News of world cup

'Competitive animal' Messi set for sixth World Cup

15-06-2026 20:57 Coach Lionel Scaloni has other injury concerns over goalkeeper Emi 'Dibu' Martinez and forward Julián Álvarez but both are expected to start in Kansas City against Algeria.

Fans deploy 'asado' to challenge Kansas City's BBQ crown

15-06-2026 20:16 Argentina begin their World Cup defence in Kansas City, the self-styled global barbecue capital, but their fans insist they're already king of the grill.

It’s a small World (Cup) II: The geopolitics of football

13-06-2026 05:41 No host nation has won in this century, while there were no less than six home triumphs in the 16 tournaments of the previous century. The so-called World Cup is a Euro-American monopoly – will a new champion emerge from the record 48 competitors?

by Michael Soltys

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.

Argentina calls up Senesi for World Cup after Balerdi injury

11-06-2026 16:52 Marcos Senesi has been added to the squad as a replacement for Leonardo Balerdi, who has been ruled out of the tournament with a muscle injury.

The World Cup effect: Football and politics in Argentina

11-06-2026 14:00 From dictatorship to democracy, World Cups have repeatedly coincided with some of Argentina's most consequential political and economic decisions.

Messi plushies see roaring trade as China firms get World Cup 2026 boost

10-06-2026 11:42 Sellers in China are betting on the country's lucrative fan market for a big World Cup boost.

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.

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.

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

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.

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.

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.

Clarín, Argentine media's ‘Vampire squid’, lives on

30-05-2026 05:43 Control of the media is one of the ultimate levers of power. Just ask Grupo Clarín, Argentina’s largest and most important media conglomerate.

by Agustino Fontevecchia

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.

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.

‘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.

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.

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.

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