Jun 14, 2026
Havertz double leads Germany’s seven-goal rout of debutants Curaçao
A brief first-half wobble aside, Germany overwhelmed World Cup debutants Curaçao 7-1 in Houston, Kai Havertz scoring twice. Livano Comenencia’s equali...
FIFA World Cup
45 articles tagged with "FIFA World Cup"
Jun 14, 2026
Kamada strikes late as Japan hold the Netherlands in a 2-2 World Cup thriller
Japan came from behind twice in Dallas, Daichi Kamada bundling in a leveller two minutes from time, to draw 2-2 with the Netherlands in their World Cu...
Jun 13, 2026
England begin their World Cup against the Croatia side that knocked them out in 2018
Eight years after Croatia ended their run in Moscow, England open their World Cup against the same opponent in Arlington, with Luka Modric chasing a f...
Jun 11, 2026
Quiñones and Jiménez sink South Africa as three red cards mark the World Cup opener
Mexico opened the 2026 World Cup with a 2-0 win over South Africa at a heaving Estadio Azteca, on a night that ended with three players sent off.
Jun 11, 2026
Forty-eight teams, three hosts and four debutants: the 2026 World Cup has arrived
The 2026 World Cup is the biggest ever, with 48 teams, three host nations and 104 matches. It has also opened the door to four first-time countries, f...
Jun 9, 2026
The injuries that have reshaped the World Cup before a ball is kicked
The 2026 World Cup is here, but Brazil, the Netherlands, Japan and Germany all arrive without a player they had built plans around. A look at the abse...
Jun 9, 2026
Can Argentina become the first side to retain the World Cup since 1962?
No team has retained the World Cup since Brazil in 1962, and three of the last four holders went out in the group stage. Lionel Messi’s Argentina arri...
Jun 9, 2026
Netherlands lose Timber to a groin injury on the eve of the World Cup
Jurrien Timber has been ruled out of the 2026 World Cup with a groin injury, and Lutsharel Geertruida comes into the Netherlands squad in his place.
Jun 9, 2026
Can a host nation win the 2026 World Cup?
The United States, Mexico and Canada all have home advantage, but history and the form book suggest a host lifting the trophy would be a major surpris...
Jun 8, 2026
Five goals from history: Mbappe and the World Cup record within his reach
Kylian Mbappe goes to North America 12 World Cup goals into his career and five short of Miroslav Klose’s all-time record. At 27, the maths is suddenl...
Jun 8, 2026
Mexico and the Azteca open the World Cup for a historic third time
The Estadio Azteca becomes the first ground to host three World Cup opening matches when Mexico face South Africa on June 11, four decades after Marad...
Jun 6, 2026
The dark horses who could gatecrash the 2026 World Cup
With 48 teams and an extra knockout round, the 2026 World Cup is built for an outsider to make a run. Here are the dark horses worth backing, from Mor...
Jun 6, 2026
Ronaldo’s Portugal host Chile in Lisbon as the World Cup looms
Portugal round off their World Cup preparations against Chile at the Estadio Nacional on Saturday, with Cristiano Ronaldo set to lead the line at what...
Jun 6, 2026
Brazil face Egypt in their final World Cup tune-up without the injured Neymar
Brazil round off their World Cup preparation against Egypt in Cleveland on Saturday, but Carlo Ancelotti has to do it without Neymar, who is racing to...
Jun 4, 2026
Mbappe, Haaland and the closest thing this World Cup has to a group of death
France, Senegal, Norway and Iraq landed in the same pool, and an expanded World Cup built to avoid carnage handed Group I the heaviest draw of the lot...
Jun 1, 2026
Spain lead the World Cup market, but Yamal’s hamstring keeps the door open
The favourites look clear on paper, yet with Lamine Yamal’s fitness in doubt and France, England and Argentina lurking, the 2026 World Cup feels like...
Jun 1, 2026
Messi named in Argentina’s World Cup squad for a record-equalling sixth tournament
A fit-again Lionel Messi will captain the holders at his sixth World Cup, with Franco Mastantuono the surprise name left out as Argentina prepare to o...
Apr 1, 2026
DR Congo end 52-year World Cup wait as Tuanzebe’s extra-time winner sinks Jamaica
Axel Tuanzebe scored in the 100th minute to send DR Congo to the 2026 World Cup with a 1-0 victory over Jamaica in Guadalajara, ending a wait that str...
Mar 29, 2026
Ten years of FIFA membership and one match from the World Cup: Kosovo’s extraordinary rise
Kosovo were admitted to FIFA in May 2016 and lost their first competitive games by cricket scores. On Tuesday in Pristina, they face Turkey for a plac...
Mar 29, 2026
Italy, Sweden, Turkey and Denmark one win from the World Cup as European playoff finals arrive on Tuesday
The last four European places at the 2026 World Cup will be decided on Tuesday night when Italy face Bosnia, Sweden take on Poland, Turkey meet Kosovo...
Apr 24, 2025
World Cup 64 teams: Why FIFA might be taking the party too far
FIFA may expand the 2030 World Cup to 64 teams, but at what cost? Understand how it could damage the tournament’s quality, pace, and fairness.