Global Pulse

分类： sports

  • Meet the fans being paid $50,000 to watch every single World Cup match

    Meet the fans being paid $50,000 to watch every single World Cup match

    The 2026 FIFA World Cup group stage is in full swing, with six matches packed into every single matchday, turning following the tournament into a full-time commitment for even the most dedicated football fans. For two American men, that commitment is not just a passion project—it is a paid job that comes with a $50,000 salary.

    Kevin Akoto, a line cook from Florida, and Austin Franklin, a Philadelphia-based influencer, beat out thousands of applicants to land the unique role of Fox One “Chief World Cup Watchers”. Their core task: watch every single one of the tournament’s 104 matches live, while creating social content for global football fans. Over a week into their assignment, the BBC caught up with the pair to hear about their once-in-a-lifetime experience in one of the busiest public spaces on Earth.

    Perched directly in the center of New York City’s iconic Times Square, the duo’s workspace is a purpose-built, fully transparent glass cubicle that passersby can peer into at any time. Far from a sparse, uncomfortable viewing space, the cubicle is decked out to be a football fan’s dream: plush recliners, a matching brown leather sofa, two large 4K televisions for simultaneous match viewing, a foosball table for downtime between games, stacks of official team merchandise, and an endless supply of game-day snacks. “It’s exactly what any 20-year-old football fan would build if they could design their perfect viewing space,” Akoto told the BBC.

    With the tournament stretching on for several more weeks, the pair have had to carefully pace themselves to avoid burnout. Both have already spoken openly about the mental and physical fatigue that comes with hours of continuous viewing. “I’ve gotten worn down, Austin’s gotten a bit worn down, so we’re just learning how to keep up with everything that’s going on,” Akoto explained. Franklin compared the experience to a weeks-long summer camp, where days start to blur together after the first week. “This is a total marathon. It’s an easy job on paper—I’m just sitting on a couch watching football—but it’s still incredibly tiring. I make sure to get a full eight hours of sleep whenever I can,” he added. Fortunately, the job does not require the pair to sleep in the glass cubicle; they wrap up their shifts each day, head to private accommodation to recharge, and return refreshed the next morning.

    Alongside the long hours, the role comes with a string of exciting perks. The pair have already witnessed multiple historic tournament moments from their front-row seats: they watched Lionel Messi break the all-time World Cup scoring record while enjoying a catered meal of traditional Argentinian barbecue, a part of the role’s unique catering program that serves native cuisine from each competing nation throughout the tournament.

    Between matches, the pair get frequent opportunities to interact with the thousands of World Cup fans that flood Times Square daily, from large groups of Brazilian supporters celebrating wins to Norwegian fans who brought their viral Viking rowing celebration to the iconic tourist hub. Franklin says these interactions are his favorite part of the job. “Getting to meet fans from all over the world, talk about football, culture, and their experience visiting the U.S.—that’s what makes this special,” he said. “The craziest part is how often I forget I’m right in the middle of Times Square with people watching me. I’ll get sucked into a match for 10 or 15 minutes, and when I look up, I’m suddenly reminded hundreds of people are walking past watching right back.”

    When it comes to picking a tournament winner, the pair have differing predictions. Akoto is backing Spain to lift the World Cup trophy, though he says he will be cheering on the U.S. and Ghana throughout the rest of the tournament, due to his personal roots. Franklin, meanwhile, wears a Norway national team jersey and is backing the Scandinavian side to pull off an upset win. “Everyone is picking Spain or France as the easy favorite, but Norway is right on the cusp of greatness. If things fall their way, I fully believe they can bring the trophy home,” he explained.

    Both Akoto and Franklin say they have zero regrets about taking the role, but public opinion on the unique job is split among the spectators who stop by the cubicle. Norwegian fan Eimund Liland, 52, who visited Times Square with his 15-year-old daughter Camille, called watching all 104 matches with no privacy “a total overdose” of football. Eighteen-year-old Matthew Mendez told the BBC he would rather experience the World Cup watching matches with friends and family than sit alone in a public cubicle for weeks. But for 20-year-old Miguel Sanchez, the opportunity is a dream come true. “What? This is even better than going to the World Cup in person—getting paid $50,000 just to watch football? That’s crazy, that’s really crazy,” he said.

