Kerala Sports Minister V Abdurahiman has accused the Argentina football team of deceiving the state by failing to play a match after allegedly receiving payment.
Argentina's President Javier Milei's government has issued a decree allowing the deportation of foreigners who incite hatred or violence against the country and its citizens, a move that comes amid criticism of the national football team's behaviour and political messaging during the recent FIFA World Cup.
Argentina, one of football's most successful teams, is also one of its most polarising, inspiring both devotion and irritation due to its history, iconic players like Maradona and Messi, and a national identity often perceived as arrogant by rivals.
Despite losing the 2026 FIFA World Cup final, the Argentine national football team received a massive hero's welcome upon their return to Buenos Aires. Thousands of passionate fans gathered at Ezeiza International Airport to celebrate their team, demonstrating that their bond with the players transcends mere results and trophies.
Argentina will wear their navy-and-black away kit for the World Cup semi-final against England, a decision that has sparked fan interest due to the kit's association with past victories against England, including the 1986 'Hand of God' match and the 1998 penalty shootout win. The team hopes this alternate strip brings them continued success.
FIFA have opened disciplinary proceedings against Argentina's football association (AFA) and its players for several alleged breaches at the World Cup, including the holding up of a banner asserting sovereignty over the Falkland Islands.
An Argentine war veterans federation has urged football fans to prioritise the World Cup semi-final against England as a sporting event, rather than using it to reignite sovereignty claims over the Falkland/Malvinas Islands. They emphasised diplomacy for territorial disputes and called for respect for fallen soldiers without promoting hatred.
Argentina manager Lionel Scaloni discussed his team's hard-fought 3-2 extra-time victory over Cape Verde in the World Cup last-32, emphasising the unexpected difficulty of the match despite being heavy favourites. He praised his players' resilience and character, acknowledging the physical toll and the need for improvement, while also highlighting the unique "suffering" inherent in being Argentine in football.
Argentina's football players displayed a political banner claiming "The Falklands are Argentine" after their World Cup semi-final win against England, potentially violating FIFA's code of conduct.
Ministers and political leaders in Kerala are openly expressing their excitement and support for their favourite teams, particularly Argentina, ahead of the FIFA World Cup final between Spain and Argentina.
Argentina manager Lionel Scaloni expressed deep emotion and hinted at a review of his future after his team's 1-0 loss to Spain in the World Cup final. He spoke about giving their utmost and needing time to reflect, while also praising Lionel Messi, who was also visibly upset after the defeat.
Cape Verde coach Bubista expressed immense pride in his team's performance at their first World Cup, despite their 3-2 extra-time loss to three-time champions Argentina in the last-32. He highlighted their draws against Spain and Uruguay, and the character shown by his players, many of whom are not from elite leagues, in taking Argentina to the wire. Bubista emphasised that their World Cup campaign was about showcasing the island-nation's spirit and identity.
Miloslav "Curby" Urbanec, a Czech music promoter, has transformed his three-storey house in Bukovka into a vibrant shrine dedicated to the Argentine national football team, featuring sky-blue and white paint, a Lionel Messi mural, and a Diego Maradona statue, all stemming from a childhood passion ignited by the 1978 World Cup.
Argentina's veteran defender Nicolas Otamendi has announced his retirement from international football after a 17-year career, which included winning the 2022 World Cup and two Copa America titles.
Spain head coach Luis de la Fuente has strongly condemned the post-match clashes that marred the FIFA World Cup 2026 final, calling the behaviour of Argentina's players 'unacceptable' after his side lifted the trophy with a dramatic extra-time victory.
Argentina coach Lionel Scaloni lauded his team's ability to 'suffer without losing belief' after their dramatic 3-1 extra-time victory over Switzerland in the World Cup quarter-finals, highlighting their growth in navigating challenging situations.
AFC Executive Committee member Shaji Prabhakaran advocates for a balanced, long-term strategy for integrating OCI and PIO players into Indian football, stressing it's not a complete solution but a part of broader development. He also analyses recent World Cup semifinals, highlighting Spain's tactical dominance and Argentina's fighting spirit.
