Dominik Szoboszlai is among the favourites to become Liverpool vice-captain
“It was all smiles when Curtis Jones, Dominik Szoboszlai and Kostas Tsimikas stepped out at Chicago Fire’s training ground. As the Liverpool trio chatted and knocked a ball around as they waited for the start of Friday’s opening training session, the mood was friendly and relaxed. There was certainly no sign of bad blood following their very public spat at New York’s Yankee Stadium just over 36 hours earlier. Jones had cut an agitated figure when he made a beeline for Szoboszlai after the 1-0 victory over Wrexham. Their heated exchange on the field lasted more than two minutes, with Jones unhappy that Szoboszlai had given the captain’s armband to Tsimikas rather than him when the Hungary midfielder was substituted 13 minutes from time. …”
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Guardian – Faster, faster: Iraola in a rush to plug Liverpool gaps before Premier League starts
Liverpool players make up after armband spat but Curtis Jones edges closer to an Anfield exit
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“The 2026–27 Bundesliga will be the 64th season of the 
“The 2026–27 Eredivisie, also known as VriendenLoterij Eredivisie for sponsorship reasons, will be the 71st season of 
“The 2026–27 Premier League will be the 35th season of the 
“How was soccer invented? There are many conflicting beliefs concerning how the sport came to be. Known as football in most of the world, it is undeniable that this is one of the most popular sports today. Let’s explore how soccer was invented and spread over the years. … Regarding how soccer was invented in modern times, the codification of the sport began in the public schools of Britain at the beginning of the 19th century. Within the private school system ‘football’ was a game in which the hands were used during periods of play and grappling allowed, but otherwise, the modern shape of soccer was being formed. …”
“Like everywhere, the world’s smallest island nation has been gripped by football fever for the past six weeks. But once Spain lifted the World Cup trophy on Sunday, almost every trace of football on Nauru stopped. Football is almost non-existent on this Pacific island. Nauru has never fielded a team in an official international match and it has just one – hard sand – pitch. … But things may be slowly changing as a group of volunteers – led by British former academy player Charlie Pomroy – seek to introduce the game to what was once the world’s richest nation per capita but is now heavily reliant on foreign aid and has one of the highest obesity rates in the world. … A social media post from the Nauru Soccer Federation congratulating the new world champions and setting out a dream that ‘one day we hope to be in Spain’s position’ may have been fanciful, but the groundwork is real in what it says is the last country not to have had a senior international side. …”
Lautaro Martinez nods Lionel Messi’s cross into the net to send holders Argentina into the World Cup final
“… But Spain’s World Cup-winning side of 2026 should be considered among the most convincing winners in the history of this competition. In eight games, they only conceded one goal, never trailed at any stage, and controlled matches in midfield without being negative or unambitious. By the end — 
“Perhaps it’s too early, with the shreds of gold tape still fluttering through the New Jersey sky, to make a proper assessment. That will only come when everything has sunk in properly, when memories have had the chance to settle and shape themselves, when the consequences of certain events have become clear. But let’s try anyway to make some sort of assessment of where the World Cup that ended with 
“Football’s greatest prize is up for grabs at MetLife Stadium on Sunday. It is Spain vs Argentina in the World Cup final. Europe’s champions take on their South American counterparts. Lionel Messi, 39, faces 19-year-old Lamine Yamal — perhaps the 
“By late Wednesday afternoon, the roads in Barcelona had begun to empty. I was still an hour from the place where I planned to watch the Argentina-England semifinal, checking the dashboard clock, afraid I would miss the beginning and more afraid that this beginning might be Lionel Messi’s last. On the indoor, air-conditioned field in Atlanta, under a roof closed against the Georgia heat, Messi wasn’t hurrying. The semifinal began as a rock fight: churning legs, desperate tugs, lunging tackles, the ball repeatedly disappearing beneath the urgency of reaching it. England’s younger players pressed and collided and chased. Inside all that motion, Messi walked. …”
