Uzbek fans wave national flags ahead of the 2026 World Cup Group K football match between Uzbekistan and Colombia at the Mexico City Stadium in Mexico City on June 17, 2026. | Photo Credit: AFP Colombia opened their World Cup Group K campaign with a 3-1 victory over Uzbekistan at the Estadio Azteca on Wednesday, … Read more
Ghana’s Antoine Semenyo, left, celebrates teammate Caleb Yirenkyi’s goal during the World Cup Group L soccer match between Ghana and Panama in Toronto, Wednesday, June 17, 2026. | Photo Credit: AP Caleb Yirenkyi completed a sweeping counterattack with a tap-in goal in the fifth minute of second-half stoppage time, lifting Ghana to a 1-0 win … Read more
Panama’s midfielder Jose Luis Rodriguez and Ghana’s midfielder Caleb Yirenkyi fight for the ball during the 2026 World Cup Group L football match between Ghana and Panama at the Toronto Stadium in Toronto on June 17, 2026. | Photo Credit: AFP Caleb Yirenkyi completed a sweeping counterattack with a tap-in goal in the fifth minute … Read more
Lineups are announced and players are warming up. Argentina: Emiliano Martinez; Gonzalo Montiel, Lisandro Martinez, Cristian Romero, Facundo Medina; Rodrigo De Paul, Alexis Mac Allister, Enzo Fernandez, Thiago Almada; Lionel Messi, Lautaro Martinez. Algeria: Luca Zidane; Aissa Mandi, Rayan Ait-Nouri, Rafik Belghali, Ramy Bensebaini; Fares Chaibi, Hicham Boudaoui, Nabil Bentaleb; Ibrahim Maza, Amine Gouiri, Anis … Read more
Argentina’s Lionel Messi celebrates after scoring a hat-trick at the FIFA World Cup 2026 match against Algeria in Kansas City on June 16, 2026. | Photo Credit: Reuters Lionel Messi equalled Miroslav Klose’s all-time record for goals at World Cup tournaments when he netted for the 16th time in Argentina’s opening match against Algeria on … Read more
Argentina’s Lionel Messi celebrates a goal during the FIFA World Cup Group J match against Algeria. Messi opened his sixth World Cup with a hat-trick to become the tournamnent’s joint all-time top scorer. | Photo Credit: AFP Lionel Messi opened his record-breaking sixth World Cup with a hat-trick to become the tournament’s joint all-time top … Read more
Argentina’s Lionel Messi celebrates his hat-trick during the FIFA World Cup 2026 match against Algeria in Kansas City on June 16, 2026 | Photo Credit: Reuters Lionel Messi saluted a “beautiful moment” after becoming the World Cup’s joint all-time leading goalscorer in his record-breaking sixth finals appearance on Tuesday (June 16, 2026). The 38-year-old Argentina … Read more
Lineups are announced and players are warming up. Austria: Alexander Schlager, David Alaba, Philipp Lienhart, Phillipp Mwene, Stefan Posch, Xaver Schlager, Nicolas Seiwald, Konrad Laimer, Marcel Sabitzer, Romano Schmid, Sasa Kalajdzic Jordan: Yazeed Abu Laila, Abdullah Nasib, Yazan Al-Arab, Mohammad Abu Al-Nadi, Noor Al-Rawabdeh, Nizar Al-Rashdan, Mousa Al-Tamari, Ali Olwan, Ehsan Haddad, Muhannad Abu Taha, … Read more
Portugal’s Cristiano Ronaldo. File | Photo Credit: AP Cristiano Ronaldo, your turn. The 41-year-old is set to enter the World Cup on Wednesday (June 17, 2026) when Portugal meets Congo after impressive performances by the tournament’s other top stars. France’s Kylian Mbappé and Erling Haaland of Norway each had two goals as they opened their … Read more
Iran’s Arya Yousefi and Saeid Ezatolahi take a drink during a hydration break during their FIFA World Cup match against New Zealand in Los Angeles, on June 15, 2026 | Photo Credit: Reuters Ahead of the 2026 FIFA World Cup, climate scientists warned that this edition of the tournament could be among the hottest on … Read more
Cristiano Ronaldo is preparing for his sixth World Cup as if it were his first, said Portugal coach Roberto Martinez as he hailed the 41-year-old as “an example and a reference for football.” Armed with a richly talented generation, Portugal are among the favourites to win the World Cup for the first time. Ronaldo’s continued … Read more
Kylian Mbappe renewed his remarkable relationship with the World Cup on Tuesday (June 16, 2026) as he scored twice in France’s 3-1 win over Senegal, leaving him within touching distance of Lionel Messi as he bids to become the tournament’s highest ever scorer. The Real Madrid superstar notched his team’s first goal at the MetLife … Read more
Austria’s Marko Arnautovic celebrates scoring their third goal against Jordan, on June 16, 2026 | Photo Credit: Reuters Austria won a World Cup game for the first time in 36 years with a 3-1 victory on Tuesday (June 16, 2026) over a Jordan team on debut at football’s premier global event. An own goal from … Read more
Jordan’s Ali Olwan embraces head coach Jamal Sellami after the World Cup Group J soccer match against Austria in Santa Clara, Calif., near San Francisco, on June 16, 2026. | Photo Credit: AP Jordan can hold their heads up high after delivering an “honourable performance” on their World Cup debut, coach Jamal Sellami said following … Read more
