FIFA World Cup 2026: 'What stars are saying before semi-finals'

Doha, Qatar: Major tournaments are often underpinned by players who rarely grab the headlines but there are also moments when the biggest names take centre stage.

That has certainly been the case in North America this summer at a tournament which has been widely dubbed as the “World Cup of superstars”.

With the semi-finals set to feature four nations that have previously lifted the trophy and happen to occupy the top four berths in the FIFA Men’s World Ranking – the FIFA World Cup 2026 has reached its defining phase, with the expectation that some of its biggest stars will make the difference. esporist.com

الأخبارالمانع يشيد بمستويات وتنظيم بطولة آسيا للأثقالأكد سعادة محمد بن يوسف المانع أن المستويات الفنية التي شهدتها بطولة آسيا للشباب والناشئين لرفع الأثقال للرجال والسيدات التي أقيمت بأوزبكستان تؤكد التطور الكبير الذي تشهده رياضة ...فتح →

Argentina: Messi and Alvarez

Messi has experienced almost every emotion that the World Cup can conjure, yet he somehow keeps discovering new ones. At the age of 39, La Albiceleste’s evergreen captain is finally set to face England for the first time.

“It’ll be a special match because I’ve never played against England,” Messi said.

“They’re also a great team, one of the world’s powerhouses, and it’s always wonderful to play against sides like that. It’s an encounter that promises to be huge, even more so in a World Cup semi-final.”

Alongside him in the reigning champions’ frontline, Alvarez seems to be peaking at exactly the right time. After netting a long-range stunner in extra time to help down Switzerland in the quarter-finals, the striker spoke of his excitement and how he hopes to produce his very best when there is no longer any margin for error.

“Scoring that goal was important,” he said. “I’ve got better as the World Cup has gone on and I hope to be even better in the semi-finals. What matters most is the team winning, but as a striker, I want to help by finding the net. It makes me feel really emotional. I can only imagine what it must’ve been like back home.”

England: Kane and Bellingham

Just like their upcoming opponents in the last four, England have come through a series of hard-fought contests in which they have had to handle intense pressure right up to the final whistle. Kane knows that lifting the World Cup is the final piece needed to turn the Three Lions’ impressive runs at recent tournaments into a long‑lasting legacy.

“This is an extremely successful period for our national team,” explained the No9.

“We want to take that final step. We’ve been together for six weeks now, giving everything for this badge every single day.”

Kane is certainly not carrying that responsibility alone. Bellingham has been one of England’s standout performers on the road to the semi-finals.

“This is probably a bit beyond [my wildest dreams]. I’m a confident boy, but I don’t think you go to bed at night dreaming about games like that. It’s nice to have an impact and help my team, but I’m just so proud of how the lads keep battling regardless of what situation we find ourselves in.”

France: Mbappe and Dembele

For many, Les Bleus are the team to beat. But Mbappe refuses to believe that the job is done.

He said: “I don’t know if I’d call it a ‘mission’, but we all know we can only relax if we win it. We can’t let our guard down until then. We still have a lot to prove if we want to be recognised as an ‘invincible team’.”Dembele struck a slightly more measured tone. Like Mbappe, he has reached the third World Cup semi-final of his career feeling that his own development has gone hand in hand with France’s progress, while continuing to put the team ahead of any personal acclaim.

“I’m very happy,” he revealed. “I feel comfortable in my role for France and Paris Saint‑Germain. I’m getting stronger as the tournament goes on, but the team come first.”

Spain: Lamine and Rodri

As Spain prepare to lock horns with their European neighbours, their hopes could well ride on teenage talent Yamal. Still searching for a blistering performance on North American soil to truly showcase his immense ability, the winger is unfazed by the calibre of their semi-final opponents. “Ever since the tournament got under way, many people have been hoping for this match,” he said.“For me, these are the two best teams at this World Cup. We’re not afraid. If anyone can beat France, it’s us.”

While Yamal represents the unpredictable, Rodri embodies control. The dependable midfielder has completed more passes than any other player at the tournament, providing La Roja with composure in the moments when tensions are highest.

“France will probably be our toughest test,” admitted the 30-year-old. FIFA

أحرز لاعب المنتخب القطري سيف الدين محمد الميدالية الذهبية لمسابقة القفز بالزانة اليوم في البطولة الآسيوية لألعاب القوى تحت 23 عاما والمقامة بمدينة أوردوس الصينية.
وسجل سيف الدين محمد ارتفاعا قدره (5.54 مترا) كأفضل أرقام المسابقة لهذه الفئة ليحل في المركز الأول ويحرز خامس الميداليات للمنتخب القطري في البطولة بعد ذهبيتي حاتم حميد في سباق 800 متر، وزكريا إبراهيم في سباق 3 آلاف متر، وفضية أحمد جبرين في مسابقة دفع الجلة، وبرونزية صلاح يونس في سباق 100 متر.
وتشارك ألعاب القوى القطرية في البطولة بمجموعة من العدائين الواعدين في الفئة الأولمبية /23 عاما/ هم: سيف الدين محمد /مسابقة القفز بالزانة/، وأحمد جبرين /دفع الجلة/، خالد حسين سباقي /400 متر و4 في 400 م تتابع/، وزكريا إبراهيم في سباقي /3 آلاف متر موانع و1500 متر /، وحاتم حميد في سباقي /800 متر و4 في 400 م تتابع/، وصلاح يونس في سباق /100 متر/ وعمر داؤود في سباق /110 أمتار حواجز/، وعبدالرحمن محمد في سباقي /400 متر حواجز و4 في 400 م تتابع/، ومبارك عبدالكريم في سباقي /400 متر حرة و4 في 400 م تتابع/.

