FIFA World Cup

Trump warns FIFA against ousting Infantino amid World Cup sales crisis

President Donald Trump inserted himself into a growing crisis atop world soccer on Monday, warning that FIFA would make a "terrible mistake" if it moved to oust president Gianni Infantino, who faces mounting pressure from three major confederations over a…

World Cup drove $20B in crypto prediction market bets, Chainalysis reports

The 2026 FIFA World Cup generated $20 billion in blockchain prediction market volume from January through the tournament's conclusion, according to a July 30 report from Chainalysis. The figure marks one of the largest single-event contributions to onchain trading activity…

World Cup bettors wagered $14B on prediction markets as manipulation concerns mount

Football fans wagered more than $14 billion on the 2026 FIFA World Cup through prediction markets Polymarket and Kalshi, according to an analysis published Wednesday by Bellingcat, underscoring the explosive growth of an industry now facing mounting questions about its…

Adidas shares plunge on profit miss despite record Q2 sales

Adidas shares tumbled as much as 17.9% on Thursday in Frankfurt — their sharpest single-day drop in over a decade — after the German sportswear giant reported second-quarter operating profit that fell well short of expectations despite delivering record revenue…

Adidas raises full-year sales forecast after record Q2

Adidas on Thursday raised its full-year 2026 revenue growth forecast after posting record quarterly net sales of €6.7 billion in the second quarter, fueled by the FIFA World Cup and surging demand for the German sportswear maker's latest collections.

Spain’s Olmo calls Argentina coach a liar over World Cup brawl apology

FIFA president Gianni Infantino is facing mounting criticism after a leaked letter revealed he praised Argentina's "professionalism" during the 2026 World Cup — despite the governing body simultaneously investigating the team for a violent post-match brawl following the final against…

Argentina assistant Ayala apologizes for World Cup final brawl with Spain’s Olmo

Argentina assistant coach Roberto Ayala apologized on Wednesday for his altercation with Spain midfielder Dani Olmo in the chaotic aftermath of the 2026 World Cup final, as FIFA continues its investigation into the post-match brawl that marred Spain's 1-0 extra-time…

YouTube drew 1.7B viewers for World Cup, Pichai says

Google Alphabet Inc. CEO Sundar Pichai announced on Wednesday that the 2026 FIFA World Cup became YouTube's most-viewed World Cup ever, with more than 1.7 billion unique global viewers watching tournament-related videos on the platform during the competition.

Milei mocked for ‘victory’ post after Argentina’s World Cup final loss

Argentine President Javier Milei became the target of widespread ridicule on social media after posting a celebratory message on X declaring a "WORLD CELEBRATION" and a national holiday following Argentina's 1-0 extra-time loss to Spain in the 2026 FIFA World…

World Cup tourism fell far short of forecasts across host nations

As the 2026 FIFA World Cup concluded with its final at MetLife Stadium on July 19, early assessments from host cities across North America reveal a patchwork of tourism outcomes — with some cities reporting spending boosts and others seeing…

2026 World Cup draws 6.8 million fans, shattering records

The 2026 FIFA World Cup ended Sunday with Spain defeating Argentina in the final at MetLife Stadium, capping a tournament that shattered attendance records and positioned FIFA to generate unprecedented revenue from the expanded 48-team format held across the United…

Clashes erupt in Buenos Aires after Argentina’s World Cup final loss to Spain

Violent clashes broke out near Buenos Aires' iconic Obelisk monument on Sunday night after Argentina's 1-0 defeat to Spain in the 2026 FIFA World Cup final, as thousands of heartbroken fans turned on police in scenes reminiscent of the unrest…

Spain claims record $50M prize after World Cup win

Spain's 1-0 victory over Argentina in Sunday's World Cup final at MetLife Stadium in New Jersey secured La Roja a $50 million champion's payout, the largest single prize in FIFA tournament history. The defending champions Argentina received $33 million as…

World Cup final halftime show draws backlash as break nearly doubles allowed time

The first-ever FIFA World Cup final halftime show, held during Sunday's match between Spain and Argentina at MetLife Stadium in New Jersey, has sparked a fierce backlash from football purists who argue it disrupted the rhythm of the game and…

Spain beats Argentina 1-0 in World Cup final amid debate over soccer’s American makeover

Spain's 1-0 victory over Argentina in Saturday's final at MetLife Stadium brought the curtain down on the 2026 FIFA World Cup, but the debate over what the tournament means for the future of the sport is only beginning. In a…

Spain to parade World Cup trophy through Madrid

Thousands of fans flooded the streets of Madrid and Barcelona overnight after Spain defeated Argentina 1-0 in the 2026 FIFA World Cup final on Sunday, with the newly crowned champions set to return home Monday to a heroes' welcome expected…

Argentina players spark brawl after World Cup final loss

Spain's crowning as World Cup champions for a second time was overshadowed by ugly scenes at MetLife Stadium on Sunday, as Argentina players lashed out at their opponents following a 1-0 defeat in extra time.

