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- Morning2026-07-29
No fixtures again — FIFA's funding plan now has a 19 September deadline, and Japan's story stays in the transfer market
Eleven days after the final there were no matches overnight; the movement is off the pitch. FIFA president Gianni Infantino wrote to all 211 member associations on 29 July, JST, setting 19 September as the deadline to accept the World Cup commercial-stake plan. On Japan's side the coaching succession is settled, so the only story that keeps moving is Europe's transfer market — where Daizen Maeda and Hidemasa Morita are done deals and Kaishu Sano is still in talks.
Morning - News2026-07-29
FIFA puts a September 19 deadline on its World Cup investment plan — and offers members double the money to say yes
The fight over FIFA's plan to sell a stake in the World Cup's commercial arm has a date and a price on it now. In a letter to all 211 member associations on Wednesday, president Gianni Infantino set September 19 as the deadline to accept, and spelled out the money: approve the plan and each association is promised $20 million; reject it and members get only the $10 million they were already due. UEFA, which is leading the opposition, controls just 55 of those 211 votes.
NewsWorld CupFIFAGovernance - News2026-07-29
FIFA moves to sell a stake in the World Cup's commercial arm — and within a day, football pushed back
FIFA said on Tuesday it wants to carve its commercial and event operations into a $20 billion company and sell outside investors a minority stake of up to 20%, raising up to $4.2 billion it says would go to football development. Within a day, four of world football's biggest bodies — UEFA, CONCACAF, the Asian Football Confederation and England's FA — had all objected, and UEFA was weighing a boycott. Crucially, this is a proposal, not a done deal: it still needs a majority of FIFA's 211 member associations and the FIFA council to approve it.
NewsWorld CupFIFAGovernance - News2026-07-28
Zidane's France: the captaincy is open, and he 'hasn't spoken to Mbappé yet'
Zidane answered almost everything at his unveiling in Paris. The one thing he would not settle was whether Kylian Mbappé keeps the captaincy: 'I haven't spoken to him. The most important thing for him right now is to rest. We'll talk in September.' The job is his through 2030 — but who wears the armband, and who sits on his bench, is still undecided.
NewsFranceManagersNations League - Morning2026-07-28
'A dream come true': Zidane confirmed as France coach, first game away to Türkiye in September
No fixtures overnight; the news was on the touchline. The French Football Federation confirmed on 28 July, JST, that Zinedine Zidane is Deschamps' successor on a four-year deal to 2030. He starts in September, with his first match away to Türkiye on the 25th. On Japan's side the coaching succession is settled, and the only moving story is the transfer market, where Kaishu Sano is still in talks.
Morning - Morning2026-07-27
France names its new coach tonight, JST; Sano's move is still in talks
No fixtures overnight, so today's headline is on the calendar side. The French Football Federation reveals Deschamps' successor at a press conference at 18:00 JST this evening, streamed live on its YouTube channel. Zinedine Zidane is the overwhelming favourite, but nobody has been named officially yet. Japan's confirmed transfers are done; the next names are still only in talks.
Morning - Morning2026-07-26
France names its new coach tomorrow; Japan's transfers are still in talks
No fixtures overnight, so the calendar is what moves this week. The French Football Federation will present Didier Deschamps' successor at a press conference tomorrow, and Zinedine Zidane is the overwhelming favourite. On Japan's side the confirmed moves are done, and the next names are still only in talks.
Morning - News2026-07-26
Klopp returns to management with Germany — released from Red Bull in an unusual deal, first match Sept 24
Germany have their answer to a lost World Cup: Jürgen Klopp. The 59-year-old signed a deal through the 2030 World Cup, ending a two-year break from the touchline — but only after the German federation bought him out of Red Bull with a €1m charity donation and a promise to stage three home internationals in Leipzig. His first game is against the Netherlands on September 24. And two days before that debut is even confirmed, France will name its own new coach on July 28, with Zidane widely expected.
NewsWorld CupGermanyFrance - Japan2026-07-26
Hidemasa Morita joins Hull City on a free — the World Cup omission lands in the Premier League
Hull City announced on July 24 that Japan midfielder Hidemasa Morita has signed on a free transfer from Sporting CP, a two-year deal with the option of a third. It is the 31-year-old's first Premier League move — and it comes just weeks after he was left out of Japan's squad for the summer World Cup, a decision that drew loud second-guessing at home.
