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Leandro Paredes was shown a red card after final whistleNahuel Molina appeared to strike Spain’s captain Rodri in the stomach as he ran on to the pitch following the final whistle, while there was also a large melee on the halfway line, where Leandro Paredes appeared to grab Eric García by the throat before throwing Gavi to the ground.Parades was subsequently shown a red card by the referee, Slavko Vincic, who had also sent off Enzo Fernández towards the end of normal time, as well as booking three other Argentina players and the head coach, Lionel Scaloni.“Following an assessment of the relevant match reports for the Fifa World Cup final between Spain and Argentina, and in line with article 36 of the Fifa Disciplinary Code (FDC), the Fifa Disciplinary Committee has appointed a Disciplinary and Ethics Prosecutor to investigate potential breaches of the FDC with regard to the post-match incidents,” Fifa said in a statement.

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Almost 3,000 websites have been blocked or seized for illegally streaming World Cup matches, the US Department of Justice (DOJ) has said.Enforcement agencies in America and across South America carried out the action under investigations named "operation offsides" and "operation red card".Ivan J. Arvelo, director of the National Intellectual Property Rights Coordination Center (NIPRCC), said unauthorised broadcasting of World Cup matches violated intellectual property rights and "fuels criminal organizations".The DOJ said at the end of last month it had taken down 400 webpages over illegal World Cup streaming. Now hundreds more have been taken down or blocked."The sustained effort to seize more than a thousand domains dedicated to illegally streaming the World Cup confirms the administration's commitment to intellectual property rights and to the success of the 2026 FIFA World Cup," said the DOJ's assistant attorney general A. Tysen Duva.The enforcement has been largely overseen by Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE), a federal agency that includes the NIPRCC.The illegal streaming of sports often happens through webpages or websites created specifically for the event. Companies and broadcasters have estimated, external the activity costs them billions of dollars a year.Due to its global popularity, football has been found to be pirated at an "industrial scale", according to analysts. The increasing cost of rights deals for matches has resulted in higher prices for fans at home, especially if they choose to pay for multiple services to watch their team play.It has led to some fans turning to illegal streams of big games to avoid such costs.Charles Rivkin, chairman of the Alliance for Creativity and Entertainment (ACE), which aims to combat digital piracy and helped in the police effort, said on Monday that the World Cup was the "kind of global live event that piracy networks move quickly to exploit".The crackdown on illegal streaming was also supported by Fifa, which organises the World Cup, beIN Media Group, NBC Universal, Ultimate Fighting Championship, and Warner Brothers.Much of Fifa's revenue comes from the sale of broadcasting rights to the various global media networks that want to televise matches.The Colombian Attorney General's Office said it had even made several arrests in connection with the operations.Four members of what was referred to as the "cybercriminal group" Los Ciberinfiltrados were arrested for allegedly gaining and distributing access to World Cup games illegally.Another 830 websites in Argentina, Ecuador, Peru, Brazil and the Dominican Republic were also taken down.As well as illegal streaming, police in Colombia conducted "nationwide search-and-seizure operations" around counterfeit sports clothing.The DoJ said 11 people in the country has been arrested and convicted for the illegal manufacture and distribution of fake sporting merchandise.

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Fifa's disciplinary committee has appointed a disciplinary and ethics prosecutor to assess what happened after the final whistle at MetLife stadium.Any player or coach involved in the fracas could face suspension, while the Argentine Football Association (AFA) may also be fined.Following their 1-0 defeat on Sunday, members of the Argentina team and backroom staff were involved in altercations with Spain players as they began to celebrate their World Cup success.Nahuel Molina, Leandro Paredes, Thiago Almada and assistant coach Roberto Ayala all appeared to be involved.It was incorrectly reported on Fifa's commentator information system that Paredes had been sent off by referee Slavko Vincic for pushing Spain's Eric Garcia by the throat.Paredes' red card was deleted shortly afterwards and Fifa has confirmed to BBC Sport that no disciplinary action was taken at the time.Argentina had already had one player dismissed, with Enzo Fernandez receiving a second yellow card in second-half stoppage time.As the final whistle blew in New Jersey, a few Argentina players - including Lionel Messi - slumped to the turf.Others stood there motionless as Spain's players raced across the pitch in jubilation.Rodri, who had been substituted in extra-time, ran over from the dugout to join his team-mates.As the Manchester City midfielder went past Molina, the Argentina defender appeared to punch Rodri on the arm or stomach.This was the fuse which ignited the trouble.Rodri confronted Molina, but it was the Argentina player who thrust forward in an aggressive manner.Garcia ran over to back up his team-mate at which point Paredes got involved too, jabbing Garcia in the throat.Unused substitute Gavi tried to intervene, only to be forced to the ground by Almada.Paredes then pushed Gavi to the floor by putting his hand in the Spaniard's face.Ayala then looked to be holding Garcia around the throat. He then appeared to strike Spain midfielder Dani Olmo."Paredes threw two or three haymakers into someone's face. He went for them," Alan Shearer said on BBC One's coverage. "There is no place or space for that."We know how much it means to them and we know how much it hurts to lose, but there is a way to lose. Too many times we have seen that from Argentina. The reaction after the final whistle is terrible."Joe Hart added: "The game's done, they can have absolutely no complaints about what happened today. Disgusting behaviour."But Argentina boss Lionel Scaloni, who had attempted to calm the situation, appeared to play down the incidents in his post-match interview."We are gracious in victory, and we must be gracious in defeat," he said. "Today, we are showing that we know how to lose."We lost the match, and we accept it, but that doesn't mean we stop living or forget everything we did to get here."Fifa's disciplinary committee