I’ve adored the World Cup ever since I watched Denmark at Mexico ’86 as a kid — my dad would tape the late games so my sister and I could catch them before school, just like plenty of kids still do 40 years on! I can still take it in like a supporter, but when...

Our earliest — and arguably most daring — kit, a yellow-and-green standout, perfectly captured its era. Beyond the oversized collar and deep V-neck, its defining touch was placing both the country’s name and the Leopards’ nickname and crest across the chest. Congolese designer Alvin Junior Mak, who recently went viral for the current squad’s leopard-print...

Club: Lille Age: 18 Position: Midfielder Caps: 4 Goals: 0 Capped for the first time just before the tournament, the teenage creator announced himself on the global stage with a standout display in midfield against Brazil. Mixing diligent defensive work with graceful ball carrying and crisp, constant distribution, he completed 60 of 66 passes and...

Although it falls well short of what Arsenal have brought in this season, Europa League champions Aston Villa will have earned at least 52.6m euros (£45.6m) from Uefa’s second-tier competition. That total includes what is guaranteed for qualifying for next season’s Champions League, one of the Europa League winner’s perks. However, Villa’s place in the...

Players at the tournament are wearing Puma shirts made from a fabric the German brand calls Ultraweave. Designed to be extremely light and to minimize friction during play, the material is promoted as the fastest football jersey in the game. Puma says a typical Ultraweave top weighs about 72 grams, consists largely of recycled polyester,...

As recently as three years ago, there was no certainty Balogun would represent the United States. After featuring for both the US and England at Under-18 level, he became central to Lee Carsley’s England Under-21 plans, scoring seven goals in 13 matches as they prepared for the 2023 Under-21 European Championship. Yet his prolific 2022-23...

Inside three minutes, Ecuador’s Enner Valencia burst clear on Curacao’s goal and a finish felt inevitable. Ten yards out with only the keeper to beat, he looked certain to score. That would have left Curacao with a steep climb and, as in the 7-1 loss to Germany in their World Cup opener, might have set...

New Rangers boss Derek McInnes could face a touchline ban after being cited by the Scottish FA for branding a late Celtic penalty at Motherwell “disgusting.” The complaint relates to remarks he made at the end of last season while managing Hearts. Motherwell and midfielder Elliott Watt have also been reported over social media posts...