JapanJapanTransferPremier League - Morning2026-07-25
Maeda's move to Ipswich is confirmed; Sano still at the negotiating stage
No fixtures overnight; Japan's news has shifted to the transfer market. One firm piece of news landed while we slept — Daizen Maeda's permanent move to Ipswich is done. Kaishu Sano, also linked away, is still only in talks, and separating the confirmed from the rumoured is this morning's point.
Morning - Japan2026-07-25
Daizen Maeda joins Ipswich Town, the club's first Japanese player, for his Premier League bow
Ipswich Town confirmed the permanent signing of Japan forward Daizen Maeda from Celtic on July 25, a three-year deal through 2029. The 28-year-old, who scored 79 goals in 212 games in Scotland and shone at the summer World Cup, becomes the promoted club's first Japanese player and takes on the Premier League for the first time.
JapanJapanTransferPremier League - Japan2026-07-25
The Asian Cup Moriyasu is meant to win — holders Qatar, and Indonesia first
President Tsuneyasu Miyamoto explained the six-month deal in one line: it is there to win the Asian Cup. So who stands in the way of Hajime Moriyasu's final mission? The opponents are already set. At the tournament Saudi Arabia hosts in January 2027, Japan sit in Group F with the back-to-back holders Qatar, a rising Indonesia, and Thailand.
JapanJapanAsian Cup 2027Moriyasu - Morning2026-07-24
Moriyasu holds his appointment press conference — Miyamoto explains the half-year term: 'to win the Asian Cup'
No fixtures overnight; the day for Japan turned on Thursday afternoon's appointment press conference. Hajime Moriyasu said he was 'satisfied' with the half-year deal and welled up as he spoke, while president Tsuneyasu Miyamoto explained why the term was cut so short.
Morning - Japan2026-07-24
Moriyasu, in tears, says he 'accepts' the six months — Miyamoto explains why it stops at the Asian Cup
The question everyone had been asking — why keep Hajime Moriyasu for only half a year — finally got an answer on Thursday. At his inauguration press conference in Tokyo, Moriyasu opened by saying the assignment left him with 'a tightened sense of resolve,' then choked up when he spoke about the team: 'for Japan.' The reason for the short deal came from JFA president Tsuneyasu Miyamoto: the Asian Cup is the most important tournament after the World Cup, and he wants Moriyasu to use his strength in Asia to win it.
JapanJapanJFACoaching - Opponent View2026-07-24
'Japan looked inward for the answer': how Korea's press read the Oiwa succession
The Korean sports daily Sports Chosun called Japan's coaching decision 'a first in the country's history' and dubbed the incoming manager, Go Oiwa, 'the master who destroyed Korea.' While Japanese fans fixed on the oddity of Hajime Moriyasu's six-month deal, the paper in Japan's Asian-Cup rival was looking at a different point: why did Japan hand its future to a coach raised inside its own youth setup rather than a well-known foreigner?
Opponent ViewJapanCoaching changeAsian Cup 2027 - Japan2026-07-24
Japan locks in Moriyasu's six months and Oiwa's dual role — the 'why' waits for today's press conference
The JFA board settled it on July 23: Hajime Moriyasu stays, but only through the Asian Cup in January 2027 — half a year. In the same session it decided that from March 2027, Go Oiwa takes over the senior side while keeping his Olympic-age team. The point that had been up in the air the day before — full-time or dual role — landed on dual role. What the federation held back is the reason. That it saved for a 2 p.m. press conference on the 24th.
JapanJapanJFACoaching - Morning2026-07-24
Today at 2pm, Moriyasu holds his appointment press conference — stay confirmed, Oiwa to follow
The Japan Football Association formally announced Hajime Moriyasu's continuation on the 23rd — a record third straight cycle in charge. His term runs only to the Asian Cup in Saudi Arabia next January–February. At 2pm today, Moriyasu, president Tsuneyasu Miyamoto and technical director Masakuni Yamamoto face the media together.
Morning - News2026-07-23
Modrić set to end his Croatia career in October — his last cap against champions Spain, in Split
Croatia captain Luka Modrić, 40, has decided to retire from the national team, several outlets reported on July 23. His final cap is expected on October 6, against Spain in his home country at Split — the side that had lifted the World Cup four days earlier. He is not leaving football: he has agreed a one-year extension with AC Milan. It is his international career that is ending.
NewsWorld CupCroatiaPlayers - Japan2026-07-23
Japan settles on Oiwa as next coach — the holdup is whether he goes full-time or doubles up
The JFA board takes up Hajime Moriyasu's extension on July 23. But behind the scenes the man who comes after him is already set: Go Oiwa. What isn't set is the shape of the job — whether he keeps the Olympic-age team as well, or runs the senior side full-time.
