Colombian singer-songwriter and global pop icon
FIFA has announced a first-ever World Cup final halftime show. Curated by Chris Martin of Coldplay, the event will support the FIFA Global Citizen Education Fund, aiming to raise $100 million for education and soccer access. Shakira has released the official World Cup song “Dai Dai,” featuring Burna Boy, with performances by Madonna and BTS lined up for the July 19 final at MetLife Stadium.
Shakira and Burna Boy have released Dai Dai, the FIFA World Cup 2026 official song. Royalties will support the FIFA Global Citizen Education Fund. The World Cup, hosted by the U.S., Canada and Mexico, will run from June 11 to July 19, with a star-studded final halftime show announced.
The NYPD has warned of unprecedented security demands this summer as World Cup, NBA Finals, Sail 250, and July 4 celebrations converge. Commissioner Tisch has authorized drone-mitigation plans and 12-hour shifts, while coordinating with the FBI and federal regulators to protect crowds across New York City.
Mexico has beaten South Africa 2-0 at Estadio Azteca to open the 2026 World Cup before about 80,000 fans. The stadium celebration has been accompanied by clashes outside: teachers, families of missing people and other groups have been protesting high public spending and social grievances, briefly confronting police and breaching barriers around fan zones.
Shakira has partnered with Burna Boy for the official 2026 FIFA World Cup anthem "Dai Dai". Performances slated across opening ceremonies in Mexico City, with further showcases in the US and Canada. The AP interview highlights Shakira’s history with World Cup anthems and the need for a song that unites cultures, while other artists like J Balvin emphasize a hook that grabs listeners from the start.
England has based itself in Kansas City for the 2026 World Cup to cut travel and gain a home-from-home environment. The FA has installed recovery facilities and a basketball hoop at the Inn at Meadowbrook, aiming to keep players fresh and focused as they prepare for group games and the heat of North America.
South Korea has beaten the Czech Republic 2-1 in Guadalajara as Oh Hyeon-gyu seals victory after Hwang In-beom’s equaliser, with Son Heung-min’s side top of Group A alongside Mexico.
Mexico has secured Group A top spot after Romo’s 50th-minute goal and a pivotal double save from Raúl Rangel preserved a 1-0 win over South Korea, keeping them on course for the knockout rounds. The result keeps Mexico at home for the last-32, with South Korea needing results elsewhere to advance.
Welsh singer Bonnie Tyler has died in a hospital in Portugal after an illness. She rose to fame with Total Eclipse of the Heart in 1983 and later hits such as Holding Out for a Hero. She had been hospitalized for emergency intestinal surgery in Faro and was in an induced coma earlier this year; her family confirmed the death.
The 2026 World Cup, staged across the United States, Canada, and Mexico, is drawing to a close with an Argentina–Spain final in New Jersey. Closing ceremonies are planned as a marquee event with star performances and a longer halftime, while the final kicks off at 20:00 UK time on July 19, 2026.
Spain and Argentina reach final after tense semi-finals; opening ceremony controversies and high-profile performances mark the build-up as organisers push for a united, dramatic conclusion.
Zendaya arrives at the Odyssey premiere wearing a feathered white gown by Matières Félales with angel wings and a thigh-high slit, paired with Chopard diamonds; Nolan’s epic also stars Damon, Hathaway and Holland as it markets in New York.
A curated playlist highlights the world’s most iconic World Cup songs, with tracks spanning from 1998 to 2026, underscoring football’s cultural reach and how nations celebrate on and off the pitch.
World Cup controversy surrounds Balogun’s suspended ban after a call from Donald Trump to FIFA president Infantino. The ban was suspended for 12 months, allowing Balogun to play in the last-16. European football bodies and critics say the decision undermines the game’s credibility ahead of 2027–31 reform talks.
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 defeats Argentina 1-0 in extra time to claim the World Cup title, with Ferran Torres scoring the decisive goal. The match features a tense post-final scuffle that FIFA is reviewing; Unai Simón records a standout defensive performance.
Spain has won the 2026 FIFA World Cup after Ferran Torres scores the decisive goal in extra time against Argentina. Lionel Messi is left in tears after a final that ended Argentina’s title defense. A star-studded halftime show featured Madonna, BTS, Shakira and Justin Bieber. Trump attended the ceremony with FIFA President Infantino amid security chatter and mixed reactions from fans.
Spain has claimed a second World Cup title after beating Argentina 1-0 in New Jersey. The team returns home to Madrid with a victory parade that attracts millions, while leaders from three co-hosting nations congratulate the squad.
Tebas has criticised FIFA president Infantino, calling his tenure “rotten at its core” and arguing for fewer national teams to protect domestic football. He also criticises hydration breaks and a 64‑team World Cup idea, saying the sport’s industry is at risk if decisions focus on the World Cup alone.
The 2026 World Cup has reshaped markets and national feelings, with host nations counting big GDP gains while fans grapple with ticket prices, hydration breaks, and shifting loyalties. The event has intensified debates over money, mobilized nationalism as a consumer brand, and spotlighted soft power through sponsorships.
UK music charts have seen Sam Fender and Olivia Dean’s Rein Me In extend its lead as the longest-running No. 1 in UK history, spending 19 non-consecutive weeks at the top. Reports from The Guardian, Reuters, Independent and BBC Business confirm the track’s record and discuss cultural implications amid streaming-driven fragmentation.