FIFA RANKINGS | AFTER WORLD CUP 2026

 

BELGIUM THRASH HOST USA 4-1 TO REACH FIFA WORLD CUP 2026 QUARTER-FINALS

 

SEATTLE – Belgium secured a place in the quarter-finals of the FIFA World Cup 2026 after crushing the United States 4-1 in their Round of 16 clash, eliminating the host nation from the tournament.

Belgium took an early lead in the ninth minute through Charles De Ketelaere. The United States responded in the 31st minute when Tillman found the net to level the score at 1-1. However, Belgium restored their advantage just two minutes later as De Ketelaere scored his second goal of the match, giving his side a 2-1 lead at halftime.

Belgium extended their lead 12 minutes into the second half when Vina Ken capitalized on an error by the American goalkeeper to make it 3-1.

Despite trailing by two goals, the United States continued to push forward in search of a comeback, but they were unable to break through Belgium goalkeeper Thibaut Courtois, who produced a series of important saves.

Veteran striker Romelu Lukaku sealed Belgium’s victory with a fourth goal in stoppage time, confirming a convincing 4-1 win and a place in the quarter-finals.

The match followed controversy surrounding US forward Folarin Balogun. Reports said Balogun received a red card during the Round of 32 match against Bosnia and Herzegovina on July 2 and was handed a one-match suspension under FIFA regulations.

Ahead of the Round of 16 match against Belgium on July 7, his suspension was lifted following a recommendation from US President Donald Trump, a decision that sparked controversy.

Despite Balogun’s availability, the United States was unable to avoid elimination.

- Muhammad Mahmood

FIFA 'CROSSED A LINE' OVER DECISION TO REVERSE STRIKER FOLARIN BALOGUN' ONE-MATCH BAN, SAYS UEFA

 

United States' Folarin Balogun was given a red card against Bosnia and Herzegovina.
Credit: AP

Uefa hit back at Fifa’s ruling to suspend a red card shown to United States striker Folarin Balogun against Bosnia and Herzegovina after reported intervention from Donald Trump, saying it "crossed a red line".

Fifa has allowed Balogun to play against Belgium in the knock-out clash on Monday evening despite receiving a red card and a one-match ban last week, a move that led to a furious response from Uefa and praise from the US president.

If Fifa's decision stands, it will be the first time since 1962 that a red card during a World Cup did not result in a suspension.

The Monaco forward, who has scored three goals at the tournament, was dismissed for his challenge on Tarik Muharemovic during the second half of their 2-0 win over Bosnia and Herzegovina.

But his single-match ban has now been suspended for a probationary period of one year.

In response, the European football governing body said on Monday: “Yesterday’s decision to suspend for a probationary period of a year the implementation of the one-match automatic suspension following the red card issued to the player Folarin Balogun crossed a red line."

Trump called Fifa President Gianni Infantino after the Bosnia game, asking the football body to review the red card, according to AP, who spoke to a person familiar with the call who spoke on condition of anonymity.

On Sunday, Trump hailed the decision by Fifa's disciplinary committee to allow Balogun to participate in the World Cup co-hosts' last-16 clash.

Writing on his Truth Social account, President Trump said: “Thank you to FIFA for doing what was right, and reversing a great injustice!”

According to Fifa's disciplinary code, should the 25-year-old commit "another infringement of a similar nature and gravity during the probationary period, the suspension shall be revoked and the sanction enforced without prejudice to any additional sanction imposed for the new infringement".

A Fifa disciplinary committee statement read: “By operation of Article 27 FDC, the implementation of the automatic match suspension for USA player Folarin Balogun is suspended for a probationary period of one (1) year.”

The Belgian football federation was preparing an appeal in Seattle in the early hours of Monday to challenge the Balogun ruling before a Fifa-appointed appeals judge.

- itvX

US STRIKER GETS RED CARD, WHICH MEANS FREE PIZZAS WORTH $1 MILLION; HERE IS HOW

Balogun's dismissal means the striker will miss his country's next match and has also triggered reward for fans with free pizzas

Pizza giant Domino's is set to give out $1 million worth of free "emergency pizzas" after United States striker Folarin Balogun received a red card during his side's FIFA World Cup round of 32 match against Bosnia-Herzegovina, activating a promotion the pizza chain announced months before the tournament.

The campaign was first unveiled by the company in a press release issued on May 18 as part of its marketing push around the summer's international football tournament. The company announced that it would give away $1 million worth of "emergency pizzas" if any member of the US national team received a red card during the competition, saying the offer was intended to "soften the blow" for supporters after one of football's most costly on-field punishments.