Berlin: American Jessica Pegula rallied past world number one Aryna Sabalenka 6-2, 6-7 (4/7), 6-0 to reach the final of the Berlin WTA grass-court tournament for the second time.

The world number four will bid for her 12th WTA title, her second on the Berlin grass after her 2024 victory, against Czech Linda Noskova, the eighth seed, who breezed past Filipina wildcard Alexandre Eala 6-2, 6-4.

Sabalenka had won nine of her 12 previous meetings against the American third seed but it was their first clash on grass.

Pegula got off to a strong start, capitalising on Sabalenka's poor forehand, which produced 10 unforced errors in the first three games.

She broke serve to lead 2-1, then gave Sabalenka no chance on her serve, securing the set 6-4 in three-quarters of an hour.

The Belarusian took an early lead in the second set, breaking serve immediately, but looked shaky when it came to closing out the set and was pushed to a tiebreak, which was interrupted by rain at 3-1 for the American on her opponent's serve.

Two and a half hours later, the two players returned to the Steffi Graf court, and Sabalenka snatched the set, setting up a decider.

Pegula quickly pulled away in the deciding set, closing it out 6-0 after two hours and 13 minutes on court.

World number 35 Eala, 21, who upset world number two Elena Rybakina in the last 16 and Queen's Club champion Donna Vekic in the first round, could not continue her impressive streak.

World number 13 Noskova, 21, won in 1hr 09min and will play her first grass court final on Sunday.

DOHA: As the FIFA World Cup 2026 group stage approaches its conclusion, the Netherlands and Tunisia meet in a Group F encounter with important objectives on the line in Kansas City.

The Dutch are aiming to secure top spot and build momentum ahead of the knockout rounds, while Tunisia are determined to end their campaign on a positive note.
The Netherlands arrive in confident form following a commanding victory over Sweden and a hard-fought draw against Japan.

Under Ronald Koeman, they have displayed technical quality, attacking fluidity and tactical discipline, leaving them well placed to secure first place in Group F.

Speaking ahead of the match, Koeman said his side's focus remains on finishing top of the group and securing the best possible position heading into the knockout stage.

Much of the Netherlands' strength comes from their experienced core. Virgil van Dijk provides leadership at the back, while Frenkie de Jong remains key to controlling possession in midfield. Cody Gakpo and Denzel Dumfries have also been influential, helping make the Dutch one of the tournament's more dangerous attacking sides.

Tunisia, meanwhile, find themselves in a very different position. Defeats to Sweden and Japan ended their hopes of reaching the knockout rounds, but they remain determined to finish their World Cup campaign on a positive note. A difficult tournament also brought a coaching change, with Herve Renard taking charge.

Renard has called on his players to show "pride" and "dignity" in their final World Cup appearance, regardless of the result.

الأخبارإدارة التحكيم تشرح للأندية تعديلات القانونتواصل إدارة التحكيم بالاتحاد القطري لكرة القدم جهودها التوعوية استعدادًا لانطلاق الموسم الكروي الجديد، من خلال تنظيم سلسلة من المحاضرات التثقيفية للأندية، بهدف شرح آخر التعديلات...فتح →

Goalkeeper Aymen Dahmen echoed his coach's message, insisting the squad remains united and determined to deliver a performance the supporters can be proud of.

Tactically, the Netherlands are expected to dominate possession and control the tempo through their structured build-up play. Koeman's side will look to De Jong, summerville, Gakpo and Dumfries to create openings against a disciplined Tunisian defence.

Tunisia are expected to remain compact and look to frustrate the Dutch attack. Captain Ellyes Skhiri will be key in midfield, while Hannibal Mejbri and Elias Achouri could provide a threat on the counterattack.

Another key factor will be motivation could also play a key role. The Netherlands are chasing first place in the group, while Tunisia are playing for pride and the chance to end their campaign on a positive note.

As Group F reaches its conclusion, the match could have a major impact on the final standings while giving Tunisia one last opportunity to make a statement. With top spot and national pride on the line, a competitive contest is expected.

Paris, France: Alexander Zverev moved second in the latest ATP rankings released on Monday behind Jannik Sinner who defeated the German in the Wimbledon final.

Sinner, 24, retained his crown on the London grass against Zverev -- who had won his first Grand Slam title at the French Open just weeks earlier -- 6-7 (7/9), 7-6 (7/2), 6-3, 6-4.

The 29-year-old German moves up one spot to push Spain's Carlos Alcaraz down to third.

Spaniard Alcaraz was a finalist against Sinner at Wimbledon last year but was unable to compete with a wrist injury that also forced him to withdraw from Roland Garros.

Veteran Serb Novak Djokovic, 39, who fell to Sinner in the Wimbledon semi-finals, climbed one place to seventh.

Britain's Arthur Fery leapt 78 places from 114th to 36th after the wildcard's run to the semi-finals where he lost to Zverev.

"It's going to change things, for sure," Fery, 24, said.

"I'm going to be able to play Tour events at least for a full year, hopefully for more. It's going to be interesting to see how I deal with that change and everything that brings in terms of expectations."