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A powerful heat wave is expected to grip much of the central and eastern United States this week, bringing dangerously high temperatures to several cities hosting FIFA World Cup knockout matches and raising concerns for both players and fans. Forecasters say a strong heat dome will push temperatures and humidity to uncomfortable levels, with the heat index, or the "feels-like" temperature, expected to climb above 100 degrees Fahrenheit (38 degrees Celsius) in several areas. Open-air stadiums in cities including Boston, Philadelphia and Kansas City are expected to be among the hardest hit. "This week is going to be extremely hot," said Geoff Cornish, assistant chief video meteorologist at AccuWeather. He described it as a major heat wave that is not seen every year. Heat has been a growing concern throughout the tournament, which is being hosted by the United States, Canada and Mexico. Scientists say climate change, driven by the burning of fossil fuels, is making extreme heat more frequent and intense around the world. According to the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration, extreme heat causes more deaths in the US each year than hurricanes, floods or tornadoes. The National Weather Service has issued an extreme heat watch for Philadelphia and nearby areas from Wednesday afternoon through Saturday evening, with "feels-like" temperatures expected to reach as high as 110 degrees Fahrenheit (43.3 degrees Celsius). In response, FIFA has adjusted the operating hours of its Fan Festival in Philadelphia. Saturday's fan event will end after the conclusion of the 1 p.m. match. Kansas City is also under an extreme heat warning through Friday night, with the heat index forecast to range between 105 and 110 degrees Fahrenheit (40.6 to 43.3 degrees Celsius). The New York City area could experience near-record heat, with temperatures feeling as high as 109 degrees Fahrenheit (42.8 degrees Celsius), while Boston and much of southern New England could see heat index values of up to 111 degrees Fahrenheit (43.9 degrees Celsius). Weather officials warned that the extreme heat could be life-threatening for people without access to cooling or enough drinking water and could also put pressure on transportation, electricity and water systems. Players will have several protections during matches, including medical support and mandatory three-minute cooling breaks in each half. However, health experts warn that even elite athletes remain at risk of heat-related illnesses. Symptoms of heat exhaustion include severe tiredness, headaches, dizziness, nausea, muscle cramps and dehydration. In more serious cases, heat stroke can develop and requires immediate medical treatment. Experts also say high temperatures can reduce the intensity of matches, as players often run less and conserve energy to cope with the heat. Fans, volunteers and stadium workers may face even greater risks, especially in outdoor fan zones, parking areas and transport hubs where they could spend long periods in direct sunlight. Health experts also caution that drinking alcohol in extreme heat increases the risk of dehydration. Several host cities and stadiums have expanded access to shaded areas, cooling stations and free drinking water. Medical teams will also be available at FIFA Fan Festivals and around stadiums to treat heat-related illnesses if needed. Health experts advise people attending matches or outdoor events to drink plenty of water, stay in shaded or air-conditioned areas whenever possible, wear light, loose-fitting clothing and avoid strenuous activity during the hottest part of the day. Maggie Aldousany, an associate clinical professor at the University of Miami, said people should begin drinking enough fluids well before attending matches or celebrations rather than waiting until they feel thirsty. Experts also recommend limiting alcohol consumption and checking for signs of dehydration. Light yellow urine is generally considered a sign of good hydration. Older adults, people taking certain medications and those not accustomed to hot weather are among those most at risk. Cornish advised anyone who feels dizzy, overheated or notices they have stopped sweating to move to a cooler place, drink water and seek medical attention immediately if symptoms become severe.

