World Cup 2026
FIFA Men's World Cup — USA, Canada, Mexico.
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Bellingham backed Messi for Ballon d'Or despite Argentine's Kopa Trophy snub
Jude Bellingham publicly endorsed Lionel Messi for the 2023 Ballon d'Or even after Messi ranked him only third in the Kopa Trophy vote. The two now meet as World Cup semi-final opponents, with Messi leading the tournament's scoring charts on eight goals and Bellingham setting an England record with six.
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Madonna, Shakira and BTS to headline 20-minute World Cup 2026 final half-time show in New Jersey
FIFA's Super Bowl-inspired half-time show at the World Cup 2026 final on 19 July will run approximately 20 minutes, with Madonna, Shakira and BTS co-headlining alongside Justin Bieber, Burna Boy and Coldplay's Chris Martin as curator.
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Aldi pulls Argentinian Malbec from shelves ahead of England's World Cup semi-final
Aldi has removed its popular Argentinian Malbec wine from store shelves on July 15, replacing it with a sign pledging solidarity ahead of England's FIFA World Cup 2026 semi-final against Argentina. The lighthearted stunt has gone viral with over 15,000 likes on Instagram.
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Tevez refused to learn English because his uncle fought and suffered in the Falklands War
Carlos Tevez spent seven years playing in England but deliberately avoided learning the language, citing the lasting trauma his uncle endured after being called up to fight in the 1982 Falklands War.
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Mikel blames Ronaldo fans for Argentina-FIFA conspiracy theories ahead of England semi-final
Former Chelsea midfielder John Obi Mikel has dismissed claims that FIFA are favouring Argentina at the 2026 World Cup, attributing the narrative to Cristiano Ronaldo supporters on social media. England face Argentina in Miami on Wednesday in a World Cup semi-final.
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Lizarazu slams France after Spain defeat: "a huge individual collapse"
Eliminated in the World Cup 2026 semi-final by Spain (0-2), France faced criticism from Bixente Lizarazu, who highlighted the failures of Olise, Dembélé and Tchouaméni.
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Paraguayan senator mocks France's World Cup 2026 elimination, under investigation in Paris
Celeste Amarilla, already under investigation by the Paris prosecutor's office for racist remarks against Kylian Mbappé, posted mocking messages on X after France's 2-0 defeat to Spain in the 2026 World Cup semi-final.
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Argentina vice-president brands England 'usurping pirates' ahead of World Cup semi-final
Victoria Villarruel, Argentina's vice-president, inflamed tensions before Wednesday's World Cup semi-final by posting a fiery message on X invoking the Falklands conflict, Diego Maradona, and Lionel Messi. Argentina coach Lionel Scaloni distanced himself, calling any mix of sport and politics 'madness'.
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American referee Elfath to take charge of England vs Argentina World Cup semifinal
Ismail Elfath will officiate the World Cup 2026 semifinal between England and Argentina in Atlanta on July 15, with the Moroccan-born American having a strong record in matches involving Lionel Messi.
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England vs Argentina semi-final to start on time despite Atlanta thunderstorm fears
Atlanta Stadium officials have confirmed England's World Cup semi-final against Argentina will kick off as scheduled at 8pm UK time on Wednesday, with the venue's retractable roof eliminating any weather-related delay risk.
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Mbappe falls short of Cafu's record as Spain end France's World Cup run in semi-finals
Kylian Mbappe missed the chance to become only the second player in history to appear in three consecutive World Cup finals after France were beaten by Spain in the semi-finals. Only Brazil legend Cafu, who played in the 1994, 1998 and 2002 finals, holds that distinction.
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L'Equipe hands three players a rating of two as French media savage World Cup semi-final exit
France's 2-0 defeat to Spain in the World Cup semi-finals drew fierce criticism from the national press, with L'Equipe awarding two-out-of-ten ratings to Michael Olise, Lucas Digne and Ousmane Dembele, while Kylian Mbappe received a three.
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Fabian Ruiz definitively displaces Pedri from Spain's starting XI ahead of World Cup final
Starting in place of Pedri for the second consecutive time against France (2-0), Fabian Ruiz delivered a masterful performance in the semi-final and appears to have definitively secured his place as left-centre midfielder for the final on July 19.
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Cherki snaps at reporter over Digne penalty question after France's World Cup exit
Rayan Cherki showed visible frustration when asked about Lucas Digne's costly first-half foul on Lamine Yamal, as France were eliminated from the World Cup following a 2-0 semi-final defeat to Spain.
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Argentina bans Falklands flags and symbols for England World Cup semi-final in Atlanta
Argentina's Minister of National Security Alejandra Monteoliva has confirmed that flags, clothing, or any items carrying Falklands-related political messages will be prohibited at the World Cup semi-final against England in Atlanta on Wednesday.
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ITV confirms full World Cup final half-time show coverage as interval length raises Fifa rule concerns
ITV will broadcast the World Cup final's half-time show in full, featuring Madonna, Shakira, BTS and Justin Bieber. Questions remain over whether the performance could extend the interval from 15 minutes to as long as 25, potentially breaching Fifa regulations.
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Mikel John Obi blames Ronaldo fans for Argentina-FIFA conspiracy theories ahead of England semi-final
Former Chelsea midfielder John Obi Mikel has dismissed claims that FIFA are favouring Argentina at the 2026 World Cup, attributing the theories to Cristiano Ronaldo supporters on social media. England face Argentina in Wednesday's semi-final at the Mercedes-Benz Stadium.
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Tuchel promises England have the grit to match 'emotional' Argentina in World Cup semi-final
Thomas Tuchel insists England are ready to match Argentina's intensity as the two rivals prepare for a World Cup semi-final in Atlanta, with the Three Lions chasing their first final appearance since 1966.
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Spanish media dream of Argentina final after Spain's semi-final win over France
Spain beat France to reach the World Cup final and will face either England or Argentina on Sunday. Spanish media figures and Lamine Yamal have made their preference clear: they want Argentina — and a showdown with Lionel Messi.
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Argentina's VP brands England 'usurping pirates' on eve of World Cup semi-final
Victoria Villaruel, Argentina's vice president and daughter of a Falklands veteran, posted a fiery social media message calling England 'usurping pirates' ahead of Wednesday's World Cup semi-final in Georgia — directly contradicting manager Lionel Scaloni's plea to keep politics out of the match.
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