分类： sports

Arthur Smith stun West Terrace in NSC, BICO football competition

The National Sports Council BICO Primary Schools Football Competition delivered a dramatic round of quarterfinal matches this week, headlined by a stunning upset that saw defending champions West Terrace Primary crash out of the tournament at the hands of 2025 runners-up Arthur Smith Primary.

Played out before a buzzing crowd at the Greens pitch in St George, the highly anticipated clash ended in a decisive 2-0 win for Arthur Smith. The breakthrough came from a clinical strike by forward Giovanni Edwards, before a late own goal sealed the defending champions’ fate, sending Arthur Smith through to the tournament’s final four.

The day’s second quarterfinal fixture saw Milton Lynch Primary book their own semifinal spot with a narrow 1-0 victory over St Stephen’s Primary. The only goal of the tightly contested game came from Yashiro Brown, who found the back of the net in the decisive moment of the match. Milton Lynch’s goalkeeper Demetri Hope was captured celebrating the hard-earned win in post-match photos, credited to photographer ZM.

Two of the day’s fixtures went the distance, requiring penalty shootouts to separate evenly matched sides. The first was a battle between St Cyprians Primary and Wesley Hall Primary, which ended level at one goal apiece after full-time regulation. Christian Reid put St Cyprians on the scoreboard in regulation, while Zidane Hinds equalized for Wesley Hall to force penalties. St Cyprians held their nerve from the spot, converting four of their attempts to secure a 4-2 shootout win and a place in the next round.

The final quarterfinal tie between hosts St George Primary and Deacons Primary was another hard-fought contest that could not be decided in regulation or extra time. Armani Herbert opened the scoring for St George, before Emilio Morgan equalized for Deacons to make the score 1-1 after 90 minutes plus added extra time. No further goals were scored in extra time, sending the tie to penalties, where St George held on to secure a 3-1 shootout victory.

With the quarterfinals now complete, the semifinal matchups have been set for Thursday at the Wildey Technical Centre. St Cyprians will face off against Milton Lynch in the first semi, while Arthur Smith will take on surprise package St George Primary as the four remaining schools compete for a spot in the tournament final.

15 6 月, 2026
Derde helft WK 2026: België en Egypte niet verder dan een gelijkspel: 1-1

Group G’s international football clash between Belgium and Egypt at Seattle’s Stadium ended in a hard-fought 1-1 draw on Wednesday, with both sides creating a raft of clear-cut chances but failing to land a late winner that would have secured all three points. The fixture was overseen by Brazilian referee Ramon Abatti, and unfolded as a tightly contested battle across 90 minutes that kept spectators on edge until the final whistle.

After a slow, cautious opening phase where both teams tested each other’s defensive shape, the match picked up momentum rapidly as both sides pushed forward in search of an early breakthrough. For long stretches, the game was concentrated in the midfield, with neither defense willing to cede ground, though dangerous forays into the opponent’s penalty area came at regular intervals for both sides.

Egypt broke the deadlock shortly before the first hydration break, and held onto their 1-0 advantage deep into the second half. The first effort of note came from Belgium’s star playmaker Kevin De Bruyne, but his shot drifted wide of the target, leaving Egyptian goalkeeper Mostafa Shobeir untested. In the 20th minute, Emam Ashour put Egypt ahead with a powerful, precise strike from outside the penalty area that beat Belgium’s Thibaut Courtois, putting the African side in front.

Belgium threw everything forward in search of an equalizer, and thought they had leveled in the 31st minute when Youri Tielemans latched onto a perfectly delivered cross, only to miss the target with his effort. Just three minutes later, Mostafa Ziko had a golden chance to double Egypt’s lead, but Courtois pulled off a last-gasp save to keep the deficit at one for his side. Minutes later, Leandro Trossard found himself unmarked in a dangerous position but failed to make contact with the cross, wasting another big opportunity for the Red Devils.

In first-half stoppage time, Charles de Ketelaere teed up Jeremy Doku, but the Belgian winger dragged his uncontrolled effort over the crossbar. On the stroke of halftime, Courtois made a costly mistake when he came off his line to claim a cross but completely missed the ball, but no Egyptian striker was on hand to tap the ball into the empty net, and the sides went into the break with Egypt holding a narrow 1-0 lead.

