Mexico, co-host of the World Cup, enters its second group-stage match in strong form after defeating South Africa 2–0 in its opening game. The team will face South Korea on Friday morning at 7 a.m. local time at Estadio Guadalajara.

South Korea also began its campaign impressively, beating the Czech Republic 2–1 and extending its unbeaten streak to nine matches, including seven wins and two draws. The Asian side, led by coach Javier Aguirre, remains confident despite Mexico’s home advantage.

The two nations last met in the 2018 World Cup, when Mexico won 2–1. They also faced off in 1998, with Mexico winning 3–1. Across all competitions, the teams have met 14 times, with Mexico winning eight, South Korea four, and two matches ending in draws.

French President Emmanuel Macron released a short video on social media showing US President Donald Trump signing a memorandum of understanding (MoU) with Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian at the Palace of Versailles in Paris. The signing took place one day after both leaders agreed to move toward a permanent peace deal aimed at ending ongoing conflicts. Macron wrote that the agreement would pave the way for lasting peace and reopen the Strait of Hormuz, describing it as a key step toward stabilizing energy prices.

According to the published 14-point document, both Iran and the United States, along with their allies, committed to an immediate and permanent ceasefire across all fronts, including Lebanon. The MoU outlines mutual respect for sovereignty, the lifting of US naval blockades, restoration of commercial shipping, and a $300 billion reconstruction plan for Iran. It also includes provisions for lifting sanctions, maintaining the current nuclear status, and forming a monitoring framework for implementation.

The final agreement is expected to be approved by a binding United Nations Security Council resolution once negotiations conclude within 60 days.

England began their World Cup campaign with a commanding 4–2 victory over Croatia on June 18, 2026. Captain Harry Kane scored twice, while Jude Bellingham and Marcus Rashford added one goal each. The match showcased England’s attacking strength as they took control in the second half after a balanced first period.

In the opening half, England went ahead twice, but Croatia equalized both times. The second half saw England secure two more goals, maintaining their lead until the final whistle. The win also served as partial revenge for England’s loss to Croatia in the 2018 World Cup semifinal.

The result positions England strongly at the start of their World Cup journey, demonstrating confidence and cohesion in their first match of the tournament.

Portugal began their World Cup campaign with a disappointing 1-1 draw against DR Congo on June 18, 2026. Despite dominating possession and creating several chances, Roberto Martinez’s side failed to secure victory. João Neves opened the scoring in the sixth minute with a header from Pedro Neto’s cross, but Portugal could not extend their lead. Cristiano Ronaldo, largely ineffective throughout the match, missed a clear opportunity to restore the advantage in the second half.

DR Congo gradually grew into the game after conceding early. The African side equalized in first-half stoppage time when Yoane Wissa headed in from an Arthur Masuaku corner. In the second half, Portugal had a goal disallowed for offside and survived a close attempt from Cédric Bakambu. Despite late substitutions, including Rafael Leão and Gonçalo Ramos, Portugal could not find a winner.

The result saw Portugal drop two valuable points in their opening match, while DR Congo celebrated one of the most significant results in their football history.

U.S. President Donald Trump and Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian have signed a memorandum of understanding (MoU) aimed at ending ongoing conflicts between their countries and allies. The signing took place at the Palace of Versailles in Paris, where Trump confirmed the agreement while attending the G7 summit. French President Emmanuel Macron shared a short video of the signing on social media, and Iran’s government later confirmed Pezeshkian’s electronic signature on the document. Pakistani Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif, who mediated the talks, announced that the agreement takes effect immediately.

According to Iran’s Foreign Ministry spokesperson Esmail Baghaei, the MoU was signed electronically from separate locations, with no formal ceremony planned. The 14-point document outlines an immediate and permanent ceasefire across all fronts, mutual respect for sovereignty, and a 60-day timeline to reach a final agreement. It also includes provisions for lifting U.S. sanctions, restoring maritime trade, and initiating a $300 billion reconstruction plan for Iran. The final accord will be submitted to the UN Security Council for approval.

The early signing came a day before a planned ceremony in Switzerland, signaling both nations’ urgency to implement the ceasefire and begin the peace process.

Global oil prices increased following remarks by US President Donald Trump suggesting potential military action against Iran if a memorandum of understanding between the two countries is not implemented. Trump stated that the United States would 'shoot again' and 'bomb again' if the agreement fails, prompting renewed concern in energy markets.

