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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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Messi breaks all-time World Cup scoring record to lead golden boot race with five goals
Lionel Messi tops the 2026 World Cup golden boot standings with five goals after a hat-trick against Algeria and a record-breaking brace against Austria. Harry Kane, Kylian Mbappé and Erling Haaland are among those on two goals in a crowded chasing pack.
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Queiroz rallies 33 million lions as Ghana target England in World Cup Group L
Ghana coach Carlos Queiroz has issued a bold challenge to England ahead of their World Cup Group L meeting, declaring his nation's 33 million people a match for England's three lions. A Ghana win would seal their place in the Round of 32 with a game to spare.
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Manchester City close to £10m-plus deal to appoint Enzo Maresca as Guardiola's successor
Manchester City are on the verge of appointing Enzo Maresca as Pep Guardiola's replacement, with a compensation package worth more than £10m being negotiated with Chelsea after the Italian left Stamford Bridge in January.
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England Face Ghana in World Cup Group L with Kick-Off Set for 9pm Tuesday
England take on Ghana in a World Cup Group L fixture on Tuesday evening. The match kicks off at 9pm, with both sides looking to make their mark in the group stage.
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Messi misses penalty then scores to claim outright World Cup goals record from Klose
Lionel Messi squandered a first-half penalty against Austria in Dallas but recovered to score from open play, moving to 17 World Cup goals and surpassing Miroslav Klose's all-time record of 16.
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Doku flies from World Cup to London for son's birth, set to rejoin Belgium squad Tuesday
Manchester City winger Jeremy Doku left Belgium's World Cup camp to be present for the birth of his son, named Praise, on Monday. The Belgian federation confirmed both mother and baby are doing well, with Doku due to return to Seattle on Tuesday evening.
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O'Reilly eyes midfield return as Man City weigh Anderson partnership
Nico O'Reilly has declared his long-term future lies in midfield, raising the prospect of a central partnership with reported City target Elliot Anderson — while Rodri's future at the club remains uncertain.
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O'Reilly eyes midfield return after thriving as England's first-choice left-back at World Cup
Manchester City's Nico O'Reilly, one of the Premier League season's standout performers, has hinted he sees his long-term future in midfield after making his England debut at the World Cup against Croatia.
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Klopp dismisses Van der Vaart as 'attention-seeking' after Boeing 747 dig at Van Dijk
Jurgen Klopp has publicly rebuked Rafael van der Vaart after the Netherlands head coach compared Virgil van Dijk's turning speed to a Boeing 747, calling the pundit-turned-manager 'not worth mentioning' and questioning the integrity of his criticism.
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O'Reilly eyes World Cup tattoo as England left-back targets glory in New York
Nico O'Reilly says he will mark a potential England World Cup triumph with a new tattoo, having already started the tournament as a key figure under Thomas Tuchel with a start in the 4-2 win over Croatia.
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Messi surpasses Klose to become the outright top scorer in World Cup history
Lionel Messi broke Miroslav Klose's all-time World Cup scoring record of 16 goals by netting his 17th at the tournament, finding the net against Austria after squandering an earlier penalty.
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