World Cup 2026 football news | Breaking scores, results and latest reaction | The National

Iraq coach Graham Arnold after securing qualification for the 2026 World Cup. Getty Images

01:25

Al Hamadi and Hussein reignite Iraq hopes after arduous qualification journey

Graham Arnold’s side face uphill battle in one of the toughest groups with France, Senegal and Norway

ExclusiveJohn Stones: Hunger is there to make World Cup history with England

Algeria defender Aissa Mandi, top row centre, played his 118th game for his country in the victory over Netherlands at De Kuip, Rotterdam, on Wednesday. Reuters

Aissa Mandi: Playing a second World Cup with Algeria will be 'amazing'

World Cup 2026 Group I: Mbappe and Haaland face off, Iraq back on big stage

Nabil Bentaleb and Anis Hadj Moussa celebrate the win over Netherlands in Rotterdam. EPA

Algeria stun Netherlands in blow to Ronald Koeman's World Cup plans

InterviewZabaleta: Messi has magic to win Argentina another World Cup

Shock win over Messi’s Argentina a distant memory for Saudi Arabia

Video

More from this section

Salem Al Dawsari, centre, remains Saudi Arabia's most important player. Getty Images

01:30

Shock win over Messi’s Argentina a distant memory for Saudi Arabia

Roberto Mancini and Herve Renard have come and gone, now it is up to Georgios Donis to try to get a tune out of undercooked side

World Cup 2026 Group H: Yamal injury worries Spain, Saudi Arabia gamble on coach

National kits of USA, Argentina, and Germany. Getty Images / AFP

World Cup 2026 kits ranked: Every strip from best to worst

Saudi Arabia arrive in Austin to begin 2026 World Cup preparations

Ali Al Hamadi celebrates scoring Iraq's first goal in the World Cup play-off win over Bolivia in Mexico. AFP

ExclusiveIraq's Al Hamadi on World Cup dream coming true and facing Mbappe

Egypt World Cup talking points: Mohamed Salah's last hurrah

World Cup 2026: The Arab songs and chants fans will be singing at the tournament

Music & On-stage

World Cup 2026 Group G: Egypt pin hopes on Salah, Belgium look to Doku and

Ultimate Fifa World Cup quiz48 questions to test your football knowledge

Chemsdine Talbi is part of Morocco's 26-man World Cup squad. Getty Images

ExclusiveMorocco's Chemsdine Talbi on why he chose the Atlas Lions over Belgium

Winger, 21, enjoyed a memorable debut season in the Premier League and is now looking forward to helping the Atlas Lions shine at 2026 finals

VAR given new powers at World Cup as Fifa announces new rules on time-wasting

Tunisia World Cup talking points: Hannibal Mejbri and Co lack cutting edge

World Cup 2026 Group F: Hannibal is main man for Tunisia, Dutch need Gakpo goals

World Cup balls through the years: From leather laces to smart technology

World Cup 2026 Group E: Germany look to Wirtz and Musiala, Curacao set for debut

From MetLife to Estadio Azteca: Every 2026 World Cup stadium

Mauricio Pochettino took over as United States coach in 2024. Getty Images

World Cup Group D: Pressure on US coach Pochettino, young Turkey side excites

Former Spurs, PSG and Chelsea manager in spotlight as co-hosts look to shine on home turf

Morocco World Cup talking points: Atlas Lions have high hopes of 2022 repeat

World Cup Group C: Brazil favourites but Morocco tipped for another strong run

Qatar World Cup talking points: Afif must transfer Asian pedigree to big stage

World Cup 2026 Group B guide: Qatar eye progress as hosts Canada chase history

From Loewe to Jacquemus: the fashion brands already shaping World Cup 2026 style

Fashion & Beauty

Interview‘Ready to shock the world’: Arnold and Iraq relish Haaland and Mbappe tests

Son Heung-min has scored 54 goals in 142 appearances for South Korea. Getty Images

World Cup 2026 Group A guide: Mexico target deep run as South Korea bank on Son

El Tri hope for more home comforts having reached quarter-finals when hosting tournament in both 1970 and 1986

Iran moves World Cup base to Mexico and wants guarantees on visas and security

CommentHow the beautiful game brings people together

Fifa World Cup 2026 complete fixture guide and schedule

Inside Saudi Arabia’s new sports strategy: World Cup 2034, Qiddiya and Esports

Al Ahli's Ivan Toney makes England World Cup squad as Foden and Palmer miss out

Dropped Iran striker Azmoun breaks silence with emotional World Cup message

Beyond the Headlines

Beyond the Headlines

Delve deeper into the biggest stories from the Middle East and around the world

Culture Bites

Culture Bites

Your guide to the arts and culture scene in the UAE

Business Extra

Business Extra

The stories, companies, trends, tech, Innovation and leaders shaping your world

Tarab

Tarab

Explore the creative worlds of the Middle East’s most compelling musicians

Most popular today

1

Premier League: Manchester United's Shinji Kagawa makes up for lost time

2

Renzo Gracie sees bright future for jiu-jitsu in Abu Dhabi

3

Javokhir Sindarov and Nodirbek Abdusattorov prove the beauty of chess is the thought behind it

4

LIV Golf to undergo 'strategic evolution' but can it survive without PIF funding?

5

Saudi Arabia committed to hosting new ATP tennis event amid scaling back of investments

Newsletter

Middle East Today

Your indispensable round-up of the key developments in the region

Preview Sign up

More Newsletters