England and Argentina will play each other in a FIFA World Cup semifinal in Atlanta, marking their first major meeting in 21 years. Their rivalry is deep, spanning nearly two centuries and including historic matches filled with drama and controversy.
Key Facts
England and Argentina last faced each other in a match with Lionel Messi suspended.
The two teams have a long football history, with British workers introducing football to Argentina in 1867.
Famous Argentine clubs were founded by British expatriates, showing early football links.
Their first World Cup meeting was in 1962, when England won 3-1 in Chile.
In 1966, England beat Argentina 1-0 in a controversial quarterfinal match known in Argentina as "The Robbery of the Century."
The 1966 match included a major incident where Argentine captain Antonio Rattin was sent off and caused an eight-minute delay refusing to leave the field without an interpreter.
The referee from that match helped inspire the use of yellow and red cards in football starting in 1970.
The rivalry includes deep emotions and ongoing chants from Argentine fans during this World Cup.
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Jannik Sinner, the world number one tennis player, won the Wimbledon 2026 men's singles final. He defeated Alexander Zverev in four sets to keep his title.
Key Facts
Jannik Sinner is the current world number one in tennis.
He played against Alexander Zverev in the Wimbledon 2026 final.
Sinner won the match in four sets.
This win means Sinner has successfully defended his Wimbledon title.
The article includes highlights of Sinner’s best shots during the match.
The content is restricted to viewers in the UK.
The news was published about four hours ago.
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FIFA President Gianni Infantino said FIFA will study the idea of expanding the men's World Cup to 64 teams after the 2026 tournament. The current 48-team format was successful, and expanding would give more countries a chance to play in the World Cup.
Key Facts
FIFA increased World Cup teams from 32 to 48 starting in 2026.
The proposal to expand to 64 teams came from South America's football body, Conmebol, in 2025.
The 2030 World Cup will be hosted by Spain, Portugal, Morocco, Argentina, Uruguay, and Paraguay.
Infantino said including more teams helps smaller countries improve and dream of playing in the World Cup.
Some football officials, like UEFA and AFC presidents, oppose expanding beyond 48 teams.
The larger the tournament, the harder it is for host countries to manage.
The US may consider hosting the 2038 World Cup and could handle a 64-team event.
FIFA Council will decide on the expansion after discussions and assessments.
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The Los Angeles Chargers have a rookie, Akheem Mesidor, who is likely to win a starting job when training camp begins. Mesidor is a strong pass-rusher drafted in the first round to help the team replace key players who left.
Key Facts
The NFL offseason is currently at a quiet point between minicamp and training camp.
Training camp will start in about three weeks, leading up to the preseason and regular season in early September.
The Chargers selected Akheem Mesidor in the first round of the 2026 draft to strengthen their pass rush.
Last year, Odafe Oweh, a top pass rusher for the Chargers, moved to the Washington Commanders.
Mesidor played six college seasons at West Virginia and Miami, recording many sacks and tackles for loss.
In 2025, Mesidor led the Miami Hurricanes and the ACC conference with 12.5 sacks.
Mesidor is expected to join other pass rushers like Tuli Tuipulotu and Khalil Mack on the Chargers’ defense starting Week 1.
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Jannik Sinner of Italy won his second straight Wimbledon men’s singles title by defeating Alexander Zverev of Germany. Zverev appeared to be affected by a knee injury after slipping during the match, and Sinner won in four sets. This was Sinner’s fifth Grand Slam title and his first tournament after losing early at the French Open.
Key Facts
Jannik Sinner beat Alexander Zverev with scores of 6-7, 7-6, 6-3, 6-4 in the Wimbledon final.
Zverev slipped and hurt his knee in the third set but continued playing.
This is Sinner’s second consecutive Wimbledon title and his fifth Grand Slam win overall.
Sinner had lost early at the French Open due to heat but recovered to win at Wimbledon.
Sinner has now won 10 straight matches against Zverev.
The match lasted about 2 hours and 42 minutes.
The women’s Wimbledon final was won by Linda Noskova against Karolina Muchova.
