The three-match T20 series between hosts Zimbabwe and Bangladesh begins today in Bulawayo, with the first match starting at 4:30 p.m. Bangladesh time. Several key Bangladeshi players, including Liton Das, Mehidy Hasan Miraz, Taskin Ahmed, and Hasan Mahmud, are unavailable due to commitments in the Sri Lanka Premier League, while Mustafizur Rahman is sidelined by injury. Zimbabwe, led by Sikandar Raza, will play their first T20 series since the last World Cup.

Zimbabwe enters the series with confidence after winning both the Test and ODI series against Bangladesh earlier in the tour. They also carry momentum from their historic victories over Australia and co-host Sri Lanka in the previous T20 World Cup. Bangladesh, however, is looking to recover from a 3–0 home series defeat to Australia in June. The team’s morale is lifted by a win in the final ODI against Zimbabwe.

Young pacer Nahid Rana, who took seven wickets in the ODI series, is expected to play a key role in Mustafizur’s absence, supported by Shoriful Islam and newcomer Abdul Gaffar Saklain. Bangladesh has won 17 of the 25 T20 matches played between the two sides so far.

Spain advanced to the 2026 FIFA World Cup final after a commanding 2-0 victory over France at the AT&T Stadium in Dallas on Tuesday night. The Spanish side dominated possession and tempo from the opening whistle, neutralizing France’s star-studded attack featuring Mbappé, Dembélé, Olise, and Barcola. Mikel Oyarzabal opened the scoring from a penalty in the 18th minute after Lamine Yamal was fouled in the box. Spain sealed the win in the 67th minute when Pedro Paro converted a low cross following a swift counterattack.

Spain’s coach Luis de la Fuente’s tactical setup proved decisive, employing relentless pressing and positional play that left France struggling to create chances. Midfielders Rodri and Fabián Ruiz orchestrated the rhythm, while Yamal impressed on his 19th birthday. France’s attack, once considered the tournament’s most dangerous, was effectively contained throughout the match.

With this victory, Spain reached the final scheduled for July 19, where they will face either Argentina or England. France exit the tournament reflecting on the importance of teamwork over individual talent.

The upcoming 2026 World Cup semifinal between Argentina and England is being framed as a battle of minds between coaches Lionel Scaloni and Thomas Tuchel. Both are described as tactical masters who can alter the course of a match through formation changes, substitutions, or pressing adjustments. Behind the star players like Lionel Messi and Harry Kane, the real contest is expected to unfold in the dugouts, where each coach will attempt to outthink the other.

Scaloni’s approach is defined by flexibility and adaptability. He adjusts Argentina’s formation according to the opponent, emphasizing effectiveness over aesthetics. His philosophy, that attack is the best defense, has guided Argentina through key knockout victories. Tuchel, on the other hand, is known for his analytical precision, often changing formations mid-match and exploiting opponents’ weaknesses. His England side can dominate possession or strike through quick transitions.

The semifinal is anticipated to hinge on tactical decisions rather than individual brilliance. A single substitution or formation tweak could determine who advances to the final, making this encounter a duel of two football grandmasters.

France exited the World Cup after a 2-0 defeat to Spain in the semifinal held in Dallas. French coach Didier Deschamps admitted that Spain were superior both technically and tactically, acknowledging that his team fell short in key areas. Despite conceding Spain’s dominance, Deschamps expressed disappointment and questioned the standard of refereeing in the match, asking whether the referee was qualified to officiate a World Cup semifinal.

Deschamps noted that France failed to deliver their best performance, citing technical errors, poor passing, and the injury to defender William Saliba as major setbacks. He also mentioned that substituting Adrien Rabiot after his yellow card disrupted the team’s balance. The coach emphasized that Spain controlled the game effectively and deserved their victory.

With this loss, France’s bid to reach a second consecutive World Cup final ended, while Spain, led by Luis de la Fuente, secured their first final appearance since 2010.

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.