A clash broke out between Brazil and Argentina football supporters in Mirsarai, Chattogram, on Tuesday night during the Argentina–Egypt match. The incident occurred in Tetoya village of Katachhara Union when a Brazil supporter, Mainuddin Mithu, celebrated Egypt’s goal, leading to an argument with Argentina supporter Mohammad Sakib. The dispute escalated into a physical fight, leaving both men injured. Mithu sustained a serious nose injury, while Sakib suffered a head wound.

Local residents took both injured men to Mirsarai Upazila Health Complex. The on-duty doctor, Raju Singh, confirmed that Mithu had severe bleeding from his nose and was later referred to Chattogram Medical College Hospital for advanced treatment. As of Wednesday, both injured individuals remained under medical care at the hospital.

According to Jorarganj Police Station Officer-in-Charge Abdul Halim, no formal complaint had been filed regarding the incident. He stated that police would take legal action if a complaint is received.

The Egyptian Football Association has lodged a written complaint with FIFA against French referee François Letexier and his officiating team following Egypt’s dramatic 3–2 defeat to Argentina in the World Cup round of 16 in Atlanta. Egypt, which led 2–0 until the 78th minute, conceded three late goals and was eliminated from the tournament. The federation’s letter, signed by president Hany Abu Rida, alleges that a disallowed goal, a denied penalty appeal, and several key decisions unfairly went against Egypt. It has requested FIFA to investigate the incidents and to exclude Letexier from officiating further matches in the tournament.

Egyptian officials claim the disputed calls influenced the match outcome, asserting that the refereeing team played a decisive role in Argentina’s victory. Midfielder Mostafa Zizo, whose goal was disallowed by VAR, and head coach Hossam Hassan both expressed dissatisfaction, with Hassan suggesting commercial motives behind keeping Lionel Messi and Argentina in the competition.

FIFA has not yet issued any official response to Egypt’s complaint. The controversy adds to broader criticism of refereeing standards in the ongoing World Cup, where several matches have sparked debate over officiating quality.

A major controversy erupted at the 2026 FIFA World Cup after U.S. President Donald Trump personally requested FIFA to review a red card given to American striker Folarin Balogun during a match against Bosnia and Herzegovina. The card had ruled Balogun out of the crucial round-of-16 match against Belgium. Following Trump’s appeal, FIFA’s independent disciplinary committee suspended the one-match ban, allowing Balogun to play.

The decision triggered widespread debate across global football. UEFA accused FIFA of crossing a line, warning that such actions could undermine the sport’s disciplinary integrity. Belgium’s football authorities also appealed against Balogun’s eligibility, but their challenge was rejected. FIFA President Gianni Infantino insisted that all disciplinary decisions were made independently and denied any political influence, while Trump maintained he had only sought a fair review.

The incident has ignited discussions worldwide about political interference in sports, with some viewing Trump’s move as a call for fairness and others as a dangerous precedent. The term “Trump card” has since become a symbol of the controversy dominating the 2026 World Cup.

Egypt exited the World Cup after a dramatic 3-2 defeat to Argentina in the round of 16, despite leading 2-0 until the 79th minute in Atlanta. Following the match, Egypt’s head coach Hossam Hassan strongly criticized the refereeing and questioned the fairness of the tournament. He expressed frustration over a disallowed goal by the Video Assistant Referee (VAR) and the referee’s failure to award a penalty for a foul on Mohamed Salah before Argentina’s winning goal.

Hassan alleged that commercial interests influenced the competition, claiming that organizers wanted Lionel Messi to remain in the tournament as long as possible. Despite his anger over officiating, the coach praised his players for their performance, saying Egypt had built a foundation for future success and upheld the pride of African and Arab football.

He concluded by apologizing to Egyptian fans, stating that the team had aimed to bring joy to the nation but some factors were beyond their control.

Egyptian forward Mostafa Zizo expressed strong dissatisfaction after Egypt’s 3-2 defeat to Argentina in the World Cup round of 16 on July 8, 2026. Egypt had led 2-0 before conceding three goals, ending their campaign in heartbreak. Speaking to the media after the match, Zizo alleged that the referee’s decisions consistently went against Egypt, claiming the official did not want them to win. He recited a Quranic verse and said a referee had destroyed the hard work of a nation.

Zizo further argued that the match was unfair and suggested the tournament seemed destined for Argentina. The Egyptian camp’s frustration centered on several controversial calls, including a disallowed goal by Zizo after a VAR review and a denied penalty appeal. These decisions, according to Zizo and his teammates, changed the course of the match.

