Belgium football chiefs say 'astonished' at FIFA Balogun decision

Belgium's football association said Sunday it was "astonished" at FIFA's decision to suspend USA forward Folarin Balogun's red card, allowing him to play against Belgium in the World Cup last-16 game.
6 July 2026

Brazil bring in Martinelli for Paqueta against Norway; Neymar starts on the bench

Gabriel Martinelli replaced the injured Lucas Paqueta in Brazil's only change for Sunday's World Cup round-of-16 clash against Norway, who recalled Julian Ryerson after injury.
6 July 2026

A licence to foul?

During the 1982 World Cup, a 22-year-old Diego Maradona was beginning to reveal the extraordinary talent that would eventually make him one of football's greatest players. Standing in his way was Italy centre-back Claudio Gentile -- ironically anything but gentle.
6 July 2026

Trump thanks FIFA for suspending USA's Balogun's World Cup red card

President Donald Trump on Sunday thanked football's world governing body FIFA for suspending the red card issued to USA's Folarin Balogun, paving the way for the striker to play in a last-16 World Cup showdown against Belgium.
6 July 2026

US striker Balogun available for Belgium clash despite red card

United States striker Folarin Balogun will be available for their World Cup last-16 clash with Belgium despite being sent off in their win over Bosnia in the previous round, FIFA said on Sunday.
5 July 2026

Not England's year: Hamza

An already feverish football nation has been completely galvanised by Mexico's perfect campaign, but England will look to spoil the party as they continue their pursuit of a first World Cup trophy since 1966 when the two sides clash in a blockbuster Round of 16 tie at the iconic Azteca Stadium tonight.
5 July 2026

Julian Quinones: Mexico's not-so-secret weapon

On Monday, the left-sided attacker could well be the main threat for Mexico down England's injury-depleted right flank.
5 July 2026

How will Ancelotti set up Brazil's game plan for Norway

Watch today's episode of Fever Pitch to find out more
5 July 2026
5 July 2026

Deschamps feared Mbappe would be 'chopped down'

Didier Deschamps feared that Kylian Mbappe would be "chopped down" by Paraguay in Saturday's ill-tempered clash in Philadelphia, which saw France advance to the World Cup quarterfinals.
5 July 2026

History stands in Brazil's way against Norway

After surviving a tough opening knockout battle against Japan, Brazil are set for another stern challenge as they take on Norway in their FIFA World Cup Round of 16 match at New York New Jersey Stadium tonight.
5 July 2026

Vini vs Haaland: Who will survive?

The race for the World Cup Golden Boot adds another fascinating subplot when Brazil take on Norway in a blockbuster Round of 16 clash at the New York-New Jersey Stadium today.
5 July 2026

England can write new Azteca history: Tuchel

Forty years ago in Mexico City, Diego Maradona defeated England in the World Cup quarter-finals in a match that is still remembered for the Argentine great's "hand of God" goal, when he punched the ball into the net.
5 July 2026

Montes and Vasquez: Childhood bond behind Mexico's unbreakable wall

Long before they became the backbone of Mexico's World Cup defence, they were simply two boys chasing the same dream together.
5 July 2026

Morocco did exactly what big teams do

They let their opponent run themselves into the ground, absorbed the early psychological warfare, and then ruthlessly killed the game off with a 3-0 triumph that felt entirely inevitable by the final whistle.
5 July 2026

Can Brazil break Norway hoodoo?

For 28 years, Stale Solbakken has carried a piece of history that no Brazilian has been able to rewrite.
5 July 2026

Stopping Haaland no mystery for Brazil: Ancelotti

Ancelotti felt Brazil's comeback win over Japan in the last 32 had given his players greater belief heading into Monday's clash with Norway.
5 July 2026

Messi 20, Mbappe 19: World Cup's greatest scoring race gathers pace

With the 2026 World Cup still ongoing and the possibility of future tournaments ahead, Mbappe appears well placed to challenge, and potentially surpass, Messi's record in the years to come.
5 July 2026

Lions in defeat, calm in victory: Alfaro and Deschamps reflect on a fierce battle

As France marched on toward a quarterfinal meeting with Morocco, Deschamps looked ahead, thinking about recovery, injuries, and another difficult test awaiting his players.
5 July 2026

France survive Paraguay's prickly test but warning lights flash ahead of Morocco clash

Their win was less a showcase of French elegance than a survival exercise, with Kylian Mbappe's penalty finally settling an ill-tempered contest that Paraguay had dragged into their preferred territory of physical confrontation and tactical disruption.
5 July 2026