The second half opened with another good chance for Egypt, but Belgium’s defense scrambled to block the effort and prevent the African side from extending their lead. Doku proved to be a constant threat for Egypt’s full-backs, who were forced to foul the pacey winger repeatedly to stop his runs. From one such resulting free kick in a dangerous area, De Bruyne’s strike crashed off the goalpost, leaving Belgium still trailing.

Shortly after that near miss, Ashour had a clear chance to double Egypt’s lead, but somehow poked his effort well wide of the target, much to the frustration of his side. Tielemans came close to leveling the score with a well-struck volley that whistled just past the post, and De Bruyne later had a golden chance to bring Belgium level, but his shot lacked power and was easily saved by Shobeir.

Belgium’s pressure grew after substitute Romelu Lukaku entered the game, and his physical presence stretched Egypt’s defense. The equalizer finally came in the 66th minute, when Egypt defender Mohamed Hany turned the ball past his own goalkeeper to level the score at 1-1.

Eight minutes before full time, Belgium had a chance to take the lead for the first time in the match, but Shobeir made a key save to keep the scores level. Both sides traded half-chances in the closing minutes of the fixture, but neither could find a late winning goal. When the final whistle blew, the two sides were forced to share the points, leaving Group G’s standings tight ahead of the remaining group stage fixtures.

15 6 月, 2026
Derde helft WK 2026: Spanje loopt averij op tegen Kaapverdië

In a stunning display of defensive resilience at Atlanta Stadium, tournament first-timers Cape Verde secured a hard-fought 0-0 draw against 2010 World Cup winners Spain, forcing the European giants to drop crucial points in their opening group stage fixture.

Spain entered the match without two of their most dynamic attacking talents, Lamine Yamal and Nico Williams. Head coach Luis de la Fuente opted to leave the star pair out of the starting lineup not due to any underestimation of Cape Verde’s capabilities, but because the duo had not yet regained full match fitness to complete 90 minutes of competitive play. On paper, Spain still possessed more than enough quality on the pitch and the bench to secure three points, but the underdogs had other plans.

From the opening kickoff, Spain dominated possession and pressed high up the pitch, immediately forcing Cape Verde into a turnover just 12 seconds after kickoff that cut short their first attacking attempt. The first major chance of the match fell to Barcelona midfield star Pedri, who tested Cape Verde captain and goalkeeper Vozinha with a well-struck effort from a tight angle in the early stages. For the opening 15 minutes, Spain controlled every phase of play, and it seemed only a matter of time before the 2010 champions broke the deadlock.

A second long-range effort from Pedri 15 minutes into the match was comfortably claimed by Vozinha, setting the tone for a standout performance between the sticks. Spain pushed hard for an early opening goal to force Cape Verde into an open, attacking game, but could not find the net before the first-half water break. The debutants carved out their first venture into Spain’s penalty area in the 27th minute, but the attack fizzled out without producing a shot on target.

Thirty minutes in, Spain finally carved open a clear goalscoring opportunity, only to be denied by last-ditch Cape Verde defending. In the 39th minute, Marc Cucurella beat Cape Verde’s offside trap and cut the ball back to Ferran Torres, who inexplicably rattled his effort off the crossbar. Mikel Oyarzabal rushed in for the rebound but could not convert the chance. A sustained wave of Spanish attacks followed, but Vozinha produced a string of spectacular saves to keep his sheet clean. On the stroke of halftime, Oyarzabal had arguably Spain’s best first-half chance to open the scoring, but Vozinha again produced a world-class save to keep the score level at the break.

The second half followed a nearly identical pattern: Spain dominated possession and created multiple clear-cut chances, but their attackers struggled with a lack of clinical finishing in front of goal. In the 53rd minute, Oyarzabal failed to capitalize on a huge mistake from Vozinha that left the goal gaping, wasting one of Spain’s best opportunities of the half. With 19 minutes left to play, de la Fuente turned to his injured stars, bringing on Lamine Yamal to inject fresh attacking energy and chase the winning goal. Nico Williams was introduced shortly after, but even the two star wingers could not unlock Cape Verde’s stubborn defense.