“As Cristian Romero readied to receive a pass 10 yards from his goalline, Jude Bellingham and Anthony Gordon sensed a mistake in the making. The center-back’s posture was not ideal after he took a scoot backwards to collect, facing the left sideline as his opponents lustily converged. He would only have half a second to settle a bouncing ball, shift his momentum, and find a passing lane in the rapidly closing seam between the England duo. Easier said than done on most days, but this particular Wednesday was not most days. First touch: ball settled. Second touch: right foot shunting the ball to his left. Third touch: left foot, ball coolly slotted to an awaiting Nahuel Molina. …”
“Four teams remain at this summer’s World Cup, and that means our rankings odyssey is almost over. But not quite yet! With the quarter-finals in the books, it’s time to update our rankings of the top 50 players at the tournament. These are informed by The Athletic’s player ratings model, which provides an objective assessment of each player’s contribution in a match. The list will stay at 50 names and players will not simply vanish as their teams are eliminated in the knockout rounds, though they may well be leapfrogged by others who get more time to show what they can do on the World Cup stage. …”
“Spain defeated France, 2-0, in the World Cup semifinal on Tuesday, first scoring off a penalty kick. The second goal came following a breakdown in France’s defense in the 58th minute. Here’s a 3-D view of Spain’s second goal. …”
“World Cup games mean more. England have only ever played 80 games in the finals, which is to say, not much more than two Premier League seasons in the 76 years since they first entered. Those games draw huge audiences: more than 17 million in the UK watched Saturday’s win over Norway, even though it was after midnight by the time it finished. In most countries, 
“Fifa match officials’ novel use of the term ‘mistaken identity’ reared its head again in sensational circumstances during 
“Lionel Messi and Argentina are in the World Cup semi-finals — but, once again, not without controversy. A breathtaking goal from Julian Alvarez in the 112th minute, curled into the top corner from just outside the penalty area, and a late third from Lautaro Martinez ended Switzerland’s resistance to seal a 3-1 win and set up a mouthwatering semi-final against old enemy England on Wednesday. But a bizarre sending-off for Switzerland’s Breel Embolo, moments after Dan Ndoye had cancelled out Alexis Mac Allister’s opener, was the main talking point. Embolo was dismissed after a VAR review for ‘mistaken identity’, with footage proving he dived after a challenge from Leandro Paredes. …”
Bellingham scored twice, though Norway were furious about his first
“>We assess the teams who played in the tournament’s last 16 before the next round of games begins. 1) France (no change 
Ruben Vargas scores Switzerland’s winning penalty
“Lionel Messi inspired Argentina to one of the great World Cup comebacks as they came back from two goals down to beat Egypt 3-2 and seal their place in the quarter-finals. Argentina had found themselves behind at half-time in the tournament for the first time in 16 years after Yasser Ibrahim’s 15th-minute header and a Messi penalty saved by Mostafa Shobeir. The reigning champions appeared on the brink of elimination when Mostafa Ziko put Egypt 2-0 up in the 67th minute, after already having seen a goal ruled out for a VAR intervention on a challenge in the build-up. Lionel Scaloni’s side had other ideas, though. …”
“Chris Richards keeled over, and Tyler Adams sobbed. Weston McKennie slumped in a chair, mind spinning, stare blank, while Matt Freese wandered and Tim Ream pondered the end. They, the U.S. men’s national soccer team, had just been banished from their home World Cup, 
“The whiff of unfulfilment lingers around 
“England held on with 10 men to withstand a late bombardment by Mexico in the Estadio Azteca and triumph 3-2 to reach the quarter-finals of the World Cup. The game exploded in six mad first-half minutes. First Jude Bellingham headed in the opener after a brilliant run by Bukayo Saka down the right on 36 minutes, then he exchanged passes with Harry Kane to add his second on 38 minutes. 
“It takes a lot to stop Erling Haaland — and now Brazil know it only too well. The five-time world champions will not be adding a sixth title this summer after Haaland’s late header and a blistering low shot in stoppage time earned Norway a place in the World Cup quarter-finals for the first time with a 2-1 win. A cagey game always looked like it would take one monumental performer to settle it and it was no great surprise that Haaland stepped up, his brace taking his tally to seven at this tournament, joint top with Kylian Mbappe and Lionel Messi in the Golden Boot standings. …”
“Folarin Balogun will be available to play the USMNT’s World Cup round-of-16 match against Belgium after his one-game red-card ban was suspended, FIFA has confirmed. 
