At Seattle Stadium, Senegal appeared on course for a famous victory after taking control of the match with goals from Habib Diarra and Ismaila Sarr. With just four minutes of normal time remaining, Belgium were still trailing 2-0 and staring at elimination.

Diarra opened the scoring in the 25th minute, giving Senegal an early advantage. The African side strengthened its position shortly after the break when Sarr collected a long pass from Moussa Niakhaté and finished clinically in the 51st minute. The goal was Sarr’s fourth of the tournament and further underlined his importance to Senegal’s campaign.

Belgium struggled to create clear opportunities for much of the contest, but the introduction of Romelu Lukaku changed the momentum. The veteran striker pulled one back in the 86th minute, igniting hopes of an unlikely recovery.

Just three minutes later, captain Youri Tielemans completed the comeback by firing home the equaliser, sending the match into extra time and silencing Senegal’s celebrations.

As the game moved toward a penalty shootout, controversy unfolded in the closing moments of extra time. In the 125th minute, referee intervention following a video review resulted in a penalty being awarded to Belgium after an incident involving Senegal midfielder Lamine Camara and Tielemans inside the penalty area.

The decision sparked immediate protests from Senegal’s players, who argued that the contact was insufficient for a penalty. Defender Pathé Ciss and several teammates surrounded the referee in frustration, but the decision stood.

Tielemans stepped up under immense pressure and converted the spot-kick, sealing a dramatic 3-2 victory and completing one of the greatest turnarounds of the tournament. The Belgian midfielder was later named Player of the Match for his decisive contribution.

Speaking after the match, Senegal coach Pape Thiaw expressed disappointment with the penalty decision, saying his side did not believe the incident warranted a spot-kick. However, the result confirmed Senegal’s exit from the competition.

Earlier in the day, the United States secured their place in the knockout stage with a disciplined 2-0 victory over Bosnia and Herzegovina at the San Francisco Bay Area Stadium.

Folarin Balogun was the standout performer during the opening half. After seeing an earlier effort ruled out for offside, the striker finally broke the deadlock in first-half stoppage time. He latched onto a precise through ball from Malik Tillman and calmly finished to hand the hosts a crucial lead before the break.

Balogun nearly doubled the advantage soon after, but his powerful strike crashed against the crossbar.

The match took another turn in the 64th minute when Balogun was shown a red card following a VAR review for a dangerous challenge on Tarik Muharemovic. Reduced to 10 men, the Americans were forced to defend deep while looking for opportunities on the counterattack.

Despite the numerical disadvantage, the hosts remained composed. In the 82nd minute, Tillman effectively sealed victory with a superb free-kick that flew directly into the net. Christian Pulisic had earlier seen a goal disallowed for offside, but the setback did not affect the final outcome.

The results set up an intriguing Round of 16 clash between Belgium and the United States, with both teams carrying momentum into the knockout phase after memorable victories.

United States President Donald Trump could play a prominent role during the FIFA World Cup 2026 final trophy presentation, with reports indicating that FIFA may permit him to personally hand over the trophy to the tournament winners if he chooses to do so.

The possibility has sparked discussion among football fans and observers because it would differ from the customary World Cup presentation procedure followed in previous editions of the tournament.

Traditional Trophy Protocol

Under standard FIFA World Cup protocol, the trophy is usually placed on a designated plinth near the presentation area after the final. Members of the winning team then receive the trophy before carrying it onto the celebration podium, where official photographs and victory celebrations take place.

However, sources familiar with the planning process suggest FIFA is unlikely to object if Trump decides to personally present the trophy and remain on stage during the celebrations.

While no official confirmation has been issued regarding the final ceremony format, the reports have fuelled speculation about a potentially unprecedented moment at football's biggest event.

Club World Cup Precedent

The discussion stems largely from Trump's appearance during the recent FIFA Club World Cup trophy presentation.

After the final, Trump handed the trophy to players of Chelsea FC and remained on stage as captain Reece James lifted the trophy alongside teammates.

The moment attracted widespread attention and led to questions about whether a similar role could be envisioned for the World Cup final next year.

Trump was unable to attend the United States men's national team's opening match against Paraguay due to scheduling commitments but is expected to be present at the World Cup final scheduled at MetLife Stadium on July 19.

