Page 4 - Latest Updates on FIFA World Cup

The fall of Joga Bonito: What has gone wrong with Brazilian football?

Since lifting their fifth World Cup in 2002, Brazil have failed to reach another final despite continuing to produce some of football's biggest stars, like Neymar, Vinícius Júnior and Raphinha

FIFA World Cup 2026 pre-QF today's matches, live timings (IST), streaming

Argentina will be eager to avoid another scare after being pushed to extra time in the previous round, whereas Egypt are eyeing one of the biggest upsets of the competition.

Kylian Mbappe slams Paraguayan senator over racist World Cup comments

France star Kylian Mbappe on Monday condemned a Paraguayan senator over racist remarks she made following Paraguay's loss to France in the round of 16 at the World Cup. Mbappe called Celeste Amarilla, a senator from Paraguay's Liberal Radical Party, a "despicable woman" who was "unworthy" of serving in Paraguay's Congress. "Through your recklessness and your brazen racism, the entire world has already forgotten the journey and the historic effort that your players accomplished during this World Cup," Mbappe wrote on X. Amarilla posted a series of racist comments on X after Mbappe converted the winning penalty in France's victory over Paraguay on Saturday, mocking the French captain's origins, upbringing, education and appearance. France advanced to the quarterfinals, where it will face Morocco on Thursday. Late Monday, Amarilla issued an open letter in French and Spanish to Mbappe on social media, in which she said her problem was with the player, not the country of France. She wro

Balogun suspension sparks integrity debate despite FIFA, Trump defence

Soccer leaders questioned the World Cup' s integrity on a chaotic and unprecedented day in the event's modern history Monday. The furor centered on a phone call that President Donald Trump made last week to FIFA head Gianni Infantino to make the case that U.S. striker Folarin Balogun should not have been suspended for matchup with Belgium because of a red card in a game last week. FIFA lifted the suspension and cleared Balogun to play. The decision appeared to be the first time since 1962 that punishment for a World Cup offense was suspended in the tournament, increasing scrutiny on Infantino's control of FIFA and his close association with Trump. European soccer body UEFA said FIFA "crossed a red line" and called Sunday's decision by FIFA's disciplinary committee "unprecedented, incomprehensible and unjustifiable." Infantino denied having a role in the decision. Trump called it a "horrible" call and took credit for getting FIFA to review the foul, but said he did not demand an ...

Scoreless Pulisic hobbled by injuries in disappointing FIFA World Cup run

United States forward Christian Pulisic could only watch from the bench as Belgium extinguished his team's World Cup bid, ending a tournament in which the American star was hobbled by injuries and largely ineffective. The most accomplished U.S. striker, Pulisic was held scoreless in his second World Cup. He has 33 goals in 90 international appearances but has scored just once in eight World Cup games - against Iran in the group stage in 2022. For the second time in this World Cup, Pulisic left a match in the second half with an injury, leaving Monday's 4-1 loss to Belgium after twisting his right ankle when he extended for a shot attempt and hit the boot of Belgium captain Youri Tielemans in the 52nd minute. After spending a few moments lying on the pitch, Pulisic began favoring the foot and was replaced in the 59th by Sebastian Berhalter with the U.S. trailing 3-1. Having to come out of the game was "difficult for me to deal with," he said. "I felt really good this summer with th

Belgium end USA World Cup dream as Balogun controversy fades in 4-1 rout

Belgium beat the United States 4-1 in the Fifa World Cup 2026 Round of 16 as Charles De Ketelaere scored twice and Folarin Balogun had little impact

USA vs Belgium HIGHLIGHTS FIFA WC Last 16: Belgium humble USA 4-1 to go through to the quarter-final

Balogun failed to come on the scoresheet as the Red Devils dominated the proceedings on the day in Seattle.

Spain set World Cup record with sixth straight clean sheet as Simon shines

Spain broke a World Cup record with its sixth consecutive clean sheet and goalkeeper Unai Simon extended his record shutout streak to 609 minutes after a 1-0 win over Portugal on Monday. Spain broke its tie with Italy (1990) and Switzerland (2006-10) for the most consecutive World Cup matches not allowing a goal. Spain's streak began with a 0-0 draw in the round of 16 in 2022, when Morocco advanced after a penalty shootout. There was also a surprising scoreless draw against Cape Verde to open group play in this tournament followed by four consecutive shutout victories to advance to the quarterfinals. Simon surpassed the previous record of 517 consecutive scoreless minutes during a 3-0 blanking of Austria to open the knockout round Thursday. Famed Italy goalkeeper Walter Zenga set the standard in 1990 with five consecutive clean sheets in his home World Cup. Simon's shutout streak started in 2022 in Qatar during a 2-1 loss to Japan to wrap up group play. He came into the Portugal g

Mbappe slams Paraguayan senator over racist remarks after World Cup match

France star Kylian Mbappe on Monday condemned a Paraguayan senator over racist remarks she made following Paraguay's loss to France in the round of 16 at the World Cup. Mbappe called Celeste Amarilla, a senator from Paraguay's Liberal Radical Party, a "despicable woman" who was "unworthy" of serving in Paraguay's Congress. "Through your recklessness and your brazen racism, the entire world has already forgotten the journey and the historic effort that your players accomplished during this World Cup," Mbappe wrote on X. Amarilla posted a series of racist comments on X after Mbappe converted the winning penalty in France's victory over Paraguay on Saturday, mocking the French captain's origins, upbringing, education and appearance. France advanced to the quarterfinals, where it will face Morocco on Thursday. The Paraguayan government released a statement Monday afternoon condemning Amarilla's remarks as "contrary to the values and principles that inspire peaceful coexistence and resp

