World Cup 2026 headlines from BBC Sport and ESPN — refreshed hourly.
Arsenal open their title defence against Coventry on 21 August, Chelsea have spent big under new manager Xabi Alonso, and the Community Shield in Cardiff kicks off the countdown this weekend.
Spain lifted the 2026 World Cup trophy with a 1-0 victory over defending champions Argentina at the New York/New Jersey Stadium — a composed, possession-led masterclass that sealed their second world title.
Two semi-final losers meet in Miami for the bronze final — with Mbappé chasing the Golden Boot and England chasing their best World Cup finish in sixty years.
Rice and Saka fired England into a 4-0 half-time lead before Mbappé dragged France back to 4-3 — but Saka's hat-trick and Bellingham's 90+8' finish sealed a breathless 6-4 bronze win in Miami.
Anthony Gordon put England ahead in Atlanta, but Enzo Fernández and Lautaro Martínez struck late as Argentina reached the World Cup 2026 final at the Three Lions' expense.
All ten round-of-32 ties decided as Spain, Argentina and Portugal enter the last 16. Messi and Kane lead the Golden Boot on six — our predictions for who wins it.
England beat DR Congo in Atlanta, the USA edged Bosnia in Santa Clara, and Belgium defeated Senegal in Seattle as the round of 32 continued across North America.
Harry Kane and Jude Bellingham sent England through in Atlanta. Mexico, co-hosts and conquerors of Ecuador, await in Mexico City on 5 July.
France beat Scotland 3–1 in New Jersey, Norway edged Ivory Coast on penalties in Texas, and Mexico defeated Ecuador 2–0 in Mexico City as the round of 32 heated up.
Morocco defeated the Netherlands on penalties after a dramatic 1-1 draw in the FIFA World Cup 2026 Round of 32. Full match report and analysis.
Panama and Jordan are eliminated before matchday three. Uzbekistan are all but gone. How FIFA Article 13 and the 48-team format turned two defeats into an early flight home.
Arsenal defend their title on a compressed calendar. City, Liverpool and Chelsea chase them as the Premier League returns in mid-August after North America 2026.
Belgium hammer New Zealand 5–1, Iran denied by VAR against Egypt, Spain beat Uruguay, England beat Panama, Croatia edge Ghana, Colombia draw Portugal, Congo DR advance, Messi strikes again.
Lionel Messi scores in a seventh straight World Cup game. Harry Kane passes Gary Lineker. Cabo Verde reach the Round of 32. Iran, Panama and Uzbekistan go home.
FIFA Article 13 now ranks head-to-head results before goal difference. It does not auto-eliminate teams after two defeats — but it can seal group fates earlier.
Norway beat Senegal 3–2, Algeria down Jordan 2–1, Portugal rout Uzbekistan 5–0, Colombia beat Congo DR, Croatia defeat Panama, and England draw with Ghana.
From red-earth pitches to World Cup semi-finals — how football serves as a lifeline, a language, and a ladder for communities across the developing world.
From the Christmas Truce of 1914 to Didier Drogba's tearful plea in Ivory Coast — the remarkable, real history of football as a peacebuilding tool.
Messi breaks the all-time World Cup scoring record. Mbappé battles a thunderstorm. Haaland strikes twice. The greatest day of stars the 2026 tournament has seen.
Billion-pound TV deals, sovereign wealth funds, and €222m transfers. How football transformed into a global industry — and what it cost the game's soul.
36 teams, eight league phase games, knockout play-offs, merit-based home advantage. UEFA's biggest format overhaul in 21 years, fully explained.
From Lorestan to Persepolis to Iran's number one shirt — how Alireza Beiranvand became a World Cup hero and why his Belgium performance mattered.
