Fireworks light up the sky above People’s Plaza in Hyderabad as jubilant Spain supporters celebrate their team’s 1-0 victory over Argentina in the FIFA World Cup 2026 final, on Monday (July 20, 2026)
| Photo Credit: RAMAKRISHNA G

Even in his final moments in a Portugal shirt at the 2026 FIFA World Cup, Cristiano Ronaldo was the cynosure of all eyes. The footballer from Madeira has lived his life in the spotlight for two decades, and would have it no other way in his swansong at the international stage. But for the entirety of the marquee event in the United States, Canada and Mexico, a discomfiting question was at the core of the gaze trained on him: was the forward, now 41 years old and playing his club football for Al-Nassr in Saudi Arabia, impeding Portugal’s chances by leading the line?

He may tend to think such a query stemmed from a position of prejudice towards a certain Argentine, but his critics stood vindicated as Portugal crashed out at the round-of-16 stage after a 1-0 defeat to Spain. Appearing in his sixth World Cup, he netted two goals against a fragile Uzbekistan defence in the group stage and converted a penalty against Croatia in the round of 32. But beyond that, even as other big names like Lionel Messi, Kylian Mbappe, Erling Haaland, Harry Kane and Jude Bellingham set the tournament ablaze with their attacking exploits, Ronaldo’s contributions on the pitch were minimal and deserving of critique.

In the do-or-die game against the Iberian rival, Ronaldo was a bystander for the most part, touching the ball just 19 times across the two halves without ever testing the Spanish back-line. It is true that Ronaldo had long ceased to be the explosive winger who could dribble past opponents with fleet-footed manoeuvres, but even his movement in the 18-yard box lacked the sharpness desired of a goal-poaching striker in a team harbouring ambitions of going the distance.

This is where coach Roberto Martinez, who has left his post since the nation’s early exit, must shoulder much of the blame for Portugal’s disheartening campaign. It would have been a difficult conversation to initiate considering the deity-like reverence that Ronaldo enjoys in his homeland, but Martinez ought to have overlooked sentimental compulsions and examined the wisdom of placing unequivocal trust in a 41-year-old plying his trade in a footballing outpost. Never mind that nobody has scored more goals in international football than Ronaldo’s 146 in 233 appearances.

The former Manchester United and Real Madrid talisman, whose speed and agility were characteristics of the past, could have still had a role to play off the bench given his expertise in front of goal. By starting him in every game when his link-up play with Portugal’s midfield maestros was pedestrian, however, Martinez did not show enough audacity. A damning revelation from the data available is that Ronaldo took 17 shots during the tournament without creating a single chance for a teammate.

It would be disingenuous to suggest the lack of a viable alternative up front when there was Goncalo Ramos, who came on late in the round of 32 against Croatia and promptly produced a stoppage-time winner to send Portugal through.

The 52-year-old manager may argue that his predecessor in the hot seat, Fernando Santos, also endured an early exit despite being bolder at the previous World Cup in Qatar. Having witnessed Ronaldo score just one goal in the first three group games — a spot-kick against Ghana — four years ago, Santos decided to start with Ramos, much to Ronaldo’s seeming discontent, for the round-of-16 duel against Switzerland. The youngster, then 21, responded with a sensational hat-trick, but a 1-0 defeat to Morocco in the quarterfinals brought an unsatisfactory halt to Santos’ stint as Portugal manager soon after.

When Martinez took charge in the build-up to the European Championship in 2024, he steered away from the risk of further alienating the veteran forward. Ronaldo played all five games in Portugal’s run to the quarterfinals at the continental competition, but had no more than a solitary assist to show for his efforts as his team bowed out with a loss to France in a penalty shootout.

Yet, Ronaldo did not pave the way for a transition and soldiered on, refusing to give up on his long-standing pursuit of winning the World Cup. Once he scored five goals from as many appearances in the qualification phase for this year’s showpiece, Ronaldo wasn’t going to be dissuaded from landing in North America for one final shot at the crown jewel.

