FIFA World Cup 2026
Argentina lost 1-0 to Spain in a game that has been criticised in international media for a plethora of fouls and displays of poor sportsmanship from the Albiceleste.
Updated 22 Jul, 2026 09:23am
As the echoes of the stadiums fade, the tournament departs with more than memories of footballing excellence.
Published 21 Jul, 2026 12:23pm
The 5-million-spectator mark was surpassed during the round-of-32 match between France and Sweden.
Updated 21 Jul, 2026 09:28am
What happened on the field was a stymied Argentina succumbing to a team that moved like a symphony.
Updated 21 Jul, 2026 07:51am
Players to be received by King Felipe VI, meet PM Sanchez; celebrations in Spain after final goal detected by seismic sensors.
Published 20 Jul, 2026 06:57pm
Thousands dance in the streets, set off fireworks and launch red flares in Madrid.
Published 20 Jul, 2026 09:52am
Deschamps guided France to World Cup glory in Moscow in 2018, becoming one of only three men to have won it as both coach and player.
Updated 20 Jul, 2026 09:10am
Spain did not merely outplay the defending champions; they controlled the game so completely that Argentina were reduced to chasing shadows.
Published 20 Jul, 2026 04:02am
The Spain of today is something more complete: technically immaculate, tactically sophisticated and capable of turning possession into sudden, devastating attacks.
Published 19 Jul, 2026 09:00pm
He finishes his third World Cup campaign with 10 goals to lead the Golden Boot standings, two ahead of Messi.
Published 19 Jul, 2026 04:50pm
A month of shocks, controversy, and record chases ends with Argentina and Spain fighting for the trophy in New Jersey.
Published 19 Jul, 2026 12:37pm
Spain captain Rodri says he is bracing for a “physical” battle with Argentina and will aim to ignore any possible “provocations”.
Published 19 Jul, 2026 08:05am
By finishing third, England secured their best result at a World Cup since winning the tournament in 1966.
Published 19 Jul, 2026 04:19am
Hundreds of tickets are still available for the final, priced at a little over $7,000 on FIFA’s platform.
Published 18 Jul, 2026 05:46pm
The fervour goes beyond the historic rivalry between Pele's Brazil and Diego Maradona's Argentina: Mexico, Colombia, Chile and others are all hoping Lionel Messi's Albiceleste bite the dust on Sunday.
Updated 18 Jul, 2026 04:21pm
One side will feature the World Cup trophy, while the other will carry details specific to the champions.
Updated 18 Jul, 2026 09:02am
Good luck rituals are common across the South American nation and a healthy dose of superstition is helping fans cope with the pressure.
Updated 18 Jul, 2026 09:00am
Argentina invaded the British Overseas Territory in the South Atlantic in 1982.
Updated 18 Jul, 2026 08:57am
Yamal, who was born in Spain to a Moroccan father and mother from Equatorial Guinea, has never forgotten his roots.
Published 17 Jul, 2026 08:11pm
The semi-final of the World Cup was loaded with symbolism for many Argentine fans, given that the country lost the Falklands War to England over what Argentines call the Malvinas in 1982.
Updated 17 Jul, 2026 09:12am
“I love to see these things in a football matter and not through football curses,” Tuchel says.
Updated 17 Jul, 2026 09:09am
In the years since, both men have gone on to forge successful coaching careers in international football.
Published 16 Jul, 2026 10:11pm
For one night, the past and the future of Barcelona’s footballing tradition will stand on the same pitch.
Updated 16 Jul, 2026 06:13pm
If a tournament could be won on paper, England would have a cabinet full of trophies. But football isn't played on paper, and England keep finding new ways to come up short.
Published 16 Jul, 2026 12:03pm
Folarin Balogun says it was difficult to focus as the match with Belgium came closer because of "outside noise" that was "hard to avoid".
Published 16 Jul, 2026 10:31am
Swarms of people sporting Spain football shirts milled around central Madrid with the red and yellow Spanish flag draped over their shoulders or painted on their cheeks.
Updated 16 Jul, 2026 10:13am
Says he sees a happy dressing room and a nation behind the team.
Updated 16 Jul, 2026 09:58am
Says his team had needed to operate at full capacity to trouble Spain but had fallen short in every key area.
Updated 16 Jul, 2026 09:39am
Kane refused to be drawn on whether he still imagines being part of the team by the time the next World Cup comes around.
Published 16 Jul, 2026 05:45am
Messi set up Enzo Fernandez to fire in an equaliser and then crossed for substitute Lautaro Martinez to head in the winner in the stoppage time.
Published 16 Jul, 2026 02:29am
