Verbatim sentences from the source article.
Citizen Digital
… The 57-year-old's departure ends a successful 14-year spell in charge that included a World Cup triumph in 2018, defeat in the final in Qatar in 2022 and a run to the last four in the current tournament. …
France, England prepare for gloomy World Cup send-offCitizen Digital
… But he will settle for the two assists, and he has already emulated his legendary predecessor by winning the trophy four years ago in Qatar. …
Messi not done yet after inspiring Argentina to World Cup finalCitizen Digital
… The teams were due to meet in Qatar in March in the Finalissima, the fixture recently introduced to pit the European champions against the winners of the Copa America. …
Argentina World Cup semi-final hero Martinez 'dreamt' of scoring winnerThe Standard
… Messi had waited until the age of 39 to get the chance to play against England, and now he will face Spain for the first time in a competitive game.His career appeared to be complete when he dragged Argentina to glory in 2022 in Qatar, but he is clearly not done yet. …
Messi's Argentina stun England in comeback to reach World Cup finalThe Standard
… France's head coach Didier Deschamps and France's assistant coach Guy Stephan arrive at Boston Stadium in Foxborough on July 9, 2026. [AFP]The 57-year-old's departure ends a successful 14-year spell in charge that included a World Cup triumph in 2018, defeat in the final in Qatar …
France, England prepare for gloomy World Cup send-offCitizen Digital
… = window._taboola || []; _taboola.push({ mode: 'thumbnails-m', container: 'taboola-mid-article-thumbnails', placement: 'Mid Article Thumbnails', target_type: 'mix' }); The 39-year-old, joint top of the Golden Boot standings with eight goals, inspired his team to victory in Qatar …
Argentina and England collide with World Cup final spot at stakeThe Standard
… Messi, joint top of the Golden Boot standings with eight goals, inspired his team to victory in Qatar in 2022 in what was expected to be his final hurrah on football's biggest stage. …
Argentina and England set for World Cup semi-final showdownCitizen Digital
… France have reached the past two World Cup finals, winning in 2018 in Russia and losing on penalties to Lionel Messi's Argentina four years ago in Qatar in an epic final despite a hat-trick from Mbappe. …
France and Spain clash in World Cup semi-finalThe Standard
… Baqaei said Iran would ignore its obligations under the deal if the Washington did the same, but added that Tehran was continuing talks with mediators from Qatar, Pakistan and Oman to prevent further escalation. …
US strikes Iran for third day, will reimpose blockadeCapital News
… It said it had hit a US base in Jordan, while the United Arab Emirates (UAE), Qatar, Kuwait, Oman and Bahrain all said they had responded to missiles and drones from Iran. …
US insists Strait of Hormuz is open as it exchanges strikes with IranRoberto Mancini has been named head coach of Italy's national team for a second time, tasked with revitalizing the Azzurri after missing out on the last three World Cups. FIGC president Giovanni Malago announced the appointment, also revealing that technical director Roberto Maldini has been replaced by Claudio Ranieri.
7 hours ago · Citizen Digital →
Roberto Mancini has been named head coach of Italy's national team for a second time, tasked with revitalizing the Azzurri after missing out on the last three World Cups. FIGC president Giovanni Malago announced the appointment, also revealing that technical director Roberto Maldini has been replaced by Claudio Ranieri.
7 hours ago · Citizen Digital →
The Directorate of Criminal Investigations arrested George Waweru Ngendo, director of Geovany Agencies Limited, after investigations into allegations that the company obtained money from job seekers through false promises of overseas employment in Qatar. A victim claimed to have paid Sh110,000 after being promised a job opportunity that never materialised.
25 July 2026 · Capital News →
Malaysia's government is conducting a feasibility study to host a Formula One Grand Prix later in 2026, potentially at Sepang, as a replacement for races in Bahrain and Saudi Arabia cancelled due to ongoing Middle East conflict. The youth and sports minister said they were "actively conducting discussions and assessing the proposal."
25 July 2026 · Citizen Digital →
Nearly 63 million Americans watched Spain defeat Argentina 1-0 in the FIFA World Cup final held in New Jersey, with Fox's English-language broadcast drawing 38.9 million viewers and Telemundo's Spanish-language coverage reaching 23.9 million, shattering the 22.3 million viewers who watched the 2022 final.
