Soccer | DD News

July 12, 2026 6:49 PM

Argentina strike late in extra time to sink 10-man Swiss and reach World Cup semis

Argentina's Julian Alvarez and Lautaro Martinez scored deep in extra time to secure a dramatic 3-1 quarter-final win over 10-man Switzerland on Saturday and set up a heavyweight last-four clash against England in Atlanta on Wednesday. Lionel Messi's Argentina side kept alive their bid to become the first team to retain the World Cup since Brazil in 1962 with a victory that sparked pandemonium among the sea of sky-blue-and-white supporters and ended Switzerland's fairytale run. The Swiss had re...

July 12, 2026 6:49 PM

Bellingham double fires England past Norway into World Cup semis

Jude Bellingham scored twice, including the extra-time winner, as England ground out a 2-1 victory over a battling Norway side at Miami Stadium on Saturday to reach the World Cup semi-finals for the fourth time. The teams were locked up 1-1 at the end of regulation time after Andreas Schjelderup had opened the scoring for Norway with a wonder strike in the 36th minute and Bellingham skipped into the area to equalise just before halftime. Three minutes into extra time, though, Morgan Rogers fir...

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 5, 2026 12:03 PM

FIFA World Cup 2026: Mbappe penalty sends France past Paraguay into quarter-finals

France arrived in Philadelphia with the swagger of World Cup heavyweights and left looking like they had spent the afternoon wrestling a cactus, grinding out a narrow victory over Paraguay in sweltering conditions. Their win was less a showcase of French elegance than a survival exercise, with Kylian Mbappe's penalty finally settling an ill-tempered contest that Paraguay had dragged into their preferred territory of physical confrontation and tactical disruption. Paraguay offered something Fra...

July 5, 2026 11:15 AM

FIFA World Cup 2026: Clinical Morocco ease past Canada 3-0 to reach quarter-finals

Morocco dispatched a determined Canada 3-0 in the World Cup last 16 on Saturday as Azzedine Ounahi scored twice and the North Africans ended the co-hosts' record run while advancing to the quarter-finals for the second time in a row. The scoreline flattered Morocco, who were on the back foot for most of the opening period and failed to register an attempt on goal until the 28th minute after Canada had spurned a number of solid chances. The tame first-half performance caused Morocco's visibly f...

June 22, 2026 12:51 PM

FIFA World Cup: Salah magic inspires Egypt to historic victory over New Zealand

Mohamed Salah inspired Egypt to their first-ever World Cup win as they came from a goal down to beat New Zealand 3-1 with a brilliant second-half display on Sunday, moving top of Group G and boosting their hopes of reaching the knockout stage. After a relatively quiet first half that saw them go in behind at the break, Egypt and Salah turned up the heat in the second period as the 34-year-old winger showed he is still capable of conjuring magic from his boots. "It's a great achievement for all...

April 27, 2026 3:39 PM

FIFA set to increase 2026 World Cup prize money

FIFA is in discussions with national associations to increase prize money for all 48 teams participating in the 2026 World Cup, soccer's global governing body said on Sunday. The proposal must be approved at Tuesday's FIFA Council meeting being held ahead of the 76th FIFA Congress in Vancouver. In December, FIFA said prize money for this year's World Cup would be 50% higher than for the previous edition at $655 million after agreeing a record $727 million financial contribution to the tourname...

April 23, 2026 4:41 PM

Italy underwhelmed by Trump envoy’s suggestion they should replace Iran at World Cup

The suggestion that Iran should be replaced by Italy at this year's World Cup drew a mix of embarrassment and apathy from Azzurri fans on Thursday, with Italian media reminding readers that the idea has a very familiar feel. Donald Trump's U.S. special envoy Paolo Zampolli told the Financial Times that he made the suggestion to the U.S. president and FIFA President Gianni Infantino. "I'm an Italian native and it would be a dream to see the Azzurri at a US-hosted tournament. With four titles, t...

April 23, 2026 2:49 PM

Floundering Chelsea sack Rosenior amid worst scoring drought in 114 years

Chelsea sacked manager Liam Rosenior on Wednesday following a catastrophic run of form that has left the London club's Champions League hopes hanging by a thread while they also endured their worst goalscoring drought in over a century. Rosenior lasted less than four months in the role after his January appointment following Enzo Maresca's departure, becoming the latest casualty of Chelsea's turbulent season after seven defeats in their last eight matches across all competitions. Rosenior's di...

April 23, 2026 9:51 AM

Soccer-Trump envoy seeks to replace Iran with Italy in upcoming World Cup, FT reports

A top envoy to U.S. President Donald Trump has asked FIFA to replace Iran with Italy in the upcoming World Cup, the Financial Times reported on Wednesday. The plan is an effort to repair ties between Trump and Italy's Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni after the two fell out amid the American president's attacks against Pope Leo XIV over the Iran war, the FT reported, citing people familiar with the matter. "I confirm I have suggested to Trump and (FIFA president Gianni) Infantino that Italy re...