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.
Argentina's national football team anticipates a challenging last-16 World Cup match against Egypt, following a hard-fought victory over Cape Verde. Players Leandro Paredes and Nahuel Molina emphasised the increasing competitiveness of international football, highlighting that no easy games remain in the tournament, as they prepare for a stern test from the highly motivated Egyptian side.
Argentina has advanced to the World Cup final after defeating long-time rivals England with two late goals, sparking widespread celebrations across the country, particularly in Cutral Co, Patagonia, home to a new 85-foot statue of Lionel Messi.
As the sport's popularity spread across the world, it developed its own colourful language/expressions. From clever slang to bizarre nicknames, the game's changing culture has thrown up some rather unusual turn of phrase. Here are 8 of the strangest football terms ever used.
Across World Cup co-host Mexico, soccer pitches are laid out wherever communities can find the space. On the edges of towns, on highway underpasses, and even in a volcano crater, spaces are cleared that allow the young and the old to share in the dream of the beautiful game.
A World Cup game between Paraguay and France in Philadelphia is at risk due to extreme heat and humidity, linked to climate change and fossil fuel use. A heat dome over the U.S. and Canada has pushed temperatures beyond safe play recommendations, raising concerns about player safety and future tournament scheduling.
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.
As the World Cup kicks off, sports enthusiasts are witnessing a fascinating transition from the familiar rhythms of cricket to the exhilarating dynamics of football, bringing with it new terminology, fan reactions, and game rules to master.
Swiss football fans expressed pride in their national team despite a 3-1 defeat to Argentina in the World Cup quarter-finals, marking the end of an 'exceptional campaign' that captivated the country.
Ahead of England's World Cup clash in Mexico, discover the remarkable 200-year-old story of how Cornish miners introduced football and the famous Cornish pasty to the country, shaping Mexico's sporting and cultural identity.
A former FIFA referee has questioned the new VAR protocol after fresh controversy involving Argentina, warning that fan confidence in World Cup officiating has been "completely eroded."
World No. 1 Jannik Sinner successfully defended his Wimbledon men's singles title, defeating Alexander Zverev 6-7(7), 7-6(2), 6-3, 6-4 to lift his fifth Grand Slam trophy and first major title of the 2026 season, becoming only the 10th player in history to retain the Wimbledon men's singles crown.
Dublin-born defender Roberto Lopes, who represented Cape Verde in a recent tournament, received a hero's welcome upon his return to Dublin. Cape Verde, making their debut, impressed by reaching the knockout stage and narrowly losing to reigning champions Argentina, captivating fans globally. Lopes expressed gratitude for the overwhelming support from Ireland.
World Cup music isn't random; FIFA's 'Stadium Entertainment Team' curates over 750 songs, mixing global classics with country-specific favourites, with each team having signature, warm-up, and goal-scoring tracks.
A satirical song about leaving Bosnia for America has become the country's unofficial World Cup anthem after Dubioza Kolektiv rewrote the hit to celebrate Bosnia's remarkable journey to the global football stage.
Sobers excelled at many sports, including soccer and basketball, but cricket was his passion. His first memories of the sport were of playing in the road or on the beach, aged eight.
Former US President Donald Trump personally intervened with FIFA President Gianni Infantino to overturn a red-card ban for US striker Folarin Balogun, a decision UEFA called 'unprecedented, incomprehensible and unjustifiable' and which has sparked widespread criticism over the integrity of the game.
Lionel Messi, nearing 39, has broken the World Cup all-time goal-scoring record with 18 goals, surpassing Marta and Miroslav Klose. This latest achievement adds to his illustrious career, which includes numerous club and international titles, cementing his status as one of football's greatest players.
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.
Mexico counts more than 135,000 missing people, a figure that has surged since 2006 when then-President Felipe Calderon launched a war against the country's drug cartels.
Thierry Henry, including the UEFA, Belgium and several football figures questioned FIFA's late decision to suspend USA's Folarin Balogun's World Cup ban.
