Key Talking Points Ahead of PSG vs Arsenal Champions League Final

The match ball is on display prior to a press conference, in Budapest, Hungary, 29 May 2026. (EPA)
The match ball is on display prior to a press conference, in Budapest, Hungary, 29 May 2026. (EPA)
TT

Key Talking Points Ahead of PSG vs Arsenal Champions League Final

The match ball is on display prior to a press conference, in Budapest, Hungary, 29 May 2026. (EPA)
The match ball is on display prior to a press conference, in Budapest, Hungary, 29 May 2026. (EPA)

Champions League holders Paris Saint-Germain face Arsenal in Saturday's final in Budapest aiming to defend their crown.

The Gunners have never won the trophy but after clinching the Premier League title for the first time in 22 years Mikel Arteta's side believe they can dethrone the French champions.

AFP Sport looks at five key talking points ahead of the clash at the Puskas Arena.

Arsenal's set-piece threat

This season Arteta's team have sometimes struggled to create from open play, but they have produced incredible danger from dead ball situations.

Arsenal's physical players cause havoc at corners, particularly center-back Gabriel Magalhaes, and they will look to put PSG goalkeeper Matvey Safonov under heavy pressure, perhaps their weakest link.

Set piece coach Nicolas Jover is considered the best in the business and nearly 40 percent of Arsenal's goals in their run to the Premier League title came from dead ball situations.

"People may say that they don't score team goals, but who cares about that?" said PSG coach Luis Enrique, acknowledging Arsenal's effective tactics. "Ask any Arsenal fan and I'm sure they're delighted."

PSG's strong left flank

Arsenal are boosted by Jurrien Timber's return to fitness after a groin injury, particularly given the biggest problem for Arteta to solve is how to handle PSG's left flank.

Winger Khvicha Kvaratskhelia has arguably been the competition's best player, scoring 10 goals for the French side, and behind him at left-back Nuno Mendes is a dynamic force going forward.

Arteta must decide whether to put Timber straight into the line-up after two-and-a-half months out, or if he will deploy center-back Cristhian Mosquera on the right.

Declan Rice has also been used there in Timber's absence but the midfielder will be vital in the center of the pitch up against PSG's Vitinha.

Mileage check

Many of Arsenal's likely starting line-up in the final have played over 3,000 minutes each this season across all competitions, with Declan Rice, William Saliba, Gabriel, Martin Zubimendi and David Raya hitting 4,000.

Arteta has stayed faithful to a core of players and insisted his team should not use fatigue as an "excuse".

"That's the context and that's the scenario, and we have to embrace it and especially enjoy the opportunity," said the Spanish coach last month, in the thick of the title race.

By contrast, Luis Enrique has been able to rotate and rest many of his first choice players in Ligue 1 as PSG claimed their 12th title in the last 14 years.

Only Willian Pacho, Vitinha and Warren Zaire-Emery have more than 3,000 minutes banked this season.

"Rest is also an integral part of preparation, especially when we're playing matches like these," said Luis Enrique before the final.

PSG did compete at the Club World Cup last summer though, increasing the need for the Asturian coach to balance his players' game-time.

Clean sheet machine

The statistics of both sides lead many to imagine the final will turn out to be a question of whether the "unstoppable force" of PSG can break down Arsenal's "immovable object".

Arsenal have conceded just six goals in the tournament, staying unbeaten, and goalkeeper David Raya has nine clean sheets, matching the all-time record.

In front of him Gabriel and William Saliba form a formidable center-back pairing for Ballon d'Or winner Ousmane Dembele to try and break through, amply supported by Khvicha Kvaratskhelia and Desire Doue.

PSG have scored 44 goals in the tournament, one short of the record of 45 set by Barcelona in the 1999-2000 campaign.

A Luis Enrique surprise

PSG outgunned Bayern Munich with a thrilling 5-4 victory in the first leg of the semi-final clash, leaving the world licking their lips and waiting for more entertainment from the second leg.

However, wily coach Luis Enrique changed his gameplan considerably and PSG played far more conservatively in Munich, securing a 1-1 draw to reach the final.

Always keen to spring a surprise on his opponents, Luis Enrique said the Ligue 1 champions would adapt their game to face Arsenal.

"We'll have to adapt to play and defend in a different way compared to what we usually do if we want to get the better of them," said Luis Enrique.

Goalkeeper Safonov blasted the ball off the pitch several times, as a strategy to congest the areas around dangerous Bayern Munich winger Michael Olise.

"We have analyzed everything they do in every phase," said Arteta.

"We've prepared the possible scenarios. We try to understand the purpose behind what they do and what they want to achieve."



