Publisher - The Beautiful Game, Beautifully Told

The first round of group stage matches is complete. All 48 teams have played. Here is what the numbers tell us about a tournament that has already broken records before the serious business begins. Goals: The Highest Rate Since 1958…

World Cup Day 7 completed the first round of group stage fixtures with all 48 teams having played. It delivered two results that will define the tournament narrative for weeks: England's thrilling win over Croatia confirmed their…

It was one of the most exciting days of this FIFA World Cup yet. 16 goals were scored across four matches. Both finalists of the last edition started their World Cup journeys with a bang. And in between, one of the dark horses of the…

Portugal launch their 2026 FIFA World Cup campaign against DR Congo at Houston Stadium on Wednesday, with Roberto Martínez’s side looking to flex their immense attacking muscles and establish themselves as early frontrunners in Group K.…

The numbers sit there, stubbornly implausible. In seven World Cup appearances since independence, Croatia have reached the semi-finals three times — finishing third in 1998, reaching the final in 2018, and claiming third place again in…

Ghana and Panama launch their World Cup campaigns at Toronto Stadium on Wednesday night in an essential Group L fixture where both nations understand that early momentum could prove decisive for their knockout qualification hopes. With…

Lionel Messi scored his first World Cup hat-trick to equal Miroslav Klose's all-time record of 16 goals as Argentina beat Algeria 3-0 in Kansas City. It was a day that also saw Kylian Mbappé become France's all-time leading scorer and…

On June 16, 2006, an 18-year-old scored his first World Cup goal. On June 16, 2026, the same man scored three. This is what twenty years looks like. https://twitter.com/FIFAWorldCup/status/2067136363078545876?s=20 There are players who…

Erling Haaland had waited his entire career for this. On Tuesday night in Foxborough, he made it count. The Manchester City striker scored twice on his World Cup debut as Norway beat Iraq 4-1 in their Group I opener — winning Norway's…

England launch their World Cup campaign with a highly anticipated Group L clash against Croatia in Dallas on Wednesday evening. Thomas Tuchel's side enter the tournament carrying immense expectations after securing a historic and flawless…