  • Ronaldinho says ‘let the magic begin’ after signing with Italian Serie C club Ravenna at age 46

    Ronaldinho says ‘let the magic begin’ after signing with Italian Serie C club Ravenna at age 46

    MIAMI – In a stunning turn of events that has sent ripples through the global football community, 46-year-old Brazilian football icon Ronaldinho has announced a sensational return to professional football, putting pen to paper on a deal with Italian third-division club Ravenna, more than 12 years after hanging up his boots for the first time.

    The two-time FIFA World Player of the Year brought his trademark infectious energy to the signing presentation held in Miami, where he expressed his unbridled enthusiasm for this unexpected new chapter. “I cannot wait to dance with the ball again,” Ronaldinho said. “Football has always been a source of pure joy for me throughout my entire life, and I’m so excited to bring that same joyous spirit to the Ravenna fans and the whole club. Let the magic begin!”

    Ravenna, which competes in Italy’s third-tier Serie C league, is owned by Ignazio Cipriani, head of the global Cipriani restaurant brand. For Cipriani, luring the Brazilian legend is more than just a blockbuster signing—it’s a full-circle moment. Cipriani told attendees at the Miami presentation: “Ronaldinho was my idol when I was growing up. I hope his presence with the club inspires a whole new generation of supporters to fall in love with Ravenna and everything our club stands for.”

    Ronaldinho’s last professional appearance came back in 2015, when he played for Brazilian top-flight side Fluminense. This upcoming spell with Ravenna will mark the beloved playmaker’s second stint in Italian football, having previously turned out for Serie A giants AC Milan between 2008 and 2011.

    Over the course of his storied career, Ronaldinho cemented his status as one of the most talented and popular footballers of his generation. He claimed the 2002 FIFA World Cup title as a key member of Brazil’s star-studded squad, and took home the prestigious Ballon d’Or award in 2005 in recognition of his outstanding performances for club and country.

  • As Messi turns 39, how he and Ronaldo keep breaking records

    As Messi turns 39, how he and Ronaldo keep breaking records

    The 2026 FIFA World Cup has delivered one of its most remarkable storylines before the knockout stages even begin: two of the greatest footballers to ever step onto the pitch, 39-year-old Lionel Messi and 41-year-old Cristiano Ronaldo, have cemented their legacies with new, unprecedented records that reaffirm their enduring dominance on the world’s biggest sporting stage.

    Widely expected to be the final World Cup appearance for both icons, the tournament has instead turned into a celebration of their longevity, competitive grit, and once-in-a-generation talent. For Messi, who turned 39 on the day of his match against Austria, a two-goal haul pushed his all-time World Cup goal tally to 18, earning him the top spot on the tournament’s all-time scoring charts. The achievement comes on the heels of a three-goal performance against Algeria in Argentina’s opening match, making five goals from his first two outings in this year’s competition.

    Ronaldo, meanwhile, answered mounting criticism with a historic milestone of his own. After a lackluster 1-1 draw with DR Congo in Portugal’s opening match, the veteran faced questions about his form, unsubstantiated rumors of friction with teammates, and pressure to match the impressive start of his long-time rival. Just 48 hours after Messi’s double against Austria, Ronaldo silenced his doubters by netting twice against Uzbekistan, becoming the first player in men’s football history to score at six consecutive World Cup tournaments (2006, 2010, 2014, 2018, 2022, 2026).

    Notably, Messi is the only other player to have featured in all six of these tournaments, but he failed to find the back of the net at the 2010 edition. Tuesday’s goals also ended an 11-match World Cup goal drought for Ronaldo that stretched back to Portugal’s 2022 opening game against Ghana. In a clear, unapologetic response to critics, the striker directly told cameras “I’m back” in his post-match remarks, a comment his manager Roberto Martinez defended as an honest expression of emotion. “He is a human being. He is allowed to have feelings,” Martinez told reporters. His former Manchester United teammate Wayne Rooney called the performance classic Ronaldo: “He takes some criticism and this is how he responds.”

