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.
The FIFA Fan Festival in Toronto was cancelled due to lightning risk, disappointing fans on the eve of Canada's first World Cup game.
England's manager Thomas Tuchel has faced heavy criticism following their World Cup semi-final defeat to Argentina, but he attributes the loss to fundamental issues like a lack of 'ball possession DNA' rather than just tactical errors, while acknowledging the unstoppable brilliance of Lionel Messi.
Indian shooter Sainyam clinched a silver medal in the women's 10m air pistol event at the ISSF World Cup Rifle/Pistol/Shotgun in Hangzhou, marking India's first medal at the competition.
Japan v Tunisia marks 1,000th FIFA World Cup match
Four champions were crowned during the second week of the Esports World Cup in Paris. LYON won the Free Fire title, Team Vitality secured the Mobile Legends: Bang Bang Women's International crown, Dplus KIA emerged victorious in League of Legends, and PVISION triumphed in Dota 2, with several teams also making strides in the Club Championship standings.
Lionel Messi has achieved a new World Cup milestone, becoming the first player to score in seven consecutive matches.
Amid the sea of green that washed over Mexico City after the country's World Cup victory over Ecuador on Tuesday, one shop defiantly hoisted the Ecuadorian flag and welcomed all the downtrodden fans of Mexico's opponents to a place of refuge. Welcome to the Losers Cafe, a coffee shop in the cosmopolitan neighbourhood of Condesa that is comforting fans of the losing teams.
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.
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.
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.
Kylian Mbappe scored a penalty in the 70th minute to give France a hard-fought 1-0 victory over Paraguay in the World Cup last 16, setting up a quarter-final clash with Morocco. The goal also brought Mbappe level with Lionel Messi as the tournament's top scorer.
FIFA refereeing chief Pierluigi Collina says the World Cup's new anti-time-wasting rules have been a major success, speeding up play, reducing injuries and improving discipline while defending VAR's controversial decisions.
The Portuguese Football Federation (FPF) has officially confirmed the departure of national team coach Roberto Martinez and his coaching staff following the expiry of his contract. Martinez had previously announced his intention to leave after Portugal's World Cup Round of 16 defeat to Spain.
Indian skeet shooters, including Parinaaz Dhaliwal, Raiza Dhillon, Maheshwari Chauhan, Mairaj Ahmad Khan, Bhavtegh Singh Gill, and Anant Jeet Singh Naruka, faced challenging qualification rounds at the ISSF World Cup (Shotgun) in Lonato, Italy. While Dhaliwal was the best-placed Indian woman, and Khan showed promise in the men's event, most are unlikely to reach the finals.
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.
An emotional Stale Solbakken praised Norway's historic FIFA World Cup 2026 campaign after a 2-1 extra-time defeat to England ended their dream run in the quarter-finals.
Kylian Mbappe is under immense pressure and facing criticism regarding his recent performances and leadership ahead of France's World Cup opener. Despite a trophy-less season with Real Madrid, his teammates Ousmane Dembele and Lucas Hernandez defend him, highlighting his leadership within the French squad and his focus on the tournament. Mbappe has a strong World Cup record and aims to silence critics by performing well in the upcoming matches.
Julian Quinones continued his remarkable FIFA World Cup campaign with his third goal as Mexico defeated Ecuador to reach the last 16, ending a 40-year knockout drought and inspiring fresh belief among the home fans.
The FIFA World Cup trophy's gold content has more than doubled in value since 2022, now estimated at USD 713,000, driven by a broader rally in gold prices due to geopolitical tensions and economic uncertainty. This makes it the most valuable sporting trophy by melt value, significantly surpassing other major awards like the Champions League and American sports trophies.
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.
Portugal defeated Croatia 2-1 in a dramatic World Cup match, with Goncalo Ramos scoring the winning goal in stoppage time after Cristiano Ronaldo had equalised from a penalty. The victory ends Luka Modric's fifth World Cup bid, and Portugal now advances to face Spain in the round of 16.