The closing ceremony of the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations in January 2026 at the Prince Moulay Abdellah Stadium in Rabat, Morocco.
“Egypt beat Australia in a penalty shootout at the AT&T Stadium in Arlington, Texas. The North African nation progresses to the round-of-16 game in Atlanta on July 7, where they will face the winner of Argentina’s game with Cape Verde, which kicks off at 6pm EDT (11pm BST) tonight in Miami. Australia started the game well with Cristian Volpato hitting the bar with a long-range shot inside the first five minutes. Egypt, though, were soon in control and opened the scoring on 13 minutes as midfielder Emam Ashour headed in a Karim Hafez cross at the far post. …”
“Spain dominated Austria in Los Angeles to reach the last-16 with a 3-0 victory and looked every bit one of the teams to beat in the World Cup. Among the favourites for the tournament, Spain were in complete control and with Lamine Yamal again pulling tricks and striking fear into defenders, Luis de la Fuente’s side look the biggest challengers to France for the title. They could face the 2022 finalists in the semi-finals in Dallas on July 14. Mikel Oyarzabal calmly slotted home after a cross from the left in the first half before Pedro Porro made it 2-0 in the second half after great work from Marc Cucurella. Another Cucurella cross was then finished by Oyarzabal for his fourth goal of the tournament. …”
“Presented as a still image by the video referee, the case for the prosecution is obvious. United States forward Folarin Balogun is stepping down, with force, seemingly over the right ankle of Bosnia and Herzegovina defender Tarik Muharemovic. The opponent’s foot is also in a contorted shape, sliding slightly to his right, providing a squeamish image where the first instinct of the viewer is to wince and turn away. It does not take a wild, imaginative leap to hypothesize that this challenge could lead to serious injury, such is the manner of the tackler’s landing and the point of contact. This perception is only enhanced by Muharemovic, clearly in initial pain, beating the turf he lies on. …”
“Even by the standards of this World Cup, this was ridiculous. Belgium produced the biggest comeback victory of the 2026 tournament so far, rallying after going 2-0 down to equalise through Romelu Lukaku and Youri Tielemans in the space of five mad minutes late in normal time before snatching a 3-2 win deep in added time of extra time through Tielemans’ penalty, awarded after a VAR review, to advance to the last 16. At 125 minutes, it is the latest goal in the history of the World Cup finals. …”
“The England men’s team has been playing football for 154 years, but it has never had a player quite like Harry Kane before. England have had some great moments in their history, winning the World Cup in 1966. But they have rarely won a game quite like this. Not with this same sense of being seized, being saved, of one man deciding to take control of a game that was slipping through English fingers. 
Morocco beat the Netherlands 3-2 on penalties after the game finished 1-1
“Erling Haaland scored an 86th-minute winner as Norway beat Ivory Coast 2-1 in Dallas to set up a last 16 tie with Brazil at MetLife Stadium in New Jersey on July 5. Ivory Coast looked like they had sent the tie into extra time when Amad, on as a substitute, equalised with 74 minutes played. But Haaland, who had had a quiet game, scored with an mis-hit finish to win the match, squeezing Patrick Berg’s pass over the line. 
“After Sunday’s one-match palate-cleanser, the World Cup clicked into a new gear on Monday, with three absorbing knockout games. Brazil vs Japan always looked likely to be one of the fixtures of the last 32 and didn’t disappoint. Japan, so watchable in the group stage, flew out of the traps and took the lead through Kaishu Sano. Five-time World Cup winners Brazil slowly ground their way back, however, and eventually 
“Brazil breathes again. The five-time World Cup winners were in danger of slumping to a historic low in the tournament they have dominated more than any other nation after going behind to Japan in Houston. Carlo Ancelotti’s side were insipid in the first half but an inspired comeback — capped by goals from Casemiro and a last-gasp winner from Gabriel Martinelli — sealed a dramatic 2-1 victory and a place in the last 16, where they will face Norway or Ivory Coast. …”
Young members of the Verde Corazon ultra during a match of their club RCR, Relizane, Algeria, 2016.
