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England’s Bukayo Saka shoots for goal during the World Cup third-place playoff soccer match between France and England in Miami Gardens, Florida, July 18, 2026. (AP/Rebecca Blackwell)
Ten goal thriller: England beats France 6-4 to win World Cup’s third place play-off
By ToI Staff and Reuters
Would-be marginal encounter between two teams that failed to make it to the final becomes the highest-scoring World Cup game since 1982
This combination of file photos created on July 16, 2026, shows Spain’s forward #19 Lamine Yamal in Arlington on July 14, 2026 (L); and Argentina’s forward #10 Lionel Messi in Atlanta on July 15, 2026. (Charly Triballeau and Roberto Schmidt/AFP)
July 18, 2026, 1:54 am
Argentina vs Spain World Cup final becomes a proxy for the Israel-Palestinian conflict
Online fans cast Sunday’s match as a highly symbolic contest due to the opposing views on Israel in Madrid and Buenos Aires; some posts criticizing Messi ‘invoke antisemitic conspiracy theories’
By Juan Melamed and Joseph Strauss
Lionel Messi at the Western Wall with the FC Barcelona team in Jerusalem's Old City, August 04, 2013. (Alex Kolomoisky/ FLASH90)
July 11, 2026, 1:20 pm
Lionel Messi’s ostensibly controversial history with Jewish and Israeli life. Spoiler: He’s Catholic
Many anti-Zionists are rooting against Argentina as the team plays Switzerland in the World Cup quarterfinals because of its star No. 10’s purported Zionism and Judaism, while Israelis cheer him on
By Juan Melamed
Argentina players toss teammate Lionel Messi into the air as they celebrate after winning the World Cup round of 16 soccer match against Egypt in Atlanta, Georgia, July 7, 2026. (AP Photo/Jacob Kupferman)
July 7, 2026, 11:57 pm
Messi leads Argentina in stunning late 3-2 comeback to oust Egypt from World Cup
Defending champions trailed 2-0 before turning tide in last 11 minutes to claim spot in quarterfinals; Egypt’s coach accuses referee of ‘injustice,’ blasts noon start time
By Agencies
Referee Raphael Claus of Brazil shows a red card to United States' Folarin Balogun, right, during the World Cup round of 32 soccer match between the United States and Bosnia in Santa Clara, California, July 1, 2026. (AP Photo/Julio Cortez)
July 6, 2026, 11:35 am
Trump intervenes to spare US soccer star a World Cup ban, sparking outcry
US president calls FIFA president and close friend Gianni Infantino to urge lifting of red card for Folarin Balogun; ban suspended for a year for first time since 1962, allowing striker to play against Belgium
By Ronald Blum and Michelle L. Price
The Hasmonea Lwow team in 1924. Zygmunt Steuermann is standing on the far left. (Public domain)
July 4, 2026, 3:43 pm
‘Digging Deep’ for legacies, author finds missing Jewish soccer players killed in Holocaust
David Bolchover’s dark detective journey unearths a star footballing ‘team’ whose memories were erased by the Nazis, and shows that the dearth of Jewish greats in the sport today is no accident
By Lianne Kolirin
Israeli kids watch a World Cup match between Portugal and Uzbekistan at an outdoor screening in Jaffa, June 23, 2026. (Deborah Danan/ JTA)
July 1, 2026, 1:59 am
Roots, Ronaldo and regional rivalries: How Israelis choose their World Cup favorites
With their own team missing from the tournament, Israeli fans’ picks are influenced by the war, diplomatic loyalties and anger toward countries seen as hostile
By Deborah Danan
Iran's team stands for their national anthem during the World Cup Group G soccer match between Egypt and Iran in Seattle, June 26, 2026. (Manu Fernandez/AP)
June 28, 2026, 8:00 am
Iran narrowly knocked out of World Cup after tumultuous contest on and off field
Last minute 3-3 draw between Austria and Algeria causes elimination of Iranian soccer squad; team had complained of travel restrictions, visa denials and quick exits from US after matches
By JIM VERTUNO
