World Cup

World Cup: Egypt Coach Claims FIFA, Referee Favoured Argentina

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  Egypt head coach Hossam Hassan has alleged that FIFA and the match officials showed favouritism towards defending champions Argentina following his team’s dramatic 3-2 defeat in the Round of 16. Egypt surrendered a two-goal lead on Tuesday as Argentina staged a remarkable comeback, inspired by Lionel Messi, who created one goal and scored the equaliser before Enzo Fernández netted a stoppage-time winner. The Egyptians were left frustrated after a goal was ruled out following a VAR review, while officials declined to review an incident in which they believed Mohamed Salah was fouled by Alexis Mac Allister in the build-up to Argentina’s winning goal. Speaking after the match, Hassan alleged that external influences affected the outcome. “We looked better than the reigning champions—better in everything—but the result was influenced by internal factors on the pitch and external factors off it. “Perhaps they wanted to keep the world champion in the competition. Perhaps they wanted Messi to stay in the running. In football, there are sometimes external factors that go beyond the technical aspects. The world champion received support at every level,” he said. Hassan also questioned the appointment of French referee François Letexier, claiming Egypt had raised concerns before the match. “There seems to be pressure from the Argentine side on this outcome. We were objecting to the selection of the referee because of the French situation, but everybody has to suffer at some point, and we suffered,” he added. The coach further criticised the officiating, insisting Egypt had been denied a penalty and unfairly had a second goal ruled out. “We haven’t seen respect or fair play. A penalty was ruled out. It was not even checked by the VAR, and our second goal was remarkably, for whatever reason, disallowed. “I want to put it in beautiful words and say, ‘Hard luck,’ but we have been treated unfairly, and it has been an injustice,” he said. Hassan disclosed that he confronted Letexier after the final whistle. “What I told the referee was, ‘This is unfair.’ I said maybe he isWorld Cup: Egypt Coach Claims FIFA, Referee Favoured Argentina carrying a scar or has something to hide. If somebody is trying to hide something, they often fail to hide it,” he added. Egypt forward, Mostafa Zico, also questioned the officiating after the defeat. “Hard luck. The match was in our hands and slipped away at the last moment. Strange things happened on the pitch. “We were hard done by today, and everyone saw that. We were winning 2-0. After the 2-0 result, everything went against us. I don’t even know why the second goal was disallowed, but we must look for a solution,” he stated.

