History repeats itself for auld rivals
History seems to have a habit of repeating itself. Nearly three decades after facing off at France 1998, Brazil, Morocco and Scotland will come toe-to-toe once again in the group stage at the FIFA World Cup 2026™. Alongside Norway, these three nations made up Group A at the 1998 finals and provided some of the […]
Godoy: It will be different against England this time
When you listen to Anibal Godoy, you get the sense that things are going to be very different for Panama in the FIFA World Cup 2026™ than they were at Russia 2018. Eight years ago, Los Canaleros were making their debut and there was a “just happy to be here” sense about it all. This […]
Photos: Pile-on parties
A playful pride The Cameroon players celebrate Francois Omam-Biyik scoring, following one of the greatest leaps in World Cup history, against Argentina at Italy 1990. It earned the Indomitable Lions a 1-0 win in the opening match, and one of the biggest upsets ever witnessed in the tournament. Dudes in denim The USA players celebrate […]
World Cup wonder goals: Ernie makes amends
46 days to go… We’re counting down to the FIFA World Cup 2026™ by showcasing a golazo from the global finals each day. Ernie Brandts Netherlands v Italy Argentina 1978 | Group A Estadio Monumental, Buenos Aires Ernie Brandts carried the guilt of a nation into the dressing room at half-time. In a game in […]
46 days to go: Africa against Asia
Africa-against-Asia games have produced 46 goals over the past five World Cups. The 16 games in those have seen each continent claim five victories apiece, with the other six matches ending all square. Among the more memorable matches are Tunisia 2-2 Saudi Arabia at Germany 2006, Nigeria 2-2 Korea Republic at South Africa 2010, Korea […]
Simons ruled out for the Netherlands
Netherlands playmaker Xavi Simons has been ruled out of the FIFA World Cup 2026™ after suffering an ACL injury. The 23-year-old sustained it during Tottenham Hotspur’s 1-0 reverse of Wolves on Saturday, which gave them a first Premier League win since December in their fight against relegation. “They say life can be cruel and today […]
47 days to go: The Italian enforcer
Gennaro Gattuso won a staggering 47 tackles for Italy at Germany 2006. It is comfortably the most in a World Cup this century, with Patrick Vieira second with 36 for France at the same edition and Javier Mascherano third with 30 for Argentina in 2014. Gattuso also holds the record for the most successful tackles […]
World Cup wonder goals: Ronaldo equals Muller
47 days to go… We’re counting down to the FIFA World Cup 2026™ by showcasing a golazo from the global finals each day. Ronaldo Japan v Brazil Germany 2006 | Group F FIFA World Cup Stadium, Dortmund Four years earlier it was his fitness. Now it was his weight. At Korea/Japan 2002, Ronaldo shaved the […]
Koubek: Spirit, skill and strategy key to Czechia success
Miroslav Koubek could be forgiven for being a bag of nerves when Michal Sadilek sized up his penalty in Czechia’s European play-off shootout against Denmark. If the midfielder’s kick was successful, Czechia would be back at the FIFA World Cup™ for the first time in 20 years. Failure to convert, and the Danes could still qualify […]
Al Ahli claim back-to-back AFC Champions League titles
Saudi Arabian heavyweights Al Ahli edged past Japan’s Machida Zelvia to become the fifth club to win back-to-back AFC Champions League titles. In doing so, the Jeddah giants have secured qualification for the forthcoming edition of the FIFA Intercontinental Cup™, while they will also feature in the next instalment of the FIFA Club World Cup™. […]