Germany defender Schlotterbeck out of World Cup with ankle injury

Schlotterbeck, a starting centre-back, was injured early in the game and was replaced at halftime by Antonio Ruediger. A scan on Sunday revealed the player had torn a ligament in his left ankle.
22 June 2026

Champions meet chaos

Standing in their way is an Austrian side energised by Ralf Rangnick's demanding philosophy, one built on intensity, pressing and chaos.
22 June 2026

Mbappe ready for 'special' 100th cap for France

He will become the 10th French player to reach a century of caps, but is still a long way away from the record of 145 appearances held by his former teammate, goalkeeper Hugo Lloris.
22 June 2026

Named after Brazilian great, Egypt's Zico turns holiday plans into World Cup dreams

A fringe player before the tournament, Zico is quickly emerging as one of Egypt's standout performers.
22 June 2026

Ronaldo ‘just another member’ in Portugal but there’s no scorer like him: Conceicao

Conceicao on Sunday there was no was question of players feeling obliged to pass to Ronaldo if other team-mates were in better attacking positions.
22 June 2026

Cape Verde are not here to make up the numbers

That has been the message from coach Bubista after the performance against Uruguay. "We're here to show our country to the entire world," he said after the match.
22 June 2026

'Thank you Los Angeles': Iran leave note of thanks in locker room after draw with Belgium

Los Angeles hosted both of Iran's Group G matches so far, with the team returning to their base in Tijuana, Mexico between games.
22 June 2026

Messi: Unburdened and in full flight

Lionel Messi is now a free man. He has been ever since he inspired Argentina to lift their third World Cup four years back in Qatar in 2022, completing the one missing piece of a career that already stood at the summit of football.
22 June 2026

Timeless Messi eyes World Cup record as Argentina face Austria

Argentina vs Austria [ Monday, 11pm, Bangladesh Time]
22 June 2026

Salah magic inspires Egypt to historic World Cup victory

Mohamed Salah, Mostafa Zico and Trezeguet were Egypt's other scorers after Finn Surman had given New Zealand the lead after 15 minutes of the Group G match in Vancouver.
22 June 2026

Japan’s statement of intent

This performance in Monterrey suggested something different. It was not merely a win. It was a statement.
22 June 2026

Argentina weaknesses? Austria's coach can't find any

Lionel Messi has 16 World Cup goals in total and needs one more to become the outright all-time top-scorer in the tournament's history when the two sides meet in Texas on Monday.
22 June 2026

Cape Verde fight back for second World Cup draw against Uruguay

Cape Verde boosted their hopes of reaching the knockout phase with their second point in Group H.
22 June 2026

Ghalenoei hails Iran's unbeaten run as a 'great achievement'

Having arrived at the tournament under the shadow of war between Tehran and Washington, Iran have drawn both their opening games, and remain in with a chance to qualify for the knockout rounds for the first time.
22 June 2026

'Absurd' to doubt Spain, says De la Fuente after Saudi Arabia rout

Spain boss Luis de la Fuente said his side had silenced their doubters after Lamine Yamal and Mikel Oyarzabal inspired a 4-0 thrashing of Saudi Arabia on Sunday.
22 June 2026

Iraq's Arnold promises to have a go against France

Iraq coach Graham Arnold has promised that his team of outsiders will try to take the game to tournament favourites France when the sides clash at the World Cup on Monday.
22 June 2026

Beiranvand heroics help Iran hold 10-man Belgium to goalless draw

Ten-man Belgium were left frustrated after being held to a 0-0 draw by a determined Iran in their World Cup Group G clash in Los Angeles on Sunday, failing to find a way past the stubborn Iranian defence.
22 June 2026

Yamal scores on injury return as Spain thrash Saudi Arabia

Lamine Yamal kickstarted Spain's World Cup Group H campaign as he returned to the starting line-up to open the scoring for the European champions in a comprehensive 4-0 victory over Saudi Arabia on Sunday.
22 June 2026

Belgium brace for motivated Iran

Belgium face an Iran side who also picked up a point from their opening match after a 2-2 draw with New Zealand and Garcia faces a delicate balancing act with his squad of skilled veterans and emerging talents.
21 June 2026

‘The results in this World Cup have been unpredictable’

In a detailed interview, the 20-year-old spoke about her passion and analysis of the greatest show on earth, Brazil’s performances, her football idols, and Bangladesh’s women’s football.
21 June 2026