New Zealand thrashed 10-man Chile 4-1 on Monday in Auckland in their last home match before the World Cup, their first win ever against South American opposition. …
Scotland’s first outing since ending a 28-year wait to qualify for the World Cup ended in defeat as Junya Ito’s late strike earned Japan a 1-0 win at Hampden Park. …
England boss Thomas Tuchel said this month’s friendlies are the “last opportunity for players to compete for their ticket” to the World Cup but insisted “no one is on the plane” yet. …
… Both wars broke out immediately after the end of a Winter Olympics — and before the start of the subsequent Paralympics and ahead of a summer World Cup. …
Namibia had no answer to Pakistan’s spinners, as they slumped to a huge 102-run defeat in their final match at the T20 Cricket World Cup in Colombo yesterday. …
Namibia will need 200 runs to secure victory against the United States after the Americans posted a formidable 199/4 in their T20 Cricket World Cup clash on Sunday, their highest total in the tournament. …
… Her biggest dream remains clear: to help Namibia qualify for the Women’s Africa Cup of Nations (WAFCON) and, ultimately, the Fifa Women’s World Cup. …
Portugal beat Norway 2-1 to become the first team to reach the Nations League quarter-finals without Cristiano Ronaldo, while Jurgen Klopp's Germany drew 0-0 with Greece in their latest matches.
Portugal beat Norway 2-1 to become the first team to reach the Nations League quarter-finals without Cristiano Ronaldo, while Jurgen Klopp's Germany drew 0-0 with Greece in their latest matches.
Spain defeated the Czech Republic 3-1, recording their 41st consecutive unbeaten game, while England overwhelmed Croatia 7-0 in Nations League matches on Saturday. Harry Kane scored twice to bring his international tally to 89 goals, and Jude Bellingham also netted in England's commanding display.
Australia defeated South Africa 42-38 in a one-off Test match in Perth, with Len Ikitau scoring twice as the Wallabies claimed their biggest win under new coach Les Kiss. South Africa, who fielded a new-look lineup with 13 changes, scored three late tries but could not overturn the deficit despite the Wallabies finishing with 11 players.
Kylian Mbappe scored France's only goal in a 1-0 UEFA Nations League win over Turkey in Zinedine Zidane's first game as coach on Friday, but suffered a left knee injury and was substituted. Zidane said Mbappe overextended his knee while shooting and will likely return to Real Madrid for treatment.
European and North American/Caribbean football federations have called on FIFA president Gianni Infantino to distribute $2.1 billion from FIFA's reserves to its 211 member associations, offering $10 million per association between 2027–2030. The demand comes amid a dispute over Infantino's failed plan to sell a stake in the World Cup to private investors, which UEFA said it would boycott if pursued.
Investor Joshua Kushner said his firm Thrive Capital "would not have gotten involved" in Fifa's failed plan to sell stakes in the World Cup for $20 billion if it had foreseen the backlash and political fallout within global football. Fifa Forward Enterprise, which would have raised $4.2 billion for poorer football nations, collapsed amid criticism from Uefa and others who called it a secretive deal benefiting investors.
Lionel Messi announced his retirement from international football after Argentina lost to Spain in the 2026 World Cup final. The 39-year-old said the decision was painful but right, noting he always gave everything for his country.
France winger Bradley Barcola has joined Liverpool from Paris Saint-Germain for a reported £124 million, making him the club's second-most expensive signing after Alexander Isak. The 23-year-old is Liverpool's third forward costing over £100 million in two years.
Uefa has announced it is considering legal action against Fifa president Gianni Infantino and possibly other officials for "criminal mismanagement" over his now-abandoned plan to bring private investment into the World Cup. The move is described as a "massive escalation" of their feud, with a legal document filed in a Florida court accusing Infantino of criminal mismanagement.
Former Cameroon star Samuel Eto'o has backed Fifa president Gianni Infantino, saying he "hasn't done anything wrong" despite mounting pressure over a collapsed private investment proposal for Fifa tournaments. Eto'o suggested the criticism was politically motivated ahead of Fifa's presidential election next year.
Michael Olise scored and created a goal as Bayern Munich defeated Borussia Dortmund 2-1 in the German Supercup on Saturday, securing Bayern's 12th trophy of that name and their second consecutive win since it was renamed after Franz Beckenbauer in 2025.
