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 World Cup 2026 News & Updates
Washington, July 18 (IANS) US President Donald Trump has declared that the United States has become a football nation after the 2026 FIFA World Cup drew record crowds and attracted millions of international visitors to North America.“We’re not a soccer country. It turned out we were a soccer country, and I think it’s going to remain,” Trump said at a FIFA reception in New York ahead of Sunday’s final between Argentina and Spain.Trump used “soccer”, the term commonly used for footba…
Miami, July 12 (IANS) Jude Bellingham’s brilliant brace fired England into the FIFA World Cup semi-finals as Thomas Tuchel’s side overcame Norway by 2-1 after extra time here at Miami Stadium on Sunday. England had to come from behind after Andreas Schjelderup’s cross-shot gave Norway, who were playing in their first World Cup quarter-final after last-16 runs in 1938 and 1998 and a group-stage exit at USA 1994, a 36th-minute lead. Bellingham equalised in first-half added time and followed …
Foxborough, July 9 (IANS) France head coach Didier Deschamps is unfazed by the appointment of all Argentine officials for their FIFA World Cup 2026 quarterfinal against Morocco, saying their “opponent is Morocco, not the referee.” FIFA has sparked a massive debate ahead of the World Cup quarter-finals by appointing an entirely Argentine officiating crew for France’s clash against Morocco, marking the first time in the 2026 tournament that a match will be handled exclusively by officials from a s…
Mexico City, July 1 (IANS) Ecuador Football Federation (FEF) has reached out to the governing body, FIFA, to voice its concerns over the treatment they received from Mexcian fans ahead of their FIFA World Cup 2026 Round of 32 game against Mexico on Wednesday. As the players were trying to rest ahead of the knockout match, many Mexican fans gathered around Ecuador’s team hotel and started playing loud music, chanting Mexican team slogans, and even launching fireworks from the top of the building….
Los Angeles, June 29 (IANS) South Africa coach Hugo Broos said that though he was disappointed by his team’s World Cup round-of-32 exit, his side takes great pride in reaching the FIFA World Cup knockouts for the first time. South Africa’s exit from the FIFA World Cup 2026 came in cruel circumstances after Stephen Eustaquio secured a last-gasp victory for Canada in their Round of 32 clash at Los Angeles Stadium.After the team recovered from an opening defeat to Mexico to draw with Czechia and th…
Philadelphia, June 25 (IANS) The battle for second place in Group E comes down to 90 minutes in Philadelphia as Curacao and Ivory Coast meet in a winner-takes-all contest on Friday. While Germany have already booked their place in the Round of 32, the race for the remaining qualification spot remains wide open, giving this fixture enormous significance for both nations. Ivory Coast enter the match in the stronger position. The African side sit second in the standings with three points and need o…
Foxborough, June 23 (IANS) Croatia and Panama head into Tuesday’s Group L encounter at BMO Field in Toronto knowing that anything less than a victory could leave their FIFA World Cup campaigns hanging by a thread. Both sides opened the tournament with defeats and now face a must-win contest in what will be their first-ever meeting.Croatia began their campaign with a spirited but ultimately unsuccessful performance against tournament favourites England, losing 4-2 despite twice drawing level duri…
Kansas City, June 21 (IANS) Eloy Room’s incredible saves helped Curacao to secure their first World Cup point after playing out a goalless draw with Ecuador in the FIFA World Cup 2026 Group E encounter here at the Kansas City Stadium on Sunday. Curacao, the smallest country to ever compete at the global finals, scripted an otherworldly story as Goalkeeper Room was the 15-save hero as they drew 0-0 with Ecuador.This is just the third goalless draw in 33 World Cup encounters between CONMEBOL and C…
Berlin, June 14 (IANS) Veteran goalkeeper Manuel Neuer will return to Germany’s starting line-up for their opening match of the FIFA World Cup 2026 against Curacao on Sunday after recovering from a calf injury, head coach Julian Nagelsmann confirmed. The 40-year-old had been out of action since suffering a left calf injury during Bayern Munich’s final Bundesliga match of the season in late May. The setback forced him to miss Germany’s recent friendly wins over Finland and the United States…