has a number of options open to it.By appointing a disciplinary and ethics prosecutor, Fifa will look in more detail at offences rather than just potential violent conduct.There is a greater chance of stronger punishment if players or the national association is charged and found guilty.Article 13 of the disciplinary code covers offensive behaviour and the principles of fair play.The actions of the players and staff could be judged as "violating the basic rules of decent conduct" and "behaving in a way that brings the sport of football and/or Fifa into disrepute".The disciplinary and ethics prosecutor will take into account "both aggravating and mitigating circumstances", and it has the power to enforce a ban globally.Rubiales was banned from all football-related activities for three years in 2023 and lost an appeal to get it overturned.Uruguay striker Luis Suarez was suspended from all football-related activity for four months for biting Italy defender Giorgio Chiellini at the 2014 World Cup.It meant the Liverpool player would have missed the first nine games of the Premier League season. But he was transferred to Barcelona during the summer, finally making his debut on 25 October.It is unlikely that Almada, Ayala, Molina and Paredes will face bans as long as this.The AFA, however, has had other issues with the behaviour of its players in recent years.Argentina faced charges related to "offensive behaviour and violations of the principles of fair play" and "misconduct of players and officials" following the 2022 World Cup final.The South Americans beat France on penalties but were criticised for the way they celebrated.Aston Villa goalkeeper Emiliano Martinez made a lewd gesture with his Goalkeeper of the Tournament trophy, before being filmed in the dressing room mocking France star Kylian Mbappe.Argentina were fined £18,300 and no action was taken against any player involved.Following Argentina's 2024 Copa America win, Chelsea midfielder Enzo Fernandez was forced to apologise for a video he posted which referenced the World Cup final win. The French Football Federation said the song was a "racist and discriminatory" chant.Martinez was then banned for two games in 2024 for 'offensive behaviour' in World Cup qualifiers against Chile and Colombia.Martinez had repeated his infamous celebration using a replica Copa America trophy following a 3-0 win over Chile. Four days later, he hit a camera with his gloves as a cameraman approached him on the pitch after a 2-1 defeat by Colombia.At this World Cup, the AFA is already facing a probable fine for the banner held up after the England game.Their players celebrated while holding a cloth which read "Las Malvinas son Argentinas", which translates as "The Falklands are Argentine".In 2014, the AFA was fined £20,000 after its players held up a banner with the same message before a friendly against Slovenia.It is possible that Fifa could issue bans to the players who were holding it: Tottenham's Cristian Romero, former Spurs player Giovani Lo Celso and Manchester United's Lisandro Martínez.After Spain's 2-1 Euro 2024 final win over England, their captain Alvaro Morata and team-mate Rodri were banned for one game by Uefa after they chanted "Gibraltar is Spanish" during their victory celebrations.There is no timescale for Fifa's prosecutor to complete his investigation into Argentina's conduct.On 18 February, Uefa appointed an ethics and disciplinary inspector to look into alleged racist abuse by Gialunca Prestianni to Real Madrid's Vinicius Jr during Real Madrid's 1-0 win against Benfica.It was over two months, on 24 April, before Prestianni was given a six-game ban for homophobic conduct, with three matches suspended for two years.Could Infantino really push through a 64-team World Cup?Victory for football? Spain beat Argentina to win World CupSixteen titles in five years - why Spain are a dominant forceHow to watch the World Cup on the BBC and ITV

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While the Slovenian did travel to Mexico City for the opening game between the co-hosts and South Africa, he snubbed the trip to New Jersey on Sunday after a series of decisions taken by world football's governing body.This was a key factor in Ceferin's decision not to go to the final."When the certainty of rules is no longer guaranteed by its guardians, the integrity of the game is at stake and the credibility of a competition is undermined," Uefa said in a statement.Ceferin is also firmly against many other changes driven by Fifa president Gianni Infantino, including half-time shows. They will not be introduced to the Champions League or the European Championship.Pop giants Madonna, BTS, Shakira and Justin Bieber were among the acts to perform in the event, which extended the usual 15-minute half-time break to 27 minutes 22 seconds.After referee Omar Artan was denied entry to the US before the tournament started, Uefa invited the Somali to officiate the Super Cup between Paris St-Germain and Aston Villa on 12 August.The high ticket prices have also proved controversial within Uefa.BBC Sport reported on Friday how Uefa has instructed its VARs not to consider diving under the new mistaken identity protocol, as Fifa has during the World Cup. This led to Switzerland striker Breel Embolo being sent off in the quarter-final defeat to Argentina.Players who cover their mouths in confrontations with opponents will not be shown red cards in Uefa competitions either.The issue of players covering their mouths became high profile in February when Benfica winger Gianluca Prestianni raised his shirt while speaking to Real Madrid's Vinicius Jr during a Champions League game.The Argentina international was accused of racist abuse and provisionally banned for one match. Following a Uefa investigation, Prestianni was found guilty of homophobic conduct and banned for six matches - three of which were suspended.The law change for a red card was the brainchild of Fifa president Infantino, who wanted something which would have "a deterrent effect" at the World Cup.Paraguay's Miguel Almiron was the first player to be sent off in his side's World Cup group game against Turkey. Arsenal defender Piero Hincapie then saw red in Ecuador's last-16 exit to co-hosts Mexico.Could Infantino really push through a 64-team World Cup?Best goal, best player, best fans - BBC reporters' World Cup awardsLamine Yamal 'completes football' at 19 as Argentina betray Messi

