Argentina’s Lionel Messi (10), center, reacts after the World Cup round of 32 soccer match between Argentina and Cape Verde in Miami Gardens, Fla., Friday, July 3, 2026. (AP Photo/Rebecca Blackwell) Lionel Messi left one of his World Cup opponents pleasantly surprised after greeting him in English before Argentina’s knockout match against Cape Verde, despite…
A fan waves an Argentine flag at the Obelisk while Argentina faces Austria for a World Cup football match in Buenos Aires, Argentina, Monday, June 22, 2026. (AP Photo) Amidst the rubble in Gaza, and away from the spectacle of the FIFA event in North America, a simulation World Cup game was played on Thursday…
Argentina’s Giovani Lo Celso holds a banner with the words “The Malvinas are Argentine”, referring to the Falkland Islands, while teammate Nicolas Otamendi gestures to him, at the end of World Cup semifinal match between England and Argentina in Atlanta, Wednesday, July 15, 2026. (AP Photo) The British government has urged FIFA to investigate Argentina’s…
Egypt boss Hossam Hassan explains his viral ‘X’ gesture, denies racism allegations and makes a surprise claim about Lionel Messi’s emotional reaction/ Image: AP Egypt head coach Hossam Hassan has spoken out after his controversial “X” gesture during his side’s dramatic 3-2 FIFA World Cup Round of 16 defeat to Argentina sparked widespread debate. The…
Argentina’s Lionel Messi (10) celebrates after scoring his side’s second goal during the World Cup round of 16 soccer match between Argentina and Egypt in Atlanta, Tuesday, July 7, 2026. (AP Photo/Mike Stewart) Hello and welcome to another edition of OFFSIDE. This was a day to remember for all World Cup fans as Lionel Messi…
Zlatan Ibrahimović faced criticism after supporting FIFA’s decision to let Folarin Balogun play against Belgium despite his red card suspension Zlatan Ibrahimović has come under fire after publicly supporting FIFA’s controversial decision to suspend the one-match ban handed to United States striker Folarin Balogun, allowing him to face Belgium in the FIFA World Cup Round…
Harry Kane and Ghana witch doctor England’s goalless World Cup draw against Ghana sparked attention both on and off the pitch after a Ghanaian witch doctor claimed he had placed a curse on England captain Harry Kane and later “released” it following the match.Nana Kwaku Bonsam, a self-proclaimed spiritualist who previously claimed responsibility for a…
Portugal’s Cristiano Ronaldo (7) waves to the fans after the World Cup Group K soccer match between Portugal and Uzbekistan in Houston, Tuesday, June 23, 2026. (AP Photo/Eric Gay) Cristiano Ronaldo responded to critics in emphatic fashion after Portugal’s 5-0 victory over Uzbekistan, declaring “I’m back” following a record-breaking performance that helped revive Portugal’s World…
Cristiano Ronaldo cuts off journalist’s question about Lionel Messi after making World Cup history/ Image:X Cristiano Ronaldo was happy to talk about records, criticism and Portugal’s emphatic response against Uzbekistan. He was far less interested when the conversation turned towards Lionel Messi.The Portugal captain produced one of the standout performances of the World Cup so…
Spain’s Lamine Yamal warms up during the World Cup Group H soccer match between Spain and Cape Verde in Atlanta, Monday, June 15, 2026. (AP Photo/Mike Stewart) The Spain winger scored his first-ever World Cup goal and inspired a dominant 4-0 victory over Saudi Arabia, but concerns emerged when he was withdrawn at half-time before…