23 July 2026 · Citizen Digital →
FIFA president Gianni Infantino has acknowledged that a 64-team World Cup could be examined after the current 48-team tournament concludes. Expanding the tournament further would have significant logistical and financial implications, potentially reducing the commercial value of qualifying competition.
22 July 2026 · Citizen Digital →
The 48-team 2026 World Cup, held in the US, Canada and Mexico, set a stadium attendance record of 6.81 million spectators across 104 matches and broke previous TV viewership records "many, many times over," according to FIFA president Gianni Infantino. FIFA projects record revenues exceeding seven billion euros for 2026, a 56 per cent increase from 2022.
21 July 2026 · The Standard →
Argentina lost the 2026 World Cup final 1-0 to Spain. The team's return to Buenos Aires on Monday was expected to be subdued, with several key players including captain Lionel Messi reportedly not joining the flight, instead departing directly from the United States to rejoin clubs or begin rest periods.
20 July 2026 · Citizen Digital →
Spain defeated Argentina 1-0 in the World Cup final, with Ferran Torres scoring in the 106th minute. Lionel Messi, 39, had led Argentina to the final with eight goals and two assists, including in a dramatic semi-final comeback against England, but failed to secure another World Cup trophy four years after Argentina's Qatar victory.
20 July 2026 · Citizen Digital →
Kylian Mbappe won the 2026 World Cup Golden Boot after scoring 10 goals in the tournament, ahead of Lionel Messi who finished with eight. Mbappe also became the all-time top scorer in World Cup history with 22 goals across three tournaments, one ahead of Messi.
20 July 2026 · The Standard →
England defeated France 6-4 in the 2026 World Cup third-place match in Miami on Saturday, with Kylian Mbappe scoring his 22nd goal of the tournament to become the all-time leading scorer. Argentina and Spain advance to the World Cup final in New Jersey on Sunday.
19 July 2026 · Citizen Digital →
Argentina and Spain face off in the World Cup final on Sunday at MetLife Stadium in New Jersey, with Argentina seeking back-to-back titles and Spain pursuing a second crown. The match marks the likely final World Cup appearance for Argentina's Lionel Messi, 39.
19 July 2026 · The Standard →
Argentina and Spain are making final preparations for Sunday's World Cup final in New Jersey, with Argentina seeking to become the first team since Brazil in 1962 to win back-to-back World Cups, and Spain trying to win a second title after winning in 2010. The final will be attended by more than 80,000 spectators at MetLife Stadium, including US President Donald Trump and Mexican President Claudia Sheinbaum.
18 July 2026 · Citizen Digital →
Argentina and Spain will face each other in the World Cup final in New Jersey on Sunday, a match that pits Argentina's attacking style and Lionel Messi against Spain's controlled, methodical approach. The match carries personal storylines, including Messi facing teenager Lamine Yamal, both connected to Barcelona's La Masia academy.
18 July 2026 · Citizen Digital →
The United States and Iran traded drone and missile strikes on Friday, with Tehran claiming it targeted American assets across the region and accusing US forces of hitting civilian infrastructure including an airport, railway station, and bridges; Iranian state media reported at least eight dead and 20 wounded. This represents the biggest escalation since the two countries returned to outright war a month after agreeing a memorandum of understanding aimed at ending their conflict.
18 July 2026 · Citizen Digital →
Nearly two decades before their FIFA World Cup final meeting, Lionel Messi photographed an infant Lamine Yamal during a UNICEF charity campaign at Barcelona's Camp Nou in 2007. Families entered a raffle for the chance to have their babies photographed with Barcelona players for the 2008 charity calendar.
18 July 2026 · The Standard →
When conflict-affected countries qualify for the World Cup, their participation becomes more than sport—a rare moment of national unity where citizens gather around one flag. DR Congo's return to the 2026 World Cup after 52 years exemplifies this, as the nation uses football as national therapy while managing ongoing conflict in its eastern provinces.
