World Cup wonder goals: Belgium’s 11-second counter kill
94 days to go… We’re counting down to the FIFA World Cup 2026™ by showcasing a golazo from the global finals each day. Nacer Chadli Belgium v Japan Russia 2018 | Last 16 Rostov Arena, Rostov-on-Don “This is Belgium’s best-ever generation,” stated the legendary Jan Ceulemans. “I think they have a great chance, but it’s […]
94 days to go: Brazilian champions
Ninety-four Brazilians have conquered the World Cup as players – more than any other nationality. Germans are next on 89, followed by Italians on 85. The Seleção‘s conquering campaigns came at Sweden 1958, Chile 1962, Brazil 1970, USA 1994 and Korea/Japan 2002. Furthermore, 16 of the 21 players to have won multiple titles are Brazilian: […]
PNG finish top as final four settled
After days of heavy rainfall and typhoon activity buffeted Fiji earlier in the week, the matchday two clash between Papua New Guinea and the Kulas was forced to be postponed. With the other Group B fixtures subsequently completed it meant that this was a straight shootout for section supremacy in the closing match of the […]
International Women’s Day: Players have their say
What made you fall in love with football? The beautiful game that gives us so many emotions. To mark International Women’s Day, which is celebrated every year on 8 March around the world, FIFA asked female players who – or what – inspired them to choose the football pitch as their field of dreams. “I […]
Photos: Stars celebrate with the trophy
Sepp Maier ‘The Cat from Anzing’ kept four clean sheets to thrust Helmut Schon’s side into the final, before limiting the free-scoring Netherlands to just one – a penalty – as West Germany reigned supreme. Daniel Passarella The undersized centre-back was a rock as the Albiceleste won their first World Cup. Passarella remains the youngest […]
95 days to go: Mbappe’s breakneck brace
It took France’s Kylian Mbappe merely 95 seconds to score the second-fastest double in World Cup history, dramatically hauling the Qatar 2022 final against Argentina into extra time. Toni Kroos netted twice in 69 seconds for Germany against Brazil in the 2014 semi-finals. The 23-year-old Mbappe’s first made him the youngest player to reach 10 […]
World Cup wonder goals: Forlan volleys himself to goal gong
95 days to go… We’re counting down to the FIFA World Cup 2026™ by showcasing a golazo from the global finals each day. Diego Forlan Uruguay v Germany South Africa 2010 | Third-place play-off Port Elizabeth Stadium, Port Elizabeth Diego Forlan had just one thing on his mind. ‘Cachavacha’ was determined for Uruguay to finish […]
Ahmed: It’s crazy to think how far I have come
Six years ago, Ali Ahmed was contemplating his future in the game after trials at non-league English clubs such as Enfield Town, Cheshunt FC and Tooting & Mitcham United all came to nothing. Now the wing wizard is playing a starring role with Norwich City in the English Championship and looking forward to the FIFA World Cup 2026™ with Canada. Ahmed’s […]
Abdelhamid: Egypt looked like Brazil against the Netherlands
A night that would never be forgotten. A moment when millions held their breath. In the fourth minute of their match against Algeria, Egypt’s Hossam Hassan timed his run to perfection, springing up to head the ball into the back of the net, securing the Pharaohs’ ticket to the FIFA World Cup™ for the first […]
Montnor: I’m 100 per cent sure Suriname will qualify
There is just nothing like grandma’s cooking. Apart from sharing the pitch with his international team-mates, it’s what Amsterdam-born Jaden Montnor most looks forward to when he returns to play for Suriname, his mother’s home country. Whether it was a squad full of grandmas cooking up the local specialty, roti, or simply being around family, […]