Page 2 - Latest Updates on FIFA World Cup

FIFA World Cup 2026 June 19 schedule, live match timings (IST), streaming

FIFA World Cup 2026 June 19 fixtures (IST): Switzerland vs Bosnia and Herzegovina (12:30 am), Canada vs Qatar (3:30 am), Mexico vs South Korea (6:30 am).

South Africa to appeal Zwane's WC ban, citing Messi's foul vs Algeria

South Africa coach Hugo Broos wants to appeal midfielder Themba Zwane's three-match ban for a red card at the World Cup, citing Lionel Messi in his reasoning. Zwane was given one of the three red cards in the opening game of the World Cup on Thursday, when Mexico beat South Africa 2-0. Speaking Wednesday, Broos noted Messi avoided punishment for what appeared to be a foul in Argentina's 3-0 win over Algeria on Tuesday as evidence of what he believes was an unfair sanction by the FIFA disciplinary committee. Zwane was sent off in the 84th minute in Mexico City for hitting Roberto Alvarado in the face. Standard punishment is a one-match suspension, but FIFA said Wednesday it had increased the sanction because it was deemed serious foul play. The suspension means Zwane would not be able to play again until the round of 16 if South Africa advances that far. "I think the, the red card, is too severe. I saw back the situation where Themba got the red card. I don't think it was a red car

England vs Croatia HIGHLIGHTS FIFA WC 2026: ENG beat CRO 4-2; DR Congo stun POR with 1-1 draw

The likes of Cristiano Ronaldo and Bruno Fernandes failed to get the win for Portugal courtesy of a disciplined performance by the debutants Congo.

FIFA World Cup 2026: Tuchel's England impresses in 4-2 win against Croatia

In a thrilling Group L encounter, Harry Kane scored twice while Jude Bellingham and Marcus Rashford also found the net as Thomas Tuchel's side overcame a spirited Croatian challenge.

FIFA World Cup: Ronaldo blanks as DR Congo earn historic point vs Portugal

While Portugal dominated possession for much of the contest, the African side showcased remarkable discipline, resilience and organisation to frustrate Roberto Martinez's men throughout the evening.

FIFA World Cup 2026 June 18 schedule, live match timings (IST), streaming

FIFA World Cup 2026 June 18 fixtures (IST): England vs Croatia (1:30 am), Ghana vs Panama (4:30 am), Colombia vs Uzbekistan (7:30 am), Czechia vs South Africa (9:30 pm)

Portugal vs Congo live streaming: Where to watch Ronaldo live in FIFA WC?

Football fans can watch the live streaming of Portugal vs Congo match on Zee5 by buying subscription of Rs 799 or Rs 1699.

It's Messi vs Mbappe: Miroslav Klose's 16-goal World Cup record in danger

Lionel Messi's hattrick against Algeria takes him to 16 World Cup goals, equalling with Miroslav Klose's all-time record as Kylian Mbappe remains firmly in the race.

Fifa World Cup 2026: Counter-drone systems deployed at all US match venues

Giuliani said all 78 World Cup matches in the United States, along with fan festivals in every host city, will be protected by counter-drone systems throughout the tournament

Messi becomes 2nd player to score in 5 World Cups, joins Ronaldo in club

Lionel Messi became the second player to score in five World Cups, giving defending champion Argentina an early 1-0 lead over Algeria on Tuesday night. Making his record sixth appearance in the tournament, the eight-time Ballon d'Or winner found a crease in the Algerian defence and easily beat goalkeeper Luca Zidane for his 14th World Cup goal, sending a blue-and-white-clad crowd packed inside Arrowhead Stadium into delirium. Moments earlier, Messi had a goal disallowed for offsides. Messi joins Cristiano Ronaldo of Portugal as the only players with goals in five World Cups. Ronaldo became the first in 2022 and is set to play in his sixth World Cup on Wednesday. Miroslav Klose of Germany holds the record for World Cup goals with 16, one ahead of Brazil great Ronaldo. Messi's latest highlight pulled him into a tie for third on the career list with Kylian Mbappe - who scored two goals in France's 3-1 win over Senegal earlier Tuesday - and Gerd Muller of West Germany. The goal came 2

Fifa WC: Messi scores first World Cup hat-trick, equals Klose's record

Messi's hat-trick against Algeria took the 38-year-old's World Cup tally to 16 goals, drawing level with Miroslav Klose's all-time record set across four tournaments between 2002 and 2014.

