News of world cup

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.

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.

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.

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.

INTERNATIONAL FOOTBALL

Argentina take it easy on road to World Cup 2026 title defence

26-03-2026 15:02 Since winning the World Cup in 2022, the only notable sides the Albiceleste have faced have been Brazil, Colombia and Uruguay. Otherwise, the run of fixtures has been limited to friendlies against lower-level sides.

FOOTBALL – INTERVIEW

Tagliafico: Albiceleste must avoid ‘complacency’ at World Cup

25-03-2026 13:29 National team left-back says Argentina must guard against “complacency” as the defending champions prepare to defend their title at the 2026 World Cup in the United States, Canada and Mexico.

INTERNATIONAL RUGBY

Argentina enters race to host men’s Rugby World Cup in 2035

18-03-2026 13:07 News of the hosting bid comes ahead of a visit by Alan Gilpin, the chief executive of the World Rugby international federation, to Argentina.

WORLD CUP 2026

Argentina to set up base camp in Kansas City for 2026 World Cup

05-02-2026 12:48 AFA confirms the Albiceleste will be based in Kansas City for the initial stages of the tournament, which will be hosted by Canada, Mexico and the United States.

EDITORIAL

Milei’s offside trap

06-12-2025 06:41 A shady AFA might seem an easy target for polarisation but Milei could be playing with fire.

FOOTBALL

‘There’s no easy rival’ – Scaloni on Argentina's World Cup draw

05-12-2025 18:28 Coach reacts to news that Argentina will play Algeria, Austria and Jordan at the 2026 World Cup in the United States, Canada and Mexico.

FOOTBALL WORLD CUP 2026 DRAW

Argentina's World Cup group rivals: Algeria, Austria and Jordan

05-12-2025 16:11 Holders Argentina play Algeria, Austria, Jordan in World Cup Group J; Albiceleste will face African side first, date and location to be confirmed tomorrow.

FOOTBALL & POLITICS

Milei exposes local football rift by skipping Trump’s World Cup show

05-12-2025 10:24 President Milei and AFA chief Claudio 'Chiqui' Tapia are at odds over an attempt to allow private ownership of teams in the football-obsessed nation – a row that has spilled over into the 2026 World Cup draw.

RUGBY: WORLD CUP DRAW

Argentina to Spain, Fiji, Canada in 2027 Rugby World Cup first phase

03-12-2025 10:15 Pumas dodged Australia, the main threat from Pot 2, but not Fiji, probably the second-strongest team they could have drawn.

GEOPOLITICS & SPORT

Football world braces for 2026 World Cup draw with Trump presiding

03-12-2025 09:53 Expanded 48-team tournament will be played across the United States, Mexico and Canada in June and July next year; Trump's attendance at the Kennedy Center ceremony underscores his rapport with FIFA chief Gianni Infantino.

MILEI TO AMERICA

Milei plans new US trip to meet Trump, attend 2026 World Cup draw

17-11-2025 14:12 Argentina’s President Javier Milei planning new trip to United States; He will attend World Cup 2026 draw at Kennedy Center and meet with US President Donald Trump.

FOOTBALL

Argentina launches coin for World Cup celebrating Maradona’s goal against England

29-10-2025 17:42 New coin includes a sketch of legendary footballer's Diego Maradona’s famous second goal against England in the Mexico 1986 World Cup.

VAMOS LEO!

'I would like to be there' – Lionel Messi on 2026 World Cup

28-10-2025 11:15 National team captain says in an interview with NBC news that he wants to play in the World Cup but will decide in early 2026.

sports

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

INTERNATIONAL FOOTBALL

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

Copa U-20 Results

Argentina and Colombia advance to Under-20 World Cup quarters

09-10-2025 12:28 Argentina and Colombia secure their spots in the U-20 quarter-finals with wins over Nigeria and South Africa, respectively.

INTERNATIONAL FOOTBALL

Albiceleste Under 20s give us a glimpse of football’s future

03-10-2025 16:52 The Under-20 World Cup in Chile, which Argentina have opened with back-to-back wins, is showing off football's latest innovation, FVS (Football Video Support) and the so-called ‘Green Card.’

by Dan Edwards

NATIONAL TEAM STAR

Report: Messi, Inter Miami agree to extend contract beyond 2026

18-09-2025 08:09 Argentine superstar's contract with MLS side Inter Miami will be extended beyond next year's World Cup, according to a source close to the matter.

INTERNATIONAL FOOTBALL

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

INTERNATIONAL FOOTBALL

Sad send off for Argentina’s Otamendi in Ecuador defeat

11-09-2025 00:24 Surprising loss to Ecuador in Guayaquil set to bring an end to residency of number one spot of FIFA world rankings.

GRACIAS LEO! THANK YOU!

Messi bags a brace, enjoys last World Cup qualifier to fullest

05-09-2025 00:22 On a night of tears, standing ovations and plenty of joy, in his final South American qualifier, Argentina’s No. 10 Lionel Messi bags two in a 3-0 victory over Venezuela.

Chainsaw hits football

Fútbol para pocos: Milei decides 2026 World Cup won’t be on public TV

27-08-2025 13:45 For the first time in 52 years, Argentina’s government has confirmed that it will not be buying the broadcasting rights to the 2026 World Cup in the United States, Mexico and Canada and broadcasting it free-to-air. The move – which saves an estimated US$7 million – forms part of austerity for state media.

