- 2d ago
Messi's last World Cup chance meets Yamal's first as Argentina and Spain contest 2026 final
Argentina and Spain meet in New York on Sunday for the 2026 World Cup final, pitting Lionel Messi, 39, against 19-year-old Lamine Yamal, the Barcelona prodigy he once bathed as a baby for a UNICEF calendar.
- 5d ago
Norway's Alexander Sørloth and partner receive death threats after missed World Cup quarter-final chance against England
Norwegian striker Alexander Sørloth and his partner Lena Selnes have been targeted with death threats and abuse online after Norway's 2-1 World Cup quarter-final defeat to England. Selnes shared screenshots on Instagram, drawing condemnation from coach Ståle Solbakken, who urged his players to stay off social media.
- Jul 11
468 Peruvian babies named Haaland as Norway striker's World Cup heroics spark naming frenzy
The Norwegian striker's seven-goal World Cup run has inspired parents across the Andean nation, with 91 children given the full name Erling Haaland and four registered as Erling Braut Haaland.
- Jul 10
Unbeaten Spain puts 609-minute shutout on line against Belgium in World Cup quarterfinal
Spain, yet to concede a goal in the tournament, faces a Belgian side that dispatched the United States 4-1. The winner meets France in the semifinals.
- Jul 9
Jorge Jesus named Portugal head coach, signs contract through 2030 World Cup
Jorge Jesus has signed a four-year contract to become the new head coach of the Portugal national team, succeeding Roberto Martínez after the team's World Cup round-of-16 exit. The 71-year-old will be presented on Friday, the 10th anniversary of Portugal's Euro 2016 triumph.
- Jul 8
Portugal moves to appoint Jorge Jesus as new coach after World Cup elimination
FPF president Pedro Proença confirms profile for new coach is defined and expects to announce Jorge Jesus by Monday following Roberto Martínez's departure after round of 16 exit.
- Jul 7
FIFA refereeing chief rejects Egypt's claims of bias in Argentina's World Cup comeback win
FIFA refereeing chief Pierluigi Collina dismissed allegations of favouritism after Egypt's 3-2 loss to Argentina, saying match officials acted with complete independence, while Egypt demanded the referee's exclusion from the World Cup.
- Jul 7
Spain knocks out Portugal with 90th-minute Merino goal, ending Ronaldo's World Cup career; Balogun starts for USA amid FIFA controversy
A late strike by substitute Mikel Merino sent Spain into the World Cup quarter-finals with a 1-0 win over Portugal in Dallas, while Cristiano Ronaldo's international tournament career likely ended. Hours later, the USA faced Belgium in Seattle with Folarin Balogun in the starting lineup after FIFA reversed his suspension following a call from President Trump.
- Jul 6
Spain beats Portugal 1-0: Merino's late goal sends La Roja to quarterfinals, ends Ronaldo's World Cup
Spain edged Portugal 1-0 in the World Cup round of 16 in Dallas, with Mikel Merino's 91st-minute goal securing a quarterfinal spot and ending Cristiano Ronaldo's tournament career.
- Jul 6
Portugal's PM faces backlash for World Cup trip to Dallas as country stays on wildfire alert
Prime Minister Luís Montenegro travelled to Dallas for Portugal's round of 16 match against Spain, missing the opening of his party's parliamentary days and drawing sharp criticism as mainland Portugal remains under a state of alert due to wildfires.
- Jul 6
Spain beat Portugal with 91st-minute goal as Ronaldo exits final World Cup
Mikel Merino struck in the 91st minute as Spain beat Portugal 1-0 in Arlington to reach the World Cup quarter-finals, ending Cristiano Ronaldo's sixth and final tournament.
- Jul 6
Portugal and Spain meet in World Cup last 16 as Ronaldo faces Yamal's rising Spain
Cristiano Ronaldo's Portugal take on Lamine Yamal's Spain in a heavyweight round-of-16 clash at the 2026 World Cup in Arlington, Texas, with one title contender set to exit early.
- Jul 5
Belgium routs USA 4-1, players mock Trump with dance after red card controversy
Belgium defeated the United States 4-1 in the World Cup round of 16, then celebrated with a parody of Donald Trump's dance, mocking the president's intervention that allowed US striker Folarin Balogun to play despite a red card.
- Jul 5
Morocco eliminates co-host Canada 3-0 to reach World Cup quarterfinals, extending unbeaten run to 34 games
Azzedine Ounahi scored twice as Morocco defeated Canada 3-0 at NRG Stadium in Houston, becoming the first team to reach the 2026 World Cup quarterfinals and ending the co-hosts' historic campaign.
- Jul 5
Spain's defensive wall stands firm: Unai Simón sets World Cup record ahead of Portugal clash
Spain reaches the World Cup quarter-finals without conceding a goal, with goalkeeper Unai Simón surpassing Walter Zenga's 34-year-old record for minutes without conceding.
- Jul 4
Cristiano Ronaldo invites Venezuelan earthquake survivor to a match after boy's sticker wish goes viral
After a boy who lost his family and a leg in Venezuela's double earthquake wished for a Panini sticker of his idol, Cristiano Ronaldo sent a video message inviting him to a match.
- Jul 4
Switzerland ends 88-year knockout drought, faces Colombia in World Cup last 16
Switzerland ended an 88-year wait for a World Cup knockout win by beating Algeria 2-0, and will now face Colombia in the round of 16 on Tuesday in Vancouver.
- Jul 4
Jhon Arias fires Colombia past Ghana 1-0 and into World Cup last-16 clash with Switzerland
An early Jhon Arias goal and resilient defending carried Colombia to a 1-0 win over Ghana on Friday, clinching the last Round-of-16 berth at the 2026 World Cup. Los Cafeteros will face Switzerland in Vancouver on 7 July.
- Jul 4
USMNT's World Cup dream crushed by Belgium 4-1 after red card scandal and political firestorm
A 4-1 loss to Belgium ended the host's run, but it was the overturning of Folarin Balogun's suspension after Trump's petition that turned a knockout match into a diplomatic incident.
- Jul 3
A hair-trigger offside from a chip in the ball sends Portugal past Croatia and into a storm of controversy
Croatia were seconds from extra time when Josko Gvardiol turned the ball home in the 103rd minute, but a chip inside the ball detected a brush against Igor Matanović's hair and the VAR chalked it off. Portugal won 2-1 in Toronto, sparking fury from players, coaches and Croatia's most famous supporter.
