News
Reports, analysis and guides from our coverage
From North Korea to Senegal: the great surprises of World Cup debutants
North Korea in 1966, Cameroon in 1990 and Senegal in 2002 toppled giants on their debut. In 2026 Cape Verde and Curaçao aim to follow suit.
Champions at home: the five hosts that won their World Cup
Uruguay, Italy, England, Argentina and France lifted the Cup as hosts; none has done it since 1998. Can the USA, Mexico or Canada in 2026?
The captains who lifted the World Cup
From José Nasazzi in 1930 to Lionel Messi in 2022, lifting the trophy is the gesture that crowns a career. Some did it carrying records of their own.
Spain sweep Austria aside 3-0 with an Oyarzabal double to reach the last 16
An Oyarzabal double (36' and 89', both assisted by Cucurella) and a Pedro Porro goal saw off an Austria side that ended without a single shot on target. Spain await the winner of Portugal-Croatia in the last 16.
Total Football: the Dutch revolution that dazzled but never won (1974)
Cruyff's Netherlands revolutionised football in 1974 with «Total Football», but lost the final to Germany. They would finish runners-up three times without lifting the Cup.
World Cup hat-tricks: and the only one scored in a final
Only one player has scored three goals in a World Cup final. Around that feat lie records as rare as five goals in a single match.