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July 11, 2026 1:38 PM

Magic Merino strikes again as Spain down Belgium to reach World Cup semis

Super-sub Mikel Merino snatched another late winner for Spainon Friday after Belgium goalkeeper Senne Lammens failed to hold onto the ball as they claimed a 2-1 win over their injury-hit opponents and set up a World Cup semi-final clash with France. After the teams went in level at 1-1 following the first half, Spain eventually prevailed when Belgian back-up keeper Lammens, who came on in the second period for the injured Thibaut Courtois, spilled Pau Cubarsi's low strike. The ball bounced in ...

July 6, 2026 9:20 AM

Obrigado! Heroes’ welcome for Cape Verde squad on return from World Cup

Cape Verde’s soccer squad were given a heroes’ welcome by thousands of fans when they returned home on Sunday after a fairytale run at the World Cup that ended in a 3-2 defeat by Argentina in the round of 32. Hundreds of flag-waving fans were waiting at the airport to greet the players when they landed in the nation’s capital Praia and more lined the streets as they made their way to Quebra Canela beach on an open-top truck for a homecoming celebration. July 5 is Cape Verde’s Independe...

July 3, 2026 4:03 PM

FIFA explains why Croatia’s dramatic late equaliser against Portugal was ruled out

FIFA has clarified why Croatia's dramatic stoppage-time equaliser against Portugal in the FIFA World Cup Round of 32 was disallowed, saying Connected Ball Technology detected a crucial touch from striker Igor Matanovic that resulted in an offside offence. Croatia appeared to have forced extra drama when Josko Gvardiol bundled home after Mario Pasalic collected a long ball inside the box and squared it for the defender in the 103rd minute. However, following a VAR review, the goal was ruled out ...

June 27, 2026 10:46 AM

Iran wait on World Cup progress after draw with Egypt, who move into last-32

Iran face an anxious wait to see if they will progress to the World Cup knockout stages after they came from behind to hold Egypt to a 1-1 draw and finish third in Group G on Friday. Egypt, whose qualification for the last-32 was already guaranteed, took the lead inside five minutes through Mahmoud Saber, before Ramin Rezaeian equalised from a tight angle in the 14th minute of a frantic start. Iran's Mehdi Taremi – who had a penalty saved in the first half – hit the crossbar with a l...

June 27, 2026 10:19 AM

Baena strike sends Spain past Uruguay into World Cup knockouts

Spain edged Uruguay 1-0 on Friday to top Group H and reach the knockout stage of the World Cup, with Alex Baena's first-half strike enough to settle a tense, physical contest and leave Marcelo Bielsa's side out of the tournament. Spain finished with seven points from two wins and a draw, while newcomers Cape Verde claimed the second knockout berth after three consecutive draws. Uruguay bowed out with two points, level with bottom-placed Saudi Arabia. "Today’s game really put us to the tes...

June 25, 2026 2:38 AM

Iran says U.S. airport delay holds up World Cup delegation

U.S. host officials "caused problems" for Iran forward Mehdi Taremi and assistant coach Saeed Alhoei, delaying their delegation as they travelled to Seattle for the World Cup match against Egypt, Iran's football federation said on Wednesday. Iran's ISNA news agency, citing the federation, said team members were waiting for Taremi and Alhoei to rejoin the group. The reported incident comes days after U.S. authorities eased travel restrictions on Iran's World Cup delegation following complaints ...

June 19, 2026 10:20 AM

FIFA World Cup 2026: South Africa hold Czech Republic 1-1 to stay in knockout hunt

South Africa kept their hopes of reaching the FIFA World Cup knockout stage for the first time alive after Teboho Mokoena converted a late penalty to secure a 1-1 draw against the Czech Republic on Thursday. The Czech Republic made a bright start and went ahead through Michal Sadilek, whose strike after five minutes and eight seconds was the fastest goal scored at the tournament so far. Having lost their opening matches, both sides entered the contest knowing defeat would leave them facing an ...

June 14, 2026 6:08 AM

FIFA World Cup: Morocco frustrate Brazil as Group C heavyweight clash ends level

Brazil and Morocco played out a hard-fought 1-1 draw in their opening Group C match at the 2026 FIFA World Cup on Saturday, with neither side able to gain the upper hand in a contest between two of the tournament's leading contenders. Sixth-ranked Brazil, widely regarded as perennial title challengers, were tested throughout by seventh-ranked Morocco, who are aiming to become the first African nation to lift the World Cup trophy. The sides exchanged goals at New York New Jersey Stadium, but ...

June 11, 2026 9:52 AM

Mexico face South Africa as biggest-ever FIFA World Cup gets underway

The FIFA World Cup 2026 finally gets underway on Wednesday (local time), with co-hosts Mexico taking on South Africa in the opening match at the Mexico City Stadium. The Group A encounter marks the beginning of the biggest World Cup in history, featuring 48 teams and 104 matches across the United States, Canada and Mexico. Backed by a passionate home crowd, Mexico will be eager to make a winning start to their campaign. The fixture brings back memories of the 2010 World Cup opener in South Afr...

June 11, 2026 9:42 AM

Somali soccer referee who was denied US entry comes home to hero’s welcome

Somali soccer referee Omar Abdulkadir Artan returned home to a hero's welcome on Wednesday after being barred from entering the U.S. for the World Cup, describing the decision as a matter of "fate" and urging his fellow Somalis not to lose heart over it. Artan, Africa's referee of the year in 2025, had been set to become the first Somali to officiate at soccer's global showpiece, but was turned back by U.S. Customs and Border Protection over the weekend. The Trump administration said on Tuesda...