Hot football news noon 11/6: Vietnam national team receives good news from FIFA, World Cup 2026 heats up before kickoff

Vietnam stays in FIFA's top 100, Manchester United surprises in the transfer window, and the 2026 World Cup along with notable international football developments are grabbing major interest.

Did Vietnam keep its FIFA top 100 spot thanks to Indonesia?

Vietnam national team just received good news on the FIFA rankings, holding on to 99th place in the world. with 1,225.68 points, thereby securing its spot in the top 100 despite not playing any matches during the June FIFA Days. Earlier, many worries arose as Coach Kim Sang-sik's squad remained inactive while rival teams continuously played to accumulate points. However, favorable outcomes from the chasing sides helped Vietnam stay firm.

Notably, Indonesia's 1-0 win over Mozambique was seen as an indirect factor that helped Vietnam avoid being overtaken in the FIFA rankings. Currently, Vietnam is 17th in Asia and second in Southeast Asia, only behind Thailand.

Former Nam Định coach heading to Indonesia, awaiting a reunion with the Nam Định team?

Just a few weeks after parting ways with Nam Định, Coach Mauro Jeronimo is reported to have reached an agreement to take charge of Indonesia's Borneo FC Samarinda.If the deal goes through, the Portuguese tactician will continue his Southeast Asian campaign and have a chance for a fateful reunion with his former club. Notably, Borneo FC is in Group A of the 2026/27 Shopee Cup, where Nam Định could also appear if the V-League representative wins the National Cup. In that case, Mauro Jeronimo would face the very players he once coached. With a modern possession-based philosophy and high-pressing style, the 38-year-old manager is expected to bring a fresh look to Borneo FC in the upcoming season.

Opta predicts the result of the 2026 World Cup opening match?

Before the ball rolls, the supercomputer Opta has made an optimistic forecast for Mexico in the 2026 World Cup opener against South Africa. Based on 10,000 simulations, the CONCACAF representative has a 66.3% chance of winning, while South Africa's upset probability stands at only 14.3%. With the legendary home advantage of the Azteca stadium and an unbeaten record in seven World Cup matches there, Mexico is seen as far superior to the opponent. Coach Javier Aguirre's side is aiming for a perfect start to gain an advantage in the race for top spot in Group A. However, the memory of the 1-1 draw between the two teams on the opening day of the 2010 World Cup serves as a warning that South Africa should not be underestimated.

The coach who created a miracle for Ipswich suddenly resigns.

After a journey that wrote one of the most memorable fairy tales in English football,Coach Kieran McKenna has surprisingly decided to leave Ipswich Town to take a break from coaching. The Northern Irish tactician ends a highly successful tenure with three promotions in four years, including two that brought Ipswich back to the Premier League.

From a League One side, Ipswich under McKenna rose strongly to become a phenomenon in English football. After 222 matches in charge with 105 wins and nearly 400 goals scored, the 40-year-old manager said he wants to spend time with his family after five years of full dedication. McKenna's departure is seen as the end of a memorable era at Portman Road.

Manchester United breaks a 22-year rule for an unexpected goalkeeper?

After securing a Champions League spot under Coach Michael Carrick, Manchester United is planning a squad overhaul and surprisingly targeting Leeds United goalkeeper Karl Darlow.According to British media, Darlow is seen as a backup option for first-choice goalkeeper Senne Lammens, with Altay Bayindir likely to leave Old Trafford.

If he joins Manchester United on a free transfer, Darlow would become the first player to move from Leeds to the Red Devils since Alan Smith in 2004. This is considered a rare transfer between the two rival clubs and could end the "drought" that has lasted more than two decades on the transfer market between Manchester United and Leeds.