Neuer, a 2014 World Cup winner who is 40 years old and playing his fifth consecutive World Cup as Germany's starting keeper, had retired after their Euro 2024 quarter-final exit on home soil.

The result gave the Swiss a strong chance of reaching the knockout round as one of the top two teams in Group B.

Speculation over the health of 68-year-old Jorge Messi has intensified after Argentina skipper Messi broke down in tears after scoring the first of his three goals in a 3-0 World Cup victory over Algeria on Tuesday.

Far from diluting the competition, the tournament’s expansion has given emerging football nations a larger stage on which to demonstrate how much the global game has evolved.

Matt Henry captured the prize wickets of England stand-in captain Joe Root and Harry Brook at the Oval on Thursday as New Zealand cashed in on Glenn Phillips's maiden Test century.

England have won opening games before. They have won major-tournament matches before. What they have rarely done is leave supporters wanting to watch them again immediately.

Teboho Mokoena's penalty kept South Africa's dream of reaching the World Cup knockout stages for the first time alive after a 1-1 draw with the Czech Republic in Atlanta on Thursday.

Lionel Messi, Kylian Mbappe, Erling Haaland and Harry Kane all made blistering starts to the World Cup. And then there was Cristiano Ronaldo.

From established names finally experiencing football's biggest stage to young talents announcing themselves to the world, several first-time World Cup participants have already played decisive roles for their countries.

Ronaldo, 41, played all 90 minutes and did not record a shot on target, extending the decorated forward's scoreless streak to five straight World Cup matches and 10 consecutive contests at major tournaments.

The 23-year-old player reportedly is under investigation in a suspected match-fixing incident with his French club team that led to his arrest last month.

The 2026 World Cup has exploded into a vivid kaleidoscope of pure fan passion.

As ever, De Paul acted as both the engine and the emotional compass of Lionel Scaloni’s side, of which he is a cornerstone. His relentless intensity, tireless dedication and instinctive reading of the game embody many of the qualities that underpin La Albiceleste’s success.

Everything became a reason to celebrate — a stray dog crossing the screen, broadcast buffering, even coach Lionel Scaloni shouting instructions.

Mexico and South Korea will aim to punch their ticket to the World Cup knockout rounds on Thursday when they meet in Guadalajara knowing a win will guarantee a last 32 berth.

One pass to find him. One drop of the shoulder to leave them grasping at straws. And one touch to burst into space and bend the game to his will. It was all Argentina needed.

Jude Bellingham hopes his pivotal goal in England's 4-2 win over Croatia at the World Cup on Wednesday will silence the "noise" surrounding him, admitting: "I've got a little bit of a chip on my shoulder."

South Africa midfielder Themba Zwane has had his suspension after being sent off in the World Cup opener against Mexico last Thursday extended to a three-match ban, FIFA said on Wednesday.

Bangladesh pace-bowling coach Talha Jubair admitted that a failure to build middle-order partnerships after quick wickets left them short of a competitive total, resulting in a four-wicket defeat to Australia in the first T20I at the Bir Sreshtho Flight Lieutenant Matiur Rahman Stadium in Chattogram on Wednesday.

Bosnia-Herzegovina famously qualified for this World Cup by knocking out Italy, and will aim to prove it was no fluke against another European power in Thursday's clash with Switzerland in Los Angeles.