La Albiceleste: Argentina’s men's national team, led by the AFA.
Messi has announced his international retirement. He will play a farewell friendly against Benin in Buenos Aires, marking a 21-year era with Argentina. Several 2022 World Cup champions will attend; Dybala and Molina cannot join due to Roma's release issues. Messi will not feature in other matches during this window.
Cape Verde has reached the World Cup round of 32 and will play defending champion Argentina in Miami on July 3 after finishing second in Group H. The island debutants have drawn with Spain and Uruguay and held Saudi Arabia to 0-0, becoming the smallest country ever to reach the knockout stage in World Cup history.
France 24 reports that DR Congo has advanced to the World Cup knockout stage for the first time, following a 3-1 win over Uzbekistan. England tops Group L after a win over Panama; Belgium faces Senegal; US advances to the Round of 16 with favorable simulations.
Argentina has rallied to reach the 2026 World Cup final after a dramatic late comeback against England, with Lionel Messi providing decisive assists and a late winning cross. Messi’s performance has cemented his status as the tournament’s standout, as Argentina seeks back-to-back titles.
England has beaten France 6-4 in the World Cup third-place match in Miami after Bukayo Saka scored a hat-trick. England led 4-0 at half-time before France rallied with Kylian Mbappé scoring twice to become the all-time World Cup top scorer. Jude Bellingham added England’s final goal to finish the game 6-4.
Argentina beat England 2-1 to reach the 2026 World Cup final after a dramatic late comeback. A banner referencing Las Malvinas was displayed during the match, prompting security checks and discussions over sovereignty symbolism. The affair echoes decades of Falklands-related tensions that frame footballing rivalries.
Ismail Elfath has been named the referee for England v Argentina in the 2026 World Cup knockout stage. The US official has previously refereed at Qatar 2022 and is one of a record eight US referees at the tournament.
England suffers a 2-1 defeat to Argentina in the semi-final, with late goals from Enzo Fernández and Lautaro Martínez overturning an early lead from Anthony Gordon. England will play the bronze match against France; Kane contemplates the next steps in his international career as the team shifts focus to Nations League.
Argentina has reached the World Cup final after Lautaro Martinez’s stoppage-time winner in Atlanta, sparking awe across Buenos Aires. Fans pour into the Obelisk, city streets, and public spaces, while celebrations contrast with lingering online claims of refereeing bias.
The World Cup final between Argentina and Spain is set to feature 30 bespoke championship rings for the winners, with 1,996 rings for fans. Donald Trump is attending and will present the trophy, a move that has fueled controversy over the tournament’s political optics. Balogun’s suspension reversal is central to ongoing debates about integrity and influence in the event.
A look at how Latin American superstition (cabalas) shapes support for Argentina’s World Cup team. Presidents have historically avoided big matches to prevent jinxes, with recent reporting showing Milei and others adopting ritual clothing and routines while watching from Olivos. The piece notes the persistence of ritual behavior among fans and leaders.
Spain has reached the World Cup final after a 2-1 win over France, setting up a final against Argentina. Argentina has secured a dramatic comeback win over England, keeping alive their title defence. The Guardian notes Spain’s control and Porro’s impact, while SBS and The Independent highlight Messi’s form and the tension around the knockout stage.
Spain defeats Argentina 1-0 in extra time to claim a second World Cup title. Ferran Torres scores the decisive goal in the 106th minute, capping a dominant display and a robust defensive performance from Luis de la Fuente’s side.
Spain has secured its second World Cup title after Ferran Torres scores in extra time against Argentina in New Jersey. The victory follows a dramatic match and triggers celebrations across Spain, while a fountain collapse in Ciudad Rodrigo casts a shadow over the night.
Spain has won the 2026 World Cup, defeating Argentina in extra time thanks to Ferran Torres’s winner. The victory secures Spain’s second World Cup and makes them the first nation to hold both the men’s and women’s trophies simultaneously. A record 38-match unbeaten run accompanies the triumph, with millions celebrating in Madrid.
The Geopolitics World Cup has dominated headlines, but focus is shifting as Real Madrid, Arsenal and other clubs shape bid plans around Vinícius Junior and Yan Diomande amid ongoing contract talks. The tournament continues to influence transfer chatter and create a miasma of speculation.
The Guardian reports Argentina's banner during the World Cup semi-final has reignited a long-standing sovereignty dispute with the UK over the Falkland Islands. England's team remains focused on competition as athletes withdraw from Team England's athletics squad ahead of upcoming European events.
The Argentinian Football Association has designated 15 July as National Football Teams Day, commemorating the 2-1 World Cup semi-final win over England in Atlanta. FIFA is investigating a banner displayed after the match and related incidents. The move follows intense football diplomacy surrounding the Falkland Islands dispute.
Jorge Messi has died in Rosario at 68 after a long illness, the family and Newell's Old Boys have announced. Inter Miami, Barcelona and national football bodies have paid tribute; Lionel Messi has returned to Argentina and missed Inter Miami’s Leagues Cup match while teammates and clubs held moments of silence and wore black armbands.
Inter Miami star Lionel Messi has returned to the field after his father Jorge’s funeral as he contemplates retirement. His father, who served as his agent, has died aged 68. Messi has expressed uncertainty about continuing to play, while teammates and opponents offer support as Miami exits the Leagues Cup group stage.
Messi has announced his retirement from the Argentina national team after the World Cup final loss to Spain. The 39-year-old, who captained Argentina to 2022 World Cup glory, has said the time has come to step away from international football while continuing with Inter Miami.
Lionel Messi has announced his retirement from the Argentina national team in a handwritten Instagram statement published on 31 August 2026. The 39-year-old has said he has "nothing left to give" after leading Argentina to the 2022 World Cup and to the 2026 final. Tributes and plans for a farewell match are under way; Argentina will meet friendly opponents in September.
Messi has announced his retirement from international duty and will be honoured in a farewell match on 6 October in Buenos Aires. Argentina will host Benin, Burkina Faso and Bolivia in a FIFA window with reductions in capacity due to sanctions. Several players face suspensions from the World Cup final. The event marks Argentina’s return home after the tournament and signals changes ahead for the national team.
Argentina’s national team is negotiating Scaloni’s extension while preparing for friendlies against Bolivia, Burkina Faso and Benin. Messi will bid farewell in the final Benin match as Scaloni steers a transition after a record run of success.