FIFA and the match referee did not issue any immediate response to Zizo’s comments, while Argentina secured a dramatic comeback to reach the quarterfinals.

Switzerland advanced to the FIFA World Cup quarter-finals after defeating Colombia 4-3 in a penalty shootout following a goalless 120-minute match in Vancouver, Canada. The Swiss goalkeeper Gregor Kobel delivered an outstanding performance, making several crucial saves and earning the player of the match award. Despite Colombia’s early attacking dominance, both teams failed to score in regular and extra time, leading to a tense shootout that Switzerland managed to win.

The victory marks Switzerland’s first World Cup quarter-final appearance since 1954. Colombia’s efforts, led by players such as Gustavo Puerta and James Rodríguez, were repeatedly denied by Kobel’s sharp reflexes. Switzerland also created several scoring chances through Fabian Rieder and Dan Ndoye but could not convert during open play.

With this result, Switzerland will face Lionel Messi’s Argentina in the quarter-finals. Argentina had earlier secured their place by overturning a 0-2 deficit to defeat Egypt 3-2. The match between Argentina and Switzerland is scheduled for Sunday at 7 a.m. Bangladesh time.

Egypt’s national football coach Hossam Hassan said that anyone who does not feel the suffering of Palestinians is not human, regardless of nationality. He made the remarks during a press conference ahead of Egypt’s Round of 16 match against Argentina in the FIFA World Cup. Hassan, who had earlier dedicated Egypt’s historic penalty shootout victory over Australia to the people of Palestine, also waved the Palestinian flag on the field, describing it as a natural human reaction.

Hassan emphasized that while people protest animal cruelty worldwide, the deaths of thousands of innocent civilians in missile attacks have become disturbingly normalized. He urged that humanity should come before religion or ethnicity and that everyone should stand with the oppressed. He added that his message through football aligns with FIFA’s call for mutual respect and the right to live with dignity.

According to the report, since the war began on October 7, 2023, Israeli attacks in Gaza have killed more than 73,000 Palestinians, mostly women and children, leaving many displaced amid destruction. Global protests and solidarity from athletes have followed.

Australian national football team forward Tate Yangi has formally embraced Islam, drawing wide attention across the sports and Muslim communities. The 25-year-old player converted to Islam at a mosque in his hometown of Adelaide after Friday prayers, just before being named in Australia’s final World Cup squad. Islamic scholar Mufti Menk was present during the ceremony, where Yangi recited the Shahada to declare his faith.

In an interview afterward, Yangi said his decision to accept Islam was not spontaneous but the result of a long period of learning and reflection. During his meeting with Mufti Menk, he was asked whether he had recited the Shahada before. Upon replying no, he was invited to do so and accepted immediately. Yangi expressed pride in his new faith and said he hopes to represent the beauty and true teachings of Islam through honesty and humanity both on and off the field.

Yangi recently scored on his debut against Switzerland in a pre-World Cup friendly, strengthening his position in the national team.

Belgium reached the World Cup quarterfinals after defeating the United States 4-1 in the round of 16. Following the match, Belgian midfielder Nicolas Raskin expressed frustration over FIFA’s controversial decision to suspend the red-card ban of U.S. forward Folarin Balogun, allowing him to play despite disciplinary rules. Raskin said the result proved that justice ultimately prevails in life.

The controversy began when Balogun received a red card against Bosnia and Herzegovina, which should have led to a one-match suspension. However, FIFA’s disciplinary committee lifted the ban, drawing criticism from multiple sides. The Belgian Football Federation filed an official complaint before the match, which was rejected. FIFA President Gianni Infantino later stated that the judicial body acted independently, though reports of his phone call with U.S. President Donald Trump fueled further debate.

Belgium’s victory, powered by goals from Charles De Ketelaere, Hans Vanaken, and Romelu Lukaku, secured a quarterfinal clash with Spain, who advanced after defeating Portugal.

Portugal’s national football team coach Roberto Martinez announced his resignation after the team’s elimination from the 2026 World Cup in the round of 16 against Spain. The Spanish coach said he saw no reason to continue after failing to achieve the goal of winning the World Cup. Portugal lost 1–0 to Spain, and Martinez confirmed in the post-match press conference that it was his final game in charge, coinciding with the end of his contract.

Martinez, who took charge of Portugal in 2023, led the team for about three and a half years. Under his leadership, Portugal won the UEFA Nations League but fell short in both the European Championship and the World Cup. Expressing gratitude to supporters, Martinez said it was an honor to serve as national coach and hinted that the team now needed a “new voice.”

According to international media reports cited in the source, the Portuguese Football Federation will begin the process of appointing a new coach, with European outlets already speculating about possible successors.

