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The expanded 2026 FIFA World Cup has officially passed its halfway point, with 54 of the tournament’s 104 matches completed and the battle for the title now moving into a more intense phase. With 50 matches still to be played before the final in East Rutherford, New Jersey, on July 19, teams are beginning to secure places in the knockout stage while others have already seen their World Cup dreams end. Hosts the United States, Mexico and Canada have all advanced to the Round of 32, while several football stars have made strong starts to the tournament. Argentina captain Lionel Messi has scored five goals so far, while France’s Kylian Mbappé, Norway’s Erling Haaland and Brazil’s Vinícius Júnior have each netted four times. FIFA President Gianni Infantino said the tournament’s most exciting moments are still ahead. “The best is yet to come,” Infantino told SNTV earlier this week. So far, stadiums have attracted large crowds, with FIFA reporting record attendance figures. One of the tournament’s most heartwarming stories has been the journey of Cape Verde goalkeeper Vozinha, whose mother was able to attend the World Cup. Teams already through Thirteen teams had secured Round of 32 spots by Wednesday. Group winners include Mexico, Switzerland, Brazil, the United States, Germany and Argentina. France, Norway, Canada, Morocco, Colombia, Bosnia and Herzegovina, and South Africa have also booked their places in the knockout stage. South Africa coach Hugo Broos celebrated after guiding his team to its first-ever appearance in the knockout rounds. Teams eliminated Seven teams have already been knocked out of the tournament. They are the Czech Republic, Haiti, Turkey, Tunisia, Jordan, Qatar and Panama. Race for remaining places With 13 teams qualified and seven eliminated, 28 teams are still competing for the remaining 19 spots in the Round of 32. Several decisive group-stage matches are still to come, including Australia against Paraguay and Japan against Sweden. Cape Verde could reach the knockout stage for the first time with a victory over Saudi Arabia, while Colombia and Portugal will battle for top spot in Group K. United States eyes deep run The United States will begin its knockout campaign in Santa Clara, California, on July 1. If the Americans continue winning, their path would take them to Seattle for the Round of 16, Inglewood for the quarterfinals and Arlington, Texas, for the semifinals. Bosnia and Herzegovina is currently viewed as the most likely Round of 32 opponent. Knockout stage brings higher stakes Once the group phase ends, every match becomes a do-or-die contest. Any team that loses in the knockout rounds will be eliminated, except in the semifinals where losing teams will still compete in a third-place playoff. A team must win five straight knockout matches to lift the World Cup trophy. Goals flowing freely The tournament is also producing goals at a remarkable rate. A total of 161 goals had been scored through 54 matches, putting the competition on track to surpass the previous World Cup record of 172 goals set in Qatar in 2022. The current average stands at 2.98 goals per match, the highest scoring rate in more than 50 years. Possibility of another Argentina-France final Football fans could also witness a repeat of the memorable 2022 World Cup final between Argentina and France. Based on the current tournament bracket, the two sides are likely to remain on opposite sides of the draw, meaning they could meet again in the final. Messi, who turned 39 on Wednesday, has scored all five of Argentina’s goals in the tournament so far, taking his World Cup tally to a record 18 goals. Meanwhile, Mbappé's four goals have lifted his World Cup total to 16, tying him with German great Miroslav Klose for the second-highest tally in tournament history. As the group stage nears its conclusion, attention is now turning to the knockout rounds, where the pressure will rise and every match could decide a team's fate.  

