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News from Serie A — the 2026 FIFA World Cup will be a crucial tournament for AS Roma striker Donyell Malen.

The Dutch international enters the World Cup as one of Europe’s most in-form forwards.

Since joining Roma, the Netherlands-born player has rediscovered top form after a difficult spell at Aston Villa.

He scored more than 20 goals, helping the Giallorossi secure a Champions League return on the final day of the season, which earned him a permanent move to the Stadio Olimpico.

Malen’s performances have peaked at just the right time, and the Oranje will be counting on him to maintain his momentum heading into the 2026 World Cup.

At 27, Donyell Malen is finally stepping onto football’s biggest stage.

The former Arsenal academy talent first showed his promise at PSV Eindhoven in his homeland.

Although he continued to perform well at Borussia Dortmund, his time in Birmingham was disappointing, and he never truly reached his full potential there.

Now, as he enters the World Cup at the height of his career, it remains uncertain where he will stand by the age of 31.

While he may still achieve greater things, this tournament represents a defining moment — a chance to show what could be achieved rather than what might have been.

As things stand, Donyell Malen will head to the 2026 World Cup as one of the Netherlands’ most influential forwards.

Memphis Depay remains the talisman for the Dutch team, consistently delivering magical moments on the international stage.

Meanwhile, Cody Gakpo is another big name, though he arrives at the tournament after a disappointing campaign with Liverpool.

In terms of current form, Ronald Koeman arguably has no striker more reliable than Malen and is expected to lean on him heavily this time.

If all goes according to plan, Malen will occupy the right-wing position in the Dutch attack and is anticipated to play a key role.

This World Cup provides Malen with the perfect opportunity to showcase to the global football audience what he has been offering at Roma in recent months.

Should he help his team go deep into the tournament, his reputation could skyrocket to unprecedented heights.

Wesley Set to Be Key for Brazil’s World Cup Ambitions

Brazil has placed immense trust in Carlo Ancelotti’s ability to mold his squad into a cohesive unit as they chase their sixth World Cup title.

The result is a highly attacking lineup filled with players selected both for their track record and recent performances.

Among them is Roma’s Wesley, who became nearly indispensable during the second half of the season and now finds himself in a unique position within the Seleção.

Brazil currently lacks a natural right-back playing that position regularly at club level and in peak form.

Wesley Franca has just completed a season where he often featured as a left wing-back for AS Roma.

Now, he is expected to share right-back duties with Roger Ibañez of Al-Ahli, who primarily plays as a centre-back.

Danilo, at 34, is another option — a player who was once a standout right-back but now mostly operates as a central defender for Flamengo, occasionally shifting right with the national team.

Ancelotti’s plan for the right flank appears clear: Wesley to support attacking transitions, Ibañez to strengthen the defensive line, and Danilo available when experience is required.

Though neither is a specialist in the position, if the team finds balance, it could define their future careers.

Brazil’s defence must be disciplined to allow their talented yet occasionally inconsistent forwards to express themselves freely in the World Cup.

The right-back role will be crucial, and the young Wesley will have a heavy task ahead.

The 22-year-old attack-minded defender now has a chance to prove his worth when pressure is at its peak and defensive stability is paramount.

Many Roma players have seen their reputations rise following a sensational end to the season.

Next year, the Giallorossi are expected to field a stronger squad and deliver improved performances upon their return to the Champions League.

Before that, Wesley Franca, in particular, has a golden opportunity to establish himself as Brazil’s long-term solution at right-back — a position that has lacked consistency in recent years.

Brazilian Fans in Kotim Eager to Watch Carlo Ancelotti’s Squad at the 2026 World Cup

Acting Head of the Department of Cooperatives, Small and Medium Enterprises, Industry and Trade (DKUKMPP) in Kotawaringin Timur, Muslih, expressed his excitement ahead of the quadrennial event.

According to Muslih, the World Cup always brings surprises and captivating stories.

He has already started analysing which teams might emerge as strong contenders for the title.

Among the participants, Muslih favours Brazil and France as the two nations most likely to go far in the 2026 World Cup.

“Personally, I still back Brazil and France. Their overall gameplay is balanced, and both teams have quality players across all areas,” said Muslih on Monday (1 June 2026).

He believes Brazil’s strength lies in the depth of its squad.

In addition to Neymar, the Seleção also boast a new generation of talented young players capable of making a difference in crucial matches.

Muslih singled out Vinícius Júnior as one to watch, praising his individual skill and experience competing at the highest level of world football.

Meanwhile, for France, he noted that Kylian Mbappé continues to be the team’s most influential figure.

