Morocco is having a moment as a powerhouse soccer nation, reaching the business end of back-to-back World Cups and seeing a pathway to winning this year’s tournament. “Morocco has gained everybody’s respect now,” team coach Mohamed Ouahbi told reporters after the squad’s victory over the Netherlands in the first knockout round of the 2026 World…
BRUSSELS — The atmosphere at Le Stalingrad tea salon in Brussels is electric, full of supporters packed shoulder-to-shoulder, with Arabic commentary blaring from the televisions and every chance greeted by deafening reactions. The crowd has erupted each time Morocco held firm defensively, but the loudest roar of the night (so far) came when France’s Kylian…
French president and dedicated soccer fan Emmanuel Macron is having himself a day. He attended the Tour de Francein the Pyrenees earlier Thursday, hours before France’s World Cup quarterfinal against Morocco. French outlet RMC Sport reported that shortly after the cycling stage finished, Macron urged star French rider Paul Seixas to remain with his team:…
For one evening at least, Les Bleus accomplished what few others can: uniting France’s political class. Senior French politicians from across the spectrum praised France’s victory over Morocco in the World Cup quarterfinals on Thursday night, as they eye eventual glory in New Jersey on July 19. “We’re proud of our Les Bleus,” said French…
Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis (former captain of the Yale University baseball team) said he’s not “a soccer fan.” But he did take some time to talk about the World Cup and U.S. national team while guest hosting Sean Hannity’s radio program Thursday — including a blunt assessment of how the team fared in its 4-1…
Black leaders across the South have expressed a visceral shock in the wake of the Supreme Court’s decision gutting the Voting Rights Act. But as the surprise wears off, a sense of isolation has begun to set in among some. Black lawmakers and activists across the Deep South argue they have been abandoned by the…
Before Erling Haaland was making history for Norway in the 2026 World Cup, was he dropping rhymes? Yes, he was. The superstar striker made a remix of a song he rapped in 2016, “Kygo jo,” with DJ and music producer Kygo, who has worked with high-profile groups/artists including Ed Sheeran, Imagine Dragons and Selena Gomez,…
England will be without one of its key defenders in the 2026 FIFA World Cup quarterfinals and semifinals, should it advance that far. Jarell Quansah received a straight red card against Mexico, and it was announced on Thursday that his suspension was increased to two games instead of the standard one. So, Quansah will miss…
Lamine Yamal has become one of the most compelling stories at the 2026 FIFA World Cup. The generational prodigy first captured global attention during Spain’s championship run at Euro 2024, where he earned Young Player of the Tournament honors just one day after turning 17. Now 18, the FC Barcelona forward is continuing his rapid…
The World Cup quarterfinals stage is set and kicks off on Thursday with France vs. Morocco. Despite a thrilling road to this point of the tournament, some teams unexpectedly found their way into the bracket of eight remaining teams. The bracket has sneaky good teams and confident squads who are bound to make a run…