In the 88th minute, Yamal found substitute Dani Olmo in space, who squared the ball across the box to Oyarzabal. The Spanish forward, who had missed multiple clear chances all afternoon, failed to find the net once again, preserving Cape Verde’s hard-won clean sheet. When the final whistle blew, the scoreline remained 0-0 – the same as it had been when the match kicked off, handing Cape Verde a historic point against one of the world’s top football nations and dealing Spain an early setback in their tournament campaign.

15 6 月, 2026
2 Da Max win again in Coast 2 Coast netball

After years of stagnation, netball in Saint Lucia is showing clear signs of a comeback, driven by a resurgence of interest from lapsed senior athletes and a flood of new young talent eager to take up the sport. That is the optimistic assessment from Safiya Paul, Vice President of Netball Saint Lucia, shared shortly after the conclusion of the latest edition of the Coast 2 Coast Netball Tournament, held Saturday at the Vigie Multipurpose Sports Complex.

When the current executive committee took charge of the national governing body, organized local netball competition had ground to a halt. Reviving regional, district-level play through the Coast 2 Coast initiative became a top priority for the leadership, Paul explained. The program is designed to reach communities across every corner of the island, re-engage young people who drifted away from the sport, and inject new energy into netball at the grassroots level.

“Admittedly, netball was effectively dormant for a period here,” Paul said. “But now we’re back, putting in the work to strengthen the sport across every district and every region. Our core goal is to rebuild the tight-knit netball community that once existed on the island.”

The tournament’s only senior matchup of the day saw 2 Da Max Netball Academy go head-to-head against the Windward Islands School Games representative team. Though both squads were forced to adjust their lineups due to several key player absences, 2 Da Max leaned on their veteran experience and a relentless defensive strategy to secure a comfortable 45-30 victory. In another senior division result, LFX Ballers earned an automatic win and three extra points after the Shamrock team was forced to forfeit their scheduled fixture.

In the junior division, two squads continued their dominant runs through the tournament: Ruby Red Darlings and Little Sisters turned in standout performances once again. Little Sisters delivered a decisive 47-11 blowout against Shamrock Juniors, while Desruisseaux’s Darlings held off a late push from White Blazers to claim a narrow 17-13 win.

As the tournament uncovers promising new young talent across the island, the national netball federation is already preparing to roll out a formal grassroots development program in the near future. Paul noted that the greatest enthusiasm for netball right now is concentrated among young people, while many older, experienced players have stepped away from the sport in recent years. That is why the federation is centering its long-term strategy on youth development, to build a sustainable pipeline of talent that will carry Saint Lucia netball into the next generation.

“We’re starting from the ground up with young athletes,” Paul said. “This investment will ensure we have a steady stream of skilled netballers ready to compete at the highest level for years to come.”

15 6 月, 2026
Peace at Last? Iran’s Team Plays Tonight

On June 15, 2026, a highly anticipated men’s World Cup group stage match between Iran and New Zealand is set to kick off in Inglewood, Southern California, marking a rare intersection of global sports diplomacy and lingering geopolitical tension just 24 hours after the United States and Iran announced a breakthrough framework peace deal to end their active conflict and reopen the strategically critical Strait of Hormuz.

The road to this evening’s kickoff has been anything but smooth for the Iranian national squad. Multiple U.S. media outlets have documented the series of hurdles the team has faced since the outbreak of the U.S.-Iran conflict earlier this cycle. When hostilities first began, Iran was forced to relocate its entire training camp outside of U.S. territory to avoid disruption. More recently, several members of the team’s official traveling entourage were denied entry visas to the United States, with American officials citing concerns over “false pretences” on the visa applications, ABC News confirmed.

Even after securing enough clearance to compete in tonight’s match, political restrictions continue to shape the team’s itinerary. The Trump administration has rejected a request for the Iranian squad to stay overnight in the United States following the final whistle, meaning the entire delegation will be required to fly immediately across the border to Tijuana, Mexico immediately after the match concludes.

