The day's essential Malaysian news, briefed.
Spain's football team returned to Madrid on Monday following their World Cup victory, with massive celebrations planned including a royal reception and hundreds of thousands of fans expected at an open-top bus parade through the capital.
The Football Association of Wales has withdrawn its support for FIFA President Gianni Infantino's 2027-2031 re-election bid following the collapse of an ambitious plan to raise $4.2 billion by selling stakes in World Cup commercial rights.
Spain's government apologised after former Prime Minister Mariano Rajoy questioned the 'Frenchness' of France's World Cup squad in a column widely condemned as racist and xenophobic.
Three Dutch players who missed penalties in their World Cup loss to Morocco have become targets of racist abuse on social media, prompting the Dutch football association to file reports with authorities.
FIFA chief Gianni Infantino has strengthened his position despite a tumultuous World Cup marked by ticket controversies, political interference, and integrity concerns. The tournament is delivering record revenues of $9 billion, nearly double the previous edition.
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Rob Dieperink, a Dutch referee removed from the 2026 World Cup panel after a police investigation in Britain, has died at age 38. The case against him was dropped due to insufficient evidence.
Australia qualified for the World Cup round of 32 with a 0-0 draw against Paraguay at the San Francisco Bay Area Stadium, clinching second place in Group D and setting up a last-16 encounter with the runner-up from Group G.
Ousmane Dembele's rapid hat-trick in the first half carried France to a 4-1 victory over Norway, securing Group I honours and setting up a likely knockout meeting with Sweden.
Ecuador mounted a stunning comeback to defeat Germany 2-1 in their final Group E match, securing a place in the knockout rounds despite facing elimination. The South American side progressed as one of the tournament's best third-placed teams.
France will pursue top spot in their World Cup Group I against Norway on Friday, with assistant coach Guy Stephan emphasizing that finishing first would allow the team to remain in the Northeastern United States and avoid grueling travel to distant American cities.
A vehicle struck a gathering of Mexico football supporters celebrating a World Cup win in Cabo San Lucas on Wednesday, leaving 17 people injured and prompting the driver's arrest.
Sami Khedira, Germany's 2014 World Cup champion, sees no conflict in brothers representing different countries at the tournament, viewing it as a beautiful expression of modern multicultural identity and family migration.
Uzbekistan coach Fabio Cannavaro has accepted responsibility for his team's devastating 5-0 World Cup loss to Portugal, though he maintains the squad can bounce back against Congo.
Penang police have detained 12 individuals and confiscated nearly RM9,000 in a targeted enforcement drive against illegal online betting operations coinciding with the FIFA World Cup tournament.
International football fans arriving for the World Cup are discovering genuine American hospitality and regional cultures beyond major tourist cities, potentially shifting long-held stereotypes about the United States.
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Dutch King Willem-Alexander and Queen Máxima watched the Netherlands defeat Sweden 5-1 in Houston, then travelled to Kansas City to support Curaçao's 0-0 draw against Ecuador, celebrating with both teams.
Colombia aim to build on their 3-1 opening victory over Uzbekistan when they face DR Congo on Tuesday, seeking to clinch a Round of 32 spot. DR Congo arrive buoyed by a shock draw against Portugal.
The World Cup reached its 100th goal in just 33 matches, the fastest pace since 1954, as the Netherlands defeated Sweden 5-1. Multiple factors including the match ball design and tournament expansion appear to be driving the unprecedented scoring rate.
Three Norwegian players with World Cup heritage—Erling Haaland, Alexander Sørloth and Kristian Thorstvedt—are determined to eclipse their fathers' 1994 tournament experience as Norway advances through the group stage.
Deniz Undav came off the bench to score twice as Germany staged a dramatic comeback to defeat Ivory Coast 2-1 in their World Cup Group E match, confirming their progression to the knockout rounds.
Brian Brobbey scored twice in the Netherlands' 5-1 victory over Sweden, establishing himself as a credible successor to Memphis Depay as the team's primary attacking threat at the World Cup.
French World Cup supporters have been cautioned against touching Philadelphia's legendary Rocky Balboa statue, which locals claim brings misfortune to teams whose fans dress it in their colours.
Morocco coach Mohamed Ouahbi rallied behind captain Achraf Hakimi following hostile crowd reactions during a World Cup victory over Scotland, as a French court ordered the Paris Saint-Germain defender to stand trial on rape charges.
Morocco secured a commanding 1-0 victory over Scotland in World Cup Group C on Friday, scoring the tournament's fastest goal through Ismael Saibari in just 71 seconds to claim top spot with one game left.
Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney has visited the national football team's dressing room to celebrate the country's first-ever World Cup finals match victory, praising the squad's character and resilience after a teammate suffered a broken leg.
The mother of Cape Verde goalkeeper Vozinha has received a US visa enabling her to watch her son compete at the World Cup, following his tearful disclosure that she could not attend his stellar performance against Spain.
Ivory Coast has suspended forward Elye Wahi from World Cup duty after he became entangled in a match-fixing investigation linked to a Ligue 1 fixture. The decision reflects rising concerns about corruption in professional football.
FIFA confirmed that more than one million spectators attended the first 16 matches of the World Cup in North America, with stadiums operating at 99.34 per cent capacity despite earlier concerns about ticket pricing deterring fans.
Iran's national football team manager has alleged the squad was ordered to leave Los Angeles for Mexico immediately after their World Cup opener against New Zealand, claiming they were denied recovery time.
Erling Haaland marked his World Cup debut with two goals as Norway swept past Iraq 4-1 on Tuesday, announcing himself on football's grandest stage with characteristic clinical finishing.
Ghana's government has escalated its dispute with Canadian authorities by filing a federal court challenge against the denial of a World Cup visa to footballer Thomas Partey, who is currently facing criminal proceedings in the UK.
Austria edged Jordan 3-1 in their World Cup encounter, with coach Ralf Rangnick acknowledging the debutants' impressive display. Rangnick praised the competitive quality of smaller nations in the expanded 48-team format.
Ivory Coast striker Elye Wahi, who featured prominently in the team's World Cup victory over Ecuador, was taken into custody last month in connection with a spot-fixing investigation centred in France.
South Korea's World Cup squad has boycotted media responsibilities after local reporters were caught mocking captain Son Heung-min's military service on a hot microphone during team training.