Tag: FIFA World Cup 2025

Erling Haaland struck his first FIFA World Cup goals as Norway beat Iraq 4-1 on Tuesday in their first game at a major tournament in 26 years.

The Manchester City striker turned in from close range to give Norway the lead on 29 minutes in Boston, but Aymen Hussein’s header brought Iraq level.

Haaland pounced on an error at the back to put Norway ahead again before half-time and take his goals tally at the international level to 57 in just 51 matches.

Leo Ostigard headed in a third for Norway moments after coming off the bench to effectively wrap up victory. Norway got a fourth deep into stoppage time through a Hussein own goal.

The win left Norway on top of Group I on goal difference, level with France on three points after Les Bleus overcame Senegal 3-1 earlier in the day. The Norwegians face the African powerhouses in their next game in New Jersey on June 22.

No team endured a longer or more perilous road to the World Cup than Iraq, who secured their place as the 48th and final qualifier in March after a 21-match campaign that stretched across 867 days.

Catch all FIFA World Cup 2026 live updates here!

Hussein, scorer of the decisive goal in the play-off win over Bolivia, was then held and questioned for hours by US immigration officials after arriving with the squad ahead of Iraq’s first World Cup since 1986.

Norway last played at the tournament in 1998, when coach Stale Solbakken was a member of the squad that famously beat Brazil in the group stage before exiting in the last 16. He also featured at Euro 2000.

After breezing impressively through qualifying, twice thrashing Italy, they are hoping a golden generation of players – led by Haaland and Arsenal midfielder Martin Odegaard – can break new ground in North America.

Solbakken predicted Haaland would make a “very big impact” at his first major finals, and the City star was quick to deliver on that promise.

Antonio Nusa’s trickery was a problem for Iraq, and his incisive pass released the overlapping David Moller Wolfe clear before Haaland stretched to steer in the low cross from the left.

Iraq, who lost all their of group games on their only previous appearance, did not let that get to them as they equalised 10 minutes later.

Follow us on our Official WhatsApp channel

Amir Al-Ammari found space just inside the area and clipped in a cross, with Hussein rising brilliantly to power a header past Orjan Nyland.

But Iraq only had themselves to blame as they gift-wrapped Haaland’s second of the contest.

Goalkeeper Jalal Hassan was slow to react to a softly-hit backpass, his attempted clearance smacking off Haaland’s shin and ricocheting into the net.

Iraq again responded well, with Ibrahim Bayesh denied by a desperation block, Ali Al-Hamadi dribbling an effort wide and centre-back Akam Hashim lashing a spectacular volley just over the bar.

Ostigard nodded in Odegaard’s corner on 76 minutes to seal the points for Norway, before Haaland was thwarted by Hassan when another loose pass sent him clean through and seeking his hat-trick.

Haaland nonetheless had a hand in Norway’s late fourth, his looping header back across goal deflecting off Hussein before trickling over the line.

READ: Kylian Mbappe breaks Lionel Messi’s record at FIFA World Cup 2026

Japan captain Wataru Endo was ruled out of the FIFA World Cup 2026 with injury and announced his international retirement on Thursday, three days before his team’s opener against the Netherlands.

The Liverpool midfielder pulled out of the tournament after failing to recover from a foot injury, and was replaced in Japan’s squad by Borussia Monchengladbach’s Shuto Machino.

The 33-year-old Endo said on social media that he was “frustrated” at not being able to play but backed his team to impress in Group F, where they face the Dutch, Tunisia and Sweden.

“There will definitely come a time in the future when Japan win the World Cup, so let’s believe in that and support the team,” he wrote on X.

“Let’s bring the strength of Japan together so that that moment can happen at this tournament in North America.”

“I have decided to retire from the national team. From now on, I will be supporting Japan as just another fan,” he added.

発表にあった通りW杯メンバーから離脱する事になりました。
怪我をしてからここまで、自分にできることは全てやってきたので何も後悔はありません。…

— 遠藤 航 (Wataru Endo) (@wataru0209) June 11, 2026

Endo suffered a season-ending foot injury playing for Liverpool against Sunderland in February, but returned for Japan in a 1-0 friendly win over Iceland in Tokyo on May 31.

He came off at half-time and continued to feel discomfort at the team’s pre-World Cup camp in Mexico, where he was not involved in any full training sessions.

He took part in training when Japan moved to their World Cup base in Nashville on Monday, but was not able to get up to speed in time for the tournament.

Catch all FIFA World Cup 2026 live updates here!

