FIFA World Cup

France advanced to the 2026 World Cup semi-finals after a 2-0 victory over Morocco in Thursday's quarter-final, securing a meeting with the winner of Spain vs. Belgium.

Kylian Mbappé opened the scoring after his first-half penalty was saved by goalkeeper Bono following a foul by Noussair Mazraoui. Morocco protested a handball by Adrien Rabiot in the buildup, but the goal was confirmed. Ousmane Dembélé added a second goal to seal the win.

Mbappé was forced off with an injury late in the match.

Christian Pulisic has been diagnosed with a microfracture and bone bruise of the tibia and fibula in his right leg following the United States' 4-1 defeat by Belgium in the World Cup round of 16 on Monday in Seattle.

The injury occurred when Pulisic struck the leg of Belgium captain Youri Tielemans while attempting a shot in the 52nd minute. He was substituted in the 59th minute and underwent X-ray and MRI scans on Tuesday to assess the damage.

The U.S. Soccer Federation and AC Milan will collaborate on his recovery plan. Pulisic is expected to resume training before Milan's Serie A opener at Torino on Aug. 23, with reports indicating he will be sidelined for several weeks but not months. The forward had already missed the U.S.'s 2-0 group-stage win over Australia due to a left-calf injury earlier in the tournament.

MIAMI — Erling Haaland has insisted England are clear favourites when they face Norway in Saturday's World Cup quarter-final in Miami, calling on the media to place pressure on the English camp.

Norway reached the last eight for the first time since 1998 after finishing second in Group I behind France and then eliminating both Ivory Coast and Brazil in the knockout rounds. Haaland leads the charge, having scored seven goals in four appearances — including a double in the last-16 win over Brazil — leaving him level with Kylian Mbappé and one behind Lionel Messi in the Golden Boot race.

England enter the tie having beaten Mexico 3-2 at the Azteca Stadium in their round-of-16 fixture. Norway held their final training session in Fort Lauderdale on Thursday before travelling to the venue.

A senior White House official has accused British Prime Minister Keir Starmer of a more serious interference in World Cup affairs than Donald Trump's successful appeal to FIFA over a player suspension.

Andrew Giuliani, executive director of the US World Cup Task Force, called Starmer's intervention "far more egregious" than Trump's request to FIFA president Gianni Infantino for a review of Folarin Balogun's red card, which resulted in the disciplinary committee lifting the ban.

Starmer backed the English Football Association's push to block FIFA from moving the Mexico v England quarter-final kick-off forward by six hours in Mexico City. FIFA had proposed the earlier start on safety grounds after three Mexican fans died following their round-of-32 victory over Ecuador, though media reports cited threats of severe thunderstorms as the reason. The match ultimately began an hour late due to weather. The Belgian side won their round-of-16 fixture on Monday.

England defender Jarell Quansah has been suspended for two World Cup matches after FIFA's disciplinary committee extended his punishment for serious foul play, ruling him out of the knockout stages.

Quansah received a straight red card in the 54th minute of England's 3-2 last-16 victory over Mexico for a high challenge on Jesus Gallardo. The initial one-match suspension was increased to two games for breaching Article 14 of the FIFA Disciplinary Code. The Football Association considered appealing the decision but found no avenue to contest the ban.

The 23-year-old will miss Saturday's quarter-final against Norway and a potential semi-final should England progress. He would only become available again for the final or third-place play-off.

England advanced to the FIFA World Cup quarter-finals after defeating host nation Mexico 3-2 in the round of 16 at the Azteca Stadium. The victory came despite England playing with ten men following Jarrel Quansah's red card.

Defender John Stones, who was substituted in the 57th minute and helped preserve the lead, staged a fake shoulder injury to prank manager Thomas Tuchel in the dressing room after the final whistle. The light-hearted moment contrasted with a setback for midfielder Jordan Henderson, who suffered a wrist injury after the match.

