- Jul 25
Erling Haaland reacts as cousin Jonatan Braut Brunes leaves Raków Częstochowa for Sparta Prague in a deal worth over €6 million
Norwegian striker Jonatan Braut Brunes ended a two-year spell at Polish side Raków Częstochowa, joining Czech champions Sparta Prague for a fee exceeding six million euros. His cousin, Manchester City star Erling Haaland, celebrated the moment on Instagram.
- Jul 25
Donnarumma weds Alessia Elefante in Puglia ceremony with Haaland, Mancini among 300 guests
The Italy captain and Manchester City goalkeeper married interior designer Alessia Elefante in Locorotondo's San Giorgio Martire church, with teammates Erling Haaland and Mateo Kovacic among the 300 guests.
- Jul 22
Spain's 1-0 extra-time World Cup final win draws record 62.8 million U.S. viewers, smashing soccer ratings
Spain's 1-0 extra-time victory over Argentina drew a combined 62.8 million U.S. viewers across Fox, Telemundo and Peacock, more than doubling the 2022 final and setting all-time highs for both English- and Spanish-language soccer telecasts.
- Jul 20
Rodri named best player as Spain dominate 2026 World Cup awards; Mbappé wins Golden Boot
Spain's captain Rodri claimed the Golden Ball after leading his team to a 1-0 extra-time victory over Argentina in the final at East Rutherford. Kylian Mbappé secured the Golden Boot with 10 goals, becoming the all-time World Cup top scorer with 22.
- Jul 20
Mbappe wins second Golden Boot with 10 goals as Spain sweep World Cup awards
Spain beat Argentina 1-0 in extra time to win the World Cup, while Kylian Mbappe's 10-goal haul earned him a historic second Golden Boot and Rodri, Unai Simon and Pau Cubarsi collected individual honours.
- Jul 16
Messi's last World Cup chance meets Yamal's first as Argentina and Spain contest 2026 final
Argentina and Spain meet in New York on Sunday for the 2026 World Cup final, pitting Lionel Messi, 39, against 19-year-old Lamine Yamal, the Barcelona prodigy he once bathed as a baby for a UNICEF calendar.
- Jul 14
Spain defeats France 2-0 to reach World Cup final, equals 37-game unbeaten record
Mikel Oyarzabal and Pedro Porro scored as Spain dominated France in Arlington, Texas, to book a spot in Sunday's World Cup final against either England or Argentina.
- Jul 14
Up to 100,000 Norwegians salute World Cup squad in Oslo as Crown Prince leads Viking row on palace steps
Norway's footballers returned from their 2-1 extra-time World Cup quarter-final loss to England to a heroes' welcome in Oslo, with crowds of 90,000 to 100,000 packing the Royal Palace square and Karl Johans gate.
- Jul 14
Norway's Alexander Sørloth and partner receive death threats after missed World Cup quarter-final chance against England
Norwegian striker Alexander Sørloth and his partner Lena Selnes have been targeted with death threats and abuse online after Norway's 2-1 World Cup quarter-final defeat to England. Selnes shared screenshots on Instagram, drawing condemnation from coach Ståle Solbakken, who urged his players to stay off social media.
- Jul 13
Erling Haaland returns from World Cup exit with a $750 taxidermy raccoon, triggering viral frenzy and selling out the Texas store
After Norway's quarter-final loss to England, the striker landed in Oslo clutching a 'Whiskey Raccoon' from Wild Bill's Western Store. The $750 piece sold out within hours, and the artisan has since retired.
- Jul 13
Norway fume over cable deflection and disallowed goal as England edge World Cup quarter-final
A ball glancing off a spidercam cable, a VAR chalked-off goal and furious accusations from Erling Haaland's father dominated Norway's 2-1 extra-time loss to England in the World Cup last eight in Miami.
- Jul 12
FIFA clears Bellingham's equaliser after spidercam controversy in England's 2-1 World Cup win over Norway
The equaliser stood after sensor data showed no contact with the spidercam wire; England advanced 2-1 in extra time in Miami.
- Jul 12
Mbappe and Messi tied on 8 goals as Bellingham's double sends England into World Cup semi-finals
Kylian Mbappe scored his eighth goal of the tournament against Morocco, keeping pace with Lionel Messi at the top of the 2026 World Cup scoring chart. Erling Haaland's campaign ended on seven goals as Norway fell to England in extra time.
- Jul 12
Haaland proud after Norway's World Cup exit, shifts support to England for title
Erling Haaland said Norway "put Norway on the map" after a 2-1 extra-time defeat to England, then declared he will now support England to win the World Cup.
- Jul 12
Bellingham extra-time double sinks Norway 2-1, England reach World Cup semis
Jude Bellingham scored twice, including a 93rd-minute winner, as England beat Norway 2-1 in the World Cup quarter-finals at Miami's Hard Rock Stadium.
- Jul 12
Bellingham double sinks Norway 2-1 in extra time, England into World Cup semi-finals
The Real Madrid midfielder struck in first-half stoppage time and again in the 93rd minute at Miami's Hard Rock Stadium, overturning a spectacular opener from Andreas Schjelderup and a spirited Norwegian performance.
- Jul 11
Norway face England in first-ever World Cup quarter-final as Haaland and Kane duel in Miami
Erling Haaland's Norway meet Harry Kane's England at 23:00 CEST on Saturday near Miami for a place in the 2026 World Cup semi-finals, after the Scandinavians beat Brazil 2-1 to reach the last eight for the first time.
- Jul 11
468 Peruvian babies named Haaland as Norway striker's World Cup heroics spark naming frenzy
The Norwegian striker's seven-goal World Cup run has inspired parents across the Andean nation, with 91 children given the full name Erling Haaland and four registered as Erling Braut Haaland.
- Jul 11
Merino late show sends Spain past Belgium and into World Cup semifinals after defence breached for first time
Mikel Merino struck a late winner to edge Belgium in the World Cup quarterfinal, sending Spain into a semifinal against France after the Red Devils had become the first team to breach Spain's defence in the 2026 tournament.
- Jul 10
Vinícius Júnior issues tearful apology after Brazil's World Cup exit: 'Frustration is enormous'
Real Madrid forward Vinícius Júnior posted an emotional social media message on Friday, six days after Brazil's shock round-of-16 defeat to Norway at the 2026 World Cup, promising to fight to return the Seleção to the summit of world football.