As was to be anticipated, the cacophony over his spot in the starting XI grew as soon as Ronaldo put up a subdued show in Portugal’s dour 1-1 draw against the Democratic Republic of Congo in their opening joust. While a brace against Uzbekistan in the second game of the group stage relieved the pressure to an extent as he rejoiced with his signature ‘Siuuu’ celebration and yelled to the television cameras that ‘I’m back’, it turned out to be a false dawn.

In the end, Ronaldo racked up 27 appearances and 11 goals in World Cups. His brace against Uzbekistan made him the first to find the net in six different editions. At the same time, he had just one goal in 10 knockout games and never reached a final.

Clear conscience

“I am sad to leave like this but I have given everything, always given my best,” Ronaldo told the media afterwards. “I go with a clear conscience. This is football, it is the life of a footballer. Sometimes you win, sometimes you lose. You have to carry on. It was my last World Cup, yes, but as far as the rest of it is concerned: there will be time to think, to be with my family, [I will] not make decisions in the heat of the moment.

“I won three titles with Portugal. Before Cristiano, Portugal had never won a big trophy. The best trophy I won with the national team was (in) 2016, which for me has the same dimension as the World Cup. So I repeat: I leave here with a clear conscience. Tomorrow will be another day and life goes on,” he asserted.

As much as he tries to ascribe equal importance to winning the Euros in 2016, the absence of the World Cup in his trophy cabinet will rankle. Particularly with Messi — the two have been spurred on an individual level by each other’s extraordinary feats — hoisting the holy grail in 2022 and cementing his place in Argentine folklore, Ronaldo would have been fiercely keen for the grand prize not to elude his grasp.

Where the two greats diverged in recent years was in their style of play and what they symbolised to their national teams. Even as Messi remains the twinkle-toed wizard at the heart of every attacking move for the Albiceleste, Ronaldo’s output was increasingly confined to the number of goals next to his name. For Messi’s teammates in Argentina’s iconic sky and blue, the man from Rosario is a hero and father-figure whom they fight tooth and nail for. The equation between Ronaldo and his peers didn’t appear as symbiotic.

Ruthless goalscorer

Once the dust settles, nevertheless, Ronaldo’s World Cup disappointments shouldn’t affect his rich legacy. In his pomp, lest we forget, he could really do it all. He had the pace and power of a sprinter, and jumped vertically for headers in the box like a basketballer would for a slam dunk. Having started out on the wing, he was able to fine-tune his skills to such a degree that he eventually turned into a ruthless goalscorer. At Manchester United in the 2000s and Real Madrid in the 2010s, both of which had A-listers galore, Ronaldo was a match-winner and entertainer par excellence. He was at the forefront of multiple Premier League, LaLiga and Champions League titles for these iconic clubs. The final stretch of his career may have clouded some of those champagne-popping memories. But as and when he decides to retire altogether — his contract with Saudi club Al-Nassr runs till next year — nothing less than the highest praise will do justice to one of the greatest to have graced the beautiful game. No World Cup setback can alter that.

Published – July 14, 2026 11:53 pm IST

Fans stand to greet Norway’s men’s national soccer team at Slottsplassen after returning to Oslo, Norway, from the United States.
| Photo Credit: AP

Spain’s former Prime Minister Mariano Rajoy said France’s football team had “no French players”. File
| Photo Credit: Reuters

Lineups are announced and players are warming up.

Germany: Manuel Neuer; Jonathan Tah, Joshua Kimmich, Antonio Ruediger, Nathaniel Brown; Aleksandar ‌Pavlovic, Florian Wirtz, Leroy Sane, Felix Nmecha; Kai Havertz, Deniz Undav.

Paraguay: Orlando Gill, ⁠Junior Alonso, Juan Jose Caceres, ⁠Andres Cubas, Miguel Almiron, Jose Canale, Gustavo Gomez, ‌Damian Bobadilla, Julio Enciso, Gabriel Avalos, Matias Galarza.

Argentina’s Lionel Messi is the leading goalscorer in the history of World Cups with 19 goals. File
| Photo Credit: Reuters

England’s midfielder #10 Jude Bellingham (C) and teammates cheer fans after winning the 2026 World Cup Group L football match between Panama and England at the New York/New Jersey Stadium in East Rutherford
| Photo Credit: AFP

Formally dressed in a traditional Qatari bisht, Dr. Nasser Mohamed strolled past a crowd of several hundred people outside Chase Center as the England-CroatiaFIFA World Cup match was shown high above on the big screen. His gold-and-black robe featured a flourish: rainbow piping down each sleeve and the words “love” and “freedom” written in Arabic.

