News of sport

Argentina stroll to pre-World Cup win over Honduras

07-06-2026 11:19 Argentina cruise to 2-0 friendly victory over Honduras in Texas; Marseille central defender Leonardo Balerdi has been ruled out of the World Cup with a calf injury.

BEYOND THE HEADLINES

It’s a small World (Cup)

06-06-2026 06:06 FIFA has 211 member football associations, of whom only 80 have ever participated in a World Cup tournament in almost a century while for the highest level of winners, you would have to knock the zero off that figure – just eight countries, all of whom are past or present members of the European Union or Mercosur.

by Michael Soltys

WORLD CUP 2026

Scaloni gives encouraging update on Messi fitness ahead of World Cup

05-06-2026 22:05 National team coach Lionel Scaloni says skipper could play "a few minutes" in upcoming friendly matches, likely one of the two.

WORLD CUP 2026 – PREVIEW

Injury-hit Argentina hope to reach full fitness at World Cup

05-06-2026 07:00 The composition of Lionel Scaloni’s squad clearly shows that he is ready to put his faith once more in the boys that took Argentina to glory in Qatar.

by Dan Edwards

VIRAL SENSATION

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.

WORLD CUP 2026 – PREVIEW

Defending champs Argentina look to make history at 2026 World Cup

03-06-2026 17:11 Title-holders hope to put AFA turmoil aside and overcome injury concerns at World Cup in United States, Canada and Mexico.

WORLD CUP 2026 – PREVIEW

Lionel Scaloni: Argentina among ‘10 or 12’ teams challenging for World Cup title

03-06-2026 16:18 National team coach lists 10 and 12 sides he thinks will be a threat at the 2026 World Cup.

WORLD CUP 2026 – PREVIEW

Argentina's 2022 World Cup winners recall ‘worst team talk in world’

03-06-2026 16:07 Argentina's players and coaching staff remember "the worst team talk in the world" – before the 2022 World Cup final against France.

WORLD CUP 2026 PREVIEW

Algeria, Austria and Jordan – a look at Argentina’s Group J opponents

03-06-2026 16:06 Albiceleste will face Algeria, Austria and Jordan at the group stage of the 2026 World Cup; Defending champions are the clear favourites to progress in top spot.

Football in Argentina

Boca Juniors confirm departure of head coach Claudio Úbeda

02-06-2026 22:54 Xeneize will renew head coach's contract when it ends on June 30.

WORLD CUP 2026

Nineteen players from Argentina's top flight heading to World Cup 2026

02-06-2026 09:32 FIFA will pay Liga Profesional clubs US$11,000 a day for each player called up for the 2026 World Cup in the United States, Canada and Mexico; River Plate will receive the most of the domestic clubs, supplying seven of the 19 footballers from Argentina's top flight for tournament.

FOOTBALL TRANSFERS

Otamendi becomes latest world champion to sign for River Plate

31-05-2026 09:18 "As a River supporter, it's a dream come true," says commanding centre-back as he completes his move back to Argentina.

WORLD CUP 2026 – PREVIEW

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.

WORLD CUP 2026 – PREVIEW

Argentina eye World Cup double ahead of Group J opener

29-05-2026 09:50 The Albiceleste arrive at the World Cup aiming to become the first team in more than half a century to successfully defend their title. But since winning the title in Qatar four years ago, they have not played a single European side.

WORLD CUP 2026 PREVIEW

Can Messi deliver again for Argentina at his final World Cup?

29-05-2026 00:37 It will be a record sixth World Cup for Lionel Messi, and the decision to delay his retirement is a relief for an entire nation.

World Cup 2026

Messi in, Mastantuono out – Argentina confirms 26-man squad for World Cup 2026

28-05-2026 20:10 Few surprises as Lionel Scaloni publishes his squad list for tournament in US, Canada and Mexico; River wonderkid Mastantuono out and no place for Buendía or Dybala; Youngers Nico Paz and Valentín Barco make the cut, along with Palmeiras striker ‘Flaco’ López.