The expanded 2026 FIFA World Cup has officially passed its halfway point, with 54 of the tournament’s 104 matches completed and the battle for the title now moving into a more intense phase. With 50 matches still to be played before the final in East Rutherford, New Jersey, on July 19, teams are beginning to secure places in the knockout stage while others have already seen their World Cup dreams end. Hosts the United States, Mexico and Canada have all advanced to the Round of 32, while several football stars have made strong starts to the tournament. Argentina captain Lionel Messi has scored five goals so far, while France’s Kylian Mbappé, Norway’s Erling Haaland and Brazil’s Vinícius Júnior have each netted four times. FIFA President Gianni Infantino said the tournament’s most exciting moments are still ahead. “The best is yet to come,” Infantino told SNTV earlier this week. So far, stadiums have attracted large crowds, with FIFA reporting record attendance figures. One of the tournament’s most heartwarming stories has been the journey of Cape Verde goalkeeper Vozinha, whose mother was able to attend the World Cup. Teams already through Thirteen teams had secured Round of 32 spots by Wednesday. Group winners include Mexico, Switzerland, Brazil, the United States, Germany and Argentina. France, Norway, Canada, Morocco, Colombia, Bosnia and Herzegovina, and South Africa have also booked their places in the knockout stage. South Africa coach Hugo Broos celebrated after guiding his team to its first-ever appearance in the knockout rounds. Teams eliminated Seven teams have already been knocked out of the tournament. They are the Czech Republic, Haiti, Turkey, Tunisia, Jordan, Qatar and Panama. Race for remaining places With 13 teams qualified and seven eliminated, 28 teams are still competing for the remaining 19 spots in the Round of 32. Several decisive group-stage matches are still to come, including Australia against Paraguay and Japan against Sweden. Cape Verde could reach the knockout stage for the first time with a victory over Saudi Arabia, while Colombia and Portugal will battle for top spot in Group K. United States eyes deep run The United States will begin its knockout campaign in Santa Clara, California, on July 1. If the Americans continue winning, their path would take them to Seattle for the Round of 16, Inglewood for the quarterfinals and Arlington, Texas, for the semifinals. Bosnia and Herzegovina is currently viewed as the most likely Round of 32 opponent. Knockout stage brings higher stakes Once the group phase ends, every match becomes a do-or-die contest. Any team that loses in the knockout rounds will be eliminated, except in the semifinals where losing teams will still compete in a third-place playoff. A team must win five straight knockout matches to lift the World Cup trophy. Goals flowing freely The tournament is also producing goals at a remarkable rate. A total of 161 goals had been scored through 54 matches, putting the competition on track to surpass the previous World Cup record of 172 goals set in Qatar in 2022. The current average stands at 2.98 goals per match, the highest scoring rate in more than 50 years. Possibility of another Argentina-France final Football fans could also witness a repeat of the memorable 2022 World Cup final between Argentina and France. Based on the current tournament bracket, the two sides are likely to remain on opposite sides of the draw, meaning they could meet again in the final. Messi, who turned 39 on Wednesday, has scored all five of Argentina’s goals in the tournament so far, taking his World Cup tally to a record 18 goals. Meanwhile, Mbappé's four goals have lifted his World Cup total to 16, tying him with German great Miroslav Klose for the second-highest tally in tournament history. As the group stage nears its conclusion, attention is now turning to the knockout rounds, where the pressure will rise and every match could decide a team's fate.  

While Mohamed Salah's club career is still undecided, he's building his legacy with Egypt. Salah scored his 68th goal in international play, a total now just one goal shy of current Egypt coach Hossam Hassan’s career record for the Pharaohs, in a 3-1 World Cup victory Sunday night over New Zealand. It was his third World Cup goal after he netted two at the 2018 tournament in Russia. Three goals at the World Cup gives the 34-year-old Salah the most ever for an Egyptian player. Salah played for Liverpool for nine seasons, winning two Premier League titles and becoming the league's leading foreign goal scorer. But he had a dip in form this season and amid tensions, announced his contract with the squad would be ended a year early. His departure from Anfield sparked discussion as to where the striker would be going next. For now, he plays for Egypt with his future plans still uncertain. While between clubs, Mo Salah has etched his name further into the history books as the captain of the first Egyptian team to win a World Cup match. “What happened today is history for us as Egyptians,” Salah said. “We see a lot of teams win games, but for us as Egyptian, it doesn’t happen often, first time in history.” Fans would have to wait to see the Salah they grew to expect at Liverpool. He started slow in the first half, missing wide left on a direct free kick and watching New Zealand take an early lead, but he would not be denied for long. Salah scored Sunday on a pass from Mostafa Ziko in the 67th minute. The ball slid underneath a defender and past New Zealand goalkeeper Max Crocombe to give the Pharaohs a 2-1 lead. Salah wasn’t done adding to his resume quite yet, getting an assist in the 82nd minute on the Pharaohs’ final goal, his second assist of this game. He also had an assist on Egypt’s lone goal in its 1-1 draw against Belgium earlier in the tournament. “He’s a good player,” New Zealand captain Chris Wood said. “You have to keep an eye on him.” The four-time Premier League Golden Boot winner scored nine goals in 10 matches to qualify the Pharaohs for this World Cup. Salah became the career scoring leader in African World Cup qualifying history. Salah should have his share of clubs interested in his talents after a strong start to the World Cup. “Salah worked hard on the pitch,” Egypt manager Hossam Hassan said. “I am sure we are going to see more from him.”