Egypt coach says no sympathy for Palestinians is 'not human' at World Cup

Egypt coach Hossam Hassan broke away from discussing his team's upcoming World Cup round of 16 match against Argentina to give an impassioned monologue about the plight of the Palestinian people. Hassan, who waved a Palestinian flag after Egypt's victory over Australia in the last round, spoke for more than four minutes on the subject on Monday and was applauded by many of the assembled media. "If there is anyone in the world who does not feel for the Palestinian people, then they are not human - whether they are Arab, European, or American," Hassan said at news conference to preview Egypt's game against defending champion Argentina on Tuesday. More than 2 million Palestinians in Gaza, largely displaced and living amid ruins, face uncertainty after a war that began when Hamas attacked Israel on Oct 7, 2023. Israel's retaliation has killed a total of 73,066 Palestinians, according to Gaza's Health Ministry. "Everywhere in the world, including in Europe or America, if someone hurts a

Ronaldo's World Cup dream ends as Spain strike late to beat Portugal

Mikel Merino scored in stoppage time as Spain beat Portugal 1-0 in Dallas, ending Cristiano Ronaldo's final World Cup campaign

Portugal vs Spain HIGHLIGHTS FIFA WC Last 16: Heartbreak for Ronaldo; ESP beat POR 1-0 to go through

Ronaldo fails to make it through to the quarters as his final World Cup campaign ends tonight courtesy of Merino's late stoppage time winner.

Haaland-led WC run is stirring up soccer pride for Norway fans everywhere

Erling Haaland banged the drum to lead Norway fans in the Viking Row that has become a signature part of the World Cup. After celebrating carrying his nation into the quarterfinals of the tournament for the first time by scoring both goals in a 2-1 win over Brazil on Sunday, his thoughts drifted to the scene back home where tens of thousands of Norwegians partied into the night. And, of course, performing the Viking Row themselves. "Look at the streets in Norway," Haaland said. "I've never experienced anything like it before. I kind of wish that I was in Oslo now celebrating with all the people." Thankfully for his teammates, the Manchester City striker is in the U.S. piling up the goals and making this the best World Cup in the history of Norway's men's national team. This improbable run that took another leap forward by knocking off five-time champion Brazil is stirring up pride in fans at stadiums and in the streets where the games are taking place, and across the Scandinavian

Belgium, UEFA slam FIFA over Balogun decision as Trump claims credit

Furor at the World Cup saw Belgium tackle FIFA's ruling not to enforce a ban from Monday's game of United States forward Folarin Balogun, and U.S. President Donald Trump claim credit for swaying the soccer body's leader. The on-field integrity of soccer's biggest event came under a shocking attack in what seemed a blatant case of political interference. A strict reading of FIFA statutes could see the U.S. suspended from the global game. Trump defended calling FIFA President Gianni Infantino, saying he merely pointed out a "horrible" decision by a referee to issue Balogun a red card last Wednesday for an illegal tackle on a Bosnia-Herzegovina player when the U.S. won in the round of 32. "All I did was ask for a review. I didn't think it was a foul," Trump told reporters Monday at the White House about lobbying Infantino, a close ally, not to impose a one-game ban on Balogun that is mandatory in soccer laws. What has flared into an all-time controversy in the World Cup's 96-year hist

Trump: WC referee's red card call was 'horrible', left outcome to FIFA

President Donald Trump on Monday took credit for getting FIFA to review a red card issued against the United States' star forward Folarin Balogun at the World Cup but said he did not demand an outcome. "All I did was ask for a review," Trump said when asked about it during an unrelated Oval Office event. "I didn't say, You have to do this.'" Trump confirmed that he called FIFA President Gianni Infantino and asked for a second look at the punishment against Balogun in the United States' 2-0 win against Bosnia-Herzegovina last week in Santa Clara, California, near San Francisco. But he said FIFA made the final call to lift Balogun's mandatory one-game ban for a foul tackle, allowing him to play in Monday's round of 16 match with Belgium in Seattle. FIFA's decision to suspend the one-game ban was celebrated by many in the United States but brought condemnation in the international sports world, where some called it an outrageous intrusion. The Belgian soccer federation is challenging .

Fifa dismisses Belgium appeal as Balogun ban row clouds USA World Cup clash

Fifa dismissed Belgium's appeal after suspending Folarin Balogun's one-match ban, clearing the US striker to face Belgium in the World Cup Round of 16

Jude Bellingham double helps England edge Mexico in World Cup classic

Jude Bellingham scored twice and Harry Kane converted a penalty as England beat Mexico 3-2 despite Jarell Quansah's red card

'I leave with a clear conscience': Ronaldo confirms last World Cup rumours

On the eve of Portugal's Round of 16 showdown against Spain, the 41-year-old finally said the words the footballing world had long expected to hear.

Trump asks Fifa to review US player's suspension, striker cleared to play

The reversal of Folarin Balogun's World Cup suspension is highly unusual. It was the first time since 1962 that FIFA has nullified a suspension for a red card received during the World Cup

Mexico vs England HIGHLIGHTS, World Cup pre-QF: 10-men England beat hosts Mexico 3-2; through to QF

England vs Mexico highlights: A brace from Bellingham followed by a Harry kane penalty made sure the Three Lions book their QF berth on the night.