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363 CommentsAs Spain captain Rodri lifted the World Cup trophy high into the New Jersey sky, he added another trophy to his already glittering record.A Ballon d'Or, one European title, one Nations League, four Premier League trophies, one Champions League and numerous other domestic triumphs. And now the greatest prize of them all.The Manchester City playmaker has long been revered for his club exploits, but now his stock is at an all-time high as he added world champion to his list of accolades when Spain beat Argentina 1-0 in the World Cup final on Sunday in New Jersey.Not only did the Spain captain steer his side to a first triumph since 2010 and stitch a second star on the national shirt, but he was also crowned player of the tournament.The 30-year-old becomes only the fourth men's player to win the World Cup, Euros, Champions League and Ballon d'Or, joining legends Gerd Muller, Franz Beckenbauer and Zinedine Zidane.But until recently, this level of success perhaps seemed out of reach for Rodri.After rupturing his anterior cruciate ligament in 2024, questions were asked about whether he could ever really return to the heights that saw him clinch the Treble with City in 2023 and claim the Euros with Spain a year later.Such a major injury takes time to recover from and it is only in glimpses during last season that we saw the Rodri of old.Now it seems the Spaniard was simply biding his time, patiently waiting for a full return to fitness in order to peak at the World Cup in the United States, Canada and Mexico.Rodri's future in Manchester remains uncertain with only one year left on his contract and Real Madrid reportedly coming knocking.It begs the question what next for Spain's conductor?If 19-year-old Lamine Yamal is the flair and creativity of the Spanish team, Rodri is the puppet master.His role in the middle of the park may often go under the radar, but he is the one stringing it all together.Throughout Spain's World Cup campaign he completed 756 passes, the most in a single edition on record since 1966.He featured in all eight of La Roja's matches en route to glory, topping the metrics for touches (910), passes in the opposition half (428), line-breaking passes (122) - including in the final third (76).There are only three instances on record (since 1966) of a player completing 100+ passes in a World Cup final. Brazil's Dunga in 1994 (130), defender Pau Cubarsi (121) and Rodri (101) - both in this year's edition."Rodri was absolutely outstanding," said Spanish football journalist Guillem Balague."He is not only the guy who ran the longest in the whole tournament and average per game, the amount of passes he gives to beat defenders, he is at his sharpest, he is at Ballon d'or level. This is Rodri's team."A second Ballon d'Or does not seem out of reach, although he has perhaps not played enough club football to make him the favourite for the individual accolade in a stacked field.Rodri is currently being linked with a move to Real Madrid, where returning manager Jose Mourinho is reportedly very keen on the composure, defensive ability and ball control of the former Atletico and Villarreal midfielder.New City boss Enzo Maresca is unlikely to be interested in letting Rodri go but, with only one year left on his contract, there is naturally a degree of uncertainty about the situation.One thing is for sure, his performance at this World Cup has placed him as a hot property - one that City would surely not want to part with but would also fetch a premium price if they did.Returning from an ACL injury is a notoriously difficult task.Having suffered the injury in September 2024, mere months after Spain's Euros triumph, Rodri missed the rest of that season then featured sporadically last campaign.He made 33 appearances across all competitions for City but suffered a number of injury setbacks and, at times, looked a shadow of the player he was before the injury.Former City boss Pep Guardiola predicted in October last year that we would not see the best of Rodri until the World Cup.And, as has so often been the case, the Catalan was right."I've gone through a logical process that every football player has to go through after an injury like this," Rodri said after Spain's triumph."It takes a year to get back to your best fitness level and then one more on top of that to feel like yourself again as the player you were."You need to be patient, and you need to believe and be confident in yourself."It was a frank conversation with Guardiola, where Rodri told him he needed to stop to get his body right for the World Cup, that changed the trajectory of his recovery and ensured he was back to his best for the summer tournament."To get where I am today in my current form, I had to be clever," Rodri added."I had to know when to stop playing and when to carry on when I needed to, and that's part of what you need to do to recover properly."It's been a very tough time. I just want the new generations to see my example as an opportunity."When you go down, you can rise again. This is my philosophy for my entire life."Of course, sometimes things go well, things go wrong, but always the positiveness."Best goal, best player, best fans - BBC reporters' World Cup awardsVictory for football? Spain beat Argentina to win World Cup

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A blow-by-blow account of how players from both sides fought in the aftermath of Sunday’s showpieceThe World Cup final took an ugly turn at the end of extra time as Spain were crowned champions. Here’s what happened, frame by frame.As the referee, Slavko Vincic, blows the full-time whistle, Spain’s substitutes run onto the pitch to celebrate World Cup glory with their teammates.Rodri is struck by Nahuel Molina neat the halfway line, the Argentinian right-back aggressively throwing his arm out at Spain’s captain.Rodri turns back and confronts Molina, and the two players square up as the rest of their respective teams remain unaware of what’s unfolding.Garcia sees what is happening and runs over to Rodri and Molina in an attempt to prevent the confrontation from escalating.Now it’s Leandro Paredes’ turn to enter the fray. He sprints across and attacks Garcia, sending him flying. The linesman attempts to get between the two players, but to no avail.Garcia gets up only to be attacked by Paredes once again, the Argentina midfielder grabbing his Spanish counterpart by the throat as the linesman continues to try and break up the pair. Argentina’s coaching staff, including head coach Lionel Scaloni, surround Garcia and protect him from their own player.Paredes turns his attention to Gavi. The 21-year-old midfielder finds himself pushed and pulled in different directions by Paredes, and also Argentinian substitute Thiago Almada, who rip the Spainard’s training bib.Gavi falls to the floor and attempts to get back up before Paredes throws him down again,.Leandro Paredes is sent off after the final whistle, with Argentina facing disciplinary proceedings: Fifa is to investigate the post-match scenes before deciding whether to take action.Spain meanwhile celebrate winning the World Cup for a second time in the country’s history.

