Manchester City came from behind to beat Championship side Southampton 2-1 with a late goal from Nico Gonzalez at Wembley on Saturday to book a place in an unprecedented fourth consecutive FA Cup final and keep alive their hopes of a domestic treble.
It is only the second time a tournament run by world football's governing body FIFA has featured as many as 48 teams.
The FIFA World Cup 2026 quarter-finals are set, featuring a diverse lineup of one South American, one African, and six European teams, including defending champions Argentina and France, alongside surprise packages like Morocco and Norway, all vying for football's ultimate prize.
Erling Haaland scored with a flying back-heeled volley out of the air -- that had social media in a frenzy and left his teammates in awe.
England's World Cup campaign has increasingly come to rest on the shoulders of Harry Kane, whose goals, link-up play and ability to deliver in decisive moments have repeatedly rescued a side still searching for fluency and conviction.
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.
Brazil secured their spot in the World Cup knockout stages with a dominant 3-0 victory over Scotland. Vinicius Jr scored twice, continuing his impressive form, while Neymar made his much-anticipated return to the national team after nearly three years. The win saw Brazil top Group C, with Matheus Cunha also contributing a goal. Scotland's hopes now rest on qualifying as one of the best third-placed teams.
Southampton upset Arsenal in the FA Cup quarter-finals, while Manchester City and Chelsea secured comfortable victories to advance to the semi-finals.
Cristiano Ronaldo had a quiet start to the FIFA World Cup 2026 as Portugal were held to a 1-1 draw by DR Congo in their opening Group K match.
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.
Manchester City set up a League Cup final date with Arsenal after a comprehensive 3-1 second-leg victory over visiting Newcastle United secured a 5-1 aggregate win in their semi-final.
Erling Haaland helped Manchester City win three major trophies.
Manchester City halved Arsenal's lead at the top of the Premier League to three points with a 3-0 win over visitors Fulham, while Aston Villa stayed in the frame with a late 1-0 victory at home to Brighton & Hove Albion on Wednesday.
City manager Pep Guardiola had kept his cards close to his chest on Friday, saying Haaland would be assessed after training, but the Norwegian didn't appear to participate in that training.
Manchester City bounced back after conceding an early goal to beat Chelsea 3-1 on Saturday
Real Madrid's Vinicius Jr scored twice as the Spanish side eased into the Champions League quarterfinals on Tuesday, beating 10-man Manchester City 2-1.
Manchester City kept the pressure on Premier League leaders Arsenal with a comfortable 3-0 win over Crystal Palace on Wednesday, trimming the gap at the top of the table to two points as the title race sprints towards its conclusion.
Manchester United's Bruno Fernandes also emerged as the Premier League's best playmaker this season when he created a league-high 132 chances.
Pep Guardiola secured his 15th major trophy as Manchester City manager after an FA Cup final win over Chelsea, with players and club officials praising the stability behind City's era of dominance.
From losing his father to terrorism and watching conflict tear apart his family, to nearly abandoning football before leading Iraq back to the World Cup, Aymen Hussein has overcome obstacles that would have broken many others.
Manchester City maintained their squeeze on Arsenal at the top of the Premier League with a 3-0 victory at Crystal Palace on Sunday, a result that keeps Pep Guardiola's side lurking two points behind the leaders and ready to pounce.
Norway secured a commanding 5-0 win at home to Israel in a World Cup qualifier on Saturday, as Erling Haaland struck a hat-trick to celebrate his 50th international goal and helped move his side to the brink of a place at next year's tournament.
City's current streak, which leaves the champions seventh in the standings and 12 points off leaders Liverpool, coincides with Haaland scoring just twice
As Haaland continues to rewrite the record books, football enthusiasts around the globe are left in awe of his goal-scoring prowess. The Norwegian striker's impact on the pitch remains unparalleled, solidifying his status as one of the most prolific strikers in the history of the Premier League.
Manchester City defeated Chelsea 1-0 in the FA Cup final, with Antoine Semenyo's 72nd-minute goal securing the victory and completing an English cup double.
World Cup 2026 is on track to become the biggest betting event in history, with global wagers expected to exceed $50 billion as sportsbooks report record-breaking activity driven by the expanded tournament format and growing legal gambling markets.
Arsenal have been crowned Premier League champions for the first time in 22 years after Manchester City's draw against Bournemouth.
Erling Haaland roared back to his best form with a five-goal salvo as Manchester City thumped Luton Town 6-2 at Kenilworth Road to reach the quarter-finals of the FA Cup on Tuesday.
With Kylian Mbappe's depth and experience, economists predict France are tipped to edge Spain to lift World Cup.
Mikel Arteta insists the Premier League title race "starts again" after Arsenal's 2-1 loss to Manchester City, with five games left and everything still to play for.
Erling Haaland, 22, has scored 36 goals in 35 games this season, breaking the previous record of 34 in a single Premier League campaign.
Morocco, Norway, Turkey, Colombia, Mexico and Japan are among the leading dark horses for FIFA World Cup 2026, with each side possessing the talent and momentum to challenge football's traditional powers.
Several other media, including Bild newspaper and Kicker magazine, citing unnamed sources, also said a deal could be finalised in the coming days.
Crystal Palace scored a stoppage-time winner to edge Liverpool 2-1 while Manchester United and Chelsea lost by an identical 3-1 margin in the English Premier League on Saturday.
Arsenal moved nine points clear in the Premier League after beating Everton 2-0 as 16-year-old Max Dowman became the youngest scorer in league history, while Manchester City dropped points at West Ham.
'Don't ask me the reasons I'm leaving. There is no reason, but deep inside, I know it's my time.'
Kylian Mbappe and Brahim Diaz also struck for Real, to cancel out a double from City's Erling Haaland
A day after Guardiola's final game in charge after a trophy-laden decade, thousands lined the streets in searing 31 degrees Celsius heat and clouds of sky-blue confetti, climbing street lights and crowding every vantage point for a glimpse of the Spaniard who had defined an era.
Carrick faces first test as United boss in Manchester derby showdown
Erling Haaland has scored 14 of Manchester City's 29 English Premier League goals so far this season with hat-tricks in his last three home matches.
