Erling Haaland scored the winning goal as Norway beat Ivory Coast 2-1 to reach the World Cup knockout stage for the first time. The striker's goal, his fifth of the tournament, secured a historic victory for Norway, who now face Brazil next.
Germany's legendary World Cup penalty shootout record ended Monday as they lost to Paraguay 4-3 on penalties in Boston after a 1-1 draw. This was their first shootout defeat since 1976, breaking a streak of six consecutive wins.
The World Cup group stage match between Norway and France features a high combined market value, with focus on Erling Haaland and Kylian Mbappé. Despite contrasting styles, both forwards have delivered similar output in top leagues, though Mbappé has a longer international career and is favored for the upcoming game.
Lionel Messi, at 39, breaks the World Cup all-time scoring record with 18 goals, leading Argentina to a 2-0 win over Austria, despite initially missing a penalty.
Lionel Messi broke the World Cup all-time scoring record with his 17th goal against Austria, a match where he also missed a penalty. He later scored his 18th, capping a remarkable career resurgence that has seen him lead Argentina to multiple major titles since reversing his 2016 international retirement.
Morocco has achieved a historic milestone by extending their unbeaten run to 39 international football matches, surpassing Italy and Argentina's previous records. The Atlas Lions' success is attributed to their disciplined defense, tactical structure, and collective effort, solidifying their status as genuine contenders.
Chess champion Magnus Carlsen expressed hope that Norway's return to the World Cup after 28 years will become a regular occurrence, calling it "the new normal" for the national team. Carlsen, attending championships in Hong Kong, reminisced about his childhood dreams of Norway being a consistent football force.
Netherlands secured a commanding 5-1 victory over Sweden, with Brian Brobbey and Cody Gakpo scoring twice. Germany narrowly defeated Ivory Coast 2-1 thanks to a late goal. Japan also secured a 4-0 win against Tunisia.
The 2026 World Cup in the USA is a tournament of stark contrasts, from the volume of matches and the quality of stadiums to the varying levels of local engagement with football amidst other popular sports. Despite logistical challenges and mixed public interest, the event showcases the scale and cultural diversity of the host nation.
Germany's veteran goalkeeper Manuel Neuer has announced his retirement from international football following the 2026 FIFA World Cup. The 40-year-old cited physical and mental burdens as reasons for his decision, concluding a distinguished career that includes a 2014 World Cup triumph.
The St George's Cross flag, once a symbol of English national pride, now evokes mixed feelings due to its association with far-right groups and protests. While some see it as a unifying symbol for events like the World Cup, others find it intimidating and exclusionary, highlighting a complex debate about English identity.
Gary Lineker holds the record for the highest proportion of a country's World Cup goals (85.71% in 1986). The article also explores players with more international honors than club trophies and traces the lineage of "unofficial world champions" in football.
Cristiano Ronaldo's sixth World Cup begins Wednesday against the DRC in Houston. Portugal boasts a strong squad, but questions linger about Ronaldo's influence and fitness. FIFA's decision to lift his ban ensures a high-profile spectacle.
Olivier Giroud reflects on N'Golo Kante's enduring impact on the French national team, highlighting his crucial role, infectious energy, and positive influence on teammates, even as he plays outside top European leagues.
Tim Ream became the oldest USMNT player at a World Cup and the first to benefit from the 'mistaken identity' rule change, where a yellow card was overturned and issued to an opponent for simulation.
England needs to avoid defeat against world champions Spain in Mallorca on Friday to qualify automatically for the Women's World Cup in Brazil 2027. The match is a repeat of the 2023 World Cup final, and a draw would be sufficient for England, but a Spanish victory could complicate qualification.
Pep Guardiola, departing Manchester City coach, has left open the possibility of managing England in the future, stating he has no definite plans beyond a planned rest. He will take an ambassadorial role for the City Football Group.
Germany coach Julian Nagelsmann has announced his 26-man squad for the 2026 World Cup, headlined by the surprising return of veteran goalkeeper Manuel Neuer. Teenager Lennart Karl also makes the cut.
Major League Soccer is exploring the possibility of reintroducing a stopped clock system, similar to those used in basketball and American football, in an effort to combat gamesmanship and improve fan understanding. The league has held preliminary discussions with the International Football Association Board (IFAB) about potential trials.
Striker Ross Stewart returns to the Scotland squad for the World Cup after a four-year international absence, earning his place with strong form for Southampton. Goalkeeper Craig Gordon (43) and young midfielder Findlay Curtis (19) also make the cut.
Uefa has decided against introducing automatic red cards for players who cover their mouths when confronting opponents or leave the pitch in protest at refereeing decisions. The new rules, approved by Ifab last month at Fifa’s prompting and set to take effect on 1 June, will apply at the World Cup but not in Uefa club competitions.
VAR will rule on corners and second yellows at World CupPGMO fears change will put more pressure on officialsThe Premier League is to reject widening the scope of VAR next season after talks with the refereeing body Professional Game Match Officials (PGMO). Under a regulation change approved by the International Football Association Board (Ifab) in February, the video assistant referee will be permitted to rule on the award of corners and second yellow cards from next month, with referees to use the powers at the World Cup after a request from Fifa.Ifab has made the new law discretionary, however, allowing leagues and competitions to decide whether to adopt it. The Premier League’s final decision will be made by the clubs at their annual general meeting next month, but PGMO has advised against extending the use of VAR. Continue reading...
Luis Suarez says he "would never say no" to a return to international football if Uruguay needed him for the World Cup.
FIFA has approved a landmark rule change allowing the Afghan women’s team, now competing as Afghan Women United, to return to international football despite being in exile since the Taliban takeover in 2021. The decision removes the need for approval from Afghanistan’s ruling federation, restoring their pathway to competition and marking a major step for displaced athletes in global sport.
