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Germany and Netherlands eliminated as FIFA's expanded World Cup format claims its biggest victims
Germany lost to Paraguay on penalties after a 1-1 draw, while the Netherlands fell to Morocco in a shootout, with both sides eliminated in the new round of 32 — a stage that wouldn't have existed under the old 32-team format.
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Paraguay stun Germany on penalties to end World Cup hopes in round of 32
Germany's World Cup campaign ended in a penalty shootout defeat to Paraguay in Foxborough, marking the nation's second consecutive early exit from the tournament after their group-stage collapse in Qatar 2022.
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Man City enter Tonali race as Arsenal pivot to Bruno Guimaraes pursuit
Manchester City have emerged as serious contenders to sign Newcastle's Sandro Tonali, with sources close to the midfielder's camp describing them as genuine rivals to Tottenham. Arsenal, previously linked, have shifted their focus to Tonali's Newcastle teammate Bruno Guimaraes.
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Rodri injury setback hands £116m signing Elliot Anderson an immediate midfield role at City
Rodri is set to miss the start of Manchester City's season after surgery following the World Cup, opening the door for new £116m signing Elliot Anderson to fill the No.6 role under Enzo Maresca.
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Ecuador's altitude experience threatens to neutralise Mexico's key home advantage at World Cup 2026
Mexico swept the group stage unbeaten, with all three wins at high-altitude venues, but Ecuador — who regularly play home qualifiers above 9,000 feet in Quito — arrive in Mexico City far better prepared for the conditions than any previous opponent.
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Heatdome to engulf England's Kansas City base ahead of DR Congo World Cup clash
A dangerous heat dome is set to sweep across central and eastern America this week, with heat index temperatures forecast to reach 43.3°C in Kansas City, where England are preparing for their round of 32 match against DR Congo in Atlanta on Wednesday.
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Briggs and Muldoon take on provincial lead roles in Irish women's rugby overhaul
Irish Rugby has appointed four full-time provincial women's rugby leadership roles, with former internationals Niamh Briggs named Munster's Women's Pathway Manager and Larissa Muldoon taking charge of Connacht's women's rugby programme.
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Riot police deploy water cannon as Morocco's World Cup win sparks unrest across the Netherlands
Dutch authorities deployed water cannons and riot police in The Hague, Utrecht, Amsterdam and Rotterdam after Morocco's penalty shootout victory over the Netherlands triggered widespread celebrations that turned disorderly in the early hours of Tuesday morning.
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Four players split FourFourTwo's £1,000 World Cup predictor prize after Round 3
Four participants shared the Round 3 prize in FourFourTwo's World Cup match predictor competition, each receiving £250 after correctly predicting 18 of 24 group-stage results.
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PSG's £116m Barcola valuation deals Liverpool a blow as Diomande pursuit fades
Liverpool's hopes of signing PSG winger Bradley Barcola have been dealt a significant setback, with Paris Saint-Germain placing a £116m price tag on the 23-year-old and insisting he is not for sale this summer.
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Atkinson embraces de Allende duel as England prepare for Ellis Park altitude test
Gloucester centre Seb Atkinson has spoken candidly about facing Damian de Allende — a player who has shaped his own development — as England prepare to meet South Africa at Ellis Park on Saturday. The 23-year-old, holder of rugby's Bronco Test world record, says altitude training has already begun paying off.
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Pickford vows England will 'go to war' for Tuchel ahead of DR Congo World Cup clash
Jordan Pickford has declared England's squad is ready to 'go to war' for manager Thomas Tuchel as they prepare to face DR Congo in the World Cup last-32. The goalkeeper credited Tuchel's motivational meetings for a renewed sense of belief within the camp.
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Iran condemn 'petty' US security chief who danced over their World Cup exit
US Department of Homeland Security chief Markwayne Mullin said he 'danced a happy dance' when Iran were eliminated from the 2026 World Cup. The Iran Football Federation hit back, calling his remarks a demonstration of pettiness unworthy of a host nation.
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Riots erupt in The Hague as Morocco knock Netherlands out of World Cup on penalties
Moroccan fans celebrated wildly in Casablanca after Ismael Saibari's decisive penalty sent Morocco into the World Cup Round of 16, while police in The Hague deployed riot squads and water cannon following clashes in the Dutch city.
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Danny Simpson ends retirement to join Dubai club as player-coach alongside Shelvey and Morrison
Danny Simpson, who won the Premier League with Leicester City in 2016, has come out of retirement at 39 to sign for UAE Second Division side Arabian Falcons as a player-coach under manager Jonjo Shelvey.
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Bellingham reveals James Bond ambition after starring World Cup displays for England
Jude Bellingham, England's standout performer at the World Cup, has declared he would love to play James Bond, citing a lifelong love of the franchise and his own 'JB' initials as credentials.
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Suarez urges Alvarez to delay Atletico exit: 'I gave my all for Liverpool and it was my best season'
Luis Suarez has advised Julian Alvarez to reconsider his push to leave Atletico Madrid, drawing on his own experience of being talked out of a move to Arsenal by Steven Gerrard in 2013 — a decision he calls the best of his Liverpool career.
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Rashford edges closer to Man Utd stay after positive talks with club over his future
Marcus Rashford could remain at Manchester United beyond this summer's transfer window after constructive talks between the club and his representatives. The 28-year-old is set to return to Carrington for pre-season following the World Cup, with United unwilling to sanction a third loan spell.
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Livramento undergoes surgery after calf injury ends his World Cup 2026 campaign
Newcastle United confirmed on Tuesday that Tino Livramento has had a minor surgical procedure after withdrawing from England's World Cup squad with a calf injury, with the full-back now expected to return during pre-season.
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Lineker revealed he pushed Leicester to hire Emma Hayes as manager in 2023 — and was ignored
Gary Lineker has disclosed he called Leicester City's then-CEO Susan Whelan in 2023 to recommend Emma Hayes as manager following the club's Premier League relegation, but was told the owners were not ready for such a step.
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