Balogun's red card in the last-32 win over Bosnia and Herzegovina resulted in an automatic suspension for the match with Belgium. But FIFA stepped in and suspended his ban, leading to widespread condemnation, especially when it emerged that Trump had intervened by phoning Infantino.

The curtain has fallen on the 2026 FIFA World Cup, with Spain edging Argentina 1-0 in the final to lift their second world title, but football's biggest individual prize now takes centre stage.

Argentina head coach Lionel Scaloni could not hold back his emotions once again as he returned to his hometown of Pujato on Wednesday, where hundreds of supporters gathered to welcome him home despite La Albiceleste's heartbreaking defeat to Spain in the 2026 FIFA World Cup final.

A record nine Asian nations took part in the FIFA World Cup 2026, and while there were some high points along the way, it was ultimately an underwhelming tournament for the AFC representatives.

Yamal arrived at the World Cup carrying a hamstring injury that had ruled him out for parts of Barcelona’s LaLiga-winning campaign. The setback affected his early involvement for Spain, with head coach Luis De la Fuente carefully managing his minutes in the opening matches.

Arsenal and France defender William Saliba will be sidelined for an extended period after suffering a back injury during the World Cup, the Premier League club said on Wednesday.

Players representing Real Madrid scored a total of 22 goals, putting the Spanish giants comfortably at the top of the club goalscoring standings. Their contribution highlighted the quality and attacking strength of the club’s squad on the world stage.

The Spain captain, who won the Golden Ball after inspiring his country to its first FIFA World Cup 2026 triumph since 2010 earlier this summer, now faces another spell on the sidelines following two injury-hit seasons at City.

Uruguayan veteran Suarez captained Miami with Messi and fellow Argentine Rodrigo de Paul missing four days after Argentina lost 1-0 to Spain in the World Cup final.

The organization issued a statement following media reports that its president Claudio Tapia and treasurer Pablo Toviggino had been detained at New York's John F. Kennedy airport before boarding the flight transporting the national squad home after their loss to Spain Monday.

For the past few weeks, the people of Bangladesh have been captivated by one thing -- the 2026 FIFA World Cup.

The World Cup remains football’s biggest stage. It just isn’t the shop window it used to be.

Casemiro now joins forces with Lionel Messi and Luis Suarez, his former rivals at FC Barcelona.

FIFA has unveiled its official Team of the Tournament for the 2026 World Cup, with newly crowned champions Spain having the most representatives after their title-winning campaign.

Spain's midfield linchpin Rodri did not register a single goal or assist in eight matches as La Roja beat Argentina 1-0 after extra time in the World Cup final in New York on Monday to lift their second world title.

Ayala, however, played down the severity of the incident, describing it as a push rather than a punch.

Manchester City forward Phil Foden gave a boost to new boss Enzo Maresca by signing a four-year contract extension on Wednesday.

Asked whether the budget for the coach's salary could be increased in the case of Guardiola, he said: "Yes, and that is the exception for obvious reasons".

On one side stand the 2022 World Cup champions and three-time winners Argentina, proudly holding up pamphlets bearing the slogan "Us against the world" in bold red. On the other stand, well, the representatives of the other 47 teams at the tournament.

When Miguel de Cervantes wrote that "too much sanity may be madness," may be football was the last thing on his mind. Yet the history of Spanish football often seems to prove his point.