Emergency Pizza is Domino's loyalty programme reward that allows eligible customers to claim a free medium two-topping pizza for use on a future order. The company said the red card promotion was designed to turn a disappointing moment for fans into what it described as "a delicious pick-me-up".

Alongside the giveaway, Domino's also launched a limited edition capsule collection in collaboration with football lifestyle brand Saturdays Football.

"We're as excited about the summer of soccer as fans are around the country! Whether you're planning to watch all the matches or perhaps you're playing pickup games of your own, Domino's has some fun ways to help you get ready," read the press statement dated May 18.

"Not only are we launching a capsule of co-branded merchandise from Saturdays Football, but we're also giving fans the chance to win free Emergency Pizzas.

Soccer gurus know the worst thing to happen in a game is for a player on the team you're rooting for to receive a red card. If that happens to the American squad, Domino's is here to help ease the pain by giving away Emergency Pizzas. It may not change the outcome of the match, but it can provide a delicious pick-me-up when it's needed most."

Balogun's evening took a dramatic turn after he scored his third goal of the World Cup to give the United States the lead before being sent off early in the second half. The dismissal means the striker will miss his country's next match and has also triggered Domino's pledge to reward fans with free pizzas.

With Balogun's sending-off now fulfilling the promotion's only condition, Domino's is expected to honour its $1 million giveaway while the United States prepares for its next World Cup fixture without one of its leading goalscorers.

How fans can claim the free pizza

The giveaway is not automatic. Customers had to register for the promotion at the website before the deadline of 11.59 pm ET on 10 June to be eligible.

Following a red card for a US player, Domino's said it would randomly select more than 60,000 winners, each of whom will receive a free medium two-topping Emergency Pizza.

The free pizza must be claimed by 2 August 2026, according to the company's promotional terms.

UNITED STATES HOSTING 78 MATCHES

 

FIRST THREE TEAMS AT THE FIFA WORLD CUP 2026 | QUALIFIED & ELIMINATED

 

GROUP D STANDINGS | FIFA WORLD CUP 2026

 

USA WON CONVINCINGLY EXCEPT A CONTROVERSIAL OFFSIDE SECOND GOAL | FIFA WORLD CUP 2026

 

USA 🇺🇸 4-1 PARAGUAY 🇵🇾 | HIGHLIGHTS | FIFA WORLD CUP 2026

 

USA MAKES HISTORY IN WORLD CUP WIN VS. PARAGUAY

LOS ANGELES, CALIFORNIA - JUNE 12: Folarin Balogun #20 of the United States celebrates scoring his team's third goal during the FIFA World Cup 2026 Group D match between USA and Paraguay at Los Angeles Stadium on June 12, 2026 in Los Angeles, California. (Photo by Richard Heathcote/Getty Images)

The U.S. national team reached multiple milestones in a historic 4-1 victory over Paraguay in the World Cup on Friday night at SoFi Stadium in Los Angeles.

For the first time ever, the U.S. built a 3–0 first half lead in a World Cup, and the U.S. won its highest-scoring World Cup match ever. Folarin Balogun scored two goals for the U.S. and became the first multi-goal scorer in a U.S. game at the World Cup since Pert Patenaude. The former U.S. standout had a hat trick in 1930. Ironically, the U.S. also beat Paraguay in that match.

Even Weston McKennie’s opening goal for the U.S. had historic overtones. He had the  third-earliest goal in an opening match by a host team in World Cup history, according to Opta. France did it in 35 seconds in the 1938 World Cup, and Germany did it in 5:08 in 2006.

With Friday’s win, the U.S. also produced its biggest output ever with four goals, and the U.S. scored three goals in a game for the first time since 2002. For the U.S., it also marked the first World Cup game on home soil since a 1-0 loss to Brazil in 1994 at Stanford, California, which also marked the last time the U.S. hosted the worldwide soccer event.

USA Came Out Strong Against Paraguay

Paraguay threatened first in the Group D match with a strong attack in the first three minutes, but U.S. goalkeeper Matt Freese made the stop in the first save of the match. The U.S. then attacked with Tim Weah’s shot, but the game stayed 0–0 with Paraguay keeper Orlando Gill’s save.

McKennie struck first for the U.S. just seven minutes into the match as he took the feed from Christian Pulisic, an AC Milan star. McKennie kept control against Paraguay defender Damian Bobadilla to punch in the goal.

