Football/Soccer 24 Hours

Last updated: June 23, 2026, 11:30 PM ET

World Cup Group Stage Drama & Knockout Picture

England's World Cup campaign faced criticism following a tepid 0-0 draw against Ghana, a result that leaves their hopes of topping Group L in the balance. Despite dominant statistics including more possession and shots, England failed to find the net, with Harry Kane missing a late chance that encapsulated their frustrating evening. Ghana boss Carlos Queiroz jokingly suggested the VAR system was on a break, implying England were fortunate to escape a penalty and red card. Manager Thomas Tuchel defended Jude Bellingham amidst a heated exchange with Queiroz, while footage also emerged of Djed Spence apparently not shaking hands with Ghana's Thomas Partey before the match. Meanwhile, Croatia secured their progression to the knockout rounds with a 1-0 victory over Panama, thanks to an Ante Budimir strike.

Individual Brilliance and Historic Feats

Cristiano Ronaldo cemented his legacy by becoming the first player to score in six different World Cup tournaments, emphatically answering his critics with a record-breaking performance. He netted two goals as Portugal thrashed Uzbekistan 5-0, reaffirming their World Cup credentials. In other individual milestones, Kylian Mbappé reached a century of caps for France, scoring his 16th World Cup goal in 16 games, while Lionel Messi celebrated his 39th birthday as a World Cup standout. The race for the Golden Boot is shaping up to be a memorable one, with Messi, Mbappé, and Erling Haaland setting a blistering pace. Haaland himself scored twice in Norway's 3-2 victory over Senegal, a win that clinched their spot in the knockout stages, setting up a "viral" celebration with his teammates.

Transfer Buzz and Club Business

In the women's game, Sweden forward Felicia Schröder has finalized a major transfer to Real Madrid from B.K. Häcken, in a deal described as "the most expensive transfer ever in women's football". Elsewhere, Chelsea are reportedly closing in on a deal for Atalanta defender Marco Palestra for a fee exceeding £43 million. Manchester United and Arsenal are tracking Alex Scott, with the Gunners also in contact with Leicester City regarding Jeremy Monga. Hearts are reportedly set to appoint Belgian Wouter Vrancken as their new head coach, while Aaron Ramsey has been appointed head coach of Oxford United. Gary O'Neil has been named the new manager of Ipswich on a three-year deal, and Scott Phelan has taken over as permanent head coach of Everton Women.

World Cup Logistics and Off-Field Matters

FIFA president Gianni Infantino stated that hydration breaks at the World Cup are "purely a sporting matter" and do not generate additional revenue for the organization, though he favors their inclusion in future tournaments. U.S. President Donald Trump is confirmed to present the World Cup final trophy in New Jersey on July. Authorities have seized over 300 unauthorized drones at World Cup sites across the United States. Iran's national team has been granted permission to enter the U.S. a day earlier than previously allowed for their final group game, facilitating better preparation. The integrity of the World Cup's final group stage matches has been questioned, with concerns that eight teams already eliminated may diminish the competitive intensity. FIFA is also working to prevent confusion with team kits, a lesson learned from a previous friendly where similar shirts caused issues. Behind the scenes, Senegal's World Cup campaign has been marred by reports of unpaid bonuses and food issues within the camp.