Belgium stormed into the quarter-finals of the FIFA World Cup 2026 with a commanding 4-1 victory over the United States in the Round of 16. However, beyond the on-field action, a political controversy has become the talk of the football world following the match.
Egypt's head coach Hossam Hassan has once again voiced his support for Palestine, days after dedicating his team's historic Round of 16 victory over Australia to the Palestinian people. In a press conference on Monday, he delivered an emotional four-minute speech on the plight of Palestinians.
Cristiano Ronaldo arrived in North America with the dream of winning an elusive World Cup to complete his career. However, Portugal's loss to Spain in the Round of 16 ended that dream. Yet, the Portuguese superstar does not seem to harbour any regret, as he considers the 2016 European Championship win equal to a World Cup victory.
Brazil's World Cup campaign ended with a loss to Norway, after which Neymar announced his retirement from international football. The star forward's sudden decision has left fans heartbroken, and his father, Neymar Sr, has also struggled to accept it. In an open letter shared on social media, he has urged his son to continue playing.
Shapoor Zadran, the former Afghan pace bowler, has passed away. He was 38. The cricketer died today at a hospital in Delhi after battling a rare disease, Hemophagocytic Lymphohistiocytosis (HLH).
Argentina's World Cup campaign has been flawless so far. The Albiceleste have won all four matches from the group stage to the last-32, securing a place in the last-16. Yet coach Lionel Scaloni is not letting the winning streak lull him into complacency. The unexpected elimination of arch-rivals Brazil has served as a reminder that the tag of defending champions or favourites offers no guarantee on the pitch.