It’s a World Cup semifinal lineup for the ages. Four previous champions and the four top teams in the world, a first since FIFA introduced its rankings in 1992. Five of the six top scorers, one GOAT and one of the bitterest rivalries in soccer. Argentina, Spain, France and England went into the tournament as the top four in FIFA’s rankings and are two wins away from being crowned champions…
Harry Kane has urged England to find the “missing piece” and get over the line in the quest for World Cup glory, but accepts Thomas Tuchel’s demand for improvements. Kane’s side booked a semifinal date with Argentina on Wednesday with a hard-fought extra-time win over Norway in Saturday’s quarterfinal. The meeting with Lionel Messi and Co. will be England’s second semifinal in three World Cups, following their run to the…
FIFA and global players’ union FIFPRO are in discussions over establishing protocols to avoid games being played in excessive heat, sources have told ESPN, amid concerns over the conditions during the World Cup and last summer’s FIFA Club World Cup in the United States. England‘s quarterfinal win against Norway in Miami on Saturday kicked off with temperatures inside the Hard Rock Stadium measuring 91°F (33°C) with a “feels like” temperature…
Thomas Tuchel has said there is “nowhere else in the whole wide world” he would rather be than leading England into a World Cup semifinal against reigning champions Argentina. After finding a way to beat the Democratic Republic of Congo and co-hosts Mexico, Jude Bellingham’s brace proved enough to edge past Norway as Saturday’s tense quarterfinal victory went to extra time. England’s reward for the 2-1 victory in the heat…
Senegal have sacked manager Pape Thiaw in the wake of their exit from the World Cup in the round of 32. Thiaw, who had been in charge since December 2024, saw his side lose their opening two Group I games to France and Norway, before a 5-0 victory over Iran secured a spot as the lowest ranked of the best third-placed teams. The Teranga Lions had been 2-0 up against…
Alf-Inge Haaland claims Norway were “robbed” in their World Cup quarterfinal but hopes England go on to win the tournament after knocking out his homeland. The former Leeds midfielder and father of Manchester City striker Erling said Thomas Tuchel’s side were “saved by the referee” in their 2-1 win in Miami. Norway had a goal by Torbjorn Heggem, which would have put them 2-1 up, ruled out after Erling Haaland…
Former England striker Gary Lineker has said he believes Jude Bellingham could be the country’s “greatest ever” footballer. The Real Madrid midfielder scored twice — the first player to do so in consecutive knockout stage games at a single World Cup since Diego Maradona in 1986 — in the 2-1 win over Norway which set up a semifinal against Argentina. Nine of Bellingham’s 12 England goals have been at major…
Lionel Messi has said Argentina‘s remarkable run of success is “not normal” after the reigning world champions beat Switzerland to reach the World Cup semifinals, where they will face England. Argentina overcame a mighty effort from a 10-man Switzerland squad to claim a 3-1 extra-time victory in Kansas City in the quarters on Saturday, after Breel Embolo‘s controversial sending off. It means three-time champions Argentina are on track to retain…
Lionel Messi said facing “powerhouse” England in a World Cup semifinal will be “special” after Argentina‘s win over Switzerland set up a first meeting between the eight-time Ballon d’Or winner and Thomas Tuchel’s side. England and Argentina both emerged from quarterfinals via extra time on Saturday — with 2-1 and 3-1 wins against Norway and Switzerland respectively — and are now set for a blockbuster semifinal in Atlanta on Wednesday.…
Argentina national team forward Julián Álvarez said scoring his first 2026 World Cup goal felt like a release, recording the pivotal strike that earned La Albiceleste the lead to eliminate Switzerland 3-1 in the quarterfinal. Alvarez broke the draw in the 112th minute of the match with a with a stunning long-range strike into the corner of the goal, marking his first goal of the 2026 World Cup. “It was…