JapanJapanJFACoaching - Morning2026-07-22
Moriyasu's stay set for approval today — win or not, Oiwa takes over in March
The JFA board is expected to approve Hajime Moriyasu staying on today. But the deal is a half-year one that runs only to next winter's Asian Cup, and even a title there won't extend it — from March the team passes to Go Oiwa.
Morning - News2026-07-22
The biggest World Cup ever: 6.8m fans, $9bn-plus revenue — and FIFA already wants 64 teams
Three days after Spain beat Argentina in New Jersey, the final tally is in. The first 48-team, 104-match, three-nation World Cup drew a record 6,810,966 fans and brought FIFA more than $9 billion — the richest sporting event ever staged. On the strength of those numbers, FIFA president Gianni Infantino is already pushing to expand the 2030 edition to 64 teams.
NewsWorld CupRecordsFIFA - Morning2026-07-21
That red card wasn't real: FIFA deletes Paredes' dismissal
While Japan slept, the story of Leandro Paredes' post-final dismissal turned around. FIFA told the BBC that the red card logged after the brawl was an administrative glitch on the official match feed and was later deleted, so there is no automatic suspension.
Morning - News2026-07-21
FIFA opens an investigation into the brawl after the World Cup final; Paredes was not sent off during the match
The instant the final whistle blew, Lamine Yamal knelt on the pitch and prayed. Behind him, players from both teams were grappling. A day later FIFA said it had opened a disciplinary investigation into the post-match brawl. And the report that Leandro Paredes had been sent off? FIFA itself has denied it.
NewsWorld CupFinalDiscipline - Morning2026-07-20
While you slept, Spain paraded through Madrid
Overnight in Japan, the new world champions came home. Spain met King Felipe VI and Prime Minister Sanchez, then rode an open-top bus through central Madrid to Cibeles Square, greeted by huge crowds.
Morning - News2026-07-20
Spain come home to a million in Madrid — and become the first nation to hold both World Cups at once
Rodri lifted the trophy the moment the plane touched down. On Monday, a day after beating Argentina 1-0 in the final, Spain's champions were greeted by King Felipe VI, met Prime Minister Pedro Sanchez at La Moncloa, and rode an open-top bus from Moncloa to Cibeles Square, where around a million people were expected. With this title, Spain became the first country to hold the men's and women's World Cups at the same time.
NewsWorld CupSpainChampions - News2026-07-20
Spain sweep the individual awards after conceding one goal all tournament; only the Golden Boot got away, to Mbappe
Rodri took the Golden Ball, Unai Simon the Golden Glove, Pau Cubarsi the Best Young Player award. Three of the four individual prizes at the 2026 World Cup stayed with the champions Spain, who conceded a single goal in seven games. The one exception was the Golden Boot, which left with Kylian Mbappe of fourth-placed France.
NewsWorld CupFinalAwards - Summary2026-07-19
Ferran Torres' extra-time winner sends Spain past 10-man Argentina to a second World Cup title; Messi's final ends in defeat
It took 106 minutes and one moment from a substitute. Ferran Torres swept in Nico Williams' cutback in the second period of extra time, and Spain beat Argentina 1-0 at MetLife Stadium to win their second World Cup, sixteen years after their first. Argentina had played extra time a man down after Enzo Fernandez was sent off late in normal time, and Lionel Messi's likely last game for his country ended without a title to defend it.
SummarySpainArgentinaFinal - Morning2026-07-19
Spain are champions: Torres' extra-time goal beats Argentina 1-0
Just a minute into extra time, Ferran Torres broke a goalless final. Spain beat Argentina 1-0 at MetLife Stadium to lift the World Cup for the first time since 2010, denying the holders back-to-back titles.
Morning - News2026-07-19
The World Cup's first-ever champions ring: 30 for the winners, 1,996 sold to fans
Whoever lifts the trophy at MetLife Stadium tomorrow morning will, for the first time in World Cup history, also receive a championship ring. FIFA is making 2,026 of them — but only 30 go to the winning country. The other 1,996 are for sale to fans.
NewsWorld CupFinalFIFA - Preview2026-07-19
The block France couldn't break: can Messi's Argentina crack Spain in the final?
Spain shut out France 2-0. Argentina came from behind to beat England 2-1, Messi setting up both goals. Now they meet for the title on Sunday afternoon in New Jersey — 4am Monday in Japan — the reigning European champions against the reigning world champions, and, by the June rankings, the world's No 2 side against its No 1. Spain have conceded once in the whole knockout stage. The question is whether Argentina can do the thing France could not.
