France advance, England sweat on Rice, Messi chases Golden Boot
Barcelona plan a €130m post-World Cup bid for Julian Alvarez, with Joan Laporta leading talks amid friction with Atletico’s Mateu Alemany. Barça bank on the striker’s wish to move while Atleti seek a replacement.
Messi, 39, has scored in every game and sits level with Mbappe in the Golden Boot race as Argentina face Switzerland in the World Cup quarter-final at Arrowhead after two gruelling knockout wins.
On the 20th anniversary, referee Horacio Elizondo says Zidane accepted the 2006 World Cup final red card vs Italy but asked if the prior incident was seen, revealing how the dismissal decision was conveyed.
Throwback: USA goalkeeper Tim Howard made a record 16 saves in the 2014 World Cup last-16 vs Belgium, earning nationwide acclaim.
Morocco exit the World Cup in the quarter-finals after wins over Netherlands and Canada, yet bank about R231m in FIFA prize money as Africa’s last team standing.
Egypt return to rapturous scenes after their best-ever World Cup, exiting 3-2 to Argentina in the last 16. Fans hail Hossam Hassan’s side and captain Mohamed Salah as the FA lodges a refereeing complaint.
England face Norway in the World Cup quarter-final with Declan Rice isolated by illness after hamstring and back issues. Norway also report a bug in camp. England will be without Jarell Quansah through suspension and Jordan Henderson through injury.
Real Oviedo insist Haissem Hassan will only leave for his £10m clause despite Celtic’s £3.4m bid. The Egypt World Cup winger impressed in a last-16 run, with Saudi clubs also interested.
A fan recalls England’s 4-0 World Cup qualifier win over Norway in 1980 and the iconic 1981 Oslo defeat that spawned ‘your boys took a hell of a beating’, as tickets for the latest World Cup clash soar.
Luis de la Fuente warns Belgium are Spain’s hardest World Cup test in the quarter-final. Spain have not conceded, rely on Lamine Yamal and Mikel Oyarzabal. Winners face France after Mbappe and Dembele scored.
Brighton’s Pascal Struijk, eligible for Belgium, rejected Roberto Martinez’s call to pursue the Netherlands and could have faced Spain at the World Cup. He now targets an Oranje breakthrough with Albion form.
FIFA confirm English referees Michael Oliver and Anthony Taylor will not officiate Argentina games at the 2026 World Cup due to Falklands sensitivities and to avoid conflicts where England or Argentina could be directly affected in the draw.
After hosting a lucrative World Cup, the US discuss hosting the 2029 Club World Cup as FIFA eyes a 48-team event, with selection details pending and rival interest from Brazil and Qatar.
Opinion piece argues the 2026 World Cup united African fans across borders, creating a single continental audience and fresh commercial opportunities for pan-African campaigns.
France beat Morocco 2-0 to reach the World Cup semi-finals. Bono saved Mbappe’s first-half penalty and set a World Cup record with four saves, but Mbappe and Dembele struck from range after the break.
Chelsea consider a swap with Roma for £43m France World Cup midfielder Manu Kone, potentially using Alejandro Garnacho, as they reshape midfield amid exits and interest in Enzo Fernandez.
