Staff Reporter SIX South American nations have qualified for the expanded 2026 FIFA World Cup, with Argentina, Brazil, Colombia, Ecuador, Paraguay and Uruguay securing direct places in what will be the largest edition of the global tournament to date. …
… Haiti, returning to the World Cup for the first time since 1974, have been placed in a daunting Group C that includes Brazil, Morocco and Scotland. …
… The group stage will run from 11 to 27 June and feature several high-profile fixtures, including Brazil against Morocco, France versus Senegal, England against Croatia, and Argentina against Algeria. …
… Messi first played a World Cup game as a teenager in 2006 in Germany, before later skippering them to the final in Brazil in 2014, when they lost in extra time to the Germans. …
… Ecuador qualified for the tournament by finishing second in South American qualifying, ahead of Brazil, Uruguay and Colombia, meaning they certainly won’t be there just to make up the numbers at this enlarged 48-team World Cup. …
… However, were they to win that group, a tough last-32 tie could follow against the runners-up of Group C which includes Brazil and 2022 semi-finalists Morocco. …
… ut the man who guided them there after veteran Dutch coach Dick Advocaat departed his role for family reasons and has been replaced at the Curacao helm by compatriot Fred Rutten.Ecuador qualified for the tournament by finishing second in South American qualifying, ahead of Brazil …
… Dzeko defies age Bosnia meanwhile will feature another player gracing the World Cup stage for the final time, the 40-year-old striker Edin Dzeko returning to the tournament 12 years after his only other appearance at the 2014 finals in Brazil. …
… He was shadow of himself, forced to wear a mask to protect a fractured eye socket and failing to score as South Korea were bundled out in the last 16 with a 4-1 hammering by Brazil. …
Five years after Air Namibia's collapse, Namibia Air has filed aviation licence applications to operate passenger and cargo services domestically, regionally and internationally, with the government aiming to launch the fully operational joint airline with Botswana by the end of 2026 and Ethiopian Airlines as the strategic operating partner.
Five years after Air Namibia's collapse, Namibia Air has filed aviation licence applications to operate passenger and cargo services domestically, regionally and internationally, with the government aiming to launch the fully operational joint airline with Botswana by the end of 2026 and Ethiopian Airlines as the strategic operating partner.
Argentina faced widespread criticism for dirty tactics and poor sportsmanship during their 1-0 loss to Spain, with commentators describing their performance as "petty, petulant and distasteful." Argentines counter that they are passionate rather than arrogant, and say they are accustomed to being criticized.
Spain won the 48-team World Cup, beating Argentina 1-0 in extra time at the MetLife Stadium on Sunday with a goal from Ferran Torres in the 106th minute. Spain's defensive strength—conceding only once in the tournament—and captain Rodri's play earned him player of the tournament honours over attacking superstars like Lionel Messi and Kylian Mbappe.
Fifa declares the expanded 48-team World Cup across the United States, Mexico and Canada a triumph, marked by thrilling football and strong performances from smaller nations including Cape Verde, Curaçao, and Egypt, who reached knockout rounds in record numbers.
Argentina are one game away from becoming just the third team to successfully defend the World Cup, with European champions Spain standing in their way. The article examines how previous World Cup winners fared when they reached the final in the following tournament, including Italy (1938), Brazil (1962), and Argentina (1990).
Spain and Argentina face off in a World Cup final on Sunday, with reigning champions Argentina seeking to become the first team in 64 years to successfully defend the title, while Messi, aged 39, is likely playing his final World Cup match.
Brazil's ambassador announced a N$1.9 million contribution to the World Food Programme and plans to expand a programme from supporting 300 families to 3 000 families, emphasizing building stronger food systems and helping communities become self-reliant instead of dependent on food aid.
Lautaro Martinez scored in the 92nd minute as Argentina came from behind to defeat England 2-1 in a World Cup semifinal in Atlanta, with Lionel Messi setting up both goals to send Argentina to the final against Spain.
Namibia has been included among six African countries whose citizens will be allowed to visit Brazil without a visitor visa from 2026. The exemption is expected to strengthen tourism, business and cultural ties between the countries, though travellers will still need to meet Brazil's immigration requirements.
Lamine Yamal hopes to emulate Kylian Mbappe by winning the World Cup as a teenager, with Spain facing France in Tuesday's semi-final in Arlington. The 16-year-old Yamal, who scored in Euro 2024's semi-final against France four days before his 17th birthday, will celebrate his 19th birthday on the eve of this World Cup semi-final.
