News of international football

Messi heads into historic sixth World Cup ‘as excited as ever’

14-06-2026 15:21 Simply by stepping onto the pitch on Tuesday against Algeria, the former Barcelona and Paris Saint-Germain star will become the first player ever to appear at six World Cups.

Thiago Almada stakes his claim for Argentina starting spot

12-06-2026 17:38 Creative midfielder Thiago Almada has struggled for regular minutes at his club side Atlético Madrid, but now he's eyeing a starting slot for Argentina in their World Cup opener.

Messi scores on return from injury as Argentina beat Iceland in World Cup warm-up

10-06-2026 11:30 With Lionel Messi back from injury to score his 117th international goal, Argentina beat Iceland 3-0 on Tuesday in their final friendly ahead of the 2026 World Cup.

World Cup nears kick off after pre-tournament turbulence

09-06-2026 09:59 The World Cup kicks off on Thursday with FIFA betting that the enduring appeal of the greatest footballing show on earth can overcome geopolitical tensions and ticket price fury.

Thanks millions! New Zealand footballer meets Argentine influencer behind viral fame

04-06-2026 15:39 New Zealand footballer Tim Payne meets online influencer Valen 'El Scarso' Scarsini.

Loyalty could be fatal to Argentina's World Cup title defence, says 1978 champion

29-05-2026 10:39 Argentina are contenders but their chances will be undermined if Lionel Scaloni relies too much on the players who triumphed four years ago, says 1978 World Cup winner Daniel Bertoni.

Maverick Marcelo Bielsa faces Uruguay mutiny ahead of World Cup

28-05-2026 10:19 Marcelo Bielsa's unconventional methods risk ruining Uruguay's World Cup chances before the tournament has even begun.

Scaloni eases fears over Messi injury ahead of World Cup

26-05-2026 22:04 Argentina coach says initial signs are “not so bad” after captain suffers hamstring issue, though several key Albiceleste players remain fitness doubts ahead of the tournament in North America.

Messi on target as Argentina put five past Zambia in World Cup send-off

01-04-2026 10:36 Much improved performance from the world champions, but tougher tests lie ahead when the nation’s title defence gets underway in June.

Messi to start for Argentina in World Cup send-off against Zambia, says Scaloni

30-03-2026 18:21 Lionel Messi will start for Argentina in a friendly against Zambia on Tuesday at La Bombonera – the reigning world champions' final game on home soil before they defend their World Cup crown.

Argentina to face Guatemala friend in place of scrapped Finalissima

17-03-2026 17:01 World champions will play Guatemala in a friendly – venue set to be confirmed – in place ofe the cancelled Finalissima match against European champions Spain in Qatar.

Argentina's 'Finalissima' clash with Spain cancelled, confirms UEFA

15-03-2026 18:38 The 'Finalissima' clash between Euro 2024 winners Spain and world champions Argentina set to take place on March 27 in Qatar has been cancelled.

Plenty to be proud of Albiceleste youth fall short at final hurdle

22-10-2025 22:54 It was so near and yet so far for Argentina as they battled in vain for what would have been the nation's seventh FIFA U-20 World Cup title. But it bears repeating as many times as necessary: results are not the be-all and end-all of youth football.

by Dan Edwards

Argentina need real tests ahead of World Cup defence

17-10-2025 08:42 There’s no doubt that this is still a very good Argentina team, but why on earth are Venezuela and Puerto Rico lined up for friendlies ahead of the World Cup?

by Dan Edwards

Miss Messi when he's gone? We miss him already

12-09-2025 06:10 Lionel Messi gave the Monumental crowd and Argentina a suitable send-off against Venezuela. That’s the good out of the way; now, I'm afraid, we have to cover the bad…

by Dan Edwards

Angola civic groups urge Argentina, Messi to scrap football friendly

19-08-2025 16:06 Argentina and Lionel Messi urged to scrap planning for friendly match in Luanda with Angola after 30 people were killed in protests.

Luis Galván, World Cup winner with Argentina in 1978, dies at 77

05-05-2025 21:24 Defender Luis Galván, who played in every match in Argentina's 1978 World Cup winning campaign, died Monday aged 77.

Rout of Brazil shows 2026 World Cup hopes are very much alive

28-03-2025 12:39 Tuesday's showing against Brazil, in particular, was as strong a statement of intent from Lionel Scaloni’s side as one could wish to envision.

by Dan Edwards

'Dibu' Martínez defies Paris boos to win best goalkeeper trophy

28-10-2024 22:35 Emiliano 'Dibu' Martínez has been selected as the best goalkeeper in the world, winning the prestigious Yashin Trophy for a second straight year.

Argentina held by Venezuela in World Cup 2026 qualifiers

10-10-2024 22:56 Venezuela held Argentina to a 1-1 draw at home on Thursday in the ninth round of South America's World Cup 2026 qualifiers.