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.
England midfielder Jude Bellingham defended his teammates after head coach Thomas Tuchel criticised their performance despite a 2-1 extra-time victory over Norway in the FIFA World Cup 2026 quarter-finals, with Tuchel stating England were 'lucky' to progress.
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."
The Egyptian Football Association on Wednesday criticised refereeing decisions in Egypt's dramatic 3-2 World Cup round-of-16 defeat by Argentina, saying it would not remain silent over what it described as the improper use of the Video Assistant Referee (VAR) system.
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.
Nottingham Forest reached the FA Cup quarter-finals as they beat fellow Premier League club Ipswich Town on penalties after the City Ground clash ended 1-1 after extra time on Monday.
Portugal qualified for the 2026 World Cup on Sunday with a 9-1 hammering of Armenia that included hat-tricks from both Bruno Fernandes and Joao Neves.
Italy face the shocking possibility of failing to reach the World Cup for a third consecutive time.
Imane Khelif, who won Paris Olympics boxing gold amid a gender-eligibility row, is determined to defend her title at the 2028 Los Angeles Games
City then comfortably closed the game out and victory in their record-extending seventh consecutive FA Cup semi-final means they will face Crystal Palace, who beat Aston Villa 3-0 on Saturday, in the final on May 17.
Arsenal's Eddie Nketiah's two goals enough to beat Oxford United
Senegal become first African team to beat England with 3-1 win in friendly
Real Madrid coach Jose Mourinho dropped another hint he is considering his future by saying he might not be with the Spanish giants next season after they lost in the Champions League semi-finals on Tuesday.
England manager Fabio Capello has effectively signalled the end of former captain David Beckham's international career and will hand him a farewell appearance in a friendly at Wembley Stadium later this year.
England manager Fabio Capello has effectively signalled the end of former captain David Beckham's international career. Ahead of Wednesday night's friendly against Hungary at Wembley, Capello told ITV Sport the Los Angeles Galaxy midfielder is "probably a bit too old" to play for England again.
Modric's majestic goal in the 62nd minute helped Croatia beat Scotland 3-1 on Tuesday
Two goals by Wayne Rooney, the second in stoppage time, gave the English side victory in the first leg of the Champions League semi-final.
Tottenham have not won any silverware since they beat Chelsea in the 2008 League Cup final.
'The medical people say he can play more than 45 minutes,' said England coach Sven-Goran Eriksson.
Aston Villa newcomer Marco Asensio struck twice in the second half to lead the Premier League team to a 2-0 victory over second-tier Cardiff City on Friday and into the FA Cup quarter-finals for the first time in 10 years.
England manager Gareth Southgate pointed at fatigue and injuries as a reason England were unable to match Spain's control of much of the match or build on the momentum of Cole Palmer's 73rd minute equaliser after Nico Williams had put Spain ahead two minutes into the second half.
The England captain said the 2-0 win over Trinidad & Tobago sounded a warning to their rivals about the strong character of his team.
Manchester United clawed back from a goal down to beat Leicester City in a 2-1 fourth-round FA Cup victory on Friday at Old Trafford, thanks to a last-gasp controversial header from veteran defender Harry Maguire plus a strike from Joshua Zirkzee.
Liverpool beat Cardiff City side 3-1 in the FA Cup on Sunday
Manchester City defender Nathan Ake struck in the second half to earn a hard-fought 1-0 victory over visitors Arsenal in the FA Cup fourth round on Friday.
English Premier League champions Manchester City beat FA Cup winners Manchester United 7-6 on penalties to win the Community Shield.
Joshua Zirkzee scored the winning penalty for 10-man Manchester United against Arsenal after their hectic FA Cup third round tie finished 1-1 after extra time.
Welbeck extra-time winner sends Brighton into quarters
Former Wimbledon champion Marion Bartoli says there are big question marks about whether or not Naomi Osaka will play at the grasscourt championships this year after her withdrawal from the French Open, citing mental health issues.
Liverpool manager Brendan Rodgers took an upbeat view on a dismal night as the five-times European champions were bundled out of the Champions League following a 1-1 draw with FC Basel at Anfield on Tuesday.
Erik ten Hag's side will face Championship (second-tier) outfit Coventry City in the semis after they upset Wolverhampton Wanderers 3-2 on Saturday.
Vitaliy Mykolenko's 39th-minute own goal had put Luton ahead before Jack Harrison cheered the Everton faithful with an equaliser in the 55th minute, hammering in a low shot that Luton keeper Tim Krul allowed to let slip through his hands.
England enjoyed a 3-1 victory over Finland thanks to goals from Jack Grealish, Trent Alexander-Arnold and Declan Rice.
Liverpool cruised into the fifth round of the FA Cup with a 5-2 rout of Championship side Norwich City on Sunday, to kick off Juergen Klopp's long goodbye at Anfield.
Luton Town knocked out Everton and sixth tier Maidstone United upset Championship Ipswich Town
Basle FC lead online mocking of Liverpool.
Brazilian Casemiro struck late to send Manchester United into the FA Cup quarter-finals with a 1-0 victory over Nottingham Forest as teenagers Jayden Danns and Lewis Koumas inspired Liverpool to a 3-0 win over Southampton on Wednesday.
It was N'Golo Kante, who at the age of 30 appears to be elevating his games to new levels, who knitted the French team together during their Group F match against Germany on Tuesday.
Images from Day 12 of the 2021 French Open at Roland Garros in Paris on Thursday.
