On July 13, the British High Commission in Dhaka hosted a colorful reception at the British High Commissioner’s residence to honor the Bangladesh team participating in the 23rd Commonwealth Games, scheduled for Glasgow 2026. The event celebrated the long-standing friendship and sports cooperation between Bangladesh and the United Kingdom. Attendees included Bangladeshi athletes, team officials, prominent sports figures, representatives from the Ministry of Youth and Sports, members of the Bangladesh Olympic Association, diplomats, and invited guests including lawyer and social figure Barrister Zayma Rahman.

British High Commissioner Sarah Cook extended her best wishes to the Bangladeshi athletes, describing the Commonwealth Games as a platform for friendship, harmony, and mutual respect among member nations. She encouraged the team to perform with excellence and uphold Bangladesh’s pride on the international stage. Chef de Mission and BOA Treasurer Saiful Islam thanked the British High Commission for the initiative, calling it a source of inspiration for the athletes.

The event fostered enthusiasm and confidence among the participants and was seen as a reflection of the strong bilateral ties and collaborative spirit between Bangladesh and the United Kingdom in sports.

Argentina will face England on Wednesday night in the World Cup semifinal, with coach Lionel Scaloni reportedly considering tactical adjustments. After completing their final training session in Kansas City, the defending champions have arrived in Atlanta for the decisive match. Argentine outlet TyC Sports reported that two changes could be made to the starting lineup, though Scaloni has not yet confirmed his final selection.

During Monday’s training, players focused on fitness, small-sided drills, and a practice match, but no fixed starting eleven was rehearsed. Despite a less-than-convincing performance in the quarterfinal win over Switzerland, Scaloni is expected to rely on his tested core lineup. However, dissatisfaction with midfield performance has prompted consideration of changes.

According to TyC Sports, Gonzalo Montiel may replace Nahuel Molina on the right flank, while Nicolás González could come in for Alexis Mac Allister in midfield. Leandro Paredes, who suffered cramps earlier, is expected to be fit. Scaloni is known for keeping his final lineup secret until the last team meeting, so the exact formation will likely remain unknown until kickoff.

Former Arsenal coach Arsène Wenger has analyzed the upcoming World Cup semifinal between France and Spain, describing it as a clash of two former world champions. Writing ahead of the match, he said France has emerged as the most consistent, fast, and destructive team of the tournament, while Spain has advanced through calculated, possession-based football. According to Wenger, Spain is the only team capable of halting France’s momentum.

He explained that France’s power football, led by players like Mbappé and Dembélé, thrives on counterattacks and speed, but Spain’s traditional possession and precise passing style could neutralize that pace. Wenger argued that as long as Spain controls the ball, France’s physical advantage would be less effective. He noted that Spain’s midfield control and technical superiority could challenge France’s rhythm, though France remains stronger physically.

Wenger concluded that the semifinal would be a battle between two football philosophies, where the team that dominates the midfield under pressure will likely prevail.

United States referee Ismail Elfath has been appointed to officiate the highly anticipated 2026 World Cup semifinal between Argentina and England, scheduled for Wednesday at 1 a.m. Bangladesh time at the Mercedes-Benz Stadium in Atlanta. The 44-year-old referee has already handled three matches in the tournament, drawing attention for several controversial decisions.

Elfath previously officiated matches between the Netherlands and Japan, Spain and Uruguay, and Norway and Brazil, issuing a total of eight yellow cards and one red card. His red card to Uruguay’s Agustin Canobbio for a dangerous tackle on Spain’s Pau Cubarsi sparked debate in Spanish media. In the Norway-Brazil match, he initially denied a penalty before reversing the decision after a VAR review.

Born in Casablanca, Morocco, Elfath moved to the United States at 18 and has been on FIFA’s international referee list since 2016. He will be assisted by compatriots Corey Parker and Kyle Atkins, with Italy’s Maurizio Mariani serving as fourth official.

Argentina will face England in the second semifinal of the 2026 FIFA World Cup wearing their traditional alternate blue kit. The match is scheduled for Wednesday at 1 a.m. Bangladesh time at the Mercedes-Benz Stadium in Atlanta. The decision on team kits was finalized after a meeting between representatives of the Argentine Football Association (AFA), the English Football Association (FA), and FIFA. England will play in their regular white home kit.

The blue jersey carries historical significance for Argentina, recalling the 1986 World Cup quarterfinal against England when Diego Maradona scored the famous 'Hand of God' and 'Goal of the Century'. In the current tournament, Argentina have worn the blue kit only once, defeating Jordan 3–1 in the group stage. England have used their white kit in five of six matches, switching to red only once against Panama.