Spain wins World Cup as FIFA debuts halftime show

The 2026 FIFA World Cup Final between Spain and Argentina on Sunday at MetLife Stadium in East Rutherford, New Jersey, made history with the tournament's first-ever halftime show and a pregame closing ceremony, bringing a Super Bowl-style spectacle to soccer's…

Trump jeered at World Cup final presenting trophy to Spain

President Donald Trump walked onto the pitch at MetLife Stadium on Sunday evening to co-present the FIFA World Cup trophy to Spain and was met with loud jeers from the crowd of more than 80,000 in East Rutherford, New Jersey.…

Spain wins 2026 World Cup with extra-time goal over Argentina

Spain claimed their second FIFA World Cup title on Sunday, defeating Argentina 1-0 in extra time at MetLife Stadium in East Rutherford, New Jersey. Substitute Ferran Torres broke the deadlock in the 106th minute, sending the Spanish bench into delirium…

BTS caps record Paris concerts with World Cup halftime show

BTS closed the European leg of their "Arirang" world tour with two sold-out concerts at the Stade de France in Paris on July 17 and 18, drawing a combined 184,000 fans and setting a new attendance record in the group's…

World Cup final heads to extra time after Spain, Argentina play to 0-0

The 2026 FIFA World Cup final between Spain and Argentina ended regulation time at 0-0 on Sunday at MetLife Stadium in East Rutherford, New Jersey, sending the showpiece match to extra time in front of more than 80,000 spectators.

Messi joins Cafu as only player with three World Cup finals

Lionel Messi stepped onto the pitch at MetLife Stadium in East Rutherford, New Jersey, on Sunday to cap one of the most remarkable careers in football history, becoming only the second player ever to appear in three men's World Cup…

World Cup final makes history with first-ever halftime show

The 2026 FIFA World Cup Final between Spain and Argentina at MetLife Stadium in East Rutherford, New Jersey, is making history today not only on the pitch but at the break, as the tournament hosts the first-ever halftime show in…

Tom Cruise debuts ‘Digger’ character at World Cup final ceremony

Warner Bros. Pictures released promotional videos timed to the FIFA World Cup 2026 final, featuring Tom Cruise fully in character as oil tycoon Digger Rockwell from his upcoming comedy "Digger," directed by Alejandro G. Iñárritu.

Spain and Argentina set for World Cup final at MetLife Stadium

The 2026 FIFA World Cup reaches its conclusion Sunday afternoon when Spain face defending champions Argentina at MetLife Stadium in East Rutherford, New Jersey, with kickoff set for 3 p.m. local time. The match pits the tournament's most dominant defensive…

FIFA expects record $15B in World Cup revenue

The 2026 FIFA World Cup, which concludes Sunday with the final between Spain and Argentina at MetLife Stadium in East Rutherford, New Jersey, has become the most lucrative sporting event in football history. FIFA is set to announce record revenues…

Latin America roots against Argentina ahead of World Cup final

As Argentina prepares to face Spain in Sunday's World Cup final at MetLife Stadium in East Rutherford, New Jersey, fans across Latin America have broken from the tradition of continental solidarity and lined up behind the European side — turning…

Messi vs. Yamal headlines World Cup final Sunday

Argentina and Spain will meet at MetLife Stadium in East Rutherford, New Jersey, on Sunday for the 2026 FIFA World Cup final, a match that pits 39-year-old Lionel Messi against 19-year-old Lamine Yamal in what many are calling the most…

Saka hat trick powers England past France 6-4 in World Cup bronze match

Bukayo Saka scored a hat trick as England defeated France 6-4 in a thrilling 2026 FIFA World Cup third-place match at Hard Rock Stadium in Miami on Saturday, securing England's best World Cup finish since their 1966 title.