“Canada won its first knockout game at the men’s World Cup, beating South Africa in dramatic circumstances to set up a last-16 tie with the Netherlands or Morocco. The co-hosts had never progressed beyond the group stage before but will now have the chance to go deeper still, after Stephen Eustaquio prompted wild scenes by scoring a stoppage-time winner in this round-of-32 game at SoFi Stadium, near Los Angeles. It is the end of the road for South Africa, which was also competing in its first knockout tie at soccer’s biggest international tournament. Canada now travels to Houston, with Jesse Marsch’s side hoping to upset one of the competition’s stronger teams with a place in the quarter-finals at stake. …”
Members of the Moroccan national team line up for the national anthem ahead of a friendly match against Paraguay in Lens, France, on 31 March 2026.
An image of DR Congo’s tactics against Portugal DR Congo set up in a 5-3-2 in a bid to frustrate Portugal
France have scored 10 goals in their three World Cup group matches and now play Sweden in the round of 32
Cape Verde became the smallest nation to ever reach the World Cup knockout stages 
“If you’re a fan of Scotland, South Korea or any other team that finishes in third place in its World Cup group, the question is now: Are we in? For some, such as Bosnia and Herzegovina, Sweden and Ecuador (
“Ivory Coast reached the knockout stage of the men’s World Cup for the first time — with France or Norway lying in wait in the last 32. It is also the first time they have won multiple matches in a single edition of the World Cup. An early goal for Germany against Ecuador in the other Group E game briefly gave Curacao hope of securing a third-place spot, but Nicolas Pepe’s first goal for Ivory Coast in Philadelphia was quickly followed by an Ecuador equaliser at MetLife Stadium in New Jersey to dampen the dreams of the team ranked 82nd in the world. 
“Canada had to settle for the runners-up spot in Group B after a 2-1 defeat to Switzerland in Vancouver on Wednesday, but their performance did include one of the World Cup’s best assists and finishes. A draw or win for Jesse Marsch’s side would have secured top spot and allowed them to stay in the same city for their round-of-32 tie. It would also have allowed them a longer rest period, but it is the Swiss who have that advantage with Canada facing a tie in Los Angeles on Sunday, June 28 where they will most likely face South Korea. …”
“England struggled to a 0-0 draw against Ghana in their second match at this World Cup after wasting chances late on to win the game at the Gillette Stadium. Thomas Tuchel’s side were excellent in their 4-2 win against Croatia in their opening match but they created far fewer chances against a resolute Ghana defence. 
“Is Lionel Messi the greatest of all time? His latest landmark achievement — breaking the record for most goals scored at the World Cup with his double against Austria — certainly strengthens his case. Messi, inevitably, was the centre of attention in Dallas, his goals earning Argentina a 2-0 win that booked the reigning champions’ place in the knockout stages. The Inter Miami forward’s 17th and 18th World Cup goals (and fifth in two matches) took him past Germany’s Miroslav Klose as the all-time leading scorer in football’s biggest tournament. It came after he missed a penalty earlier in the first half, a wasted opportunity that only delayed the inevitable. …”
“Six days after Cape Verde secured a scarcely believable 0-0 draw against the pre-tournament favourites Spain, they were at it again, this time drawing 2-2 with Uruguay in Miami. In their first ever appearance at a World Cup they have taken points off two teams that have won the tournament three times between them (Spain in 2010 and Uruguay in 1930 and 1950). 
“Lamine Yamal did not wait long to make his mark on his first World Cup start. The 18-year-old Barcelona attacker sparked a riotous performance from Spain against Saudi Arabia, scoring after 10 minutes to set his team on their way to a 4-0 victory which all but confirmed their place in the last 32. It was the perfect antidote for Spain, whose status as pre-tournament favourites had been dented by 
Scissors Kick 