England will face Norway in the quarter-finals in Miami on Saturday, July 11.

FIFA chief refereeing officer Pierluigi Collina has firmly dismissed allegations of match manipulation leveled by Egypt following their 3-2 loss to Argentina in the World Cup round of 16, declaring that nobody can question the integrity of tournament officials.

The dispute erupted after Egyptian coach Hossam Hassan called the match "manipulated," and Egyptian Football Association president Hany Abo Rida filed a formal complaint against French referee François Letexier and his crew, demanding their removal from the tournament over two contested second-half decisions. Collina defended the VAR calls in question, pointing to Marwan Attia's foul on Lisandro Martínez that nullified an Egyptian goal and normal contact between Mohamed Salah and Julián Álvarez that drew no penalty. "Unfounded accusations have no place in our sport," Collina said, insisting refereeing cannot be influenced by anyone, "not even the FIFA president."

In a separate intervention, Donald Trump said he asked FIFA to review a decision not to uphold Folarin Balogun's ban.

Morocco will be without star forward Ismael Saibari for their World Cup quarterfinal against France on Thursday in Boston, after he suffered a hamstring injury in the round of 16. Head coach Mohamed Ouahbi confirmed the player is not fit to face the French.

Saibari, who recently joined Bayern Munich from PSV Eindhoven on a five-year contract, has been Morocco's standout performer at the tournament. He scored in all three group matches and converted the decisive penalty in the shootout victory over the Netherlands. He was forced off during the 3-0 win over Canada in the last 16.

Ouahbi, who took charge from Walid Regragui in March, now faces the task of replacing his most potent attacker for the biggest match of the tournament.

Spain midfielder Dani Olmo has described Friday's World Cup quarter-final against Belgium in Los Angeles as one of the three most important matches of his career, alongside the European Championship final and the Champions League semi-final against Inter. Speaking at a press conference in Los Angeles, Olmo said he has always had to constantly prove his worth to earn his place in the starting line-up.

Olmo praised Belgium as a very complete team and singled out Thibaut Courtois as one of the world's best goalkeepers. Spain's own goalkeeper, Unai Simón, has gone 609 minutes without conceding at this tournament, a run Olmo credited to collective defensive work.

The reigning European champions enter the match unbeaten in 35 games and seeking a first World Cup semi-final since their 2010 title-winning campaign.

France meets Morocco in a World Cup quarterfinal rematch on Thursday in Boston, reopening a rivalry decided 2–0 in their favour during the 2022 semi-final. The winner will advance to face either Spain or Belgium in the semi-finals on July 14 in Arlington, Texas.

Les Bleus arrive with a perfect record, having won all five matches with a tournament-best 14 goals. Kylian Mbappé has scored seven goals, trailing only Lionel Messi's eight in the Golden Boot race, while Michael Olise has five assists, just one short of Pelé's single-tournament record. Head coach Didier Deschamps will equal Helmut Schön's record of 25 World Cup matches managed.

Morocco have become the first African nation to reach the final eight twice, riding a 34-match unbeaten streak under Mohamed Ouahbi that includes winning the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations. The Atlas Lions defeated Canada 3–0 in the Round of 16 after earlier beating the Netherlands, though midfielder Ismael Saibari is ruled out through injury. Kick-off is scheduled for 22:00 CET.

Prime Minister Keir Starmer is preparing to declare a bank holiday should England win the World Cup, with Friday 24 July 2026 the most likely date for celebrations following the final on Sunday 19 July in New Jersey.

England, who beat Mexico 3-2 in the round of 16, face Norway in the quarter-final in Miami on Saturday. A victory would likely set up a semi-final against Argentina or Switzerland in Atlanta on 15 July. Starmer has resisted calls to lobby FIFA over Jarell Quansah's red card against Mexico, even as US President Donald Trump successfully persuaded FIFA to suspend a ban on American player Folarin Balogun.