Cristiano Ronaldo said Portugal’s Euro 2016 victory holds the same value to him as winning the World Cup, after his team was eliminated from the 2026 tournament. Portugal lost 1–0 to Spain in the round of 16 at Dallas Stadium, ending Ronaldo’s World Cup journey. The 41-year-old forward had limited impact in the match, managing only one notable shot before Spain’s Mikel Merino sealed the result in stoppage time.

Speaking in the mixed zone after the match, Ronaldo reflected on his international career, highlighting Portugal’s three major titles under his leadership: the 2016 Euro, the 2019 UEFA Nations League, and the 2025 UEFA Nations League. He said these achievements transformed the country’s football history and expressed satisfaction for giving his all to the national team.

Ronaldo did not confirm whether this was his final match for Portugal, saying he would not make emotional decisions and that his future in the national team was not the most important issue at the moment.

United States forward Folarin Balogun has been fined 40,000 US dollars by FIFA following a controversial red card incident during the World Cup match against Bosnia and Herzegovina. Although FIFA’s disciplinary committee suspended his one-match ban for one year, allowing him to play against Belgium, the financial penalty remains in effect. Half of the fine will be paid by the United States Football Federation.

FIFA stated that Balogun violated two separate articles of its disciplinary code. The decision to suspend his ban sparked widespread debate in world football. Both the Belgian Football Association and UEFA publicly opposed the ruling, while allegations surfaced that US President Donald Trump had spoken with FIFA President Gianni Infantino before the decision was changed.

Infantino responded to the controversy, asserting that FIFA’s judicial bodies operate independently and that he does not interfere in their decisions. He acknowledged receiving a call from Trump but said he only clarified that the matter was under independent judicial review. The debate over Balogun’s case continues across the football world.

French captain Kylian Mbappé has strongly condemned Paraguayan senator Celeste Amaria for making racist remarks about him following Paraguay’s exit from the World Cup. After France defeated Paraguay 1–0 in the round of 16 through Mbappé’s penalty goal, Amaria posted on social media calling him a “Cameroonian colonial man” and a “barbarian,” even suggesting that Paraguayan players should have physically confronted him. Mbappé responded sharply, calling Amaria a hateful person unworthy of her position and saying her comments tarnished Paraguay’s image.

The French Football Federation (FFF) also denounced the senator’s statements as “vile, hateful, and completely unacceptable.” In an official statement, the FFF expressed solidarity with Mbappé, the French team, and all victims of racism. The federation announced it would file a formal complaint with the prosecutor’s office to initiate legal proceedings against Amaria.

France emphasized that such remarks insult not only an individual player but the entire nation, urging stronger international action against racism in football.

Brazil has been eliminated from the 2026 World Cup after a 2-1 defeat to Norway in the round of 16. Following the early exit, speculation arose about the future of Italian coach Carlo Ancelotti. However, the Brazilian Football Confederation (CBF) confirmed that it retains full confidence in Ancelotti and intends to keep him in charge until the 2030 World Cup, as originally planned.

CBF executive director Rodrigo Caetano stated that there is no plan to dismiss the coach in haste, emphasizing that Ancelotti was appointed as part of a long-term project. After concluding his tenure at Real Madrid in 2025, Ancelotti took over Brazil’s national team late in the qualifying campaign. Although the team showed gradual improvement during the tournament, it faltered in its first major knockout test against Norway.

Despite the disappointment, CBF aims to focus on rebuilding the team in a calm environment. Caetano praised the squad’s effort and progress under Ancelotti over the past 38 days, while the coach himself vowed to start anew and continue pursuing success with Brazil.

As the 2026 FIFA World Cup enters its final stages, the competition for the Golden Boot has intensified, with Lionel Messi, Kylian Mbappe, and Erling Haaland each scoring seven goals. The three stars have reached this tally through different performances: Messi’s goals came against Algeria, Austria, Jordan, and Cape Verde; Mbappe scored against Senegal, Iraq, Norway, Paraguay, and Sweden; and Haaland found the net against Iraq, Senegal, France, Japan, and Brazil. According to FIFA’s tiebreaking rules, Mbappe currently leads due to his two assists, while Messi and Haaland have none.

England captain Harry Kane remains in contention with six goals. With the quarterfinals and other knockout matches still ahead, a single goal could bring him back into the top race. The individual rivalry has added new excitement to World Cup history, featuring Messi’s potential farewell tournament, Mbappe’s pursuit of a second consecutive Golden Boot, and Haaland’s drive to make history in his debut World Cup.

The final outcome will depend on the remaining knockout matches, where the top scorer of the tournament will be decided.