In-depth analysis and insight on Malaysia and Southeast Asia.
Erling Haaland netted his second World Cup double to guide Norway to a 3-2 victory over Senegal at East Rutherford, booking the Scandinavian side's place in the knockout rounds for the first time since 1994.
Uzbekistan coach Fabio Cannavaro has accepted full responsibility for his team's 5-0 World Cup defeat to Portugal in Houston, insisting the newcomers will benefit from their painful initiation into the tournament.
Police in Penang have arrested 12 men and confiscated nearly RM9,000 in a coordinated operation targeting illegal online betting syndicates operating during the FIFA World Cup tournament.
Dutch King Willem-Alexander and Queen Máxima demonstrated their unique position by attending World Cup matches for both the Netherlands and Curaçao on the same day, celebrating the nations' performances.
Colombia aim to build on their opening 3-1 victory over Uzbekistan when they meet DR Congo on Tuesday, aware that their opponents earned a surprise 1-1 draw against Portugal and pose a tactical challenge through direct, transitional play.
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The World Cup achieved its 100-goal benchmark in record time, with Cody Gakpo's strike in the Netherlands' 5-1 victory over Sweden marking the milestone in just 33 matches. Multiple factors—from the tournament ball's aerodynamics to extreme heat and the expanded format—have combined to produce historically high scoring rates.
Three Norwegian World Cup players—Erling Haaland, Alexander Sørloth, and Kristian Thorstvedt—are determined to surpass their fathers' achievement at the 1994 tournament. Following a dominant 4-1 victory over Iraq, the trio aims for knockout qualification.
Deniz Undav's second-half brace powered Germany to a 2-1 victory over Ivory Coast in Toronto, securing their passage to the knockout stage for the first time since winning the tournament in 2014.
French World Cup fans have been warned to avoid touching Philadelphia's iconic Rocky Balboa statue, which is reportedly linked to a curse that has plagued visiting sports teams whose supporters dress it in their colours.
Ronald Koeman takes responsibility for ineffective substitutions in Netherlands' opening World Cup draw against Japan, vowing tactical improvements ahead of Saturday's Group F match against Sweden.
German football fans flocking to Toronto for World Cup matches have expressed dismay over beer prices that dwarf those back home, with pints costing nearly triple domestic rates and stadium beverages reaching C$17.
Morocco's coach Mohamed Ouahbi publicly supported captain Achraf Hakimi after he was jeered by spectators during Friday's World Cup win against Scotland, hours after a French court ordered the PSG defender to stand trial on rape charges.
India is considering a Sports Passport framework allowing Indian-origin athletes with foreign citizenship to represent the nation in international competitions, potentially reshaping football, basketball and tennis performance.
Morocco's emphatic 1-0 victory over Scotland, featuring the tournament's fastest goal, sees the North Africans assume control of Group C with their second-match performance demonstrating the depth of tactical superiority.
Cape Verde goalkeeper Vozinha secured a U.S. visa for his mother Ana Candida Evora following his standout performance against Spain. The 40-year-old remains determined to keep focus on the World Cup as his squad prepares to face Uruguay.
The mother of Cape Verde goalkeeper Vozinha has received a US visa following international attention to her inability to attend her son's World Cup debut. She will now watch him face Uruguay in Miami.
Lionel Messi has disclosed he is navigating personal challenges off the pitch. The revelation emerged following his maiden World Cup hat-trick performance in Argentina's dominant 3-0 win over Algeria.
FIFA says over one million fans attended the opening 16 games of the World Cup in North America, with stadiums at 99.34% capacity despite earlier concerns about expensive ticket pricing.
Iran's World Cup manager has accused organisers of forcing his team to leave Los Angeles immediately after their opening match, preventing recovery time and denying them a scheduled overnight stay in California.
Ivory Coast striker Elye Wahi, who featured in his nation's World Cup victory over Ecuador, was arrested in May during a French authorities' investigation into suspected match-fixing activities.
Erling Haaland marked his World Cup debut with two goals as Norway defeated Iraq 4-1, securing three points in their first appearance at the finals since 1998.
Ghana's government is mounting a legal challenge in Canadian federal court to reverse Ottawa's decision to deny a World Cup visa to Thomas Partey, the footballer facing rape charges in Britain.
Austria coach Ralf Rangnick praised Jordan's spirited World Cup debut performance after his team secured a narrow 3-1 victory in Santa Clara, acknowledging that expanded tournament has levelled the playing field.
South Korea's World Cup squad has boycotted media responsibilities following allegations that reporters mocked captain Son Heung-min's military service. The Korea Football Association condemned the 'inappropriate remarks' and called for professional standards.