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France vs Iraq halted by lightning as Fifa's World Cup 2026 weather protocol kicks in
France's group-stage match against Iraq was suspended mid-game after lightning struck within eight miles of the Philadelphia stadium, triggering Fifa's mandatory weather protocol and forcing players and fans inside at half-time.
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France vs Iraq suspended at half-time as lightning storm strikes Philadelphia
France's World Cup Group I clash against Iraq at Lincoln Financial Field in Philadelphia was halted at half-time due to a lightning storm, with fans evacuated from open seating areas. Kylian Mbappé had given France the lead after 14 minutes before play was interrupted.
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Schmeichel insists Messi's record-breaking World Cup goal should have been disallowed
Peter Schmeichel has argued that Lionel Messi's historic opener against Austria — which made him the World Cup's all-time leading scorer, surpassing Miroslav Klose — should have been ruled out for an Alexis Mac Allister foul earlier in the move.
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Tottenham target Robertson and Gakpo as Iraola reshapes Liverpool's squad
Tottenham Hotspur are in discussions to sign Cody Gakpo from Liverpool this summer, with Andy Robertson already set to join the North London club after leaving Anfield at the end of the 2025/26 season.
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Wilton Sampaio referees again after handing out three reds in World Cup opener
Brazilian official Wilton Sampaio, who issued three red cards in the tournament's opening match between Mexico and South Africa, takes charge of Norway vs Senegal in Group I's second round of fixtures.
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England fans face $180 parking and nine-hour journeys for Ghana World Cup clash in Boston
England supporters heading to Tuesday's World Cup match against Ghana at Gillette Stadium in Foxborough are contending with train fares four times the normal price and warnings from Scotland fans of delays lasting up to nine hours after the final whistle.
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Retired Aaron Ramsey in advanced talks to take charge at relegated Oxford United
Aaron Ramsey is set to begin his managerial career at League One Oxford United just weeks after retiring from football, with the former Arsenal and Wales midfielder in advanced talks to take charge at the Kassam Stadium.
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Netflix prepares documentary on VA-OM affair with unprecedented revelations promised
Emmanuel Chain, producer and former TV presenter, confirms working on a Netflix documentary dedicated to the 1993 Valenciennes-Marseille corruption scandal, with testimonies and revelations never before disclosed, expected for late 2026.
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Doku flies home for son's birth then rejoins Belgium squad ahead of must-win New Zealand clash
Jeremy Doku left Belgium's World Cup camp on an emergency flight to London to be present for the birth of his first child, a boy named Praise, before rejoining the squad in Seattle. The Manchester City winger had already missed Sunday's 0-0 draw with Iran due to a respiratory illness.
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Vegas high-roller turns $777,000 Argentina bet into $1.1m as Messi seals 2-0 win
A Las Vegas bettor staked $777,000 on Argentina at -215 to beat Austria at the World Cup, sweating through a missed Messi penalty before the superstar's brace sealed a 2-0 win and a $361,395 profit.
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Barcola starts, Doué on the bench: Deschamps makes three changes against Iraq
Didier Deschamps makes three changes for France's second match at the 2026 World Cup against Iraq on Monday in Philadelphia. Barcola, Koné and Digne enter the starting lineup in place of Doué, Tchouaméni and Théo Hernandez.
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Los Angeles tops World Cup 2026 power bill rankings at $19,000 per match day
A new study projects the seven US host cities will collectively spend over $860,000 on electricity to power World Cup matches, with Los Angeles leading at $19,108 per game — driven largely by enclosed stadiums and heavy air-conditioning demands.
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Messi breaks World Cup scoring record with brace as Argentina seal last-32 spot
Lionel Messi scored twice against Austria in Dallas to surpass Miroslav Klose as the World Cup's all-time leading scorer, taking his tally to 17 goals. Argentina won 2-0 to secure qualification from Group J.
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Messi becomes World Cup's all-time top scorer with brace against Austria at 38
Lionel Messi scored twice for Argentina against Austria at Dallas Stadium on 22 June, taking his World Cup tally to 18 goals across six tournaments and making him the competition's all-time leading scorer.
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Merlin the duck meets Mexico's president after World Cup viral fame
Merlin, the pet duck in a miniature Mexico shirt who became an unofficial mascot of the 2026 World Cup, was welcomed to President Claudia Sheinbaum's morning press conference on Monday, where his owner received a pledge of support from the head of state.
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Canadian referee Drew Fischer to take charge of his first World Cup match in France vs Iraq
Drew Fischer, a Canadian FIFA referee since 2015 and two-time MLS Referee of the Year, will officiate France vs Iraq at Philadelphia Stadium — his first-ever World Cup assignment. Storms in the Philadelphia region could trigger FIFA's bad weather protocols and delay kick-off.
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France Pierron suspended from L'Équipe following childbirth comments controversy
Following the controversy sparked by her comments on fathers' presence in the delivery room, journalist France Pierron has been taken off air by L'Équipe for several days. The group condemns her remarks while denouncing the cyberhassment she is experiencing.
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Messi's brace sends Argentina through to knockout stages before final group match
Argentina defeated Austria 2-0 on Monday at AT&T Stadium, thanks to a brace from Lionel Messi (38', 90+5'). The Albiceleste have already qualified for the round of 16 at the 2026 World Cup after just two matches.
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Raphinha's wife fires back at Vampeta after 2002 World Cup winner's Al Hilal and family claims
Natalia Belloli has released a lengthy social media statement defending her husband after former Brazil midfielder Vampeta alleged on a podcast that Raphinha faces serious family and financial problems and is seeking a move to Al Hilal.
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Messi breaks Klose's World Cup record with brace against Austria after missing penalty
Lionel Messi scored his 17th and 18th World Cup goals in Dallas on Wednesday, surpassing Miroslav Klose's all-time record to send Argentina into the knockout stage with a 2-0 win over Austria — despite missing a ninth-minute penalty.
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