Football Articles | Mail Online

• Lionel Messi addresses affair rumours with glamorous World Cup reporter after bumping into her again in Miami5 July 2026, 12:55 pm
  The 39-year-old superstar directly addressed the speculation after Argentina secured a 3-2 extra-time victory over Cape Verde in Miami on Friday.
  
• Mexican fans armed with fireworks and honking car horns try to keep England team awake during late-night siege ahead of crunch last-16 match5 July 2026, 12:32 pm
  CHARLOTTE DALY IN MEXICO CITY: An England security official dismissed suggestions the squad's preparations had been disrupted when speaking to Daily Mail Sport outside the hotel.
  
• 'Complete DISASTER': Furious French newspapers rip apart World Cup referee and hand him BRUTAL 1/10 rating for failing to deal with Paraguay's 'disgraceful' dark arts - as outraged fans call for him to be banned5 July 2026, 12:27 pm
  French newspaper L'Equipe gave World Cup referee Ilgiz Tantashev just their third 1/10 rating for an official in a decade after failing to clamp down on Paraguay's 'dark arts' in their World Cup last-16 tie.
  
• Brentford agree £17m deal to sign Burnley winger Jaidon Anthony - and have another Clarets star on their radar this summer: WINDOW WATCH5 July 2026, 12:04 pm
  The transfer window is now open until September 1 and it's sure to be a busy period with clubs looking to make big signings ahead of next season. Here are today's latest developments...
  
• Paraguay's World Cup 'disgrace': Furious BBC pundits savage 'embarrassing' South Americans after last-16 clash descended into chaos with 'dirty' tactics - as Kylian Mbappe hits back with F-bomb response5 July 2026, 11:36 am
  Paraguay have been branded a 'disgrace' and 'embarrassing' for the dirty tactics they used in their 1-0 World Cup defeat by France. 
  
• World Cup Breakfast: Kylian Mbappe helps France overcome Paraguay's 'dark arts', Jesse Marsch baffles with post-match claim, match highlights - and what to look out for today5 July 2026, 11:26 am
  Hello and welcome to Daily Mail Sport's World Cup Breakfast from day 25 at the tournament - your one-stop shop for everything you've missed overnight in North America.
  
• USA star Chris Richards reveals the truth about his lucky rubber chicken, why America can win the World Cup… and the REAL reason he grew his hair5 July 2026, 11:00 am
  Chris Richards is talking about a pillowcase and a rubber chicken. They come from very different places - the suburbs of Alabama and a soccer field in eastern Germany.
  
• Vamos Mexico! Scotland legends go all-out-Mexican with tacos, pinatas and wrestling masks in hilarious new Paddy Power advert as they will England to lose their crucial last 16 clash at the World Cup at the Azteca5 July 2026, 10:51 am
  Scotland legends Graeme Souness, Charlie Nicholas and Gordon Strachan have declared themselves to be Mexico fans in a new Paddy Power advert ahead of their World Cup clash against England.
  
• Football Australia issues statement on Socceroos coach's future after he was blasted for decisions in World Cup loss5 July 2026, 10:48 am
  Under fire Australia coach Tony Popovic has received the backing of the FA after his side were dumped out of the World Cup by Egypt.
  
• How Mexico's punishing altitude has humbled England before - and the travel gamble Thomas Tuchel may live to regret, writes JEFF POWELL5 July 2026, 10:36 am
  JEFF POWELL: Take a deep breath, England. A very deep breath. Then as many more deep breaths as humanly possible in a short span of time.
  
• THE ANALYST - Antonio Nusa: Meet Norway's next superstar whose trademark finish and fearless swagger could send Brazil crashing out of the World Cup - and why he is attracting the interest of Europe's top clubs5 July 2026, 9:42 am
  THE ANALYST: When they score for the first time at a World Cup finals, most players are overcome - particularly if the goal is as good Norway's opener against Ivory Coast.
  
• Paraguay keeper throws ball at Kylian Mbappe after handshake snub before France players brawl with their rivals in feisty World Cup clash5 July 2026, 9:21 am
  Les Bleus advanced to the last 16 of the tournament after earning a narrow 1-0 victory in Philadelphia, with Mbappe firing home the winner from the penalty spot in the 70th minute.
  
• Tottenham are splashing the cash, Man City have spent £116MILLION on Elliot Anderson and Man United are making moves... but are there still bargains to be had in the market? Free agent XI revealed5 July 2026, 9:13 am
  Daily Mail Sport has selected the strongest Premier League Free Agent XI, lining up in a 4-2-3-1 formation, featuring players who are still searching for a new club...
  
• Thomas Tuchel left stunned as he is asked whether his team will take Viagra to combat altitude in Mexico - before England's camp joker Jordan Henderson delivers hilarious response5 July 2026, 9:12 am
  The question was posed at Tuchel's pre-match press conference whether England had turned to Viagra to help them to adjust, due to it reportedly helping to improve performance at altitude.
  
• England fans face nervous wait as Mexican authorities issue latest thunderstorm warning for late night World Cup last-16 clash - but half-time show to go ahead despite delay fears5 July 2026, 8:43 am
  Mexican authorities have warned thunderstorms are expected during the first half of the England's World Cup last-16 tie with the co-hosts, which could lead to the tie being suspended.