FIFA President Gianni Infantino in the stands during a 2026 World Cup match
| Photo Credit: Reuters

Spain squad pose before the World Cup quarterfinal match between Spain and Belgium
| Photo Credit: AP

The 2026 FIFA World Cup has been an extended affair as the football body increased the number of teams from 32 in 2022 to 48 from this edition onward. This has also resulted in the addition of a Round of 32 to the knockout stages for the first time. Although most of the results were as expected, the matches were thrilling for both neutral watchers and fans. As the Round of 32 comes to an end with Colombia’s 1-0 win over Ghana, here we look at the major talking points from this round.

1. Germany and Spain: Contrasting fortunes of two champions seeking redemption

While Spain won the World Cup held in South Africa in 2010, Germany did so in the very next edition held in Brazil in 2014. However, both of these teams had failed to win any of their knockout games since winning their respective titles. After qualifying for this edition’s knockouts, both teams were looking to change their fortunes. Spain were able to break free from their curse when they thrashed Austria 3-0. However, the Germans fell to Paraguay in penalties after the match ended 1-1 at the end of regulation time, which was the first major upset in the round. The wait for a first knockout win will have to continue till the next edition for Die Mannschaft. On a side note, Italy, who failed to qualify this year, also have not won a knockout match since they won in 2006.

2. Golden Boot race: Superstars lead the pack

The race for the Golden Boot awarded to the top scorer at this year’s World Cup is off to an exciting start. Lionel Messi leads the pack with 7 goals so far and is closely followed by Kylian Mbappe, Erling Haaland, Harry Kane and Ousmane Dembele. Messi (19) and Mbappe (18) are also locking horns in a fight to become the top goalscorer in World Cup history. Erling Haaland, who is playing his first World Cup, has become the first player since Sándor Kocsis of Hungary, in 1954, to score in his first three appearances. Not one to be held back, Harry Kane has become the leading goalscorer for England in World Cups with 13 goals, including two in their Round of 32 match against Croatia.

3. A World Cup swansong for one of the greats — Luka Modric

At the age of 40, Luka Modric bids adieu to the World Cup after Croatia lost to Portugal in the Round of 32. This was his 39th game at a major tournament for Croatia, which is the second-most for a European outfield footballer, only behind Cristiano Ronaldo, who was coincidentally the captain of the opposition. Modric was one of the major forces behind the Croatia squad that finished runners-up in 2018 and third in 2022, in what is considered the country’s golden generation of footballers. He also won the Golden Ball for the best player of the tournament at the 2018 World Cup.

4. Longest streak without conceding a goal — Unai Simon

Spanish goalkeeper Unai Simon etched his name in history after La Roja blanked Ralf Rangnick’s Austria 3-0, for the longest consecutive streak without conceding a goal. The last time Simon conceded a goal was during the Qatar FIFA World Cup 2022 match against Japan, when Ao Tanaka scored in the 51st minute, which Spain lost 2-1. After the Austria match, it has now been 519 consecutive minutes since Simon has let a goal in. He broke the record set by Italy’s Walter Zenga of 517 minutes, while the record for a Spanish keeper was Iker Casillas’ 476 minutes. In addition, Spain and co-hosts Mexico are the only teams yet to concede a goal in this edition of the World Cup.

5. Co-hosts continue their march forward

All three co-hosts — Mexico, the U.S.A. and Canada — won their respective matches and overcame the first knockout hurdle at the FIFA World Cup 2026. Canada overcame South Africa 1-0 in the first match of the Round of 32. Mexico’s 2-0 win over 10-man Ecuador was their first win in a knockout game at the World Cups since 1986, which helped them end an eight-match streak of being eliminated in the first round of knockouts, the longest record in history. USA defeated Bosnia and Herzegovina 2-0, although goalscorer Folarin Balogun was sent off in the 64th minute. He became only the fourth player after Garrincha, Ronaldinho and Zidane to receive a red card after scoring a goal in a knockout match.

6. A fairy-tale for the ages — Cabo Verde wins hearts but loses to Argentina in ET

When Cabo Verde qualified for the World Cup, no one would have predicted that a nation of approximately five lakh people and with a FIFA ranking of 67 would put up much of a fight. But Cabo Verde showed that they were on a mission to prove their credentials right from the very first match. The “minnows” held their own and nullified Spain’s attacking threat and came out with a 0-0 draw. No one had expected Cabo Verde put up a fight against defending champions Argentina, but what ensued was a tale for the history books. Finally, it took a 111th-minute own goal from Diney Borges to end their dream run. What is even more interesting is that no side was able to secure a win over them in 90 minutes throughout their campaign even after going head-to-head against football giants such as Argentina, Spain and Uruguay.