18 July 2026 · The Standard →
Bombing intensified in the Middle East for the seventh consecutive night, with Iran threatening a "full-scale offensive" and hitting several US military sites in Kuwait, Jordan and Bahrain in response to American strikes. Iran's Revolutionary Guards claimed oil tankers exploded after hitting mines in the Strait of Hormuz and said they "stopped" four ships transiting the waterway, though the US military denied the tanker claims.
18 July 2026 · The Standard →
Argentina advanced to the 2026 World Cup final against Spain after beating England 2-1 in the semi-final, with coach Lionel Scaloni and observers crediting the team's ability to perform well under pressure. The South American nation is pursuing a second consecutive World Cup title.
17 July 2026 · Citizen Digital →
Argentina's players and coaches say the team performs best when facing adversity, a trait evident in their comeback victories through the knockout stages of the 2026 World Cup tournament.
17 July 2026 · Citizen Digital →
France and England will play for third place in the 2026 World Cup in Miami on July 18, 2026, after losing their semi-finals—France to Spain 2-0 and England to Argentina 2-1.
17 July 2026 · Citizen Digital →
France and England meet in the World Cup third-place play-off in Miami on July 18, 2026, after both lost their semi-finals: France fell 2-0 to Spain and England lost 2-1 to Argentina.
17 July 2026 · Citizen Digital →
Lionel Messi inspired Argentina to a 2-1 semi-final victory over England at the 2026 World Cup in Atlanta, setting up goals for Enzo Fernandez and Lautaro Martinez after England took an early lead through Anthony Gordon. The 39-year-old Messi said the fixture remained special despite his record-breaking career.
16 July 2026 · Citizen Digital →
Argentina's Lautaro Martinez scored the winning goal in the 2026 World Cup semifinal against England, with the reigning champions winning 2-1 after Martinez came off the bench in the 81st minute. Martinez said he had "dreamt" of scoring the goal, which came in the second minute of injury time after Lionel Messi set up Enzo Fernandez to equalize.
16 July 2026 · Citizen Digital →
Lionel Messi inspired Argentina to a 2-1 comeback victory over England in a World Cup semi-final, with Enzo Fernandez equalizing in the 85th minute and Lautaro Martinez scoring the winner in stoppage time. Argentina will face European champions Spain in the final.
16 July 2026 · The Standard →
France and England will compete in the World Cup third-place play-off on Saturday in Miami, after both suffered semi-final defeats—France losing 2-0 to Spain and England losing 2-1 to Argentina. England manager Thomas Tuchel said neither team's players wanted to play the match, preferring to have reached the final.
16 July 2026 · The Standard →
Lionel Messi's Argentina will meet England in a 2026 World Cup semi-final on Wednesday at Atlanta Stadium, with Spain advancing to the final after eliminating France. Argentina is seeking to become the first team since Brazil in 1962 to win back-to-back World Cups.
15 July 2026 · Citizen Digital →
Lionel Messi's Argentina will play England in a World Cup semi-final on Wednesday, with European champions Spain awaiting the winner. Argentina, three-time champions, seek to become the first team since Brazil in 1962 to win back-to-back World Cups, while England aim for their biggest match since winning their sole World Cup in 1966.
15 July 2026 · The Standard →
France and Spain meet in the first semi-final of the 2026 World Cup on Tuesday at AT&T Stadium in Arlington, Texas, with France seeking a third consecutive World Cup final appearance.
14 July 2026 · Citizen Digital →
The United States launched a third night of strikes on Iran, hitting targets including Bushehr and Bandar Abbas, as President Trump planned to reimpose a blockade on Iranian ports and floated a 20 percent fee on Strait of Hormuz cargo. Iran's Revolutionary Guards responded by firing missiles and drones at Bahrain, targeting a US forces residential building and other facilities.
14 July 2026 · The Standard →
The US and Iran exchanged strikes over the weekend, with the US conducting more than 140 strikes across Iran in response to Iranian attacks on a ship. Iran claimed to have closed the Strait of Hormuz and launched wide-ranging attacks on US bases and allies including Jordan, the UAE, Qatar, Kuwait, Oman and Bahrain, marking an escalation in hostilities.
13 July 2026 · Capital News →