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Steve Luckings

Steve Luckings

Sports Editor
Location
Abu Dhabi
Steve is one of the of The National “originals”, arriving in Abu Dhabi in January 2008 to help launch the paper three months later. He has held a number of positions including online editor, page editor, senior sports editor and now sports editor. Steve has more than 15 years’ experience across a variety of media platforms. He writes comment and analysis on everything from football to rugby to boxing and is a regular guest on The National’s sport podcasts.
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Articles

Lionel Messi, Kylian Mbappe, Erling Haaland and Harry Kane all starred for their countries in the early knockout games.
Messi, Mbappe, Haaland, Kane: World Cup 2026 team of the week

All were on target in their Round of 32 and last-16 matches

World Cup 2026July 08, 2026
ATLANTA, GEORGIA - JULY 07: Lionel Messi #10 of Argentina celebrates after the 3-2 victory during the FIFA World Cup 2026 Round of 16 match between Argentina and Egypt at Atlanta Stadium on July 07, 2026 in Atlanta, Georgia. Justin Setterfield / Getty Images / AFP (Photo by Justin Setterfield / GETTY IMAGES NORTH AMERICA / Getty Images via AFP)
Camera12
Messi says goal celebration against Egypt 'a moment of release'

Messi had missed an earlier penalty before scoring his eighth goal of these finals to level at 2-2

World Cup 2026July 08, 2026
Portugal's Cristiano Ronaldo looks dejected after the match against Spain. Reuters
Tearful Ronaldo bids World Cup farewell with 'clear conscience'

Portugal striker has never won the global finals and his last match at the tournament ended in defeat to Spain

World Cup 2026July 07, 2026
England's forward #09 Harry Kane celebrates scoring his team's third goal with England's midfielder #10 Jude Bellingham during the 2026 World Cup round of 16 football match between Mexico and England at the Mexico City Stadium in Mexico City on July 5, 2026. (Photo by Rodrigo Oropeza / AFP)
Camera8
Ten-man England hold on to eliminate co-hosts Mexico

Quansah shown a red card in the second half but Kane's penalty sees England over the line for a 3-2 victory

World Cup 2026July 06, 2026
Erling Haaland of Norway leads his teammates in the 'Viking Row' to celebrate with their win over Brazil. EPA
'Absolutely insane': Haaland fires Norway past Brazil

Norwegian striker at the double as Neymar grabs consolation from the penalty spot

World Cup 2026July 06, 2026
Lionel Messi celebrates at the end of extra time after Argentina held on for a 3-2 win over Cape Verde. AFP
Argentina overcome 'extremely tough' Cape Verde to book place in last 16

Messi scores his 20th World Cup goal - but match will be remembered for plucky underdogs pushing world champions all the way to extra time

World Cup 2026July 04, 2026
Riyad Mahrez applauds Algeria fans after bowing out of the 2026 World Cup. AFP
Play01:02
Mahrez calls time on Algeria career after crashing out of World Cup

Fennecs fall to a 2-0 defeat to Switzerland in the Round of 32

World Cup 2026July 03, 2026
Cristiano Ronaldo scored a penalty in Portugal's 2-1 win over Croatia to reach the last 16. AFP
Play00:13
Ronaldo scores first World Cup knockout goal to send Portugal into last 16

Ronaldo scores his first goal in the knockout phase in 2-1 win over Croatia

World Cup 2026July 03, 2026
France's Kylian Mbappe, left, and Argentina's Lionel Messi both have six goals at the 2026 World Cup finals. AFP
How do Mbappe's World Cup stats stack up against Messi's?

Both are on six goals at the 2026 World Cup, but Mbappe's overall numbers are off the charts

World Cup 2026July 01, 2026
Kylian Mbappe celebrates scoring his second goal and France's third in a 3-0 win over Sweden. Getty Images
Mbappe determined to 'enjoy World Cup to its fullest'

Les Bleus star scored two goals in 3-0 win over Sweden to move to within one of Messi's all-time record

World Cup 2026July 01, 2026
Morocco's Ismael Saibari has been one of the stars of the 2026 World Cup. Reuters
Who is Ismael Saibari - Morocco's World Cup breakout star?

Striker scored in all three group games and struck the winning penalty in Round of 32 clash against the Netherlands

World Cup 2026June 30, 2026
Soccer Football - FIFA World Cup 2026 - Round of 32 - Netherlands v Morocco - Estadio Monterrey, Monterrey, Mexico - June 29, 2026 Morocco's Ismael Saibari celebrates after scoring the winning penalty in the penalty shootout REUTERS / Daniel Becerril
Camera7
Saibari the shoot-out hero as Morocco move into World Cup last 16

Atlas Lions win 3-2 on penalties after game finished 1-1 following extra time

World Cup 2026June 30, 2026
Mohamed Salah's goal at against New Zealand made him the highest scoring Egyptian at World Cups. Reuters
World Cup highs and lows: Egypt make history, dismal Saudi Arabia

Ismael Saibari enjoying a breakout tournament while Jordan gave a good account of themselves against Messi and Co

World Cup 2026June 29, 2026
Canada head coach Jesse Marsch celebrates after the team's victory over South Africa. AFP
Marsch gives US cold shoulder after Canada seal last-16 place

Co-hosts Canada needed an injury-time winner to beat South Africa in their Round-of-32 match in Los Angeles

World Cup 2026June 29, 2026
From left: Lionel Messi, Erling Haaland and Vozinha have enjoyed impressive World Cups so far.
World Cup team of the group phase: Messi, Haaland and Vozinha shine

Cape Verde the feel-good story of the tournament after securing place in Round of 32

World Cup 2026June 28, 2026
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