BBC Business
FIFA's World Cup Privatisation Plan: A Masterclass in Not Reading the Room (or the Spreadsheet)
FIFA's plan to privatise the World Cup was a financial fever dream that died in days. Here's why it never made sense.
2026-08-01
BBC Business
2026-07-19
Grist
FIFA Has No Plan for Wildfire Smoke at World Cup Final, Because That Would Require Foresight
FIFA heads into the World Cup final with no wildfire smoke plan, because apparently orange skies are just part of the aesthetic now.
2026-07-15
The Guardian Europe
Tuchel Says Argentina Is 'Fuelled by History' - Which Is Diplomatic for 'We Know About the Falklands Chant'
England face Argentina in a World Cup semi-final with historical baggage, a Falklands chant, and Tuchel insisting everyone is very emotional and ready.
2026-07-14
The Guardian Europe
'For Diego': The Ghost of Maradona Haunts Argentina Ahead of England Clash (And Maybe the Falklands Too)
Argentina's semi-final against England isn't just a football match - it's a 40-year grudge match featuring Diego Maradona's ghost, Falklands War flashbacks, and a catchy song about revenge.
2026-07-11
The Guardian Europe
World Cup Humbles Superpowers, Proves Karma Is Real and Still Undefeated
Trump tries to cheat at the World Cup, gets owned by karma; smaller nations humble superpowers on the pitch.
The Guardian Europe
Hometown of Haaland Hails 'Little Boy Who Grew Into a Huge Viking'
Erling Haaland's hometown of Bryne, Norway, celebrates his global rise and the town's newfound status as the 'capital of Norway' ahead of the World Cup quarter-final.
2026-07-10
The Guardian Europe
England Players Find Tuchel's Aura as Intimidating as Nosferatu on a Golf Weekend - But in a Good Way
England's imposing head coach Thomas Tuchel is a details man who has got the balance of squad spirit right at the World Cup, and is even proving a hit on Mumsnet.
2026-07-09
BBC World
Man Who Brought World Cup Joy to Gaza Killed in Strike Hours Before Match
A beloved aid worker who organized World Cup screenings for displaced families in Gaza was killed by an Israeli strike hours before a match, leaving a community mourning both the man and the fleeting joy he brought.
2026-07-07
The Guardian Europe
Egypt Has Salah, Argentina Has Messi: World Cup Showdown Set for Tuesday
Mohamed Salah relishes his redemption and sets sights on Lionel Messi as Egypt prepares to face Argentina in a World Cup knockout showdown.
2026-07-06
The Guardian
England's World Cup Win Causes 332,000 Pupils to Vanish from Classrooms, Possibly to Practice 'It's Coming Home'
England's World Cup victory causes 332,000 pupils to skip school, proving that 'it's coming home' is a more compelling lesson plan than algebra.
BBC World
Trump Confirms He Asked FIFA to Review Balogun Ban, Because of Course He Did
Trump asks FIFA to review a red card, FIFA suspends the ban, and everyone except the US is left wondering if this is normal.
2026-07-03
BBC Business
World Cup Match at 1am? Let's Just Start Work at 11am and Pretend We're Productive
England's 1am World Cup match has employers scrambling to decide whether productivity or sleep-deprived morale wins.
The Guardian Europe
Swiss Star Manzambi Makes Algeria Pay for Ignoring the Giant Screen's Warnings
Switzerland's Johan Manzambi dazzles, setting up Breel Embolo for the opener in a win over Algeria that sends them to the last 16 for the first time since 1938.
2026-07-02
The Atlantic
World Cup Players Are Training in Ovens So They Don't Die on the Field, and You Should Probably Drink Water Too
Elite soccer players swallow thermometers and train in saunas for the World Cup heat wave; the rest of us can just sit in the shade and drink water.
2026-06-21
The Guardian Europe
Germany Revives Classic 'Score at the Very Last Second' Strategy, Advances to Knockout Stage
Germany remembers how to win in stoppage time, Deniz Undav scores twice to beat Côte d’Ivoire and reach the knockout stage for the first time since 2014.
2026-06-20
The Guardian
World Cup Players Discover That Playing Soccer in a Hot Oven Is, In Fact, Hot
A new analysis finds that World Cup matches are being played in potentially dangerous heat, and Fifa's solution involves a lot of air conditioning and hope.
2026-06-16
The Guardian Europe
Trump Says Iran Agreed to Never Have a Nuke; Also, Ships Are Moving Again, Which Is Nice
Trump declares Iran will never get nukes, ships start moving through the Strait of Hormuz, and everyone gets a ceasefire except the people getting bombed.
2026-05-08
BBC Business
FIFA Plays Hard to Get With a Third of the World's Population
FIFA and broadcasters in China and India are still haggling over World Cup TV rights, leaving a third of the world's population wondering if they'll see any goals.
The Good Times
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