According to a Reuters report cited by Al Jazeera, Brent crude futures rose by 54 cents, or 0.7 percent, to reach 79.50 dollars per barrel. Meanwhile, US West Texas Intermediate (WTI) crude increased by 49 cents, or 0.6 percent, to 76.54 dollars per barrel. The comments triggered a modest rebound in prices after recent declines.

Despite the uptick, the report noted that global oil prices remain near their lowest levels in the past three months, indicating continued market caution amid geopolitical uncertainty.

Lionel Messi scored a hat-trick in Argentina’s 3–0 victory over Algeria, drawing widespread attention for his performance. However, a first-half incident involving a tackle on Algerian defender Aïssa Mandi sparked debate over whether Messi should have been shown a red card. Referee Szymon Marciniak and the Video Assistant Referee (VAR) did not consider the challenge serious enough for dismissal, allowing Messi to continue.

The incident divided opinions among former players and analysts. Former Manchester City defender Nedum Onuoha told ESPN that Messi should have been punished, arguing that the foul was overlooked and that Messi appeared aware he might be in trouble. In contrast, former France and Arsenal star Thierry Henry told Fox Sports that intent was key, saying Messi’s focus was on the ball, not on harming his opponent, and that the challenge did not merit a red card.

Messi went on to complete his hat-trick and win the player of the match award, but the challenge has become one of the early refereeing controversies of the World Cup.

The International Energy Agency (IEA) reported that the reopening of the Hormuz Strait will allow the global oil market to gradually return to normal conditions. According to its latest monthly oil market report, the removal of the U.S. naval blockade and the resumption of operations through the Iranian-controlled strait have eased a major supply disruption that had previously affected more than 14 million barrels of daily production and transport.

The IEA noted that if current agreements remain effective, oil production and exports from the Gulf region will steadily increase. The lifting of U.S. restrictions has created an opportunity for Iran to fully restart its oil exports. The agency’s data show that oil flow through the strait, which had dropped to 9.6 million barrels per day in May, has now risen to about 12 million barrels per day due to increased ship-to-ship transfers in the Gulf of Oman.

However, the IEA cautioned that full normalization will take time as mine clearance and supply chain repairs continue. Once these challenges are resolved, the agency expects stability and gradual improvement in global oil supply.

At the G7 summit held in Evian-les-Bains, France, a brief exchange between Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni and Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi drew widespread attention on social media. Before the traditional group photo, the two leaders greeted each other warmly and shared a light conversation. In a video clip, Meloni told Modi it was nice to see him again and jokingly remarked that they were the most popular duo on Instagram. Modi responded by referring to the viral 'Melodi' trend, prompting Meloni to repeat her comment with laughter.

The 'Melodi' trend, combining their names, first gained popularity in 2023 when Meloni posted a selfie with Modi during the COP28 summit in Dubai, captioned “good friends” with the hashtag #Melodi. Since then, the tag has inspired numerous memes and humorous content online, resurfacing with each of their public meetings.

During Modi’s recent visit to Rome, he gifted Meloni a toffee brand named “Melody,” which many interpreted as a playful nod to the viral trend. A video of the exchange showing both leaders smiling quickly went viral online.

Global crude oil prices dropped sharply to their lowest level in three months following reports of a potential peace agreement between Iran and the United States. For the first time since the Iran war began, the benchmark Brent crude price fell below 80 dollars per barrel, reaching 79.96 dollars on Tuesday. Traders expect a lasting agreement to ease tensions between Washington and Tehran, which has driven a 15-dollar decline in Brent prices since last Thursday.

Iran’s state media reported that its oil tankers have resumed operations at sea after progress in talks with the United States. Three Iranian oil tankers were said to be sailing in the northern Indian Ocean, while two others carrying essential goods and livestock feed were heading to southern ports. The report also indicated that the naval blockade on Iran has begun to be lifted, suggesting a relaxation of US naval restrictions.

At the G7 summit, European leaders expressed less certainty than US President Donald Trump about the Strait of Hormuz reopening by Friday, reflecting differing levels of optimism among allies.

FIFA President Gianni Infantino has drawn widespread criticism for using a private jet to attend multiple matches each day during the 2026 FIFA World Cup, jointly hosted by the United States, Mexico, and Canada. The tournament’s 16 host cities have created significant travel challenges, prompting Infantino to rely on private air travel to manage his schedule. The organizing committee is covering the costs of his flights, which are permitted under FIFA’s official travel arrangements for top officials and guests.

