#World Cup

Editorial Staff 12 days ago

World Cup 2026: DRC celebrates the Leopards’ historic qualification

Strategic angle: DRC national football team makes history by qualifying for the World Cup for the second time.

Editorial Staff Updated 14 days ago

Gattuso apologises after Italy miss out on another World Cup

Italy's coach Gennaro Gattuso expresses regret following the team's failure to qualify for the World Cup.

Editorial Staff 15 days ago

Briefing: Italy's soccer prez quits after 3rd World Cup miss

Strategic angle: Italy's soccer federation president resigned amid political pressure following the national team's failure to qualify for a third consecutive World Cup.

Editorial Staff 16 days ago

Briefing: FIFA hikes World Cup prices, again. A finals ticket can now cost as much as $11,000

Strategic angle: FIFA has raised prices for over 40 games of the World Cup, with finals tickets reaching $10,900.

Editorial Staff Updated 17 days ago

Italy miss out on World Cup for third straight time after shootout loss to Bosnia

The Azzurri are the first World Cup winners to miss out on three consecutive editions of the tournament.

Editorial Staff 17 days ago

Briefing: Iraq secure final World Cup spot with win over Bolivia, join France group

Strategic angle: Iraq grabbed the last available place at the World Cup by beating Bolivia 2-1, marking their return to the finals after 40 years.

Editorial Staff 18 days ago

Briefing: Football: Valiant Black Stars narrowly lose to Germany in Stuttgart

Strategic angle: Ghana lost 2-1 to Germany in a friendly match in Stuttgart, ahead of their World Cup campaign.

Editorial Staff 18 days ago

Briefing: Germany beat Ghana to complete confidence-boosting March

Strategic angle: A late winner from Stuttgart's Deniz Undav secured a second friendly win in a week for Germany.

Editorial Staff 18 days ago

Briefing: French football team ends American friendlies on high success

Strategic angle: France's football team comes back from the US with two victories under its belt.

Editorial Staff 19 days ago

Briefing: Amnesty warns 2026 World Cup across North American risks becoming ‘stage for repression’

Strategic angle: Amnesty International urges FIFA and host nations to protect human rights during the upcoming World Cup.

Editorial Staff 19 days ago

Briefing: Amnesty International flags World Cup human rights risks

Strategic angle: The human rights group has sounded the alarm about risks faced by visitors to this summer's World Cup.

Editorial Staff 20 days ago

Briefing: Mexican protesters turn highway into football pitch to slam World Cup 'dispossession'

Strategic angle: Protesters in Mexico transform a highway into a football pitch to voice their opposition to the perceived dispossession caused by the World Cup.

Editorial Staff 20 days ago

Briefing: Football fever comes to New York with unveiling of France's World Cup jersey

Strategic angle: The French Consulate in New York unveiled France's 2026 World Cup kits, featuring a mint-green away jersey in tribute to the Statue of Liberty.

Editorial Staff 20 days ago

Briefing: Britain's Muir wins historic World Cup ski titles

Strategic angle: Kirsty Muir becomes the first British woman to win both the slopestyle and overall World Cup titles.

Editorial Staff 22 days ago

Briefing: Football: France edge past Brazil in World Cup dress rehearsal in Boston

Strategic angle: Kylian Mbappé and Hugo Ekitike both scored as France found their bearings in Boston with a 2-1 friendly win over Brazil.

Editorial Staff 22 days ago

Briefing: Tonali, Keane goals send Italy to WC playoff final

Strategic angle: Italy secures a spot in the World Cup playoff final with goals from Tonali and Keane.

Editorial Staff 23 days ago

Briefing: World Cup 2026: Cost, Trump and travel give world fans pause

Strategic angle: As teams battle it out for the final six spots, loyal fans are making plans for World Cup 2026 amidst concerns over costs, visa issues, and safety.

Editorial Staff 23 days ago

Briefing: Football: France and Brazil face off in a World Cup-style friendly

Strategic angle: In their final warm-up match before the FIFA World Cup, France takes on Brazil in a friendly showdown.

Editorial Staff 24 days ago

Briefing: World Cup fans file ticket price complaint at EU

Strategic angle: Fans are urging the EU to intervene as World Cup ticket prices soar, with one seat reselling for over €163,000.

Editorial Staff 27 days ago

Briefing: Trump’s mixed messages, World Cup and a charcoal‑powered car

Strategic angle: An analysis of Trump's recent statements alongside global events and innovations.

Editorial Staff 28 days ago

Briefing: Ronaldo to miss Portugal games vs. U.S., Mexico

Strategic angle: Al Nassr star Cristiano Ronaldo was not included in Portugal's call-up for pre-FIFA World Cup friendlies.

Editorial Staff Updated 29 days ago

Iran 'boycotting' United States but not World Cup, says football federation chief

Iran is set to participate in the World Cup despite political tensions with the US.

Editorial Staff 29 days ago

Briefing: Maguire, Mainoo, Garner? Who made Sky Sports writers' England squads

Strategic angle: Ahead of a crunch England squad selection, Sky Sports writers reveal their picks for potential World Cup hopefuls.

Editorial Staff 30 days ago

Briefing: Iran continuing World Cup preparations but will not play in US, says soccer chief

Strategic angle: Iran's soccer chief confirms the team's ongoing preparations for the World Cup while announcing they will not compete in the US.

Editorial Staff Updated about 1 month ago

Iran negotiating with FIFA to move World Cup games to Mexico from US

Iran's football federation is in talks with FIFA regarding the relocation of World Cup matches from the US to Mexico.

Briefing: World Cup 2026: US-Iran war an ethical tipping point

Strategic angle: The US is the main host of the 2026 World Cup, but its ongoing war with Iran complicates the ethical landscape of the tournament.

Briefing: Bettman: 'Time will tell' if Russia in '28 World Cup

Strategic angle: NHL commissioner Gary Bettman comments on the potential inclusion of Russia in the upcoming World Cup of Hockey.

Briefing: Iraq Taking Private Plane to Mexico for World Cup Play-Off

Strategic angle: Despite escalating tensions in the region, Iraq's football team will fly to Mexico for their World Cup play-off.

Briefing: Trump: Iran should skip WC 'for their safety'

Strategic angle: U.S. President Donald Trump advises the Iran national team to reconsider participating in the FIFA World Cup.

Briefing: Taking part in World Cup 'not possible', says Iranian sports minister

Strategic angle: Iran's sports minister expresses safety concerns for players in the US during the World Cup.

Briefing: Iran Can't Compete at World Cup, Says Sports Minister

Strategic angle: Iran's participation in the 2026 World Cup is jeopardized due to recent airstrikes by the US and Israel, according to the Iranian sports minister.

Briefing: Iraq coach wants World Cup play-off to be postponed

Strategic angle: Iraq head coach Graham Arnold advocates for rescheduling the World Cup play-off to enhance his team's chances of qualifying.