For their part, New Zealand enters the match as the lower-ranked side, sitting 85th in the latest FIFA global rankings, and comes into the tournament following a disappointing 4-0 loss to Haiti in a pre-tournament friendly. Despite the off-field political chaos surrounding their opponents, local soccer observers expect Iran to draw heavy, passionate support from the Southern California crowd, which is home to a large and engaged Iranian-American community.

Tonight’s fixture closes out a full day of World Cup action, with four matches scheduled across the day in local Belize time: Spain facing Cape Verde at 11 a.m., Belgium taking on Egypt at 2 p.m., Saudi Arabia clashing with Uruguay at 5 p.m., and the headline Iran-New Zealand match kicking off at 8 p.m.

15 6 月, 2026
La Clery, Vieux Fort South to contest Blackheart title match

The knockout phase of the 26th Blackheart / Saint Lucia Football Association Under-20 Tournament delivered two days of nail-biting semifinal action over the weekend, as the nation’s top four youth sides battled for a place in the title decider. When the final whistles blew, two teams – La Clery and Vieux Fort South – emerged victorious from tight, hard-fought contests to book their spots in next weekend’s championship match at Soufrière Stadium. Notably, both semifinal matchups were rematches of zonal finals held earlier in the 2025 tournament, adding an extra layer of competitive tension to the weekend’s fixtures.

The first semifinal kicked off on Saturday at Soufrière Stadium, where hometown side and Southern Zone champions Soufrière hosted Vieux Fort South. The visiting side drew first blood in the 21st minute, when striker Obafami Poyotte found the back of the net to put Vieux Fort South up 1-0. Soufrière responded before the break, however, as Cassian Jn Baptiste scored the equalizing goal just moments before halftime, resetting the scoreline heading into the second half.

The remainder of the match was a tightly contested affair, with neither squad able to seize sustained control of possession or create a clear go-ahead chance until late in regulation. With 13 minutes left to play, Vieux Fort South forward Kelvin Sylvester made a well-timed attacking run, drew the Soufrière goalkeeper off his line, and slotted home the game-winner to secure his side’s place in the final, with the match ending 2-1.

The second semifinal took place on Sunday at the Francis Baba Lastic Grounds, where zonal champions Gros Islet faced off against La Clery on home turf. Despite missing their starting key midfielder Shevon Byron, who was suspended after receiving a red card in the quarterfinal round, the home side dominated large swathes of the match, particularly in the opening 45 minutes. Even with their sustained attacking pressure, Gros Islet could not break through for a goal, and the two sides went into halftime deadlocked at 0-0.

Gros Islet finally made their possession count in the second half, when a second-half substitution paid off immediately. In the 70th minute, forward Rickelme Lionel converted a powerful cross to put the home side ahead 1-0, putting them on the brink of a spot in the final. For the remainder of regulation, Gros Islet controlled play with sharp, intricate passing that stretched La Clery’s defense across the full width of the pitch, and the 1-0 scoreline held deep into stoppage time.

But La Clery refused to concede, and capitalized on a rare counter-attack to earn a corner kick just four minutes into added time. Defender Alex Devaux converted the set piece opportunity to level the scores, sending the match to a penalty shootout to decide the winner. La Clery’s goalkeeper delivered a game-winning performance in the shootout, making a critical final save to secure a 5-4 penalty win for his side, capping off a stunning late comeback against the tournament favorites.

Speaking to reporters after the weekend’s matches, Blackheart CEO David “Shakes” Christopher praised the intensity and quality of the two semifinals. “This was a terrific weekend of youth football,” he said. “We saw a thrilling match between Soufrière and Vieux Fort South, where Soufrière unfortunately fell just short, then we had a very tight, fascinating match in Gros Islet where La Clery edged the home side.”

The championship final is scheduled for June 20 at Soufrière Stadium, where La Clery will battle Vieux Fort South for the tournament title and a grand prize of $30,000. Ahead of the final, third place will be decided between the two losing semifinalists, Soufrière and Gros Islet.