World Cup News

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El Mundo marks country’s ‘unique collective experience’El País highlights the side’s ‘conviction of hard work’Sometimes football is about more than just football. As Spain’s still-breathless media pointed out on Monday, the national side’s victory against Argentina the previous night was an epochal event that had transcended talk of tactics, grumbles over hydration breaks and displays of distinctly ungentlemanly conduct.“It is the triumph of Luis de la Fuente and of an extraordinary group of footballers who – in a sport of stars and social media divas – have prioritised team values, joint intelligence, and the conviction of hard work,” said an editorial in El País.But, the paper added, it had also yielded a moment of much-needed “collective emotion” for Spain and given it so much to be proud of at a turbulent political time: “It’s easy to see in this team, in its diversity of origins and regions, in the character of its stars, in its style of play, and in its ability to connect with fans and citizens alike, a reflection of what this country is, and what it can be, in the 21st century.”El Mundo couldn’t have agreed more. “Our country has lived a unique collective experience,” it said in a leader. “Thanks to a group of young people who are as dazzling as they are relatable, we have seen the finest values of a Spain that is modern, exciting and capable of looking to the future with huge confidence.”ABC, which opted for the succinct and undeniably true headline of “España Invencible”, was also in celebratory mood. But it couldn’t help contrasting Spain’s behaviour with that of its graceless opponents, describing Argentina’s conduct as “thuggish”.Rubén Cañizares wrote: “Unlike Argentina, De la Fuente’s team had the courtesy to give Argentina a guard of honour as the ‘worthy’ runner-up … and even Sergio Ramos, who was in charge of carrying the World Cup trophy to the stage where Infantino and Trump presented it, embraced Messi in a warm, consoling hug, as Messi began to dissolve in a sea of tears.”In the sports daily Marca, José I Pérez set about the not particularly difficult task of explaining how Spain had come to lift the trophy for a second time. “Spain had more possession, created more chances, had more shots than Argentina, and looked more dangerous,” he said.“The team was the better side in the final … Argentina, like all the other teams in the tournament except Belgium, couldn’t score against Spain, who have only conceded one goal in their eight World Cup matches. It’s a spectacular record. It’s unprecedented in the World Cup for a winning team.”Writing in La Vanguardia, Jordi Basté said that Spain’s persistence and purity had somehow managed to cut through the whole ridiculous, vulgar circus of the 2026 World Cup.“If a Martian had landed on Earth yesterday and turned on the television, he would scarcely have guessed that the World Cup final was about to begin,” Basté wrote. “He would have thought he was watching the opening of a casino or billionaires’ convention.”Despite the distractions of Donald Trump, assorted celebrities and hydration breaks, he wrote, “the Spanish national team was the only one that understood what this was all about”, adding: “Because when the noise dies down, when the drones are withdrawn, when the VIP boxes empty, all that’s left is the game. And in that respect, the Spanish team was the best in the World Cup.”

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The new-look Club World Cup, the expanded World Cup, the inflated ticket prices.And, of course, the Super Bowl-style show that meant the half-time break at the World Cup final lasted 27 minutes and 22 seconds.Infantino appears to have thrown the door wide open to a 64-team World Cup."If you don't give smaller countries a chance to participate, they'll lack the incentive to keep improving," he said.Except, of course, smaller countries are not denied the chance. If they are good enough, they qualify. See Cape Verde, Curacao, Jordan and Uzbekistan.Purely in terms of the competition format, it does make sense.The top two teams in the 16 groups would go through to the knockout stage. No longer would there be a need to send a few third-placed teams through.But is there really any other logical reason to expand to 64 teams?The 2030 World Cup will mark 100 years since the first World Cup, which was held in Uruguay.The tournament will primarily be hosted by Morocco, Portugal and Spain - but the opening three matches will be played in Uruguay, Argentina and Paraguay as centenary hosts.Conmebol - the South American confederation - wants more games.In April 2025, it requested a one-off tournament of 64 teams so it could take on the full programme of the additional four groups.Its president, Alejandro Dominguez, said it would ensure "nobody on the planet is left out of the party".There has been little support from elsewhere.Victor Montagliani - president of the governing body of North and Central America and the Caribbean (Concacaf) - said last year it would damage "the broader football ecosystem".Asian Football Confederation (AFC) president Sheikh Salman bin Ibrahim Al Khalifa agreed, saying further expansion could bring "chaos".None of which means it will not happen, with the decision taken by the 37 members of the Fifa Council.A 64-team tournament has two main plus points: a more natural format, and more opportunities for emerging nations.It is the latter which Infantino is championing, especially after the heroics of Cape Verde.Then Cape Verde drew with Spain and Uruguay to finish second in their group. And the Blue Sharks gave Argentina an almighty scare by taking them to extra time in the last 16, before losing 3-2.But the fairytale stories must be balanced with the competitive edge of the tournament.Haiti, Iraq, Jordan, Panama, Tunisia and Uzbekistan failed to pick up a point - and this summer's group stage had minimal jeopardy for the top nations.Add more teams and it would be difficult to see a repeat of top-four seeds like Belgium (2022), Germany (2018), Spain (2014), Italy (2010) and France (2002) failing to make to knockout stage.Then there is the question of where the extra places would go.Based on this year's qualifying, these are the additional countries who would have made it into a 64-team World Cup 2026 (with their Fifa ranking at the start of the tournament in brackets):AFC: Indonesia (118), Oman (79), United Arab Emirates (68).Uefa: Denmark (21), Italy (12), Poland (36).Concacaf: Honduras (65), Jamaica (71), Suriname (125).Africa: Burkina Faso (62), Cameroon (44), Gabon (86), Nigeria (26).Six of those teams are from the top 50 of Fifa's world rankings - three from Europe, two from Africa and one from South America.And therein lies the problem. Asia and Concacaf are weaker confederations, as