World Cup 2026
49 articles
Spain 1-0 Portugal: Merino's stoppage-time header sends La Roja through and ends Ronaldo's World Cup
Cristiano Ronaldo's final World Cup ends in defeat, the one prize that always escaped him still missing
Egypt cry injustice after World Cup 2026 exit to Argentina: what players, pundits and fans are saying
Ronaldo vs Yamal: Portugal and Spain collide in World Cup 2026 Round of 16
A 41-year-old icon and a 19-year-old phenomenon headline Portugal against an unbeaten Spain in Arlington, with a quarterfinal spot on the line.
France vs Morocco: 2022 semi-final rematch set for World Cup 2026 quarter-finals
Four years after France ended Morocco's historic run in Qatar, the two sides meet again in Foxborough with a World Cup semi-final place on the line.
USMNT chase first World Cup quarterfinal since 2002 against Belgium
Co-host United States face Belgium in a Seattle Round of 16 rematch of their dramatic 2014 knockout duel, with Folarin Balogun cleared to play after FIFA reversed his suspension.
Morocco Make History as First African Nation to Reach Back-to-Back World Cup Quarterfinals
The Atlas Lions dismantled co-host Canada 3-0 to become the first African side ever to reach the World Cup quarterfinals in consecutive editions.
Brazil's earliest World Cup exit since 1990 raises fresh doubts over Ancelotti's Selecao project
Norway's Round of 16 win over Brazil, sealed by an Erling Haaland brace, hands the five-time champions their earliest World Cup elimination in 36 years and puts Carlo Ancelotti's reign under scrutiny.
Haaland double sinks five-time champions Brazil as Norway reach first-ever World Cup quarterfinal
Erling Haaland scored twice in the final 11 minutes to send Norway past Brazil 2-1 and into the country's first-ever World Cup quarterfinal.
Haaland's Late Double Takes Him Level With Messi and Mbappe Atop the Golden Boot Race
Erling Haaland's 90th-minute strike against Brazil completed a brace and pulled him level with Lionel Messi and Kylian Mbappe on seven World Cup goals.
USMNT Chase History in Seattle as Belgium Looms Without Suspended Balogun
The USMNT face Belgium in the Round of 16 at Lumen Field without suspended top scorer Folarin Balogun, chasing just their second quarter-final appearance in the modern era.
Messi vs Mbappe: Inside the Tightest Golden Boot Race in Recent World Cup Memory
Lionel Messi and Kylian Mbappe are locked together on seven goals apiece as the World Cup 2026 Golden Boot race turns into the tournament's defining storyline.
Mbappe Pulls Level with Messi as France Grind Past Paraguay to Set Up Morocco Quarter-Final
Kylian Mbappe's 70th-minute penalty was enough for France to beat Paraguay 1-0 in an ill-tempered Round of 16 tie, drawing him level with Lionel Messi in the Golden Boot race and setting up a quarter-final against Morocco.
England's Altitude Test: Tuchel's Three Lions Face Unbeaten Mexico at 7,000 Feet
Thomas Tuchel's England must solve the Estadio Azteca's thin air and an unbeaten Mexico side in a Round of 16 tie that could be decided as much by altitude as by talent.
24.4 Million and Counting: USMNT's Home World Cup Run Is Rewriting US TV Records
The USA's 2-0 win over Bosnia and Herzegovina became the most-watched English-language soccer telecast ever, and now Folarin Balogun will miss the Round of 16 test against Belgium after his red card.
Morocco End Canada's Home Dream With a 3-0 Last-16 Rout
Azzedine Ounahi's brace and a stoppage-time strike from Soufiane Rahimi sent Morocco into the World Cup 2026 quarter-finals and ended Canada's home tournament in Houston.
Cape Verde's Fairytale: How 525,000 People Made World Cup History
On their debut, Cape Verde went unbeaten in the group stage and became the smallest nation ever to reach a World Cup knockout round before falling to Argentina in a run that redefined what expansion could mean.
Fourth of July 2026: USMNT Face Belgium in a World Cup Weekend Like No Other
The Fourth of July weekend marks America's 250th birthday and the USMNT's biggest knockout match in a generation. Here is what Belgium on Monday means for the co-hosts.
