Rudi Garcia is to leave his role as Belgium boss. Garcia, 62, was appointed Domenico Tedesco’s successor in February 2025 and guided the Red Devils to the 2026 World Cup. Belgium reached the quarterfinals of the tournament before losing to eventual champions Spain, but the former Roma, Marseille and Napoli boss will leave his position when his contract expires on July 31. Garcia told the Belgium Football Association website: “After…
Argentina Football Association president Claudio Tapia paid a glowing tribute to captain Lionel Messi for his outstanding contribution to the national team. Defending champions Argentina fell 1-0 in extra time to Spain in Sunday’s final in New Jersey. Messi, who became on Sunday the first player to start three World Cup finals, was unable to deliver against Spain having previously shone with eight goals and four assists in this tournament.…
Rodri hopes to have inspired others to “rise again” having fought back from a significant knee injury to captain Spain to World Cup glory and be crowned player of the tournament. The 30-year-old midfielder was hit by ligament damage in innocuous circumstances in September 2024 — just a month before being named Ballon d’Or winner — and returned the following May. Rodri, in truth, lacked the same quality and influence…
Argentina president Javier Milei has announced there will be a national holiday to celebrate the Albiceleste’s World Cup campaign on a day chosen by the team. Despite losing Sunday’s final, 1-0 in extra time, the players and staff will be celebrated. Milei, who did not attend the title game in New Jersey citing superstition, posted on X: “WORLD CUP CELEBRATIONS. In light of the concerns regarding the celebrations to mark…
EAST RUTHERFORD, N.J. — Lionel Messi was left in tears after he was unable to conjure up one more piece of magic to save Argentina from defeat to Spain in Sunday’s World Cup final at MetLife Stadium. Messi could only acknowledge after that Spain had outplayed an Argentina team that was looking to become the first back-to-back men’s World Cup winners since Brazil in 1962. Ferran Torres scored 37 seconds…
EAST RUTHERFORD, N.J. — Argentina manager Lionel Scaloni said he will need time to think about his future after his contract expires at the end of 2026. Argentina lost 1-0 in the FIFA World Cup final, with a goal from Ferran Torres in the second half of extra time sealing a second win for Spain in world soccer’s biggest tournament. After the match, Scaloni, who led Argentina to the 2022…
Spain forward Ferran Torres said “destiny was written” after firing his country to World Cup glory against Argentina. Substitute Torres struck in the 106th minute to earn a 1-0 extra-time win over the defending champions in New Jersey. “I think in the end the goal came from 47 million people [approximately the population of Spain], not just those of us that are here,” he said, speaking to FIFA host broadcasters…
EAST RUTHERFORD, N.J. — Spain claimed a hat trick of individual awards after beating Argentina 1-0 to claim their second World Cup title on Sunday at MetLife Stadium. Rodri won the Golden Ball as the tournament’s best player, Unai Simón won the Golden Glove for the top performance by a goalkeeper and Pau Cubarsí won the Best Young Player Award, beating out fellow 19-year-old teammate Lamine Yamal. – VAR review:…