The Cape Verde national football team, the "blue sharks" brought massive tourism to the islands by qualifying for the 2026 FIFA World Cup.


Cape Verde's tourism which is integral to its economy, shows signs of rapid growth 

Spain have created a World Cup record by registering a sixth straight clean sheet in the tournament. Spain beat Portugal 1-0 and are yet to concede a goal at the 2026 World Cup.


Spain set World Cup record with sixth straight clean sheet

Belgium get their 'justice' after beating the U.S 4-1 in the round of 16. The official social media account of the Belgian football federation trolled FIFA over the decision to overturn Folarin Balogun's suspension.


Belgium troll US and FIFA over Balogun controversy following 4-1 win

<p>Former India captain Mahendra Singh Dhoni turned 45 on Tuesday (7,Jul 2026) and received a unique birthday tribute from FIFA that delighted fans across social media. Joining in the celebrations, FIFA referenced the viral phrase “Thala for a reason” in an Instagram post featuring Lionel Messi, Kylian Mbappe and Erling Haaland. The three football superstars are currently level on seven goals each in the race for the Golden Boot at the FIFA World Cup 2026. Fans loved the creative connection between football and cricket and the post soon went viral on social media.</p>

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<p>The number 7 has a special link with Dhoni, as he wore the No. 7 jersey throughout his cricket career and was also born on Jul 7, the seventh day of the seventh month.</p><p>&nbsp;</p><p>Dhoni is widely known as “Thala,” a Tamil word meaning leader. The nickname became popular because of his long association with the Chennai Super Kings (CSK) in the Indian Premier League (IPL).&nbsp;</p><p>&nbsp;</p><p><strong>Also Read - </strong><a href="https://www.wionews.com/sports/fifa-2026-generation-of-lies-ex-players-call-out-brazil-players-and-coach-ancelotti-after-exit-1783412042731"><strong>FIFA 2026 | Ex-players call out Brazil players and coach Ancelotti after exit</strong></a></p><p>&nbsp;</p><p>Over the years, fans have also made the phrase “Thala for a reason” a viral meme, often connecting any appearance of the number seven to Dhoni, even when there is no direct link.</p>

FIFA World Cup 2026 Live on Zee5

<p><strong>Also Read - </strong><a href="https://www.wionews.com/sports/fifa-wc-2026-argentina-vs-egypt-r16-when-and-where-to-watch-live-streaming-in-india-1783419997662"><strong>FIFA WC 2026, Argentina vs Egypt R16: When and where to watch live streaming in India?</strong></a></p><p>&nbsp;</p><p>FIFA’s birthday post cleverly used this trend by linking Dhoni with the seven-goal tally of Messi, Mbappe and Haaland in the ongoing World Cup.<br>&nbsp;</p><p>The post also drew attention to the exciting Golden Boot race, with all three stars level on seven goals. Messi has a chance to move ahead when Argentina faces Egypt in the Round of 16 match in Atlanta on Tuesday (Jul 7 IST).</p>

Former India captain Mahendra Singh Dhoni turned 45 on Tuesday (Jul 7) and received birthday wishes from across the sports world. FIFA also wished the 'Thala' in a unique way through its latest social media post.

Former India captain Mahendra Singh Dhoni turned 45 on Tuesday (7,Jul 2026) and received a unique birthday tribute from FIFA that delighted fans across social media. Joining in the celebrations, FIFA referenced the viral phrase “Thala for a reason” in an Instagram post featuring Lionel Messi, Kylian Mbappe and Erling Haaland. The three football superstars are currently level on seven goals each in the race for the Golden Boot at the FIFA World Cup 2026. Fans loved the creative connection between football and cricket and the post soon went viral on social media.