    At 41 years and 138 days old, Ronaldo is now the second-oldest goalscorer in World Cup history, sitting just behind Cameroonian legend Roger Milla who set the record at 42 years and 39 days. He also joins an elite club of just two other players – Michael Laudrup of Denmark and, fittingly, Lionel Messi – to hold the distinction of being both his country’s youngest and oldest World Cup goalscorer. Remarkably, both Ronaldo and Messi saw a gap of exactly 20 years and 11 days between their first and most recent World Cup goals, as of the latest matchday.

    The decades-long friendly rivalry between the two superstars has long fueled their drive for excellence, and Rooney says that dynamic was on full display in this tournament. “He wants to be the best at what he does,” Rooney said of Ronaldo’s approach to competing with Messi. “So, of course, when the other top forwards are scoring goals, he wants to be top of that list. His response here is exactly what you’d expect. It’s incredible to watch Messi last night and Ronaldo tonight. At their age, it’s incredible what they are doing.”

    When asked for his reaction to Messi’s five early tournament goals, Ronaldo kept his comments short: “I couldn’t care less about others… Mbappe also scored.” But analysts and teammates agree that the presence of both elite competitors pushing each other has only elevated their performances late in their careers.

    Both players have adapted their playing styles dramatically to maintain their elite form into their late 30s and early 40s. For Messi, the resurgence on the World Cup stage came after he turned 35, with 12 goals in his last nine World Cup matches – a total that ranks him seventh on the all-time list, tied with Brazilian great Pele. That is a stark shift from his first 19 World Cup matches between the ages of 18 and 34, when he scored just six times. Many Argentine football observers have linked this turnaround to his departure from Barcelona, arguing that after leaving the Catalan club, Messi has been able to prioritize his commitments to the Argentine national team.

    For Ronaldo, eight goals in 16 World Cup and European Championship matches since turning 35 prove he has also adjusted successfully to the aging process. Tuesday’s double took his total career goals across all competitions to 975, leaving him just 25 goals short of his next major target: 1,000 career goals.

    Neither player still commands the same mainstream media attention they did during their peaks in Europe’s top five leagues, and both have taken on post-European club roles that keep them out of the daily spotlight of the biggest continental competitions. But their back-and-forth pursuit of records at the 2026 World Cup has been one of the tournament’s most compelling storylines, captivating fans around the globe.

    The rivalry could yet get a dream conclusion later this tournament. If both Portugal and Argentina win their groups and advance through the knockout round as projected, the two sides are set to face off in a quarter-final clash in Kansas City on July 11. And for fans already wondering if this is truly the last we’ll see of the pair on the World Cup stage, even the idea of them chasing more records at the 2030 tournament does not feel out of the question. For two of the most omnipresent, unstoppable icons football has ever known, nothing seems impossible anymore.

  • Stokes back on England duty after disciplinary controversy and says only ‘focusing on this week’

    Stokes back on England duty after disciplinary controversy and says only ‘focusing on this week’

    NOTTINGHAM, England — Embattled England cricket captain Ben Stokes has declined to offer any guarantees about his long-term tenure leading the national side, choosing to center all his attention on the pivotal third and final Test match against New Zealand kicking off at Trent Bridge on Thursday. Speaking publicly for the first time since he was temporarily dropped from the squad amid an independent investigation into a post-first Test nightclub incident, Stokes dodged detailed questions about the controversy, and refused to address speculation over whether he had considered stepping down from the captaincy or retiring from international cricket entirely.

    The controversy traces back to England’s opening Test win at Lord’s, where Stokes and teammate Gus Atkinson broke the team’s official midnight curfew for an evening out at a London nightclub. The curfew had been implemented in the wake of last year’s humiliating Ashes series defeat, which raised widespread questions about the England squad’s off-field professionalism. During the night out, an England team security official was reportedly assaulted by a player from English rugby side Saracens.

    The England and Wales Cricket Board initially ruled that Stokes and Atkinson had broken specific contractual terms, issuing both players formal written warnings. However, the sport’s independent oversight body, the Cricket Regulator, concluded its investigation last week with a finding of insufficient evidence to confirm any regulatory violation had occurred. The pair were swiftly recalled to the England squad, which had suffered a lopsided 253-run loss to New Zealand in the second Test at The Oval, leaving the three-match series tied at 1-1.