“I’ve done everything in my power since I sustained the injury, so I have no regrets,” said Endo. “Of course I’m frustrated that I can’t play at this World Cup.”

“But more than that, I’m proud that I’ve been able to captain this team since the Qatar World Cup and help it grow into a group where it feels natural to say our target is to win the World Cup.”

Endo made his Japan debut in 2015 and retired with 73 caps, having scored four goals for his country. He was a member of Japan’s squads for the 2018 and 2022 World Cups, and played in their stunning wins over Germany and Spain in Qatar.

Follow us on our Official WhatsApp channel

Defender Ko Itakura will take over as Japan’s captain at the World Cup.

“Wataru is the one who will feel the most frustration at this,” said Itakura. “He has been a real leader for this team. I want to accept this role with a sense of responsibility and determination.”

Japan have been hit hard by injuries heading into the World Cup.

Brighton winger Kaoru Mitoma was left out after injuring his hamstring less than a week before Moriyasu named his squad.

Monaco’s Takumi Minamino also missed out after tearing the anterior cruciate ligament in his left knee in December.

READ: Mexico outplay South Africa in chaotic FIFA World Cup 2026 opener

Lionel Messi will start for Argentina in a friendly against Zambia on Tuesday in what is the reigning world champions’ final game on home soil before they defend their FIFA World Cup crown.

Argentina coach Lionel Scaloni said Messi, who began on the bench for Friday’s lacklustre 2-1 win over Mauritania, will spearhead what is expected to be a full-strength side against Zambia.

“Messi will be in the starting lineup tomorrow,” Scaloni said.

Messi, 38, has not formally confirmed whether he plans to play in the 2025 World Cup, but he played a full part in Argentina’s qualification campaign for the finals.

Scaloni indicated that he expects Messi to be part of his squad for what would be the eight-time Ballon d’Or winner’s sixth World Cup appearance.

“The important thing is that he comes and enjoys being at a World Cup — which, theoretically, will be his last,” Scaloni said of Messi. “We want him to enjoy it, because later on, you really miss playing in events like these.”

Scaloni said Messi on Tuesday will be surrounded by the established core of the team, which topped South American qualifying, and that will start the World Cup among the favourites for the title.

Follow us on our Official WhatsApp channel

“Most of the players we know well will be playing. This will be the final test,” Scaloni said.

“Later, we’ll make some changes to take a look at some of the younger guys, but the idea is to field our most familiar lineup,” he said, emphasising that Friday’s scrappy win over Mauritania was not representative of his squad.

“I am convinced that the team’s performance level is not what we saw the other day,” Scaloni said. “If we see that the team isn’t quite there, we’ll look for other options. But they deserve a vote of confidence.”

Scaloni has already submitted a preliminary 55-player list to the Argentina Football Association, with the final 26-man squad to be confirmed at the end of May.

“I have the list pretty well figured out, but if performance levels aren’t up to par, we’ll take measures to ensure we bring the absolute best squad possible; we are striving for something as close to perfection as we can get,” he said.

“The players who have been with us for a while hold a slight advantage simply because we know them well; however, they have to maintain that advantage — and everyone knows what happened the other day (against Mauritania) cannot be repeated.”

READ: PSL 11: Fakhar Zaman handed two-match ban over ball-tampering

South Africa have forfeited a 2026 World Cup qualifying match against Lesotho for fielding an ineligible player, world football governing body FIFA announced on Monday.

South Africa’s 2-0 victory on March 21 in Polokwane has been replaced with a 3-0 defeat, meaning they drop to second place in Group C of the African qualifiers, behind Benin on goal difference, while Lesotho remain fifth.

South Africa violated Article 19 of the FIFA Disciplinary Code by playing Teboho Mokoena after the midfielder had accumulated two yellow cards against Benin and then Zimbabwe, the football body’s disciplinary committee said.

Follow us on our Official WhatsApp channel

The South African FA, which has still 10 days to appeal the decision, must also pay a fine of 10,000 Swiss francs ($12,536).

The ruling offers a lifeline to Nigeria and Rwanda of reaching the finals, with both teams now only three points behind South Africa.

Only the nine group winners qualify automatically for next year’s World Cup. The four best runners-up will advance to play-offs, which could secure Africa a 10th spot in the finals.

For context, the FIFA 2026 World Cup will be historic as 48 teams will participate for the first time, expanding from 32 teams, and will be played across three countries in North America: the United States, Canada, and Mexico.

READ: Alzarri Joseph ruled out of India tour, Holder declines selection