ART & DANCE

Tango BA Festival and 2025 Tango World Cup kicks off

21-08-2025 16:49 Event will run over the next two weeks with over 500 activities planned and more than 2,000 artists and 50 venues participating all over the City.

FOOTBALL IN ARGENTINA

Boca's best efforts fall well short of expectations

26-06-2025 19:14 Boca’s boisterous fans deserve better than this current crop. As has so often been the case with the Xeneize, hope turned to despair and ridicule in the blink of an eye.

by Dan Edwards

FIFA CLUB WORLD CUP

Inter down nine-man River to advance in 'Battle of Seattle'

26-06-2025 00:29 Lucas Martínez Quarta and Gonzalo Montiel sent off as River Plate lose 2-0 to Inter Milan in Seattle; Argentina's two representatives at FIFA tournament both fall at first hurdle.

FIFA CLUB WORLD CUP

Another frustrating low for Boca Juniors at Club World Cup

25-06-2025 15:53 Embarrassment and frustration at the FIFA Club World Cup in the United States as Boca’s campaign ends early by being held by semi-professional side Auckland City.

FIFA CLUB WORLD CUP

Boca held by amateurs Auckland City, out of Club World Cup

24-06-2025 22:44 Xeneize eliminated from FIFA Clup World Cup after failing to beat amateur side Auckland City.

FIFA CLUB WORLD CUP

River Plate frustrated by Monterrey in 0-0 stalemate

22-06-2025 09:26 Poor finishing and a strong goalkeeper by an ex-Boca goalkeeper denies River Plate in Pasadena; Scoreless draw sets up showdown against Inter next Wednesday.

FIFA CLUB WORLD CUP

LatAm teams lay down the gauntlet to Europe at Club World Cup

21-06-2025 22:42 If anyone is going to stop a European side winning FIFA's new 32-team competition, it will be a club from South America.

FIFA CLUB WORLD CUP

Bayern overcome battling Boca to reach Club World Cup last 16

21-06-2025 00:20 Tenacious Boca Juniors side goes down 2-1 to Bayern Munch in Miami; Fantastic Miguel Merentiel breakaway strike put Xeneize back in game after Harry Kane's opener, but Michael Olise strikes winner

FIFA CLUB WORLD CUP

Messi strikes as Inter Miami stun Porto at Club World Cup

19-06-2025 21:46 Trademark free kick from the Argentine superstar delivers Inter Miami a shock 2-1 win over Porto in Club World Cup.

FIFA CLUB WORLD CUP

South American giants ignite Club World Cup

19-06-2025 14:28 On this side of the Atlantic Ocean at least, the Club World Cup has got off to a roaring start. So far, so good for Argentina's teams at FIFA’s flagship tournament.

by Dan Edwards

FIFA CLUB WORLD CUP

River Plate ease past Japan's Urawa to start Club World Cup tilt

17-06-2025 21:13 River overpower their Japanese opponents at Lumen Field under the Seattle sun, in an entertaining battle played out before a sparse crowd.

FIFA CLUB WORLD CUP

Boca, backed by boisterous support, denied by two compatriots as Benfica fight back

16-06-2025 20:53 Boca Juniors, backed by thousands of supporters in Miami, make impressive debut at FIFA Club World Cup; 10-men Benfica come from behind to claim 2-2 draw, thanks to goals from compatriots Ángel Di María and Nicolás Otamendi.

Football

Flying Argentina’s flag on the international stage

13-06-2025 18:09 Back-to-back tests against Chile and Colombia give reigning world champions perfect chance to blood a few new faces; Boca and River head to the US to fly the national flag at the Club World Cup.

by Dan Edwards

FIFA CLUB WORLD CUP

CWC risks deepening inequality in Latin American football

11-06-2025 23:02 Imbalances are only likely to grow in Latin American football as a result of the FIFA Club World Cup.

CLUB WORLD CUP

Club World Cup fixtures – when do Boca and River play?

11-06-2025 22:11 A look at the clashes facing Boca Juniors and River Plate in the upcoming FIFA Club World Cup.

FOOTBALL

FIFA's Club World Cup finally faces the ultimate test

11-06-2025 21:44 The new-look FIFA Club World Cup kicks off in the United States this weekend with 32 teams from around the globe taking part.

INTERNATIONAL FOOTBALL

Ancelotti in Brazil on mission to restore Seleçao's lost glory

26-05-2025 12:38 Brazilian Football Confederation spent two years wooing Ancelotti to try to turn the page on years of disappointment for the national side and its fans – now the work begins in earnest.

International football

Confirmed: Ancelotti to take over as Brazil coach

12-05-2025 12:12 Carlo Ancelotti will leave Real Madrid to take his talents to the international game with Brazil.

OBITUARY

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.

INTERNATIONAL FOOTBALL

CONMEBOL proposes one-off 64-team World Cup in 2030

10-04-2025 18:23 CONMEBOL President Alejandro Domínguez argues increasing the number of teams in the tournament would allow for a broader celebration of the World Cup.

HORSEPLAY IN BUENOS AIRES

Argentina becomes first non-Euro nation to host Horseball World Cup

02-04-2025 08:39 A World Cup unfolding within a space of 1,800 square metres at the Rural Society exhibition grounds in Palermo.

by Michael Soltys

International football

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