'Nearly men of Asian football' - Uzbekistan's rise to the World Cup

Uzbekistan are the first nation from Central Asia to qualify for the Fifa World Cup. Here is how they got to North America.

Congo Returns to World Cup in High Style After 52 Years Away

The soccer stars’ sharp black suits with leopard-print details are a nod to a long history of “sapeur” fashion.

By Amelia Nierenberg, Matthew Mpoke Bigg, Saikou Jammeh and Justin Makangara

2026 World Cup: Uneven French team opens with win against Senegal

Despite a difficult start, Les Bleus ultimately managed to dominate the Lions of Teranga in their opening match, thanks in particular to two goals from Kylian Mbappé. But the victory also confirmed certain weaknesses, especially in defense.

World Cup schedule today: How to watch, TV channels & live stream

• Live blog: the latest news from around the tournament • World Cup newsletter | Daily podcast | Get the app This World Cup’s expanded format has stretched out the group stage, meaning eight sides have had to wait nearly a week since the start of the tournament to get started, but after today all 48 teams participating in the 2026 World Cup will have played a match. England will start their campaign against Croatia in a rematch of the 2018 World Cup semi-final, while Cristiano Ronaldo and Por...

By Graham Ruthven

FAQ: How World Cup fans and workers can stay safe in the heat

More than 1 in 3 World Cup matches face dangerously hot, humid weather. Here's how to protect yourself from heat illness.

By Rebecca Hersher

LIVE: Portugal vs DR Congo – World Cup 2026

Follow the build-up, analysis and live text commentary of the Group K clash between Ronaldo's Portugal and DR Congo.

Lionel Messi's greatness shines with World Cup hat trick against Algeria

Lionel Messi scores his first World Cup hat trick in Argentina's 3-0 win over Algeria, tying Miroslav Klose's career World Cup scoring record.

Lionel Messi ties men's World Cup goals record with a hat trick as Argentina tops Algeria

With a brilliant hat trick in a 3-0 win over Les Fennecs, Argentina's Lionel Messi moved into a tie with Germany's Miroslav Klose for the career scoring record at the men's World Cup.

Morocco: The 2030 World Cup is more than sports, it is a national project

Hosting the 2030 World Cup is more than just a sporting event for Rabat. While the kingdom invests heavily in infrastructure and prestige projects, doubts and social conflicts grow alongside a sense of pride and hope.

China’s role in Cabo Verde’s historic World Cup draw with Spain

On Monday, thousands of Cabo Verdeans poured out onto the streets of their capital, Praia, to celebrate the national football team’s shock draw against Spain at the World Cup, beating drums, blowing horns and dancing. For Cabo Verde, an archipelago country of 500,000 people located off the coast of West Africa, a stalemate with former World Cup champions is as good as a win. President Jose Maria Neves described it as a defining moment for the country, which became independent from Portugal in...

By Dulue Mbachu

Iraqi scores goal in World Cup debut after being detained by US customs

Iraq striker Aymen Hussein was delayed on the way to his first World Cup, but he still made the best of his tournament debut.

Messi becomes joint World Cup all-time scorer with hat trick against Algeria

Argentina beat Algeria 3-0 on June 16. Lionel Messi's hat trick of goals came 20 years to the day after his World Cup debut. Messi is now the first man to play in six World Cups and the tournament's joint all-time scorer, alongside Germany's Miroslav Klose, with 16 goals. The player was praised by supporters on both sides.

By FRANCE24

Portugal v DR Congo LIVE: Cristiano Ronaldo begins sixth World Cup campaign after Messi shines

Ronaldo aims to inspire Portugal in Group K opener against DR Congo in Houston a day after fellow superstars Lionel Messi, Kylian Mbappe and Erling Haaland dominated their World Cup games

By Alan Smith

2026 World Cup: Scouting Australia

The crucial game two is against a familiar opponent.

IND vs AFG: Versatile KL Rahul key to India's 2027 ODI World Cup plans

The ODI series against Afghanistan serves as an early indicator for India's 2027 World Cup preparations, with KL Rahul emerging as a key middle-order option. His adaptability and ability to accelerate or consolidate innings provide crucial flexibility, making him an important asset regardless of his batting position or wicketkeeping duties.

By PRASANTH MENON

Portugal vs DR Congo, FIFA World Cup 2026 Live Score: Ronaldo’s POR lock horns with COD in Houston

Ghana squad embraces love of the fans at start of World Cup campaign

Ghana's top players have praised the support from fans as the squad went through its final tactical routines ahead of the World Cup opener against Panama in Toronto on Wednesday night.