Lionel Messi and Kylian Mbappé are once again stealing the spotlight at the World Cup, producing a series of record-breaking performances that have captivated football fans around the world. Messi has scored five goals in Argentina's first two matches, becoming the tournament's all-time leading scorer with 18 World Cup goals. Mbappé, meanwhile, has netted four times for France, bringing his World Cup tally to 16 and moving into a tie for second place on the all-time list. "Leo always scores," Mbappé said. "He'll always score. If I want to look at what Leo's doing, I'll have to do even more." The two superstars are not the only prolific scorers at the tournament. Norway striker Erling Haaland has already scored four goals in his country's first two World Cup matches, while Portugal's Cristiano Ronaldo added two goals against Uzbekistan on Tuesday to take his career World Cup total to 10. Still, Messi and Mbappé have emerged as the standout performers, continuing a rivalry that captured global attention during the dramatic 2022 World Cup final in Qatar. In that match, Messi scored twice and Mbappé completed a hat trick before Argentina eventually prevailed in a penalty shootout. Both Argentina and France have already secured places in the knockout stage and remain among the leading contenders for the title. Messi, who turns 39 on Wednesday, continues to defy expectations in a tournament often dominated by younger players. Since turning 35, the Argentina captain has scored 12 World Cup goals. The former Barcelona star, now playing for Inter Miami in Major League Soccer, continues to display the vision, technique and stamina that have defined his career. His second goal in Argentina's 2-0 win over Austria highlighted those qualities. After Julián Álvarez's shot was blocked, Messi chased the rebound and slid the ball through two defenders to seal the victory. "We knew that he is on a level of his own, and Lionel Messi showed us today that he's one of the best, and he is the best," Austria coach Ralf Rangnick said. Mbappé, at 27, is in the prime of his career and appears well-positioned to challenge Messi's records for years to come. The French forward burst onto the international stage at age 19, helping France win the 2018 World Cup in Russia. His goal in the final against Croatia made him only the second teenager after Pelé to score in a World Cup final. Mbappé scored four goals at that tournament and has continued his remarkable run ever since. Now playing for Real Madrid, he combines explosive pace with powerful finishing using both feet. After winning the Golden Boot with eight goals at the 2022 World Cup, Mbappé has now reached 16 career World Cup goals, matching Germany's Miroslav Klose and moving one ahead of Brazilian great Ronaldo. His scoring rate is even more remarkable. Mbappé's 16 goals have come in just 16 World Cup appearances since 2018, while Messi's 18 goals have been scored across 28 matches in six tournaments dating back to 2006. "I've always scored goals in the World Cup, so it's not something I'm thinking about or that I'm worried about," Mbappé said. Norway's Haaland is also making a strong impression in his first World Cup appearance. The 25-year-old Manchester City striker, standing 6-foot-5, has scored twice in each of Norway's opening two victories and could emerge as a serious contender for the tournament's Golden Boot if Norway advances deep into the competition. Norway will face France on Friday in a match that will decide the group winner, with both teams already qualified for the knockout rounds. "We're through (to the next round), which is incredible," Haaland said. "So I couldn't care too much about that game now. They (France) are probably going to win against us, they're probably going to win the whole tournament." Norway coach Stale Solbakken believes Haaland gives his side a chance to compete with the tournament's biggest teams. "He is the best striker," Solbakken said. "He's not playing for France or Argentina. He scores for Norway." Mbappé, however, had a different answer when asked who the world's best player is. "It's clear," Mbappé said. "(Messi) is the best in the world."