Nagelsmann Quits Germany After World Cup Exit: Klopp Emerges as Top Replacement Candidate
Julian Nagelsmann resigned as Germany head coach following their shock Round of 32 penalty loss to Paraguay. Jurgen Klopp is the early favorite to take over, though he has called the timing 'not the right moment.'
World Cup 2026 Stats: Mbappe Tops Messi, Ronaldo Breaks Knockout Duck, Manzambi Channels Pele
Kylian Mbappe surpasses Lionel Messi's record, Cristiano Ronaldo scores his first knockout goal at 39, and Switzerland's Johan Manzambi becomes the youngest player with five goal involvements since Pele.
Switzerland 2-0 Algeria: Manzambi Magic Ends 88-Year Wait for a Knockout Win
Breel Embolo and Dan Ndoye scored while teenage sensation Johan Manzambi delivered another mesmerising display as Switzerland beat Algeria 2-0 to reach their first World Cup last 16 since 1938.
Folarin Balogun Red Card: USMNT Lose Star Striker for Belgium Clash After Controversial VAR Decision
Folarin Balogun scored then received a contentious red card in USA's 2-0 World Cup win over Bosnia. The USMNT cannot appeal and will face Belgium without their most in-form striker.
Portugal 2-1 Croatia: Ronaldo's First Knockout Goal and VAR Controversy End Modric's World Cup
Cristiano Ronaldo scored his first-ever World Cup knockout goal and Goncalo Ramos added a 94th-minute winner as Portugal survived a late VAR decision to eliminate Croatia 2-1 in a Round of 32 thriller.
USA vs Belgium: The World Cup 2026 Round of 16 Test That Defines the Co-Hosts
USMNT knocked out Bosnia and Herzegovina 2-0 to reach the Round of 16. Now Belgium and Kevin De Bruyne stand between the co-hosts and a historic run.
Portugal vs Croatia: Ronaldo's Last Dance Meets a Midfield That Never Quits
Portugal and Croatia meet in a World Cup 2026 knockout tie where experience, set pieces, and Modric's control could decide who advances.
Spain 3-0 Austria: La Roja Cruise Into the Quarterfinal Picture
Spain put on a statement performance to beat Austria 3-0 in the World Cup 2026 Round of 32, backing up their case as the tournament's most complete side.
England's Right-Back Crisis at World Cup 2026: Reece James, Livramento and Quansah All Out
Three games in and England have lost all three named right-backs to injury. Harry Kane's goals are carrying the campaign, but the knockouts just got harder.
Folarin Balogun: The Striker USA Trust When a Knockout Tie Needs a Finisher
Folarin Balogun has become central to the USMNT attack at World Cup 2026, with hold-up play and channel runs giving the host nation a different kind of No. 9.
England vs Mexico: Three Lions Face El Tri in a Round of 16 Clash Loaded with History
England face Mexico in the World Cup Round of 16 after scraping past DR Congo. Harry Kane, Jude Bellingham and the Three Lions face an El Tri side that just beat Ecuador 2-0 in front of 85,000 fans at the Azteca.
Brazil vs Norway, Haaland vs the Seleção: The Game That Decides a Legacy
Erling Haaland faces Brazil in a World Cup knockout for the first time. Norway have never beaten Brazil. The most feared striker in football meets the most feared team in tournament history.
Paraguay vs France: The Giant Killers Just Shocked Germany. Can They Do It to the Favourites?
Paraguay eliminated Germany on penalties in the biggest World Cup 2026 upset. Now they face France and Kylian Mbappe. Here is why this matchup is more dangerous for Les Bleus than the bracket suggests.
Netherlands Coach Ronald Koeman Resigns After World Cup Exit to Morocco
Ronald Koeman has resigned as Netherlands head coach following the shock Round of 32 penalty shootout loss to Morocco. The Dutch federation confirms the departure after one of the tournament's biggest upsets.
