France winger Ousmane Dembele produced a stunning firstâ??half hatâ??trick inside just 32 minutes as Les Bleus thrashed Norway 4â??1 to seal top spot in Group I at the 2026 FIFA World Cup.His rapid treble is the second earliest a player has scored three goals in a World Cup match, behind only Erich Probst of Austria, who netted in the 4th, 21st and 24th minutes against Czechoslovakia in 1954.Dembele opened the scoring in the 7th minute after latching onto a diagonal ball

Senegal's 5-0 demolition of Iraq produced a rare and historic statistic, with three players - Ismaïla Sarr, Pape Gueye, and Iliman Ndiaye - all scoring a goal and providing an assist in the same match.The feat is the first time a team has had three players achieve a goal and an assist in a FIFA World Cup match since Germany's unforgettable 7-1 victory over Brazil in the 2014 semi-finals, where Toni Kroos, Sami Khedira, and Thomas Müller accomplished the same.Ismaïla

Senegal forward Iliman Ndiaye has written his name into the FIFA World Cup record books, becoming the first substitute to score, assist, make five touches in the opposition box, and complete five dribbles.Ndiaye entered the fray against Iraq in the 57th minute and made an immediate impact, producing a performance that will be remembered for years to come. His goal and assist came in the closing stages of the match, contributing to Senegal's historic 5-0 victory.According to

Senegal produced a historic offensive masterclass on Saturday, thrashing Iraq 5-0 in their final Group H match, but the Teranga Lions now face an agonising wait to discover if their record-breaking performance will be enough to secure a place in the knockout stages.The emphatic victory rewrote the African record books at the World Cup. Firstly, their eight goals at the group stage is the most ever scored by an African nation in a single World Cup campaign (and group stage).Their

Ivan Toney has insisted that he has not been brought to the World Cup by Thomas Tuchel just to take a penalty for England, as the striker awaits his first minutes at the tournament.Toney was a surprise wild-card pick in Tuchel's 26-man England squad, with the head coach describing the striker as a "specialist". However, the forward has pushed back against the assumption that he is only in the United States in case England are involved in a penalty shoot-out."I

England right-back Reece James will miss at least the next two World Cup matches as he fights to recover from a hamstring injury, leaving manager Thomas Tuchel with limited options in the position.The Chelsea captain reported tightness after England's 0-0 draw against Ghana in Boston on Tuesday. He did not train with the squad in Kansas City on Friday and will miss Saturday's final group game against Panama, as well as the last-32 tie that could follow.James has a history

Senegal kept their FIFA World Cup 2026 qualification hopes alive in emphatic fashion on Friday night after producing a dominant 5-0 victory over 10-man Iraq in their final Group I encounter.Both nations entered the contest knowing only a win would keep their slim hopes of progression alive after suffering defeats in their opening two group stage matches.However, Senegal quickly took control and never looked back against an Iraqi side reduced to ten men early in the game.The Lions

Sports and Recreation Minister Kofi Adams has hinted that Ghana could extend the contract of Black Stars head coach Carlos Queiroz but insists any discussions about his future will only take place after the 2026 FIFA World Cup.Queiroz has overseen an impressive start to Ghana's World Cup campaign, guiding the Black Stars through their opening two matches unbeaten. Ghana currently sit second in Group L with one match remaining against Croatia on Saturday.The Portuguese tactician

Ghana captain Jordan Ayew has characterized the Black Stars' 2022 FIFA World Cup campaign in Qatar as an unpredictable and unexplainable journey, lamenting the team's narrow misses despite their best efforts.  Speaking to FIFA, the 34-year-old forward revisited the dramatic group stage matches from four years ago, highlighting the fine margins that led to their ultimate elimination."The 2022 World Cup, we were unlucky," Ayew explained. "First game against

Ghana captain Jordan Ayew has credited his challenging experience at the 2014 FIFA World Cup in Brazil with shaping his long-standing international career, stating that the tournament provided him with vital foundational lessons.Speaking to FIFA, the 34-year-old forward recalled the profound impact of entering the global stage over a decade ago as a young player."I came to the national team when it was really at the top. That was around 2010. There was someone Kevin [Prince-Boateng],

