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...
FIFA World Cup 2026
225 articles tagged with "FIFA World Cup 2026"
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.
Jun 13, 2026
The USA look the part, but their two co-hosts have work to do
Mexico, the United States and Canada have all opened their home World Cup. One of the three hosts looked a class above the other two.
Jun 13, 2026
Türkiye return to the World Cup after 24 years to face Australia in Vancouver
A talented Türkiye, back among the elite for the first time since 2002, run into a stubborn Australia in Vancouver. Neither can afford to lose with th...
Jun 13, 2026
Qatar open their World Cup against Switzerland, two years after ending India’s qualifying run
The reigning Asian champions, who knocked India out of qualifying, return to the World Cup for the first time on merit. Switzerland, in the round of 1...
Jun 13, 2026
Balogun’s brace launches USA’s home World Cup with a 4-1 win over Paraguay
A first-half blitz and a late Gio Reyna strike gave Mauricio Pochettino’s United States a commanding start to their home World Cup at SoFi Stadium.
Jun 13, 2026
Scotland’s 28-year wait ends against Haiti as two outsiders open Group C
Steve Clarke’s Scotland are back at the World Cup for the first time since 1998, and a Haiti side returning after a 52-year absence stands between the...
Jun 12, 2026
Larin’s late strike earns Canada a historic first World Cup point
Cyle Larin’s late equaliser earned the co-hosts a 1-1 draw with Bosnia and Herzegovina at BMO Field, ending a four-decade wait for their first point a...
Jun 12, 2026
Cape Verde’s first World Cup: how an island of 525,000 reached the biggest stage
Fewer than 525,000 people live across Cape Verde’s 10 islands. On 15 June, the Blue Sharks walk out against Spain in Atlanta for the first World Cup m...
Jun 12, 2026
Ivory Coast have the squad for a deep World Cup run, but their AFCON exit is a warning
One of the most gifted squads in Africa, a coach who has already won a major trophy, and a kind draw. So why does a deep run for the Elephants still f...
Jun 12, 2026
Germany open their World Cup against history-making debutants Curaçao
Germany begin their World Cup campaign against Curaçao, the smallest nation ever to reach the finals, at Houston’s NRG Stadium on Sunday night.
Jun 12, 2026
Canada chase a first World Cup win as they open on home soil against Bosnia
Hosts Canada have never won a World Cup match, but as favourites against Bosnia and Herzegovina in Toronto they have their best chance yet, even with...