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All the presidents’ meddling: the Balogun scandal shows how Fifa can break football | Barney Ronay
In this Guardian opinion piece, Barney Ronay argues that the suspension of USA striker Folarin Balogun’s red card — reportedly at Donald Trump’s urging — has exposed how Fifa under Gianni Infantino is willing to bend sporting rules, turning the World Cup into what he calls scripted entertainment. Trump publicly claimed responsibility for the ban’s…
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Erling Haaland’s girlfriend celebrates Norway’s World Cup run, Biles claps back & Swift-Kelce wedding snubs
This is a light-hearted “Nightcaps” sports column from Fox News/OutKick, rounding up World Cup gossip and celebrity chatter rather than reporting a single hard-news event. Its main hook is that the United States men’s team was knocked out of the 2026 FIFA World Cup by Belgium, prompting the writer to pledge allegiance to Norway for…
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Tears of relief? Messi adds another incredible chapter to World Cup career
Holders Argentina staged one of the most dramatic comebacks in World Cup history to beat Egypt, scoring three goals in 14 minutes after trailing 2-0 with under 20 minutes left. The victory, secured at Atlanta Stadium, reduced captain Lionel Messi to tears of relief and added yet another remarkable chapter to the 39-year-old’s storied World…
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‘To me! To you!’ – England’s comical fielding error
England beat India in the third T20 of the series, but the match was enlivened by a moment of comedy in the field. Sam Curran and Jos Buttler both went for the same ball and ended up watching it drop between them after a mix-up, evoking the classic “to me, to you!” muddle. The fumble…
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Hooper extends Exeter contract before Australia return
Australia flanker Tom Hooper has signed a contract extension with Exeter Chiefs that keeps him at Sandy Park until the summer of 2028, before he returns home to join Super Rugby Pacific side the Queensland Reds ahead of their 2029 season. The move secures the 25-year-old’s long-term future, committing him to English club rugby for…
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Pochettino’s future uncertain as US Soccer weighs next move after World Cup exit
Mauricio Pochettino’s future as head coach of the US men’s national team is unresolved following the side’s last-16 exit at the home 2026 World Cup, where they were beaten 4-1 by Belgium in Seattle. Both Pochettino and US Soccer had agreed before the tournament to defer any decision on his future until afterwards, and with…
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England secure record T20 win over India to lead series 2-0
England completed a record-breaking Twenty20 victory over India at Trent Bridge, moving 2-0 up in the series with two matches still to play. Chasing England’s imposing total of 202, India were bowled out well short, handing the hosts one of their most emphatic wins in the format and leaving them firmly in control of the…
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Argentina stages remarkable turnaround to stun Egypt in World Cup thriller
Argentina mounted an improbable late-match recovery to defeat Egypt and advance to the quarter-finals of the 2026 World Cup. After falling behind 2-0 deep into the second half, the South American side orchestrated a dram
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‘They’ve been hammered’ – Rashid wicket inflicts record loss on India
England inflicted the heaviest T20 defeat in India’s history at Trent Bridge, bowling the tourists out for just 76 to win the third match by 125 runs. The result gives England an unbeatable 2-0 lead in the five-match series, marking a commanding display against one of the sport’s leading sides. Adil Rashid claimed the final…
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USA-Belgium becomes most-watched soccer telecast in US history with staggering viewership numbers
The United States men’s national team’s 4-1 defeat to Belgium in the Round of 16 in Seattle on Monday 6 July 2026 became the most-watched soccer telecast in US history, drawing 30 million viewers with a peak audience of 36.895 million between 9:15 and 9:30 p.m. ET. The record underlines the enormous domestic interest generated…