was proven by performances this year.Nine of Africa's 10 countries got out of the group stage. But only two of nine Asian countries advanced, and just three of the six Concacaf countries - the co-hosts - made it through.New Zealand, who got one point and finished bottom of their group, are the only country from Oceania in the world's top 150.There is an argument that if you extend again, you should give a greater weight of places to Europe just for competitive balance.But, on the other hand, there are those who would argue that bringing more teams into the World Cup ultimately allows the game to develop further in those countries.Infantino will sell the expansion as being good for the global game, but there have to be doubts that it is good for the competition.Almost a third of Fifa's 211 nations would be present.Would the group stage not simply become a glorified pan-confederation qualifying competition for what is, essentially, a knockout tournament?Expanding the World Cup to 64 teams is really just a case of bolting on four additional four-team groups.This year's tournament lasted 39 days. An additional 24 matches would require 20 schedule slots. Or another five days.But this summer's event was unique for two reasons: multiple time zones and indoor stadiums.That will not be so straightforward in the future, even with 48 teams.Climate change is making playing in the daytime more challenging - see the record heatwaves in Europe in recent weeks.Other countries are far less likely to have the covered venues of Atlanta, Dallas Houston and Vancouver to mitigate it.The Saudi Arabia World Cup is likely to move to January 2035 but it is not clear how other countries will get around this growing problem.Until this year, only once had there been dual hosts of the World Cup - Japan and South Korea in 2002.It is hard to imagine any one country ever being capable of hosting again. Even Saudi Arabia.Could we be looking at World Cups hosted by, for instance, the UK and Scandinavia? Or Eastern Europe?How would an Asian or African country be able to fund hosting the World Cup?Let's look a just a few issues that would need to be resolved.This summer there were 16 host cities with stadiums having capacities ranging from 43,000 to 81,000. More would be required.There would need to be 64 individual, elite-level training facilities for the qualifying nations.Then there is the provision of hotels for the fans, and the infrastructure and support network to move them around.Expanding the World Cup is not as simple as giving more opportunities to more countries.One of Infantino's key promises when he was elected was to bring more money into the game.Every football association now has access to $8m (£5.9m) in funding over a four-year period, with a further $1.2m (£890,000) on top for the smaller nations.Confederations get $60m (£44.5m) to develop, promote and organise football.It is why Infantino is likely to be re-elected unopposed next year.This money has to come from somewhere, primarily the World Cup.In 2017, Fifa projected a 48-team World Cup would bring in $6.5bn (£4.8bn).In 2022, it revised the format again and added 24 games. Now, it expects to rake in $9bn (£6.7bn) this year.A 64-team event is likely to raise more from television, sponsorship and ticket sales.But critics would argue there has to be a point where expansion is no longer good for the game.Why European backlash over Trump intervention won't worry InfantinoWhen the World Cup finishes, the football continues on BBC Sport

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In America, nobody sells football quite like David Beckham.During this World Cup, the former England captain has been impossible to miss.On the pitch, the tournament belongs to stars like Kylian Mbappe, Jude Bellingham, Lamine Yamal and Lionel Messi.Off the pitch, Sir David has become the face of the World Cup, fronting advertising campaigns for 11 brands ranging from McDonald's and Major League Soccer to Stella Artois, Home Depot and Bank of America.And if you haven't seen him during one of the many half-time commercial breaks, you've probably spotted him at the United States' opening match in Los Angeles, watching alongside his friend Tom Cruise.Just hours before that, Beckham had become the first professional footballer to receive a star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame, with actor Cruise once again by his side."David speaks to so many different people. I think that's what's unique about him," said Stacy Jones, founder and CEO of the marketing agency Hollywood Branded."He brings in the female demographic because he is so sexy - but he appeals to men. He's an honest, good, authentic, down-to-earth type of individual. So you don't really get affronted by him."She felt Beckham had achieved something few celebrities manage, moving effortlessly between football, fashion, entertainment, business and the cult of celebrity.On Hermosa Beach, south of Los Angeles, hundreds of fans gathered to watch Spain reach the World Cup final at an event organised by LA Galaxy - the club Beckham joined in 2007 from Real Madrid.Ask fans what comes to mind when they hear the name David Beckham and the answers come quickly."David Beckham was a really good player for England, but he's doing too many commercials now," said one football fan.For Megan Hapeman, it's the recent McDonald's advert in which Beckham hopes to receive a cup featuring his own face.Her six-year-old son Oliver proudly told me he still has one."When I got it, I was pretty proud," he said. "Because Mommy liked it, I liked it too."That's exactly what brands are buying.Beckham transcends clubs, generations and even football itself.That broad appeal didn't happen by accident. It was built on Beckham's football legacy in America.He remains the player with the trademark free-kicks, part of Manchester United's Treble-winning side in 1999, England captain and one of Real Madrid's original Galácticos.Dan Courtemanche, Major League Soccer's executive vice-president and chief communications officer, admitted Beckham's influence on the game in America cannot be overstated."I always tell people he changed the fate of American soccer. Not once, but twice," he said.When Beckham signed for LA Galaxy 19 years ago, stadiums across Major League Soccer sold out before he had even played a competitive match.The league needed credibility and he gave it something even broader: mainstream celebrity.Sixteen years later, Beckham helped persuade Argentina icon Messi to choose Inter Miami over rival offers globally - another moment that transformed MLS, according to Courtemanche."Lionel Messi decided to make Major League Soccer his league of choice and Inter Miami his club of choice," he added. "Again, it took us to a whole other level."Tom Braun, LA Galaxy's president and chief operating officer, said Beckham's influence has stretched way beyond football."David's an iconic figure in our sport and our culture," he explained."He's built a business around his brand and continues to resonate with people."The evolution of the 51-year-old, who also played for AC Milan and Paris St-Germain before retiring in 2013, was perhaps best symbolised this summer on Hollywood Boulevard.When Beckham accepted his star on the Walk of Fame, he reflected he had never imagined "a working-class English footballer" would receive such an honour.The recognition celebrated not only the life of Beckham the footballer, but Beckham the cultural figure."David Beckham, to America, is the World Cup," Jones said.Having arrived in Los Angeles promising to grow the game, Beckham is still helping sell football to America.Only now, he's doing it not with a free-kick, but with a brand.When the World Cup finishes, the football continues on BBC Sport