As the U.S. controlled possession throughout the first half, opportunity arrived again when McKennie nearly scored his second goal in the 29th minute. Officials nixed it due to an offsides call, but the U.S. bounced back two minutes later as Folarin Balogun scored off of Pulisic’s pass. It marked Balogun’s 10th goal for the U.S. in international competition.

Despite  that many goals, Friday marked Balogun’s World Cup debut with the U.S. The New York native opted for the U.S. in 2023 after time in the English soccer system.

Chris Richards tried to make it 3-0 for the U.S., but he hit it wide with his shot at the 37th minute. Balogun then made it 3-0 with his second goal, just 12 minutes later.

The U.S. held the 3-0 lead through most of the second half, dominating possession, but Paraguay got on the board at the 73rd minute as Mauricio put a shot past Freese. Julio Enciso set it up for Paraguay with the assist. 

Gio Reyna then made it 4–1 for the U.S. after the 90-minute mark. The U.S. walked away with an opening win in front of 70,492, and it paled in comparison to the last World Cup appearance in Qatar for 2022. That year, the U.S. only scored three goals for the entire competition.

USA Still Has Paraguay’s Number

The U.S. won a fourth consecutive match against Paraguay on Friday, and the U.S. improved to 5-2-2 all-time against the country in the process. That includes the nation’s only other World Cup meeting in 1930 when the U.S. won 3-0 behind Patenaude’s hat trick.

The U.S. will take on Australia next in Group D play on June 19 at Lumen Field in Seattle. Australia opens Group Day play on Saturday against Turkey in Vancouver, British Columbia.

Another win helps the U.S. solidify chances to advance to the knockout rounds, which the U.S. has done in three of the past four World Cups. During the last World Cup in the U.S. in 1994, the U.S. made it to the Round of 16 and bowed out against Brazil. The U.S. went 4-1-1 that year. 

- Matthew Davis

USA DESTROY PARAGUAY IN THEIR OPENING MATCH | FIFA WORLD CUP 2026

 

THIERRY HENRY WAY 🇺🇸

Thierry Henry has a street named after him in New York 🗽

The temporary tribute has been installed in the heart of Manhattan for the World Cup to honour the former France striker, who has previously played and managed in the MLS 🛣️🇺🇸

MBAPPÉ AND FRANCE ARRIVE AT THEIR HOTEL IN BOSTON READY FOR WORLD CUP

SOFI WORKERS REACH AGREEMENT TO AVOID A STRIKE AHEAD OF WORLD CUP

 

May 25, 2026; Inglewood, CA, USA; A general overall view of Sofi Stadium (Los Angeles Stadium), a host site for the 2026 FIFA World Cup. Mandatory Credit: Kirby Lee-Imagn Images

A potential strike by SoFi Stadium workers, ahead of the United States' World Cup opening match at the venue Friday, was averted when an estimated 2,000 employees reached a tentative agreement Tuesday through their union.

The union representing hospitality workers at the stadium in Inglewood, Calif., had voted to authorize a strike last Friday, a week before the United States men's national team was set to play against Paraguay.

Mostly composed of concessions workers as well as cashiers, dishwashers, bartenders and food attendants, the union had voted 96% in favor of the strike, which had been looming for the last few months since the existing deal with stadium operators Legends Global expired.

The new agreement earned workers a 40% pay increase for concession stands attendants and also has a clause allowing workers to walk off the job if the union believes that the presence of federal agents, including Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE), creates a "reasonable apprehension of harm to the safety and security of workers," The Athletic reported.

The agreement, which the union announced at a news conference, still has to be ratified by workers on Wednesday.

Kurt Peterson, co-president of the union, said the agreement will make the venue's concessions workers the highest paid at NFL stadiums, according to a report in The Athletic, with most earning "more than $40 per hour, and many of them significantly more than that."

Workers also will be able to earn "premium pay for mega-events, including all eight World Cup games," Peterson told The Athletic.

SoFi Stadium is scheduled to host two of the United States' three group-stage matches, against Paraguay (Friday) and Turkey (June 25), as well as three tournament knockout-stage matches, one of which is a quarterfinal on July 10.

The venue is the home of both the Los Angeles Rams and Chargers of the NFL. It also is slated to be a co-host for the Opening Ceremonies during the 2028 Los Angeles Olympics, as well as the home for the swimming competitions.

The new agreement lasts until April 30, 2028, giving the union leverage for renegotiations before the Olympics begin.