PreviewFinalSpainArgentina - Summary2026-07-18
England beat France 6-4 in a 10-goal third-place thriller; Saka's hat-trick, Mbappe's double takes him top of the Golden Boot
Ten goals, a hat-trick, and a Golden Boot race turned on its head. England beat France 6-4 in the World Cup third-place playoff in Miami on Sunday, racing to a 4-0 half-time lead before holding off a France comeback that reached 4-3. Bukayo Saka scored three, Jude Bellingham sealed it deep in stoppage time, and Kylian Mbappe's two goals lifted him to 10 for the tournament — one clear of Lionel Messi ahead of Sunday's final.
SummaryEnglandFranceThird-place playoff - Morning2026-07-18
The final is Spain v Argentina at 4 a.m. tomorrow, with Japan's Moriyasu on the broadcast
Two games are left. France v England for third place kicked off at 6 a.m. JST in Miami and is still being played as you read this. Then the tournament's last match, the final between Spain and Argentina, kicks off at 4 a.m. JST tomorrow, Monday the 20th. DAZN's free stream of that match will feature Japan coach Hajime Moriyasu, live from the venue.
Morning - News2026-07-18
The baby Messi once bathed is on the other side of the final
On the eve of the final, the person asking Lionel Messi questions was not a reporter. Tom Brady held up an old photo of a young Messi bathing a baby in a sink. That baby is Lamine Yamal, who will line up for Spain in the final the next day.
NewsWorld CupArgentinaSpain - News2026-07-18
The World Cup final's first halftime show — BTS, Madonna, and a break stretched past the 15-minute rule
FIFA has confirmed the lineup for the first halftime show at a men's World Cup final: Justin Bieber, Madonna, Shakira and BTS, with the whole thing curated by Coldplay's Chris Martin. The catch is the clock. The Laws of the Game cap a halftime interval at 15 minutes; on Monday morning Japan time, the break in New Jersey is expected to run closer to 25.
NewsWorld CupFinalHalftime Show - Morning2026-07-17
"Kylian is at 100%": Mbappe goes after the Golden Boot at 6 a.m. tomorrow
"Kylian is doing well. He is at 100 per cent." That was Didier Deschamps on the eve of the third-place match, settling the question of Mbappe's ankle. There were no matches again on Friday, so nothing moved on the pitch. The next kick-off is at 6 a.m. JST tomorrow, Sunday the 19th: France v England in Miami. If Mbappe scores once, he goes ahead of Messi at the top of the scoring chart.
Morning - Preview2026-07-17
If Mbappe doesn't score on Saturday, the Golden Boot is Messi's
"He is available, that's what I will say." That was Didier Deschamps on Friday, asked whether Kylian Mbappe would play in the third-place playoff. Mbappe has eight goals. So does Lionel Messi. They look level, and they are not: the tiebreaker is assists, and Messi leads it four to three. If neither man scores again, the Golden Boot is Messi's. Which is why Saturday in Miami is not a dead rubber for France's captain. Kick-off is 5pm ET, 6am Sunday in Japan.
PreviewThird-place playoffFranceEngland - News2026-07-17
The referee from Argentina's night in Lusail will take the World Cup final
When Pierluigi Collina read out the name, Slavko Vinčić covered his face with both hands. In the video FIFA released on 17 July, the Slovenian is in tears: no referee from his country has ever taken a World Cup final. In Buenos Aires, though, the name brought back a date instead — 22 November 2022, in Lusail.
NewsWorld CupRefereeSpain - News2026-07-17
"Thank God it hurts": Deschamps' final match may come without Mbappé
French staff are still worried about Kylian Mbappé's ankle, Le Parisien indicated in a report relayed by Le10sport on 16 July. If he is rested, Marcus Thuram or Maghnes Akliouche could get minutes instead. The match in question is Didier Deschamps' last 90 minutes as France head coach: Saturday in Miami, 06:00 JST on 19 July, the third-place play-off.
NewsFranceThird-place play-offCoaches - Morning2026-07-16
The World Cup ends across Sunday and Monday mornings: the final is Spain v Argentina
There were no matches again on Friday, and nothing changed on the pitch. With the semi-finals done, the final is Spain v Argentina and the third-place match is France v England. The next kick-off is Sunday: the third-place game at 6 a.m. JST on the 19th, and the final at 4 a.m. JST on Monday the 20th. Those two matches close out the tournament.