    In his 15-minute press conference on Wednesday, Stokes pushed back heavily on widespread speculation that his close working relationship with head coach Brendon McCullum had fractured in the wake of the scandal. Stokes and McCullum have built a tight partnership since taking charge of the England men’s team in 2022, revolutionizing the side’s aggressive “Bazball” playing style.

    “We absolutely haven’t drifted apart, no matter what the big speculation has said,” Stokes stated. “When you go through difficult professional moments together, you get to see a side of a relationship you never would have experienced otherwise. You don’t plan to go through something like this, but Brendon and I have talked pretty much every day through all of this. Looking back, maybe this will end up bringing us even closer than we were before.”

    Stokes also opened up about the difficulty of watching the second Test defeat from the outside, and expressed regret over forcing his close friend and senior batsman Joe Root to step in as interim captain at the last minute. The all-rounder confirmed he had issued a private apology to the full squad on Tuesday, saying he had made clear to his teammates that his sole focus is now on securing a series win over New Zealand.

    “Yesterday, the most important thing for me as captain was making sure the lads knew I was back fully focused on leading this team,” Stokes explained. “I needed to say some things and acknowledge what had happened, just to the team, and I feel I got that across clearly. Everyone knows where my concentration is right now, and it is entirely on what we need to get done this week.”

    “Right now, this whole situation has pulled a lot of attention away from the series, but I’m not looking past this match,” he added. “We’re all square at 1-1, so this week is massive for this team, no matter what other noise is going on around us.”

    In a lighthearted moment during the press conference, Stokes joked about his recent batting form, which had come under public scrutiny ahead of the incident. While he was sidelined from the England squad, he played a county championship match for Durham, scoring an impressive 95 runs. When asked about the knock, Stokes grinned and responded: “Maybe being on the front pages for all the wrong reasons ends up being good for my cricket after all.”

  • Sinner set for exhibition match in London heat wave ahead of Wimbledon

    Sinner set for exhibition match in London heat wave ahead of Wimbledon

    As southern England grapples with a record-breaking extreme heat wave that has triggered the UK Met Office’s highest-level red warning, top-ranked men’s tennis star Jannik Sinner is pushing forward with plans to compete in an exhibition match Wednesday, just four weeks removed from a shocking collapse at the French Open tied to heat-related health struggles.

    The Italian, who enters the 2025 Wimbledon championships as the defending champion, is scheduled to face British home favorite Cameron Norrie at the Giorgio Armani Tennis Classic, held in Fulham, southwest London. Forecasts call for an early afternoon temperature of 33 degrees Celsius (91.4 degrees Fahrenheit) at the event venue, well within the window when the national weather service has urged the public to avoid strenuous outdoor activity and direct sun exposure.

    Sinner’s history of heat-related issues dates back well before his Paris meltdown, where a stunning second-round exit left tennis audiences stunned. Leading Argentine underdog Juan Manuel Cerundolo two sets to one and holding a 5-1 advantage in the third set on Court Philippe-Chatrier, Sinner faltered dramatically as on-court temperatures hit 32 degrees Celsius (90 degrees Fahrenheit). Visibly struggling to regulate his body temperature, he repeatedly reached for ice bags to cool down before collapsing, losing the final three sets 7-5, 6-1, 6-1. After the defeat, Sinner did not place all blame on the extreme conditions, noting only that “many things together caused this problem. I just need my time now to process what went wrong here.”

    On Wednesday, ahead of his exhibition clash, Sinner took precautions during a practice session at the All England Club, wearing a specialized cooling vest to manage his core temperature.

    The current heat wave hitting the UK is far more severe than the conditions Sinner faced in Paris. The Met Office’s red warning, which covers southern England through the heat peak, warns that shaded maximum temperatures could exceed 37 degrees Celsius, with some pockets of the region hitting 38 to 40 degrees Celsius. Compounding the risk is high humidity, which amplifies discomfort and the chance of heat-related illness, while overnight temperatures remain unseasonably warm, leaving people with little opportunity to cool down and recover between days.

    The official warning guidance urges residents and visitors to “keep out of the sun and avoid any exercise between 11 am and 3 pm when the sun is strongest” — the same window when Sinner’s exhibition match is scheduled to take place.