'That's not just a football victory -- that's the heartbeat of an entire nation'
Argentina and England are set to clash in a World Cup semi-final, marking their first such encounter, a match deeply rooted in decades of historical and footballing rivalry, including infamous incidents involving Antonio Rattin, Diego Maradona's 'Hand of God' goal, and the Falklands War.
Spain defender Aymeric Laporte has questioned some refereeing decisions involving Argentina ahead of the FIFA World Cup 2026 final, saying aggressive play should not go unpunished.
Former India captain Sourav Ganguly expressed his excitement over Argentina's dramatic 3-2 comeback victory against Egypt in the FIFA World Cup 2026 Round of 16, highlighting the team's ability to snatch victory from a 0-2 deficit.
The 2026 FIFA World Cup Final saw a galaxy of stars on the field and off it.
World football's governing body, FIFA, has initiated a disciplinary investigation into the post-match brawl that erupted after Spain's 1-0 extra-time victory over Argentina in a chaotic World Cup final, following tensions that boiled over after a contentious match.
FIFA President Gianni Infantino has acknowledged the possibility of expanding the World Cup to 64 teams, a move that could significantly alter the sport's economics and logistics, despite opposition from major confederations like UEFA and AFC.
Argentina coach Lionel Scaloni lauded his team's ability to perform under pressure, stating they 'play its best football when it's under pressure' after their dramatic 2-1 comeback victory against England secured a spot in the World Cup final.
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 World Cup final offers football's grandest stage a deliciously odd pairing: Argentina, all pulse, fire and Lionel Messi, against Spain, the European champions who appear to treat chaos as an administrative error and have turned control into something close to an art form.
Argentina battled their way into the semis after edging Cape Verde and Switzerland in extra time and coming from 2-0 down to defeat Egypt 3-2.
Former India hockey captain Viren Rasquinha has publicly questioned Hockey India's decision to switch the national team's jersey colour to orange, arguing that the team's identity and legacy have always been associated with blue.
Lionel Messi will face England for the first time in his career when Argentina meet the Three Lions in the FIFA World Cup 2026 semi-final, ending a 20-year wait for one of football's most anticipated match-ups.
Lionel Messi's Argentina take on Jude Bellingham's England in a blockbuster FIFA World Cup 2026 semi-final, reviving one of football's greatest rivalries with a place in the final on the line.
It's goalless at half-time in the FIFA World Cup final between Argentina and Spain in New York on Sunday.
Messi, who said he was thoroughly enjoying the ride at his sixth World Cup and giving no thought to retirement, was looking forward to locking horns with 2010 champions Spain in New Jersey on Sunday.
Cape Verde head into the biggest match in their football history full of belief, with coach Pedro Leitao Brito insisting his side will play "with courage" against defending champions Argentina in the FIFA World Cup Round of 32.
England's football team has reached the World Cup semi-finals, demonstrating significant resilience by overcoming setbacks. They are set to face old rivals Argentina, a match steeped in history. The team's success is largely attributed to the partnership of Harry Kane and Jude Bellingham, who have scored a combined 12 goals. Coach Thomas Tuchel acknowledges the team's fighting spirit but also sees room for improvement as they aim to end a 60-year wait for a World Cup title.
It happened in 2017, two years after Scaloni ended his playing career. De la Fuente, then in charge of Spain's youth teams, was among the figures who helped guide a recently retired player taking his first steps towards management.
England manager Thomas Tuchel has made three changes to his starting XI for the World Cup semi-final against Argentina, bringing Reece James and Djed Spence into the defence, while Argentina's Lionel Scaloni makes one switch, with Giuliano Simeone replacing Rodrigo De Paul.
Zinedine Zidane, the 1998 World Cup hero and former Real Madrid manager, has been appointed to lead the France national team, with the primary goal of converting recent near-misses into major trophies, starting with the 2028 European Championship.
The Atlanta Police Department has significantly increased security measures for the World Cup semi-final between England and Argentina, two nations with a historically fierce football rivalry, deploying additional personnel and resources across the city and stadium.
Indian football team head coach Khalid Jamil shares his predictions for the FIFA World Cup final between Argentina and Spain, expressing a personal preference for Lionel Messi's Argentina while acknowledging Spain's strong form and tactical advantages. He anticipates a tough and equal match.