Morning - News2026-07-16
Messi didn't score in the semifinal — and came out of it leading the Golden Boot
Lionel Messi did not score as Argentina beat England 2-1 to reach the final. Yet by full time the top of the scoring race had moved to him. His two late assists — for Enzo Fernandez's equaliser and Lautaro Martinez's stoppage-time winner — left him level with Kylian Mbappe on eight goals but ahead on assists, four to three.
NewsWorld CupGolden BootLionel Messi - Japan2026-07-16
Three Premier League enquiries for Keito Nakamura — the holdup isn't the price
The BBC has Everton, Bournemouth and Fulham all asking about Keito Nakamura, and Reims will let him go for about £21.5m. Yet no bid has landed. The reason isn't the fee — it's that two of the three clubs have to sell first.
JapanJapanKeito NakamuraTransfers - News2026-07-15
Mbappe's eight goals are frozen — the Golden Boot could hinge on the match nobody wants
When Spain knocked France out on Tuesday, Kylian Mbappe's tally stopped at eight. Lionel Messi is level on eight with more games left. The 2026 Golden Boot now runs through the final weekend — and, oddly, through the third-place play-off almost everyone treats as a formality.
NewsWorld CupGolden BootKylian Mbappe - Japan2026-07-15
Three clubs, no move: the price tag stalling Ayase Ueda
Ueda's Premier League summer keeps being reported as a three-club battle. The reason it hasn't turned into a transfer is not the shortlist — it's the gap between Feyenoord's asking price and what buyers, and the valuation models, think he is worth.
JapanJapanAyase UedaTransfers - Preview2026-07-14
The one country Messi has never played: England, at last, in the semi-final
"I have played against everyone except England," Lionel Messi said after Argentina beat Switzerland. He is 39, he has eight goals at this World Cup, and he has never faced England for his country. The two nations last met in November 2005 — three months after Messi's senior debut. They meet again on Thursday at 4am Japan time, under the closed roof in Atlanta, with a place in the final at stake.
PreviewSemifinalsEnglandArgentina - Preview2026-07-14
Mbappe's ankle will hold. Spain have not lost in 36 matches.
France's captain limped out of the quarter-final against Morocco with an ankle sprain. Four days later he is expected to start in Arlington. On the other side stands a Spain team that has not lost a match since March 2024 — 36 games, 27 wins, nine draws — and that has needed a substitute to win each of its last two knockout ties. Kick-off is 4am Wednesday in Japan.
PreviewSemifinalsFranceSpain - News2026-07-14
"Don't expect anything from me": Yamal has one goal at this World Cup, and three against France
"You say I'm not at my best level, so you shouldn't expect anything from me." Lamine Yamal, who turned 19 on Monday, threw the criticism back at the Spanish press on the eve of the World Cup semi-final against France. He has scored once in six games at this tournament. Against France, in the last two meetings, he has scored three.
NewsSemi-finalsSpainFrance - Japan2026-07-14
A 30m euro tag on Zion Suzuki — but PSG already have three goalkeepers
Gazzetta dello Sport reported on July 12 that Paris Saint-Germain had moved for Parma's Zion Suzuki and that talks were progressing fast. Japanese headlines ran with it. The French outlet closest to PSG's dressing room writes it more coldly: Paris already have three goalkeepers, and they have not actually made an offer.
JapanJapanZion SuzukiTransfers - Morning2026-07-14
France v Spain at 4 a.m. tomorrow: the first semi-finals made up of FIFA's top four
Two days have passed without a match. The World Cup restarts at 4 a.m. JST tomorrow, when France meet Spain at AT&T Stadium in Arlington. The four teams left are France, Argentina, Spain and England — the first time since FIFA's ranking began in 1992 that the world's top four have all reached the semi-finals.
Morning - News2026-07-12
England's next opponent is Argentina. Tuchel said they were 'lucky'; Bellingham replied 'Whatever'
England beat Norway 2-1 in extra time and reached the semi-finals - and then their manager called the performance sloppy and lucky, and their two-goal match-winner answered: "Yeah, well. Whatever." On Wednesday in Atlanta they meet Argentina, who have needed extra time or a comeback in all three knockout rounds.
NewsSemi-finalsEnglandArgentina - Opponent View2026-07-12
Brazil had six days to fix what Japan exposed. The list was still there when Norway sent them home.
