Ghosts of Gijon linger as new World Cup format encourages collusion

Algeria have waited 44 years for a shot at revenge against Austria, but the clash is one of many in the final round of group games where sides could settle for a mutually beneficial outcome.

By Afp 7 hrs ago

Panama out of World Cup after defeat to Croatia

Panama were eliminated from World Cup contention after Croatia kept their hopes of progressing to the last 32 alive with a hard-fought 1-0 win on Tuesday.

By Afp 7 hrs ago

Brazil aim for last 32 as World Cup goes into hectic phase

Brazil will seek to book their place in the last 32 of the World Cup tonight when they face Scotland as the tournament shifts to a breathless six games a day.

By Afp 58 mins ago

Tuchel insists England remain on course at World Cup despite Ghana draw

England coach Thomas Tuchel admits his team lacked a cutting edge in a frustrating 0-0 draw with Ghana on but insisted there were plenty of positive signs going forward

By Afp 54 mins ago

Red or green? For Brazil, the politics of World Cup kits matter

When Brazil faces Scotland in the World Cup tonight, the South American team's goalkeeper Alisson will be dressed in a green kit, not the red one originally approved by FIFA.

By Afp 51 mins ago

Algeria beat Jordan 2-1 in World Cup group game

Algeria came behind to beat Jordan 2-1 in a World Cup Group J game on Monday, eliminating the Asian debutants from the tournament.

By Afp 1 day ago

Mbappe scores twice as France beat Iraq at World Cup after two-hour storm delay

Kylian Mbappe marked his 100th cap by scoring two more World Cup goals on Monday as France eased to a 3-0 win over Iraq in a game delayed by two hours by a severe storm.

By Afp 1 day ago

Two-goal Haaland fires Norway into World Cup last 32

Erling Haaland scored his second World Cup brace in a row as Norway beat Senegal 3-2 on Monday to punch their ticket to the last 32.

By Afp 1 day ago

North Korea's Kim vows to accelerate military buildup

Kim Jong Un vowed to beef up North Korea's defence capabilities, citing military modernisation efforts by South Korea and the United States pushing the region "to the brink of a nuclear war."

By Afp 1 day ago

DR Congo president sets stage to stay in power

DR Congo President Felix Tshisekedi is preparing to pass a law which could open the door to a third term in office by amending the constitution but he may face protests in the street.

By Afp 1 day ago

EU bets on digital euro to cut US tech addiction

The EU believes a digital euro is the answer to cutting its addiction to US payment systems like Visa and Mastercard as well as Apple Pay and Google Pay.

By Afp 1 day ago

Diaspora World Cup champions diversity over division

When Sweden's Yasin Ayari scored seven minutes into his World Cup debut he raised his arms in apology rather than celebration out of respect for Tunisia, where his father is from.

By Afp 1 day ago

Kenya police violence victims say compensation promise a 'smokescreen'

Two years ago, Gen-Z protests marked a new era for Kenyan politics, but led to dozens of deaths, and devastated families are unimpressed with government promises of compensation.

By Afp 1 day ago

Ronaldo scores at sixth World Cup as Portugal run riot

Cristiano Ronaldo became the first player to score in six World Cup campaigns and silenced his critics as the Portugal captain struck twice in a 5-0 annihilation of Uzbekistan on Tuesday.

By Afp 16 hrs ago

Hezbollah chief demands full timetabled Israeli withdrawal from Lebanon

"We now have a ceasefire. The withdrawal must take place according to a timetable. Israel has no choice but to fully withdraw from all Lebanese territory, without retaining an inch."

By Afp 15 hrs ago

Egypt beat New Zealand 3-1 for their first World Cup win in history

Egypt earned the first World Cup win in their history by beating New Zealand 3-1 on Sunday, putting them on track to reach the knockout round for the first time.

By Afp 2 days ago

Cape Verde targeting World Cup knockout rounds after Uruguay draw

Cape Verde coach Bubista said his team are targeting a place in the World Cup knockout rounds after battling to a 2-2 draw with Uruguay in the latest stop of their fairytale campaign

By Afp 2 days ago

South Korea ex-minister gets 25 years for role in martial law disaster: Yonhap

A court sentenced a former South Korean justice minister on Monday to 25 years in prison for his role in ex-president Yoon Suk Yeol's brief and disastrous declaration of martial law in 2024.

By Afp 2 days ago

UK Prime Minister Keir Starmer announces resignation

British PM Keir Starmer announces resignation, setting UK on course for sixth leader in seven years

By Afp 2 days ago

EU chief hails 'statesman' Starmer after resignation

EU chief Ursula von der Leyen on Monday praised British Prime Minister Keir Starmer for bolstering "European" security after he announced his resignation.