    For Sinner, the exhibition comes as a critical test just days before the start of Wimbledon, which kicks off next Monday. Forecasts for opening day are far more mild, with an expected high of 24 degrees Celsius (75 degrees Fahrenheit), a far more manageable condition for top competitors.

    Sinner enters this year’s tournament as the defending champion, having claimed his first Wimbledon title in 2024 after a four-set victory over then-world No.1 Carlos Alcaraz in the final. Alcaraz will not defend his runner-up position this year, after announcing he would miss the tournament to recover from a lingering wrist injury.

  • South Koreans expecting a home-game feel for World Cup group match against South Africa

    South Koreans expecting a home-game feel for World Cup group match against South Africa

    As South Korea prepares for its final Group A World Cup clash against South Africa in Monterrey, Mexico, head coach Hong Myung-bo says his side is set to receive an extraordinary boost: a raucous, home-field-style atmosphere built on years of cross-cultural football camaraderie. The warm welcome is no accident, tracing back to a historic 2018 World Cup upset that forged an unbreakable bond between fans of the two nations.

    When South Korea stunned defending champion Germany 2-0 four years ago, the result unexpectedly pushed Mexico through to the tournament’s knockout round. Overjoyed Mexican fans took to the streets outside South Korea’s Monterrey consulate, celebrating with a chant that has since become a symbol of the friendship: “Coreano, hermano, ya eres Mexicano” — “Korean brother, you are now Mexican.” That moment of gratitude has blossomed into sustained support for the South Korean national team during this co-hosted World Cup, which is being held across the United States, Mexico and Canada.

    Hong, who knows high-stakes World Cup football well as captain of South Korea’s iconic 2002 semifinal squad, says the outpouring of support from local fans is an unexpected gift for his players. After seeing Mexican fans turn out in force to back the Taeguk Warriors during their opening 2-1 victory over the Czech Republic in Guadalajara, Hong is expecting an equally enthusiastic crowd for Wednesday’s decisive match.

    “We may feel like this is our home ground tomorrow, and that is a very big gift to our players,” Hong said. “We will use that very well so we can play a good game tomorrow.”

    Beyond visiting traveling supporters, the Monterrey region already has deep ties to South Korea. Roughly 5,000 South Korean immigrants have settled in the area, most clustered in the Pesquería district just east of Monterrey National Airport. The community grew after South Korean automotive manufacturer KIA Motors opened a major local plant, drawing workers and businesses that strengthened economic and cultural links between the two countries. This tournament’s draw put all of South Korea’s group stage matches in Mexican host cities, cementing the team’s connection to the region ahead of the decisive clash.

    For visiting fans like Lee Ha-young, who traveled all the way from Seoul to support the team, the warmth of Mexican hospitality has already turned the country into a home away from home. While the two fan cultures differ — Mexican fans are far more outwardly expressive of their passion than the more reserved cultural norm in South Korea, Lee notes — shared love of the game has erased any divides.

    “Mexican fans have a lot of energy – more energy than us,” Lee said. “We have the same energy in our hearts, but it’s really hard to express because in Korean culture it’s not easy to express our feelings.”

    Lee added that many traveling South Korean supporters initially hoped the team would play at least one group stage match in the United States, where star Son Heung-min plays club football for LAFC. But the warm welcome from Mexican fans has changed all those expectations. “But the Mexican people have been really warm to us, so now I think tomorrow we will feel like home here in Monterrey,” she said.

    The stakes of Wednesday’s match could not be higher for both sides. Following a narrow 1-0 loss to host Mexico in their second group fixture, South Korea currently sits second in Group A with three points from two matches. South Africa and the Czech Republic are tied on one point apiece after playing out a 1-1 draw in their opening encounter. A win or even a draw will be enough for South Korea to lock in a spot in the knockout round, while South Africa must secure a full three points to guarantee it avoids elimination.

    If South Korea holds on to second place in the group, it will advance to a Round of 32 match in Los Angeles — a destination that would offer another comfortable, familiar setting for the team. The Los Angeles metro area is home to more than 300,000 Korean-Americans, who would likely turn out in force to support the national side. Still, for visiting fans like Lee, there’s something special about the welcome in Mexico that makes the experience unforgettable.