As reigning champions Argentina national football team began their World Cup title defence on Tuesday, supporters turned out in extraordinary numbers, spending heavily and travelling thousands of miles to follow their team. For many fans, distance, cost and exhaustion were no barrier. Three supporters cycled nearly 17,700 kilometres from South America to Kansas City without even having match tickets. Others drove for about 20 hours, surviving on simple meals to cut expenses. One long-time supporter, 73-year-old Daniel Otero, said he is attending his seventh World Cup and is spending nearly $100,000 to watch Argentina across the tournament with his two sons. “We are crazy for Argentina,” he said. “That’s why we spend so much money to see our national team.” Their dedication was rewarded as Argentina opened its campaign with a dominant 3-0 win over Algeria. Star forward Lionel Messi scored all three goals, further fuelling excitement that this may be his final World Cup appearance as he turns 39 next week. Fans compared Argentina’s global following to iconic sports dynasties. One supporter said the team’s popularity with Messi is similar to the Chicago Bulls era led by Michael Jordan, noting the striker’s worldwide influence. Many travelling fans said they are following the team across multiple matches, with some estimating costs of tens of thousands of dollars for the journey. Supporters also expressed admiration for Messi’s long-standing impact on the national team, with many saying they cannot imagine Argentina without him. In and around the stadium, the atmosphere reflected deep emotional connection to the team. Fans waved flags, wore Messi jerseys and gathered around a travelling supporters’ band known as ‘Los Sin Entradas’, which performed outside the venue with drums and banners declaring “I love you, Lio.” An 11-year-old fan from Miami, whose family has Argentine roots, said he feels closely connected to the country because of Messi and regularly travels there to visit relatives. The group of travelling musicians said they plan to follow Argentina to upcoming matches in Dallas and beyond, depending on where the team advances. Local organisers in Kansas City said they have been impressed by the extreme lengths fans have gone to attend matches, including cyclists who arrived without tickets but were later helped by locals to secure entry. Many other supporters arrived days in advance, some driving long distances and staying in budget accommodation to afford tickets, which can cost hundreds of dollars. One fan, who was born in Argentina but now lives in the United States, said attending the World Cup felt like a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity, especially with Argentina holding the title. “We’re the last champions,” she said, describing the emotional pull of watching her national team on football’s biggest stage.

Lionel Messi scored the first World Cup hat trick of his career and matched Miroslav Klose's all-time World Cup scoring record on Tuesday night, giving Argentina fans at Arrowhead Stadium an unforgettable performance in their team's match against Algeria. Messi opened the scoring in the early minutes after receiving a well-placed pass from his Inter Miami teammate Rodrigo De Paul. He added his second goal shortly after the start of the second half and completed his hat trick moments before being substituted, leaving the field to a standing ovation from the crowd. The achievement came exactly 20 years after Messi made his World Cup debut for Argentina against Serbia and Montenegro, a match in which he also scored. With Tuesday's goals, Messi became only the second player in history to score in five different World Cup editions. The Argentine captain now has 16 World Cup goals from six tournament appearances, equalling Klose's long-standing record. With several matches still ahead, Messi appears well positioned to break the mark in the coming weeks. It was the 61st hat trick of Messi's professional career and his 11th for Argentina. He has now scored in five consecutive World Cup matches. Messi's performance overshadowed impressive displays by two other global stars on the same day. France forward Kylian Mbappé scored twice in a 3-1 victory over Senegal and moved into a tie for fourth place on the World Cup scoring list with 14 goals. Norway striker Erling Haaland also netted twice in his team's 4-1 win over Iraq. The Argentine star, who turns 39 next week, had been managing a minor hamstring problem during his time with Inter Miami before the World Cup. However, he showed no signs of discomfort in a warm-up match against Iceland last week, where he scored from the penalty spot during a 20-minute appearance. Tuesday's match against Algeria marked the 200th international appearance of Messi's career, which began in 2005 when he was 18 years old. Only Portugal's Cristiano Ronaldo, who is set to earn his 229th cap on Wednesday, and Kuwait's Bader Al-Mutawa, who finished with 202 appearances, have played more international matches. Argentina is one of four national teams using the Kansas City metropolitan area as its World Cup base camp. Since the team's arrival around two weeks ago, enthusiasm surrounding Messi has swept across the region. On match day, thousands of supporters wearing Messi's iconic No. 10 jersey filled the home stadium of the NFL's Kansas City Chiefs, singing songs in support of the football legend from Rosario. At a separate watch party in downtown Kansas City's Power & Light District, former NFL quarterback and current Fox broadcaster Jameis Winston appeared on stage alongside a goat dressed in an Argentina jersey, a playful reference to Messi's status as the "Greatest of All Time" (GOAT). The lighthearted scene appeared to foreshadow Messi's historic night. With every World Cup goal he scores, the argument that he is football's greatest-ever player continues to gain strength.