Christopher noted that reformatting the 26th edition of the tournament as an Under-20-only competition has been a resounding success, calling the decision a strategic new direction for the event. “This has been a great new experience, a new vision for the tournament,” he explained. “I think the public has reacted really well to the vision, and they’ve embraced it. We saw massive attendance at both venues this weekend, and that proves that the future of football in Saint Lucia is in good hands. We just need to keep coming out to support these young athletes.”

Christopher also issued an appeal to corporate entities across Saint Lucia to step up and support the tournament ahead of the final. “We need to call on corporate Saint Lucia to come on board and support these young men,” he said. “Even if you can’t contribute a large prize, every bit helps. Put something on the table, make a donation, add to the prize pool, and let’s make this a wonderful final for everyone involved.”

15 6 月, 2026
Grenadians leave their mark at 2026 NCAA Division I Championships

Three standout track and field athletes from the Caribbean nation of Grenada have etched their names into collegiate sports history, earning prestigious All-American honors at the 2026 NCAA Division I Outdoor Track and Field Championships, hosted at Oregon’s iconic Hayward Field between June 10 and 13.

All-American distinctions, awarded annually by the U.S. Track and Field and Cross Country Coaches Association (USTFCCCA), rank among the most sought-after accolades in U.S. collegiate track and field. To earn First-Team status, an athlete must secure a top-eight finish in their event final, while Second-Team honors go to competitors who place between 9th and 16th overall. With more than 20,000 student-athletes competing across NCAA Division I programs nationwide, landing a spot in the top 16 of any discipline cements an athlete’s place among the elite of collegiate track and field. All three Grenadian athletes earned their places at the national championships after navigating grueling regional preliminary rounds that narrowed the national final field to just 24 top competitors per event.

Nazzio John, who competes for Ohio State University, was the only male Grenadian athlete to qualify for the 2026 championships, participating in both relay and individual sprint events. In the men’s 4×100-meter relay, John joined teammates Dominic Calhoun, Kyler Brown, and Braxton Brann to lead the Ohio State Buckeyes to a third-place podium finish with a final time of 38.44 seconds, trailing only the teams from the University of Tennessee and Louisiana State University. This podium placement earned the entire relay team First-Team All-American honors.

In his individual event, John competed in the men’s 200-meter dash, where he faced off against some of the fastest young sprinters in the country. The Grenadian national senior record holder crossed the finish line in 20.40 seconds, good for 10th overall in the semifinal rounds. Though he narrowly missed advancing to the nine-athlete final, his top-16 national ranking earned him individual Second-Team All-American honors.

Two more Grenadian national record holders, both competing in women’s field events, closed out their 2026 collegiate seasons with Second-Team All-American placements of their own. Jamora Alves, representing St. John’s University, competed in the women’s discus throw final, recording a top throw of 54.95 meters on her second attempt to finish 14th overall, closing out her collegiate career with the Red Storm on a high note. Kelsie Murrel-Ross, competing for the University of Georgia in the women’s shot put final, notched a best throw of 17.02 meters to secure 11th place overall.

The results from Eugene cap off the 2026 domestic collegiate season for Grenada’s top emerging track and field talents competing at U.S. colleges. All three athletes will now shift their focus to upcoming international competitions, including the 2026 Central American and Caribbean (CAC) Games and Commonwealth Games, both scheduled to take place in August 2026.

15 6 月, 2026
Serena Williams defeated in Berlin ahead of Wimbledon return

BERLIN, Germany — Just hours after officially confirming she will team up with sister Venus for Wimbledon doubles, 44-year-old tennis icon Serena Williams faced a straight-set exit at the Berlin Open on Tuesday. Williams and her Czech partner Karolina Muchova fell 6-4, 6-4 to the pairing of Giuliana Olmos of Mexico and New Zealand’s Erin Routliffe, in only Williams’ second outing since her surprise comeback announcement earlier this month.

The opening set slipped away from Williams and Muchova after Williams dropped serve in her second service game. In the second set, a mid-set break of Muchova’s serve proved decisive, leaving the pair unable to mount a comeback and close out the match in Olmos and Routliffe’s favor.

