Football
Palestinian football fans have a team to support at the World Cup: Spain, a purely political choice
Pedro Sánchez’s government’s stance has reinforced support already present, now far stronger.
Belgium with little left to excite, Rudi Garcia included
The draw against Iran, following the one against Egypt, is a clear sign: at a certain level, talent alone is not enough to make a winning team.
Japan’s rise built on a long-term project between federation and clubs, with World Cup victory set for 2092
Japanese football authorities turned to Europe, shaping the system and a national team able to compete with anyone.
US bars and restaurants raise prices as World Cup fans fail to leave tips
Most European fans are unfamiliar with the custom and often ask when the tipping options appear on screen.
Deniz Undav, few saw him coming, now the World Cup stage is his
Germany forward once seen as a squad player, two strong seasons at Stuttgart, now at elite level.
At the World Cup, Ismael Saibari looks like a forward with unusual qualities, and Bayern may already have done well to sign him
Morocco’s centre-forward has scored twice against Brazil and Scotland, in a role he interprets in his own way. An all-action attacking player, perhaps more than a traditional striker.
FIFA adjusts match ceremony for Saudi Arabia and Iraq, over their flags
The Qur’an, and the sacred words depicted on the respective flags.
João Neves criticised after calling Cristiano Ronaldo “a player like everyone else”
PSG midfielder João Neves’s Instagram account filled with comments from CR7 fans, Bruno Fernandes also receiving similar treatment.
CazéTV, the streaming platform backed by Cristiano Ronaldo, is broadcasting the World Cup free-to-air and is already reshaping the landscape
In Brazil, the World Cup is available on YouTube without a subscription, through a project that has already changed the way the game is watched.
The German national team has never had so many players of African descent, a trend with political implications
Almost one in three players. A first for the Mannschaft.
Igor Protti fought for you
A striker who shaped Bari, Livorno, other clubs, and a football that defined a whole generation.
Morocco has become a football power, the result of a strategic plan that could serve as a model for the rest of Africa
From aggressive scouting across the diaspora to sustained investment in academies and infrastructure, the model has produced striking results.