Football

The 2026 World Cup group stage set a new standard with 215 goals and historic success for African nations, proving the expanded format is unpredictable.

Read the full match report of the resilient Ghana side holding England to a frustrating 0-0 draw, leaving Group L wide open at the World Cup.

Five-time Balon D’or winner, Christiano Ronaldo, found the back of the net twice for Portugal as they trashed World Cup debutants, Uzbekistan, 5 – 0.

Lionel Messi broke the all-time World Cup scoring record, netted twice, and led Argentina to a commanding 2-0 victory over Austria in Group J.

Spain emphatically silenced critics with a dominant 4-0 victory over Saudi Arabia, led by Lamine Yamal and a masterclass from Mikel Oyarzabal.

Cody Gakpo and Brian Brobbey inspired the Netherlands to a dominant 5-1 thrashing of Sweden, putting the Oranje top of Group F in the 2026 World Cup.

Deniz Undav came off the bench to score a dramatic second-half brace as Germany beat Ivory Coast 2-1 to secure their spot in the World Cup knockout rounds.

Lionel Messi, Vozinha, and Erling Haaland lead our ranking of the 5 best players from a thrilling World Cup Matchday One. See who made our top five list.

South Africa and Czechia fought to a 1-1 draw in Atlanta as Teboho Mokoena’s late penalty kept both teams’ World Cup hopes alive in Group A

Portugal were held to a dramatic 1-1 draw by DR Congo in their 2026 FIFA World Cup opener as Yoane Wissa’s historic equaliser stunned the Portuguese side.