Spain defeated Uruguay 1-0 in a crucial Group H match, with Alex Baena scoring the decisive goal. This victory secured Spain's top spot in the group and a place in the World Cup knockout stage, while Uruguay, managed by Marcelo Bielsa, was eliminated from the tournament. Cape Verde also advanced from the group.
Kylian Mbappe scored two goals, leading France to a dominant 3-0 victory over Sweden in the World Cup Round of 32. This win maintains France's perfect record and sets up a last-16 clash with Paraguay, with Mbappe continuing his impressive World Cup scoring streak.
Argentina secured a dramatic 3-2 victory over Cape Verde in their World Cup last-32 encounter, which extended into extra time. An own goal in the 111th minute ultimately decided the match, sending the reigning champions into the last 16 where they will face Egypt.
Ousmane Dembele scored a first-half hat-trick as France made sure of top spot in World Cup Group I with a ruthless 4-1 win on Friday over a second-string Norway who like the French had already qualified for the next round of the tournament.
Football superstar Lionel Messi has contributed 80,000 euros to support the reconstruction efforts in Madrid's Sierra Oeste region, which was severely impacted by recent devastating wildfires.
The 48-team World Cup will adopt a 12-group format, increasing the total number of matches from 64 to 104 - the same as the expanded men's World Cup in 2026 - and extending the tournament by one week.
The PMAs, which represent competing national teams and manage dedicated fan ticket programmes, will handle the ticket allocation process.
Joakim Alexandersson, the head coach of the Indian U20 women's team, has announced the 23-member squad for the AFC U20 Asian Cup Thailand 2026. India will face Japan, Australia, and Chinese Taipei in the group stage, aiming for a quarter-final spot and a chance to qualify for the FIFA U20 Women's World Cup Poland 2026.
Portugal and Colombia played to a 0-0 draw in their final World Cup Group K match, with Colombia securing the top spot and Portugal finishing second. Both teams advanced to the last 32, setting up future clashes against Ghana and Croatia respectively.
Morocco confirmed their progress to the World Cup last 32 but twice had to come from behind to get the better of plucky Haiti with a 4-2 win in an action-packed game on Wednesday and fell short of topping Brazil in the Group C standings.
Youri Tielemans struck a 125th-minute penalty as Belgium rallied from two goals down and defeated Senegal 3-2 after extra time in their World Cup last 32 clash in Seattle on Wednesday to keep alive their title hopes that had looked dead and buried.
Ruben Vargas and Johan Manzambi scored second-half goals as Switzerland beat Canada 2-1 on Wednesday to qualify for the knock-out stage of the World Cup as Group B winners, with the tournament co-hosts also progressing as runners-up.
Brazilian footballer Micael was sent off before his Copa Paulista match for Sao Jose after the referee witnessed him urinating next to the substitutes' bench, an act for which his club later issued an apology.
The Indian men's national football team will participate in the Unity Cup 2026, a four-nation friendly tournament held in London, marking their return to the UK for international matches after 24 years.
The United States and Mexico both booked tickets to this year's World Cup in Qatar in the final round of CONCACAF qualifying on Wednesday.
IMAGES from the FIFA World Cup F Group F match played between Morocco and Canada on Thursday.
A summary of Saturday's action in the FIFA World Cup 2026 UEFA Qualifiers.
Saudi Arabia coach Georgios Donis said his players lacked self-confidence in the second as they failed to hold on to their lead with Maxi Araujo equalising for Uruguay in the 2nd half.
Real Madrid confirmed that they have parted ways with head coach Alvaro Arbeloa after reaching a mutual agreement, the Spanish club said on Tuesday.
Cape Verde pulled off a stunning 2-2 draw against two-time World Cup winners Uruguay in Miami on Sunday.
A 64-team World Cup in 2030 should not be considered, CONCACAF President Victor Montagliani has said, joining some other confederations in opposing a plan presented by CONMEBOL.
Bibiano Fernandes has announced the 23-member Indian squad for the AFC U-17 Asian Cup, set to begin in Jeddah, Saudi Arabia, on May 5. The team is currently in Doha for friendly matches before heading to Jeddah.
Football legend Ronaldinho has come out of retirement at 46 to sign with Italian Serie C club Ravenna FC.
England overcame Mexico, the hostile Azteca atmosphere, high altitude and a red card to seal a dramatic 3-2 World Cup victory, with Jude Bellingham inspiring a famous win that could define their tournament.
the countries assured of places in the 32-team field for next year's World Cup finals in Russia after Tuesday's qualifiers.
European countries will be able to bid to host the 2026 World Cup only if none of the eligible candidates are good enough, soccer's governing body said on Friday.
India's national football team played out a 1-1 draw against Tajikistan in their second international friendly. Vikram Partap Singh scored for India, but a late penalty conceded by a defensive lapse allowed Tajikistan to equalise. This match, following a 1-3 loss in the first friendly, is part of India's preparations for future international assignments.
Beyond the three host nations, the highest number of applications came from Germany, England, Brazil, Spain, Portugal, Argentina and Colombia.
Smriti Mandhana is the only Indian named in TIME's 100 Most Influential People in Sports 2026 list, joining global icons such as Lionel Messi, Cristiano Ronaldo and LeBron James after another record-breaking year in cricket.
The Indian women's football team is set to compete in the FIFA Series 2026 in Nairobi, Kenya, facing hosts Kenya in their opening match. Coach Crispin Chettri emphasises building for the future, focusing on the 2029 AFC Women's Asian Cup and the 2031 World Cup qualifiers.
India's chances of qualifying for the FIFA U-17 World Cup suffered a major blow after losing to Uzbekistan in their AFC U-17 Asian Cup group match.
Lamine Yamal exploded into view at 16 and became an integral part of Spain's record fourth European Championship triumph in 2024.
Brazil's coach Carlo Ancelotti says Neymar could return for Scotland game and insists the team will work on improving as the tournament progresses.
The All India Football Federation (AIFF) has agreed "in principle" to the club-led model of running the Indian Super League (ISL) for two years and has conveyed it to the sports minister, a top official said on Tuesday.
Netherlands coach Ronald Koeman has warned against underestimating Morocco despite topping Group F, calling the Round of 32 clash the Dutch side's "real test" while admitting there is still room for defensive improvement.
Lionel Messi made history by scoring in his seventh consecutive World Cup match, leading a second-string Argentina to a 3-1 victory over Jordan in their Group J clash in Dallas. Goals from Giovani Lo Celso and Lautaro Martinez also contributed to Argentina's win, setting them up for the round of 32.
India's U17 women's team achieved a historic milestone by qualifying for the AFC U17 Women's Asian Cup quarter-finals for the first time, following a dominant 4-0 victory against Lebanon. The team's progress was confirmed after other group results went their way. They will now face China in the quarter-finals.
Brazil coach Carlo Ancelotti says Neymar's 2026 FIFA World Cup selection will depend on fitness and form rather than sentiment as he weighs a crucial squad decision ahead of Brazil's campaign.
The United States would have to grant entry to players, officials and fans from any country that qualified if it won the right to host the 2026 World Cup finals, soccer body FIFA said.
Real Madrid appointed Jose Mourinho as their new manager on a three-year contract on Thursday, turning back to the Portuguese tactician who once delivered them a record-breaking LaLiga triumph but has not won a league title since leaving the Spanish capital.