Tunisia Makes Coaching Change

In a separate World Cup development, Tunisia has become the first team to change its head coach during the tournament.

Head coach Sabri Lamouchi was relieved of his duties following the team's 5-1 defeat against Sweden.

Reports indicate the decision was influenced not only by the heavy loss but also by concerns over internal team dynamics and dressing-room issues. Lamouchi's tenure lasted just five matches.

Former national team coach Mondher Kebaier is reportedly being considered as an interim replacement.

Tunisia still faces crucial group-stage fixtures against Japan and Netherlands as it attempts to remain competitive in the tournament.

Neymar Recovery Monitored

Meanwhile, concerns remain over the fitness of Brazilian star Neymar ahead of the latter stages of the competition.

According to reports, Brazil's medical staff are taking a cautious approach as the forward continues to recover from a Grade-2 calf injury suffered while playing for Santos FC in May.

The management is reportedly prioritising Neymar's availability for the knockout rounds rather than rushing him back during the group stage.

Focus on Knockout Stage

Neymar missed Brazil's opening match and is also expected to sit out the upcoming fixture against Haiti. While the 32-year-old has increased the intensity of his gym sessions, he has yet to resume full on-field training with the squad.

Brazilian officials believe a cautious recovery plan will reduce the risk of aggravating the injury and maximise the player's chances of contributing later in the tournament.

With major storylines emerging both on and off the field, attention now turns to the coming weeks as teams battle for qualification and organisers prepare for what could be one of the most closely watched FIFA World Cup finals in recent history.

The 23rd FIFA Men's World Cup gets under way on Friday with a record 48-team tournament staged across three North American countries for the first time in 96 years, bringing a larger schedule, a richer prize pool and new viewing patterns for fans in India and around the world.

Three nations hosting

The tournament — played in the United States, Canada and Mexico from June 12 to July 20 — marks the first time three countries have jointly hosted the World Cup. Mexico will host the opening match in Mexico City on June 12, when the hosts take on South Africa. According to FIFA, 16 host cities will stage 104 matches, the most in the competition’s history.

Bigger field, new format

For the first time since the World Cup expanded in 1998, the field has grown again: 48 teams are split into 12 groups of four, with each side playing three group-stage matches. The top two teams from each group (24 in total) qualify directly for the knockout round, while the eight best third-placed teams also advance, creating a 32-team first knockout stage. That change extends the tournament schedule and guarantees more knockout fixtures than previous editions.

Prize money jumps

FIFA has increased the overall prize pool significantly. The organisation said the total distribution for the 48 teams will be about USD 655 million (roughly ₹5,600 crore), up nearly 50% from 2022. The champions will receive approximately USD 50 million (around ₹429 crore), the runners-up about USD 33 million (₹283 crore), with third and fourth place teams getting roughly USD 31 million and USD 29 million respectively, according to tournament figures released by FIFA.

Standout teams and groups

Defending champions Argentina are placed in Group J. Heavyweights France and Spain landed in Groups I and H respectively, while England, Germany and Portugal occupy Groups L, E and K. Early analyses by pundits and data models have flagged Groups H through L as especially competitive, dubbing several of them “groups of death” because they pack multiple top-ranked nations.

Debuts and veterans

The 2026 World Cup includes first-time appearances from Cape Verde, Curaçao, Jordan and Uzbekistan, while Haiti has reached the finals for the first time since 1974. Scotland, Austria and Norway return after lengthy absences. FIFA’s official squad lists also show striking age contrasts: Scotland goalkeeper Craig Gordon is the oldest player at 43 years and 162 days, while Mexico’s Gilberto Mora is the youngest at 17 years and 240 days.

Local context and fan impact

In Mexico City’s Azteca and other host stadiums, organisers say they are ready for packed crowds and complicated logistics as fans move across borders and time zones. Matches will be played across venues spanning North America, producing kick-off times that translate into a wide range for Indian viewers — from early morning to late-night slots. Broadcast rights holders in India, Zee Entertainment’s Unite8 Sports Network, will stream live matches via the Zee5 app and website, with additional highlights and reports available on Indian news apps.