The morning after Brazil beat Japan 2-1, the Brazilian outlet Terra ran a piece headlined "the mistakes Ancelotti has to fix before the last 16." It listed five: the hole between midfield and the back line, an inability to play out under pressure, the full-back plan that failed against Japan's five-man defence, a replacement for the injured Paqueta, and two players a booking away from suspension. The article noted the coach had six days until Sunday. Six days later Brazil lost 2-1 to Norway and went home.
Opponent ViewBrazilJapanAncelotti - Morning2026-07-11
Haaland at 6 a.m., Messi at 10 — the last two semi-final places are decided today
Nothing finished overnight. Norway v England kicked off at 6 a.m. JST in Miami and will be settled around 8; Argentina v Switzerland follows at 10 a.m. in Kansas City. Those two matches fill the last two places in the semi-finals, where France v Spain is already set.
Morning - Preview2026-07-11
Manzambi is out. Argentina have conceded four in two games.
"Unfortunately, Johan Manzambi's injury hurts us enormously. It was a real shock." Murat Yakin said it in Kansas City on Friday, and with it Switzerland lost the argument they had been quietly winning. In the 200 minutes the 20-year-old played at this World Cup, Switzerland averaged 3.6 goals per 90. In the 280 minutes since his knee gave out, they have scored exactly once. They meet a champion who cannot stop conceding.
PreviewQuarterfinalsArgentinaSwitzerland - Preview2026-07-11
England's only absentee is the suspended one. The rest is Miami's 34C.
"We had everyone available in training." Thomas Tuchel said it in Miami Gardens on Friday, and it emptied out an injury list that had looked grim for two days. Declan Rice (a stomach bug), Marc Guehi (hamstring) and Reece James (hamstring) all trained with the group. The only player Tuchel cannot pick is Jarell Quansah, and that is a suspension, not an injury. Which leaves the one thing neither coach can pick around: a kickoff at around 34C.
PreviewQuarterfinalsNorwayEngland - News2026-07-11
Spain conceded for the first time in 650 minutes. The last man to score against them was Ao Tanaka.
Charles De Ketelaere's header just before half-time ended a World Cup shutout streak that had run for 650 minutes. To find the previous goal Spain conceded at a World Cup, you have to go back to Doha in 2022, and to Ao Tanaka. Spain still won 2-1 and will face France in the semifinal at 04:00 JST on July 15.
NewsSemifinalsSpainFrance - Japan2026-07-11
The ¥3.1bn deficit behind Japan's half-year deal — and Oiwa leading the race to replace Moriyasu
Japan's coaching story is usually told as "Moriyasu stays." The more revealing number sits in the association's accounts: the JFA posted a deficit of about 3.1 billion yen for fiscal 2026. That figure, several Japanese outlets report, is a large part of why Moriyasu's continuation runs only through the Asian Cup — and why the search for his successor is already down to a short list of Japanese coaches, led by the U-21 boss Toshio Oiwa.
JapanJapanJFAMoriyasu - Morning2026-07-10
Spain edge Belgium 2-1 on Merino's late strike — a semi-final with France awaits
The second quarter-final is done. Spain beat Belgium 2-1 in the early hours of JST: Fabián Ruiz opened the scoring, Belgium levelled through Charles De Ketelaere, and with the game tied at 1-1 in the 88th minute, back-up keeper Senne Lammens spilled a routine shot for Mikel Merino to bundle in the winner. Spain reach the semi-finals and will meet France, who beat Morocco 2-0 the day before.
Morning - News2026-07-10
Haaland faces the country he calls home. 'Put all the pressure on England.'
Asked to rate Norway's chances of winning the World Cup, Erling Haaland answered flatly: 'Really low, still.' Then he grinned and told the reporters to pile every bit of pressure on England. On July 12 at 06:00 JST in Miami, the striker meets the country where he was born and plays his club football, with a semifinal on the line.
NewsQuarterfinalsNorwayEngland - Morning2026-07-09
France beat Morocco 2-0 — Mbappé and Dembélé send Les Bleus to a third straight semi-final
The quarter-finals are under way. In the opener near Boston, France beat Morocco 2-0: Mbappé missed an early penalty, then scored after the break, and Dembélé added the second. France reach a third straight semi-final and will face the winner of Spain v Belgium, which kicks off at 4 a.m. JST tomorrow.
Morning - News2026-07-09
Egypt demand FIFA remove their referee — as an all-Argentine crew takes charge of France v Morocco
Egypt led Argentina 2-0 with the biggest win in their history in sight before a disallowed goal and two waved-away penalties turned the tie. Now the Egyptian FA has formally asked FIFA to remove referee Francois Letexier — and this morning JST, an all-Argentine crew, the first single-nation team of the tournament, took charge of France against Morocco.