By Afp 2 days ago

Iran coach hails 'great achievement' after second World Cup draw with Belgium

Coach Amir Ghalenoei hailed Iran's unbeaten start to the World Cup as a "great achievement" that will be remembered by future generations, following a 0-0 draw with Belgium

By Afp 2 days ago

Africa faces child surgery crisis as key anaesthesia runs out

African hospitals face huge new costs as they scramble to replace the main anaesthetic for child operations that is set to run out in 2027, a charity has warned.

By Afp 2 days ago

Not just a hideout: Sahel forests provide base for jihadists

Armed groups use forest areas both as refuge and a base for launching deadly attacks on roads across Africa's Sahel region.

By Afp 2 days ago

UK Prime Minister Keir Starmer announces his resignation

British Prime Minister Keir Starmer announced his resignation on Monday after less than two years in office in a term characterised by policy U-turns and deep public unpopularity.

By Afp 2 days ago

Messi sets World Cup scoring record as Argentina down Austria

Lionel Messi became the World Cup's all-time leading goalscorer on Monday, scoring twice as holders Argentina powered into the last 32 with a 2-0 victory over Austria.

By Afp 1 day ago

Japan stroll to victory over Tunisia in World Cup's 1,000th game

Japan marked the 1,000th game in the history of the World Cup with a 4-0 thrashing of Tunisia on Saturday to close in on a place in the last 32.

By Afp 3 days ago

Trump wishes UK PM Starmer well amid reports of resignation plans

US President Donald Trump on Sunday said he wished UK Prime Minister Keir Starmer well amid reports he plans to resign.

By Afp 2 days ago

Germany into World Cup last 32 after late comeback, Curacao shock Ecuador

Germany booked their place in the knockout rounds of the World Cup with a dramatic injury-time winner in a 2-1 victory over Ivory Coast on Saturday.

By Afp 3 days ago

US and Iran set for new talks after delay and deadly strikes

A new round of negotiations over the Middle East war was set to kick off Sunday as Iranian negotiators and US Vice President JD Vance arrived in the Swiss host city.

By Afp 3 days ago

FIFA draws criticism as Infantino clocks up air miles at World Cup

FIFA president Gianni Infantino's unquenchable thirst to pack in as many matches as possible is causing unrest among environmentalists who are questioning his indifference to climate change.

By Afp 3 days ago

Britain's King Charles to reveal personal tax bill: Palace

King Charles III will reveal his personal tax bill in a bid to improve transparency, Buckingham Palace confirmed to AFP on Sunday, as royal finances come under increasing public scrutiny in Britain.

By Afp 2 days ago

Ethiopian PM's party secures win in national election

Voters queue to cast their ballots outside a polling station at Shalla Park in Addis Ababa, on June 1, 2026, during the 2026 Ethiopian parliamentary elections.

By Afp 2 days ago

Europe sweats through new heatwave, with worse to come

France banned alcohol in red-alert areas on Sunday, Spain and Germany cancelled sports events, and Britain warned of "tropical nights" as Europe sweltered through a heatwave.

By Afp 2 days ago

Yamal scores on injury return as Spain thrash Saudi Arabia

Lamine Yamal's return sparked Spain's World Cup into life as the European champions ran riot to beat Saudi Arabia 4-0 in Atlanta.

By Afp 2 days ago

CPJ calls for release of Ethiopian journalist

The Committee to Protect Journalists (CPJ) urged Ethiopian authorities to release journalist Salsawit Baynesagn, detained without charge by officials since early June, according to family.

By Afp 4 days ago

Paraguay save World Cup skins with win over eliminated Turkey

Ten-man Paraguay beat Turkey 1-0 at the World Cup on Friday, a result that kept their hopes alive and also guaranteed that co-hosts the USA win Group D.

By Afp 4 days ago

Paraguay's Almiron sent off under new FIFA 'mouth-covering' rule

Paraguay's Miguel Almiron claimed an unwanted piece of football history on Friday after becoming the first player to be sent off for covering his mouth during an on-field confrontation

By Afp 4 days ago

USA beat Australia 2-0 to reach World Cup knockouts

United States advanced to the World Cup knockout rounds with a game to spare following an impressive 2-0 win over Australia Friday, stoking the hopes of an already hyped host nation.

By Afp 4 days ago

Saibari early strike gives Morocco World Cup win over Scotland

Ismael Saibari scored the fastest goal of the World Cup so far after just 71 seconds as Morocco beat Scotland 1-0 on Friday to close in on a place in the knockout rounds.

By Afp 4 days ago

Brazil cruise past Haiti to re-ignite World Cup campaign

Matheus Cunha scored twice as Brazil eased past Haiti 3-0 on Friday to breathe life into their World Cup campaign and close in on a spot in the last 32.

By Afp 4 days ago