World Cup News

1903 CommentsAfter delivering unforgettable drama and surprises across 104 matches over almost six weeks, the World Cup is over.History has been scripted, records broken and heroes old and new made their mark at football's most coveted tournament.Read our reporters' reflections from the US, Canada and Mexico and then choose from our chief football writer Phil McNulty's selections for best goal and best save.Spain captain Rodri won the official World Cup Golden Ball trophy as the tournament's best player.Messi won the Silver Ball as the second-best player, with Mbappe named Bronze Ball winner.Phil McNulty, BBC Sport chief football writerSurprise, surprise. Lionel Messi. Not simply a swansong for a 39-year-old closing down his career, but the enduring inspiration of a nation and a football team. Look at how he controlled the game and pulled the strings when Argentina chased England down in a dramatic semi-final.I was in a Kylian Mbappe news conference early in the World Cup and I remember thinking that I'd never seen him looking more relaxed, more confident and more determined to make this his tournament. That demeanour off the pitch was reflected in some brilliant performances on the pitch - great goals, leadership, flair, composure under pressure and more work off the ball than I've ever seen from him.Alex Howell, BBC Sport's England reporterThe player of the tournament has been Jude Bellingham. The Real Madrid midfielder dragged England through by sheer force of will in some games and took his game to another level during the tournament.Lionel Messi's leadership, football intelligence and ability to decide the biggest matches has proven vital for Argentina. He was the driving force behind their run to the final and that makes him the competition's standout player.With eight goals and four assists in eight games at this World Cup, it has to be Lionel Messi. England did their best to keep him quiet in the semi-final and succeeded in the first half, but Messi often finds a way and his two assists proved decisive.Michael Olise. Marked out of the semi-final against Spain but the former Crystal Palace forward, who started his journey aged six at Hayes & Yeading United, has left his mark on this tournament with his seven assists. At just 24, Olise has another World Cup or two up his sleeve. I'm still playing replays in my mind of that spectacular scissor-kick against Sweden in the last 32. The whole press box erupted thinking it was going in, only for the ball to crash against a post.Rodri. He has proved to be irreplaceable for his country as he is for Manchester City. Exceptional and so effective at the heart of the best team in the tournamentEasy choice but it has to be Lionel Messi. Doing this at the age of 39 is almost defying the law of physics. He is cementing his place as the greatest.What information do we collect from this quiz?Breakout star of the tournamentSpain's 19-year-old centre-back Pau Cubarsi received the Fifa award for the tournament's best young player after playing every minute of their World Cup campaign.He was a key figure in the Spain defence that conceded only one goal all tournament.Phil McNulty, BBC Sport chief football writerI am going for Spain's 19-year-old central defender Pau Cubarsi. The Barcelona youngster was magnificent against France in the semi-final and is a star of the future.Lille fans, regular viewers of Ligue 1 and recruitment teams from the top clubs knew all about his potential but Morocco's Ayyoub Bouaddi burst on to the world stage in style with an exceptional performance in their opening match against Brazil. At the New York New Jersey Stadium that day, I found myself not watching the ball but watching his incredibly intelligent movement around the pitch, which reminded me of a cross between Patrick Vieira and Luka Modric.Alex Howell, BBC Sport's England reporterIt sounds strange to call Erling Haaland a breakout star but it is hard to explain the impact he has had here in the US. He has become a household name and even more of a global superstar.Cape Verde's 40-year-old goalkeeper Vozinha. He began his unforgettable World Cup with seven sensational saves in a 0–0 draw against Spain in their debut World Cup match and ended it with eight more remarkable saves as Cape Verde pushed Lionel Messi and Argentina to the brink of elimination. Vozinha's heroics sparked a global following, with his Instagram audience skyrocketing from about 50,000 before the tournament to more than 29 million.It seemed like the USA would go far at this tournament, particularly with the wave of support behind them, but it wasn't to be as they exited at the last-16 stage. Despite that, many of their players did their own reputations no harm and one of those was full-back Alex Freeman, with his performances leading to USA boss Mauricio Pochettino saying he could be one of the best in the world in his position.Step forward Switzerland's Johan Manzambi. Some 20-year-olds might be overwhelmed playing on the biggest stage of all. Not Manzambi. This huge talent plays with a smile on his face and is a natural entertainer who departed the tournament with three goals in four games.Johan Manzambi. I highlighted him before the World Cup and, although he missed the end for Switzerland through injury, the fact he is moving to the Premier League with Aston Villa for a fee in the region of £50m underlines his quality.The 17-year-old Mexico midfielder Gilberto Mora, who ended up in their starting line-up. Had the air of Luka Modric and seems destined for the top of the game.Phil McNulty, BBC Sport chief football writerThe Azteca for Mexico v England. Might just be the best atmosphere I have ever experienced in seven World Cups. It was an assault on the senses and the singing of the Mexican national anthem was a spine-tingling experience. A simply unforgettable night.Speaking to the Paraguay fans outside the Boston stadium, moments