The complete schedule of FIFA World Cup 2026 in IST.
Curacao goalkeeper Eloy Room made 15 saves in the 0-0 draw with Ecuador -- the most in a 90-minute match in the World Cup history.
France is preparing for a FIFA World Cup 2026 quarter-final against Morocco, a rematch of the 2022 semi-final. Les Bleus, strong favourites with a perfect record and a dangerous attacking unit led by Kylian Mbappe and Michael Olise, are anticipating a tactical battle. Morocco, unbeaten in their last 10 matches, aims to make history for African football and secure their first-ever win against France.
Paraguay's President Santiago Pena declared a national holiday to celebrate the country's stunning 4-3 penalty shootout victory over four-time world champions Germany in the World Cup round of 16.
Senegal's coach Pape Bouna Thiaw insists his team's World Cup hopes are not over despite two consecutive defeats to France and Norway. The team needs to beat Iraq in their final group game to have a chance at qualifying as one of the best third-placed teams.
Ecuador's World Cup nightmare turned into a dream, as La Tri's once seemingly doomed campaign was resurrected against Germany in a remarkable conclusion to Group E on Thursday.
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.
Canada's national football team is preparing for their World Cup Group B match against Qatar in Vancouver, aiming to improve on their opening draw with Bosnia & Herzegovina. Coach Jesse Marsch emphasizes setting the tone early and confirms Alphonso Davies' fitness for the crucial game.
Brazil have lodged a formal complaint with FIFA over the disallowing of a Vinicius Jr goal during their 3-0 FIFA World Cup 2026 group-stage victory over Scotland, with the Brazilian Football Confederation (CBF) also requesting that Mexican referee Cesar Ramos no longer officiate the team's matches.
Lionel Messi has set a new FIFA World Cup record for most goals scored from outside the penalty area, surpassing Brazil's Rivelino. This achievement, alongside his 7th consecutive World Cup goal, prompted a humorous reaction from Norway's Erling Haaland regarding the Golden Boot race.
Morocco's impressive rise in global football is uniquely funded by its vast phosphate reserves, with the state-owned OCP Group investing heavily in national team development. This strategic investment, driven by a royal directive, supports training academies and infrastructure, contributing to the nation's recent successes like reaching the 2022 World Cup semi-finals and hosting the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations. The country's abundant phosphate resources provide a stable economic base for these ambitious sporting endeavours.
King Philippe of the Belgians visited the national football team to offer his support and encouragement ahead of their FIFA World Cup 2026 quarter-final match against Spain. He shared a meal, received a signed jersey, and praised their performance, expressing confidence in their victory. Both teams have had strong runs to the quarter-finals, with Belgium overcoming several challenges and Spain maintaining an unbeaten record.
France defender Ibrahima Konate says Les Bleus fear no one ahead of their FIFA World Cup 2026 semi-final against Spain, while acknowledging the challenge posed by Lamine Yamal and the tournament's best defence.
Lionel Messi is poised to further cement his legendary status as Argentina faces Austria in a crucial FIFA World Cup Group J match. Following a record-breaking hat-trick against Algeria, Messi is on the verge of equalling or surpassing several all-time World Cup records, including consecutive goals, total goals, and match victories. The football world watches as he leads Argentina against a formidable Austrian side.
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.
Chief coach Sjoerd Marijne indicated that the Indian women's hockey team will likely use the upcoming World Cup as preparation for the more crucial Asian Games, which serves as a direct qualifier for the 2028 Los Angeles Olympics. The team plans to field a consistent core group for both events, scheduled just 20 days apart. Dutch dragflick specialist Taeke Taekema will join the team for both tournaments, and skipper Salima Tete praised Deepika's strong return from injury, highlighting her importance as a dragflicker.
Qatar celebrated their first World Cup point after a late own goal forced a 1-1 draw against Switzerland and sent the Gulf nation into jubilation on Saturday.
Senegal's goalkeeper Edouard Mendy has been ruled out of Friday's World Cup match against Iraq due to a knee injury sustained during a recent loss to Norway. Medical examinations are ongoing to assess the full extent of the ligament issue. Both Senegal and Iraq are entering the Group I game with two losses each.
