England defeated France 6-4 in the third-place match of the FIFA World Cup, thereby winning the bronze medal. The game took place in Miami.
In the first half, England took a confident lead thanks to goals from Declan Rice, Ezri Konsa, and Bukayo Saka, who scored twice in the first half.
After the break, France managed to reduce the deficit with goals from Kylian Mbappé, Bradley Barcola, and another goal from Mbappé. Nevertheless, England maintained its advantage and secured the victory.
Bukayo Saka completed his hat-trick closer to the end of the match, and Jude Bellingham scored England's sixth goal in added time. In the final minutes, Ousmane Dembélé scored a goal for France.
Argentina and Spain will meet in the World Cup final on July 19. Argentina is the reigning world champion.
Hildah Magaia, a player for the Banyana Banyana national team, has expressed hope for a significant performance at the upcoming Africa Women's Cup (WAFCON). She believes that her return to the largest continental event offers an opportunity to contribute to her country's development and assist young players going through the squad.
Magaia gained recognition in continental football in 2022 when she helped Banyana Banyana win its first title at WAFCON. This occurred after she scored a decisive brace in the final match, which ended with a 2-1 victory over hosts Morocco. This landmark moment entered history, making her the second South African player to score a winning brace in a starting continental final, similar to the historic feat of Mark Williams, who led Bafana Bafana to their first Africa Cup title in 1996.
Magaia's brilliance continued when she moved to play for a foreign club and subsequently attracted public attention at the 2023 FIFA Women's World Cup. There, she scored in a dramatic 3-2 victory over Italy, allowing Banyana to become the first South African national team to qualify for the World Cup playoffs.
Despite rapid career growth, which allowed her to play in South Korea, Mexico, the USA, and Spain, Magaia's recent form has been hampered by injuries. As a result, she became a free agent after parting ways with Spanish club Deportivo de La Coruna. Speaking at Banyana's official farewell before WAFCON and the announcement of the final squad at Sasol Place on Friday evening, Magaia thanked them for being selected for the squad ahead of this major tournament, which is also a qualifier for the World Cup.
As one of the experienced figures in the squad, Magaia is expected to guide several young players, including 18-year-old Zoe October, who is debuting at the continental tournament. She stated that the youth will help the team because they look up to the experienced Banyana players. Magaia is confident that by participating in WAFCON, the young players will give their all and overcome any pressure.
Acknowledging her nickname 'The Breadwinner', Magaia emphasized that she bears responsibility towards the nation. She noted that it is not just her personal participation but also the representation of all the girls and people who support Banyana Banyana. The camp atmosphere is one of focused calm, and the team has included a mental coach to help players overcome psychological difficulties, which is particularly important following the tragic death of Bafana midfielder Jayden Adams.
Magaia noted that the team is currently in good shape thanks to the mental coach, who is providing great assistance. She advised the players to avoid negative comments on social media and focus on the upcoming matches.
The late Jayden Adams was an important member of the Mamelodi Sundowns squad, which won the CAF Champions League title.
There are pre-seasons defined by new players, tactical changes, and the excitement of a new season. However, there are also pre-seasons whose main goal is to find the strength to return to the training pitch. Mamelodi Sundowns is facing the latter type of challenge.
The Brazilian team traveled to Austria last weekend, just a few days after an emotional memorial service for midfielder Jayden Adams on Thursday. This is not the start of the season that anyone in the Chluro Cup could have imagined, but it is the reality they now have to face.
Football has previously shown that even the deepest wounds can be carried with dignity. The Merseyside club, Liverpool, knows this feeling well. Throughout the 2025/26 season, Liverpool dealt with the pain of losing forward Diogo Jota, who passed away in July 2025. Their reaction throughout the campaign showed how a football club can honor the memory of one of its members while continuing to compete at the highest level.
Liverpool stopped simply defending the Premier League title or chasing trophies. They transformed into a group of players, coaches, and fans trying to get through a season marked by the absence of a teammate, friend, and brother. This is the first lesson Sundowns can learn from Liverpool's experience.
