New York, July 20 (IANS) This was a World Cup that looked different from the outset. FIFA had already committed to an expanded 48-team format before it even chose a host, and when the joint bid from Canada, Mexico and the United States won that vote in 2018, the 2026 World Cup became the first to be staged in three countries. Football’s governing body later confirmed three other changes: an automatic red card for players who cover their mouths, mandatory hydration breaks in every match, and the …
Latest Kylian Mbappe News & Updates
New York, July 20 (IANS) Spain centre-back Pau Cubarsi has won the FIFA Young Player Award for his outstanding performances during the FIFA World Cup 2026. Cubarsi started all eight matches for La Roja, as they soared to a second world crown with a 1-0 extra-time triumph over Argentina in the final on Sunday at New York New Jersey Stadium.Cubarsi never put a foot wrong as he helped Spain register seven clean sheets during the tournament, forging a fabulous partnership alongside Aymeric Laporte a…
New York, July 20 (IANS) France captain Kylian Mbappe has won the Golden Boot for FIFA World Cup 2026, retaining the title of tournament top scorer which he claimed at Qatar 2022. The France forward took his tally to ten with a double in Les Bleus’ 6-4 defeat by England in an enthralling and end-to-end Bronze final in Miami on Saturday. Having struck eight times to finish top scorer at Qatar 2022, Mbappe became the first player to win the World Cup Golden Boot twice.The 27-year-old was the fir…
Miami, July 19 (IANS) France captain Kylian Mbappe believes Lionel Messi will reclaim the FIFA World Cup’s all-time scoring record in Monday’s final against Spain, just hours after overtaking the Argentina legend on the competition’s overall scoring charts.Mbappe moved to the top of the all-time World Cup scoring list after netting twice in France’s thrilling 6-4 defeat to England in the third-place play-off on Saturday. The brace took the 27-year-old to 22 World Cup goals from just 22 mat…
Miami, July 19 (IANS) England midfielder Jude Bellingham reflected on his side’s FIFA World Cup 2026 campaign with an emotional message to supporters after the Three Lions defeated France 6-4 in a thrilling third-place play-off, saying the team’s best World Cup finish since 1966 provides a platform for the future. Sharing his thoughts on social media after the victory, Bellingham wrote, “This group deserved to finish on this high note. Obviously not what we came for, but the highest finish…
New Delhi, July 19 (IANS) France striker Kylian Mbappe penned an emotional note for coach Didier Deschamps, who is departing after 14 years of exceptional dedication to Les Bleus and French football. France finished fourth in the FIFA World Cup 2026 after going down 4-6 to England. It marked Deschamps’ farewell as France manager after 14 years in charge. The 57-year-old took over an underachieving side from Laurent Blanc in 2012 and led it to a second crown in 2018.”You who gave us so much. We s…
Miami, July 19 (IANS) France’s Kylian Mbappe broke Lionel Messi’s all-time World Cup scoring record of 21 in the third-place play-off, though Les Bleus lost 6-4 to England. Both Mbappe and Messi began World Cup 2026 adrift of former leader Miroslav Klose. Mbappe now has 22 World Cup goals in as many matches, scoring twice to move ahead of Messi and extend his lead in the Golden Boot race to 10 goals at this tournament, two ahead of Messi.Prior to the FIFA World Cup 2026, Klose led the overall sc…
Miami, July 18 (IANS) France and England will conclude their FIFA World Cup 2026 campaigns on Sunday when they face off in the third-place playoff at Miami Stadium in Florida. After falling short in the semifinals, both European heavyweights will be aiming to finish the tournament on a positive note, even if the bronze-medal contest falls well short of the occasion they had targeted.France’s hopes of reaching a second successive World Cup final were ended by an impressive Spain side, while Engla…
Mumbai, July 17 (IANS) Argentina’s Consul General to Mumbai, Daniel Quer Confalonieri, believes the reigning world champions have grown stronger with every game at the FIFA World Cup 2026 and head into Sunday’s final against Spain with genuine belief that Lionel Messi can end his international career on the highest note.Confalonieri said Argentina’s performances have steadily improved after a slow start to the tournament.”Argentina is growing into the tournament. We didn’t start particularly wel…
New Delhi, July 17 (IANS) India goalkeeper Gurpreet Singh Sandhu believes stopping England captain Harry Kane will be France’s biggest tactical challenge when the two European heavyweights meet in the FIFA World Cup 2026 third-place play-off.Sandhu believes that Kane’s ability to influence games beyond his goals makes him England’s biggest attacking weapon.”If Harry Kane starts, he’ll be England’s biggest threat. His ability to drop into midfield, link play and create space for runners makes him…