    “We might have to go to the U.S., for the round of 32,” Lee said. “But I don’t want to leave, I want to stay here in Mexico.”

  • Daniel Muñoz scores and Colombia edges Congo 1-0 to reach the knockout stage at the World Cup

    Daniel Muñoz scores and Colombia edges Congo 1-0 to reach the knockout stage at the World Cup

    GUADALAJARA, Mexico – A 76th-minute strike from right-back Daniel Muñoz has secured Colombia a hard-fought 1-0 victory over Democratic Republic of Congo on Tuesday, punching Los Cafeteros’ ticket to the 2026 FIFA World Cup knockout stage and leaving the underdog Congolese side on the brink of elimination.

    For more than three-quarters of the Group K clash, DR Congo’s organized defense and a sensational early performance from goalkeeper Lionel Mpasi frustrated Colombia’s high-powered attack. Mpasi, whose team entered the match ranked 47th globally, turned away five difficult scoring chances for Colombia in the opening 20 minutes alone, keeping the heavily favored South American side off the score sheet through much of the contest.

    Muñoz broke the deadlock when a deflected pass fell to him inside the 18-yard box, and the full-back buried a crisp left-footed strike past Mpasi, who had no chance to stop the effort. The goal marked Muñoz’s second of the tournament, and it proved to be the difference despite a tense late flurry from DR Congo. In stoppage time, DR Congo came agonizingly close to grabbing an equalizer twice: first, Colombia goalkeeper Camilo Vargas produced a spectacular save to deny Nathanael Mbuku’s long-range effort, then he pushed away Chancel Mbemba’s header from the subsequent corner kick to preserve the clean sheet and the win.

    Colombian star forward Luis Díaz saw two late goals ruled out in consecutive minutes in the second half: the first disallowed for a foul in the 79th minute, and the second called back for an offside decision one minute later.

    The result cements Colombia’s position atop Group K with six points from two opening matches, holding a two-point lead over second-place Portugal and a five-point advantage over DR Congo. Earlier the same day in Houston, Portugal delivered a dominant 5-0 rout of Uzbekistan, with captain Cristiano Ronaldo netting a brace in the victory.

    DR Congo, which is making just its second World Cup appearance and first in 52 years, caught global attention in its opening match with a shock 1-1 draw against Ronaldo’s Portugal. The underdog side has faced significant disruptions to its World Cup run, however: an Ebola outbreak in its home country disrupted preparations, and travel restrictions have prevented hundreds of Congolese fans from traveling to the tournament in North America. One high-profile fan who overcame quarantine barriers to attend the Guadalajara match was Michel Nkuka Mboladinga, who earned viral fame during the Africa Cup of Nations for holding a silent statue pose in honor of assassinated Congolese independence leader Patrice Lumumba. Mboladinga maintained his iconic pose for the full 90 minutes of Tuesday’s clash after missing DR Congo’s opening draw due to quarantine rules.

    Colombia, which missed out on qualification for the 2022 World Cup in Qatar, enters its final group stage match against Portugal on Saturday sitting in a strong position. Ranked 11th in the world – third among South American nations behind only Brazil and Argentina – Colombia opened its campaign with a 3-1 win over Uzbekistan. A draw against Portugal will be enough for Colombia to claim the top spot in Group K, and the same result would also see Portugal advance to the knockout round.

    The match also marked a milestone for Colombian playmaker James Rodríguez, who earned his 10th World Cup appearance, joining Colombian legends Freddy Rincón and Carlos Valderrama as the only players to reach that mark for the nation. Colombia heads into the final group stage match with a historic unbeaten streak in open play, having never finished a World Cup fixture scoreless across 23 previous tournament appearances.

  • Ancelotti’s quest to end Brazil’s 24-year wait for World Cup glory

    Ancelotti’s quest to end Brazil’s 24-year wait for World Cup glory

    Miami, June 24 – After a delayed arrival that stretched hours past the originally scheduled start time, Brazil men’s national football team head coach Carlo Ancelotti finally stepped into a packed converted locker room at Miami Stadium late Monday to face hundreds of assembled journalists ahead of Brazil’s third Group C 2026 FIFA World Cup match against Scotland on Wednesday. What was meant to include ample discussion of the upcoming fixture instead centered almost entirely on questions about Brazil’s star-studded squad, their quest to end a 24-year World Cup title drought, and the long-awaited return of record goalscorer Neymar.

