Brazil dominates ranking of the World Cup’s most beautiful anthems
A ranking of the World Cup’s most beautiful anthems put Brazil on top and placed Spain among the lowest-rated, according to MARCA Selección.
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Mexico beat South Korea 1-0 at Estadio Akron despite having less possession and creating fewer chances. The biggest takeaway was efficiency: they scored from 0.5 expected goals and held on to the lead with discipline.
A ranking of the World Cup’s most beautiful anthems put Brazil on top and placed Spain among the lowest-rated, according to MARCA Selección.
The centre-back spoke to the media 48 hours before the match against Arabia Saudí. His message was clear and aimed at raising the group’s demands in the buildup.
Carlo Ancelotti's Verdeamarela is chasing its first win in Group C after drawing in its opening match against Morocco. The game can be followed today on Olé.
Pau Cubarsí takes part this Friday in a streamed press conference from Atlanta, ahead of the match Spain will play against Saudi Arabia at Atlanta Stadium. The event kicks off at 18:45 hours and comes before Sunday’s game.
This Thursday, June 18, the second matchday of the 2026 World Cup group stage got underway, with hosts Mexico and Canada in action. The day follows the rhythm of a tournament that has already completed its first round of matches and keeps the focus on the schedule, the groups and the calendar.
Colombia beat Uzbekistan 3-1 at the Estadio Azteca with a stronger numerical backing in possession, shots and chances created. Although the gap in chances was not overwhelming, the South American side produced more and got better individual performances.
England beat Croatia 4-2 at AT&T Stadium and, beyond the even possession, established a clear edge in volume and quality of chances. They generated 2.8 expected goals to 0.5 for Croatia and ended up holding a scoreline that better reflected their attacking weight.
FIFA said the four matches played this Tuesday set an unprecedented attendance mark for a single day, surpassing a record that had stood since United States 1994. The match between Argentina and Argelia was one of the main reasons for the new milestone.
Ralf Rangnick was surprised by the match Jordania put up against Austria in their World Cup 2026 debut. The coach acknowledged that the favoritism assigned to his team did not translate into comfort on the pitch.
This Thursday, the match between the Czech Republic and South Africa in Atlanta will mark a milestone in the World Cup in the United States, Mexico and Canada: it will be the first game of this tournament officiated by a woman.
Argentina beat Algeria 3-0 with a telling stat: it created chances worth 1.2 goals and ended up scoring three times. Messi settled the game with a hat-trick, while Algeria had more of the ball but failed to put a shot on target.
Norway took the match 4-1 against Iraq with a clear edge in what they created and what they converted. The Norwegian side generated chances worth 2.5 goals, compared with 0.8 for Iraq, and were also more effective with their shots on target.
The build-up to the Selección had a powerful moment before the opening game at the 2026 World Cup. Martín Palermo was in the press conference as a DSports journalist and Lionel Scaloni was moved as he recalled their friendship.
The Argentina national team arrives at its World Cup debut with Julián Álvarez cleared to play despite the discomfort he has been carrying over the past few weeks. In the buildup against Argelia, Messi also looked fully fit in the final training session, and the Scaloneta is fine-tuning details to defend the crown.
Iran and New Zealand drew 2-2 in a game played at a even pace, but with a slight edge in attacking output for the Asian side. The xG finished at 1.5 for Iran against 1.2 for New Zealand, in a matchup that was defined more by efficiency and timely responses than by sustained dominance.
The 1-1 left a match with a clear contrast: Uruguay controlled the ball, took far more shots and generated more xG, but Saudi Arabia held on to the point with discipline and struck with one of the few chances it had. The draw ended up reflecting a production gap that did not show up on the scoreboard.
FIFA backtracked and confirmed there will be questions and answers in Spanish at all 2026 World Cup press conferences, even when no Spanish-speaking teams are involved. The decision aims to defuse a controversy that had emerged in recent days around coverage of the tournament in the United States, Mexico and Canada.
After the controversy of the last few days, FIFA reversed course and clarified that Spanish will be allowed at all tournament press conferences. The measure applies even when no Spanish-speaking national teams are involved.
Sweden thrashed Tunisia 5-1 at Estadio BBVA and, although they did not win possession, they were clearly more dangerous and sharper. Their 1.3 xG against their opponent’s 0.2 leaves the result on very solid statistical ground.
The Argentina national team used the lead-up to the 2026 World Cup to unwind with a barbecue and the presence of Carlos “La Mona” Jiménez. Lionel Scaloni’s squad heads into the opener against Argelia intent on easing the tension before fully diving into the competition.
Netherlands and Japan drew 2-2 in a group-stage clash at the World Cup, with very tight xG and shot numbers. Possession favored Netherlands, but Japan kept the match alive until the end.
The four-time world champions want to put behind them the setbacks of Russia 2018 and Qatar 2022, where they did not even make it out of the group stage. With Julian Nagelsmann in charge and without the old guard, their debut will come against surprising Curacao.
Portugal is preparing a special gesture in each of its matches at the 2026 World Cup: the players will wear special wristbands in tribute to Diogo Jota, according to Marca.
Haiti had more of the ball, more shots and a higher xG, but Scotland settled the match with John McGinn's goal in the 28'. The 0-1 leaves a clear reading: the volume numbers favored the Caribbean side, but the visitors were more precise in the decisive area.
Brazil and Morocco drew 1-1 in a very even match, with a slight visitor edge in xG: 1.3 to 1.2 . The data shows a balanced game, with little difference in possession, shots, and attacking output.
The popular Argentine party got into the World Cup mood with an open invitation to fans from all over the planet. The idea is to add energy for the Selección and for Lionel Messi on the dates it will hold alongside the World Cup.
The former Argentina and Inter de Milán defender singled out the young midfielder as a player who could be important for the Albiceleste. Ahead of the 2026 World Cup, Nico Paz is gaining ground in the conversation about Lionel Scaloni's team.
With just 150,000 inhabitants, Curaçao is about to write an unprecedented page in World Cup history. Its first match against Germany will make it the smallest nation ever to debut at a World Cup.
The second day of the 2026 World Cup delivered the first big win for one of the hosts. The United States came through convincingly against Paraguay in an opening performance that is already beginning to set the tone for the tournament.