‘Heat Dome’ Threatens Sweltering Conditions for World Cup Fans, Players

 Ivory Coast goalkeeper Alban Lafont runs his hands through water from a sprinkler as he participates in a training session in Dallas, Monday, June 29, 2026, ahead of the team's World Cup soccer match against Norway. (AP)
Ivory Coast goalkeeper Alban Lafont runs his hands through water from a sprinkler as he participates in a training session in Dallas, Monday, June 29, 2026, ahead of the team's World Cup soccer match against Norway. (AP)
TT

‘Heat Dome’ Threatens Sweltering Conditions for World Cup Fans, Players

 Ivory Coast goalkeeper Alban Lafont runs his hands through water from a sprinkler as he participates in a training session in Dallas, Monday, June 29, 2026, ahead of the team's World Cup soccer match against Norway. (AP)
Ivory Coast goalkeeper Alban Lafont runs his hands through water from a sprinkler as he participates in a training session in Dallas, Monday, June 29, 2026, ahead of the team's World Cup soccer match against Norway. (AP)

Extreme heat will greet fans and ‌players this week at the World Cup, as an imposing "heat dome" settles over the central and eastern United States - plus parts of Canada - as the knockout rounds progress.

The weather phenomenon known as a "heat dome" - a large area of high pressure that traps heat and humidity - could lead to dangerously high temperatures, with heat indices set to hit 105 to 115 degrees Fahrenheit in parts of the Midwest and East Coast, according to the US National Weather Service.

Those conditions are set to extend through the Fourth of July holiday weekend in the US, which is celebrating its 250th anniversary, with matches from Toronto to Kansas City to East Rutherford, New Jersey and Philadelphia all feeling the heat.

"Even after the sun goes down, it's still going to be ‌very hot," said ‌AccuWeather Senior Meteorologist Alan Reppert. "We're at a pattern that's really going ‌to ⁠be hot during ⁠the good portion of the afternoon and even into the evening hours."

Reppert projects that New York, which will welcome fans for a Round of 16 match in nearby New Jersey on July 5, will see temperatures reach their highest levels since 2013. He added that even matches played in the evening could be affected.

"The sun will be down," he said. "That will help make things better, but it's still going to be hot."

HYDRATION BREAKS FEATURE AT TOURNAMENT

The conditions have the potential ⁠to reignite the issue of player safety and welfare that came ‌up a year ago during the Club World Cup, ‌which was held in the US, when FIFPRO said the scorching weather should serve as a "wake-up call."

FIFA ‌instituted mandatory three-minute hydration breaks in each half in every match for the World ‌Cup this year, a measure that supporters say benefits player welfare, but critics argue disrupts the flow of play at the tournament.

World soccer's governing body did not immediately respond to a request for comment on any additional measures that could be taken for player or fan safety during the expected period of ‌intense heat.

Toronto, which will host a Round of 32 match between Portugal and Croatia on Thursday, put its "Heat Relief Strategy" into effect ⁠after Environment and ⁠Climate Change Canada issued a heat warning that runs from Tuesday through Friday.

Three of the stadiums hosting matches under the umbrella of the heat dome - Atlanta, Dallas and Houston - have retractable roofs and air conditioning, offering significant relief.

But even the stroll to the modern home of the Dallas Cowboys can feel more like a firewalk, with the concrete-and-asphalt-laden Texas city built for cars and primed to absorb heat.

Alina Mitina, an emergency department physician for Hackensack University Medical Center in New Jersey, said fans should seek out shade as much as possible and watch out for telltale signs of heat-related illness, including dizziness.

"Shady areas will really save lives in these types of situations," said Mitina. "So as long as there's lots of shade and areas to buy water, I think they're going to be in really good shape."


Lebanon’s Brazil Fans Celebrate a World Cup Round of 32 Win

Supporters of Brazil's national team celebrate, after Brazil defeated Japan in a Round of 32 soccer match at the FIFA World Cup, in Zgharta, northern Lebanon, Monday, June 29, 2026. (AP)
Supporters of Brazil's national team celebrate, after Brazil defeated Japan in a Round of 32 soccer match at the FIFA World Cup, in Zgharta, northern Lebanon, Monday, June 29, 2026. (AP)
TT

Lebanon’s Brazil Fans Celebrate a World Cup Round of 32 Win

Supporters of Brazil's national team celebrate, after Brazil defeated Japan in a Round of 32 soccer match at the FIFA World Cup, in Zgharta, northern Lebanon, Monday, June 29, 2026. (AP)
Supporters of Brazil's national team celebrate, after Brazil defeated Japan in a Round of 32 soccer match at the FIFA World Cup, in Zgharta, northern Lebanon, Monday, June 29, 2026. (AP)

In the northern Lebanese town of Zgharta, Brazilian flags hung from balconies and stone alleyways as families prepared for Brazil’s Round of 32 FIFA World Cup match against Japan.

Children wearing yellow jerseys played football in the streets, while cafés and public squares filled with supporters draped in green and yellow, reflecting a passion for Brazil that stretches across Lebanon.

The connection between the two countries runs deep. Government estimates say between 7 million and 10 million Brazilians have Lebanese ancestry, more than Lebanon’s population of about 6 million.

Those family and cultural ties, shaped by over a century of migration, have helped make Brazil one of the most widely supported national football teams across Lebanon.

