Jun 17, 2026
Brazil, Belgium and Spain all held: Africa’s bold start to the World Cup
Morocco, Egypt and Cape Verde all took points off the favourites and Ivory Coast went one better, even if not every African side enjoyed the same week...
FIFA World Cup 2026
139 articles tagged with "FIFA World Cup 2026"
Jun 17, 2026
Messi’s first World Cup hat-trick ties Klose’s record as Argentina sink Algeria
The holders began their title defence in style, with their captain producing a record-equalling treble against an outclassed Algeria side.
Jun 17, 2026
Ronaldo’s Portugal open their World Cup against a DR Congo side back after 52 years
Cristiano Ronaldo begins what is likely his final World Cup as Portugal open in Houston against a DR Congo side returning to the tournament for the fi...
Jun 17, 2026
Haaland marks his World Cup debut with a brace as Norway sink Iraq
Erling Haaland scored twice on his World Cup debut as Norway beat Iraq 4-1 in their first appearance at the finals since 1998.
Jun 16, 2026
Mbappe’s record-breaking brace sends France past Senegal at the World Cup
Kylian Mbappe scored twice to become France’s all-time leading goalscorer as they recovered from a sluggish start to beat Senegal 3-1 in their World C...
Jun 16, 2026
Six games, no defeats: Asia’s strong start to the World Cup
From holding Uruguay and Switzerland to beating Turkey and Czechia, Asia’s footballers have come through the World Cup’s opening round without a singl...
Jun 16, 2026
Everyone wants Ayyoub Bouaddi, but the World Cup is inflating his price
Arsenal, PSG and a string of giants are circling the Lille teenager, and Lille reportedly want 75 million euros. Here is why I would think twice befor...
Jun 16, 2026
Two World Cup returns collide as Haaland’s Norway open against Iraq
Erling Haaland finally reaches a World Cup as Norway end a 28-year absence, but their Group I opener against an Iraq side back for the first time sinc...
Jun 16, 2026
Al-Owais’s nine saves earn Saudi Arabia a draw against a wasteful Uruguay
Mohammed Al-Owais was beaten only once despite a Uruguay onslaught at the Hard Rock Stadium, and Maxi Araujo’s late strike was all Marcelo Bielsa’s si...
Jun 16, 2026
Sarpreet Singh’s assist puts New Zealand ahead, but Iran fight back twice in a 2-2 World Cup draw
Elijah Just scored twice for New Zealand after Sarpreet Singh set up the opener, but Ramin Rezaeian and Mohammad Mohebi struck back to earn Iran a 2-2...
Jun 15, 2026
Lukaku’s arrival forces the own goal that rescues Belgium against Egypt
Emam Ashour’s first international goal had Egypt dreaming of a famous win, but Romelu Lukaku’s introduction forced a late own goal to rescue Belgium a...
Jun 15, 2026
Vozinha defies Spain as Cape Verde mark their World Cup debut with a famous point
Cape Verde marked their World Cup debut by holding European champions Spain to a goalless draw in Atlanta, with 40-year-old goalkeeper Vozinha produci...
Jun 15, 2026
The 48-team World Cup’s opening round belonged to the sides nobody expected
Germany’s 7-1 rout of Curacao was the nightmare the expansion’s critics predicted. The rest of the opening round told a more encouraging story.
Jun 15, 2026
Messi and Argentina begin their World Cup defence against Algeria
Lionel Messi’s record sixth World Cup begins in Kansas City, where the holders Argentina open their Group J campaign against a Riyad Mahrez-led Algeri...
Jun 15, 2026
France open Deschamps’s farewell World Cup against a dangerous Senegal
Didier Deschamps begins his farewell tournament as France open Group I against a Senegal side that knows exactly how to upset the favourites, with kic...
Jun 15, 2026
Ayari’s brace sends Sweden top of Group F with a 5-1 rout of Tunisia
Two long-range strikes from Yasin Ayari bookended a dominant night for Sweden as their forwards ran riot against Tunisia in Monterrey.
Jun 15, 2026
Amad Diallo’s late strike sends Ivory Coast past Ecuador on their World Cup return
Amad Diallo’s 90th-minute finish settled a tight Group E opener in Philadelphia, giving Ivory Coast a 1-0 win over Ecuador on their first World Cup ap...
Jun 15, 2026
Favourites Spain begin their World Cup against debutants Cape Verde
Reigning European champions Spain begin their World Cup against debutants Cape Verde in Atlanta on June 15 (9:30pm IST), with Lamine Yamal and Nico Wi...
Jun 14, 2026
McGinn’s winner ends Scotland’s 28-year wait in victory over Haiti
John McGinn’s deflected first-half strike earned Scotland a 1-0 win over Haiti in Foxborough, their first victory at a World Cup finals since 1990. Th...
Jun 14, 2026
Beach’s debut heroics help Australia upset Türkiye in their World Cup opener
Goals from Nestory Irankunda and Connor Metcalfe, and eight saves from debutant goalkeeper Patrick Beach, gave underdogs Australia a 2-0 win over Türk...
Jun 14, 2026
Vinícius spares Brazil as Morocco hold the five-time champions in their World Cup opener
Vinícius Júnior’s equaliser earned five-time champions Brazil a 1-1 draw against an impressive Morocco side in their World Cup opener at MetLife Stadi...
Jun 14, 2026
Netherlands meet a fearless Japan to get Group F under way
The Netherlands open their World Cup against a Japan side brimming with belief, but injuries to Xavi Simons and Jerdy Schouten leave Ronald Koeman’s g...
Jun 13, 2026
Khoukhi’s stoppage-time header earns Qatar their first World Cup point
Boualem Khoukhi headed home in the 94th minute as Qatar held Switzerland to a 1-1 draw in their Group B opener, claiming the country’s first ever poin...
Jun 13, 2026
Thomas Partey will miss Ghana’s World Cup opener after Canada refuses him entry
Canada has refused Thomas Partey a visa, ruling the Ghana midfielder out of their World Cup opener against Panama in Toronto.