Stories
Match reports, analysis and opinion — how it all went down.
News‘Not for sale’: UEFA’s 55 nations vote to boycott FIFA over a $20bn sell-off
UEFA’s 55 member nations have voted unanimously to boycott all future FIFA competitions, the World Cup included, in protest at Gianni Infantino’s plan to sell a stake in a new $20bn commercial arm to private investors led by Joshua Kushner’s Thrive Eternal. Europe says the game “is not for sale”; Infantino has offered every federation $20 million to approve the deal by September 19. KFF on football’s civil war, and the impossible choice now facing Africa.
🗓 Fri, 31 Jul ·3 min read
NewsThe $15 billion World Cup: FIFA's record haul, and who really pays for it
FIFA has banked a record 15 billion dollars from the 2026 World Cup, the expanded 48-team tournament and the vast American market driving unprecedented broadcast, sponsorship and ticketing revenue, roughly double the last cycle. It has reopened the oldest question in the game: where does all that money go, and who foots the bill? KFF on the business of the beautiful game, from a Kenyan point of view.
🗓 Sun, 26 Jul ·3 min read
NewsSpain are champions of the world: La Roja conquer as Messi's fairytale ends
Spain are world champions, beating Argentina 1-0 after extra time to win the 2026 World Cup. Ferran Torres's extra-time winner sealed a masterclass in which Argentina failed to register a shot on target; Spain become the first nation to hold the men's and women's World Cups at once. Lionel Messi's last World Cup ends without the crown, and Kylian Mbappé takes the Golden Boot. KFF on a tournament we will never forget.
🗓 Sun, 19 Jul ·2 min read
Match reportChampions of the world: Spain outclass Argentina and break Messi's heart in the final
Spain are champions of the world. Substitute Ferran Torres struck the only goal in extra time as Spain beat Argentina 1-0 to win their second World Cup and end Lionel Messi's fairytale. Spain were utterly dominant, Argentina failing to muster a single shot on target and surviving only through Emiliano Martínez's record 11 saves, before Ferran's 106th-minute winner. Enzo Fernández was sent off; Mbappé, watching from home, takes the Golden Boot.
🗓 Sun, 19 Jul · 22:00 EAT ·3 min read
Match reportSix of the best: England win a 10-goal bronze thriller as Mbappé seizes the Golden Boot
England beat France 6-4 in a breathless third-place play-off, the highest-scoring match of the tournament, to take bronze. Bukayo Saka scored a hat-trick and England led 4-0 before a Kylian Mbappé brace hauled France back to 4-3; Saka's penalty and a Jude Bellingham goal settled it. Mbappé's double took him to 10 for the tournament and the outright Golden Boot lead, one day before Messi's final.
🗓 Sun, 19 Jul · 00:00 EAT ·2 min read
Match reportMessi the maestro drags Argentina to the final as England fall late again
Argentina came from behind to beat England 2-1 in Atlanta and reach the World Cup final, Lionel Messi the man of the match with assists for both goals. Anthony Gordon had given England a second-half lead against the run of play, but Enzo Fernández equalised with a long-range strike and Lautaro Martínez headed a stoppage-time winner, both created by Messi. Argentina meet Spain in the final; England face France for third.
🗓 Wed, 15 Jul · 22:00 EAT ·3 min read
Match reportYamal and Spain silence the favourites to reach a first World Cup final since 2010
Spain reached their first World Cup final since 2010, comfortably beating tournament favourites France 2-0 in Dallas. Teenager Lamine Yamal won a first-half penalty that Mikel Oyarzabal converted, and Pedro Porro doubled the lead after the break with a slick finish. Kylian Mbappé was kept quiet as France, for all their possession and shots, were outclassed. Spain await the winner of England and Argentina.
🗓 Tue, 14 Jul · 22:00 EAT ·2 min read
NewsIn memoriam: Jayden Adams, South Africa and Mamelodi Sundowns midfielder, dies at 25
South African football is in mourning after the death of Jayden Adams, the Mamelodi Sundowns and Bafana Bafana midfielder, at the age of 25, only weeks after he represented his country at the 2026 World Cup. KFF joins the football family in sending its condolences to his family, his club and his nation. Rest in peace.
🗓 Sun, 12 Jul ·2 min read
NewsThe final four: France-Spain and England-Argentina set up a World Cup for the ages
The World Cup has its last four, and it is a heavyweight: France v Spain and England v Argentina. The African dream is over; what remains is a collision of giants, from the Maradona-shadowed grudge of England-Argentina and Messi's possible last dance against the old enemy, to the pure-football feast of France-Spain and the Messi-Mbappé Golden Boot duel. KFF previews the semis.
🗓 Sun, 12 Jul ·2 min read
Match reportÁlvarez the artist: Argentina survive 10-man Switzerland to set up an England semi
Argentina reached the World Cup semi-finals with a 3-1 extra-time win over a resilient 10-man Switzerland in Kansas City. Alexis Mac Allister headed the champions ahead from a Messi corner, Dan Ndoye equalised, and Breel Embolo was sent off in a contentious VAR moment before Julián Álvarez's 25-yard extra-time screamer and a late Lautaro Martínez tap-in settled it. Argentina face England in a blockbuster last-four tie.
🗓 Sun, 12 Jul · 04:00 EAT ·3 min read
Match reportBellingham the saviour again as England edge Haaland's Norway in extra time
England reached the World Cup semi-finals with a nervy 2-1 extra-time win over Norway in Miami, Jude Bellingham scoring twice to erase Andreas Schjelderup's early opener. Bellingham levelled in first-half stoppage time and prodded home the winner three minutes into extra time after Ørjan Nyland spilled a Morgan Rogers strike. Haaland's Norway are out; a self-critical Thomas Tuchel called England "sloppy" but "lucky" to go through.
🗓 Sun, 12 Jul · 00:00 EAT ·3 min read
Match reportSuper-sub Merino does it again as Spain edge Belgium to reach the semis
Spain reached the World Cup semi-finals with a 2-1 win over Belgium in Los Angeles, substitute Mikel Merino striking a late winner for the second knockout round running. Fabián Ruiz's opener was cancelled out by Charles De Ketelaere — the first goal Spain had conceded all tournament — before Merino pounced on a Senne Lammens spill on 88 minutes, after Thibaut Courtois went off injured. Spain face France in the semi-final.
🗓 Fri, 10 Jul · 22:00 EAT ·3 min read