• 🚨 France v Iraq second half delayed by thunderstorms!

    🚨 France v Iraq second half delayed by thunderstorms!
    🚨 France v Iraq second half delayed by thunderstorms!Thunderbolt (literally).It had been feared, and it is now official. While the France team was leading Iraq at halftime (1-0) in their second Group I match of the 2026 World Cup, the start of the second half was officially delayed.The reason: a downpour hit the pitch, but above all lightning was detected less than 13 kilometers from Philadelphia stadium, where the match is being played. Under FIFA protocol, the game must now be suspende
  • England boss Tuchel not a fan of hydration breaks

    England boss Tuchel not a fan of hydration breaks
    Thomas Tuchel won all eight of their World Cup qualifiers without conceding a goal [Getty Images]England head coach Thomas Tuchel has admitted he is not a fan of the controversial hydration breaks being used at the World Cup.Tuchel, 52, was speaking before England's second Group L game against Ghana in Boston on Wednesday (21:00 BST), where rain and cool temperatures are forecast.England's fans started the now customary jeering of the breaks when play was stopped in the first half of their openi
  • 📈 Haaland adds to his insane international record with latest strike

    📈 Haaland adds to his insane international record with latest strike
    📈 Haaland adds to his insane international record with latest strikeNorwegian great Erling Haaland just cannot stop scoring, with the Man City star putting his country on course for a third appearance in the knockout stages of a World Cup.
    It was a frustrating opening 45 minutes for Haaland despite Norway owning a one-goal lead at the break, with the 25-year-old failing to find the back of the net when he couldn't get the better of Édouard Mendy.But like he has so many times befor
  • How to watch Scotland vs Brazil live: Stream link, TV channel, team news, prediction

    How to watch Scotland vs Brazil live: Stream link, TV channel, team news, prediction
    Brazil look to seal Group C or at least keep their place above Scotland when the two sides meet at 6pm ET Wednesday in their final group matches of the 2026 World Cup.The Selecao are coming off a 3-0 win over Haiti to put them atop the group with four points, one more than Scotland's haul from a win over Haiti and loss to Morocco.WATCH — Scotland v BrazilBrazil just need a point to advance to the knockout rounds but will be looking for not just a win but a multi-goal triumph over Scotland
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  • ‘I’m convinced the third match will be decisive for top spot’ – France manager Didier Deschamps after Les Bleus qualified for World Cup last 16

    ‘I’m convinced the third match will be decisive for top spot’ – France manager Didier Deschamps after Les Bleus qualified for World Cup last 16
    ‘I’m convinced the third match will be decisive for top spot’ – France manager Didier Deschamps after Les Bleus qualified for World Cup last 16Following their opening victory over Senegal (3-1) to kick off their World Cup campaign, France defeated Iraq (3-0) this time round, in a match they controlled from start to finish, albeit one that was interrupted by a two-hour break due to appalling weather conditions.A valuable win for Les Bleus, secured thanks to a brace from Ky
  • Man City 2026 World Cup Watch: Rayan Cherki makes cameo appearance in three-hour long France win vs Iraq

    Man City 2026 World Cup Watch: Rayan Cherki makes cameo appearance in three-hour long France win vs Iraq
    Man City 2026 World Cup Watch: Rayan Cherki makes cameo appearance in three-hour long France win vs IraqRayan Cherki took on the final 24 minutes of France’s heavily disrupted 3-0 win over Iraq on Monday night.France strengthened their grip on Group I via an encounter heavily disrupted by severe weather that saw the second half delayed by over two hours due to nearby lightning strikes.Rainstorms earlier in the day had already delayed fans entering the stadium, though the match initially co
  • 2026 World Cup: France storms to 3-0 win over Iraq behind Kylian Mbappé brace

    2026 World Cup: France storms to 3-0 win over Iraq behind Kylian Mbappé brace
    Not even the rain could stop Kylian Mbappé. For the second World Cup game in a row, the French captain notched a brace to help lead Les Bleus to victory, this time with a 3-0 win over Iraq.Mbappé also shared the glory with Ousmane Dembélé, with the midfielder giving Mbappé an unselfish assist on his second goal before finally scoring his first goal of the 2026 tournament.France’s pressure in the attacking third was clear early on, and in the 14th minute,
  • PLAYER RATINGS | France 3-0 Iraq: Kylian Mbappé hits double as thunderstorm interrupts match