Ghana captain Jordan Ayew has declared he has no intention of retiring from international football anytime soon, vowing to represent the Black Stars for as long as he remains physically capable of performing at the highest level.Speaking to FIFA, the 34-year-old forward reflected on his extensive international career, describing it as a highly demanding yet rewarding experience."As long as I can perform and help the country and the team, I will always be there because it's

Ghana striker Antoine Semenyo has indicated that he is not frustrated by the lack of goals at the 2026 FIFA World Cup.The forward bagged 17 goals in the 2025/26 English Premier League season and earned his place in the Black Stars squad for the tournament as the most in-form player.Despite featuring in the opening matches against Panama and England, Semenyo is yet to find the back of the net.Speaking to the press ahead of Ghanaâ??s final Group L encounter against Croatia, the

Black Stars head coach Carlos Queiroz has insisted Ghana will approach Saturday's decisive FIFA World Cup clash against Croatia with only one objective: to be better than their opponents.The Black Stars head into the final Group L fixture in a strong position after collecting four points from victories over Panama and a draw against England, leaving them on the brink of the Round of 32.Although a draw would be enough to secure qualification, Queiroz says his players are focused

Ghana coach Carlos Queiroz is expecting a difficult and highly intense encounter ahead of the Black Starsâ?? final Group L fixture against Croatia at the 2026 FIFA World Cup.The four-time African champions will take on the 2018 World Cup finalists on Saturday night in Philadelphia.Ghana currently occupy second place in the group with four points, level with leaders England, who sit top on goal difference, while Croatia are third with three points heading into the decisive round

Black Stars head coach Carlos Queiroz says he is counting on the inspiration and commitment of his players to produce another impressive display when Ghana face Croatia in their decisive FIFA World Cup Group L clash.The Portuguese coach has transformed Ghana into one of the tournament's most organised teams since taking charge in April, with the Black Stars yet to concede a goal after matches against Panama and England.Ahead of Saturday's encounter, Queiroz expressed confidence

Ghana head coach Carlos Queiroz has made it clear that his side will not adopt a cautious approach when they face Croatia in their final Group L match of the 2026 FIFA World Cup.The Black Stars head into the high-stakes encounter against the 2018 World Cup finalists knowing that a draw would be enough to secure qualification to the Round of 32.Ghana began their campaign with a narrow 1-0 win over Panama before earning a disciplined goalless draw against Englandâ??results that

Black Stars head coach Carlos Queiroz has brushed aside suggestions that Ghana must choose between attacking football and defensive caution against Croatia, insisting his only objective is to win.There has been growing debate over whether the Black Stars should adopt a conservative approach in Saturday's decisive Group L encounter, with a draw enough to secure qualification for the Round of 32.However, Queiroz has rejected the idea that his team will play for a point."A

Ghana coach Carlos Queiroz has declared his side ready for the decisive Group L clash against Croatia at the 2026 FIFA World Cup.The Black Stars will face the 2018 World Cup finalists in a crucial encounter on Saturday night in Philadelphia, with qualification to the knockout stage at stake.Ghana currently sit second in the group with four points, level with leaders England, who occupy top spot on goal difference, while Croatia are third with three points heading into the final

Black Stars head coach Carlos Queiroz has ruled out a cautious approach against Croatia, insisting Ghana will play only for victory despite needing just a draw to qualify for the Round of 32 at the 2026 FIFA World Cup.The Black Stars head into Saturday's decisive Group L clash on the back of a 1-0 win over Panama and a goalless draw against England, leaving them on four points and in control of their qualification hopes.A draw would be enough to secure Ghana's place in

Black Stars forward Antoine Semenyo believes Ghana must become more streetwise in dealing with match officials after feeling hard done by during the goalless draw against England at the 2026 FIFA World Cup.Ghana were left frustrated after being denied what appeared to be a clear late penalty when England defender Ezri Konsa challenged Prince Kwabena Adu inside the box. Despite appeals from the Black Stars, neither the referee nor the Video Assistant Referee awarded a spot-kick.Head