Bayern Munich striker Harry Kane received his second European Golden Shoe after scoring the most goals in Europe's top divisions last season, with 36 in 31 Bundesliga games. Kane said his "best season ever" — during which he scored 73 goals for club and country — positions him to compete for the Ballon d'Or.
Spain's World Cup-winning captain Rodri has completed his move to La Liga champions Barcelona from Manchester City on a deal running until 2030, with the transfer value reaching 76.5 million euros including bonuses after two failed bids.
Former Liverpool star Mohamed Salah completed a transfer to Turkish club Trabzonspor on a two-year contract after leaving Liverpool at the end of his contract. The 34-year-old Egyptian international will earn 17 million euros per season plus bonuses and a 20 percent share of jersey and merchandise revenue, described as a record for the Turkish league.
New AC Milan coach Ruben Amorim has vowed to honour club legend Franco Baresi, who died last week, as he begins his tenure with a Milan derby against Inter in Perth on Wednesday. The Portuguese coach aims for a top-four Serie A finish after AC Milan missed the Champions League last season, and will have veteran midfielder Luka Modric available after his contract extension.
Fifa president Gianni Infantino, who rode high after overseeing the successful 2026 World Cup expansion to 48 teams, now faces his position under threat following the collapse of a private investor plan.
Fifa president Gianni Infantino has lost the confidence of European football's governing body Uefa after withdrawing his plan to allow private investment in the World Cup, which Uefa had dismissed as a "shabby, back room, opaque deal" and threatened to boycott all Fifa competitions over.
African football boss Patrice Motsepe defended FIFA president Gianni Infantino on Wednesday, praising his commitment to football and support for Africa, despite growing criticism over Infantino's handling of issues including a suspension decision and tournament format changes.
South Africa and France top their respective tables after the southern hemisphere Tests in the inaugural Nations Championship. The Springboks, New Zealand and other southern hemisphere nations will visit the northern hemisphere in November to play three Tests apiece before a grand final at Twickenham on November 27-29.
England beat France 6-4 in the 2026 World Cup third-place playoff as Kylian Mbappe became the all-time leading scorer in World Cup history. Both teams had reached the semi-finals but suffered exits — France were outplayed by Spain while England suffered a late collapse against Argentina.
England rugby's No. 8 Ben Earl scored twice to guide England to a 31-24 victory over Argentina in the Nations Championship on Saturday, with a late Argentina try being ruled out after a television review. The match was marked by ill-discipline and tension stemming from Argentina's recent football World Cup victory over England.
France defeated Japan 42-15 on Saturday in Tokyo to complete their Nations Championship southern hemisphere series with two wins and one loss. France scored six tries in the comfortable victory over the outclassed Japan side.
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.
All Blacks coach Dave Rennie has confirmed that playmaker Richie Mo'unga will not be selected for the upcoming four-Test series against South Africa, as Mo'unga remains ineligible under national union eligibility rules until October due to his time playing club rugby in Japan.
England were beaten 2-1 by defending champions Argentina in the World Cup semi-finals, with Lionel Messi setting up both Argentina goals in a second-half turnaround after Anthony Gordon had put England ahead. Captain Harry Kane said the team were "gutted" after working hard to reach the semi-finals.
Spain beat tournament favourites France 2-0 in the World Cup semi-final on Tuesday, with goals from Mikel Oyarzabal and Pedro Porro, to advance to Sunday's final where they will face either Argentina or England.
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.
Ireland beat Japan 36-20 in the Nations Championship on Saturday to stretch their win streak to six, with five Irish players scoring tries on neutral territory at Newcastle, north of Sydney.
Belgium meet Spain in the World Cup quarter-finals on Friday, seeking to break Spain's defence, which has recorded six consecutive World Cup clean sheets—a first in history. Spain have conceded just six shots on target in five matches and are playing possession-based football similar to their 2010 World Cup-winning approach.
Fifa referees chief Pierluigi Collina has rejected "unfounded allegations" of malpractice by officials who oversaw Argentina's 3-2 World Cup victory over Egypt in Atlanta. Egypt coach Hossam Hassan had speculated the officiating team was subjected to external pressure to favour Argentina and criticised several decisions, including a goal chalked off by VAR.