NewsKnockoutEgyptArgentina - News2026-07-09
Switzerland break their World Cup shootout curse, reach the last eight for the first time since 1954 — Messi's Argentina next
Gregor Kobel saved from Cucho Hernandez, Davinson Sanchez smashed his kick against the bar, and Switzerland won a shootout 4-3 to reach the World Cup quarterfinals for the first time since 1954. With Japan already out, the last eight holds a quiet side barely discussed back home — and their next opponent is defending champion Argentina.
NewsKnockoutSwitzerlandQuarterfinal - Japan2026-07-09
Moriyasu accepts an unusual half-year extension — Japan's coach only through the Asian Cup
The offer the Japan Football Association put to Hajime Moriyasu came with an end date attached: stay on, but only until the Asian Cup in Saudi Arabia next January. Several Japanese outlets reported on July 8 that Moriyasu has signaled he will accept. Even a title would not extend him — an unusual half-year term that already has its own finish line.
JapanJapanJFAMoriyasu - News2026-07-09
World Cup last eight are set: France v Morocco, a 2022 rematch, opens the quarterfinals
Forty teams have gone home and eight remain. The 2026 World Cup reaches the quarterfinals, and it opens on Friday at 5am Japan time in Foxborough, near Boston, with France against Morocco — the side France knocked out of the 2022 semifinal four years ago.
NewsKnockoutFranceMorocco - Morning2026-07-09
Round of 16 done — Brazil and Ronaldo gone, and the quarter-finals open tomorrow morning with Morocco v France
The Round of 16 is over. Brazil, the side that knocked Japan out, lost to Haaland's Norway, and 41-year-old Cristiano Ronaldo's Portugal fell to Spain. There are no matches today; the quarter-finals begin at 5 a.m. JST tomorrow, 10 July, with Morocco v France near Boston.
Morning - News2026-07-06
Ronaldo's last World Cup ends in tears — Spain's late goal knocks Portugal out
When the whistle went in Arlington, Cristiano Ronaldo was in tears — and being consoled by 18-year-old Lamine Yamal. Mikel Merino's 91st-minute goal sent Spain past Portugal 1-0 and into the quarterfinals, ending the 41-year-old's sixth and final World Cup.
NewsKnockoutPortugalSpain - News2026-07-06
Ten-man England win an Azteca classic — Bellingham's brace beats Mexico 3-2, Norway await in the last eight
Jude Bellingham scored twice inside the first half and England beat Mexico 3-2 to reach the World Cup quarterfinals — holding on for the last 40 minutes with ten men after a red card. The co-hosts went out at a packed Estadio Azteca, and England's next opponent is Norway, the side that knocked out Brazil.
NewsKnockoutEnglandMexico - Morning2026-07-06
France join Morocco in the last eight — the quarter-final is set at Morocco v France, and this morning Brazil are in the Round of 16
France beat Paraguay 1-0 to reach the quarter-finals, joining Morocco, and the two winners will meet on 9 July in a rematch of the 2022 semi-final. Meanwhile, from 5 a.m. JST this morning Brazil — the side that knocked Japan out — are playing their Round of 16.
Morning - News2026-07-06
Brazil, the team that beat Japan, are out — Haaland's Norway win 2-1 to reach the last eight
Erling Haaland scored in the 79th and 90th minutes as Norway beat Brazil 2-1 to reach the World Cup quarterfinals for the first time. The five-time champions who ended Japan's run on June 30 are now gone one round later.
NewsKnockoutBrazilNorway - News2026-07-05
France edge Paraguay 1-0 to set up a quarterfinal with Morocco - a rematch of the 2022 semifinal
France beat Paraguay 1-0 in Philadelphia on a Kylian Mbappe penalty in the 70th minute, awarded after a VAR review on a chaotic, foul-heavy night. It sends them to the quarterfinals against Morocco - the same pairing as the 2022 semifinal in Qatar, which France won 2-0. The rematch is set for Thursday, July 9 in Boston.
NewsKnockout stageFranceMorocco - Morning2026-07-04
Hosts Canada out, Morocco first into the quarter-finals; this morning it's France v Paraguay
The last 16 has begun. Overnight into this morning JST, co-hosts Canada lost 0-3 to Morocco in Houston and went out of their home World Cup. Morocco are the first side into the quarter-finals.