England vs DR Congo: Kane Brace Rescues Three Lions in Atlanta Scare
Harry Kane scored twice in the last 15 minutes as England came from behind to beat DR Congo 2-1 at Mercedes-Benz Stadium and advance to a World Cup Round of 16 tie with Mexico.
Belgium vs Senegal: Golden Generation Meets African Power in a Knockout That Could Flip the Bracket
Belgium and Senegal collide in a heavyweight knockout tie where experience, pace, and set-piece quality could decide who advances and who flies home.
World Cup 2026 Power Rankings: France Hold Top Spot as the Round of 16 Takes Shape
France remain the team to beat at the 2026 World Cup according to ESPN's post-Round-of-32 panel, with Argentina, Spain and Brazil close behind as the bracket narrows.
World Cup Golden Boot Race: Mbappe Catches Messi as Ronaldo's Record Falls
Kylian Mbappe has matched Lionel Messi's tournament-leading goal tally at the 2026 World Cup while breaking Ronaldo's all-time record and Haaland hunts from behind.
USA vs Bosnia and Herzegovina: Host Nation Faces a Must-Win Knockout
The United States face Bosnia and Herzegovina in a high-stakes World Cup Round of 32 clash with the host nation hoping to ride home support into the last 16.
Three Die in Mexico as World Cup Celebrations Spill Into the Streets
Three people died and several were injured in Mexico during street celebrations after El Tri advanced at the 2026 World Cup, with crowds flooding thoroughfares across the country.
Cape Verde vs Argentina: The Small Island Nation Stands Between Messi and History
Cape Verde reached the World Cup knockout stage for the first time and now face Lionel Messi's Argentina in a Round of 32 David vs Goliath showdown.
England vs DR Congo: Harry Kane's Record Three Lions Meet the Leopards in Atlanta
England top Group L and a new all-time scorer to face a DR Congo side chasing more World Cup history in the 2026 Round of 32 at Mercedes-Benz Stadium.
World Cup 2026 Round of 16: The Bracket Is Set, and Chaos Is Already In It
Germany are out, Morocco dumped the Netherlands, and a fixed bracket means Brazil vs Norway and Paraguay vs France are locked into the road to the MetLife final on July 19.
Morocco Stun Netherlands on Penalties to Reach the World Cup Last 16
Morocco beat the Netherlands 3-2 on penalties after a 1-1 draw in Monterrey, with Issa Diop's stoppage-time equalizer and Yassine Bounou's nerve sending the Atlas Lions through.
Messi's Six Goals Carry Argentina to No. 2 and a New World Cup Record
Lionel Messi scored six times in Group J, including a hat-trick against Algeria, to reach 19 career World Cup goals and lift defending champions Argentina to second in the post-group-stage power rankings.
Haaland's 86th-Minute Strike Sinks Brave Côte d'Ivoire and Sends Norway to the Last 16
Norway edged Côte d'Ivoire 2-1 in the World Cup Round of 32, with Antonio Nusa and Erling Haaland scoring and Amad Diallo nearly forcing a famous Ivorian comeback.
France Top the 2026 World Cup Power Rankings as Mbappe Hunts a Crown
ESPN's post-group-stage panel rank France No. 1 with 16 of 20 first-place votes after a perfect group and a 3-0 win over Sweden, with Kylian Mbappe, Ousmane Dembele and Michael Olise driving the favourites.
Paraguay Knock Germany Out: The Biggest Shock of World Cup 2026
Paraguay beat Germany 4-3 on penalties after a 1-1 draw in Foxborough, dumping Julian Nagelsmann's side out in the Round of 32 in one of the greatest upsets in World Cup history.
France vs Sweden: Les Bleus Face a Dangerous Round of 32 Test at MetLife Stadium
France carry a perfect group record into a World Cup Round of 32 tie with Sweden, where Kylian Mbappé and Ousmane Dembélé meet the speed of Alexander Isak and Viktor Gyökeres.
Ronaldo Makes History: First Man to Score at Six World Cups
Cristiano Ronaldo's 6th-minute opener in Portugal's 5-0 rout of Uzbekistan made him the first player ever to score at six different World Cups, breaking clear of Lionel Messi.