Historic notes

Mexico becomes the first nation to host the men’s World Cup three times (1970, 1986, 2026). The World Cup itself began in 1930 in Uruguay; the tournament has grown steadily in size and commercial scale since then, with interruptions only during World War II. Brazil remains the most successful nation with five titles, while Argentina captured the last World Cup in 2022.

What's next

As the group stage unfolds over the next three weeks, teams will jostle for the 32 knockout slots that now follow a larger group phase. Fans should expect more upsets and extended tournament drama, with an unusually dense schedule of fixtures and new storylines emerging from debutant nations and veteran stars alike.

In a major development for sports broadcasting in India, the FIFA World Cup will be telecast live on Doordarshan (DD) after no private broadcaster submitted bids for the broadcasting rights. This decision marks a significant moment in Indian sports media, ensuring that millions of football fans across the country will be able to watch the world’s biggest sporting event free of cost on public television.

The move is expected to bring the excitement of the FIFA World Cup to households across urban and rural India, especially those who do not have access to paid sports streaming platforms or premium television subscriptions.

 Public broadcaster steps in

With no private broadcaster showing interest in acquiring the expensive media rights, the responsibility of airing the tournament has been taken up by India’s public service broadcaster, Doordarshan.

Doordarshan, known for its nationwide reach and free-to-air service, will broadcast selected matches live on its sports channels, ensuring that football fans from all sections of society can enjoy the tournament without financial barriers. This step is being seen as a major win for public broadcasting and sports accessibility in India.

A boost for football viewership in India

Football has been steadily growing in popularity in India over the past decade, with increased interest in global tournaments like the FIFA World Cup, UEFA Champions League, and domestic leagues such as the Indian Super League.

However, access to live matches has often been limited due to high broadcasting costs and subscription-based platforms. With Doordarshan stepping in, the FIFA World Cup will now reach a much wider audience, potentially boosting football’s fan base in the country.

Sports analysts believe this free-to-air coverage could significantly increase viewership numbers, especially among younger audiences and rural viewers.

Why no private bids were made

Industry experts suggest that the lack of private broadcaster interest could be due to several factors, including:

• Extremely high cost of FIFA broadcasting rights
• Rising competition from digital streaming platforms
• Uncertain advertising revenue returns
• Shift in sports consumption from TV to OTT platforms

These factors may have made the rights financially less attractive for private broadcasters, opening the door for public broadcasters to step in.

Doordarshan’s role in sports broadcasting

Doordarshan has a long history of broadcasting major sporting events in India, including cricket World Cups, Asian Games, and Olympic coverage. Its wide reach, especially in rural and remote areas, makes it a key platform for mass viewership.

By broadcasting FIFA World Cup matches, Doordarshan is once again reinforcing its role as a national-level sports broadcaster that prioritizes accessibility over commercial gains.

Officials believe this move will help strengthen the connection between Indian audiences and global football.

Impact on Indian football fans

For millions of Indian football fans, this announcement comes as exciting news. Many fans who previously relied on highlights or delayed streaming will now be able to watch live matches in real time on free television.

This is particularly important in rural and semi-urban areas where paid streaming services are not widely accessible. The availability of live matches on Doordarshan ensures equal access to one of the most-watched sporting events in the world.

Football fan communities across social media have already expressed positive reactions to the decision.

Boost for sports culture in India

Experts believe this decision could have a long-term impact on India’s sports culture. Increased exposure to international football may inspire more young athletes to take up the sport professionally.

Schools, academies, and grassroots football programs may also benefit from the rising interest generated by free World Cup broadcasts.

In the long run, this could contribute to the overall development of football infrastructure and talent in the country.

 Challenges ahead

While the move is widely welcomed, there are some challenges as well. Doordarshan will need to ensure:

• High-quality live production standards
• Smooth coverage of multiple matches
• Adequate commentary and analysis teams
• Coordination with international broadcasting feeds

Maintaining global broadcast quality will be essential to meet viewer expectations.

The decision to broadcast the FIFA World Cup on Doordarshan marks an important milestone in India’s sports broadcasting history. With no private broadcaster stepping forward, the public broadcaster has ensured that millions of Indians will not miss out on one of the biggest global sporting events.

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