The Daily Express

Image source, Daily Express

Let's get into today's back pages.

The future of Liverpool's Trent Alexander-Arnold remains the hot topic of the day, with the Daily Express using the headline "Real close in on Trent deal."

They also look at Manchester United centre-back Harry Maguire being left out of the England squad due to form and comments from Three Lions captain Harry Kane on scheduling concerns.

We will look at greater detail on all of today's big stories throughout the morning.

For now, let's look through Wednesday's back pages.

Here is a list of teams to have so far qualified for the 2026 World Cup - held in the United States, Mexico, and Canada:

• United States - hosts of the tournament
• Mexico - hosts of the tournament
• Canada - hosts of the tournament
• Japan - AFC qualifying third round
• New Zealand - Oceania champions

• Argentina - CONMEBOL qualifying
• Iran - AFC qualifying

Image source, Getty Images

In the last 24 hours Argentina, Iran and New Zealand have qualified for the 2026 World Cup.

Argentina have become the first South American side to qualify for the World Cup after Bolivia's draw against Uruguay confirmed their spot at the 2026 World Cup.

Iran qualified for the World Cup after their 2-2 draw againstUzbekistan.

Chris Wood's New Zealand will be heading to the World Cup next year for just the third time after they beatNew Caledonia 3-0.

Image source, Getty Images

Players are not "listened to" over their scheduling concerns, says England captain Harry Kane.

The next international window takes place between 2-10 June following the conclusion of the Premier League season on 25 May and the Champions League final on 31 May.

Kane's Bayern Munich are also set to be involved in the new expanded Fifa Club World Cup from 15 June to 13 July, which means the striker could go without a substantial break this summer.

The 31-year-old, however, intends to play as much as possible in search of silverware.

"I don't think the players are listened to that much, if I'm totally honest," he said. "But also everyone wants their piece, their tournament, their prize, and the players are kind of the people who have to get on with it.

"But it is what it is. I love playing football, so I'm never going to complain about playing football.

"I think if you manage it well, with your coaches and your manager and your clubs, there are ways of getting more rest in certain moments.

"But it's not an easy question, it's not an easy situation. I think there could be a balance from both sides, but we'd have to see how that pans out."

We want to hear your thoughts throughout the day.

Whether they are on Wales, Northern Ireland, Trent Alexander-Arnold or anything else in the world of football, do get in touch!

Have your say using all of the usual channels.

Image source, Getty Images

Real Madrid are in talks over finalising the signing of Liverpool full-back Trent Alexander-Arnold on a free transfer this summer.

Discussions over the protracted transfer are ongoing as the Spanish side look to secure the England international before the start of next season.

Multiple sources close to the negotiations have told BBC Sport that while a deal is still to be fully agreed, work towards completing the transfer is reaching the closing stages - though nothing has been signed yet.

Alexander-Arnold is in the final three months of his contract at Liverpool and is free to discuss a move abroad.

Real have made the 26-year-old a priority target this summer with sources close to the situation saying the Spanish club have been tracking the player for close to two years.

Alexander-Arnold has spent his entire career at Anfield, coming through the academy to make more than 300 appearances for the club.

He has won every major trophy while playing for Liverpool and is the club's vice-captain.

Andy Gray
BBC Sport NI in Stockholm

Image source, Getty Images

Newcastle United forward Alexander Isak scored one goal and assisted another as Sweden thrashed a youthful Northern Ireland in a friendly in Stockholm.

Isak set up Emil Holm for the hosts' opener from close range in the seventh minute, before Benjamin Nygren added a second midway through the first half.

Northern Ireland improved after the restart but Sweden scored a third when Ken Sema slammed the ball home after Nygren's flicked effort hit the post.

Isak added his name to the scoresheet when he fired an effort into the top corner from 25 yards, and substitute Anthony Elanga added a fifth at the back post.

It was a harsh lesson for a Northern Ireland side missing several key players, with the average age of Michael O'Neill's starting team just 22.6 years old - the joint-second youngest for the country since 1946.

They grabbed a consolation goal in the closing stages when Isaac Price's effort from the edge of the area was deflected into the top corner, and attentions will now turn to June's double header before the start of World Cup qualifying in September.

Dafydd Pritchard
BBC Sport Wales in Skopje

Wales snatched a dramatic World Cup qualifying draw in North Macedonia after a chaotic finale in which the visitors had fallen behind in added time before David Brooks' scrambled equaliser with virtually the last kick of the game.

The match looked to be drifting towards a goalless draw at 90 minutes, but a sloppy backpass from Wales substitute Joe Allen allowed Bojan Miovski to scamper clear and calmly finish to spark wild celebrations in Skopje.

Then as the visitors desperately hurled bodies forward in an attempt to salvage something from a game they should already have won, Kieffer Moore headed the ball down for fellow substitute Brooks to finish from close range.

Welsh players and staff streamed on to the pitch in celebration, a bizarre sight in many respects as only moments earlier they had seemed frustrated by the prospect of leaving Skopje with only one point.

But in these circumstances, this was a spectacular way to maintain their unbeaten start to World Cup qualifying - and Craig Bellamy's unbeaten start as head coach.

North Macedonia remain top of Group J, ahead of Wales on goal difference, with top seeds Belgium yet to play because their Nations League commitments.

Hello and welcome to Wednesday's football news live page. We hope you are well.

The final matches of this month's international break took place on Tuesday, including Wales' draw with North Macdeonia and defeat for Northern Ireland in Sweden.

Trent Alexander-Arnold's Liverpool future remains a hot topic, with the right-back currently in talks with Real Madrid over a potential summer move.

Throughout the day, we will talk about all of that and plenty more as we bring you the latest football news.