after one of the most dramatic penalty shootouts I have ever seen, as the South American side stunned Germany. One father and son, draped in Paraguay flags, were in tears as they told me that this was the best day of their lives, and it summed up what special moments at a World Cup can mean to people. I will never forget the emotion of those fans streaming out of the ground in disbelief.Alex Howell, BBC Sport's England reporterLionel Messi scoring a hat-trick in his first game at this World Cup showed that he was not done and was going to try to push Argentina to another tournament win.Sidny Cabral's stunning 103rd-minute equaliser against Argentina. His strike from the edge of the penalty area that flew beyond Emiliano Martinez sent the stadium into disbelief and brought Cape Verde level at 2-2 in extra time. Although Argentina eventually edged the tie 3-2, Cabral's wonder goal became an instant classic and will always be talked about.For me it was Argentina being pushed by Cape Verde all the way before the debutants were knocked out. They showed the sort of guts and desire we want to see from these teams that gained the opportunity to play at a World Cup because of the expanded format.On my travels around the US, where I have covered 13 games in six different cities, I have spoken to dozens of fans. I was offered a beer and sausages cooked from the back of a pick-up truck before France-Paraguay in Philadelphia, and been stopped for selfies. "You're from the BBC? I have to have a selfie with the guy from the BBC." I have lost count of the number of times I have stopped a fan and introduced myself, only to be asked: "Is it coming home?"For the moment I actually witnessed, it would have to be Sidny Cabral and his sensational equaliser against Argentina as Cape Verde, the smallest nation to ever reach the knockout stages, stunned the defending champions for a second time to make it 2-2 in Miami.Cabral's astonishing goal against Argentina. It was as funny as it was breathtaking.Phil McNulty, BBC Sport chief football writerBrazil. Slow. Uninspired. Un-Brazilian. Trudged through the World Cup under Carlo Ancelotti and every weakness was exposed when they deservedly went out to Norway in the last 16.Senegal came to the tournament with the most talented squad in their history but various problems off the pitch arguably meant the players were not given the right environment to thrive. When they were 2-0 up in the last-32 match against Belgium, it looked as though they would salvage something from this World Cup, but tactical errors and poor game management cost them. It was a massive wasted opportunity for a gifted generation of Senegal players.Alex Howell, BBC Sport's England reporterScotland missing out on third-placed qualification was a disappointment and having to wait a couple of days before it was confirmed must have been painful.Cristiano Ronaldo and Portugal. As one of the pre-tournament favourites, they fell short after a 1–0 last-16 defeat by Spain. Ronaldo managed three goals in five matches and, despite high expectations, Portugal never reached the level many expected, ending another World Cup campaign in frustrating fashion.The USA. They started this tournament so well and created a real wave of optimism and hope among the home fans, but all that was undone by the controversy surrounding Folarin Balogun and then their limp exit at the hands of Belgium.The final being held at the MetLife Stadium in New Jersey. Yes, it is huge but it is not fan-friendly and it is an expensive pain to get to and get away from. Philadelphia would have been my pick. A stadium on the outskirts of the city in a sports complex. The MetLife is a giant bowl in the middle of nowhere.France in their semi-final defeat by Spain. I tipped Spain to beat France but still did not expect such a flat performance and their star-studded frontline to flounder as badly as they did.I really thought Brazil under Ancelotti would go further. And clearly so did they.Phil McNulty, BBC Sport chief football writerMexico. The sheer passion and love for their team and football was incredible. Also such friendly, welcoming fans and people. Incredibly warm and gracious in defeat.We were in a restaurant in Mexico City the night before they played England, and an MC went around each table asking which country people were from. When we told them we were from England, it was announced to the rest of the diners, who burst into a spontaneous outbreak of applause.A word for the Curacao fans I was with inside the Philadelphia Stadium - because who knew that supporters from a nation of just 150,000 could make that much noise? Was there anyone left on the island? But the Brazil fans win it for me because they do not just take over stadiums; they take over cities; Philadelphia felt like Rio or Sao Paulo for 48 hours when they were in town.Alex Howell, BBC Sport's England reporterThe Colombia fans took over Arrowhead Stadium in Kansas City when they played Ghana, and made it feel like a party.Norway's fans were brilliant, with their legendary Viking row taking over the World Cup. The chant became a global sensation and created an unforgettable atmosphere in every stadium they entered. The most iconic moments came after matches when the players joined the fans to lead the Viking row from the pitch, uniting thousands of supporters in celebration.I was based mainly in Los Angeles for the World Cup. There's a large Mexican population there and from what I experienced, they were undoubtedly the best supporters. They were loud - very loud - for every Mexico game and when they won fireworks could be heard around LA while their distinct green jerseys were seen everywhere.Norway's Viking row was fun to watch, with fans wearing red shirts sitting in lines and rowing in rhythm. The Norway supporters also provided an amusing moment during the quarter-final with England. They sang "You're going home, you're going home, England's going home" as they led 1-0 in Miami. Moments later Jude Bellingham equalised.The Mexicans. I was fortunate to experience two matches in the Azteca. That is where the heart of this World Cup was and the support for their team was a joy to behold.Argentina. On two occasions in Miami and Kansas City, I have been in stadiums where their support has been in excess of 60,000 fans. The sheer scale of numbers is matched by their wild passion. They sing constantly and have generated the best atmospheres I have encountered in the US.Phil McNulty, BBC Sport chief football writerThe deadlock was broken by Lionel Messi for Argentina against Cape Verde with a triumph of technique as he showed exquisite touch to take a difficult pass on the run before, with little room to work with, he guided it into the top corner with his second touch.In the same game, Sidny Cabral's extra-time equaliser was a wonderful