Also known as: 2018 World Cup finals · summer World Cup · T20 Cricket World Cup · T20 Cricket World Cup 2026
Verbatim sentences from the source article.
The Namibian
Croatia beat Ghana 2-1 to claim second spot in Group L on Saturday to secure their passage to the last 32 of the World Cup. …
Croatia battle past Ghana to sew up World Cup Last 32 spotThe Namibian
Belgium defeated New Zealand 5-1 to book their place in the knockout rounds of the World Cup on Friday, securing their first win of the tournament to finish on top of Group G in Vancouver. …
Belgium into World Cup last 32 with New Zealand routThe Namibian
Uruguay bowed out of the World Cup as goalkeeper Fernando Muslera’s howler gifted Spain a 1-0 win in Guadalajara to secure top spot in Group H. …
Uruguay crash out of World Cup as Spain avoid Argentina clashThe Namibian
A heavily changed United States lost 3-2 to Turkey on Thursday in an action-packed dead-rubber clash that coach Mauricio Pochettino vowed would not derail the World Cup co-hosts’ considerable momentum. …
US lose 3-2 to Turkey after last gasp strikeThe Namibian
The Netherlands beat hapless Tunisia 3-1 on Thursday to top World Cup Group F and avoid a last-32 clash with Brazil, setting up a meeting with Morocco instead. …
Dutch march into World Cup knockouts as group winnersThe Namibian
South Africa beat South Korea 1-0 on Wednesday to reach the World Cup knockout rounds for the first time in their history — an astonishing turnaround after a dismal opening defeat. …
South Africa stun South Korea to make World Cup historyThe Namibian
Vinicius Junior made it four goals in three games at the World Cup as Brazil cruised to a 3-0 victory over Scotland on Wednesday, sealing progress to the last 32 as Group C winners and leaving their opponents in danger of another first-round exit. …
Vinicius Junior sparkles as Brazil beat Scots to reach World Cup last 32The Namibian
Bosnia-Herzegovina are on the verge of reaching the knockout stages of the World Cup for the first time after beating 2022 hosts Qatar 3-1 in their final Group B match on Wednesday. …
Bosnia in strong position to reach last 32, Qatar out of World CupThe Namibian
Colombia finally broke down a stubborn DR Congo side on Tuesday to secure a 1-0 win that guaranteed their place in the World Cup knockout rounds. …
Colombia beat DR Congo 1-0 to reach World Cup knockoutsThe Namibian
Panama were eliminated from World Cup contention after Croatia kept their hopes of progressing to the last 32 alive with a hard-fought 1-0 win on Tuesday. …
Panama out of World Cup after defeat to CroatiaPortugal 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.
5 October 2026 · The Namibian →
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.
5 October 2026 · The Namibian →
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.
4 October 2026 · The Namibian →
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.
27 September 2026 · The Namibian →
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.
26 September 2026 · The Namibian →
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.
18 September 2026 · The Namibian →
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.
1 September 2026 · The Namibian →
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.
31 August 2026 · The Namibian →
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.
31 August 2026 · The Namibian →
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.
29 August 2026 · The Namibian →
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.
25 August 2026 · The Namibian →
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.
22 August 2026 · The Namibian →
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.
19 August 2026 · The Namibian →
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.
19 August 2026 · The Namibian →
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.
6 August 2026 · The Namibian →
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.
4 August 2026 · The Namibian →
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.
4 August 2026 · The Namibian →
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.
1 August 2026 · The Namibian →
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.
22 July 2026 · The Namibian →
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.
20 July 2026 · The Namibian →
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.
19 July 2026 · The Namibian →
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.
19 July 2026 · The Namibian →
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.
18 July 2026 · The Namibian →
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.
17 July 2026 · The Namibian →
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.
17 July 2026 · The Namibian →
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.
16 July 2026 · The Namibian →
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.
14 July 2026 · The Namibian →
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.
13 July 2026 · The Namibian →
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.
11 July 2026 · The Namibian →
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.
9 July 2026 · The Namibian →
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.
9 July 2026 · The Namibian →