World Cup
Everything from the FIFA World Cup 2026 — match reports, group analysis, knockout drama and tournament features.
Football ExplainedWhy did East Germany and West Germany have separate national teams?
East Germany and West Germany had separate national teams due to the country's division after World War II, resulting in a distinct football rivalry that lasted from 1949 to 1990, with the two teams meeting only once in the 1974 FIFA World Cup.
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Football ExplainedWhy are Uruguay's stars on their badge controversial?
Uruguay's national football team badge features four stars, despite the team only winning the World Cup twice, sparking controversy over the meaning behind these symbols, with the team arguing their Olympic Games victories are equivalent to World Cup wins.
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Football ExplainedWhy did the Golden Goal fail?
The Golden Goal rule was introduced by FIFA in 1993 to make extra time more exciting, but it failed to achieve its purpose and was abolished in 2004 due to teams adopting overly cautious strategies, leading to a decrease in attacking play and an increase in defensive tactics.
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Football ExplainedWhy is Brazil called "Seleção Canarinho"?
Discover why Brazil's national football team is nicknamed "Seleção Canarinho", a name that originated from the country's national bird, the canary, and its vibrant yellow plumage, which resembles the team's iconic yellow jersey.
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Football ExplainedWhy is Croatia's jersey checkered?
Discover the story behind Croatia's iconic red and white checkered football jersey, a unique design inspired by the country's coat of arms and rich history, making it a standout in international football.
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Football ExplainedWhy does the United Kingdom have four FIFA teams?
The United Kingdom has four national football teams: England, Scotland, Wales, and Northern Ireland, competing separately in international tournaments like the FIFA World Cup, due to the country's unique history and the origins of international soccer.
Read more →Football ExplainedWhy was the first World Cup held in Uruguay?
The first FIFA World Cup was held in Uruguay in 1930 due to a combination of factors, including the country's football success and its willingness to help with travel expenses, making it a memorable and historic event in the world of football.
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AnalysisWorld Cup 2026 Final – 19 July 2026
Spain clinched the FIFA World Cup 2026 with a 1-0 extra-time win over Argentina, sealing the tournament in drama on 19 July as fans celebrated worldwide.
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Match ReportsSpain 1-0 Argentina World Cup 2026 final
Spain lifted the FIFA World Cup 2026 trophy, beating Argentina 1-0 after extra time in the final at MetLife Stadium. Ferran Torres scored the decisive goal.
Read more →France 4-6 England – third-place play-off, FIFA World Cup 2026
England secured third place at the FIFA World Cup 2026, beating France 6-4 in a play-off at Hard Rock Stadium, Miami Gardens. The match ended the tournament.
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AnalysisWorld Cup 2026 Semi-Final Roundup – 15 July
On 15 July the FIFA World Cup 2026 reached a decisive moment as Argentina edged England 2-1 in a tightly contested semi-final, sealing a place in the final while England’s campaign ended.
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Football ExplainedWhy did FIFA expand the World Cup to 48 teams?
FIFA expanded the World Cup to 48 teams to increase global participation and revenue, introducing a new format with more matches and a larger group stage, starting from the 2026 tournament in Canada, Mexico, and the USA.
Read more →England 1-2 Argentina – semi-final at Mercedes-Benz Stadium
Argentina edged England 2-1 in the FIFA World Cup 2026 semi-final at Mercedes-Benz Stadium, securing a place in the final while England’s tournament ends.
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Football ExplainedWhy is football called "soccer" in some countries?
Football is known as soccer in the US and Canada, but why is that the case, and how did this difference in terminology come about, especially with the 2026 World Cup approaching
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Football ExplainedWhy do some teams have stars on their shirts?
Teams have stars on their shirts to signify World Cup wins or continental championships, with each star representing a title won, and the tradition started with Brazil in 1970 after their third World Cup win
Read more →France 0-2 Spain semi-final – FIFA World Cup 2026
Spain secured a 2-0 victory over France in the FIFA World Cup 2026 semi-final at AT&T Stadium, advancing to the final while France’s tournament ends.
Read more →AnalysisWorld Cup 2026 Quarter-Final Roundup – 12 July
On 12 July 2026 Argentina secured a dramatic extra-time victory over Switzerland in the quarter-final, advancing to the semi-finals while the Swiss campaign ended.
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Football ExplainedWhy do World Cups create national myths?
World Cups create national myths due to the intense emotions and passion invested in these events, leading to a unique blend of sports and nationalism that captivates global audiences and leaves lasting impacts on host countries.
Read more →Argentina 3-1 Switzerland quarter-final
Argentina beat Switzerland 3-1 after extra time in the FIFA World Cup 2026 quarter-final, advancing to the semi-finals while Switzerland exit the tournament.
Read more →Norway 1-2 England quarter-final – FIFA World Cup 2026 extra-time
England defeated Norway 2-1 after extra time in the FIFA World Cup 2026 quarter-final at Hard Rock Stadium, securing a semi-final place as Norway exit.
Read more →Spain 2-1 Belgium quarter-final
Spain edged Belgium 2-1 in the FIFA World Cup 2026 quarter-final at SoFi Stadium, securing a place in the semi-finals while Belgium exit the tournament.
Read more →France 2-0 Morocco quarter-final
France secured a 2-0 victory over Morocco in the FIFA World Cup 2026 quarter-final, moving on to the semi-final as the Atlas Lions bow out of the tournament.
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Football ExplainedWhy did Croatia become a football powerhouse despite its small population?
Croatia became a football powerhouse despite its small population due to its strong youth academies, talented players, and a deep-rooted passion for the sport, allowing them to consistently compete with global giants.
Read more →Switzerland 0-0 Colombia – Switzerland win 4-3 on penalties, round of 16
Switzerland edged Colombia 4-3 on penalties after a goalless 90 minutes plus extra time at BC Place, securing a round of 16 victory in the FIFA World Cup 2026.
Read more →Argentina 3-2 Egypt round of 16
Argentina edged Egypt 3-2 in a dramatic round of 16 FIFA World Cup 2026 match at Atlanta's Mercedes-Benz Stadium, sealing their place in the quarter-finals.
Read more →Football ExplainedWhy does Uruguay have four stars?
Uruguay's football crest features four stars, despite the team only winning two FIFA World Cups, as they also count their two Olympic gold medals from 1924 and 1928 as equivalent titles.
Read more →United States 1-4 Belgium round of 16
Belgium beat the United States 4-1 in the FIFA World Cup 2026 round of 16 at Seattle's Lumen Field, sending the Americans home while the Belgians move on.
Read more →Portugal 0-1 Spain – round of 16
Spain edged Portugal 1-0 in the FIFA World Cup 2026 round of 16 at AT&T Stadium, securing a late winner and sending Portugal home as the tournament moves on.
Read more →Mexico 2-3 England: Round of 16 Thriller at Estadio Banorte
England edged Mexico 3-2 in a dramatic round of 16 FIFA World Cup 2026 clash at Estadio Banorte, securing progression while Mexico exit the tournament.
Read more →Brazil 1-2 Norway – Round of 16 Thriller at MetLife Stadium
Norway beat Brazil 2-1 in the FIFA World Cup 2026 round of 16 at MetLife Stadium, with Erling Haaland's brace and a late Neymar penalty sealing a dramatic win.
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