moment. From the angle just inside the area, his right-foot curling drive into the top corner gave Emiliano Martinez no chance.In the group stages, Kerim Alajbegovic's goal for Bosnia-Herzegovina against Qatar was a superb solo effort - a weaving run before a rising right-foot shot of high class.What looked like a casual swing of Erling Haaland's left boot was in fact a perfectly placed finish with astonishing power to crown a match-winning performance for Norway against Brazil in the last 16.A tight quarter-final between Argentina and Switzerland was broken open by a moment of genius from Julian Alvarez. The vastly under-rated attacker provided with a swerving right-footed drive from long range into the top corner in extra time.Antonio Nusa's opener for Norway against Ivory Coast was perfection. A little shimmy in the area to feint away from a defender, then a precise curling finish into the top corner.What information do we collect from this quiz?Save of the tournament Phil McNulty, BBC Sport chief football writerJohny Placide made a superb double save for Haiti against Morocco. It came first with his legs then he showed swift reactions to save one-handed to his left.At the Azteca Stadium, Jordan Pickford had an outstanding game in England's memorable win over Mexico. His early save, diving low to his left to keep out Raul Jimenez's header, was a crucial moment of brilliance.Orjan Nyland produced a remarkable stop for Norway against Brazil from his own defender Kristoffer Ajer, who inadvertently directed the ball goalwards. Nyland scrambled backwards showing remarkably anticipation and agility to leap and turn the ball against the post.Aymen Dahmen showed stunning reactions for Tunisia against Japan from Takehiro Tomiyasu's close-range effort, somehow keeping the ball out as it did everything but cross the line.There was a brilliant diving save by Patrick Beach for Australia in their group game with Turkey, diving away to his right to touch Abdulkerim Bardakci's rising 30-yard shot on to the post.Iran's Alireza Beiranvand produced a remarkable save from Maxim de Cuyper of Belgium. Beiranvand could not reach Kevin de Bruyne's shot but somehow recovered his position and reacted to keep out a shot from inside the six-yard box.What information do we collect from this quiz?Related topicsFootballFIFA World Cup 2026More on this storyMbappe first to win Golden Boot twice as Rodri named best playerLamine Yamal 'completes football' at 19 as Argentina betray MessiWorld Cup is over, but the football continues on BBC Sport

World Cup News

For the second time in as many years, the US president made sure he was a part of a moment of triumph he had little to do withHe did it again. There was a world championship trophy, waiting to be held aloft at the same gargantuan stadium in East Rutherford, New Jersey. There was Gianni Infantino, waiting alongside the US president. And there was that same US president, Donald Trump, fresh off a round of stadium-wide booing and jeering, handing off the trophy with Infantino and then staying stubbornly in the frame as another team enjoyed the pinnacle of their professional careers with an octogenarian standing awkwardly in the shot.Should we be surprised? Marc Cucurella probably wasn’t – the defender was on stage for both occasions, first as a member of Chelsea as they lifted the 2025 Club World Cup, and then again on Sunday when Trump once again remained in the shot as Spain celebrated their World Cup victory.The repeated history brought an incongruous end to a night where Trump was – for most of the time – a long way from the center of attention. That would have been a relief to American sports fans, for whom a Drake-like sentiment has grown surrounding Trump’s involvement in their event of choice. Meaning, essentially, that it should be dreaded, and avoided at all costs. The New York Knicks lost their only game of the NBA finals this year with Trump in attendance at Madison Square Garden, where he also drew a lusty round of boos. And, earlier in this World Cup, the US crashed to a 4-1 defeat against Belgium in the last-16 after Trump called Infantino in a successful bid to get striker Folarin Balogun’s red card suspended.If Trump had a similarly ruinous effect on Sunday’s World Cup final, it was in a cosmic sense. Trump watched the game from a glassed-in suite, along with Infantino, Spain’s king, Felipe VI, Canada prime minister, Mark Carney, and Mexico’s president, Claudia Sheinbaum. The US secretary of state Marco Rubio was also in attendance. At one point in the second half, Trump was seen conversing with Carney.What unfolded on the other side of the presumably bulletproof glass was 120 minutes of punishing, physical football – an enervating match that practically cried out for a sideshow.Trump wouldn’t become that sideshow until later. He was briefly shown on the video screens at the stadium after the US national anthem was played, and there were scattered boos from some in the crowd. TV broadcasts showed him touching the trophy from his seat in the early stages of the match, and conversing with Melania Trump in the 85th minute, but he didn’t appear on the screens in the stadium during the match itself.The hostile reception he had received in his appearances at other sporting events wasn’t repeated until he descended from his perch and walked on to the field to present the World Cup trophy along with Infantino and the other heads of state, where the vast majority of the crowd booed and jeered.What followed was routine, up to the key moment. Trump presented medals to the players alongside the other dignitaries, shaking hands and smiling at each player with a minimum of fuss, seemingly telling them “great job” or “congratulations”. Trump and Infantino then held the World Cup trophy together and presented it to Spain’s captain, Rodri, with Infantino ducking away, stage right.If there were lessons to be learned from Trump’s crashing of the Chelsea party last year, Infantino hadn’t learned them. Or perhaps he still felt he was not within his right to grab Trump by the arm and pull him away. Trump was then practically given an invite to leave by Rodri, who motioned Trump to the left of the podium as he prepared to set the Spanish celebrations alight. Trump made as if he would descend the staircase, but instead stood just on the edge of celebrations, seemingly not totally sure where to look, forcing Infantino to jog over and make one last plea for him to leave. It was too late. Rodri lifted the trophy, and there was Trump, in the frame. By the time the confetti fell to the grass, Trump had gone, lingering just long enough to be visible.Just as Lionel Messi lifted his first World Cup in 2022 wearing a traditional Arab cloak, Spain hoisted their country’s second title with a reminder of the host nation lingering awkwardly in the frame.