Cristiano Ronaldo's illustrious World Cup career concluded with tears after Portugal's 1-0 defeat by Spain in the round of 16, marking the end of his sixth attempt to win the coveted trophy.
Thibaut Courtois, Belgium's goalkeeper, expresses confidence in his team's ability to surprise Spain in the upcoming World Cup quarter-final. Despite a shaky group stage, Belgium has shown improved form, and Courtois believes they have the qualities to challenge the European champions. He acknowledges Spain's strengths but highlights Belgium's potential for an upset, drawing on his personal experience playing in Spain.
Nepal-born defender Abneet Bharti has joined the Indian senior men's team camp in Kochi ahead of the AFC Asian Cup qualifier against Hong Kong, pending FIFA clearance.
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.
In Peru, there is a wave of new baby Haalands. In Argentina, Lionel has raced up the rankings, and in Mexico a girl was reportedly named after three soccer players. Parents in Latin America are already christening a new generation of babies after the stars of the World Cup.
Football fans in Kerala's Pullavoor village have created a unique floating stadium with cutouts of the Argentine squad in a river, showcasing their intense passion for the upcoming World Cup. This elaborate display continues a tradition of fervent fan support in the region.
India's national football team goalkeeper Gurpreet Singh Sandhu discusses the immense mental pressure of his position, the importance of resilience, and his admiration for Argentina's Emiliano Martinez. He also shares his predictions for the FIFA World Cup 2026, backing traditional powerhouses and hoping for an Asian team's strong performance.
Former India captain Bhaichung Bhutia says FIFA's expanded 48-team World Cup format significantly improves India's chances of qualification while creating new opportunities for emerging football nations across Asia and beyond.
Spain face Belgium on Friday in a World Cup quarterfinal that pits one of the tournament's smoothest operators against a side emboldened by a thunderous 4-1 win over the United States that followed one of football's most bizarre political interventions.
The end of coach Didier Deschamps' Midas-like reign turned into a Tantalus torment as France suffered a comprehensive World Cup semi-final defeat by Spain before losing 6-4 to England in a wild third-place playoff, but those disappointments will not tarnish his legacy.
Former India captain Subrata Paul asserts that goalkeepers were instrumental in the success of teams at the recent FIFA World Cup, often outshining attacking players. He highlights specific goalkeepers like Vozinha, Unai Simon, Emiliano Martinez, and Thibaut Courtois for their exceptional performances and discusses the evolving role of modern goalkeepers in tactical play.
The Democratic Republic of Congo's national team has been forced to cancel World Cup buildup events in Kinshasa due to the Ebola virus outbreak and will instead continue preparations in Belgium.
Portugal, led by Cristiano Ronaldo, were held to a surprising 1-1 draw by DR Congo in their FIFA World Cup 2026 opener. Ronaldo had a quiet game, failing to score, and was met with "Messi" chants from fans after the match, raising questions about the team's early performance.
The Democratic Republic of Congo has made a historic return to the World Cup knockout stages, 52 years after a disastrous debut.
Didier Deschamps, who led France to their second world title in 2018 and established them as international football's most consistent major-tournament force, will be remembered for his unprecedented legacy despite recent semi-final defeats.
Spain take a 36-match unbeaten run into their FIFA World Cup 2026 semi-final against France, with Lamine Yamal calling it the biggest match of his career as La Roja chase Italy's all-time record.
The complete schedule and all the results of FIFA World Cup 2026 in IST.
Portugal and Croatia's World Cup last-32 clash on Thursday could be Cristiano Ronaldo or Luka Modric's final game on soccer's biggest stage, and the massive moment will unfold at the tournament's smallest venue.
Pedro Porro has emerged as a pivotal player for Spain in the World Cup, transforming the right-back position into a strength. His exceptional performance against France in the semi-final, where he scored and was named MVP, has solidified his place, drawing parallels to Marc Cucurella's rise. Porro's defensive prowess and attacking contributions have been crucial for Spain's journey to the final against Argentina.
Democratic of Republic Congo's supporters are confident their side can shine at the World Cup and have a message for Cristiano Ronaldo.
Cristiano Ronaldo has become the first footballer to reach billionaire status, according to the latest Bloomberg Billionaires Index, which has valued the Portugal great's net worth at an estimated $1.4 billion.
The United States' World Cup campaign took an extraordinary turn on Sunday when FIFA made the unprecedented decision to suspend Folarin Balogun's automatic red-card ban, clearing the striker to face Belgium in Monday's last-16 clash after US President Donald Trump personally urged FIFA President Gianni Infantino to review the case.
Cape Verde, despite being a significant underdog, is confident of challenging Argentina and Lionel Messi in their World Cup knockout match.
The 2026 World Cup has been marred by widespread controversy surrounding the Video Assistant Referee (VAR) system, with coaches, players, and fans criticising its application, consistency, and impact on match outcomes, leading to a significant increase in interventions and red cards.
The meeting between Morocco and Netherlands in the last 32 might have come too early at the World Cup, Dutch coach Ronald Koeman suggested on the eve of Monday's clash between the two contenders in Monterrey.
A record eight players aged 40 or older have been selected to play at the tournament in Canada, Mexico and the United States - one more than at all the past 22 tournaments combined.
Lionel Messi, Erling Haaland, and Kylian Mbappe showcased their exceptional talent in recent World Cup matches, each scoring multiple goals. Despite recent dips in form or career stages, these football superstars proved their enduring prowess, with Mbappe becoming France's all-time top scorer and Messi achieving his first World Cup hat-trick.
Packed with legendary players and remarkable milestones, these fascinating FIFA World Cup facts offer a glimpse into the tournament's rich history.
The 2026 FIFA World Cup is set to feature a significant generational divide, with players spanning over 25 years in age. Mexico's Gilberto Mora, 17, will be the youngest, while Scotland's Craig Gordon, 43, will be the oldest. The tournament will showcase a mix of emerging talents and seasoned veterans like Cristiano Ronaldo and Luka Modric, with nations like Panama and Ivory Coast representing the oldest and youngest average squads, respectively.
For the expanded 2026 tournament, FIFA has gone a step further and introduced an extra amnesty for yellow cards, effectively wiping the slate clean twice.
France return to No.1 in FIFA rankings after wins over Brazil and Colombia, while Spain drop to second and Argentina slip to third in the latest standings.
With hot weather due and memories fresh of the scorching 2025 Club World Cup, FIFA has for the first time mandated three-minute hydration breaks in each half for all 104 matches of the World Cup starting this week in the U.S., Mexico and Canada.
With Kylian Mbappe's depth and experience, economists predict France are tipped to edge Spain to lift World Cup.
The Indian national football team beat Portuguese third division side Desportivo das Caldas 4-1 in their first practice match on their two-month training tour of Portugal.
Manchester United's Bruno Fernandes also emerged as the Premier League's best playmaker this season when he created a league-high 132 chances.
The final teams have qualified for the 2026 FIFA World Cup, which will be hosted by the United States, Canada, and Mexico. Find out which teams have qualified and their group stage assignments.
Cristiano Ronaldo's son, Cristiano Ronaldo Jnior, has officially begun his international journey making his Portugal Under-16 debut in a 2-0 win over hosts Turkey on Thursday in Antalya.
India will tour Portugal later this month and then stage an international tournament to help improve the national team.
Inspirational Lionel Messi would like to end his glittering career on a high as Argentina begin their World Cup defence on June 17 against Algeria in their Group J encounter.
