Football fans in Kerala's Pullavoor village have created a unique floating stadium with cutouts of the Argentine squad in a river, showcasing their intense passion for the upcoming World Cup. This elaborate display continues a tradition of fervent fan support in the region.
Cape Verde, despite being a significant underdog, is confident of challenging Argentina and Lionel Messi in their World Cup knockout match.
Thousands of ecstatic supporters welcomed the Egyptian national football team home after their historic World Cup campaign, which saw them reach the last 16 for the first time, despite a heartbreaking defeat to Argentina.
Egypt's players and Coach Hossam Hassan blasted FIFA and accused the governing body of blatantly 'favouring' Lionel Messi and his team.
FIFA President Gianni Infantino has announced that the governing body will discuss expanding the World Cup to 64 teams for the 2030 edition, following the already planned increase to 48 teams in 2026. Infantino believes a larger tournament encourages smaller nations and highlights the success of previous expansions, with the 2030 event already set to be hosted across six nations on three continents.
Spain's national football team, La Roja, has reached their second World Cup final, sparking widespread celebrations across the country. Tennis stars Rafael Nadal and Carlos Alcaraz, along with the Spanish Royal Family, extended their congratulations, highlighting the national unity and pride surrounding this historic achievement.
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.
Monday marks 40 years since Diego Maradona's defining performance in Argentina's 2-1 win over England in the 1986 World Cup quarter-finals at Mexico City's Azteca Stadium.
When I planned my 27th birthday trip to Kerala, I had a very clear vision in mind. There would be beaches. There would be the backwaters. There would be long boat rides, cute cafs and perhaps a fancy dinner overlooking the water. What I did not anticipate was celebrating my birthday with Lionel Messi.
The top 32 teams at the FIFA World Cup 2026 are now confirmed after a dramatic and exhausting group stage that came to a close on Saturday.
Lionel Messi will lead defending champions Argentina at the 2026 FIFA World Cup after coach Lionel Scaloni named a 26-man squad featuring 17 players from the 2022 title-winning team.
Former India captain Climax Lawrence has predicted Spain to lift the FIFA World Cup, praising their tactical discipline and fitness.
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.
Spain's coach Luis de la Fuente attributed his team's second World Cup victory to their strong team-first mentality, unity, and shared values, establishing them as a dominant force in international football.
The arguments over who is the greatest footballer of all time will rage on until the end of days, but you would have to go back to Diego Maradona or Pele to find a player with a similar individual influence on World Cup success.
Former India coach Stephen Constantine shares his views on Lionel Messi, ranking him below Pele, Maradona, and Ronaldinho due to his reliance on teammates for defensive work. He also predicts Spain will win the upcoming final against Argentina, despite acknowledging Argentina's experience and Messi's match-winning ability. Constantine further discusses England's semi-final exit and criticises hydration breaks and refereeing controversies.
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.
The match will take place between November 10 and 18, and is likely to be played Kochi.
The 2026 FIFA World Cup final sees Argentina, led by Lionel Messi, take on a strong Spanish unit featuring teenage star Lamine Yamal, with Messi aiming for back-to-back titles at a venue holding past painful memories.
Lionel Messi said Argentina's World Cup final defeat by Spain had left "immense" pain but praised his team for reaching a second successive final and thanked supporters for uniting behind the national side.
Inspirational Lionel Messi would like to end his glittering career on a high as Argentina begin their World Cup defence on June 17 against Algeria in their Group J encounter.
Spain captain Rodri has expressed his team's ambition and hunger ahead of the World Cup final against Argentina. He highlighted Spain's gradual growth and well-rounded team play, while acknowledging Argentina's competitive spirit and the formidable presence of Lionel Messi. Rodri anticipates a physical battle and draws inspiration from Spain's 2010 World Cup victory.
Rodri, Spain's midfield maestro, completed his collection of major football prizes by winning the World Cup, less than two years after a significant knee injury. Named the tournament's best player, he joins an elite group of footballers. Rodri highlighted the importance of overcoming adversity and praised his team's collective effort in their hard-fought victory against Argentina.
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.
The 10 takeaways from the FIFA World Cup, which was co-hosted by the United States, Canada and Mexico.
In Peru, there is a wave of new baby Haalands. In Argentina, Lionel has raced up the rankings, and in Mexico a girl was reportedly named after three soccer players. Parents in Latin America are already christening a new generation of babies after the stars of the World Cup.
Lionel Messi shared insights into Argentina's World Cup preparations in Miami, posting training moments on Instagram. The defending champions are gearing up for their Round of 32 clash against Cabo Verde, with Messi, at 39, remaining a pivotal figure for the team's success.
Barcelona legends Xavi Hernandez and Javier Mascherano discuss the profound influence of their former club on the World Cup final between Spain and Argentina. They highlight the impact of La Masia-bred players like Lamine Yamal and Pau Cubarsi for Spain, and the enduring brilliance of Lionel Messi for Argentina, all products of Barcelona's footballing philosophy. Both former players express pride in the shared playing style and the quality of the final.
Picking a World Cup team isn't just about football. Somewhere between the colours, the players and the vibe of a team, you end up revealing a little bit about your own personality too.
England goalkeeper Jordan Pickford is set to face Lionel Messi for the first time in his career during Wednesday's World Cup semi-final against Argentina, an occasion he described as carrying a 'sense of history' given his long-standing admiration for the eight-time Ballon d'Or winner.
Kerala's sports minister V Abdurahiman stated that there was no doubt about Lionel Messi's planned visit.
An emotional Lionel Messi was wiping his tears with his shirt after scoring Argentina's first goal against Algeria in the World Cup, a strike that marked the beginning of a memorable performance where he netted thrice to secure a 3-0 win.
Argentina's dark blue away jersey holds significant historical and superstitious value for the team, particularly in World Cup encounters against England. The team will wear this kit in their upcoming semi-final, hoping to replicate past successes from 1986 and 1998, where the blue jersey was worn during famous victories over England. Both coaches acknowledge the role of superstition in high-level sports, though Argentina's coach downplays the specific jersey choice. The jersey also features cultural motifs.
Former India captain Gouramangi Singh offers his expert analysis on the upcoming FIFA World Cup final between Argentina and Spain. He highlights Spain's aggressive pressing game and defensive transitions against Argentina's champion's mentality and composure, predicting the match will be decided by small margins. Singh also discusses the individual strengths of both teams and downplays the Messi vs. Yamal narrative.
Football legends Thierry Henry, David Beckham, and Rivaldo have lauded Lionel Messi's extraordinary performance in Argentina's dramatic FIFA World Cup 2026 Round of 16 comeback against Egypt, with Henry stating Messi is 'not human' for his ability to elevate his game when it matters most.
Former India internationals analyse Spain's dominant performance in the FIFA World Cup, highlighting their tactical discipline and defensive solidity. They also offer divided opinions on the highly anticipated semi-final clash between England and Argentina, discussing key players like Lionel Messi, Jude Bellingham, and Harry Kane, and the tactical approaches both teams might employ.
Cape Verde's World Cup star goalkeeper Vozinha has agreed to join Chilean club Colo Colo, pending a medical. The 40-year-old free agent's move follows his impressive performances at the recent World Cup, where he was part of FIFA's fan-selected dream team.
Spanish football coach Manolo Marquez has criticised the expansion of the FIFA World Cup, arguing it compromises quality and that countries like India should prioritise grassroots development over relying on increased qualification slots. He also highlighted the impact of naturalised players on international competition, citing his experience with the Indian team.
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.
Nine football superstars, one ultimate honour-vote for the player you believe delivered the most memorable performance at the FIFA World Cup 2026.