The Royal Box at the final included Prince William, Kate, their children, and celebrities like Dustin Hoffman and Nicole Kidman.
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Brendon McCullum has been removed from his position as England’s Test cricket coach but will remain coach for white-ball formats. England suffered a major batting collapse in a key Test match against Australia, which was a turning point in McCullum’s tenure. The team now faces uncertainty with no captain and no Test coach.
Key Facts
Brendon McCullum was sacked as England’s Test cricket coach but stays as white-ball coach.
England had a significant batting collapse in the first Test against Australia in Perth.
The collapse contributed to a 4-1 loss in the Ashes series.
The team has lost both its Test coach and captain in a short period.
McCullum’s coaching style focused on man-management and creating a positive environment.
He took over a team that was struggling, helping them win some memorable matches.
The current England Test squad includes younger players who struggled to adapt under McCullum.
After a rough Ashes tour, McCullum hinted that someone else might be better suited to lead the team forward.
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Tom Kim won the Genesis Scottish Open golf tournament, his first title in three years, by finishing 17 under par at the Renaissance Club. Kim played a perfect final round of 64 without any bogeys and won by two shots ahead of Min Woo Lee.
Key Facts
Tom Kim is a 24-year-old golfer from South Korea.
Kim’s last tournament win was three years ago before this victory.
He scored 17 under par overall, finishing the final round with a flawless 64.
Min Woo Lee finished second, two shots behind Kim.
Bob MacIntyre, a local favorite, finished tied for fourth after a tough final round.
Kim has previously been ranked as high as 11th in the world but dropped outside the top 150 recently.
Kim’s win earns him a prize of £1.2 million and a spot in the next Masters tournament at Augusta National.
Rory McIlroy could not catch Kim despite a strong last round, finishing further behind.
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The article discusses which Las Vegas Raiders rookie player is most likely to earn a starting spot in the upcoming NFL season. It highlights safety Treydan Stukes as the rookie with the best chance to start because of his experience and the current weaknesses in the Raiders’ safety lineup.
Key Facts
The NFL offseason has a break from mid-June to mid-July, with training camp starting soon after.
The Las Vegas Raiders have several rookies from their recent draft class, including quarterback Fernando Mendoza.
Fernando Mendoza is unlikely to start unless the current quarterback, Kirk Cousins, gets injured or performs poorly.
Safety Treydan Stukes has the best chance to start because the other safeties have shown weaknesses.
Jeremy Chinn and Isaiah Pola-Mao ranked second and third in tackles for the team last season but struggled in coverage.
Lonnie Johnson leaving and Chris Smith becoming a free agent has weakened the team’s safety depth.
Treydan Stukes played 52 games in college over six seasons and performed well in coverage, with low touchdown allowances.
Stukes may take a starting safety job by the end of training camp if he outperforms others.
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Conor McGregor was injured early in his UFC 329 fight against Max Holloway and could not continue. UFC President Dana White said doctors think McGregor tore his ACL and rejected claims that McGregor was hurt before the fight started.
Key Facts
McGregor fought Max Holloway at UFC 329 after a five-year break.
McGregor got injured during a jumping kick at the start of the fight.
McGregor fell several times, showing that he was clearly hurt.
Dana White said McGregor’s injury is likely a torn ACL (a knee ligament).
Doctors examined McGregor before the fight and said he looked fine.
White said McGregor showed no signs of injury during the faceoff with Holloway.
The fight was stopped by the referee due to McGregor’s injury.
Holloway expressed respect for McGregor and suggested a possible third fight in the future.
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Norway lost to England 2-1 in the FIFA World Cup quarterfinals. England's player Jude Bellingham scored twice, including a late goal, while Norway's goal was disallowed for a foul involving Erling Haaland.
Key Facts
Norway was defeated by England with a score of 2-1 in the World Cup quarterfinals.
Jude Bellingham scored both goals for England, including a controversial first goal.
The first goal was debated because the ball may have touched an overhead wire, but VAR did not overturn it.
Norway’s potential winning goal was disallowed due to a foul by Erling Haaland.