Argentina coach Lionel Scaloni says football fans across the world are eager to watch Lionel Messi play as the superstar prepares to make his 200th appearance for Argentina when the defending champions open their World Cup campaign against Algeria national football team on Tuesday. Scaloni, who shares roots in Argentina’s Santa Fe province with Messi, said the eight-time Ballon d’Or winner remains a global attraction whose influence extends far beyond Argentine supporters. “Not only Argentinians but people all over the world want to see him play,” Scaloni said. “Everyone wants to see him on the pitch because he has an impact on football fans everywhere.” Argentina will begin its title defence at Arrowhead Stadium in Kansas City, with Messi expected to feature despite recently dealing with a minor hamstring problem. The 39-year-old forward appeared fully fit in Argentina’s final warm-up match against Iceland last week. Coming on as a second-half substitute, he scored from the penalty spot and completed his brief appearance without any issues. If selected as expected, Messi will reach the milestone of 200 international appearances against Algeria. “There’s nothing negative to say about him,” Scaloni said. “He’s always there for us and remains a key part of this team.” Messi's presence has generated huge excitement among fans in Kansas City ahead of the match. Tapash Chakraborty, owner of an engineering design company, was among supporters hoping to catch a glimpse of the Argentine squad before the game. “Messi is Messi,” he said. “He is the god of football.” Messi jerseys have become a common sight throughout the city, with fans wearing shirts from Argentina, his former club FC Barcelona and current club Inter Miami CF. Michelle Lemmon, who travelled from Missouri with her children to attend World Cup activities, described Messi as the world’s best player and said she was thrilled to have Argentina based in Kansas City during the tournament. She added that a dream final would see the United States face Argentina.   Many football fans believe the debate over the greatest player of all time often comes down to Messi and Brazilian legend Pelé. A successful World Cup title defence would add another remarkable achievement to Messi’s career. Only two countries have previously won consecutive World Cups: Italy in the 1930s and Brazil in 1958 and 1962. Argentina came close to repeating the feat four years ago after defeating France in a dramatic final in Qatar. Veteran defender Nicolás Otamendi said memories of Argentina’s triumph in Qatar continue to inspire the squad. “The whole country came together during that tournament,” Otamendi said. “Those memories stay with us and motivate us to keep pushing forward. We cannot relax. We have to keep working with humility.” Otamendi also praised Messi’s attitude, describing him as a humble person who remains fiercely competitive despite his achievements. “He focuses on training and always wants to win,” Otamendi said. “We want to support him and enjoy playing alongside him. When the match starts, the team must stay united and work together on the field.”

Injury concerns surrounding some of football’s biggest stars, including Lionel Messi, Kylian Mbappé and Lamine Yamal, had raised doubts ahead of the FIFA World Cup, but all three have been named in their national squads for the tournament in the United States, Canada and Mexico. While several leading players have recovered in time to make the competition, others have been ruled out due to injury. France striker Hugo Ekitike will miss the World Cup after suffering an Achilles injury in April that is expected to keep him sidelined for more than six months. Brazil will be without Rodrygo and Éder Militão, while Germany forward Serge Gnabry has also been ruled out after sustaining an adductor injury in training. Messi sparked concern last month when he left the field injured while playing for Inter Miami CF. Although he has been included in Argentina’s squad as the defending champions seek to retain their title, it remains unclear whether he has fully recovered from what was described as muscle fatigue. Spain’s teenage sensation Yamal also faced a fitness scare after missing the closing weeks of the season with a hamstring injury. "I remember the play in which I got injured," he said. "I was praying inside for it not to be serious, for it to be a cramp or something like that, because I knew the World Cup was very close." The growing number of injuries has renewed concerns about the demands placed on players amid an increasingly crowded football calendar. The expanded World Cup follows the enlarged Club World Cup and recent changes to the UEFA Champions League format. Mikel Arteta, manager of Arsenal FC, recently described the workload facing players as “an accident waiting to happen.” Among the notable absentees are Argentina's Joaquín Panichelli, England defender Ben White, Netherlands midfielder Xavi Simons, Spain's Fermín López, Scotland's Billy Gilmour and several United States internationals, including Cameron Carter-Vickers, Patrick Agyemang and Johnny Cardoso. Some players remain fitness concerns despite making their squads. Argentina defender Cristian Romero is recovering from a knee injury, while Canada captain Alphonso Davies is racing to recover from a hamstring problem ahead of his team's opening match. Croatia veteran Luka Modrić returned to action after suffering a cheekbone injury earlier this year, while defender Joško Gvardiol has recovered from a broken leg and is set to feature at the tournament. Meanwhile, United States midfielder Gio Reyna heads into the World Cup after limited playing time at club level. US coach Mauricio Pochettino backed the midfielder's inclusion, saying: "He can help because he's a different player, different talent, and I think in all the roster you need to have a player like him."