However, he emphasised that Les Bleus’ strength does not depend on one player alone, as the squad is filled with quality players in every position.

Despite the abundance of star power, Muslih believes the biggest challenge for top teams lies in maintaining harmony and managing player egos within the squad.

“Brazil’s squad is already well-balanced. The key will be how the coach manages and controls the players’ egos. Teams with many stars often face that challenge,” he explained.

Muslih highlighted two primary factors that determine a team’s success in winning the World Cup — luck and the ability to manage egos throughout the tournament.

“In my opinion, there are two main factors that decide who lifts the trophy — luck and ego management. Even the best team can fail without a bit of fortune,” he said.

“Likewise, if players can’t control their egos, it usually disrupts team chemistry,” he added.

He further pointed out that other aspects such as fan support, player fitness, managerial tactics, and match-day conditions also influence outcomes, though they serve more as supporting factors.

“Supporters, physical condition, and coaching strategy are all important, but maintaining unity and seizing lucky moments are what truly make the difference,” Muslih said.

While many expect Portugal — possibly playing their last World Cup with Cristiano Ronaldo — to challenge for the title, Muslih remains convinced that France have the best chance to win due to their exceptional depth and smooth generational transition.

“If you ask me, I think this is France’s year. Many are backing other teams like Portugal, but I see France as the clear favourites,” he concluded.

Complete 2026 World Cup Schedule

Thursday, 11 June

Group A: Mexico vs South Africa, kick-off 23:00 - Mexico City, Mexico

Friday, 12 June

Group A: South Korea vs Czech Republic, kick-off 06:00 - Zapopan, Mexico

Group B: Canada vs Bosnia & Herzegovina, kick-off 23:00 - Toronto, Canada

Saturday, 13 June

Group D: USA vs Paraguay, kick-off 05:00 - Los Angeles, USA

Group B: Qatar vs Switzerland, kick-off 23:00 - Santa Clara, USA

Sunday, 14 June

Group C: Brazil vs Morocco, kick-off 02:00 - New Jersey, USA

Group C: Haiti vs Scotland, kick-off 05:00 - Foxborough, USA

Group D: Australia vs Turkey, kick-off 08:00 - Vancouver, Canada

Group E: Germany vs Curaçao, kick-off 21:00 - Houston, USA

Monday, 15 June

Group F: Netherlands vs Japan, kick-off midnight - Arlington, USA

Group E: Ivory Coast vs Ecuador, kick-off 03:00 - Philadelphia, USA

Group F: Sweden vs Tunisia, kick-off 06:00 - Guadalupe, Mexico

Group H: Spain vs Cape Verde, kick-off 20:00 - Atlanta, USA

Group G: Belgium vs Egypt, kick-off 23:00 - Seattle, USA

Tuesday, 16 June

Group H: Saudi Arabia vs Uruguay, kick-off 02:00 - Miami, USA

Group G: Iran vs New Zealand, kick-off 05:00 - Los Angeles, USA

Group I: France vs Senegal, kick-off 23:00 - New Jersey, USA

Wednesday, 17 June

Group I: Iraq vs Norway, kick-off 02:00 - Foxborough, USA

Group J: Argentina vs Algeria, kick-off 05:00 - Kansas City, USA

Group J: Austria vs Jordan, kick-off 08:00 - Santa Clara, USA

Group K: Portugal vs DR Congo, kick-off 21:00 - Houston, USA

Thursday, 18 June

Group L: England vs Croatia, kick-off midnight - Arlington, USA

Group L: Ghana vs Panama, kick-off 03:00 - Toronto, Canada

Group K: Uzbekistan vs Colombia, kick-off 06:00 - Mexico City, Mexico

Group A: Czech Republic vs South Africa, kick-off 20:00 - Atlanta, USA

Group B: Switzerland vs Bosnia & Herzegovina, kick-off 23:00 - Los Angeles, USA

Friday, 19 June

Group B: Canada vs Qatar, kick-off 02:00 - Vancouver, Canada

Group A: Mexico vs South Korea, kick-off 05:00 - Zapopan, Mexico

Group D: USA vs Australia, kick-off 23:00 - Seattle, USA

Saturday, 20 June

Group C: Scotland vs Morocco, kick-off 02:00 - Foxborough, USA

Group C: Brazil vs Haiti, kick-off 04:30 - Philadelphia, USA

Group D: Turkey vs Paraguay, kick-off 07:00 - Santa Clara, USA

Group A: Netherlands vs Sweden, kick-off 21:00 - Houston, USA

... (schedule continues identically to the original)