According to FIFA regulations, the team listed as 'Team A' in the knockout stage, this time England, has priority for the home kit. Argentina’s choice of blue ensures a clear contrast between the teams’ colors.

England coach Thomas Tuchel has outlined his strategy ahead of the World Cup semifinal against defending champions Argentina. Speaking after England’s 2–1 victory over Norway, Tuchel said he believes Harry Kane and Jude Bellingham will be the team’s key weapons to overcome Argentina. He praised their ability to perform in crucial moments and expressed full confidence in their partnership, describing it as the core of England’s attacking plan.

Tuchel acknowledged that relying solely on the two stars would not be enough. He emphasized the need for more players to contribute effectively in attack to create pressure from multiple directions. So far in the tournament, Kane and Bellingham have been directly involved in nearly all of England’s goals, with only Marcus Rashford scoring outside their influence.

Argentina, led by Lionel Messi, reached the semifinal after defeating Switzerland 3–1 in extra time. Tuchel recognized Argentina as one of the most experienced and challenging opponents, noting that England must be strong both defensively and offensively to reach their first World Cup final since 1966.

As the 2026 FIFA World Cup reaches its final stage, four football powerhouses—Argentina, France, Spain, and England—have secured their places in the semifinals. France will face Spain in the first semifinal, while defending champion Argentina will meet England in the second. Data analytics firm Opta has released a mathematical forecast using its supercomputer to predict the outcomes of the semifinals and the eventual champion.

According to Opta’s analysis, England holds a slight edge over Argentina with a 50.96% chance of reaching the final, compared to Argentina’s 49.04%. France is favored to beat Spain with a 57.70% probability. In the overall title race, France leads with a 34.05% chance of winning the championship, followed by Spain at 23.45%, England at 21.94%, and Argentina at 20.55%. Despite being the defending champion, Argentina ranks fourth in the title predictions.

The report notes that football remains unpredictable, and on-field results may defy statistical expectations as the tournament approaches its conclusion.

Argentina advanced to the semifinals of the 2026 World Cup after a thrilling 3-1 victory over Switzerland in Kansas City. The defending champions secured the win after 120 minutes of intense play, with Julián Álvarez and Lautaro Martínez scoring decisive goals in extra time. The result keeps Argentina’s dream of retaining the World Cup alive, setting up a semifinal clash against England in Atlanta next Wednesday.

Following the match, Argentina coach Lionel Scaloni praised his team’s effort but emphasized the need for improvement ahead of the semifinals. He acknowledged that the team must correct mistakes and recover physically after the exhausting quarterfinal. Scaloni also expressed respect for England, describing them as a strong side with an excellent coach.

Scaloni stated that the team’s immediate priority is rest and recovery to overcome injuries before the next match. Fans are now eagerly awaiting the high-voltage semifinal between Argentina and England, a fixture rich in football history and rivalry.

Norway’s remarkable World Cup run ended in the quarterfinals after a 2-1 defeat to England, marking the nation’s first-ever appearance at this stage of the tournament. Star striker Erling Haaland, who had been instrumental in Norway’s campaign, expressed frustration over a disallowed goal during the 55th minute. Tobiorn Heggem’s header from a corner was overturned following a VAR review that found Haaland had fouled England’s Elliot Anderson before the play.

Haaland said he felt he was being held throughout the match and called the decision harsh, noting that if such contact were always penalized, he would earn free kicks in nearly every game. Despite the setback, he refused to make excuses, citing the intense heat and humidity in Miami as challenging conditions. Haaland emphasized that small moments and key decisions made the difference in the match.

Playing in his first World Cup, Haaland scored seven goals and helped Norway reach new heights. He said the six-week tournament was an unforgettable experience and believed Norway’s performance, including a historic win over Brazil, could inspire the next generation of players.

The Bangladesh Football Referees Association held its Special General Meeting and Executive Committee Election 2026 last Saturday at the Sadek Hossain Khoka Community Center in Gopibagh, Dhaka. The event took place in a festive and peaceful atmosphere, attended by officials including BFF General Secretary Imran Hasan Tushar, former FIFA elite referee Taiyab Hasan Babu, and other former national and FIFA referees from across the country. The meeting began with a recitation from the Holy Quran and was presided over by former FIFA referee Abdul Hannan Miron, who later handed over voting responsibilities to the election commission.

Out of 401 eligible voters, 363 cast their votes to elect the new executive committee through a democratic process. R. Alam, nominated by the Bangladesh Football Federation, was elected president, with Shahadat Hossain Badol and Abdul Hannan Miron as vice presidents. Sadat Hossain Sohel became general secretary, while other key posts were filled by Alomgir Sarkar, Md. Nahid, Nuruzzaman, and Ferdous Ahmed. The newly elected committee expressed commitment to improving referee training, facilities, and unity nationwide.