France and Spain meet in a World Cup semi-final at AT&T Stadium in Arlington, Texas, with France's potent attacking force led by Kylian Mbappe—who has scored eight goals in six games—pitted against Spain's possession-based, collective style under Luis de la Fuente.
England and Argentina will meet in a World Cup semi-final on Wednesday, with the winner advancing to the final on July 19. The match carries decades of rivalry, including a 1986 quarter-final encounter won by Argentina on goals from Diego Maradona, and takes place amid a lingering sovereignty dispute over the Falkland Islands.
Argentina beat Switzerland 3-1 after extra-time in the World Cup quarter-final, with Julian Alvarez scoring a crucial goal in the 112th minute. The victory sets up a semi-final against England and keeps Argentina unbeaten in their past 12 World Cup matches.
Jude Bellingham netted twice in extra-time to lead England past Norway 2-1 in the World Cup quarter-final. England will face Argentina or Switzerland in the semi-finals on Wednesday.
The German Football Federation announced it has reached an understanding with Jurgen Klopp on key contract points for him to become the new Germany national team coach, pending approval from his current employer, the Red Bull Group.
England play Norway in a World Cup quarter-final in Miami on Friday with Kane and Haaland as their leading scorers; the winners will face either Argentina or Switzerland in the semi-finals.
The FIFA World Cup 2026 quarter-finals feature Argentina versus Switzerland, France versus Morocco, Spain versus Belgium, and Norway versus England, with matches beginning 9 July at various venues and times.
France begin their push for a third World Cup title Thursday against African champions Morocco in a blockbuster quarter-final at Gillette Stadium. France have scored 14 goals in five games, with captain Kylian Mbappe accounting for seven of them, while Morocco advanced through the group phase and eliminated the Netherlands and Canada.
Torstein Traeen of Norway claimed the Tour de France race leader's yellow jersey while Mads Pedersen of Denmark won the fourth stage, a 182km stage from Carcassonne to Foix. Pedersen, the 2019 world champion, also took the green points jersey with his victory in the sprint finish.
Brazil coach Carlo Ancelotti said the team's last-16 World Cup loss to Norway should fuel future improvement, calling it "the start of a new cycle" rather than an ending. Ancelotti, who was appointed a year ago to guide Brazil to a record sixth World Cup title, dismissed suggestions he would step down.
Namibia will host the 2028 International Network of Basin Organizations World Basin Summit in Windhoek, a selection that recognises the country's leadership in sustainable water management and positions it at the centre of international discussions on water security and climate resilience.
England play Mexico on Sunday in the Estadio Azteca as Erling Haaland and Norway face Brazil in a separate round-of-16 match, with two more quarter-final spots available after France and Morocco qualified on Saturday.
Norway will play Brazil in Sunday's World Cup last-16 match, hoping to repeat their 1998 group-stage victory. Erling Haaland, who scored his fifth goal at the tournament against Ivory Coast, is central to their hopes, though Coach Solbakken acknowledges Brazil are favourites.
Argentina survived an improbable challenge from Cape Verde, defeating the African team 3-2 after extra time in a World Cup match on Friday, with a Diney Borges own goal in the 111th minute breaking Cape Verde's resistance. Argentina will face Egypt on Tuesday for a place in the quarter-finals.
France has won all four games so far with 13 goals scored, including a 3-0 defeat of Sweden, and faces Paraguay in the last 16. Kylian Mbappe has scored six goals in the tournament and has 18 in 18 World Cup appearances.
Erling Haaland scored a late winner in the 86th minute as Norway defeated Ivory Coast 2-1 in a World Cup last-16 match, setting up a quarter-final against Brazil. It was Norway's first-ever knockout victory in World Cup history.
Brazil advanced to the World Cup last 16 after substitute Gabriel Martinelli scored in the 95th minute to secure a 2-1 victory over Japan. Brazil will face either the Ivory Coast or Norway in New Jersey on Sunday.
For the first time in World Cup history, a record nine African countries have progressed beyond the group stage, marking a significant advancement for the continent in the tournament. Previously, only one African nation at a time had managed to qualify for the knockout stage.
France and Norway meet in a crucial World Cup group-stage match on Friday, with Kylian Mbappe and Erling Haaland — both on four goals — set to feature prominently. France need only a draw to clinch first place in the group owing to superior goal difference.
The Netherlands defeated Tunisia 3-1 to finish atop World Cup Group F with seven points, avoiding Brazil and setting up a second-round match against Morocco in Monterrey on Monday.