By Paul Myers

England seek to exorcise demons in World Cup opener v Croatia

England will launch their bid to end a 60-year World Cup title drought on Wednesday when they open Group L play in Arlington, Texas, against a veteran Croatian group looking to run it back one more time. England’s German manager Thomas Tuchel surprised many when his 26-man squad left off players like Manchester City’s Phil […]

Lionel Messi equals World Cup scoring record with sensational hat-trick against Algeria

Lionel Messi ties Klose's World Cup goals record with his first hat trick as Argentina tops Algeria

KANSAS CITY, Missouri (AP) -- Lionel Messi delivered his first World Cup hat trick while matching Miroslav Klose's career tournament scoring record Tuesday night, giving thousands of Argentina fans packed inside of Arrowhead Stadium for a match against Algeria a moment they will never forget. Messi scored his first goal in the opening minutes off a nifty feed from Inter Miami teammate Rodrigo De Paul, the second off an opportunistic rebound early in the second half, and the third on a crisp stri

By The Korea Herald

Lionel Messi World Cup hat-trick equals goalscoring record as Argentina beat Algeria

Lionel Messi scored a majestic hat-trick to equal the all-time World Cup scoring record, answering doubts about his influence at age 38 and breathing life into Argentina’s title defence with a 3-0 Group J win over Algeria on Tuesday. He drew level with Germany’s Miroslav Klose with 16 goals in total and became the oldest player to score a World Cup hat-trick, exactly 20 years to the day since his first goal at the global tournament. The opening game in Group J at Kansas City Stadium saw anoth...

By none@none.com (Reuters)

World Cup 2026: Argentina v Algeria updates

Argentina begin their World Cup defence against Algeria in Boston, follow the action here.

Austria's Rangnick hails World Cup's smaller nations after close win over Jordan

Thomas Partey loses legal bid to gain entry to Canada for World Cup over UK rape charges

Canada denied the Villarreal player a visa over the British charges, blocking him from playing for Ghana against Panama on Wednesday.

Jordan fans turn 500-mile US road trip into World Cup debut show

At the end of a 500-mile road trip from San Diego to San Jose, hundreds of Jordan supporters marked the “small but mighty” nation’s World Cup debut against Austria on Tuesday with...

Retired England great Shearer tips African teams to do well in World Cup

The former striker is one of 18 football pundits that the BBC has hired for its World Cup...

Best World Cup 2026 betting markets right now

Explore which World Cup 2026 betting markets are offering the most value after the opening matches, including group winners, stage-of-elimination bets, totals, and player props The post Best World Cup 2026 betting markets right now appeared first on Premium Times Nigeria.

By Press Release

World Cup 2026: RTM apologises after technical glitch disrupts France-Senegal live stream for Malaysian fans

KUALA LUMPUR, June 17 – Radio Televisyen Malaysia (RTM) has issued a formal apology to football fans following a t...

By Malay Mail

Messi, Mbappe and Haaland: Three stars, one unforgettable World Cup day - The Daily Star

Messi, Mbappe and Haaland: Three stars, one unforgettable World Cup day  The Daily Star

Dutch women face biggest test yet against India at T20 World Cup

Robine Rijke struggles to remember the first time she watched a televised game of cricket. “You couldn’t really watch it...

By Malhar Hathi

Argentina’s 2026 World Cup debut against Algeria is underway

With superstar Lionel Messi in the starting lineup, the Albiceleste's title defense kicked off in Kansas La entrada Argentina’s 2026 World Cup debut against Algeria is underway se publicó primero en Buenos Aires Herald.

By Fernando Romero Nuñez

England starts World Cup bid as Ronaldo makes history

England begins its World Cup bid against Croatia, while Cristiano Ronaldo is set to make history by playing in a record-equalling sixth tournament. Read More: https://punchng.com/england-starts-world-cup-bid-as-ronaldo-makes-history/

By Punch Newspapers

Ehsan Hajisafi sets historic Iran record in World Cup - Tehran Times

Ehsan Hajisafi sets historic Iran record in World Cup  Tehran Times

World Cup 2026: Why most players are wearing pink boots [Photos]

If you've watched any matches at the 2026 FIFA World Cup, one trend has been hard to miss is most footballers putting on pink boots. The post World Cup 2026: Why most players are wearing pink boots [Photos] appeared first on Vanguard News.

By Ayobami

Canada’s visa denial for Ghana’s Thomas Partey sets precedent for World Cup host nations 

The Federal Court of Canada’s decision to uphold the visa denial of Ghana midfielder Thomas Partey exposes the rigid limits of athletic privilege when confronting state sovereignty. Major sporting spectacles often prompt host nations to streamline entry protocols for elite performers. However, this legal outcome reinforces that national security and immigration integrity remain paramount. The […]

By Ebenezer Afanyi Dadzie

Mbappe by the numbers: Star striker starts his World Cup by breaking France scoring record - Ahram Online

Mbappe by the numbers: Star striker starts his World Cup by breaking France scoring record  Ahram Online

FIFA give update on Michael Oliver after English referee removed from World Cup game - The Mirror

FIFA give update on Michael Oliver after English referee removed from World Cup game  The Mirror