France have brushed aside Spain’s psychological tactics ahead of their FIFA World Cup 2026 semi-final in Dallas, insisting they will let their football do the talking. Spain’s players have highlighted their recent success against France, but Les Bleus remain unfazed. Coach Didier Deschamps even labelled Spain as favourites, while defender Jules Koundé said the team would not be distracted by pre-match mind games. France are aiming for a third straight World Cup final, while Spain hope to continue their impressive run under coach Luis de la Fuente. The blockbuster clash promises a battle between two football giants.  

India on Tuesday strongly condemned the recent attacks on commercial shipping in the Strait of Hormuz after an Indian sailor was killed in one of the strikes. The Ministry of External Affairs said targeting civilian merchant vessels is unacceptable and called for an immediate end to such attacks. Expressing condolences to the sailor’s family, India urged all parties to respect international maritime law and ensure the safety of seafarers and commercial shipping. The statement comes amid rising tensions in the Gulf, where repeated attacks on merchant ships have raised concerns over regional stability and the security of one of the world’s busiest trade routes.  

Norway striker Erling Haaland has gone viral for an unusual souvenir after the 2026 FIFA World Cup. The Manchester City star shared photos of a taxidermied raccoon holding a whiskey bottle, reportedly worth around ₹72,000, which he bought during the tournament in the United States. Posting the pictures on social media, Haaland joked, “It followed me home,” and asked fans to help name the raccoon. The quirky collectible quickly became an online sensation, drawing thousands of reactions and comments. While Norway missed out on World Cup glory, Haaland’s unique keepsake has captured the internet’s attention. (PC: X)

England and Argentina renew one of football’s fiercest rivalries in the FIFA World Cup semi-final, with Lionel Messi facing England for the first time. Their World Cup history spans six decades, blending sporting drama with political tensions rooted in the Falklands War. England lead the head-to-head 3-2 across five World Cup meetings. The rivalry began in 1962, intensified after the controversial 1966 quarter-final featuring Antonio Rattin’s dismissal, reached its peak in 1986 with Diego Maradona’s infamous “Hand of God” and stunning solo goal, continued through David Beckham’s red card and England’s penalty defeat in 1998, before Beckham’s redemption inspired England’s 1-0 victory over Argentina in the 2002 group stage.

Justin Bieber has officially joined the star-studded FIFA World Cup 2026 Final Halftime Show, scheduled for July 19 at New York New Jersey Stadium. FIFA and Global Citizen confirmed Bieber as a co-headliner alongside Madonna, Shakira and BTS, with Burna Boy, Gustavo Dudamel, PS22 Chorus and Coldplay also set to perform. Curated by Chris Martin, the show supports the FIFA Global Citizen Education Fund, which has already raised over $50 million toward its $100 million goal to expand access to education and football for children worldwide. Bieber called the World Cup a unique global unifier and said he was grateful to contribute to a cause benefiting children through music. (PC: Getty/Kevin Mazur/Coachella)

Jude Bellingham has climbed to second in the latest FIFA World Cup 2026 Power Rankings after scoring twice in England's 2-1 quarter-final victory over Norway. The England midfielder earned an Attacking Score of 8.25, overtaking Lionel Messi, who slipped to third with 8.07 after failing to score in Argentina's 3-1 win over Switzerland. France captain Kylian Mbappe retained the top spot with 8.97 following his goal against Morocco. Norway's Erling Haaland dropped to fourth after drawing a blank in defeat, while Ousmane Dembele rose to fifth. England captain Harry Kane slipped to ninth after failing to score. The semifinals feature France vs Spain and Argentina vs England. (PC: UEFA)

Argentina will wear their navy blue away kit in the FIFA World Cup 2026 semi-final against England after FIFA approved a special request from the defending champions. England are the designated home team for Wednesday's match in Atlanta and will play in their traditional white shirts. That meant Argentina had to switch from their famous sky-blue and white stripes. The change could be seen as a lucky sign for Lionel Messi's side, who famously wore a dark blue kit when they beat England in the 1986 World Cup quarter-final. The winners will face either France or Spain in the final. (PC: X)

If Argentina reach the 2026 FIFA World Cup final, English referees will not be chosen to officiate the match. FIFA avoids appointing referees when political issues could raise questions about fairness. The decision is linked to the long-running Falklands dispute between Argentina and the United Kingdom. Officials say the aim is to avoid any perception of bias. The same rule also affects matches that could influence a country's path in the tournament. FIFA considers politics, geography and neutrality when selecting referees. Final appointments are made by FIFA's refereeing department based on performance and other factors. (PC: AFP)

India won five gold medals at the 56th International Physics Olympiad 2026 held in Colombia. All five Indian students earned gold, helping India share the top rank with Russia, China, Kazakhstan, South Korea and Taiwan. The competition featured 381 students from 87 countries. The gold medal winners are Kansisk Jain, Riddhesh Anant Bendale, Rishit Garg, Shresth Suraiya and Svait Joshi. Experts said the result reflects India's growing strength in science education. The team was trained by the Homi Bhabha Centre for Science Education. This is only the second time India has won all five gold medals.

FIFA's decision to suspend USA striker Folarin Balogun's one-match ban has sparked fresh debate during the 2026 World Cup. Reports said only FIFA disciplinary committee chairman Mohammad Al-Kamali approved the decision, while the other members were not consulted. Balogun had received a red card against Bosnia and Herzegovina and was due to miss the Round of 16 match. FIFA said the ban was suspended for 12 months after reviewing the case. Reports also said US President Donald Trump asked FIFA President Gianni Infantino to review the incident. FIFA has not announced any further changes to its disciplinary process. (PC: @ Getty Images)