Also read | FIFA World Cup 2026: Red or green? For Brazil, the politics of World Cup kits matter

“That’s why the World Cup is really powerful, because people don’t need to hear about who I am — I can just walk, be seen, and that’s it,” he said. “We don’t have to say a word.”

Four years ago, when the World Cup was played in his home country and Mr. Mohamed was already living across the world in San Francisco, he came out and became an exceptionally rare openly gay man from Qatar, where gay sex is prohibited and he can’t present femininely.

Mr. Mohamed is speaking up again for those without a voice. The 39-year-old now feels secure enough to walk around with confidence, and without fear of harm, while wearing chunky heeled boots, mascara and 2-inch dangly earrings. He still gets regular backlash and hate, but he has also found support and kindness from around the globe that helps drown out the death threats and divisiveness.

“I am so loved in San Francisco, really, truly,” Mr. Mohamed said of the city he moved to more than a decade ago. “I have not worn this since I was a kid in Qatar, and San Francisco put it back on my shoulders, with rainbows.”

For him, donning the bisht for everyone to see is important: “The emir of Qatar put it on [Lionel] Messi at the last World Cup to celebrate Messi. We should be celebrated too.”

Mohamed campaigns for love at the World Cup

An LGBTQ+ activist and family doctor who treats HIV, “Dr. Nas” — as he is known — launched his “Love is the Goal” campaign ahead of the World Cup and Pride Month, hoping to humanize all people taking part. For a video, he combined soccer lingo with references to love, such as him reading “love is kickoff, the very first touch,” and someone else offering “love is the assist, finding you exactly where you are.”

“Saving a life like mine is very expensive, and I know that, and this is the hard truth,” Mr. Mohamed said. “So that’s why I had to pave my own path and get out. I lost everything. I’m disowned completely. I had to build myself from scratch, the ground up, all of it.”

On Wednesday (June 24, 2026), Qatar plays its final group-stage match, against Bosnia-Herzegovina in Seattle. Mr. Mohamed won’t be there, but he was at the team’s first game, on June 13 in Santa Clara, California. He had clear and visible security, and was escorted by California state Sen. Scott Wiener to the 1-1 draw with Switzerland. A photo from the day has more than 12 million views on social media.

“As I was passing, everybody was taking pictures of me with the senator,” he recalled. “It was so dramatic.” And emotional.

“In the stadium I couldn’t speak because if I started talking I’m not going to stop crying, because when am I going to see Qatar again in my life?” Mohamed said through tears. “When is it ever going to happen again? I don’t know. When am I going to see home? I can’t see Mom and Dad, even when they were getting hit by missiles.”

Even in exile, Mohamed still cheers for Qatar

After the game, he hosted a dance party at the San Francisco Mint highlighted by a performance “Let Your Love Shine,” written by close friend Simon Tam and sung by Debby Holiday.

“Nas’ journey moves me because it is rooted in extraordinary courage and an enormous heart,” Mr. Tam said. “He’s taken his own truth and turned it into a way to help others feel seen, worthy, and less alone.”

Mr. Tam believes Mr. Mohamed can change the world — and that’s the doctor’s hope, too.

“The first step to heal is to witness things the way they are,” Mr. Mohamed said. “My endgame is for every child to belong with their own family and their own society.”

Still, it breaks his heart knowing he can’t go back to Qatar. Mr. Mohamed has been ostracized by his own family because of his sexuality and for standing up to power to help others. For those in need, including a transgender woman who had been imprisoned and tortured, he has aided their moves out of Qatar and secured resources so they could rebuild their lives elsewhere.

Mr. Mohamed is thankful for this new existence, embracing the obstacles that come with his work, even as he believes his safety could be at stake.

“We all fled persecution and took political asylum in the U.S., and now we invited all of them to come here to play soccer,” he said. “I didn’t feel safe leaving my apartment.”