France, Morocco Set for World Cup Quarter-Final Rematch

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  France will continue their quest for a third FIFA World Cup title on Thursday when they face Morocco in a highly anticipated quarter-final clash, as the tournament’s star-studded last-eight stage gets under way. After a month of scintillating action that has dispelled pre-tournament anxieties over sky-high ticket prices and geopolitics, the biggest, boldest and most logistically complex World Cup ever staged has been whittled down to eight teams. France, who have emerged as the outstanding team of the tournament after a series of dazzling attacking displays, face arguably their toughest test so far in the shape of African champions Morocco at the Gillette Stadium in Foxborough, outside Boston. Les Bleus have surged into the last eight in style, scoring 14 goals in five games — seven of them from in-form captain Kylian Mbappe. Mbappe is one of four star strikers who are leading the chase for the World Cup’s Golden Boot as the tournament enters the home stretch. Argentina’s Lionel Messi tops the scoring chart with eight, Mbappe and Norway’s Erling Haaland have seven each and England’s Harry Kane has six. Thursday’s opening quarter-final is a repeat of the 2022 World Cup semi-final in Qatar, won 2-0 by France, who would go on to lose in the final against Argentina. – Tactical nous – Morocco meanwhile have looked impressive en route to the last eight, easing through the group phase before battling past the Netherlands in the last 32 and swatting aside Canada in the round of 16 last weekend. The Atlas Lions will threaten France with a mix of technical quality, physicality and tactical nous under the guidance of coach Mohamed Ouahbi, who masterminded Morocco’s shock victory in the under-20 World Cup last year. The winner will advance to a semi-final showdown against the victor of Friday’s tie in Los Angeles between European champions Spain and Belgium. The Spaniards eliminated Cristiano Ronaldo’s Portugal in the last 16 on Monday to advance with a clinical 1-0 victory. While La Roja haven’t hit the dizzying attacking heights of France, they will fancy their chances of navigating a Belgium side who have slowly built momentum over the course of the tournament. Belgium struggled through the group phase with lacklustre draws in their first two matches before routing New Zealand 5-1 to secure their place in the knockout rounds. They came back from the dead in the last 32 to beat Senegal 3-2, when they had trailed 2-0 with four minutes to go, before dismantling the United States 4-1 with arguably their best display of the tournament in Seattle on Monday. – Houdini act – On the other side of the draw, holders Argentina face Switzerland in Kansas City on Saturday after staggering into the quarter-finals. The South Americans, aiming to become the first back-to-back champions since Brazil in 1962, were given an almighty scare by Cape Verde in the last 32 before winning 3-2 in extra-time. On Tuesday, Messi inspired an incredible Houdini act in a jaw-dropping 3-2 defeat of Egypt in Atlanta, when the reigning champions recovered from 2-0 down with 11 minutes of normal time remaining to snatch victory. Messi was reduced to tears of relief after that roller coaster victory. “We wanted to stay in the tournament,” the Argentina captain said afterwards. “We didn’t want today to be the end, we didn’t want to go home.” The winner of Argentina-Switzerland will face either Norway or England in the semi-finals in Atlanta next week. England advanced to the last eight on Sunday with a pulsating 3-2 defeat of Mexico in the Azteca Stadium, winning an extraordinary, drama-filled contest which has given the Three Lions renewed belief in their bid to win a first major title since 1966. England’s talismanic midfield star Jude Bellingham says the victory reinforced his belief that the Three Lions can claim the ultimate prize — and wants his team-mates to feel the same. “I’m convinced of it and I hope that a win like this can give them that same “I’m convinced of it and I hope that a win like this can give them that same conviction that they’re top players and we shouldn’t fear anyone,” Bellingham said. Blocking England’s path is a formidable Norway side spearheaded by the irrepressible Haaland, who scored both goals in Sunday’s last 16 win over Brazil. “We have to study England but obviously we have seen them in their previous games in the tournament and they will be a very strong opponent, but hopefully it will be a very even and tight game,” Norway coach Stale Solbakken said. AFP

World Cup: Morocco Victory Triggers Celebrations, Arrests in Netherlands

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  Morocco’s dramatic penalty shoot-out victory over the Netherlands sparked jubilant celebrations across The Hague on Tuesday, where a large Moroccan community resides, but the festivities were also marred by clashes with police that led to several arrests. In the Schilderswijk district of the city, AFP reporters saw fans draped in Moroccan flags dancing and cheering in the streets, as car horns blared and firecrackers exploded. Several hundred supporters gathered at a crossroads in the district, kicking a ball in the air and celebrating wildly with passengers of passing vehicles, sometimes jumping on cars. Around one hour into the festivities,however, the mood soured as riot police arrived on the scene, deploying water cannon and conducting baton charges to clear the crowd. The last-32 match in Monterrey ended in a thrilling 1-1 draw after extra time, leading to a nail-biting penalty shoot-out. After several misses on both sides, Morocco striker Ismael Saibari, who plays in the Netherlands for PSV Eindhoven, slotted home the winning penalty to set up a last-16 clash with co-hosts Canada. AFP