In response to the controversy, FIFA issued a statement explaining that its travel policy allows for both commercial and charter flights depending on efficiency and cost-effectiveness. Anonymous FIFA sources said Infantino’s presence at as many matches as possible is essential, and private jets are the most practical option given the vast distances between venues.

Environmental groups, including Greenpeace USA, condemned the practice as irresponsible amid the global climate crisis. Critics argued that such luxury travel sends a negative message during a tournament already challenged by extreme heat conditions.

The global economy is undergoing a structural transformation following the military operations by the United States and Israel centered on Iran. Although a recent framework agreement between Washington and Tehran has raised hopes of ending the conflict, analysts believe the pre-war global economic order will not easily return. The conflict has disrupted Middle Eastern security, global energy markets, trade supply chains, and international political balance.

Energy markets have been severely affected, with oil and gas supplies from the Middle East nearly halted during the war, forcing import-dependent nations to seek alternatives. Short-term reliance on coal in countries like Japan and South Korea is giving way to long-term investment in renewables such as solar and wind power, alongside renewed interest in nuclear energy. Russia has strengthened ties with Saudi Arabia and benefited from eased sanctions, while China has emerged as the main beneficiary of the global shift toward renewable energy.

Economists warn that even after the war, uncertainty in the Strait of Hormuz and damaged Gulf infrastructure will continue to raise transport and insurance costs. The World Bank has lowered global growth forecasts and expects persistent inflationary pressure, signaling a prolonged period of slower growth and heightened uncertainty.

France will begin their 2026 World Cup campaign against Senegal in Group I at East Rutherford, with kickoff scheduled for 1 a.m. Bangladesh time. Didier Deschamps’ team enters the tournament as one of the top favorites, aiming to reclaim the title after the disappointment of 2022. The match rekindles memories of Senegal’s historic 1–0 victory over France in 2002, a result that symbolized the rise of African football.

France, the 2018 world champions, qualified comfortably for their eighth consecutive World Cup, losing only two points in the qualifiers. Deschamps, who will step down after the tournament with Zinedine Zidane expected to succeed him, has already guided France to 14 World Cup wins. Senegal, unbeaten in qualifying, are appearing in their third straight World Cup under coach Pape Thiaw, a member of the 2002 squad. Both teams report mostly fit squads, with France’s William Saliba and Jules Koundé returning from injury and Senegal’s key players largely available.

The match also features a duel between star forwards Kylian Mbappé and Sadio Mané. Mbappé is one goal away from equaling Olivier Giroud’s national scoring record, while Mané returns fully fit after missing the 2022 tournament.

Crude oil prices in the international market have fallen to their lowest level in three months. The decline followed a preliminary understanding between the United States and Iran and optimism over the reopening of the vital Hormuz Strait. On Tuesday, Brent crude dropped by 2.02 dollars or 2.4 percent to 81.15 dollars per barrel, briefly touching 80.89 dollars, the lowest since March 4. Meanwhile, US benchmark West Texas Intermediate (WTI) crude fell by 2.22 dollars or 2.8 percent to 78.53 dollars per barrel, reaching as low as 78.27 dollars, the lowest since March 10.

Market analysts attributed the price drop to expectations that shipping and oil supply through the Hormuz Strait would remain stable following the US-Iran understanding. This reduced global energy supply concerns and exerted downward pressure on prices. Earlier, oil prices had already fallen sharply after US President Donald Trump announced an interim agreement aimed at easing tensions involving the United States, Israel, and Iran.

The easing of geopolitical tensions and improved supply outlook may keep oil prices under pressure in the short term, according to the market trend described in the report.

FIFA demonstrated respect for religious and cultural sensitivities during the 2026 World Cup by modifying its pre-match flag protocol. Before the Group H match between Saudi Arabia and Uruguay, organizers chose not to place the Saudi national flag on the ground. Instead, flag bearers held it aloft throughout the ceremony, and to maintain balance, Uruguay’s flag was also kept from touching the field.

The decision stemmed from the special religious importance of Saudi Arabia’s flag, which bears the Islamic declaration of faith, the Shahada, affirming the oneness of God and the prophethood of Muhammad. Because of this sacred inscription, placing the flag on the ground is considered disrespectful. FIFA’s adjustment was therefore seen as a gesture of cultural and religious respect.

The match ended in a 1–1 draw, with Abdulilah Al-Amri scoring for Saudi Arabia in the 41st minute and Maxi Araújo equalizing for Uruguay in the 80th. Both teams earned one point, keeping their hopes alive for the next stage.