The proposal has drawn mixed reactions. Conservative leader Kemi Badenoch said she would "probably not" support an extra holiday, while Scotland already declared a bank holiday in June for its participation in the tournament.

England manager Thomas Tuchel is monitoring Reece James's fitness ahead of Saturday's World Cup quarter-final against Norway in Miami, though the right-back remained unable to train with the squad on Wednesday due to a hamstring problem sustained against Ghana.

Tuchel expects James to be available for the knockout tie despite the ongoing recovery. England will be without Jarell Quansah, who is suspended after receiving a red card in the 3-2 victory over Mexico, leaving the squad short of defensive options.

Midfielder Jordan Henderson has returned to the England camp following surgery for an arm fracture but has been ruled out for the remainder of the tournament.

FIFA has rejected an appeal by the French Football Federation to overturn a yellow card issued to Michael Olise during France's 1-0 round-of-16 victory over Paraguay at the 2026 World Cup, leaving the midfielder at risk of missing a potential semi-final.

Head coach Didier Deschamps confirmed at a press conference in the Boston area that FIFA notified the team the caution stands. Olise was booked by Uzbek referee Ilgiz Tantashev in the seventh minute of stoppage time following an altercation with Paraguay's Matías Galarza. The sanction remains in effect despite the federation's contention it was unwarranted. Should Olise receive another caution in Thursday's quarter-final against Morocco, he would be suspended for the semi-final. FIFA has yet to rule on separate French appeals concerning Manu Koné and Bradley Barcola.

The decision contrasts with FIFA's handling of U.S. striker Folarin Balogun, whose one-match ban was suspended for a year following intervention by President Donald Trump.

English referee Michael Oliver has been appointed to officiate the World Cup quarter-final between Spain and Belgium at the SoFi Stadium in Los Angeles on Friday, 10 July, with kick-off at 21:00 local time.

The 41-year-old, a FIFA-listed official since 2012, has handled three matches at this tournament: Netherlands-Sweden and France-Norway in the group stage, and Canada-Morocco in the round of 16. Stuart Burt and James Mainwaring will serve as assistant referees, with Brazilian Ramon Abatti as fourth official.

Spain hold an unbeaten record under Oliver across seven previous encounters, including a 5-4 Nations League semi-final win over France and a 6-0 victory against Turkey in September 2025. Belgium have faced Oliver three times previously, winning all three. Oliver drew controversy in 2018 over a penalty decision in a Real Madrid-Juventus Champions League tie and a photograph with a Real Madrid-branded wash bag.

Jordan Henderson has been ruled out of England's remaining World Cup campaign after sustaining a wrist injury during celebrations following the team's 3-2 victory over Mexico at the Azteca Stadium on Wednesday. The 36-year-old midfielder fell over an advertising hoarding during the post-match scenes and is expected to undergo surgery. Henderson thanked supporters on Instagram for their messages following the incident.

Manager Thomas Tuchel will instruct his squad to avoid jumping over pitchside hoardings going forward, after the celebration-related injury cut short Henderson's tournament.

England now prepare for their quarter-final against Norway at Miami's Hard Rock Stadium on Saturday at 10pm BST. Henderson's absence leaves a hole in the midfield as the team looks to advance further in the competition.

Switzerland advanced to the World Cup quarter-finals for the first time in 72 years, defeating Colombia 4-3 in a penalty shootout after 120 minutes yielded just two shots on goal. Goalkeeper Gregor Kobel saved a penalty from Cucho Hernandez, while Granit Xhaka was among those to convert from the spot.

Kobel described the achievement as one of the most beautiful moments of his career, adding that the milestone mattered for the entire Swiss population. Head coach Murat Yakin said his game plan worked exactly as planned, while defender Manuel Akanji declared the World Cup title is not far away.

Switzerland now face defending champions Argentina at Arrowhead Stadium in Kansas City on Saturday, July 11.

