Author: Rowan Clarke

The BBC has launched a daily footballer guessing game tied to the FIFA World Cup 2026, challenging fans to identify mystery players using as few clues as possible. The quiz, created by BBC Sport’s Joe Rindl, follows a simple format where each incorrect guess unlocks a new clue about the mystery footballer. Players are rewarded for identifying the subject quickly, with scoring built around the number of clues needed before arriving at the correct answer. A score of three points is considered a solid performance, while reaching four or five points is regarded as exceptional by the quiz’s own standards.…

France came through one of the most extraordinary evenings of the World Cup to defeat Iraq 3-0 at Philadelphia Stadium on Tuesday night. A match that kicked off at 17:00 local time did not conclude until 20:47, with a weather delay of more than two hours interrupting proceedings at half-time. Storm clouds had already been gathering when Canadian referee Drew Fischer blew for half-time at 17:49, with France leading 1-0. Heavy rain and a threat of thunderstorms then swept through the Philadelphia area, forcing players and officials off the pitch for their own safety. Spectators were ordered to seek shelter…

Scotland’s Lewis Ferguson has quietly established himself as Steve Clarke’s most influential player at the 2026 FIFA World Cup in the United States. Eight years ago, the midfielder had just departed Hamilton Academical, where he had marshalled a midfield alongside Darian MacKinnon and Ross Jenkins. Few could have predicted then that he would one day be tasked with stopping Matheus Cunha, Vinicius Jr, and Casemiro at a World Cup. Ferguson’s route to this stage took him from a successful stint at Aberdeen before crossing to Serie A, where he became Bologna captain and won the Coppa Italia. Despite four impressive…

Two days before his 39th birthday, Lionel Messi became the World Cup’s all-time leading scorer in Argentina’s 2-0 victory against Austria. The milestone arrives a decade after Messi famously announced his retirement from international football following Argentina’s Copa America final defeat by Chile in 2016. After missing a penalty in that shootout, as Argentina lost a fourth major final in nine years, Messi declared: “For me, the national team is over. I’ve done all I can. It hurts not to be a champion.” His decision to reverse that retirement has since produced an extraordinary era of success for both Messi…

Argentina’s Lionel Messi swept home a trademark left-footed curler against Austria to become the World Cup’s all-time leading goalscorer at the age of 38. The Inter Miami forward then added a second in a crowded six-yard box to wrap up a 2-0 victory, underlining his extraordinary impact on the tournament. Messi had already netted a hat-trick in Argentina’s opening game, meaning his hunger for goals shows absolutely no signs of fading at this level. He has now scored in six consecutive World Cup matches, a feat only previously achieved by France’s Just Fontaine and Brazil’s Jairzinho, both in 1958. No…

The football world has firmly backed Manchester City winger Jeremy Doku after he expressed his desire to leave Belgium’s World Cup camp for the birth of his first child. Doku, 24, is expecting his first child with wife Shireen, who is due to give birth during the second week of July, potentially during the quarter-final stage of the tournament. The Belgian winger played 86 minutes of his country’s opening 1-1 draw with Egypt in Group G before missing their 0-0 draw against Iran through illness. The situation drew significant attention after L’Equipe channel presenter France Pierron described a father’s presence…

Iran left a heartfelt handwritten note in their dressing room following a goalless draw with Belgium in their second World Cup Group G game at Los Angeles Stadium. The Football Federation of Iran released the message, which called for harmony between nations amid the backdrop of an ongoing conflict involving Iran and the United States. “From the ancient Persia of thousands of years ago to the civilised Iran of today, the spirit of Iran remains alive and steadfast,” the note read. “We came to Los Angeles with pride, competed with honour, and leave with dignity,” the message continued, capturing the…

Liverpool have rejected a verbal offer of 25 million euros from Inter Milan for midfielder Curtis Jones, with the bid amounting to £21.7m. The Premier League club consider the offer significantly below their valuation, with Liverpool placing a price tag of £35m on the 25-year-old. Liverpool are unwilling to sanction a cut-price exit for Jones, making clear that no deal will be done at Inter’s proposed figure. This is the second time Inter Milan have approached Liverpool for Jones this year, having also expressed serious interest back in January. During the winter window, the Italian club proposed a loan deal…

BBC Sport has launched the latest edition of its popular daily footballer guessing game, with quiz number 15 now live for fans to enjoy. The challenge is straightforward: identify a mystery footballer using as few clues as possible, with each wrong guess unlocking a new hint. Points are awarded based on how quickly players can identify the correct answer, rewarding those with sharp footballing knowledge. A score of three is considered good, while managing to guess correctly in just four or five clues is described as exceptional. Today’s mystery player and accompanying clues have been put together by BBC Sport’s…

Barcelona’s pursuit of Marcus Rashford could be reignited if the Spanish club sells Brazil winger Raphinha to a Saudi Arabian side this summer. Raphinha, 29, has attracted interest from Saudi Arabia, and any departure could free up funds and a squad spot for the Manchester United forward. Rashford, 28, has long been linked with a move to La Liga, and a potential Raphinha exit may be the catalyst that makes the transfer a genuine possibility. Paris Saint-Germain have entered the race to sign Crysencio Summerville, complicating Manchester United’s hopes of landing the 24-year-old West Ham winger. Summerville’s impressive performances for…