Egyptian football fans react as they watch their national team's 2026 World Cup Group G football match against Iran, at an outdoor cafe in the Sharabiya district of Cairo on June 27, 2026. (Photo by Khaled Desouki/AFP)
June 28, 2026, 2:11 am
‘It was a dream’: Egypt revels in historic World Cup moment after 1-1 draw against Iran
Fans watching at home celebrate in the streets as the Pharaohs progress out of the tournament’s group stage for first time in its history
By AFP
Maccabi Tel Aviv's Raz Shlomo, center, duels for the ball with Lyon's Pavel Sulc, down, during the Europa League opening phase soccer match between Maccabi Tel Aviv and Lyon, in Backa Topola, Serbia, November 27, 2025. (AP Photo/Darko Vojinovic)
June 25, 2026, 4:37 pm
Israel’s World Cup prospects look better in Asia, but amid protests it sticks with Europe
Kicked out of Asian Football Confederation in 1974, Jewish state’s team says return not on the table, citing standing in UEFA – and doubts it would be welcomed back
By Deborah Danan
Ayala Ohana, 12, seen in white shirt, carries the ball at the start of the France-Senegal FIFA World Cup match at the MetLife Stadium in New Jersey on June 16, 2026. (Screen captures/ Instagram/Hananel Ohana)
June 17, 2026, 2:05 pm
12-year-old girl with rare disease represents Israel at World Cup
Ayala Ohana, whose struggle with Gaucher has moved hundreds of thousands of followers online, was one of 104 children from around the world chosen to serve as ball carriers
By ToI Staff and Eliana Rosen
Activists place a banner covering the logo of the FIFA World Cup 2026 in Toronto, Canada, June 12, 2026. (Jorge UZON / AFP)
June 13, 2026, 5:37 pm
Activists rally to ‘kick Israel out of FIFA’ despite team’s absence from World Cup
Protesters in Toronto wearing ‘Jews for a free Palestine’ shirts unfurl banner calling for Israel’s ouster from FIFA, hold event urging release of jailed Hamas medical officer
By Reuters and ToI Staff
Ireland's Seamus Coleman walks as tennis balls are thrown on to the pitch during the international friendly soccer match between Ireland and Qatar in Dublin, Ireland, May 28, 2026. (AP Photo/ Peter Morrison)
June 12, 2026, 9:43 pm
Irish, Israeli soccer teams to play at neutral sites after calls to boycott the matches
Ireland says Oct. 4 game it was due to host being moved because of ‘operational challenges’ of playing in Dublin, where anti-Israel fans recently hurled balls onto field amid play
By Agencies
Goalkeeper Matt Turner, of the United States men's national soccer team, displays his jersey during the announcement of the team's 2026 FIFA World Cup roster, in New York City, May 26, 2026. (Eduardo Munoz Alvarez/AP)
June 11, 2026, 11:30 pm
Meet Matt Turner, the only Jewish player on Team USA in the World Cup
Goalkeeper discovered his Jewish roots via paternal great-grandmother’s emigration papers that enabled her to flee Lithuania during Holocaust
By jacob gurvis
Players of South Africa visit the stadium in Mexico City, June 10, 2026, a day before their opening FIFA World Cup match against Mexico. (Eduardo Verdugo/AP)
June 11, 2026, 8:44 pm
Biggest World Cup ever kicking off amid high ticket prices, visa issues
48 countries’ soccer teams to compete in US, Mexico, and Canada; event, expected to generate $13 billion, already dogged by diplomatic controversies, including about Iran
By Rob Woollard
A man wearing a shirt bearing Iran's national soccer team logo blows a plastic trumpet during a pro-government gathering in support of Iran's World Cup team at Islamic Revolution Square in Tehran, Iran, Wednesday, May 13, 2026. (AP Photo/Vahid Salemi)
June 7, 2026, 8:44 am
War and economic hardship dampen World Cup excitement in Iran
Iranians say it’s difficult to get excited about a soccer tournament in a year that has seen so much suffering, especially when it’s being hosted by a country they are at war with
By Majid Sourati and Ahmad Parhizi
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