Jude Bellingham scored twice as England fought back to defeat Norway 2-1 in the third World Cup quarter-final at Miami Stadium, Miami Gardens, Florida, on Saturday.
Having registered a ninth-place finish in the 2023 edition held at Bhubaneswar, India will be aiming to bring the gold home, riding on the back of the momentum of two back-to-back Olympic bronze medals, an Asia Cup title win, two Asian Champions Trophy wins and an Asia Cup gold.
Cabo Verde's star goalkeeper Vozinha has expressed confidence ahead of their FIFA World Cup round of 32 clash against Argentina, vowing to make history. The debutant nation has impressed with three draws in the group stage, becoming the smallest country to reach the knockout phase. Vozinha also achieved a rare feat, becoming only the third goalkeeper over 40 to register multiple clean sheets in the tournament. Argentina's coach Lionel Scaloni has acknowledged Cabo Verde as a tough opponent.
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.
Jude Bellingham delivered an authoritative and relentless performance, scoring two crucial goals to lead England to a 2-1 extra-time victory over Norway in their World Cup quarter-final, securing their place in the semi-finals.
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.
Germany's shootout defeat by Paraguay on Monday was the first time they have lost on penalties at a World Cup.
The Indian women's hockey team advanced to the second round of the FIH World Cup after a goalless draw against England in their final Pool D match. Despite a challenging performance and facing numerous penalty corners, India's goalkeepers played a crucial role in preserving the draw and securing qualification.
Morocco outmuscled Scotland for a 1-0 win thanks to the tournament's fastest goal on Friday, taking control of Group C in the World Cup and moving into top spot with one match left to play.
Cabo Verde goalkeeper Josimar 'Vozinha' Dias's mother, Ana Candida Evora, was welcomed by FIFA in Miami, ahead of Cabo Verde's FIFA World Cup 2026 Group H clash against Uruguay. This heartwarming gesture followed Vozinha's emotional revelation about his family's visa issues preventing them from attending his historic 0-0 draw against Spain. US authorities, in coordination with the State Department, the Cape Verde government, and FIFA, facilitated her travel, allowing her to support her son and the 'Blue Sharks' in person.
Coach Carlo Ancelotti is hopeful he will have Neymar available for more minutes in Monday's World Cup round of 32 fixture against Japan in Houston, and believes his Brazil side are ready for anything in what will be a tough knockout fixture.
The third week of the Esports World Cup 2026 concluded in Paris, seeing Razvan "RvPLegend" Puiu win in EA FC 26, Virtus.pro dominate PUBG: BATTLEGROUNDS, and Team Vision secure the Teamfight Tactics title. The event featured significant prize pools and impacted the Club Championship standings.
Michel Nkuka Mboladinga, DR Congo's famous 'statue fan', was seen supporting his team during their 1-0 defeat to Colombia in the FIFA World Cup 2026 Group K clash. Colombia secured their place in the Round of 32 with a hard-fought victory, while DR Congo still has a chance to qualify.
Cape Verde, making their World Cup debut, have defied expectations by drawing with football giants Spain and Uruguay.
Djed Spence, initially a controversial World Cup squad selection and criticised for his early performance, has emerged as a crucial impact substitute for England. His pace, energy, and passion off the bench have silenced critics, playing a vital role in England's progression to the semi-finals despite a broken jaw.
Despite Pakistan not qualifying for the FIFA World Cup, Karachi is buzzing with excitement as the global event begins. "WC Football" villages have been set up in areas like Malir and Lyari, known for their love of the sport, featuring large screens, decorations, and enthusiastic fans. The city's passion for football is evident, with local clubs and administration organising events for youngsters, highlighting the sport's growing influence beyond cricket.
Brazil's head coach Carlo Ancelotti expressed disappointment after the team's FIFA World Cup 2026 Round of 16 defeat to Norway, but stated the team would use the exit as motivation for future improvements. He highlighted the need for new midfield talent as key players like Neymar are expected to retire from international football.
Wayne Chung, senior investigator at the city's Intellectual Property Investigation Bureau, told reporters on Thursday that 230,000 items had been seized.
