Yosua Arya

Chicago Fire have completed the signing of Robert Lewandowski after pursuing the Poland international for more than a year. Head coach Gregg Berhalter says the club remained patient throughout the process, with the veteran striker now expected to make his MLS debut against former Bayern Munich team-mate Thomas Muller.

Lionel Scaloni has confirmed Lionel Messi will start on the bench for Argentina's final group-stage match after qualification was already secured. The head coach wants to manage his captain's workload while giving other members of the squad an opportunity to impress before the knockout stages.

Erling Haaland has defended Stale Solbakken's controversial decision to rest several key players in Norway's heavy defeat to France, insisting the result would not have changed. The striker believes the rotation policy leaves Norway in a stronger position for the knockout stages despite widespread criticism.

Luis de la Fuente criticised Uruguay's physical approach and questioned the use of VAR after Spain secured top spot in their World Cup group. The La Roja boss hopes for better officiating in the knockout rounds after a bruising contest left his side with fresh injury concerns.

Rudi Garcia launched a strong defence of Belgium's experienced stars after their emphatic victory secured top spot in their World Cup group. The boss said criticism of Kevin De Bruyne, Romelu Lukaku and Leandro Trossard before the tournament was unfair, insisting the trio proved their quality on the pitch.

Fernando Muslera has accepted responsibility for Uruguay's World Cup exit after requesting to be substituted at half-time against Spain. Marcelo Bielsa confirmed the veteran goalkeeper made the decision himself following the error that led to Alex Baena's winning goal in Uruguay's 1-0 defeat.

Luis Suarez has urged fans to stop comparing Lamine Yamal with Lionel Messi, insisting the pair are different players despite sharing similar qualities. The Inter Miami striker praised the Spain teenager's maturity under pressure while backing him to one day reach the same level as the Argentina legend.

Iran captain Mehdi Taremi has criticised FIFA and president Gianni Infantino over what he described as a "disaster" World Cup, accusing organisers of failing to resolve ongoing logistical and visa issues. Head coach Amir Ghalenoei also called on FIFA to stand up to the tournament hosts after claiming his side had been treated unfairly.

Marcelo Bielsa delivered a brutal assessment of his own tenure after Uruguay crashed out of the World Cup with a 1-0 defeat to Spain. The Argentine accepted full responsibility for the disappointing campaign, insisting his three years in charge had ultimately counted for nothing without results.

Manuel Neuer has refused to accept responsibility for Germany's decisive goal in a 2-1 defeat to Ecuador, despite heavy criticism from the media and former players. The Bayern Munich star defended his positioning, while Julian Nagelsmann backed his goalkeeper as questions over Germany's No.1 intensified.

Argentina star Lionel Messi's double against Austria saw him break the World Cup scoring record. The achievement left his team-mates full of admiration, with Alexis Mac Allister, Leandro Paredes and Lisandro Martinez all paying tribute to the captain's enduring brilliance and influence.

Joe Hart has raised concerns over the adidas Trionda ball being used at the 2026 World Cup after noticing a recurring pattern in goals scored from distance. The former England goalkeeper believes shots struck without spin are causing major problems for goalkeepers, with several high-profile keepers struggling to judge the ball's flight.

Lionel Messi's two goals helped Argentina defeat Austria in their Group J match, but Lionel Scaloni was also impressed by his captain's work without the ball. The Albiceleste coach praised Messi's commitment and influence, while warning that the path to defending the World Cup will remain difficult despite their strong start.

Thiago Silva has completed a surprise return to Fluminense after leaving Porto. The veteran defender has signed a deal until the end of 2026 and is set to begin training with the Brazilian club next week. His arrival strengthens Fluminense's ambitions as they look to compete for major honours in South American football.

Martin Odegaard led Erling Haaland and the Norway squad in a viral 'Viking Row' celebration after securing their place in the World Cup knockout stages. The squad joined supporters in the celebration following their victory over Senegal, and the post-match scenes quickly went viral on social media.

Arsenal have identified Aston Villa forward Morgan Rogers as their leading transfer target as Mikel Arteta looks to strengthen his Premier League-winning squad. The England international is reportedly open to a move to the Emirates Stadium, although any deal could cost as much as £100 million.

Zlatan Ibrahimovic believes there is no longer any debate over Lionel Messi’s status among football’s all-time greats after the Argentina captain’s record-breaking start to the 2026 World Cup. Messi scored twice in a 2-0 win over Austria, helping Argentina reach the knockout stage and setting a new men’s World Cup goalscoring record.

Kylian Mbappe admitted he struggled to stay composed after a severe storm in Philadelphia forced a lengthy suspension during France's World Cup clash with Iraq. The France captain revealed the disruption tested the squad mentally before he scored twice in a 3-0 victory to help his side overcome the challenging circumstances.