- 5d ago
Liam Gallagher calls World Cup halftime show 'a bad trip' as Shakira's 'Dai Dai' tops global charts
Oasis frontman Liam Gallagher likened the first-ever World Cup final halftime show to 'a bad trip,' while Shakira and Burna Boy's official anthem 'Dai Dai' held No. 1 on Billboard's global charts.
- 5d ago
Spain wins 2026 World Cup 1-0 over Argentina as Trump-Sánchez handshake and halftime concert dominate the narrative
Spain defeated Argentina 1-0 after extra time at MetLife Stadium, with Donald Trump and Pedro Sánchez sharing an awkward handshake and a first-ever halftime concert dividing opinion.
- 5d ago
UEFA president Ceferin boycotts World Cup final after FIFA reverses Balogun ban following Trump call
The UEFA president stayed away after FIFA suspended the automatic suspension for US striker Folarin Balogun, a decision that followed a phone call from President Trump. Spain beat Argentina 1-0 in extra time.
- 6d ago
Madonna, Shakira, Bieber and a Trump photo op: the World Cup final halftime show that broke football tradition
A 30-minute halftime spectacle featuring Madonna, Shakira, and Justin Bieber, combined with Donald Trump's on-field photo op and a pre-match intervention in a player suspension, turned the 2026 World Cup final into a flashpoint over American influence on football.
- 6d ago
FIFA's first World Cup final halftime show runs 27 minutes, draws mixed reactions for Madonna, Bieber and BTS
The FIFA World Cup final between Spain and Argentina featured the tournament's first halftime show, a Super Bowl-style production at MetLife Stadium that ran more than 27 minutes and generated over $100 million for education programmes.
- 6d ago
Madonna, Shakira, BTS and Justin Bieber star in World Cup's first halftime show as Spain beats Argentina
The FIFA World Cup final between Spain and Argentina at New Jersey's MetLife Stadium featured the tournament's first-ever halftime show, with performances by Madonna, Shakira, BTS and Justin Bieber.
- 6d ago
Madonna, BTS and Shakira star in first World Cup final halftime show as extended break draws fire
The first halftime show in World Cup final history featured Madonna, BTS, Shakira and Justin Bieber at New Jersey's MetLife Stadium, stretching the break to over 27 minutes and drawing sharp criticism from players and purists.
- 6d ago
World Cup final halftime show stretches to 27 minutes as Madonna, Bieber, Shakira perform
FIFA's first-ever World Cup final halftime show featured Madonna, Justin Bieber, BTS and Shakira, but the break lasted 27 minutes and 20 seconds, violating football's 15-minute rule and drawing criticism from former players.
- Jul 19
Spain clinches second World Cup with 1-0 extra-time win over Argentina, FIFA probes final's mass brawl
Ferran Torres scored an extra-time winner as Spain defeated 10-man Argentina 1-0 in New Jersey, a match that ended in a brawl sparking a FIFA disciplinary investigation.
- Jul 12
BTS returns to Germany after seven years with sold-out Munich concert
The Korean pop septet kicked off its two-night stand at the 75,000-capacity Allianz Arena, the group's only German dates on the 'Arirang' tour, after a four-year military-service hiatus.
- Jul 10
Mbappé scores eighth World Cup goal as France beats Morocco 2-0 in quarterfinal
Kylian Mbappé's curling strike and Ousmane Dembélé's solo effort secured a 2-0 victory for France over Morocco in the World Cup quarterfinal at a sweltering Boston Stadium.
- Jul 9
Shakira's assistant crawls behind her during live TV interview, then the singer teases a blockbuster Madrid residency
Shakira's video call with David Broncano's La Revuelta was upstaged when her assistant Diana crept behind her on all fours, sparking laughter in the studio and a viral moment.
- Jul 8
Justin Bieber and Burna Boy join Madonna, Shakira and BTS for first World Cup final halftime show
FIFA announces Justin Bieber and Burna Boy as the final performers for the inaugural World Cup final halftime show on July 19 at MetLife Stadium, joining Madonna, Shakira and BTS in an 11-minute spectacle supporting global education.
- Jul 3
Cape Verde push Argentina to the brink before exiting World Cup in extra time
The tournament debutants held the reigning champions to a 3-2 thriller after extra time, having drawn with Spain and Uruguay in the group stage.
- Jul 2
FIFA investigates Argentina players' Falklands banner after World Cup semi-final win over England
Argentina's 2-1 comeback victory over England in Atlanta was overshadowed by a political banner reading 'Las Malvinas son argentinas', prompting UK calls for sanctions and a FIFA disciplinary review.
- Jun 22
Lionel Messi becomes World Cup's all-time top scorer with 18 goals as Argentina beat Austria 2-0 to reach last 32
The Argentine captain scored twice against Austria to surpass Miroslav Klose and Marta, becoming the leading scorer in men's and overall World Cup history, while Argentina sealed a place in the last 32.
- Jun 13
Italian TV confuses Bill Gates for the deceased Steve Jobs during World Cup broadcast, igniting viral mockery
An Italian public broadcaster's newscast committed a viral blunder by listing the late Steve Jobs among celebrities at the 2026 FIFA World Cup, confusing him with Bill Gates and prompting widespread ridicule online.
- Jun 12
Real Madrid close in on free-agent Bernardo Silva as Mourinho drives late move
Bernardo Silva is set to join Real Madrid on a free transfer after his Manchester City exit, with newly appointed coach José Mourinho key to hijacking rival interest from Barcelona and Atlético Madrid.
- Jun 12
Shakira and Burna Boy open 2026 World Cup in Mexico City as Azteca ceremony kicks off tournament
A rapid-fire Latin American music showcase at Mexico City's Azteca Stadium launched the 2026 men's football World Cup, the first of three ceremonies planned across the host nations.
- Jun 12
Mexico beats South Africa 2-0 in chaotic World Cup opener marred by three red cards
Co-hosts Mexico launched the 2026 World Cup with a 2-0 win over South Africa at the Azteca Stadium, but three red cards and empty seats in Guadalajara overshadowed the festivities.