--Field Level Media

FIFA ACCEPTS US DECISION TO BLOCK SOMALI WORLD CUP REFEREE

 

June 9 – The United States, co-host of the 2026 World Cup, has denied top African referee Omar Artan entry to the country, preventing the Somali from officiating matches at the tournament.  

Artan was set to become Somalia’s first referee at a World Cup but American authorities at Miami International Airport barred him from entering the US.  

In statement, world football’s governing body FIFA said: “Omar Abdulkadir Artan will be unable to train and officiate at the Fifa World Cup 2026 after he was denied entry into the United States. 

“FIFA is not involved in host country immigration processes, including visa adjudications, and has been informed by authorities that Mr Artan’s status will not be changed at present. 

“In line with previous FIFA events, a host government ultimately determines who receives a visa and who is admitted into their country.” 

In a statement to Reuters, Artan, the 2025 Confederation of African Football men’s referee of the year, said: “I want to thank the football family for their messages and wish my colleagues all the best success during the World Cup and I look forward to joining them again in future competitions.” 

He was one of 52 referees selected by FIFA to lead matches at the 48-team World Cup in the United States, Mexico and Canada. Artan reportedly had a valid visa for the United States, but flew to Istanbul after being denied entry.  

Under the administration of President Donald Trump, the US has cracked down on immigration from Somalia, and its citizens are subject to a full travel ban. Last year, Trump lashed out at Somali immigrants, calling them “garbage”.  

In a statement, a CBP spokesperson said: “On June 6, a Somali national arrived at Miami International Airport from Istanbul International Airport. During processing, the travellerunderwent additional inspection, a routine part of CBP’s inspection process when officers need to verify information or determine admissibility. 

“Following inspection, the traveller, a referee for the FIFA World Cup, was determined to be inadmissible due to vetting concerns and was denied entry. 

“All travellers seeking entry into the United States, including athletes, coaches, and staff, are subject to CBP inspection and vetting. Admissibility determinations are made on a case-by-case basis using law enforcement, national security, and immigration information available at the time of inspection. CBP officers have the authority to question travellers, conduct inspections, and determine admissibility consistent with U.S. law.” 

FIFA boss Gianni Infantino has repeatedly said this World Cup will be the ‘most inclusive’ yet. In 2017, a year before FIFA awarded the World Cup to the United States, Mexico and Canada, Infantino said: “It’s obvious when it comes to FIFA competitions, any team, including the supporters and officials of that team, who qualify for a World Cup need to have access to the country, otherwise there is no World Cup.” 

- Samindra Kunti

TEHRAN LAMBASTS US 'OBSTRUCTION' OF IRAN'S WORLD CUP TEAM AS PLAYERS LAND IN MEXICO

 

Members of the Iran soccer team arrive in Tijuana

TEHRAN — Iran’s soccer team touched down in Mexico’s northwestern city of Tijuana on Sunday as Tehran criticized Washington over its visa restrictions ahead of the World Cup this summer.

The Iranian federation negotiated at the last minute to move the team's base camp from Arizona to Tijuana near the US border in Mexico, due in part to uncertainty over whether they would be granted visas to enter the United States.

The US awarded visas to all the players on June 5, just 10 days before their first match, but several members of the support squad were not yet given visas, including "key managerial and administrative members," according to Iran's football federation.

The president of Iran’s football federation, Mehdi Taj, said Sunday that the Iranian soccer team had been granted permission to enter the US for the tournament, but “only one day before the match,” according to semi-official Iranian media, sparking accusations of unfair treatment.

“We do not know how far the Americans’ obstructionism will continue,” Iranian Students’ News Agency (ISNA) cited Taj as saying. “What the United States is doing reflects malice and a lack of equality among teams.”

A US administration official told CNN that the visas necessary for Iran to compete in the World Cup, including those for athletes and necessary support staff, have been issued. The two nations remain at war with no sign of an immediate breakthrough in peace negotiations.

“We will not allow the Iranian team to abuse this system to sneak terrorists into the United States under false pretenses,” the official said.

Soccer is more than just Iran’s most popular sport. Public support for the national team cuts through social, regional and political lines, making it a uniting force for millions of Iranians.

As a result, qualifying for the World Cup has long been a source of national pride. But the US and Israel’s war with Iran, alongside recent economic and political turmoil at home, has turned the soccer pitch into a stage for soft power, drawing attention away from the game itself.