Argentina’s Lionel Messi, Portugal’s Cristiano Ronaldo and Mexico’s Guillermo Ochoa have been included in the final FIFA World Cup squad lists released on Tuesday, featuring a record 1,248 players from 48 nations. The veteran trio are set to appear in the tournament for a record sixth time, according to FIFA. Out of the total players named for the tournament, 357 have previous World Cup experience, while around 891 will be making their debut on football’s biggest stage. The tournament, featuring 104 matches across Canada, the United States and Mexico, also highlights a significant age range among players. Scotland’s Craig Gordon is the oldest at 43 years and 162 days, while Mexico’s Gilberto Mora, aged 17 years and 240 days, is among 22 players under 20. Seven players in total are aged 40 or above. Four countries- Cape Verde, Curaçao, Jordan and Uzbekistan — will be making their World Cup debut. FIFA rules allow squad changes only in cases of serious injury or illness up to 24 hours before a team’s first match, with any exceptions requiring approval from the governing body.

A rookie card featuring Argentine football superstar Lionel Messi has been sold for a record-breaking $1.5 million in a private transaction, making it the most valuable soccer card ever sold. This new record surpasses the previous one held by a card of Brazilian legend Pele. According to Goldin Auctions, the card, a 2004-05 Panini Mega Cracks PSA 10, was sold through Fanatics Collect’s private sales network. This sale tops a similar card that sold for $1.1 million earlier this week in a deal also facilitated by Goldin. The previous record for a soccer card was set in 2022 when a 1958 Alifabolaget Pele PSA 9 sold privately for $1.33 million, according to Card Ladder. This latest record is part of a series of high-value sales for this specific Messi rookie card. Just last month, a different PSA 10-graded version of the card sold for $1 million through Fanatics Collect, a global digital sports platform that trades cards and collectibles. Prior to that, another copy sold for $825,000 at Goldin. The record for the card before August was reportedly $336,000, set in June 021. Messi scores twice in emotional farewell match for Argentina The sale marks a major milestone for Fanatics Collect's new private sales network, which is designed for high-value transactions of $10,000 or more. According to a source from Fanatics who spoke with ESPN, the network generated roughly $8 million in sales from 30 to 40 transactions during its first full month in August. Out of the 838 copies of the No. 71 Messi card that PSA has graded, only 20 have received the highest possible grade of Gem-Mint 10, making them extremely rare and valuable. The record-breaking $1.5 million card also includes a special “Mike Baker Authenticated Diamond” certification, which signifies its exceptional condition.

