The 23rd FIFA World Cup, to be staged across the Americas from June 11 to July 19, has once again ignited excitement across the globe. India, despite its national football team languishing at 139th in the FIFA rankings, has been swept up in the tournament's magic.
The 2026 FIFA World Cup, co-hosted by the United States, Mexico, and Canada, is set to be football's largest tournament but will unfold against a backdrop of significant geopolitical tensions, including conflicts, strained alliances, and complex immigration policies, challenging its traditional role as a symbol of global unity.
The 2026 FIFA World Cup final sees Argentina, led by Lionel Messi, take on a strong Spanish unit featuring teenage star Lamine Yamal, with Messi aiming for back-to-back titles at a venue holding past painful memories.
FIFA President Gianni Infantino is facing a deepening crisis after his proposal to sell a stake in the World Cup was abandoned, leading to public distancing from influential executives and calls for his removal from office.
England defender Dan Burn, 34, has emerged as an unlikely hero at the World Cup, making crucial clearances and blocks in high-pressure matches against Mexico and Norway, defying a career path that saw him released by Newcastle as a boy and playing in lower divisions.
Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath on Monday accused the Samajwadi Party of allowing the ancestral house of eminent hockey player KD Singh 'Babu' in Barabanki to go on sale, asserting that his government intervened to prevent it.
Thousands of Colombian football fans transformed Mexico City into a vibrant yellow sea, celebrating their national team's 3-1 victory over Uzbekistan in their World Cup opener. The city's streets and restaurants buzzed with supporters enjoying Colombian food, music, and a strong cultural connection, making the Estadio Azteca feel like a home venue for the victorious team.
Julian Quinones continued his remarkable FIFA World Cup campaign with his third goal as Mexico defeated Ecuador to reach the last 16, ending a 40-year knockout drought and inspiring fresh belief among the home fans.
Balogun scored and celebrated in style before a VAR review turned his night around for the worse, as he was sent off for a foul. Even with 10 men, the United States stayed disciplined and beat Bosnia 2-0. Malik Tillman sealed the win with a free-kick goal. The result sends the U.S. into the last 16 against Belgium. Balogun is suspended for that match.
Despite initial challenges like unsold tickets and a rained-out fan festival, visitors are flocking to Toronto for the first-ever World Cup soccer match in Canada. Fans are drawn by factors such as lower drinking age compared to the US, cultural similarities, and Canada's diverse immigrant population, creating a unique and determined atmosphere for the tournament.
Carlos Ancelotti's Brazil commence their 2026 FIFA World Cup campaign against plucky Morocco, who come into the mega event on the back of some pre-tournament turbulence.
High costs, visa hurdles, and logistics for the World Cup are deterring fans, leading to a disappointing boost for US hotels, airlines, and the travel industry.
Global pop stars Shakira, Madonna and Korean sensation BTS will headline the first-ever halftime show at the 2026 FIFA World Cup final with proceeds going towards a global education initiative.
Japan staged a remarkable second-half comeback to defeat five-times world champions Brazil 3-2 in a friendly at a sold-out Tokyo Stadium on Tuesday.
Ichhapur tea-seller Shib Shankar Patra is one of two diehard fans handpicked for a special meet-and-greet with Argentine superstar Lionel Messi.
Spain secured their place at the 2026 World Cup after a nervy 2-2 draw with Turkey in Seville on Tuesday.
PSG beat Seattle to reach knockout stage at Club World Cup
The goal gave Argentina all three points and condemned their neighbors to a losing start to their Copa campaign.
Scaloni did not say what the injury was but he showered Messi with praise on a night Argentines took to the streets in huge numbers to celebrate their first international title 11 in 28 years and Messi's first victory with the national side.
He has won a Copa America, 11 league titles, four Champions League titles, three Club World Cups and three UEFA Super Cups. Now he has the most coveted one of all.
South America's top football competition kicked off on Thursday amid fireworks and razzmatazz.
Copa America kicks off in Chile on Thursday as a widening US-led investigation lifts the lid on rampant corruption among the sport's top officials.
Troubled twins, dangerous cults, portent dreams, telepathic kids, World War III, yakuza clans... Sukanya Verma lists the many options on OTT this week.
The president of Chile's ANFP national football association Sergio Jadue has resigned from his post and gone to the United States to talk to the FBI about corruption at football governing body FIFA, local media reported on Wednesday.
Locals and Argentinian fans started fighting during the playing of the national anthems prompting the Brazilian police to charge the visiting contingent.
News of all that's transpired on and off the football field
Roberto Firmino scored twice and Marquinhos and Philippe Coutinho also got goals as Brazil hammered Bolivia 5-0 in their opening World Cup qualifier in Sao Paulo on Friday.
Indian fans wait for Messi's '2011 Tendulkar moment'
Salvadorian businessman approached the players with financial inducements before they travelled to Canada for the match at the weekend.
Eight years is a long time in the life of an athlete. But just like Messi, Di Maria has preserved and persisted towards his childhood dream, points out Deepti Patwardhan.
... And what explains the directions of change? asks Ajit Balakrishnan.
News of all that's transpired on and off the football field.
A plane carrying 72 people, including football players from Brazil, has reportedly crashed in Colombia. Authorities are responding to an emergency after an airplane with 72 people on board has crashed on its way to Medellin's international airport.
News of all that's transpired on and off the football field
Ghana had always been expected to struggle at this World Cup after an unconvincing qualifying campaign in which a Nigerian goalkeeping howler saw them win a fortunate place in Qatar.
The match marks just the second time, and first in 35 years, that El Clasico will be played outside Spain.
Ronaldo got involved in ball kid duties while watching world number one Novak Djokovic's opening match against John Isner of America as the tennis ball bounced into the stands near the first row where he was sitting.
Lionel Messi does not need a Copa America win to feel like the king of the world. He captured that crown a long ago, says Dhruv Munjal.
Ratul Narain -- the entrepreneur behind Bempu -- tells Shobha Warrier that despite the challenges and frustrations, he is living his dream.