    Neymar, Brazil’s all-time leading marksman with 79 international goals, is set to make his first appearance for the Selecao in nearly three years against Scotland. The 34-year-old attacker, who last played for Brazil in October 2023 and missed Brazil’s 1-1 Group C opener against Morocco through injury, has been the subject of fierce public debate in his home nation after being selected for the squad over Chelsea’s Joao Pedro. Despite his historic goalscoring record, Neymar does not enjoy universal adoration across Brazil, with many questioning his place in the squad ahead of younger, in-form alternatives.

    But Ancelotti offered a full, positive update on the former Barcelona and Paris Saint-Germain forward’s fitness ahead of the match, confirming he is fully available to feature. “He is available. He trained very well this week. He is fit and ready to play,” Ancelotti told reporters. “We are very happy. He is a high-quality player. He can play half-time or the whole 90 minutes. He’s very well, he worked very hard. So he is ready. His attitude is very good and he is in good spirits. He’s a good player, a great team-mate, he’s very serious and we want to put him back to play as soon as possible. He brings experience, knowledge and is doing very well.”

    While Neymar’s return dominates headlines, most analysts and fans pin Brazil’s World Cup hopes on Real Madrid superstar Vinicius Jnr, who Ancelotti previously managed at club level before taking the Brazil job in 2025. Vinicius has already proven his impact at this tournament, notching two goals in two matches including a stunning equalizer that rescued a point against Morocco after Brazil fell 1-0 early and struggled to break down the North African side’s elite defensive organization. Ancelotti made it clear that the in-form winger will remain a core piece of his game plan moving forward, even with a squad packed full of elite attacking talent.

    “He’s playing very well,” Ancelotti said. “We need to use him even though we have other fantastic players. We have experience, quality and legs. I’m completely satisfied with all of them. I have to put all the players to adapt to the style of the team.”

    That ability to integrate A-list talent into a cohesive, winning unit is what has made Ancelotti one of the most successful managers in the history of the sport. The Italian tactician is already the most decorated manager in UEFA Champions League history with five titles, and the only manager to claim league championships across all five of Europe’s top domestic leagues. A World Cup triumph with Brazil would cap his legendary career and cement his legacy as the greatest manager of all time, a milestone that would carry extra historical weight: Brazil ended its previous 24-year World Cup title drought on American soil, when the iconic 1994 side led by Romario and Bebeto claimed the trophy at USA ’94.

    While Brazil’s preparations center on their own star power, Ancelotti made clear he has not underestimated Scotland, who enter the fixture still looking for their first win of the 2026 tournament. The Scots have managed just two shots on target across their first two group matches, but put in a strong late push against Morocco in Boston that tested the 2022 semi-finalists, and Ancelotti highlighted their organized, physical style. “Difficult game, as usual,” he said. “Scotland has quality, they are fighters, they play really well organised. They have really good players, good individuals in Scott McTominay, John McGinn, that are experienced players who are used to playing this type of game. It will be a very difficult game as usual. We are ready to play a difficult game.”

    “They are a strong team. They have a very clear strategy. Usually play 4-4-2, long balls. They will try and do a lot of crossing. We need to control the match in that sense.”

    Scotland has already prepped contingency plans for potential weather delays that could impact the fixture, as organisers navigate tournament conditions across multiple American host cities. For Brazil, the focus remains on pulling their talented group together to chase a long-awaited sixth World Cup title, with Wednesday’s match offering the first chance for Brazilian fans to see their record goalscorer back in the famous yellow shirt.

  • Watch: Football fans celebrate in Ghana after draw with England

    Watch: Football fans celebrate in Ghana after draw with England

    In a display of unbridled passion and national pride, thousands of Ghanaian football supporters gathered at Accra’s iconic Black Star Square on Wednesday to celebrate their national team’s impressive 0-0 draw against England in the 2022 FIFA World Cup group stage.