Still, after everything, he roots for Qatar — and the Americans. He plans to watch the U.S. during the round of 32 next week at Levi’s Stadium.

“I am cheering for both the United States and for Qatar with love,” he said. “They both had homes for me and, when I challenge either of them, it is out of love, and I mean it.”

Published – June 24, 2026 03:51 pm IST

Portugal’s Cristiano Ronaldo during training ahead of their Group K match against Uzbekistan.
| Photo Credit: Reuters

The United States of America (USA) begin their FIFA World Cup challenge on Friday, taking on a savvy Paraguay side in a high-stakes match in Los Angeles.

The World Cup co-hosts know they must avoid a banana skin at the futuristic SoFi Stadium in the first World Cup finals game on U.S. soil for 32 years.

U.S. head coach Mauricio Pochettino says he expects his team to do much more than simply progress from Group D.

South Korea vs Czechia Highlights, FIFA World Cup

“For me, successful is to win. Is to win tomorrow. And win after,” the former Tottenham coach said on Thursday (June 11, 2026).

“If we don’t arrive to the final and we don’t win the World Cup, to talk about ‘successful’? I don’t know.”

A talented crop of U.S. players led by Christian Pulisic need to prove themselves against the world’s best, while dealing with the pressures of playing in front of their own fans.

Pulisic insisted the squad around him is “able to compete with anyone.”

“We want to be a real force in this tournament,” he told AFP.

FIFA World Cup 2026, Mexico vs South Africa highlights

“We’ve got three really good games to show everyone what we’re all about.”

Pochettino, an Argentine, has insisted his team need to be equal to the streetwise South Americans.

“We know we have to be ready to battle. It’s not about just playing beautiful football,” said Pulisic.

U.S. Secretary of State Mario Rubio will attend the opening match. President Donald Trump has said he would be present at other games in the tournament, without specifying which.

The game in Los Angeles will be preceded by a Hollywood-style opening ceremony featuring Katy Perry and a host of music stars.

In Friday’s (June 12, 2026) other game, co-hosts Canada go in search of the first World Cup win in their history as they tackle Bosnia-Herzegovina in Toronto.

Canada must do without their star player Alphonso Davies, who is still recovering from a hamstring issue.

Dramatic opener

The World Cup kicked off in dramatic fashion in Mexico City on Thursday (June 11, 2026) where Shakira and Nigerian singer Burna Boy got the packed 80,000 crowd at the Estadio Azteca on their feet.

Co-hosts Mexico beat South Africa 2-0 in a game that featured three red cards.

Julian Quinones scored the opening goal of the tournament after nine minutes and 35-year-old striker Raul Jimenez headed in Mexico’s second at the Azteca, which became the first stadium in the world to host games at three World Cups.

There was a festive atmosphere inside the stadium, but outside dozens of protesters clashed with police in chaotic scenes.

Groups of teachers, relatives of Mexicans who have gone missing, and student activists gathered outside the stadium.

Some protesters broke through barriers and traded blows with police officers guarding the stadium’s perimeter moments after Mexico scored their opening goal.

Mexico’s victory launched a 48-team tournament that will culminate in the final in New Jersey on July 19.

South Korea got their World Cup campaign off to a winning start by beating the Czech Republic 2-1 in the opening day’s second game.

Until the 80th-minute mark, it seemed that the Czechs would punish the Koreans’ wastefulness in front of goal, but substitute Oh Hyeon-gyu notched the decisive goal in a Guadalajara stadium that was far from full.

The start of the action on the pitch will have come as a welcome relief to football’s world governing body FIFA, which has faced stinging criticism over the eye-watering cost of tickets.

In addition, Donald Trump’s immigration crackdown has seen a top referee, Iranian team officials and fans refused entry to the United States,

Infantino portrayed Iran’s participation at the World Cup in the midst of its military conflict with the US as a victory for his organization, claiming he did not know if any other body could have pulled it off.

Four days after they arrived at their base camp in Mexico, the Iran players finally allowed reporters to watch them train Thursday.

They face New Zealand in Los Angeles in their first game on Monday (June 15, 2026).

Published – June 12, 2026 12:54 pm IST