Cristiano Ronaldo is preparing for his sixth World Cup as if it were his first, said Portugal coach Roberto Martinez as he hailed the 41-year-old as “an example and a reference for football.” Armed with a richly talented generation, Portugal are among the favourites to win the World Cup for the first time. Ronaldo’s continued … Read more
Czechia’s Patrik Schick controls a ball during a training session. | Photo Credit: AP South Africa’s return to the FIFA World Cup after a 16-year absence has so far resembled much of its footballing history — spirited, organised and competitive, but ultimately punished by fine margins. A 0-2 defeat to host Mexico in the opening … Read more
Portugal’s Rafael Leao in action with DR Congo’s Aaron Wan Bissaka in the World Cup Group K match in Houston, Texas, on June 17, 2026 | Photo Credit: Reuters Portugal and their talisman Cristiano Ronaldo were left frustrated after Democratic Republic of Congofought back to earn a 1-1 draw on Wednesday (June 17, 2026) in … Read more
Harry Kane netted a brace as England began their World Cup Group L campaign with a 4-2 victory over Croatia on Wednesday (June 17, 2026). England captain Kane had twice given his side the lead in the first half but Croatia fought back on both occasions through Martin Baturina and Petar Musa, before Jude Bellingham … Read more
England’s Harry Kane, right, attempts a shot on goal as Croatia’s Josip Sutalo tries block during the World Cup Group L soccer match between England and Croatia in Arlington, Texas, near Dallas, Wednesday, June 17, 2026. | Photo Credit: AP England got their FIFA World Cup 2026 campaign off to a winning start as they … Read more
Iran’s Mohammad Mohebbi (8), second right, scores his side’s second goal during the World Cup Group G match between Iran and New Zealand in Inglewood, Calif., near Los Angeles, on June 15, 2026 | Photo Credit: AP Iran opened its politically charged World Cup by playing to a 2-2 draw with New Zealand on Monday … Read more
Cape Verde’s goalkeeper Vozinha recorded seven saves on Monday (June 15, 2026), holding Spain’s star-studded lineup to a shocking 0-0 draw in a FIFA World Cup 2026 match. | Photo Credit: Reuters It took Cape Verde goalkeeper Vozinha all of his 40 years on Earth to make his World Cup debut. The long, long wait … Read more
Norway football team seen during a practice session ahead of their FIFA World Cup match. | Photo Credit: AP First it was their fans performing a synchronized “Viking row” in the stands at matches. Then it was their players donning authentic Viking attire, complete with weapons, shields and long boats, to the backdrop of a … Read more
U.S.’ player Christian Pulisic trained on his own during practice on Monday (June 15, 2026) while he rehabilitates a calf injury that limited him to one half of action in the Americans’ opening World Cup victory. File | Photo Credit: Reuters U.S. forward Christian Pulisic trained on his own during practice on Monday (June 15, … Read more
Every four years, the world pauses to witness a single sporting event. Football: the world at its feet explores how the game grew into a sprawling global phenomenon. Opening with a look at the modern complexities and massive scale of the sport, this exclusive compilation from The Hindu then transports you back through time, charting … Read more
Iran head coach Amir Ghalenoei walks off the field after a draw during the World Cup Group G soccer match against New Zealand in Inglewood, Calif., near Los Angeles, on June 15, 2026. | Photo Credit: AP Iran coach Amir Ghalenoei said on Monday (June 15, 2026) his team were being “oppressed” due to last-minute … Read more
Tunisia head coach Sabri Lamouchi watches the FIFA World Cup 2026 match against Sweden in Mexico on June 14, 2026. Lamouchi was sacked as Tunisia coach after one match. | Photo Credit: AP Tunisia have responded to their 5-1 World Cup thrashing by Sweden by sacking coach Sabri Lamouchi and replacing him with Frenchman Herve … Read more
Iran’s Mehdi Torabi is seen during a practice session. Winger Mehdi Torabi was only issued a single-entry visa instead of the multiple-entry visa given to other Iranian national team players to take part in the global spectacle. File | Photo Credit: Reuters An Iranian national football team player’s United States visa has expired, state media … Read more
New Zealand attacking midfielder Sarpreet Singh became the first footballer of Indian origin to start a FIFA World Cup match in his team’s 2-2 draw against Iran in their group match in Los Angeles on Tuesday (June 16, 2026). Born in Auckland to Punjabi parents, the 27-year-old Sarpreet made his World Cup debut in the … Read more
Cape Verde national soccer team fans react as they watch a World Cup group stage match against Spain, in Praia, Cape Verde on June 15, 2026. | Photo Credit: Reuters The teams that are ranked 61st, 67th and 85th in FIFA’s world rankings all were heavy underdogs in their first matches at the World Cup. … Read more
With 57 goals in 99 appearances, Kylian Mbappé becomes the joint top scorer for France, surpassing Olivier Giroud’s 57 goals in 137 appearances. Mbappe’s goal was his 13th in FIFA World cups and leaves him only 3 shy of record holder Miroslav Klose of Germany.