    Ghana-based correspondent Thomas Naodi was on the ground at the central public space to capture the electric atmosphere, reporting on sea of black, red, yellow and green Ghanaian flags that waved across the plaza as fans sang traditional battle chants, danced to upbeat afrobeats, and embraced one another in shared excitement.

    Many supporters had crowded around public screenings across the country to watch the Qatar-based match, and after the final referee’s whistle blew, thousands made their way to Black Star Square— the historic heart of Ghana’s national identity, where the country’s independence was declared in 1957— to mark the moment. The Black Stars, making their fourth World Cup appearance, held off repeated attacks from the higher-ranked three-time tournament champions, securing a hard-fought point that gave the side a fighting chance to advance to the knockout stage of the competition.

    Even with the result falling short of a win, fans said the team’s performance against one of the world’s top football sides exceeded expectations and filled them with national pride. “We came into this match written off by everyone, but we held our own against England,” one long-time Black Stars supporter told Naadi on site. “That’s a win for us in our hearts.”

    The gathering stretched late into the night, with street vendors selling national memorabilia and local snacks to the crowd, and the sound of vuvuzelas and celebratory horns echoing across central Accra.

  • ‘VAR went for a coffee’ – should Ghana have had penalty against England?

    ‘VAR went for a coffee’ – should Ghana have had penalty against England?

    A tense goalless friendly draw between England and Ghana ahead of the 2026 FIFA World Cup has ignited widespread debate over Video Assistant Referee (VAR) protocols, after a clear foul inside the England penalty area went unpunished by on-field officials and was not reviewed by VAR.

    Ghana boss Carlos Queiroz did not hold back after the match, venting his frustration over the late-game incident that saw his midfielder Prince Kwabena Adu brought down by England defender Ezri Konsa as Adu charged toward goal. Replays confirmed Konsa made contact with Adu’s knee and failed to touch the ball, a challenge that Queiroz insisted should have resulted in both a penalty and a red card for England.

    In a sarcastic rebuke of VAR’s performance, Queiroz questioned whether the system was even operational during the fixture. “Once again VAR went for a coffee,” he told reporters. “I’m not sure VAR is still working in the World Cup. We still have VAR? It’s working? It was a clear penalty, red card. You have any doubts about that?” He added a lighthearted caveat to his criticism, noting: “I’m sorry for my sarcasm, but if I say these kind of things seriously they punish me, so I hope you understand that I’m joking.”

    Queiroz’s complaints were echoed by multiple prominent football pundits and former elite players covering the match for the BBC, including several former England internationals. Former England and Manchester United striker Wayne Rooney said straight away that he believed the challenge deserved a penalty award. “Konsa takes a huge risk. His feet are off the floor when he comes flying in and he gets the man, not the ball. That could easily have been given in my view,” Rooney explained.

    Fellow ex-England defender Micah Richards echoed that assessment, noting that while England was pushing for a late winning goal, the rules of the game still required clear fouls inside the box to be punished. “On another day, that could have been a penalty,” Richards said.

    Even former 2010 World Cup assistant referee Darren Cann, who identifies as an England supporter, admitted the decision was incorrect. “As an England fan I am delighted that it wasn’t given, but I have to be honest, for me this should have been referred [to VAR], Cann told BBC One. “Konsa makes absolutely no contact at all with the ball, he brings down his opponent. He is airborne, he is out of control, he makes contact with the attacker. For me this was a penalty kick.”

    The incident has raised questions about why VAR did not intervene to review the call, a step that would be standard in most top-tier club competitions including the English Premier League. The difference, however, comes down to new protocol guidelines put in place for the 2026 World Cup by FIFA’s head of referees Pierluigi Collina. Collina has mandated a higher threshold for VAR overturns, with a policy of limiting interventions to preserve the flow of the game and defer more decisions to on-field officials. That policy is widely seen as the reason no review was initiated for the Konsa challenge.

    While Ghana walked away with a hard-fought respectable draw against England, the controversy has put renewed focus on FIFA’s adjusted VAR rules ahead of the tournament, sparking debate over whether the new threshold will lead to more contentious incorrect decisions as teams prepare for the 2026 World Cup.

    This report was first published in June by BBC Sport, ahead of the 2026 FIFA World Cup.