Crystal Palace on Matchday 4.<\/p>\n
Last season’s defeated finalists United will face Burnley, Manchester City will face Bournemouth and Arsenal will face Aston Villa at home.<\/p>\n
Watch the Women’s FA Cup on TNT Sports and Discovery+.<\/div>\n
Will Newcastle be able to win back-to-back titles?<\/h2>\n
Newcastle’s passionate fan base has long been waiting to celebrate a big trophy, and last season they partied hard as the club achieved their first domestic success in 70 years, beating Liverpool 2-1 to win the Carabao Cup.<\/div>\n
They have made a good fist of retaining the trophy so far and will face Manchester City in the two-legged semi-final.<\/p>\n
Eddie Howe’s side beat Bradford, Spurs and Fulham to reach the last four.<\/p>\n
The other semi-final will be between London rivals Arsenal and Chelsea.<\/p>\n
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