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FIFA to break IFAB half-time rules again as World Cup final show runs to 30 minutes
FIFA is set to exceed the IFAB's 15-minute half-time limit at the World Cup final, with a concert headlined by Shakira, Justin Bieber, Madonna and BTS expected to last up to 30 minutes. BBC and ITV have reversed plans to skip the show after the extended break was confirmed.
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Mark Chapman leads BBC's Atlanta coverage as England face Argentina in World Cup semi-final
The BBC has flown its presenting team to Atlanta for England's World Cup semi-final against Argentina, with Mark Chapman fronting coverage alongside pundits Wayne Rooney, Micah Richards and Joe Hart, and Guy Mowbray on commentary with Alan Shearer.
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Spain crush France 2-0 to reach first World Cup final since 2010 triumph
Spain became the first team to book a place in the 2026 FIFA World Cup final, defeating France 2-0 in the opening semifinal on Tuesday. Mikel Oyarzabal and Pedro Porro scored as La Roja seek a second world title. They await the winner of England vs Argentina on Wednesday.
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Junior dos Santos withdraws from grappling rematch with Fabricio Werdum on August 8
Junior dos Santos has pulled out of his scheduled grappling match against Fabricio Werdum at Kings Championship in Florianopolis, Brazil on August 8. The promotion has not yet confirmed whether Werdum will remain on the card with a replacement opponent.
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Referee overturns France free-kick without VAR in Spain semi-final as fans left baffled
A free-kick awarded to France in the 43rd minute of their World Cup 2026 semi-final against Spain in Dallas was reversed by referee Ivan Barton on the advice of his assistant, not VAR — despite widespread confusion among supporters watching worldwide.
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Saliba forced off with back injury as France fall behind Spain in World Cup semi-final
William Saliba was substituted on the half-hour mark during France's World Cup semi-final against Spain in Dallas on Tuesday, signalling a back injury that had troubled him throughout the tournament. Crystal Palace's Maxence Lacroix replaced the Arsenal defender.
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Dana White's Contender Series returns for season 10 in August with five-fight debut card
Dana White's Contender Series will launch its tenth season on 11 August, featuring five fights on the opening card. The show has previously produced four future UFC champions, including Sean O'Malley and Jamahal Hill.
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Saliba limps off with suspected muscle injury in World Cup semi-final blow for France and Arsenal
William Saliba was substituted with a suspected muscle problem during France's World Cup semi-final against Spain, casting serious doubt over his availability for the final in New Jersey on 19 July and raising fresh fitness concerns at Arsenal.
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Saliba limps off with back injury as France fall behind Spain in World Cup semi-final
William Saliba was forced off in the 29th minute of France's World Cup semi-final against Spain on Wednesday, pointing to his back after going down. His exit came with France already trailing 1-0 to a Mikel Oyarzabal penalty.
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Lamine Yamal awarded controversial penalty as Spain takes lead against France
On a disputed action where Lamine Yamal appeared to control the ball with his arm, Spain opened the scoring through Oyarzabal from the penalty spot (22nd minute) in the World Cup semi-final against France. VAR did not intervene despite French protests.
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Yamal wins controversial penalty as Spain take lead against France in World Cup semi-final
Lamine Yamal earned a penalty after Lucas Digne's foul in Spain's World Cup 2026 semi-final against France in Dallas, with Mikel Oyarzabal converting — though France argued Yamal had handled the ball beforehand. Rules analyst Christina Unkel backed the on-field decision.
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Gasly takes Alpine's all-electric A110 Future prototype up Goodwood hillclimb with Duke of Richmond
Pierre Gasly drove Alpine's all-electric A110 Future prototype up the Goodwood Festival of Speed hillclimb days after scoring a double points finish at the British Grand Prix, with the Duke of Richmond riding along as passenger.
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Referee Barton forgets vanishing spray and halts Spain vs France World Cup semi-final
Salvadoran referee Ivan Barton caused a one-minute delay in the World Cup semi-final between Spain and France after arriving at a free-kick without his vanishing spray, forcing the fourth official to hand one over from the touchline.
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Referee Barton forgets vanishing spray as France vs Spain semi-final briefly halted
Salvadoran referee Ivan Barton was forced to pause the World Cup semi-final between France and Spain on eight minutes after realising he had left his vanishing spray off the pitch, with fourth official Glenn Nyberg rushing on to rescue him.
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Christina Unkel: the former FIFA referee bringing VAR expertise to ITV's World Cup 2026 coverage
Christina Unkel, a 39-year-old former FIFA referee and qualified litigation lawyer, joins ITV as a rules analyst for World Cup 2026, having impressed UK viewers during her debut at Euro 2024. She is also president of Tampa Bay Sun FC.
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FIFA moves VAR officials on-site for England vs Argentina semi-final after quarter-final controversy
FIFA has relocated VAR officials from a central Dallas hub to inside each host stadium for the World Cup semi-finals, following disputed decisions in the quarter-finals that included England's overturned penalty against Norway.
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Mbappé starts France's World Cup semifinal against Spain despite ankle scare
Kylian Mbappé is fit to lead France's attack against Spain in Tuesday's World Cup semifinal, having left the quarterfinal win over Morocco in the 77th minute with a right ankle injury. The 27-year-old is level with Lionel Messi on eight goals in the race for the Golden Boot.
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California commission denies Nkuta appeal, upholding controversial Moraes choke finish
The California State Athletic Commission has rejected Phumi Nkuta's appeal against his May loss to Adriano Moraes, ruling there was insufficient evidence to overturn a rear naked choke finish that replays suggested continued past the final bell.
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FIFA set to extend World Cup final half-time to 30 minutes for Shakira and Bieber show
FIFA looks set to override IFAB's 15-minute half-time rule for the World Cup final, stretching the interval to around 30 minutes to accommodate a halftime show headlined by Madonna, Shakira, Justin Bieber and BTS at MetLife Stadium.
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Leeds refuse to name Man Utd as Karl Darlow makes first direct move between clubs in 22 years
Leeds United pointedly omitted any mention of Manchester United from their farewell statement after Karl Darlow, 35, joined the Red Devils on a free transfer — the first player to move directly between the two clubs since Alan Smith in 2004.
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