Watching the World Cup and hearing the music in the stadium may have left you wondering - how is that chosen? Is it just coincidence that "Wonderwall" plays after England matches? Are "Freed from Desire" or "Livin' on a Prayer" always played? And why?
Breel Embolo became the first player in 20 years to be sent off at a World Cup for a second yellow card for simulation, a decision that proved a turning point in Switzerland's 3-1 extra-time defeat to Argentina in the quarter-finals.
FIFA is facing renewed scrutiny over its inconsistent handling of two World Cup red-card cases involving England's Jarell Quansah and the USA's Folarin Balogun. While Quansah received a two-match ban, Balogun's one-match suspension was controversially suspended, leading to accusations of external interference and a lack of transparency from the governing body.
Neymar's father has penned an emotional message urging his son to reconsider his retirement from international football, which followed Brazil's unexpected exit from the FIFA World Cup 2026. Neymar, Brazil's all-time leading scorer, announced his decision after their Round of 16 defeat to Norway.
Sir David Beckham, the first English player to win league titles in four countries, was honored with a star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame on Friday.
Brazil's national football team, the 'Selecao', suffered a disappointing 2-1 defeat to Norway in the World Cup last 16, marking their sixth consecutive early exit and extending their title drought to 24 years. Fans criticised missed opportunities and manager Carlo Ancelotti's defensive tactics.
The World Cup has seen a shift to a more lenient refereeing style, prioritising game flow and reducing stoppages. This, combined with stronger, faster players, has led to a quicker, more physically demanding tournament with higher scoring. While welcomed, experts warn that this intensity tests players' physical limits, increasing injury risks, especially for those not fully fit.
Iran launched their World Cup campaign in Los Angeles amid protests by Iranian-Americans, highlighting deep divisions over Tehran's government even as Team Melli drew passionate support from fans in the stands.
A World Cup bus was set alight and a teenager suffered a gunshot wound during chaotic scenes in Midtown Manhattan as thousands of basketball fans poured into the streets late on Saturday to celebrate the New York Knicks' historic win in the NBA Finals.
British wildcard Arthur Fery, ranked 114th in the world, has made a remarkable run to the Wimbledon semi-finals, defeating ninth seed Flavio Cobolli and setting up a clash with French Open champion Alexander Zverev.
The decision was made following Germany's World Cup exit in the Round of 32 following their loss to Paraguay.
Legendary Indian goalkeeper Brahmananda Sankhwalkar reflects on the emotional FIFA World Cup exits of Cristiano Ronaldo and Neymar Junior. He discusses their unfulfilled World Cup dreams, their rivalry with Lionel Messi, and the circumstances of their respective team's eliminations, highlighting their enduring legacy despite the absence of a World Cup trophy.
Ecuador's President Daniel Noboa declared a national holiday after the country's football team secured a spot in the World Cup knockout phase with a surprising 2-1 victory over Germany. This marks only the second time Ecuador has reached this stage, sparking widespread celebrations.
FIFA's digital watchdogs uncovered 89,000 abusive posts on social media during the group stage of the World Cup, marking a 13-fold increase from the 2022 edition in Qatar, world soccer's governing body said on Wednesday.
Kolkata's iconic 'FIFA Gully' has transformed a small neighbourhood lane into a colourful World Cup attraction, with murals and giant cut-outs of Messi, Ronaldo, Neymar and other football stars celebrating the city's enduring love for the beautiful game.
England say they are relishing the challenge of facing hosts Mexico at the high-altitude Azteca Stadium, with Morgan Rogers and Marcus Rashford insisting the hostile atmosphere will motivate the team in their FIFA World Cup Round of 16 clash.
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.
Iran's soccer team arrived in the United States for the first time at this World Cup on Sunday, landing at Los Angeles International Airport and holding a press conference on the same day that a peace deal between the two nations was announced.
Despite the World Cup returning to their country for the first time in four decades, many in Mexico said they feel excluded, priced out of stadiums, forced to pay for expensive TV subscriptions and constrained by strict licensing rules.
