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...
World Cup
67 articles tagged with "World Cup"
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
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 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 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 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 11, 2026
Norway are the World Cup dark horse nobody will want to draw
After 28 years away, Norway have arrived at the World Cup with Haaland, Odegaard and a perfect qualifying run behind them. They are the dark horse the...
Jun 11, 2026
USA begin their home World Cup against a resurgent Paraguay
The United States open their home World Cup against Paraguay at SoFi Stadium on June 12, with Mauricio Pochettino’s young side under pressure to make...
Jun 10, 2026
Messi off the bench and into the record books as Argentina sign off with a 3-0 win over Iceland
Lionel Messi came off the bench to score and break a 69-year Argentina goalscoring record as the holders beat Iceland 3-0 in their final World Cup war...
Jun 10, 2026
The young players who could light up the 2026 World Cup
From Lamine Yamal to a teenage Croatian defender, here are five young players who could turn the 2026 World Cup into their own stage.
Jun 10, 2026
Brazil open their World Cup against a Morocco side that fears nobody
Carlo Ancelotti’s Brazil begin their World Cup against the Morocco team that reached the 2022 semi-finals, with Neymar’s fitness one of the big questi...
Jun 10, 2026
Son Heung-min’s last World Cup begins against Czechia in Guadalajara
At 33 and now with LAFC, Son Heung-min leads South Korea into what is almost certainly his final World Cup, opening against a Czechia side back on the...
Jul 10, 2025
Ruiz double sinks Real Madrid in PSG’s statement win
PSG outclassed Real Madrid in a one-sided Club World Cup semi-final, with Fabián Ruiz scoring twice in the opening half.