    PLAYER RATINGS | France 3-0 Iraq: Kylian Mbappé hits double as thunderstorm interrupts match
    PLAYER RATINGS | France 3-0 Iraq: Kylian Mbappé hits double as thunderstorm interrupts matchFrance continued their impressive start to this year’s World Cup by seeing off a defensively sterm Iraq team in unforgiving weather conditions. Kylian Mbappé scored on both sides of a two-hour delay due to a thunderstorm over Philadelphia, before Ousmane Dembélé added a third.The matchDidier Deschamps will have had Friday’s group-deciding fixture against Norway in m
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  • FEATURE | Three things we learned as France qualified for the World Cup’s knock-out stages

    FEATURE | Three things we learned as France qualified for the World Cup’s knock-out stages
    FEATURE | Three things we learned as France qualified for the World Cup’s knock-out stagesThe weather threatened to take away all the attention as a lightning storm caused the first ever World Cup weather delay and a half-time break that lasted two hours. However, when the players did make it onto the pitch, France eased to a 3-0 win over Iraq which confirmed their qualification for the knock-out stages, maintained the positive dynamic up-front but didn’t allay all defensive concerns
  • Diniz build-up helps Mbappé close on Messi in World Cup scoring; see

    Diniz build-up helps Mbappé close on Messi in World Cup scoring; see
    Diniz build-up helps Mbappé close on Messi in World Cup scoring; seeAfter nearly 2 hours of play being suspended because of the lightning storm that hit Philadelphia, France extended their lead to 2-0 against Iraq (Dembélé made it 3-0).
    The Europeans’ second goal was once again scored by Mbappé, who had already found the Iraqi net in the first half.But this time, France’s star was handed a real gift by the opposing defense, which made a huge mistake while
  • 📅 CBF releases detailed Copa do Brasil 2026 last-16 schedule

    📅 CBF releases detailed Copa do Brasil 2026 last-16 schedule
    📅 CBF releases detailed Copa do Brasil 2026 last-16 scheduleOn the night of this Monday (22), the CBF released the detailed schedule for the 2026 Copa do Brasil round of 16.The matches will take place in the same week, with the first legs on August 1, 2 and 3 (Saturday, Sunday and Monday) and the second legs on August 4, 5 and 6 (Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday).Athletico-PR, Atlético-MG, Chapecoense, Corinthians, Cruzeiro, Fluminense, Fortaleza, Grêmio, Internacio
  • What's it like covering South Korea as a journalist at a World Cup?

    What's it like covering South Korea as a journalist at a World Cup?
    What's it like covering South Korea as a journalist at a World Cup?It's not just the players and staff who are representing their country at a World Cup; in a way, the media are too. Putting your best foot forward isn't just limited to those who cross that white line. For a journalist, there's the responsibility of accurately portraying what is happening on the ground, capturing the moment, the mood, and the atmosphere for fans back home. Park Ju-mi of public broadcaster KBS explains what it's l
  • 💥Row over Julián: Atlético Madrid to report Barcelona to FIFA

    💥Row over Julián: Atlético Madrid to report Barcelona to FIFA
    💥Row over Julián: Atlético Madrid to report Barcelona to FIFAThe Spanish football transfer market is engulfed in a full-blown institutional scandal. Atlético Madrid has made the firm decision to file a formal complaint against FC Barcelona with FIFA, accusing the Catalan club of having improperly negotiated with Argentine striker Julián Álvarez.Repeat-offense accusations and unrestFrom the offices of the Colchonero side, the frustration is total. Accord
  • #KLUpod | K League Conversations Episode 3: Sergio Costa

    #KLUpod | K League Conversations Episode 3: Sergio Costa
    #KLUpod | K League Conversations Episode 3: Sergio CostaK League Conversations, a K League United Podcast, returns with Jeju SK head coach and former assistant coach for the South Korean national team, Sergio Costa. Coach Costa talks about his unexpected transition into becoming a head coach, life in Jeju, his time with the Korean national team, and what he thinks about the current side at the 2026 FIFA World Cup.In episode three of K League Conversations, Jeju SK Head Coach Sergio Costa speaks
  • 🙌 After nearly 2 hours, France v Iraq resumes at the Cup

    🙌 After nearly 2 hours, France v Iraq resumes at the Cup
    🙌 After nearly 2 hours, France v Iraq resumes at the CupAt last, the ball is rolling again for France 1-0 Iraq, in the second round of the group stage of the 2026 FIFA World Cup.
    The match had been suspended at halftime because of a lightning storm over the stadium in Philadelphia, United States.According to federal law in the North American country, sports events without roof coverage must be suspended in the event of lightning.And the measure is "renewed" for 30 minutes depending on th
  • Argentina's Alvarez wants to leave Atletico Madrid

