Croatia's World Cup exit sparked controversy after coach Zlatko Dali launched a furious attack on the refereeing following their 2-1 defeat to Portugal.
Thousands of Norwegian football fans gathered in Oslo in the early hours of Sunday to celebrate their national team's historic World Cup run, despite a quarter-final defeat to England. The "Viking row" ritual and widespread national pride marked an unexpected and memorable tournament for Norway.
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.
England secured a hard-fought 3-2 victory over Mexico in the World Cup quarter-finals, demonstrating crucial adaptability and resilience after playing with 10 men for over half an hour, a performance that manager Thomas Tuchel believes proves their ability to survive when matches don't follow the script.
FIFA has transformed its referee preparation for the World Cup, treating officials like elite athletes. This rigorous training includes physical assessments, game-like simulations, and advanced data tracking to ensure referees can perform optimally under challenging conditions like extreme humidity and high altitude, minimising errors due to fatigue.
A 13-year-old boy was killed and two others injured in Ciudad Rodrigo, Spain, when a fountain collapsed during celebrations for Spain's FIFA World Cup 2026 victory. The tragic incident cast a shadow over nationwide festivities after Spain secured its second World Cup title with a 1-0 win over Argentina.
Mizoram has declared a full holiday for educational institutions and a half-day for government offices to allow residents to watch the FIFA World Cup final. Chief Minister Lalduhoma highlighted the state's passion for football and the importance of the sport to its youth.
Brand USA, the destination marketing organisation for the United States, has launched a new social-first series called 'More to Love'. This campaign aims to thank international fans who visited the US during the FIFA World Cup and encourage them to return to explore more of the country's diverse attractions, including its national parks and landmarks. The campaign is being amplified globally, including in India.
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.
France take on Spain in the FIFA World Cup 2026 semi-final aiming for a third consecutive World Cup final, with Kylian Mbappe and Ousmane Dembele leading Les Bleus against Europe's champions.
Brazil secured a comfortable 3-0 victory over Haiti, with Matheus Cunha scoring twice and Vinicius Junior adding another goal. The win keeps Brazil in contention for the top spot in Group C, though their decision to ease off in the second half could impact goal difference in a tight race with Morocco.
From Lionel Messi and Cristiano Ronaldo to Cape Verde's fairytale run, VAR controversies and unforgettable fan moments, relive the memories that made the 2026 FIFA World Cup the biggest and most dramatic tournament in history.
France can secure a more comfortable route through the World Cup when they face Norway in their final Group I match on Friday, though finishing top could leave them facing one of the toughest roads to the trophy.
Iraq striker Aymen Hussein was questioned for nearly seven hours at Chicago's O'Hare Airport before being allowed into the United States, while the team's photographer was denied entry ahead of the FIFA World Cup.
Following a dominant group stage performance, Argentina is now preparing to face Cape Verde in the Round of 32.
Iran's World Cup football team has finally received visas to enter the United States, just days before their first match in Los Angeles.
Iraq defeated Bolivia 2-1 in an inter-confederation playoff to qualify for the FIFA World Cup for the first time in 40 years. Aymen Hussein scored the winning goal, securing Iraq's place in Group I alongside France, Norway, and Senegal.
Argentina produced a stunning comeback after falling two goals behind, scoring twice in four minutes through Cristian Romero and Lionel Messi to beat Egypt 3-2 in their last 16 clash of the FIFA World Cup 2026 in Atlanta on Tuesday.
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."
Harry Kane scored twice, including a 75th-minute equaliser and a late winner against DR Congo, to guide England into the last 16 with their first World Cup comeback victory since 1990.
Former Norway international Alf-Inge 'Alfie' Haaland expressed his disappointment after Norway's FIFA World Cup 2026 campaign ended with a 2-1 extra-time defeat to England, claiming the Scandinavian side had been 'robbed' in the contest.
South Korean goalkeeper Kim Seung-gyu, 35, missed the birth of his daughter to prepare for his fourth World Cup, which he believes might be his last. He is determined to perform well to make up for his absence and faces competition for the starting spot as South Korea prepares for their Group A matches.
Lionel Messi made history by becoming the oldest outfield player to start a FIFA World Cup final at 39 years and 25 days, while Spain's Lamine Yamal became the third-youngest player ever to start the tournament's showpiece match, highlighting a generational clash.
Mexico defeated Ghana 2-0 in a World Cup warm-up match in Puebla, showcasing their form ahead of the tournament.
Germany's World Cup campaign ended in a shocking penalty shootout loss to Paraguay, marking another early exit for the four-time champions. This defeat highlights a concerning pattern of underperformance in major tournaments since 2014, raising questions about coach Julian Nagelsmann's future and the team's overall direction.
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.
Brand USA, the destination marketing organisation for the United States, has launched a new social-first series called 'More to Love'. This campaign aims to leverage the success of the FIFA World Cup 2026, which was hosted across the US, Canada, and Mexico, to encourage international fans to return and explore more of the country's diverse attractions, including its national parks and various states. The campaign is being amplified globally, including in India.
Ten-man Belgium dominated possession but could not break down a disciplined Iranian defence, with goalkeeper Alireza Beiranvand producing a string of saves to preserve the result in the Group G encounter.
Spain's 19-year-old star Lamine Yamal hugged a dejected Lionel Messi after Spain won the 2026 FIFA World Cup final.
The United States defeated Bosnia 2-0 to advance to the World Cup round of 16. Malik Tillman scored the decisive goal from a free kick after Folarin Balogun was sent off, having previously opened the scoring. This marks their first knockout win since 2002.
The United States men's national team secured a dominant 4-1 victory over Paraguay in their World Cup Group D opener, with Folarin Balogun scoring two goals and Giovanni Reyna adding another.
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.
Ousmane Dembele expressed his delight after scoring and helping France reach the FIFA World Cup 2026 semi-finals, stating he is gaining confidence and momentum as the tournament progresses and the team remains focused on going all the way.
Cristiano Ronaldo's final World Cup campaign concluded with an emotional defeat for Portugal against Spain.
New York City will offer residents a chance to buy $50 World Cup tickets through a lottery system, including free transport to New Jersey matches, amid soaring tournament ticket prices.
England manager Thomas Tuchel acknowledged Jude Bellingham's 'great shift' in the World Cup quarter-final win over Norway but insisted the team 'can and must improve' their performance, despite reaching the semi-finals.
Brazil increased their lead at the top and Spain dropped below Italy.
Australia's coach, Tony Popovic, believes Donald Trump's potential attendance at their World Cup match against the United States would motivate his team. While midfielder Jackson Irvine voiced concerns about FIFA's Peace Prize to Trump and LGBT rights in the U.S., Popovic remains focused on the team's preparation and player fitness.
Free, customizable "fan bands" have become the unexpected must-have souvenir at the 2026 World Cup, with over 700,000 distributed. Sponsored by Bank of America, these charm wristlets feature subtle branding and have gone viral, even appearing on resale platforms. This marketing strategy offers a counterpoint to the tournament's high ticket and merchandise prices, proving that unique, free items can create significant fan engagement and brand visibility.
Former Liverpool manager Jurgen Klopp criticised the VAR decision that disallowed Jonathan Tah's goal, leading to Germany's early exit from the FIFA World Cup 2026. He also took a dig at Arsenal regarding their set-piece goals, suggesting many would be ruled out if Tah's goal was illegal.
