World Cup | DD News

August 31, 2026 11:50 PM

Argentina’s Messi ends international career

Lionel Messi, who captained Argentina to World Cup victory in 2022 and the final in 2026, is retiring from international football, he said on Monday. The record eight-time Ballon d’Or winner is his country’s record appearance-maker and scorer with 125 goals in 207 games, having transformed a complicated relationship with the national team into a story of redemption and triumph. “It was a decision that hurt — and still hurts deep down — but I understand that the time has come. I swea...

July 30, 2026 10:13 AM

Regional confederations left blindsided by FIFA’s $20 billion investment plan

FIFA's proposal to sell stakes in a $20 billion commercial subsidiary has drawn strong criticism from soccer's regional confederations, which said they were blindsided by the world governing body's plan to bring private investors into the sport. The Confederations of North America, Central America and the Caribbean (CONCACAF) and Asia (AFC) delivered stinging rebukes on Wednesday, saying they learned of FIFA's equity sale proposal through media reports rather than official channel...

July 20, 2026 9:39 AM

Rodri returns from ‘hell’ to drive Spain to World Cup glory

Spain's midfield rock Rodri hopes younger generations can learn from his experience in overcoming adversity after he won the World Cup on Sunday to complete his collection of the game's major prizes less than two years after rupturing his knee ligaments. The 30-year-old was named the tournament's best player and joined greats Franz Beckenbauer, Gerd Muller and Zinedine Zidane as the only men to win the World Cup and European Championship at international level, the European Cup/Champions League...

July 13, 2026 2:52 PM

France put past behind them as history beckons against Spain

France are one victory from extending one of the most extraordinary eras of World Cup dominance, with a third successive final and a fifth appearance in the showpiece match in eight tournaments within reach when they face Spain on Tuesday. To get there, Didier Deschamps’s side must overcome the team who have repeatedly blocked their path in recent years and whose defence has been breached only once at this tournament. Spain, who have had a see-saw progression here, eliminated France in the E...

July 13, 2026 1:54 PM

Messi set for long-awaited first England clash in World Cup semi-final

Lionel Messi has spent over two decades carving a path through international soccer, facing every World Cup-winning nation from Brazil to France, but one notable opponent has always been missing from the list: England. That will change on Wednesday when Argentina meet the European side in a World Cup semi-final in Atlanta, a heavyweight clash that Argentina's FA (AFA) described on its website as "the match fate owed Messi." The 39-year-old Messi has played Brazil, Uruguay, Germany, Italy, Spai...

July 10, 2026 5:18 AM

Mbappe strikes again after missing penalty as France outclass Morocco to reach semi-finals

France captain Kylian Mbappe missed a penalty but curled in a superb goal on the hour as France struck twice in six minutes to brush aside Morocco 2-0 on Thursday and book their spot in the World Cup semi-finals. Mbappe, who at 27 became the youngest player to rack up 20 World Cup appearances, also bagged his 20th World Cup goal with a curling shot from just inside the box before Ousmane Dembele added another six minutes later with a low drive to set up a last-four meeting with Belgium or Spain...

July 8, 2026 8:36 AM

Messi inspires Argentina in stunning late comeback to see off Egypt

Lionel Messi inspired Argentina to a remarkable World Cup comeback as they came from two goals down to beat Egypt 3-2 in a dramatic last-16 game on Tuesday. The holders were 11 minutes from a shock defeat trailing 2-0, but goals from Cristian Romero, Messi and the winner two minutes into stoppage time from Enzo Fernandez kept them in the competition. Egypt had been on the brink of one of the great World Cup upsets after goals from Yasser Ibrahim and Mostafa Zico. Messi had squandered an ea...

July 7, 2026 1:17 PM

Belgium rout US 4-1 behind Charles De Ketelaere’s brace

Charles De Ketelaere scored a brace and added an assist as Belgium eliminated the United States from the World Cup with a 4-1 win in their round of 16 match on Monday. It was a convincing performance against the co-hosts for the Red Devils, who advance to play Spain in a quarterfinal match in Inglewood, Calif., on Friday. After Belgium thoroughly dominated in taking a 2-1 halftime lead, the U.S. ratcheted up the pressure coming out of the break seeking the equalizer. Instead, Belgium was stake...

July 7, 2026 8:36 AM

UEFA accuses FIFA of compromising integrity after lifting Balogun ban following Trump intervention

European football’s governing body UEFA launched a scathing attack on FIFA on Monday after the world football governing body suspended the one-match World Cup ban handed to United States striker Folarin Balogun following intervention from U.S. President Donald Trump, calling the move a threat to the integrity of the sport. The decision allowed Balogun to play in the United States’ Round of 16 match against Belgium. It drew widespread criticism from UEFA, coaches, officials and former FIFA p...

July 7, 2026 8:01 AM

Portugal coach Martinez to leave after World Cup exit to Spain

Portugal manager Roberto Martinez said he was leaving his role after Spain beat his side 1-0 in the World Cup last 16 on Monday, calling the defeat the end of a cycle for the team. The Spaniard said his contract expired on Monday and that Portugal’s football leadership should now choose a new manager. “I came to Portugal to win the World Cup and I think that, without winning it, there’s no point in continuing,” Martinez told a press conference after the match. “The board and the pre...