    Argentina's Alvarez wants to leave Atletico Madrid
    Julian Alvarez scored 10 goals in 15 Champions League games for Atletico Madrid in 2025-26 [Getty Images]Argentina striker Julian Alvarez says he wants to leave Atletico Madrid to "fulfil his dream".The 26-year-old has reportedly drawn interest from Barcelona and Paris St-Germain, while Atletico rejected a 150m euro (£130m) offer for Alvarez from rivals Real Madrid earlier in June.Alvarez is currently at the World Cup with Argentina and has come off the bench in their first two games after
  • How ‘Tournament Thomas’ embraced the World Cup and changed England’s culture

    How ‘Tournament Thomas’ embraced the World Cup and changed England’s culture
    England have seen a friendly Thomas Tuchel and Thomas Tuchel in friendlies. Now they are getting a glimpse of Tournament Thomas; or perhaps, in his native tongue, Turnier Thomas. The serious business has started but Tuchel is trying to blend greater intensity with a relaxed approach. The England manager has loved life at the World Cup so far. An opening victory over Croatia prompted suggestions that Tuchel’s team were the finest side in the first round of fixtures. Tuchel may have got his
  • Thomas Tuchel responds to England assistant’s explosive ITV interview during World Cup opener

    Thomas Tuchel responds to England assistant’s explosive ITV interview during World Cup opener
    Thomas Tuchel has vowed to let Anthony Barry to carry on doing half-time interviews with broadcasters after his explosive words at the break in the win over Croatia – and said he will be “so happy” if his assistant keeps speaking his mind.Barry said England had been “complicated and confusing” in the opening period of their World Cup opener in Dallas, as they went in at 2-2, before an improved performance led to a 4-2 victory.Tuchel was relaxed about Barry’s b
  • World Cup 2026: Which third-place team will the United States play in the Round of 32?

    World Cup 2026: Which third-place team will the United States play in the Round of 32?
    How long will the United States have to wait to know who it faces in the Round of 32 at the 2026 World Cup?The USMNT has already locked up Group D thanks to wins over Paraguay and Australia and knows that it will begin the knockout rounds on July 1 at Levi's Stadium in Santa Clara, California. However, it may not know who it faces in that game until the group stage games are completed on Saturday.Because the World Cup expanded to 48 teams, the composition of the knockout rounds isn't as straight
  • Miss it? CBF unveil detailed schedule for six Brasileirão rounds

    Miss it? CBF unveil detailed schedule for six Brasileirão rounds
    Miss it? CBF unveil detailed schedule for six Brasileirão roundsOn Monday (22), the CBF released the detailed schedule for six more rounds of the Brasileirão.The championship will resume on July 16, a Thursday. In other words, before the FIFA World Cup final, which will be played three days later.In a statement, the CBF highlighted that the schedule already reflects the guidelines drawn up by the entity and the clubs at the meeting on the creation of the Liga Futebol no Brasil, hel
  • 📸 After record, Messi's photo dump hails Argentina in the Copa

    📸 After record, Messi's photo dump hails Argentina in the Copa
    📸 After record, Messi's photo dump hails Argentina in the CopaWith the two goals scored in Argentina’s 2-0 win over Austria on Monday (22), Lionel Messi moved clear as the top scorer in World Cup history with 18 goals.After the victory that mathematically and early secured the hermanos a place in the next stage of the tournament, still at the stadium, the iconic No. 10 praised the strength of the reigning world champions."It was spectacular. The penalty could have made the lead big
  • Michael Olise matches a Kylian Mbappé record 👑

    Michael Olise matches a Kylian Mbappé record 👑
    Michael Olise matches a Kylian Mbappé record 👑The ultimate duo for Les Bleus.While Kylian Mbappé shone with his sublime goal against Iraq, another Les Bleus leader also stood out.With his second assist in two World Cup matches, Michael Olise continues to impress at the start of his journey with Les Bleus.Indeed, according to StatsduFoot, the Bayern Munich winger is the only player to have been involved in 11 goals in his first 19 matches for the France national team in the
  • Austria coach Ralf Rangnick rages at Lionel Messi goal and double standards in Argentina defeat