A sweeping illness has engulfed Norway's squad ahead of Saturday's World Cup quarter-final against England in Miami, with more than 50 members of the camp reporting coughing and hoarseness. Manager Stale Solbakken, who coughed during a press conference, attributed the outbreak to extensive travel, air conditioning, and flights but said the situation is improving.

Forward Jorgen Strand Larsen missed Norway's opening group match with a fever, while defender Marcus Holmgren Pedersen sat out the round-of-16 victory over Brazil with fever, coughing, and a sore throat. Erling Haaland has remained unaffected, sitting atop the tournament scoring chart with seven goals — two of them coming in the 2-1 win over Brazil.

England reach the match off a 3-2 last-16 defeat of Mexico but face their own selection concerns, with Jarell Quansah suspended and Jordan Henderson and Reece James carrying injuries.

The 2026 World Cup quarterfinals will take place from July 9 to 12 across the United States, pitting eight nations against each other after a round of 16 marked by late goals, red cards, and penalty shootouts.

Spain edged Portugal 1-0 on a 91st-minute strike by Mikel Merino, extending a run of six matches without conceding. Belgium routed the United States 4-1, while France defeated Paraguay 1-0 via a Kylian Mbappé penalty. Morocco beat Canada 3-0 and Norway stunned Brazil 2-1 behind an Erling Haaland double. England overcame Mexico 3-2 despite a red card, Argentina rallied from two goals down to beat Egypt 3-2, and Switzerland eliminated Colombia on penalties.

The quarterfinal ties are: France vs. Morocco on July 9, Spain vs. Belgium on July 10, Norway vs. England on July 11, and Argentina vs. Switzerland on July 12. The final is scheduled for July 19 at MetLife Stadium in New York.

Lionel Messi became the all-time leading scorer in World Cup history with his 21st tournament goal and the first player to score in six consecutive knockout matches as Argentina overcame a two-goal deficit to defeat Egypt 3-2 in their World Cup round-of-16 tie on Tuesday.

After missing a first-half penalty, Messi turned provider for Cristian Romero's 79th-minute header before equalizing in the 83rd minute. Enzo Fernández then struck the winner in stoppage time, completing three goals in the final 11 minutes. Messi spoke emotionally after the match, describing a sense of relief.

Egypt's camp was left embittered after Mostafa Ziko had a goal disallowed by VAR for a foul committed 17 seconds earlier. Head coach Hossam Hassan accused the referee of bias, while Ziko claimed the tournament was rigged—allegations dismissed by NRK football analyst Kristoffer Løkberg. Argentina will face Switzerland in the quarterfinals.

French footballer Kylian Mbappé has condemned Paraguayan senator Celeste Amarilla as a "despicable woman" after she posted racist comments on X mocking his Cameroonian heritage, upbringing and appearance following Paraguay's elimination in the World Cup last 16. Amarilla called Mbappé a "colonised Cameroonian" and insulted his appearance and education. Mbappé replied that she does not represent Paraguay.

French President Emmanuel Macron offered his support, writing that Mbappé scored "another goal, this time against racism". Sports Minister Marina Ferrari denounced the remarks as "abject, disgraceful", and the French Football Federation announced plans to file a criminal complaint.

The Paraguayan government distanced itself from Amarilla's statements, saying it "deplores and rejects" them, while Paraguay's president wrote to Macron condemning the remarks. Real Madrid also condemned the senator's comments.

Argentina overcame a two-goal deficit and a first-half penalty miss by Lionel Messi to defeat Egypt 3-2 in the World Cup round of 16 on Monday, completing a remarkable late comeback to reach the quarterfinals.

The match appeared beyond Argentina's reach after Yasser Ibrahim headed Egypt ahead in the 14th minute and Mostafa Ziko doubled the lead on a counterattack launched by Mohamed Salah. Messi, who had seen a penalty saved earlier in the first half, sparked the revival by assisting Cristian Romero for the 2-1 and then leveling the match with a left-footed strike. Enzo Fernández headed in the winner in the 92nd minute from a Lautaro Martínez cross.