Alfie Haaland, Erling’s father, expressed frustration about the refereeing decisions after the match.
Erling Haaland scored seven goals during the tournament and was a strong contender for the Golden Boot award.
England advanced to the semifinals and will play Argentina, who beat Switzerland in the other quarterfinal.
The semifinal match between England and Argentina is scheduled for July 15.
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England's football team captain, Harry Kane, said the team can still improve as they aim to win the World Cup for the first time since 1966. England reached the semi-finals after beating Norway in extra time and will play Argentina next.
Key Facts
England beat Norway 2-1 in extra time to reach the World Cup semi-finals.
England will face Argentina in the semi-final match in Atlanta.
Harry Kane has scored six goals in the tournament and is tied as England's top scorer.
England’s coach, Thomas Tuchel, said the team made many mistakes and wants them to play better.
Kane said the team has shown only glimpses of their best play and believes they can do more.
Jude Bellingham disagrees with Tuchel’s criticism and praised the team’s effort against tough opponents.
England has only reached four World Cup semi-finals in their history, last winning in 1966.
The team has been close to winning other major tournaments but has not won since 1966.
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Conor McGregor suffered a serious knee injury early in his UFC 329 fight against Max Holloway, leading to a stoppage in the first round. Holloway won the fight by TKO, while McGregor appeared to have damaged his ACL, potentially requiring a long recovery.
Key Facts
The fight was McGregor’s return to UFC after a five-year break.
McGregor injured his knee during a jumping kick early in the first round.
The referee stopped the fight after seeing McGregor struggle to stand and his knee give out.
Max Holloway won the fight, marking his 24th MMA victory.
The event set a new record with about $25 million in ticket sales.
Video showed McGregor limping before the fight and leaving the arena without help afterward.
The injury could require a lengthy recovery before McGregor can fight again.
Holloway expressed respect for McGregor and suggested they fight again in the future.
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Zack Wheeler, a pitcher for the Philadelphia Phillies, was left off the 2024 MLB All-Star Game roster because he started a game the day before the All-Star break, making him ineligible under current rules. Wheeler expressed frustration with this rule, which is meant to protect pitchers from overuse but prevented him from participating despite a strong season performance.
Key Facts
Zack Wheeler is a 36-year-old right-handed pitcher for the Philadelphia Phillies.
He has been an All-Star three times before and could have made a fourth appearance in 2024.
MLB rules make pitchers who start on the last day before the All-Star break unable to pitch in the All-Star Game.
Wheeler started on July 12, one day before the All-Star Game, so he was ruled ineligible.
Wheeler criticized the rule as unfair, saying it punishes players for pitching on a certain day.
MLB offered Wheeler a spot as an All-Star replacement after the initial roster was set, but Wheeler declined.
Other players, like Shohei Ohtani and Vladimir Guerrero Jr., also managed injuries and All-Star participation differently.
This situation led to negative views of MLB’s handling of All-Star selections and eligibility rules.
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Gable Steveson made his UFC debut at UFC 329 in Las Vegas by winning a heavyweight fight with a first-round knockout. Steveson used punches and knees to defeat Elisha Ellison in just over two minutes.
Key Facts
UFC 329 took place in Las Vegas, Nevada.
Gable Steveson fought Elisha Ellison in a heavyweight bout.
Steveson won by knockout in the first round after 2 minutes and 31 seconds.
Steveson is a former Olympic gold medalist in wrestling from the 2020 Tokyo Olympics.
He was a five-time All-American and two-time NCAA wrestling champion at the University of Minnesota.
Steveson briefly signed with the NFL team Buffalo Bills in 2024 but did not play in any games.
He tried WWE wrestling from 2021 to 2024 but was released after a poorly received televised match.
MMA fighter Jon Jones helped train Steveson and celebrated his UFC win.
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Norway’s men’s soccer team performed strongly at the 2026 FIFA World Cup, reaching the quarterfinals for the first time in their history. Led by captain Martin Odegaard and striker Erling Haaland, they narrowly lost to England 2-1 in extra time.