<p>Former India captain Mahendra Singh Dhoni turned 45 on Tuesday (Jul 7) and received birthday wishes from across the sports world. FIFA also wished the 'Thala' in a unique way through its latest social media post.</p>

MS Dhoni’s birthday: FIFA joins ‘Thala for a Reason’ trend with Golden Boot post

One of the biggest matches of the 2026 FIFA World Cup comes to Atlanta on Tuesday as defending champion Argentina takes on Egypt in the Round of 16. The winner will advance to face either Switzerland or Colombia.

FIFA world cup 2026: Argentina up against Egypt in the round of 16 in Atlanta

Cristiano Ronaldo left the pitch for the last time at a World Cup, after Spain beat Portugal 1-0 in stoppage time in the round of 16. The 41-year-old ends his international career with 11 World Cup goals in 27 appearances.


FIFA world cup 2026: Ronaldo bids adieu to World Cup football

FIFA World Cup 2026 heats up as Lionel Messi’s Argentina face Mohamed Salah’s Egypt in a high-stakes knockout clash for a place in the quarter-finals. Two global football icons headline a thrilling battle as both nations fight for World Cup glory.

FIFA World Cup 2026: Messi vs Salah for spot in quarter-finals

What a week in football politics. Trump says he "asked FIFA to review Balogun’s ban" and now FIFA has cleared him to play Belgium. But not everyone’s happy. Belgium’s coach called the reversal an "April Fools' Day joke" and UEFA fired back, saying FIFA "crossed a red line." So what actually happened with the ban, why did Trump get involved, and what does this mean for the match and for how FIFA makes big calls? Watch this report for more details!


Trump asked FIFA to reverse the Balogun ban

Cristiano Ronaldo says that critics 'have been trying to kill me for 23 years', ahead of the last-16 clash against Spain at the World Cup.

Ronaldo's Portugal face Spain in last-16 in Iberian derby

England midfielder Jordan Henderson has suffered a wrist injury after falling over advertising hoardings at the Azteca Stadium.


FIFA WC 2026: Henderson injured in fall during celebrations 

The race for the 2026 FIFA World Cup Golden Boot is historically tight, with an epic three-way tie at the top of the leaderboard. Kylian Mbappé (France), Lionel Messi (Argentina), and Erling Haaland (Norway) are all locked at 7 goals each, with England's Harry Kane trailing closely behind at 6 goals.

FIFA world cup 2026: Race for the Golden Boot intensifies

Lionel Messi led Argentina to a dramatic 3-2 extra-time victory over Cape Verde, securing their spot in the Round of 16. Messi opened the scoring in the 29th minute, while Lisandro Martínez and an own-goal sealed the win after Cape Verde twice rallied to equalize.


FIFA World Cup 2026: Argentina Survive Cape Verde Scare, Reach Last 16

As France prepare for a crucial last-16 clash against Paraguay, the spotlight is firmly on the partnership between Kylian Mbappe and Didier Deschamps. Mbappe has emerged as the team's driving force, while Deschamps continues to guide Les Bleus through one of the most emotional tournaments of his career after the loss of his mother during the World Cup.


FIFA WC 2026: Mbappe, Deschamps, and France's emotional road to World Cup glory

Switzerland are through to the last-16 of the World Cup after beating Algeria 2-0. It is Switzerland's first win in the World Cup knockout stages since 1938.


Switzerland beat Algeria 2-0 for first WC knockout win since 1938

Spain Goalkeeper Unai Simon breaks all-time World Cup record by going 519 minutes without conceding a goal in the tournament. Is he the favourite to win the Golden Glove Prize?


Spain's Unai Simon goes 519 minutes without conceding, breaks World Cup record

South Korea Head Coach Hong Myung-Bo has left for the U.S. following the fallout over the team's exit at the World Cup


South Korea head coach flies to US amid fallout after WC elimination

Spain have won a World Cup knockout match for the first time since 2010 by beating Austria 3-0 to set up a last-16 clash against Portugal.