7. Asia suffers another poor showing at the World’s biggest stage

A record nine Asian teams had qualified for the World Cup this year, with eight assured spots for the AFC and Iraq claiming their spot through the qualifiers. However, what followed was a disappointing campaign. Only Japan and Australia managed to make it out of the group stages, while the other seven teams were knocked out. Japan got off to a bright start in their match against Brazil and took a lead, which they managed to hold on till the 56th minute. It looked like the match was heading towards extra time, except for a 96th-minute goal from Gabriel Martinelli that broke Japan’s hearts. Australia and Egypt locked horns in a match that was too close to call. Mo Salah’s Egypt finally knocked the last Asian team out on penalties. As for African teams, of the record nine teams to qualify, only two — Morocco and Egypt — remain in the competition.

8. Can anyone stop France’s attacking juggernaut?

France possesses one of the best attacks at this year’s World Cup with the likes of Kylian Mbappe, Ousmane Dembélé, Bradley Barcola and Michael Olise, among others. And their showing at this World Cup has been nothing short of impeccable. France have already scored 13 goals in just four matches, including a 3-0 drubbing of Sweden in the Round of 32. Furthermore, Kylian Mbappe and Ousmane Dembélé, with six and four goals respectively, are among the top five goalscorers in this tournament. No other country has more than one player in the top 10. With the red-hot form that these two stars are in, any defence is set to have nightmares before they face them.

Published – July 04, 2026 03:06 pm IST

File picture of chief selector of the Pakistan cricket squad Inzamam-ul-Haq
| Photo Credit: AP

Former captain Inzamam-ul-Haq has stepped down as Pakistan Cricket Board’s (PCB) chief selector on Sunday after allegations of a conflict of interest.

His resignation comes after Pakistani media reported one of his co-directors in a U.K.-based company, Yazoo International Ltd, is managing director of Saya Corporation, an agency representing some major Pakistani cricketers.

The players include captain Babar Azam, bowler Shaheen Afridi and wicketkeeper and batter Mohammad Rizwan, who is also a director at Yazoo, according to U.K. public sector database gov.uk.

“I am stepping down from the post to offer the PCB the opportunity to conduct a transparent inquiry,” Inzamam said in a statement released by the board. “If the committee finds me not guilty, I will resume my role as the chief selector.”

The PCB said it had set up a five-member fact-finding committee to look into the allegations.

The allegations surfaced in the middle of Pakistan’s struggling World Cup campaign, where they sit seventh in the points table after four successive defeats. It is their worst losing streak in tournament history.

It was another day, another run feast for South Africa!

At the Wankhede Stadium on October 24, it rode on Quinton de Kock’s 174 and a blitzkrieg 90 from Heinrich Klassen to plunder 144 off the last ten overs, and put up a mammoth 382 for five, before handing a 149-run defeat to Bangladesh and bolster its chances of a last-four spot in the World Cup.

Had it not been for Mahmadullah (111, 111b, 11×4, 4×6) waging a lone battle after the Proteas’ pace attack took the fizz out of the chase, Bangladesh wouldn’t have reached 233.

The seasoned batter delayed the inevitable with a few big hits and forged a 68-run partnership for the ninth wicket with Mustafizur Rahman. But for a side that was reeling at 58 for 5 in 15 overs after Marco Jansen jolted its top-order, Mahmadullah’s efforts were not enough to avoid the fourth defeat on the trot.

The day, however, belonged to de Kock.

Featuring in his 150th ODI, he became the sixth batter to score three hundreds in a single edition of the tournament and also overtook Virat Kohli as the highest run-getter (407).

Banking on his experience of playing at the iconic venue during his long stint with Mumbai Indians, de Kock guided his team to becoming the first side to register three 350-plus scores in a single World Cup edition.

A couple of days ago, it hammered 143 runs in its last ten overs against England, and on a rather flat deck, South Africa extended its tally by a run against Bangladesh, despite wobbling at 36 for 2 inside eight overs.

Early on, Bangladesh showed intent as Shoriful Islam made good use of the new ball and castled Reeza Hendricks, while Rassie van der Dussen was trapped leg before by Mehidy Hasan Miraz.

However, the joy was short-lived as de Kock rebuilt with stand-in captain Aiden Markram (60, 69b, 7×4) and forged a 131-run partnership for the third wicket. The two got into the groove, played shots at will, adding to Bangladesh’s woes.

By the time, Markram mistimed a Shakib delivery and lofted it down to Litton Das at long-off, the foundation was laid for the middle-order to take things forward. Coming into the game from his assault against England, Klaasen hit Shakib for a six, and there was no looking back for him.