Despite the loss, Williams offered a notably positive assessment of her physical performance post-match. “I felt pretty good out there. I felt actually more nimble and more sturdy and quicker than the first match in Queens,” she told reporters, adding that she felt solid overall in terms of physical conditioning and speed — two attributes she noted are critical for fast-paced grass court play.

This Berlin run marks Williams’ second tournament appearance since she ended a two-year retirement and announced her return to competitive tennis in June. Her first comeback match at London’s Queen’s Club last week ended in a opening-round win, but her run was cut short when doubles partner Victoria Mboko suffered an injury that forced the pair to withdraw.

When asked why she opted to pair with Muchova, a top Czech player, for the Berlin event, Williams delivered a characteristically witty response: “Czech players have given me nothing but trouble throughout my whole career. So if you can’t beat them, join them.”

The 23-time Grand Slam singles champion originally stepped away from professional tennis in 2022, saying she wanted to prioritize time with her family. When she announced her comeback, she cited a desire to compete in front of her two young daughters as the core motivation for her return.

Though flashes of the dominant power game that made Williams a generational force in women’s tennis for 20 years were visible on court, the nearly four-year break from full-time competition left Williams searching for rhythm, particularly in the early stages of the match. She steadily improved as the contest progressed, however, refining her footwork and unleashing the blistering serve and powerful forehand that were the hallmarks of her historic career.

With the All England Club set to name one final singles wildcard for Wimbledon, which kicks off on June 29, speculation has mounted that Williams could pursue a singles run at the iconic Grand Slam. The tennis legend quickly shut down those rumors, however. “You think I’m ready for singles?” she asked reporters. “I need to get to work.”

Williams last claimed a Grand Slam singles title at the 2017 Australian Open, and her most recent Wimbledon singles win came in 2016. When she takes the court at Wimbledon next month alongside Venus, the pair will be defending a legendary doubles legacy: together, the Williams sisters have claimed 14 Grand Slam doubles crowns, six of which have come at the London grass court major.

15 6 月, 2026
Fearsome France begin World Cup wary of overconfidence

EAST RUTHERFORD, U.S. – As top-tier favorites gunning for their third FIFA World Cup title following back-to-back final appearances, France faces a stern opening test against Senegal on Tuesday – a fixture that carries decades-old warnings of how overconfidence can derail even the most talented squads.

The echoes of 2002 still ring in French football memory. Entering that Japan and South Korea-hosted tournament as heavy favorites to defend their 1998 crown, Les Bleus suffered a devastating 1-0 opening defeat to Senegal in Seoul. Plagued by a key injury to legendary playmaker Zinedine Zidane, France never bounced back, crashing out of the group stage in humiliating fashion without registering a single goal across three matches.

Didier Deschamps, who captained France’s 1998 World Cup-winning and 2000 European Championship-winning squads before retiring from international play, was not part of that 2002 disappointment. Now, 22 years later, the 55-year-old manager stands on the cusp of ending an unprecedented 11-year tenure in charge of the national side, stepping down from his post once this tournament concludes. Deschamps understands better than most that the mindset his star-studded squad brings to their opening kickoff at MetLife Stadium, with Manhattan’s iconic skyline visible just beyond the stadium walls, will make all the difference.

Speaking to reporters on the eve of the match at the venue, Deschamps emphasized that while the opening fixture carries significant weight, it is not make-or-break for France’s campaign. “Starting with a win in a four-team group is ideal and always the objective,” he said. “But the one thing we can’t measure or quantify is the emotional aspect. Some players might tense up with the atmosphere around the match. The ideal thing is to be focused but also relaxed.”

Deschamps was clear in his assessment of Tuesday’s opposition, calling Senegal “a very, very high-level opponent.” He also reaffirmed the discomfort he expressed weeks earlier with widespread media and fan predictions that France will automatically advance to the July 19 tournament final. “People are already talking about us being there on July 19 and I don’t really like that, not at all in fact,” he said. “Yes we might be one of the best teams, but I know only too well that there are important steps before you can think about going that far.”

