Mail & Guardian
Mail & Guardian
fifa world cuplatest news & developments

Bafana Bafana’s knockout breakthrough: Pride, caution and the long road ahead

South Africa is erupting with joy as Bafana Bafana achieve the impossible, advancing to the FIFA World Cup knockout phase. After decades of heartbreak, this moment feels like a…

Record-Breaking Ronaldo: The eternal goalscorer who defies history

Cristiano Ronaldo has once again rewritten the record books, becoming the first man to score in six different FIFA World Cups. This milestone is a testament to the Portuguese…

Lionel Messi: The undisputed GOAT

At 38, Lionel Messi is rewriting history at the 2026 Fifa World Cup, silencing doubters with five goals in two matches, including a hat-trick and a record-breaking brace. He's…

Bafana Bafana suffered a 2-0 loss to Mexico in their opening game of the 2026 FIFA World Cup. The team also saw red twice and will miss two key players for their second game. (@Bafana Bafana/X)

Bafana Bafana’s World Cup permutations: Time to fight and deliver

As South Africa’s national team, Bafana Bafana, navigates the 2026 Fifa World Cup in North America, the permutations for advancement from Group A are razor-sharp and unforgiving.…

Cracks emerge in the 2026 FIFA World Cup: From robbery to referee rows

The 2026 Fifa World Cup, hosted by the United States, Canada, and Mexico, is already facing significant challenges. Incidents like the robbery of the England national team and…

Researchers say a sustained heat of 28°C or more can reduce the frequency and intensity of sprints, alter tactical approaches and place teams that rely on high-pressing systems at a disadvantage

Climate change increases risk of extreme heat at nearly all 2026 World Cup matches, studies find

Climate change is increasing the likelihood that players will face heat conditions linked to reduced performance at nearly every match in the 2026 World Cup, according to new…

Bafana Bafana will take on Mexico in the opening game on 11 June. (Bafana Bafana/X)

Ode to football: Can the FIFA World Cup bring peace to the world?

The FIFA World Cup begins on 11 June 2026, hosted across Canada, Mexico and the United States—the first time the tournament has been shared by three countries. It opens, however,…

Bafana Bafana coach Hugo Broos announced his final 26-member squad for the 2026 FIFA World Cup at the Sefako Makgatho Presidential Guest House in Pretoria on Wednesday. Photo: SAFA

Bafana Bafana: A squad built for more than just participation

The current squad stands out as one of the most impressive in recent memory. Its strength draws heavily from the domestic powerhouse clubs

Rising globally: The Argentinian team celebrates winning the WorldCup in Qatar in 2022. Cameroon, Senegal
and Ghana each reached the quarter-finals and Morocco went further by reaching the semi-finals. Photo: Fifa

World Cup as a gauge of African progress

The journey from a solitary representative in 1934 to unprecedented representation in 2026 is a measure of the continent’s long but undeniable march towards footballing recognition

South Africa at the World Cup

Around this time 15 years ago, the entire nation was getting very excited about hosting the first-ever – and to this date, the only – FIFA World Cup to be held in Africa.…

Global sporting events must end harmful partnerships to protect people and planet

Competition organisers risk accusations of sportswashing when partnering with companies such as Toyota and TotalEnergies

Controversial plays of ‘Jogo Bonito’ that fans love – but FIFA not so much

FIFA’s limitations have resulted in football becoming more boring and predictable

Lionel Messi of Argentinia (C) celebrate with their FIFA World Cup Qatar 2022 trophy after the teams victory while winners ceremony during the FIFA World Cup Qatar 2022 Final match between Argentina and France at Lusail Stadium on December 18, 2022 in Lusail City, Qatar. (Photo by Marvin Ibo Guengoer – GES Sportfoto/Getty Images)

The M&G’s favourite World Cup moments

Our reporters choose their favourite memories from a frenetic few days in Qatar

Hosting the World Cup serves to strengthen the social ties between nations in that it enhances cross-cultural interaction and promotes international understanding. Photo: Supplied

Fifa does little to stop abuses in countries who host the World Cup

After the 2014 World Cup in Brazil, Fifa set up a human rights panel with the intention of stopping abuse and exploitation

Palestinian flags are waved during the Fan Festival Official Opening ahead of the FIFA World Cup 2022 Qatar Fan Festival at Al Bidda Park on November 19, 2022 in Doha, Qatar. (Photo by Gonzalo Arroyo – FIFA/FIFA via Getty Images)
Video

Qatar World Cup brings out support for Palestine

Russia has been punished by Fifa and Uefa for its invasion of Ukraine but the same doesn’t apply to Israel for its occupation of Palestine

With his football CV you would swear Vinicius has been playing for many years. The Brazilian winger is on the top of his game and key to Brazil’s success, especially with Neymar injured

Take a look at some of the young stars at this year’s Fifa World Cup

World Cups are known to launch talented young players. This year’s tournament is no different.

Salis Abdul Samed (R) of Ghana argues with the referee during the FIFA World Cup Qatar 2022 Group H match between Portugal and Ghana at Stadium 974 in Doha, Qatar on November 24, 2022. (Ercin Erturk/Anadolu Agency via Getty Images)
Video

World Cup wrap: Added time, shock results and what to look forward to

The first round of games are done. Who stood out, who flopped and what to watch out for

Fifa president Gianni Infantino. (Photo by Masashi Hara – FIFA/FIFA via Getty Images)

Don’t be fooled by Infantino’s fantasies

Fifa’s boss wants the game to float above ‘ideological battles’. But it’s Fifa’s ideology of greed that steered the World Cup into a desert stinking of money and suffering

Sadio Mane may be ruled out of the World Cup due to injury. (Photo by Robbie Jay Barratt – AMA/Getty Images)

2022 Fifa World Cup: What’s the deal in group A?

Senegal and The Netherlands should go through but Qatar will not want to find themselves on the wrong side of history

Businessman Thoshan Panday. (File photo)

Panday’s close family bailed as World Cup case heads to high court

The R47-million corruption matter that long compromised the police and prosecution services in KwaZulu-Natal is set down for pre-trial on 21 May