World Cup 2026

Real Madrid star Franco Mastantuono left out of Argentina’s World Cup 2026 squad

28-05-2026 17:28 First big name culled by Lionel Scaloni as he whittles down squad list for Argentina’s defence of World Cup crown in the United States, Canada and Mexico; Coach plays down Messi injury fears.

World Cup 2026

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.

WORLD CUP 2026

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.

WORLD CUP 2026

'Tired' Messi exits MLS game in injury scare ahead of World Cup

25-05-2026 08:30 Lionel Messi at the centre of an injury scare just weeks before the start of the World Cup.

Football in Argentina

Belgrano stun River Plate to win historic first league title

25-05-2026 05:59 Belgrano came from behind to beat River Plate, clinching the Apertura title and securing the first top-flight crown in the club’s 121-year history.

FOOTBALL'S RICH LIST

Messi joins Cristiano Ronaldo in billionaire football ranks after US deals

22-05-2026 14:24 Lionel Messi's net worth has surpassed the US$1 billion-mark, according to the Bloomberg Billionaires Index.

Football in Argentina

Belgrano chase history for Córdoba as River Plate revisit old wounds

22-05-2026 14:02 Belgrano will walk out at the beautiful Estadio Mario Kempes on Sunday hoping to become the first league champions in Córdoba Province's history – River Plate stand in their way.

by Dan Edwards

WORLD CUP 2026 PREVIEW

‘He knew it all’: the Rosario roots of Lionel Messi

15-05-2026 10:16 Former coaches, teachers and childhood friends remember the shy boy from Newell’s who became Argentina’s greatest football icon.

FOOTBALL IN ARGENTINA

Belgrano dare to dream as Liga Profesional play-offs deliver unexpected

14-05-2026 17:29 With Estudiantes gone, a new champion will emerge. The final four are a mixed group of familiar faces and surprise packages, but perhaps the most compelling story in this title race belongs to Belgrano.

by Dan Edwards

WORLD CUP 2026

Messi in as Scaloni names 55-man longlist for World Cup squad

11-05-2026 13:06 Argentina skipper leads a preliminary 55-man shortlist as Argentina prepare to defend their title at World Cup 2026.

GENDER, SPORT & SOCIETY

Poll shows women’s football growing in popularity and reach in Argentina

10-05-2026 11:46 New study reveals 30% of Argentines play football at least once a month, with one in four females taking to the pitch in past 12 months. The women’s game is developing, but growth has yet to translate into improved professionalism and sponsorship opportunities.

by Enrique Garabetyan

World Cup 2026

Anxiety, anticipation as World Cup one-month countdown begins

09-05-2026 23:11 A record 48 teams and millions of fans are set to descend on the United States, Canada and Mexico for the first ever World Cup co-hosted by three nations.

NEW CHESS GRANDMASTER

Faustino Oro joins chess elite as Grandmaster aged just 12

09-05-2026 22:44 Argentine prodigy player Faustino Oro, aged just 12 years old, has reached the highest rank in world chess, becoming the second-youngest Grandmaster in history.

WORLD CUP 2026

Messi says ‘other favourites are arriving in better shape’ for World Cup

08-05-2026 17:43 Argentina skipper says title defence is possible but singles out France and Spain as stronger contenders ahead of 2026 tournament.

FOOTBALL IN ARGENTINA

Apertura play-offs arrive – and anything could happen

07-05-2026 13:35 One thing we learned last year is that the knockout phase has no respect for what clubs did earlier…

by Dan Edwards

COACH ON FUTURE

Simeone, Atlético Madrid at crossroads after Champions League knock-out

06-05-2026 09:26 Champions League elimination renews speculation over the future of Atlético Madrid's Argentine coach.

death of diego maradona

Maradona sisters, lawyer face trial over handling of star's brand

28-04-2026 21:08 Late star’s lawyer and two of Maradona’s sisters – Rita and Claudia – will stand trial for the “fraudulent administration” of his brand and trademark.