As the surface aided the batters, Klaasen continued his carnage – hitting Hasan Mahmud for a boundary and a six – and shortly after de Kock reached his century, both the batters sent Bangladesh bowlers on a leather hunt.

When a ‘tired’ de Kock finally departed amid standing ovation, South Africa needed to put the final touches to its innings and David Miller lived up to the expectations with a 14-ball-34.

Scoreboard

South Africa Innings: Quinton De Kock c Ahmed b Mahmud 174 Reeza Hendricks b Islam 12 Rassie van der Dussen lbw Miraz 1 Aiden Markram c Das b Shakib 60 Heinrich Klaasen c Mahmudullah b Mahmud 90 David Miller not out 34 Marco Jansen not out 1 Extras (LB-3, W-7) 10

Total (For Five Wickets In 50 overs) 382

Fall of Wickets: 1-33, 2-36, 3-167, 4-309, 5-374.

Bangladesh bowling: Mustafizur Rahman 9-0-76-0, Mehidy Hasan Miraz 9-0-44-1, Shoriful Islam 9-0-76-1, Shakib Al Hasan 9-0-69-1, Hasan Mahmud 6-0-67-2, Nasum Ahmed 5-0-27-0, Mahmudullah 3-0-20-0.

Bangladesh innings: Tanzid Hasan c Klaasen b Jansen 12 Litton Das lbw Rabada 22 Najmul Shanto c Klaasen b Jansen 0 Shakib Al Hasan c Klaasen b Williams 1 Mushfiqur Rahim c sub b Coetzee 8 Mahmudullah c Jansen b Coetzee 111 Mehidy Hasan Miraz c sub b Maharaj 11 Nasum Ahmed c&b Coetzee 19 Hasan Mahmud c Coetzee v Rabada 15 Mustafizur Rahman c Miller b Williams 11 Shoriful Islam (not out) 6 Extras (LB-2, NB-2, W-13) 17

Total (all out in 46.4 overs) 233

Fall of wickets: 1-30, 2-30, 3-31, 4-42, 5-58, 6-81, 7-122, 8-159, 9-227.

South Africa bowling: Marco Jansen 8-0-39-2, Lizaad Williams 8.4-1-56-2, Gerald Coetzee 10-0-62-3, Kagiso Rabada 10-1-42-2, Keshav Maharaj 10-0-32-1.

Australia’s Marcus Stoinis speaks to the umpire after losing his wicket, caught by South Africa’s Quinton de Kock off the bowling of Kagiso Rabada as Marnus Labuschagne looks on, during the ICC Cricket World Cup match in Lucknow on October 12, 2023
| Photo Credit: Reuters

Australia’s Marnus Labuschagne said the team would seek clarity from World Cup match officials about the controversial manner in which Marcus Stoinis was given out following a review in their heavy defeat by South Africa on Thursday.

All-rounder Stoinis was adjudged caught behind off a Kagiso Rabada delivery during the 18th over of Australia’s unsuccessful chase of 312 after a review of the call by the on-field umpire, despite the batsman’s bottom hand looking to be off the bat as the ball struck his glove.

Third umpire Richard Kettleborough adjudged that although Stoinis’ right glove was off the bat handle, it was in contact with the left one which was holding on to the bat. But TV replays appeared to show a gap between the gloves.

“The hand’s connected to his top hand, therefore in contact with the bat and we’ve got a clear spike,” Kettleborough said as he asked on-field umpire Joel Wilson to reverse his original decision and give the batsman out.

A shocked Stoinis spoke with the on-field umpires before eventually leaving for the dugout.

“It was certainly confusing and I’m sure we’ll get clarity or we’re going to seek for clarity because it’s a World Cup and we don’t want small decisions that can be avoided to change the outcomes of games,” Australia batsman Labuschagne said.

“Obviously, in the situation we were in it’s hard to say that it was going to change the outcome but for the future you certainly want to make sure we get them right.”

Labuschagne, whose 46 was the only notable score in the 134-run defeat, said Australia were disappointed at not putting up a fight in their loss to India in Chennai and again in Lucknow and sought a response when they meet Sri Lanka on Monday.

“I’d consider us one of the top sides and it’s disappointing that we haven’t competed in the last two games,” he added. “But we’ve got to make sure we’re learning from these scenarios.

“We faced probably two polar opposite extremes, heavy spin conditions against probably three of the best, well, two of the best spinners India’s ever produced and probably one of the best white ball spinners and then here against the seaming swinging ball against a team that’s also good in those conditions.

“So, we’ve got to get better and we’ve got to make sure that we come back stronger for the next fixture.”