Sports figures and football community members extended congratulations to the new leadership following the election.

England advanced to the World Cup semifinals after a dramatic 2-1 extra-time victory over Norway in Miami on July 12, 2026. Despite the win, head coach Thomas Tuchel expressed dissatisfaction with his team’s performance, admitting that England were helped by luck and could not progress further with such play. Jude Bellingham scored both goals to secure the comeback after England trailed in the first half.

Tuchel highlighted numerous flaws in England’s game, including poor ball control, decision-making, and defensive errors. He said the team played disorganized football and failed to maintain control of the match. While he praised the players’ fighting spirit and Bellingham’s leadership, Tuchel warned that relying on one player or luck would not be enough to win the tournament.

The coach also hinted at tactical adjustments ahead of the semifinal clash against Argentina, stressing the need for rapid improvement. Tuchel described the Norway match as a warning sign and urged his team to become more organized, confident, and technically sound to compete for the title.

England captain Harry Kane said his team has yet to play its best football despite a dramatic 2-1 victory over Norway in the World Cup quarterfinals held in Miami. Kane expressed pride and relief after the comeback win, crediting the team’s fighting spirit as its greatest strength. England fell behind early but turned the match around with two goals from Jude Bellingham, securing a place in the semifinals.

Kane emphasized that knockout matches are about results rather than style, noting that sometimes teams must rely on character and belief to prevail. He praised Bellingham for stepping up in crucial moments and described the win as a collective achievement. The striker also highlighted the team’s mental resilience, saying the squad never gives up until the final whistle.

Looking ahead, Kane warned that the semifinal against reigning champions Argentina will be a tougher challenge. He said England must improve ball control and decision-making, aiming to show a more mature performance in the next round.

Argentina advanced to the semifinals of the 2026 FIFA World Cup after defeating Switzerland 3-1 in extra time. The quarterfinal match ended level in regular time before Argentina took control in the additional period to secure victory. Following the hard-fought win, captain Lionel Messi shared an emotional message on Instagram, praising his teammates and emphasizing the team’s unwavering belief. The defending champions have now reached the semifinals for the second consecutive World Cup.

Argentina will face England in the semifinals on July 15 at Atlanta Stadium. England booked their place in the last four by beating Norway 2-1, with Jude Bellingham scoring twice. Messi, who led Argentina to their third World Cup title in Qatar, now has the chance to make history again if his team wins back-to-back titles, a feat last achieved by Brazil in 1958 and 1962.

Messi also remains in contention for the Golden Boot and will aim to add more goals in the semifinal and potential final to further enhance his illustrious career.

Argentina advanced to the World Cup semifinals after defeating Switzerland 3-1 in a dramatic quarterfinal match held in Kansas City on July 12, 2026. The defending champions took an early lead in the 10th minute through Alexis Mac Allister, but Switzerland equalized in the 67th minute via Dan Ndoye. Swiss forward Breel Embolo was sent off shortly after, leaving his team with ten men. Despite Switzerland’s resistance, Argentina broke through in extra time with goals from Julián Álvarez in the 112th minute and Lautaro Martínez in stoppage time.

The victory secured Argentina’s place in the semifinals, where Lionel Scaloni’s side will face England on July 15. The other semifinal will feature France against Spain on July 14. The match showcased Argentina’s attacking persistence and Switzerland’s defensive resilience, with the outcome decided only in the final minutes of extra time.

With this win, Argentina remains on track to defend its title, while Switzerland exits after a valiant effort that fell short in the closing stages.

England reached the World Cup semifinals after defeating Norway 2–1 in Miami on July 12, 2026. The match, played in intense heat, saw both teams struggle with pace and sharpness. Jude Bellingham scored twice, including the decisive goal in extra time, to secure England’s victory. Norway had taken the lead through Andreas Schjelderup in the 36th minute, but Bellingham equalized just before halftime. His second goal came after Norway’s goalkeeper failed to hold a long-range shot from Morgan Rogers.

The win marked England’s second consecutive World Cup semifinal appearance, following their 2022 run in Qatar. Under coach Thomas Tuchel, the team showed resilience despite Norway’s organized play and multiple missed chances. Erling Haaland remained largely ineffective against England’s defense, while VAR overturned a potential penalty for England in extra time.

England will face either Argentina or Switzerland in the semifinals, with Bellingham now having scored six goals in the tournament and emerging as the central figure in Tuchel’s side.