Harry Kane struck in the closing stages to rescue England from a shock World Cup exit, sealing a dramatic 2-1 comeback win over DR Congo and a place in the Round of 16, as emotional scenes unfolded in the stands with his family celebrating his match-winning heroics.
U.S. striker Folarin Balogun, despite a controversial FIFA decision to suspend his red card ban, struggled in the World Cup Round of 16 match against Belgium, leading to the U.S. team's elimination. The decision, which saw U.S. President Donald Trump claim credit, sparked accusations of political pressure on FIFA, while Balogun's birthright citizenship also came under scrutiny.
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.
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.
Japan v Tunisia marks 1,000th FIFA World Cup match
Tunisia have sacked coach Sabri Lamouchi and replaced him with fellow Frenchman Herve Renard in the wake of the 5-1 defeat by Sweden in their World Cup opener in Monterrey on Sunday, the Tunisian Football Federation (FTF) said.
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.
Turkey secured a dramatic 3-2 victory over the United States in their FIFA World Cup Group D encounter, scoring a 99th-minute winner. The USA twice came from behind, with goals from Auston Trusty and Sebastian Berhalter, but late heroics from Kaan Ayhan sealed the win for Trkiye after earlier goals from Arda Gler and Bar Alper Ylmaz. Despite the loss, the United States had already qualified for the knockout stage.
Cristiano Ronaldo led an emotional tribute to his late team-mate Diogo Jota after Portugal's World Cup victory. over Croatia, marking the first anniversary of Jota's death. Ronaldo, visibly moved, wore Jota's jersey and pointed to the sky, a gesture that resonated deeply with fans and teammates.
Sweden's star strike partnership of Alexander Isak and Viktor Gyokeres faces a stern challenge against Tunisia's rock-solid defence as the two sides begin their FIFA World Cup 2026 Group F campaign.
Former India captain Diana Edulji believes the Indian women's cricket team faces a significant challenge to qualify for the Women's T20 World Cup semifinals after their recent loss to South Africa. She highlighted the team's need to win their remaining matches against Bangladesh and Australia and discussed the team's T20 playing style.
FIFA Secretary-General Mattias Grafstrom will meet Iranian FA officials in Istanbul to offer reassurance over Iran's participation in the World Cup, amidst concerns raised by recent geopolitical tensions and visa issues.
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.
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.
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.
Indian skeet shooters Bhavtegh Singh Gill and Mairaj Ahmad performed strongly on the opening day of the ISSF World Cup (Shotgun) in Lonato, Italy, finishing joint 14th. Parinaaz Dhaliwal also impressed in the women's section, placing tied-11th. The performances offer hope for India's first medal of the season and serve as crucial preparation for the upcoming Asian Games, despite other Olympians facing challenges.
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 World Cup began with exciting victories for Mexico and South Korea, who secured three points each in their opening matches. Fans played a crucial role in creating a vibrant atmosphere, making the first day a memorable spectacle.
The 2026 World Cup has witnessed an unusual number of own goals in its opening 10 days, with seven already recorded, making it the second-highest tally in tournament history. The United States has benefited from two such incidents. This trend is notable given the tournament's expansion and could surpass the 2018 record of 12 own goals. Several players from different nations have contributed to this statistic, highlighting a peculiar aspect of the early matches.
India are not lacking in self-belief after their historic women's ODI World Cup triumph last year and they are the "favourites" to win the upcoming T20 World Cup in England, says star batter Jemimah Rodrigues.
The FIFA World Cup in Vancouver has intensified concerns among locals regarding increased policing and displacement of homeless individuals and drug users. Residents report more aggressive sweeps and confiscation of belongings, despite city officials stating these are routine operations and not directly influenced by the tournament.
Cristiano Ronaldo became the first player to score in six World Cups and Portugal's all-time leading marksman at the global finals with two goals in Tuesday's emphatic 5-0 Group K win over Uzbekistan in Houston.