Fifa World Cup 2026 exposes growing global prediction market rift

The World Cup could generate roughly $3 billion in additional wagers and drive as much as $10 billion in betting volume across sports-betting and prediction-market platforms, according to analysts

Fifa World Cup 2026: Haaland stars with brace in Norway's 4-1 win over Iraq

Erling Haaland scored the first two FIFA World Cup goals of his career and set up another as Norway defeated Iraq 4-1 in their Group I opener on Wednesday morning

Mbappe's historic night powers France to commanding win over Senegal

Mbappe is now the joint third-highest goal scorer in FIFA World Cup history with 14 goals to his name

France vs Senegal HIGHLIGHTS FIFA WC 2026: Mbappe shines with brace as France thrash Senegal 3-1

France vs Senegal HIGHLIGHTS: Mbappe, with his second goal against Senegal, is now the leading goal scorer for France, going past Oliver Giroud

How hydration breaks are becoming the invisible opponent at FIFA WC 2026

Introduced to protect players from extreme heat, mandatory hydration breaks have emerged as one of the most contentious aspects of the 2026 FIFA World Cup

FIFA World Cup 2026 June 17 schedule, live match timings (IST), streaming

Fifa World Cup 2026 June 17 fixtures (IST): France vs Senegal (12:30 AM), Iraq vs Norway (3:30 AM), Argentina vs Algeria (6:30 AM), Austria vs Jordan (9:30 AM), Portugal vs DR Congo (10:30 PM).

Norway embraces Viking theme for World Cup return and provokes some debate

First it was their fans performing a synchronized "Viking row" in the stands at matches. Then it was their players donning authentic Viking attire, complete with weapons, shields and long boats, to the backdrop of a fjord for a moody, dramatic photo shoot. "A dream 28 years in the making... let's do this!" Norway star Erling Haaland wrote on the X platform Monday, reposting the photo of the team along with one of his father, Alfie Haaland, competing for the national team in the 1994 World Cup. Norway is leaning into the country's centuries-old history as its star-studded men's team, containing Haaland and Martin Odegaard, heads into a first World Cup in 28 years. It has created plenty of excitement and debate. "It was an ask or a question from the (photographers)," Norway manager Stale Solbakken said Monday in advance of his team's World Cup opener against Iraq. "The players wanted me to do it. They were positive. The federation was positive. And I was average positive. And then w

Argentina vs Algeria: Messi prepared for his for his 6th World Cup- Scaloni

Argentina coach Lionel Scaloni knows the World Cup won't be decided in the opening match of the tournament. La Albiceleste proved that four years ago. But that also doesn't mean the reigning champions want to begin like they did in Qatar, when they were stunned by Saudi Arabia in their opener in group play. Argentina rebounded to beat Poland and Mexico, beat the Netherlands in a quarterfinal shootout, and ultimately topped France in another shootout to win its third world title. "We've had the experience of the last World Cup," Scaloni said Monday, the day before Argentina opens the 2026 edition against Algeria, "so this first match is not critical. I mean, it's important, but it doesn't end in the first match." Only twice has a country defended its World Cup title: Italy in 1938 and Brazil in 1962. "We're happy," Scaloni added through an interpreter. "We are assured and confident. We're here and we are at a very good moment." Scaloni said he would finalize his lineup after Monda

France vs Senegal preview: Senegal eyes repeat of famous 2002 France upset

France's last World Cup match against Senegal set off dancing in the streets of Dakar. Les Bleus were the defending champions when the Lions of Teranga's 1-0 upset win in the 2002 opener caused Senegal President Abdoulaye Wade to declare a national holiday. "Not for revenge do we want to win, but we want to go as far as possible in this competition," France midfielder N'Golo Kante said through a translator on Monday, a day before Les Bleus and Senegal meet in Group I. Senegal was a French colony before 1960. "We know that a game between France and Senegal is a very symbolic game," Senegal coach Pape Thiaw said through a translator. Six of France's players hadn't been born at the time of the 2002 game, when Papa Bouba Diop scored in the 30th minute while lying on his side. The Lions of Teranga reached the quarterfinals that year before losing to Turkey, while France went winless and failed to advance from its group. "There's no revenge in football," France coach Didier Deschamps s