FORMULA 1

'Colapinto-mania' sweeps streets of Buenos Aires in historic Formula 1 show

27-04-2026 15:29 Tens of thousands of people turned out in Buenos Aires on Sunday for a special street show by Formula 1 star Franco Colapinto.

RACISM ROW

UEFA ban Benfica's Prestianni for six games for discriminatory conduct

24-04-2026 11:11 European football's governing body bans Argentine "for discriminatory (i.e. homophobic) conduct," with three of those matches suspended for a two-year probationary period.

FOOTBALL IN ARGENTINA

Paredes penalty ensures Superclásico seniority for Boca

23-04-2026 19:10 While there are few frills in this current Boca team, they are tough to break down. Leandro Paredes proved up to the challenge as Xeneize secure victory in Núñez and bragging rights over River.

by Dan Edwards

WORLD CUP 2026

Fifty days out, who is guaranteed to make Argentina’s World Cup squad?

22-04-2026 12:24 Coach Lionel Scaloni has the majority of his squad for the tournament in the United States, Canada and Mexico decided – a look at the problematic positions and how many spots are up for grabs.

Football in Argentina

Boca edge River with Paredes penalty in Superclásico at Monumental

20-04-2026 06:54 Paredes converts stoppage-time penalty in first half as Boca strengthen knockout push in tense Superclásico at Monumental.

Football in Argentina

As big guns misfire, the Lepra just keep marching on

17-04-2026 11:21 There is a new king in town, and it is none other than unassuming Independiente Rivadavia.

by Dan Edwards

DEATH OF DIEGO MARADONA

Tears, horror and scandal – how first Maradona death trial collapsed

15-04-2026 22:47 Daughters weeping in court, squalid care of a legend exposed and a scandalous judge that derailed proceedings dramatically.

SOCIETY

Maradona's birthplace repurposed as soup kitchen for hungry

14-04-2026 17:30 Diego Maradona's childhood home has become a soup kitchen and support centre for residents of Villa Fiorito, who receive clothes or a hot meal in the same courtyard where the late footballer grew up.

death of diego maradona

New trial into Diego Maradona's death begins in San Isidro

14-04-2026 13:01 New trial into legendary footballer’s death gets underway in San Isidro with seven in dock; Re-run of trial after first collapsed 10 months ago amid scandal.

FOOTBALL IN ARGENTINA

Eduardo Coudet makes impressive start at River

10-04-2026 07:48 River are in the Copa Sudamericana for the first time since winning it in 2014 in Marcelo Gallardo’s first year in charge, a title which kickstarted one of the greatest coaching tenures in history. Now, his replacement would love to launch a dynasty of his own, with the cup as a launching pad.

by Dan Edwards

INTERNATIONAL FOOTBALL

Argentina to play Honduras and Iceland in pre-World Cup friendlies

09-04-2026 17:56 'La Scaloneta' will face Honduras on June 6 in Texas and Iceland’s senior side on June 9 in Alabama ahead of World Cup kick-off.

SPORT & LEISURE

'Sport of the future'? Padel's Miami boom augurs US expansion

04-04-2026 09:19 Padel originated in the late 1960s in Mexico and was exported to Argentina and Spain. As its popularity explodes in Miami, its fans say it will conquer the rest of the United States – and the world.

INTERNATIONAL FOOTBALL

Albiceleste win with ease – and learn little – in final pre-World Cup home friendlies

01-04-2026 12:08 After another set of meaningless matches – this time against Mauritania and Zambia – we are none the wiser over Argentina's chances of defending the title when they head up north in June.

by Dan Edwards

INTERNATIONAL FOOTBALL

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.

FRANCO'S COMING HOME

Colapinto to drive F1 car on the streets of Buenos Aires

31-03-2026 14:46 On April 26, Alpine driver will be at the wheel of a V8-powered racing car, taking on a two-kilometre street circuit along Libertador and Sarmiento avenues.

International football

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.