South Africa Reach First Ever World Cup Knockout Stage
Thapelo Maseko's second-half strike beats South Korea 1-0 and sends Hugo Broos's side into a last-32 tie with co-hosts Canada.
Daniel Fletcher 4 min read
World Cup
The World Cup page follows the tournament's firsts and flashpoints. Milestones lead: Messi breaking the men's scoring record as Argentina reach the knockouts, Haaland's double sending Norway through for the first time since 1998, and South Africa reaching their first ever knockout stage. England's campaign under Tuchel runs throughout, from injury checks on James and Rice to the reliance on Saka. Around the football sit the stories the tournament creates — a rainbow-trimmed robe turning a rights message global, a crowd incident in Mexico prompting safety questions, and the Sidemen-BBC watchalong era.
Rainbow-trimmed robe at World Cup turns rights message into global story
Exiled Qatari doctor Nasser Mohamed used a traditional bisht with rainbow trim to make a peaceful call for equal rights at the tournament.
Daniel Fletcher 4 min read
England injury checks on James and Rice shape Panama selection under Tuchel
Thomas Tuchel faces fresh fitness questions before England's World Cup group game against Panama, with Reece James reporting hamstring tightness and Declan Rice still being managed.
Daniel Fletcher 4 min read
Bellingham escapes punishment as FIFA mouth-cover rule explained
The England midfielder avoided sanction after covering his mouth in conversation, with FIFA guidance aimed at confrontational exchanges.
Daniel Fletcher 4 min read
Sidemen and BBC take World Cup viewing into the watchalong era
BBC Sport teams up with the Sidemen for a live watchalong of Ecuador v Germany, blending influencer reaction with public-service coverage.
Sophie Bennett 4 min read
Mexico World Cup crowd incident prompts safety questions
A vehicle hit a crowd in Cabo San Lucas after Mexico's win over Czechia, turning celebrations into a public-safety story.
Marcus Reeve 3 min read
Haaland's double sends Norway into the World Cup knockout stage for the first time since 1998
A 3-2 win over Senegal carried Norway into the last 32 and level with France in Group I, with Erling Haaland and Martin Odegaard turning a tournament campaign into a genuine run.
Daniel Fletcher 5 min read
France storm past Iraq after a two-hour weather delay as Mbappe marks 100th cap with a brace
A chaotic, thunderstorm-hit night in Philadelphia ended in a clear 3-0 win that sent France into the knockout stage, with Kylian Mbappe scoring twice and Ousmane Dembele adding his first major-tournament goal.
Daniel Fletcher 5 min read
Messi breaks the World Cup men's scoring record as Argentina reach the knockout phase
Two goals against Austria moved Lionel Messi past Miroslav Klose as the tournament's all-time leading scorer, sealing the holders' progress in a record-equalling sixth World Cup for the 38-year-old.
Daniel Fletcher 5 min read
Tuchel says England need Saka but cannot rely on him alone for goals
After a flat goalless draw with Ghana, the England head coach admits his side must find more creativity rather than lean on Bukayo Saka.
Daniel Fletcher 3 min read
Reece James a fitness worry for England before Panama World Cup clash
Hamstring tightness for the Chelsea full-back hands Thomas Tuchel a right-back decision as England chase top spot in the group.
Daniel Fletcher 3 min read
Cristiano Ronaldo becomes first man to score at six World Cups
The Portugal forward's latest tournament goal added another record to one of football's longest international careers, reportedly making him the first player to score across six men's World Cups.
Daniel Fletcher 3 min read
Harry Kane Turns England's Focus To Panama As Tuchel's Side Eye Last 32
After a frustrating goalless draw with Ghana, the England captain says reaching the knockouts matters more than style as Thomas Tuchel's side seek sharper attacking rhythm against Panama.
Daniel Fletcher 4 min read
Tartan Army Turns Miami's Ocean Drive Into A Scotland World Cup Party
Scottish supporters transformed Miami's Ocean Drive into a World Cup gathering point before the Brazil game, giving Scotland's campaign a vivid fan-culture dimension of music, travel and national identity.
Daniel Fletcher 3 min read
World Cup third-place table reshapes the race for the last 32
The expanded format has turned the standings of best third-placed teams into a central storyline, with British interest in the permutations.
Daniel Fletcher 4 min read
ITV builds a World Cup ratings lead over the BBC
Reports say the commercial broadcaster is drawing larger audiences than the BBC for key tournament moments, raising the stakes for advertisers and rights buyers.
Sophie Bennett 3 min read
Emma Hayes Turns ITV Tribute to Her Father Into a Statement on Football Punditry
The US women's coach used her latest ITV World Cup appearance to honour her late father, reframing a week clouded by a sexist 'kitchen' jibe into a broader case for why representation in broadcast teams matters.
Daniel Fletcher 5 min read
Cape Verde draw with Uruguay to keep World Cup fairytale alive
A 2-2 draw with two-time winners Uruguay leaves debutants Cape Verde unbeaten and still in contention for the knockout stage, with their final group game now carrying real stakes.
Daniel Fletcher 4 min read
BBC podcast outpaces Lineker's Netflix show in World Cup digital battle
Early figures suggest the BBC's Football Daily is drawing bigger audio and video numbers than Gary Lineker's Netflix-backed daily tournament show.
Sophie Bennett 4 min read
Spence turns Tuchel training flashpoint into a World Cup lesson
The Tottenham full-back has played down a viral training-ground exchange with England manager Thomas Tuchel, framing it as instruction rather than embarrassment.
Daniel Fletcher 4 min read
Norway Edge Senegal in Five-Goal World Cup Thriller
Erling Haaland scored twice as Norway reached the knockout stage for the first time since 1998 with a 3-2 win in New Jersey.
Daniel Fletcher 4 min read
World Cup kicks off as Mexico beat South Africa in Azteca opener
The expanded 48-team tournament, jointly hosted by Mexico, the United States and Canada, began with a 2-0 home win for Mexico in Mexico City.
Marcus Reeve 7 min read