Argentina will face the winner of Colombia-Switzerland in the quarterfinals.

Belgium midfielder Amadou Onana has torn the anterior cruciate ligament in his right knee, an injury that will sideline him for at least six months. The rupture occurred during the first half of Belgium's 4–1 round-of-16 victory over the United States, where Onana played just 21 minutes before departing following an innocuous duel. Belgium team doctor Brahim Hacene confirmed the diagnosis, which The Athletic has also reported as a confirmed ACL tear.

Despite the severity of the injury, Onana has been cleared to remain with the Belgian squad through Friday, when Belgium faces Spain in the quarter-finals in Los Angeles. Manager Rudi Garcia described it as a serious injury.

Onana, who joined Aston Villa from Everton for £50 million in July 2024, made 38 appearances and scored twice for the club during the 2025–26 season.

Argentina overcame a two-goal deficit to defeat Egypt 3-2 in the World Cup round of 16 on Monday, surviving an early scare at Mercedes-Benz Stadium in Atlanta to advance to the quarterfinals.

Egypt appeared destined for an upset after Yasser Ibrahim opened the scoring in the 15th minute and Mostafa Zico doubled the lead in the 67th. The task grew steeper for Argentina when Lionel Messi missed a first-half penalty, his second spot-kick failure of the tournament. But a late surge changed everything: Cristian Romero pulled one back in the 79th minute, Messi equalised in the 83rd and Enzo Fernandez struck the winner in stoppage time.

Argentina will face either Colombia or Switzerland in the quarterfinals on Saturday in Kansas City.

Belgium eliminated the United States with a 4-1 victory in their World Cup round of 16 match in Seattle on Sunday, advancing behind two goals from Charles De Ketelaere and further strikes from Nicolas Raskin and Hans Vanaken. Malik Tillmann scored the lone US goal.

The match was steeped in off-field drama after FIFA suspended Folarin Balogun's one-match ban for 12 months, a move that followed US President Donald Trump asking FIFA to review the ruling and a call with FIFA president Gianni Infantino. UEFA condemned the intervention as having 'crossed a red line', while England head coach Thomas Tuchel warned it set a dangerous precedent.

Belgian players mocked Trump with a parody dance after their fourth goal and posted a photo of Romelu Lukaku captioned 'overturn this'. Belgium coach Rudi Garcia confirmed Balogun spoke with him after the match.

Substitute Mikel Merino scored a 91st-minute winner as Spain beat Portugal 1-0 to reach the World Cup quarter-finals, a result that ended Cristiano Ronaldo's tournament career at age 41.

The decisive goal came in front of 70,649 spectators at AT&T Stadium in Arlington, Texas, extending Spain's run without conceding a goal in the tournament. Ronaldo confirmed his retirement from international football following Portugal's exit, likely making this his final World Cup appearance.

Spain now advance to face Belgium, who thrashed the United States 4-1 in a match preceded by controversy involving US President Donald Trump and FIFA. The quarter-final is scheduled for Friday in Los Angeles.

Belgium has been granted the right to appeal FIFA's decision to lift US striker Folarin Balogun's red-card suspension ahead of the 2026 World Cup round-of-16 match between the two nations. The Belgian football association said it would explore all legal options after Balogun started in the game, which the US lost 4-1.

The suspension was lifted following a phone call between US President Donald Trump and FIFA President Gianni Infantino, prompting swift backlash. UEFA condemned the move as "incomprehensible and unjustified," saying FIFA had "crossed a red line." UEFA Vice President Laura McAllister warned of political interference setting a dangerous precedent, while former FIFA President Sepp Blatter cautioned that football must never become a political plaything.

German sports lawyer Thomas Summerer called the decision unlawful, and the German football association demanded FIFA address the circumstances. Belgium's foreign minister called the ruling "incomprehensible" as corruption allegations mounted.