    Austria coach Ralf Rangnick rages at Lionel Messi goal and double standards in Argentina defeat
    Austria coach Ralf Rangnick was furious at what he claimed to be double standards for Lionel Messi’s first goal in his side’s 2-0 defeat to Argentina.Messi hit a double in the 2-0 win for the defending champions in Dallas on Monday, taking him beyond Miroslav Klose to position himself as the top goalscorer in World Cup history.But Rangnick was upset at a perceived foul in the build-up to the opener after Alexis Mac Allister’s strong challenge on Xaver Schlager."If someone is 39
  • Julian Alvarez admits he wants Atletico Madrid exit as transfer speculation intensifies

    Julian Alvarez admits he wants Atletico Madrid exit as transfer speculation intensifies
    Julian Alvarez admits he wants Atletico Madrid exit as transfer speculation intensifiesJulian Alvarez has cast fresh doubt over his Atletico Madrid future after admitting that he believes leaving the club this summer would be the best outcome for all parties.The Argentina international made the comments while on World Cup duty, placing renewed focus on one of the most intriguing transfer situations of the window.Alvarez remains one of the most sought-after forwards in European football and his l
  • France v Iraq delayed due to lightning as Fifa action World Cup 2026 weather protocol

    France v Iraq delayed due to lightning as Fifa action World Cup 2026 weather protocol
    France’s group-stage clash with Iraq was delayed mid-match due to lightning in the area as Fifa’s World Cup 2026 weather protocol was actioned.After heavy rain brought about the wettest half of football seen at this World Cup so far, the storm in the Philadelphia area escalated at half-time to lightning, meaning players and fans were forced inside.Fifa is adhering to rules set by local authorities during the tournament, with the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA)
  • Here we go again: cup match delayed by storm

    Here we go again: cup match delayed by storm
    Here we go again: cup match delayed by stormOne of the fears anticipated for this year’s World Cup came true this Monday (22).The start of the second half of the match between France and Iraq, in the city of Philadelphia, had to be delayed due to weather conditions.
    The initial expectation was that the match would resume after a delay of about 30 minutes.Heavy rain began to fall near the end of the first half, which was completed without interruptions due to the weather.During halftime, ho
  • 🚨 Fans must leave the stadium! France v Iraq suspended

    🚨 Fans must leave the stadium! France v Iraq suspended
    🚨 Fans must leave the stadium! France v Iraq suspendedThe weather god is not being kind to the World Cup right now. Due to an approaching thunderstorm in Philadelphia, the Group I match between France and Iraq was suspended as a precaution.With France leading 1-0, all fans who were not seated under cover had to leave Lincoln Financial Field for safety reasons. Meanwhile, the teams are waiting in the stadium’s inner areas. As things stand, a decision is set to be made in 30 minutes
  • Jose Mourinho blocks Gonzalo Garcia exit from Real Madrid

    Jose Mourinho blocks Gonzalo Garcia exit from Real Madrid
    Jose Mourinho blocks Gonzalo Garcia exit from Real MadridManager Jose Mourinho is shaping Real Madrid’s transfer plans this summer, pushing for Bernardo Silva and Marc Cucurella’s signings.Mourinho has now blocked any move for young striker Gonzalo Garcia this summer, according to as. He wants to assess the Spaniard in pre-season before deciding his future.Madrid had been open to selling Garcia before Mourinho’s arrival, although they intended to insert a buy-back clause in any
  • From retirement to records - another immortal Messi moment

    From retirement to records - another immortal Messi moment
    In 2016, Lionel Messi retired from international football.In the aftermath of a defeat by Chile in the Copa America final, in which Messi missed a penalty in the shootout as Argentina lost a fourth major final in nine years, he could not take any more pain."For me, the national team is over," he said at the time. "I've done all I can. It hurts not to be a champion."It is hard to imagine that 10 years later, two days before his 39th birthday, not only would he still be playing for reigning world
  • Why the USMNT isn't thinking about the Round of 32 yet — 'I just focus on the present'

    Why the USMNT isn't thinking about the Round of 32 yet — 'I just focus on the present'
    IRVINE, Calif. — The U.S. World Cup team — Group D winners, "Country Roads" revelers, nation healers — resumed training Monday at Great Park Sports Complex, freed from the anxiety that most sides carry into their opening-stage finales.One compulsory exercise remains, Thursday against Türkiye at SoFi Stadium. No matter what occurs, the Americans know they will play in the Round of 32 on July 1 in Santa Clara, California.Who they'll play, however, remains unresolved. It will

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