Argentina’s Vice President Victoria Villarruel called the English “usurping pirates” ahead of Wednesday’s World Cup semi-final between the two countries’ teams.

“If they won their games, which they should have done, they would not play tougher teams. Argentina did their job, they won their games, and they got into the easier group.

By Stephanie ShaakaaFrance did not lose because they lacked attacking talent. They lost because Spain seized the centre of the pitch and never truly released it. Rodri, Fabián Ruiz and Dani Olmo controlled the rhythm, resisted pressure and repeatedly launched attacks, while France’s celebrated forwards were left isolated. Tchouaméni and Rabiot were overwhelmed, and once […]

It marks the second consecutive World Cup the three-time African champions will miss, having also failed to qualify for Qatar 2022.

Super Eagles goalkeeper Stanley Nwabali stepped away from football earlier this year after the devastating loss of both his parents and his grandmother within a short period, with the emotional toll forcing him to prioritize his mental health before making a surprise return to South African side Chippa United.

Wednesday’s incident occurred early in the morning, moments after Spain completed their 2-0 victory over France in Texas to qualify for the World Cup final.

Rice has been struggling with illness and came off at half-time in the quarter-final victory over Norway.

As England and Argentina prepare to renew one of football’s fiercest rivalries in Wednesday’s 2026 FIFA World Cup semi-final, memories of Diego Maradona’s unforgettable performance in Mexico 1986 have once again taken centre stage.

“At first, I did not even know what was happening, it felt like a dream,” Kostromina told AFP in Moscow, saying she “never expected” the video to go so viral.

The 34-year-old — one of Belgium’s ‘golden generation’ whose last hurrah was a World Cup quarter-final exit to Spain — signed a two-year contract.

Argentina’s Alexis Mac Allister has urged his team to take inspiration from Diego Maradona as they seek to get the better of England in their World Cup semi-final on Wednesday.

France captain Kylian Mbappe appeared to question Didier Deschamps’ tactical approach after Les Bleus were beaten 2-0 by Spain in the semi-finals of the 2026 FIFA World Cup on Tuesday.

Spain defender Pau Cubarsi has emerged as the frontrunner for the FIFA World Cup 2026 Young Player of the Tournament award following a string of commanding displays at the tournament in North America.

Spain goalkeeper Unai Simon has written his name into FIFA World Cup history after moving into joint third on the tournament’s all-time clean-sheet rankings.

Former Chelsea, Paris Saint-Germain and Bayern Munich boss Tuchel said he did not feel extra pressure as he spoke to reporters in Atlanta on Tuesday.