Children wearing Brazil jerseys carry a Brazilian flag and a soccer ball as they head with their family to watch the Round of 32 match between Brazil and Japan at the FIFA World Cup, in Zgharta, northern Lebanon, Monday, June 29, 2026. (AP)

For many Lebanese fans, Brazil’s attacking style of play, flair and history of producing legendary players have also inspired generations of supporters, passing that passion from parents to their children.

As kickoff approached, drums echoed through the streets and fans gathered around screens to cheer every attack.

“Today we had to work a bit for the win, but I was sure we were going to win,” said Brazil supporter Bagus Fadlallah. “We’re Brazil, and we’ll show everyone what Brazil is really made of.”

After Brazil’s victory, supporters in villages and cities across Lebanon took to the streets, waving Brazilian flags, beating drums and celebrating a team many Lebanese have supported for generations.


‘We Came from Nothing’: DR Congo Dreams of England World Cup Upset

 Congo's Yoane Wissa (20) celebrates scoring their third goal during the World Cup Group K soccer match between DR Congo and Uzbekistan in Atlanta, Saturday, June 27, 2026. (AP)
Congo's Yoane Wissa (20) celebrates scoring their third goal during the World Cup Group K soccer match between DR Congo and Uzbekistan in Atlanta, Saturday, June 27, 2026. (AP)
TT

‘We Came from Nothing’: DR Congo Dreams of England World Cup Upset

 Congo's Yoane Wissa (20) celebrates scoring their third goal during the World Cup Group K soccer match between DR Congo and Uzbekistan in Atlanta, Saturday, June 27, 2026. (AP)
Congo's Yoane Wissa (20) celebrates scoring their third goal during the World Cup Group K soccer match between DR Congo and Uzbekistan in Atlanta, Saturday, June 27, 2026. (AP)

DR Congo's long road to a first World Cup in 52 years has been beset by challenges that their English opponents in the last 32 on Wednesday could scarcely imagine.

Despite having to navigate 13 qualifiers, a pre-tournament quarantine due to an Ebola outbreak and the instability caused by decades of conflict, the war-torn nation is making its mark on the global stage.

"It's not easy in our country," said Yoane Wissa after his two goals secured his nation's first World Cup win against Uzbekistan and a meeting against England, where the Newcastle striker has played his club football for the past five years.

That is by no means the only English connection in the squad.

Aaron Wan-Bissaka was born in London and played for England to under-21 level.

Axel Tuanzebe also represented the Three Lions at youth level and could come up against his former schoolmate and teammate Marcus Rashford in Atlanta.

Of the 26-man squad, 20 were born outside of Congo -- the majority, like Wissa, in France.

The battle for the mineral-rich East Congo has sparked a decades-long conflict between a litany of armed groups and forced families to flee, seeking security in Europe.

"There's a war in East Congo. Every day, every time we wear this shirt, we think about them," added Wissa.

"Because we want peace and for them, I just say 'thank you'. Thank you because we came from far. We came from nothing to be here. Now we write our story with a black pen and we need to be proud."

The roots of an inspiring story on the field come from that tragic backdrop.

Sourcing and recruiting dual-national players has become crucial for smaller nations to punch above their weight in international football.

- 'New generation wants to help' -

Wan-Bissaka was one of those who initially needed some convincing.

Signed by Manchester United for £50 million ($66 million) when just 21, DR Congo swooped when the England career he imagined he would have failed to materialize.

But as the Leopards' star has risen, players are becoming increasingly keen to join the Congolese cause.

Noah Sadiki represented Belgium at youth level and would almost certainly now be a mainstay for the Red Devils had the Sunderland midfielder not switched allegiance.

"There is a new generation that wants to help the people of the country," Sadiki told French sports paper L'Equipe.

Competing as Zaire in 1974, the country's only previous World Cup ended in embarrassment with 14 goals conceded in three defeats.

Over half a century on, Congo's new generation have given a nation reason to dream.

The outbreak of Ebola that has claimed more than 300 lives had had an impact on the team's World Cup preparations.

The United States imposed a 21-day isolation period on players in Belgium before they were allowed to enter.

Their most famous fan Michel Nkuka Mboladinga -- known for his statue-like pose honoring the country's first prime minister Patrice Lumumba -- was denied entry to the US.

But the team led by Sebastien Desabre, a Frenchman, has defied the odds.

Congo eliminated African powerhouses Cameroon and Nigeria in qualifying before sealing their place with victory over Jamaica in an inter-continental play-off in March.

Desabre's men then thwarted Cristiano Ronaldo's Portugal as Wissa's header secured a 1-1 draw in their opening World Cup game.

A narrow 1-0 defeat to Colombia meant they had to beat Uzbekistan to reach the knockout stages for the first time.

Roared on by thousands from the Congolese diaspora in the stands, Wissa was the hero once more in a 3-1 win.

The challenge of England, one of the favorites for the competition, awaits.

But Congo are unlikely to be overawed given the hurdles they have scaled to get to this stage.