Lionel Messi, one of the most iconic figures in global football, is set to add another memorable chapter to his storied career this time, in the heart of Cleveland. Inter Miami’s matchup against Columbus Crew will take place at Cleveland’s NFL venue, Huntington Bank Stadium, marking the first time the Crew will host a Major League Soccer match outside of Columbus. The unique setting, better known for the Cleveland Browns’ raucous “Dawg Pound,” will instead be filled with passionate Crew fans as Messi takes center stage. The opportunity came thanks to the Haslam Sports Group, which owns both the Browns and the Crew. Since acquiring the MLS club in 2019, the Haslams have held the option of staging a match in Cleveland, and the Messi effect made this the perfect moment. “This is a unique moment in time with Messi where we can fill the building and ensure that the first experience Northeast Ohio has with the Columbus Crew is in a packed house,” said Josh Glessing, the Crew’s president of business operations. This will be Messi’s 11th MLS game played in an NFL stadium since he joined Inter Miami in 2023 after guiding Argentina to a World Cup triumph in 2022. These matches have proven to be major draws, averaging more than 61,000 fans. Last year’s clash between Inter Miami and Sporting Kansas City at Arrowhead Stadium drew a massive 72,610 fans—far surpassing typical MLS attendance figures. The Crew hopes to break their own single-game attendance record of 31,550, set in 1996 at Ohio Stadium. MLS executive vice president Camilo Durana said Messi’s presence is doing more than selling tickets—it’s building lasting enthusiasm for the sport. “The impact Messi has on MLS and soccer in the U.S. is clear. But there’s also a long-term legacy being created that people are just starting to recognize,” Durana said. Northeast Ohio isn’t new to soccer. The Cleveland Force of the 1980s was one of indoor soccer’s biggest draws, and the region continues to foster talent at the youth and collegiate levels. The University of Akron's soccer program remains one of the most successful in the nation, having produced multiple MLS players, including current Crew midfielder Darlington Nagbe. Cleveland nearly landed a National Women’s Soccer League (NWSL) expansion team, and while that bid fell short, a new local group has announced plans to join the WPSL Pro—a Division II league considered a pipeline to the NWSL. This game also has serious on-field significance. It’s a battle between the last two unbeaten teams in MLS. Columbus Crew (5-0-3) lead the Eastern Conference with 18 points, while Inter Miami (4-0-3), with one game in hand, trails just behind in fourth. Messi has already tallied three goals and two assists in four matches this season. For Cleveland native Sean Zawadzki, a midfielder for the Crew, the match has extra meaning. “It’s a dream come true,” Zawadzki said. “I grew up cheering for teams at this stadium. To play here in front of family, friends, and fans in my hometown—it’s something I’ll never forget.” With high stakes, record-breaking expectations, and the Messi factor in full effect, Saturday’s match in Cleveland promises to be a landmark moment for Ohio soccer.    

Inter Miami failed to score for the first time since Lionel Messi joined the team, playing a scoreless draw with Nashville on Wednesday night. Messi failed to convert two free kick attempts in his first Major League Soccer match at home, and it was the first time during his Inter Miami tenure that he was kept off the score sheet. Read: Messi violates MLS media rules by not speaking with reporters after debut Inter Miami still earned a point in the standings as it looks to make a late-season playoff push. Miami entered the game 11 points shy of the MLS playoff line and needing to move up from 14th to ninth place to make the playoffs. Miami had won its previous nine matches as Messi's addition gave the team an immediate boost. He has scored 10 goals, including three multi-goal performances. Messi started the game Wednesday along with former Barcelona teammate Sergio Busquets after the two entered Miami's previous match against the New York Red Bulls in the 60th minute. Miami had no shots on goal Wednesay through the first 60 minutes as the team struggled to break through Nashville's defense. Messi attempted a free kick in the 60th minute after drawing a foul on Nashville's Dax McCarty, but the shot to the bottom-left corner was stopped by Elliot Panicco. Still, Inter Miami fans took out their phones to record the free kick, just in case the seven-time Ballon d'Or delivered another goal similar to the one in his debut — when he scored in the 94th minute to give Miami a win over Mexican Club Cruz Azul in the Leagues Cup opener. Read: Messi converts PK, assists on 2 goals, leading Miami past MLS-best Cincinnati in US Open Cup semi Nahsville's Hany Mukhtar had a goal erased by an offside call in the 69th minute. Messi got another chance in the 83rd minute, but the shot bounced off the wall of defenders. The two teams met 10 days ago in the Leagues Cup final. Messi scored early in regulation and converted the first shot in penalty kicks, and Miami won after an 11-round penalty kick shootout for its first ever trophy. Read: Messi leads Inter Miami to first ever trophy in Leagues Cup final Messi and Inter Miami players posed with co-owner Jorge Mas on the field Wednesday with the Leagues Cup trophy for the first time in front of their home fans.