Key Facts
Norway had not qualified for the World Cup since 1998 and had never won a knockout stage match before 2026.
Norway reached the quarterfinals of the 2026 World Cup, their best performance ever.
Andreas Schjelderup scored the first goal for Norway against England in their quarterfinal match.
England equalized just before halftime, and the game ended 2-1 in England’s favor after extra time.
A goal by Norway was disallowed after a video review due to a foul on Haaland.
Martin Odegaard, Norway’s captain, provided four assists in five matches.
Erling Haaland scored seven goals during his first World Cup.
The World Cup final is scheduled for July 19 at MetLife Stadium, with France, Spain, England, Argentina, and Switzerland competing in the semifinals.
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England's women's cricket team is likely to lose the one-off Test match against India at Lord's. India scored strongly, with Yastika Bhatia making the first female Test century at Lord's. England struggled to chase the world record target of 457 runs and were 130-6, still needing 327 runs to win on day three.
Key Facts
The match is a one-off women's Test between England and India at Lord's cricket ground.
India declared their second innings at 341-7, setting England a target of 457 runs to win.
Yastika Bhatia scored 113 runs, becoming the first woman to score a Test century at Lord's.
England ended day three at 130 runs for 6 wickets, still 327 runs behind.
Tammy Beaumont and Heather Knight, both retiring players, were out early without big scores.
England captain Nat Sciver-Brunt was dismissed cheaply for 11 runs.
Sophie Ecclestone took 5 wickets for 118 runs and became the first English woman named on the Lord’s Test bowling honours board.
England's bowling attack faced challenges, especially with injuries and lack of support for lead bowler Lauren Bell.
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England is searching for a new head coach for their Test cricket team after sacking Brendon McCullum. The England and Wales Cricket Board (ECB) wants to appoint the new coach before the Test series against Pakistan in August and is considering a shortlist of 6 to 10 candidates.
Key Facts
Brendon McCullum was sacked as England’s Test head coach after seven losses in nine matches.
England’s next Test match is against Pakistan starting on August 19 at Headingley.
England currently does not have a Test captain after Ben Stokes retired in June.
ECB chief executive Richard Gould said they have a shortlist of 6 to 10 coaching candidates from around the world.
The new coach will be chosen with input from the managing director of men’s cricket Rob Key and selector Marcus North.
The new coach will work alongside McCullum, who still coaches England’s white-ball (limited overs) teams.
The ECB may use an interim coach if the top candidates have other commitments and to allow more time to make the best choice.
Andy Flower, a former England coach and successful franchise coach, is reportedly a top candidate but may be unlikely to take the job.
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The International Olympic Committee (IOC) has temporarily ended the suspension of the Russian Olympic Committee. This means Russian athletes can take part in the upcoming Olympic Games, even though the conflict in Ukraine is still happening.
Key Facts
The IOC suspended the Russian Olympic Committee in 2023.
This suspension has now been lifted on a provisional basis.
Russian athletes are allowed to compete in the next Olympics.
The decision occurs despite the ongoing war in Ukraine.
The IOC states it supports peace and human dignity as key values.
Allowing Russia back challenges the original purpose of the Olympics.
The move has sparked debate about fairness and sportsmanship.
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On day 31 of the 2026 FIFA World Cup, England and Argentina won their matches and advanced to the semi-final round. This means both teams are now among the final four competing for the championship.
Key Facts
The article reports on events from day 31 of the FIFA World Cup 2026.
England won their match and moved into the semi-finals.
Argentina also won their match and qualified for the semi-finals.
The semi-finals determine which teams will compete for the final championship.
Basel Ghazoghli from Al Jazeera provided the recap of these matches.
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Mariano Rajoy, Spain's former prime minister, said the French national football team had "no French players," which caused criticism in both Spain and France. This comment focused on the makeup of the French team and sparked controversy.
Key Facts
Mariano Rajoy is a former prime minister of Spain.
He called the French national football team "having no French players."
His remark received criticism in Spain and France.
The issue relates to the national football team of France.
The controversy arose around the time of international football events.
The article was reported by France 24 on July 12, 2026.
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