FIFA WC 2026: Spain beat Austria 3-0 to set up Portugal last-16 clash

Portugal came from behind to beat Croatia 2-1 in Toronto, with Cristiano Ronaldo scoring from the spot and Goncalo Ramos heading a stoppage-time winner. The result sends Portugal into a Round of 16 clash with Spain and leaves Roberto Martinez weighing a major selection call.

FIFA world cup 2026: Portugal to face Spain in next round 

A unique cafe in Mexico City is turning World Cup heartbreak into hospitality. The 'Losers Cafe' offers free coffee to fans wearing jerseys of defeated teams, complete with napkins that read "Dry your tears." As Mexico celebrates its historic World Cup run, the cafe has become a comforting stop for disappointed supporters from around the world, proving that even in defeat, there's always a warm cup waiting.

 FIFA world cup 2026: Losing teams supporters get free drinks at unique WC cafe

 Portugal came from behind to beat Croatia 2-1 in Toronto, with Cristiano Ronaldo scoring from the spot and Goncalo Ramos heading a stoppage-time winner. The result sends Portugal into a Round of 16 clash with Spain and leaves Roberto Martinez weighing a major selection call.

FIFA world cup 2026: Ramos, Ronaldo goals lead Portugal to dramatic win

U.S. head coach Mauricio Pochettino has transformed the Americans into a force in world football, but his appointment itself was only because of two billionaires' support for U.S. Soccer.


FIFA WC 2026: America's unlikely hero & the billionaires funding US soccer

Jurgen Klopp has emerged as the frontrunner to replace the under-pressure Julian Nagelsmann as the head coach of Germany following their shock exit at the hands of Paraguay on penalties.


FIFA WC 2026: Jurgen Klopp contender to replace Nagelsmann at Germany

Belgium captain Youri Tielemans scored a controversial winner from the penalty spot against Senegal in the 125th minute- the latest goal in FIFA World Cup history.


FIFA WC 2026: Belgium score controversial 125th-minute winner against Senegal

Co-hosts U.S. beat Bosnia 2-0 to win their first FIFA World Cup knockout match in 24 years. The American victory ensures all three co-hosts will be in the last-16.


US beat Bosnia to win FIFA World Cup knockout match for first time in 24 years

Kylian Mbappe has broken the record for most goals in FIFA World Cup knockout games. Mbappe has now scored 10 goals in Knockout contests across three editions.


Mbappe level with Messi in the Golden Boot race

At least three deaths have taken place in Mexico City during celebrations of the 2-0 victory over Ecuador in the last-32.


FIFA WC 2026: Mexico wins first World Cup knockout game since 1986 

'Z' has further strengthened its sports portfolio by bagging the broadcast and digital rights for the German Bundesliga for the next five years.


FIFA World Cup 2026: 'Z' gets Bundesliga rights for India 

Netherlands head coach Ronald Koeman has resigned after the defeat to Morocco on penalties in the round of 32.


Netherlands head coach Ronald Koeman resigns after World Cup exit

FIFA WC 2026: Deaths in Mexico amid World Cup celebrations 

Iran's football federation has hit back after a senior US official celebrated the team's World Cup elimination, accusing Washington of spreading "lies" and saying Iran is "used to mistreatment." The response came after US Homeland Security Secretary Markwayne Mullin said he was "happy" Iran had exited the tournament and even performed a "happy dance." The controversy has added a political dimension to Iran's emotionally charged World Cup campaign.


FIFA World Cup 2026: US Homeland Security chief says he celebrated Iran's departure 

Iran's football federation has hit back after a senior US official celebrated the team's World Cup elimination, accusing Washington of spreading "lies" and saying Iran is "used to mistreatment." The response came after US Homeland Security Secretary Markwayne Mullin said he was "happy" Iran had exited the tournament and even performed a "happy dance." The controversy has added a political dimension to Iran's emotionally charged World Cup campaign.

FIFA world cup 2026: Iran accuses US of 'lies & mistreatment' after official celebrates WC exit

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