Iran is scheduled to face New Zealand in Los Angeles on June 15, Belgium in Los Angeles on June 21, and Egypt in Seattle on June 26, according to FIFA, the governing body that organizes the World Cup. Those matches are expected to be shown in cinemas across Iran, subject to the “necessary approvals,” Iranian state media organization IRIB said Sunday.

This is the first World Cup since the tournament’s inception in 1930 in which a host nation is set to receive a country with which it is actively at war, according to Reuters.

On Sunday, the team touched down in Tijuana, Mexico – just across the border from San Diego, California – several Iranian outlets reported. Last month, Mexican President Claudia Sheinbaum said Iranian squad would stay in Mexico between the matches.

A spokesperson for the Iranian football federation said this weekend that the team would travel to the US using a multiple-entry visa, entering one day before the first match and two days before each of the next two matches, Iranian semi-official Tasnim news agency reported.

Taj called it “truly strange” that Washington was interfering in the administration of the sporting event, adding that the Iranian football federation would submit a protest to FIFA. CNN has reached out to the governing body for comment.

The federation president also speculated that the US might try to interfere with the team’s entry to the country while appearing to link Washington’s decision-making to the ongoing war.

“We do not know what kind of mischief they might create at the airport. They were defeated in some areas by the resistance of the people, and they are now trying to make up for those defeats and vent their frustrations on the football field,” ISNA cited Taj as saying.

- Saudi Gazette

WORLD CUP 2026 FRIENDLIES | UPCOMING MATCHES

 

USA VS. SENEGAL | INTERNATIONAL FRIENDLY | HIGHLIGHTS

 

US 🇺🇸 | FIFA WORLD CUP 2026 SQUAD

 

IRAN MOVES WORLD CUP BASE TO MEXICO AND WANTS GUARANTEES ON VISAS AND SECURITY

National team will fly to the US on day of games after Washington refuses to host squad

Iran's players training in Antalya, Turkey, as they prepare for the World Cup. AFP

Iran's national team will base themselves in Mexico and travel ​to ​the US on ​the days of its three World Cup ⁠matches after Washington declined to host the squad, Mexican President Claudia Sheinbaum said ​on Monday.

Sheinbaum said Fifa approached her government after US authorities said they did not ⁠want Iran staying in the country throughout the June 11-July 19 competition, even though Iran are scheduled to play three Group G matches there.

 "We have no reason to deny ⁠them the possibility of staying in Mexico," Sheinbaum told her daily press conference.

Iran are currently preparing for the tournament in Antalya, southern Turkey.

They ​are set to face New ‌Zealand in Los Angeles on June 15, Belgium in Los Angeles on June ​21 and Egypt in Seattle on June 26.

The White House and the State Department did not immediately respond to requests for comment. US President Donald Trump said in March that Iran were welcome to participate in the World Cup but that he did not believe it was appropriate for them to be in the United States "for their own life and safety".

Mehdi Taj, head of Iran's football federation, said on Saturday the team's base would be moved from Arizona to the Mexican border city of Tijuana during the tournament. Fifa confirmed the move on Monday. Taj added that the swap would help avoid visa-related complications and allow direct Iran Air flights to ​Mexico.

Iran's World Cup plans have been under scrutiny ‌since late February, when the United ⁠States joined Israel in attacks on Iran, ​triggering a war that raised doubts over whether Tehran would send ​its team ‌to play in one of the host countries.

Members of the Iranian national football team camp arrive at the US Embassy in Ankara for their visa application on May 21. AFP

In March, Taj said Iran were in ⁠talks with Fifa about moving its group matches to Mexico on safety ⁠grounds, and Sheinbaum said Mexico would be open to hosting them. Fifa refused the request.

The uncertainty fueled wider speculation about Iran's place at the tournament. Iran qualified for a fourth consecutive World Cup by topping their group in the third round of Asian qualifying last year.

Visas and enhanced security

According to various reports at the start of May, Iran had asked Fifa for several guarantees. The demands came after Taj was denied entry to Canada for last month's Fifa Congress.

Chief among them was that their players, coaches and other officials will receive visas to attend the tournament.

That included visas for those on the team who have completed military service with Iran’s Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps, which is listed as a terrorist organisation in Canada and the US.

“All players and technical staff, especially those who served their military service in the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps, should be granted visas without problems,” Taj, a former commander of Iran's IRGC, told Iranian media.

According to a report from the BBC, the Iranian Football Federation also wants assurances that its team will receive enhanced security during the tournament and that respect for the Iranian flag and national anthem will be maintained.

Iranian officials have also reportedly asked for journalists to avoid questions beyond "technical football matters".

- The National