Lionel Messi used the front of his white-and-blue, sweat-soaked jersey to wipe the tears from his eyes, a flood of emotions cracking his usually calm, confident demeanor after he gave Argentina an early lead in its World Cup opener against Algeria. Then he scored again. And again. Suddenly, any questions about Messi’s hamstring injury, or […]
World Cup
Haaland sparkles on World Cup debut with two goals for victory over Iraq
Norway’s prolific striker Erling Haaland bagged two goals in his maiden World Cup appearance on Tuesday to guide his team to an opening 4-1 Group I victory over Iraq, and put down a marker for the tournament. The 25-year-old, one of the most exciting forwards in world football, was in the spotlight long before the […]
Zidane Iqbal creates history at FIFA WC
Iraq’s midfielder Zidane Aamar Iqbal made history as the first footballer of Pakistani heritage to play at a FIFA World Cup tournament this week when he took the field against Norway. Iqbal, 23, was born in Manchester, England to a Pakistani father from Sahiwal in Pakistan’s eastern Punjab province and an Iraqi mother in April […]
World Cup referee Omar Artan will receive full fee from FIFA
The Somali referee who was denied entry to the United States for the World Cup will still be paid his full tournament fee. A person with knowledge of the situation told The Associated Press that Omar Artan will still be entitled to payment despite not officiating any games at the near six-week long event. The […]
Mexico get World Cup party started with win as South Africa see red
Mexico got the World Cup party started as the co-hosts swept away South Africa 2-0 on Thursday in a tempestuous clash with three red cards as the ?pyrotechnic smoke of the opening ceremony gave way to a cloud of red mist at a rocking Azteca stadium. The match fired the starting gun for the ?quadrennial […]
Japan captain Endo out of World Cup, ends international career
Japan captain Wataru Endo was ruled out of the World Cup with injury and announced his international retirement on Thursday, three days before his team’s opener against the Netherlands. The Liverpool midfielder pulled out of the tournament after failing to recover from a foot injury, and was replaced in Japan’s squad by Borussia Monchengladbach’s Shuto […]
Messi sparkles on return as Somali referee says World Cup dream over
Lionel Messi scored moments after coming off the bench on Tuesday to dispel any injury doubts and help Argentina win their final warm-up game for a World Cup overshadowed by off-field distractions, as the Somali referee refused entry to the United States said his dream was over. The 38-year-old Messi had not featured for Argentina […]
Emotional World Cup return to Mexico for South Africa coach Broos
Forty years after playing for Belgium against hosts Mexico in the 1986 World Cup opener, Hugo Broos makes an emotional return to the Estadio Azteca on Thursday, this time as coach of South Africa. The clash between Mexico and South Africa in Mexico City signals the start of the 2026 World Cup, the first of […]
Iran says US revoked World Cup ticket allocation for supporters
Iran’s football federation on Tuesday said the United States has revoked its allocation of tickets for its World Cup group games, accusing the co-host of obstructing the attendance of Iranian supporters under the shadow of a bitter diplomatic row. The US has presented a number of bureaucratic hurdles for Iran at the global football spectacle, […]
Arias scores twice as Colombia beat Jordan in World Cup warmup
Two goals from Jhon Arias gave Colombia a 2-0 win over Jordan in San Diego on Sunday in their last tune-up match ahead of the World Cup. James Rodríguez slipped the ball through for Arias to open the scoring in the 41st minute. Palmeiras midfielder Arias initially stumbled over the ball before regaining his composure […]