World Cup: France Face Sweden Test with Mbappe, Dembele, Olise

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  France are set to deploy their star-studded attack against Sweden in Tuesday’s World Cup Round of 32 encounter, as Erling Haaland aims to guide Norway past Ivory Coast and into the last 16. Co-hosts Mexico, meanwhile, bid to continue their journey in front of a fervent crowd at the Estadio Azteca when they take on Ecuador. The Swedish defence is bracing to face not only Kylian Mbappe, who has scored four times already in this tournament, but also Ballon d’Or winner Ousmane Dembele, who notched a hat-trick in a 4-1 win against Norway in the group stage. Completing the French trio, Michael Olise’s runs at defenders have been creating havoc. With attacking swagger and midfield flair, France appear well-placed to reach their third final in as many World Cups. The only question mark might be their defence — and Sweden have their own high-profile forward line who will try to unlock it, although Premier League duo Alexander Isak and Viktor Gyokeres have not fully fired yet at this tournament. If France get past Sweden, they will face not Germany — who were beaten in a penalty shootout for the first time in World Cup history on Monday — but their conquerors Paraguay. France coach Didier Deschamps said Sweden had “nothing to lose”. “Sweden are playing for their survival. Obviously they will do everything to win the game,” Deschamps said on Monday. “We need to stay humble, maintain our determination and concentration. In the group stage winning the first game gave us some margin for error, but now we have no second chances.” France came into the World Cup as one of the leading contenders to win the trophy, following their triumph in 2018 and defeat on penalties to Argentina in the 2022 final. Sweden’s route to the World Cup was unusual — they finished bottom of their qualifying group but were parachuted into the play-offs thanks to their performances in the UEFA Nations League. They reached the knockout rounds in North America, despite a 5-1 drubbing by the Netherlands, as one of the best third-placed teams in the group phase. Sweden coach Graham Potter said his team would have to produce something special to beat France. “They have quality all over… They have won the World Cup before and they have a fantastic manager,” Englishman Potter said Monday. “An exciting challenge awaits us, and we will have to play the game of our lives, clearly.” ‘Powerhouse’ Haaland Haaland, another potent attacking force at this World Cup with four goals in two games, will be fully rested when he comes up against the Ivory Coast in Dallas after he was not used in the defeat to France. Norway coach Stale Solbakken hailed the leadership of his “powerhouse”, hailing Haaland as “one of the best players in the world”. “He’s a great leader for us, he leads by example on the pitch,” he said. “He has something that maybe you can’t train so much to reach it, the sniff for goals, the feeling that the ball will land at your feet… and I think that is his biggest strength.” Mexico meanwhile have the added bonus of knowing that if they beat Ecuador, they will remain in their capital city to face the winner of the tie between England and the Democratic Republic of Congo. On a dramatic day of action Monday, Paraguay stunned Germany in a penalty shootout of high drama after holding them to a 1-1 draw after extra time in Foxborough. “This qualification is for all Paraguayans who believed in us,” coach Gustavo Alfaro said — and Paraguay’s president called a national holiday to celebrate. Morocco won their own shootout to eliminate the Netherlands after an enthralling contest in Monterrey as goalkeeper Yassine Bounou saved the Netherlands’ fifth penalty from Crysencio Summerville. Then striker Ismael Saibari stepped up to blast home the winning effort for the Atlas Lions. And Brazil came from behind to overcome Japan 2-1 in the day’s first game, and will face the winner of Norway’s game against the Ivory Coast on Sunday AFP