Grief does not disappear with the return of football. Matches continue, training resumes, and expectations remain the same, but the lost person remains in memory at every moment. The task is not to forget the pain, but to learn to move forward while carrying the memories with you.
Sundowns' decision to postpone their trip to Austria was more than just a logistical adjustment. It was an acknowledgment that some moments are more important than football. The players, coaches, and staff needed time to grieve together after Adams' passing, realizing that emotional preparation is as important as physical preparation before a demanding season.
Liverpool's journey over the past year demonstrated the significance of giving people time to process losses while remaining a united club. Football clubs are built not only on tactics and trophies; they are built on relationships.
The second lesson is understanding that some losses cannot be solved by bringing in new players. Sundowns will eventually find a footballing solution. Mankoba Mngkiti will change his midfield, another player will take Adams' place, and the team will continue to fight for trophies. However, replacing Adams as a footballer is different from replacing Adams as a teammate.
Liverpool faced the same reality in the case of Jota. Another forward could have been signed, but the personality, friendship, and memories created in the locker room cannot be replicated. This is a complex balance that both clubs are currently facing—moving forward without forgetting the past.
Football does not allow teams to take endless breaks. Sundowns still have ambitions within the Betway Premiership, the CAF Champions League campaign, and domestic cup competitions. The pressure for success will return as soon as the first whistle blows.
However, this season will have a different meaning. Every victory, every defeat, and every milestone will inevitably bring thoughts of the player who should have shared these moments with them. Austria will not just be a pre-season camp for Sundowns; it will be the beginning of a healing process. Liverpool's experience showed that grief does not disappear when football resumes. Instead, it becomes part of the story the club writes together.
For Sundowns, the greatest challenge may not only be replacing what Jayden Adams brought onto the field, but also ensuring that his memory remains part of everything they achieve beyond that.
Argentina and Spain will face each other in the 2026 FIFA World Cup final. In this grand match, Lionel Messi from Argentina and Lamine Yamal from Spain will meet.
Spain, representing European giants, went through a dominant campaign after qualifying as the winner of their UEFA group. Their journey began with a draw against Cape Verde, but then the team found its rhythm, winning the next six games with a minimal number of goals conceded. They defeated Saudi Arabia and Uruguay to secure first place in their group, and then confidently beat Austria 3-0 in the Round of 32.
In sixteen starting matches, Spain overcame Cristiano Ronaldo's Portugal with a narrow 1-0 victory, and later beat Belgium 2-1 in the quarter-finals—the only match where their defense was breached. The toughest challenge was the semi-final against France and Kylian Mbappé, but Spain demonstrated discipline by winning 2-0, securing their first appearance in the World Cup final since their triumph in South Africa in 2010.
Argentina's campaign was built on stability and character. The defending champions qualified for the tournament after a 0-0 draw between Bolivia and Uruguay, maintaining champion confidence. In the group stage, they showed flawless play, winning all three matches: 3-0 against Algeria, 2-0 against Austria, and 3-1 against Jordan, taking first place in their sector.
Advancing to the playoffs required resilience. In the Round of 32, Cape Verde forced them into extra time, but Argentina ultimately won 3-2. In the next round, despite VAR controversies, Egypt took a 2-0 lead, but Lionel Messi and his teammates managed a comeback, winning 3-2. Switzerland presented another difficult task in the quarter-finals, forcing the team into overtime despite playing over an hour with ten men. Argentina eventually won 3-1, and in the semi-final, they once again staged a comeback against England, scoring twice late to secure a 2-1 victory.
Throughout the tournament, Argentina won all their matches, scoring nineteen goals and conceding seven, highlighting their status as one of the greatest teams in World Cup history. The expanded tournament featuring forty-eight teams began on June 11, 2026, and will conclude on Sunday, July 19, 2026, at MetLife Stadium in East Rutherford, New Jersey. Argentina strives for immortality, while Spain aims for redemption.