France touched down at their U.S. training base in Boston last Wednesday, coming off a confident 3-1 victory over Northern Ireland in their final warm-up friendly that saw young standout Michael Olise net a hat-trick. Even so, the side received a wake-up call just days before that win, dropping their first match in a full year with a 2-1 home defeat to Ivory Coast.

Over the past seven World Cup tournaments, France has advanced to the final four times, lifting the trophy twice and falling just short twice, both losses coming via penalty shootout. They claimed the title in 2018 in Russia, then lost a dramatic final to Argentina on penalties in the 2022 Qatar edition.

Since Qatar, Les Bleus have integrated a wave of exciting new talent into their squad, headlined by Olise. The London-born Bayern Munich playmaker is set to feature in the number 10 role, forming a devastating attacking trio alongside Ballon d’Or winner Ousmane Dembele on the right flank and captain Kylian Mbappe leading the line up front.

Mbappe, the Real Madrid superstar, will earn his 99th cap against Senegal and enters the match level with Brazilian legend Pele as the sixth-highest all-time leading goal scorer in World Cup history, with 12 goals. Only Miroslav Klose, Ronaldo Nazario, Gerd Mueller, Just Fontaine, and Lionel Messi sit above Mbappe on the rankings. The French captain netted four goals in 2018 and eight more in 2022, including a historic hat-trick in the Qatar final.

France’s depth in attack is one of their biggest strengths, with additional options including Rayan Cherki, Bradley Barcola, Desire Doue, Marcus Thuram, Jean-Philippe Mateta and Maghnes Akliouche. At the back, William Saliba and Dayot Upamecano form one of the tournament’s most physically imposing center-back pairings, while Aurelien Tchouameni of Real Madrid anchors a hard-tackling, dynamic midfield.

Veteran midfielder N’Golo Kante, 35, is one of just three remaining members of the 2018 World Cup-winning squad in this year’s roster, and he says the current campaign feels like a entirely new experience. “This is my second World Cup. In 2018 it was all new and it was beautiful to win it. This time it’s different,” he said. “We have new players, but it is still just as beautiful. And I really want to make the most of it and win again.”

Ranked among the top four teams in the FIFA rankings, France earned a seeded spot in the draw, but their path out of Group I is far from guaranteed. After facing Senegal, they will take on underdog Iraq before closing out group play against Erling Haaland’s Norway – a tough group where even a moment of complacency can lead to early elimination.

The full slate of matches scheduled for Tuesday kicks off with the France-Senegal clash at 2:00 pm local time, followed by Iraq against Norway at 5:00 pm. In Group J, Argentina will face Algeria at 8:00 pm, and Austria will take on Jordan at 11:00 pm.

15 6 月, 2026
Infantino celebrates ‘1 million fans’ so far at World Cup matches

LOS ANGELES – Just six days after the historic expanded 48-team FIFA World Cup kicked off across the United States, Canada and Mexico, FIFA President Gianni Infantino announced a striking early milestone: more than one million fans have already passed through stadium turnstiles to watch the tournament’s matches.

Infantino shared the milestone with his social media followers on Instagram Tuesday, expressing enthusiastic gratitude for the ongoing turnout from fans around the world. “Wow! 1 million fans in stadiums!” he wrote in the post, adding that the packed crowds had turned this iteration of the men’s World Cup into the most inclusive edition in the tournament’s history. “A huge thank you to all our passionate supporters who continue to fill the stadiums — you have brought the most inclusive FIFA World Cup to life,” his post read.

As of Infantino’s announcement, 16 of the tournament’s 104 total scheduled matches have been completed across the three host nations. The landmark 1 million fan mark comes despite widespread controversy that marred the lead-up to the first-of-its-kind expanded World Cup. Leading up to kickoff last Thursday, tournament organizers faced fierce backlash over exorbitant match ticket prices that put attendance out of reach for many casual fans. Additionally, strict U.S. visa entry policies created significant barriers for fans from several countries, preventing many supporters from traveling to the North American tournament to see their teams compete.

The early attendance milestone offers a point of optimism for FIFA as the tournament enters its second week of group-stage play, even as organizers continue to address the pre-existing concerns that overshadowed the tournament’s opening.

15 6 月, 2026