Japan to play Brazil in World Cup knockouts after nervy Sweden draw

Japan will face Brazil in a World Cup last-32 clash after drawing 1-1 with Sweden on Thursday to finish runners-up behind the Netherlands in Group F.

By Afp 11 hrs ago

Dutch march into World Cup knockouts as group winners

The Netherlands overcame sorry Tunisia 3-1 on Thursday to top World Cup Group F, avoiding a tricky encounter with Brazil in the last 32.

By Afp 10 hrs ago

Turkey exit World Cup with heads held high, beat USA with last-gasp winner

Turkey beat a heavily changed United States 3-2 with a late Kaan Ayhan winner in an action-packed dead-rubber clash that gave the World Cup co-hosts their sternest test so far

By Afp 7 hrs ago

Historic World Cup goal brings rare joy to DR Congo Ebola epicentre

The Democratic Republic of Congo's first ever World Cup point gave their compatriots in Bunia, the epicentre of the Ebola outbreak, a rare chance to celebrate.

By Afp 5 hrs ago

US judge says lawsuit against Trump compensation fund can proceed

A US judge has said a lawsuit filed against $1.8 billion compensation fund for President Trump's political allies can go ahead after administration officials declined to certify the plan.

By Afp 1 hr ago

Mexico ease to perfect World Cup record in Group A

Co-hosts Mexico cemented top place in World Cup Group A with a perfect record as they defeated the Czech Republic 3-0 in the Estadio Azteca on Wednesday.

By Afp 1 day ago

Morocco have 'ingredients' of World Cup winners, says coach Ouahbi

Morocco coach Mohamed Ouahbi said his players have to believe they can become the first African winners of the World Cup after storming into the last 32 unbeaten.

By Afp 1 day ago

South Africa stun South Korea to make World Cup history

South Africa beat South Korea 1-0 on Wednesday to reach the World Cup knockout rounds for the first time in their history -- an astonishing turnaround after a dismal opening defeat.

By Afp 1 day ago

Ancelotti hails Vinicius as Brazil march on at World Cup

Brazil coach Carlo Ancelotti hailed Vinicius Junior as "one of the best players in the world" after the forward continued his excellent World Cup form with a brace in 3-0 win v Scotland.

By Afp 1 day ago

Colombia beat DR Congo 1-0 to reach World Cup knockouts

Colombia finally broke down a stubborn DR Congo side on Tuesday to secure a 1-0 win that guaranteed their place in the World Cup knockout rounds.

By Afp 2 days ago

Niger hands in formal request to quit ICC

Junta-ruled Niger has officially submitted its request to withdraw from the ICC, the Hague-based tribunal said on Tuesday, nine months after announcing the move alongside allies Mali and Burkina Faso.

By Afp 2 days ago

Messi is in a league of his own

Lionel Messi became the World Cup's all-time leading goalscorer on Monday night to fire Argentina into the last 32 as France overcame weather chaos before advancing to the knockout rounds.

By Afp 2 days ago

England left frustrated by Ghana in World Cup draw

England suffered a World Cup setback as Thomas Tuchel's side were held to a frustrating 0-0 draw by Ghana, leaving them with work still do as they bid to progress to the knockouts

By Afp 2 days ago

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 2 days 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 2 days 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 2 days 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 2 days 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 2 days 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 3 days 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 3 days 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 3 days 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 3 days 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 3 days 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 3 days 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 3 days 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 3 days 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 2 days 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 2 days 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 4 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 4 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 4 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 4 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 4 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 4 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 4 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 4 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 4 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 3 days 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 5 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 4 days ago