Morning - News2026-07-04
Co-host Canada out of its home World Cup; Morocco win 3-0 to reach the quarterfinals first
Canada pushed the game in the first half and had nothing to show for it. Then Azzedine Ounahi scored twice after the break and Soufiane Rahimi added a third in stoppage time, and Morocco beat the co-hosts 3-0 in Houston to become the first team into the 2026 quarterfinals.
NewsKnockout stageMoroccoCanada - News2026-07-04
Egypt reach the last 16 for the first time, beating Australia on penalties; Messi awaits
Still level at 1-1 after 120 minutes, Egypt turned to spot kicks. Mohamed Salah chipped his down the middle as the goalkeeper dived away, Australia missed twice, and Egypt won 4-2 to claim the first World Cup knockout victory in the country's history. Next in the last 16: Lionel Messi's Argentina.
NewsKnockout stageEgyptAustralia - Preview2026-07-04
Canada, the co-host who put six past Qatar, meets unbeaten Morocco in the last 16
Co-host Canada battered Qatar 6-0 in the group and then edged South Africa 1-0 to reach the last 16. Morocco came through Group C unbeaten — a 1-1 with Brazil included — and knocked out the Netherlands on penalties in the round of 32. An attacking host meets a side that just won't break at NRG Stadium in Houston, kicking off 02:00 JST on July 5.
PreviewRound of 16CanadaMorocco - Morning2026-07-04
Debutants Cape Verde fall short of the last 16 as Argentina win 3-2
The World Cup's Round of 32 is reaching its climax. Overnight into this morning JST, Argentina beat first-timers Cape Verde 3-2 in Miami to reach the last 16. The island nation of around 500,000, at their first World Cup, saw a remarkable run end one step short of the last 16.
Morning - News2026-07-03
Portugal edge Croatia 2-1 on a 94th-minute goal; Spain awaits in the last 16
At the final whistle in Toronto, Luka Modric and Cristiano Ronaldo held each other for a long moment. One is going home; the other plays on. Goncalo Ramos headed Portugal in front in the 94th minute to beat Croatia 2-1, ending Modric's World Cup at 40 and sending Portugal to a Round of 16 meeting with Spain.
NewsKnockout stagePortugalCroatia - News2026-07-02
Canada reach the last 16 for the first time on a 92nd-minute goal, and all three hosts are through
Stephen Eustaquio scored in the 92nd minute to beat South Africa 1-0, sending Canada into a World Cup Round of 16 for the first time in its history. With that, all three co-hosts — Canada, the United States and Mexico — are in the last 16.
NewsKnockout stageHost nationsCanada - Preview2026-07-02
Spain didn't concede a goal in the group; Austria drew 3-3 — they meet in the last 32
Spain came through Group H without conceding a single goal. Austria advanced from Group J after a 3-3 shootout with Algeria, scoring six and conceding six along the way. The tightest defence of the round meets one of its most open teams at SoFi Stadium in Los Angeles, kicking off 04:00 JST on July 3.
PreviewRound of 32SpainAustria - Preview2026-07-02
Portugal won their group with one win; Croatia shipped four to England — now they meet
Portugal topped Group K but scored five of their six goals in one game and drew the other two. Croatia lost 4-2 to England on matchday one, then won twice to advance. The two arrive in opposite states at BMO Field in Toronto, kicking off 08:00 JST on July 3.
PreviewRound of 32PortugalCroatia - Morning2026-07-01
Mexico reach the last 16 for the first time in 40 years; waiting at the Azteca, England after a comeback
The World Cup's Round of 32 is nearing its end. Overnight into this morning JST, co-hosts Mexico broke a 40-year knockout drought and England came from behind, and both reached the last 16. The two now meet at the Azteca in Mexico City on 6 July.
Morning - News2026-07-01
Kane's late double rescues England; the last-16 tie is Mexico at the Azteca
England trailed DR Congo from the seventh minute in Atlanta. Then Harry Kane scored twice in the last 15 minutes to win it 2-1, and the round-of-16 opponent came into focus: Mexico, at the Estadio Azteca.
NewsKnockout stageBracketEngland - News2026-07-01
Germany lose their first World Cup shootout, and the Netherlands who drew Japan go out too
On June 30 Japan time, Japan were not the only side to leave. Within the same day, Germany lost a World Cup penalty shootout for the first time ever, beaten by Paraguay, and the Netherlands — the team Japan drew 2-2 in the group — went out to Morocco on spot-kicks. The round of 32 has thinned the field of favourites.
NewsKnockout stageUpsetGermany
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