World Cup: Netherlands Crush Sweden 5-1 in Houston

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  Cody Gakpo and Brian Brobbey both scored twice as the rampant Netherlands thrashed Sweden 5-1 in a World Cup warning on Saturday in Houston. The big win in front of nearly 69,000 put the delighted Dutch on the cusp of the knockout rounds and gave them liftoff after being held by Japan. Ronald Koeman’s side top Group F with four points from two games, ahead of Sweden on three, Japan (one) and Tunisia (none). Despite the sobering loss the Swedes had plenty of chances but were denied by good goalkeeping and wasteful finishing.   They are still in with a good chance of progressing into the last 32. Japan and Tunisia play later Saturday in Monterrey, Mexico. Sunderland striker Brobbey got his first start of the tournament and repaid Koeman with predatory goals after five and 17 minutes. Before that the 24-year-old had scored only once for his country since making his debut three years ago. In a game full of top Premier League talent, Liverpool’s Gakpo — who set Brobbey up for the opener — scored twice early in the second half. Substitute Anthony Elanga pulled one back for Sweden just before the hour with a classy finish. Crysencio Summerville had the last word for the five-star Dutch. Two crew members from the historic Artemis II lunar mission were among the VIP guests, a nod to Houston’s place as the home of space flight. The Dutch, twice pegged back in a lively 2-2 draw with Japan to start their title bid, made the brighter start in front of their orange-clad fans and King Willem-Alexander. Brobbey, who came in for Summerville despite the winger scoring against Japan, started and finished the first goal. It was made in the Premier League, with goalkeeper Bart Verbruggen, midfielder Tijjani Reijnders and Gakpo all involved. Brobbey exchanged passes with Gakpo, before the Anfield attacker crossed in low from the left for his team-mate to stab in from close range. Sweden, who thrashed Tunisia 5-1 in their first game, could not handle Brobbey’s muscular presence. Up front the much-vaunted attack of Liverpool’s Alexander Isak and Viktor Gyokeres of Arsenal were feeding on scraps for Sweden. – Gakpo’s half – Twelve minutes after his opener Brobbey made it 2-0 when a deflected Denzel Dumfries cross from the right fell perfectly into his path and he toe-poked past Kristoffer Nordfeldt. Sweden’s English coach Graham Potter was in deep discussions with his backroom staff as the game threatened to run away from them. At the unpopular hydration break Potter made a beeline for left-sided defender Gabriel Gudmundsson of Leeds United, who was being overrun by the flying Dumfries and Donyell Malen. Sweden then had their best chance, Gyokeres crossing for an unmarked Yasin Ayari who completely miscontrolled the ball with his chest. Gyokeres was next to fluff a good chance, failing to make proper contact after being played in by the largely anonymous Isak. Gyokeres and Ayari twice both had further sights of goal, only to be denied by the increasingly overworked Verbruggen. The Netherlands were hanging on by end of the half. Koeman sent on Summerville for Malen at the break, and two minutes later it was mission impossible for Sweden, Gakpo prodding in from close range after yet another dangerous low cross from Dumfries. All three goals were strikingly similar. Gakpo scored a lovely fourth on 54 minutes, turning inside his defender before firing low into the bottom corner. Nottingham Forest winger Elanga pulled one back five minutes later when he raced clear of the Dutch defence and rattled the ball past Verbruggen. West Ham’s Summerville made it five in the dying minutes with his second goal in North America. Sweden face Japan next while the Netherlands play Tunisia. AFP

World Cup Transport Fares Slashed Following Fan Outrage in New Jersey

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  Transport costs for matches at the upcoming FIFA World Cup 2026 have been reduced after strong backlash from fans over what were described as excessive fares for services to venues in the United States. As reported by BBC Sport on Wednesday, prices for train and shuttle bus travel to MetLife Stadium, which will be referred to as New York/New Jersey Stadium during the tournament, were initially set at levels supporters criticised as far above normal rates. Following the criticism, rail ticket prices have been reduced from 98 (£73), while shuttle bus fares have been cut from 20 (£15). The venue will host eight World Cup matches, including one of England’s group-stage fixtures and a semi-final The Football Supporters’ Association’s England fan representative, Thomas Concannon, had earlier condemned the pricing as “astronomical,” arguing it was “completely out of the norm” compared with standard transport fares. For comparison, a return rail journey from Penn Station in Manhattan to the stadium typically costs around $`12.90 (£9.50), highlighting the scale of the initial pricing. New Jersey governor Mikie Sherrill said the revised fares were made possible through commercial sponsorship and would not rely on taxpayer funding. She said the changes were aimed at making travel more affordable for fans attending matches. “Good news: Ahead of NJ Transit World Cup train tickets going on sale, NJ Transit is lowering ticket prices to `$98 without New Jersey taxpayer money. “Thank you to our partners for helping make this possible,” Sherrill said. New York Governor Kathy Hochul also welcomed the reductions, saying access to the tournament should be as affordable as possible. She announced a 75% cut in round-trip bus fares and said a portion of tickets would be reserved for New York residents. Despite the reductions in New Jersey, concerns remain over transport pricing in other host cities, with fans travelling to Foxborough in Boston facing significantly higher fares compared with usual rates. England and Scotland supporters are expected to be among those affected, with fixtures scheduled across multiple US venues during the tournament. The pricing adjustments come amid continued scrutiny of logistics and affordability as preparations intensify for the expanded 2026 World Cup across North America.  

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