Brazil national football team secured a convincing 3-0 victory over Haiti national football team on Friday in Philadelphia, eliminating Haiti from the World Cup and boosting Brazil’s chances of advancing from the group stage. Matheus Cunha starred for Brazil with two goals, while Vinícius Júnior contributed a goal and an assist. Haiti, appearing in its first World Cup since 1974, became the first team officially eliminated from the tournament. Making his first start of the competition, Cunha quickly justified his selection after being used only as a substitute in Brazil’s disappointing 1-1 draw against Morocco national football team. The forward opened the scoring by converting a rebound after Vinícius’ effort was saved by goalkeeper Johny Placide. Cunha doubled Brazil’s lead later in the first half with a powerful left-footed strike into the top corner after receiving a precise pass from Vinícius. His two goals energized the large Brazilian contingent among the crowd of more than 68,000 spectators at Lincoln Financial Field. Brazil had an earlier goal from Raphinha ruled out for offside before he was forced off with an injury in the first half. Despite that setback, the South Americans dominated the match. Vinícius added Brazil’s third goal before halftime, effectively sealing the result and keeping alive the team's hopes of winning its first World Cup title since 2002. The atmosphere inside the stadium was vibrant, with Haitian supporters singing traditional chants while Brazilian fans celebrated their nation’s rich football history and paid tribute to legendary football icon Pelé. Brazil will conclude its Group C campaign against Scotland national football team on Wednesday in Miami Gardens, Florida. Meanwhile, star forward Neymar missed his second consecutive match due to an ongoing calf injury.

Japanese football fans, long admired for cleaning stadiums after World Cup matches, are now facing criticism at home over a perceived double standard in household responsibilities. After recent match photos showed fans collecting litter from the stands with trash bags, social media users in Japan raised concerns that while some men are diligent in public spaces, they may not be equally involved in domestic chores. A viral post compared a man cleaning up at a stadium with the same man relaxing at home, using his phone while his wife handled household work such as dishes and laundry. The post urged Japanese men to “pitch in more at home,” noting that the country ranks among the lowest globally in time spent by men on housework. The post has been widely shared, gaining around 60,000 likes on X (formerly Twitter). “Everyone wants to save the world, but no one wants to help mom do the dishes,” one user commented, quoting American author PJ O’Rourke. Another user wrote that some of the fans seen cleaning stadiums likely leave childcare duties to their wives in order to attend matches. Cleanliness and discipline in public spaces are deeply rooted in Japanese culture. However, data from the Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD) shows a significant gender gap in unpaid domestic work. As of 2021, Japanese women spent more than three hours per day on unpaid labour, over five times more than men, who averaged just 47 minutes. The gap is even wider in families with young children. A 2021 government survey found that in dual-income households with children under six, women spent over seven hours a day on housework and childcare, compared to less than two hours for men. Some social media users also questioned whether the praise for overseas cleanliness overlooks similar issues within Japan, where public areas can become littered after large events. Despite the debate, many others defended the fans, arguing that their stadium cleanups should be appreciated rather than criticised. “There’s nothing embarrassing about it. It’s far better than headlines saying Japanese people are littering abroad,” one user wrote. The practice has also inspired fans from other countries. A recent viral video showed Portuguese supporters collecting rubbish from stadium seats, with some users crediting Japanese fans for popularising the trend. With inputs from NDTV

While the World Cup has delivered excitement on the field, many fans have been left disappointed after tickets purchased through online resale platforms failed to arrive or were canceled at the last minute. Among them was Bina Ramroop, who broke down in tears after learning she would not be able to attend a World Cup match in Atlanta with her grandson Elijah Gomes on his 13th birthday. Ramroop had bought two tickets through resale platform StubHub months earlier for $485 each. But despite spending hours speaking with both StubHub and FIFA representatives outside Atlanta's Mercedes-Benz Stadium before Spain's match against Cape Verde, the tickets could not be transferred to FIFA's official ticketing app. Although StubHub offered her a refund, Ramroop said she was devastated. "I didn't want a refund. I wanted to go to the game," she said. Her case is one of many reported by fans on social media and at stadiums during the tournament. Complaints include tickets never arriving, orders being canceled shortly before matches and difficulties resolving issues between FIFA's ticketing system and third-party resale platforms. Most complaints have involved StubHub, although some fans who bought tickets through other resale websites, including SeatGeek and Vivid Seats, have also reported problems. FIFA has advised supporters to buy resale tickets through its official marketplace, where transactions are guaranteed. However, many fans continue to use other platforms because they are familiar with them, offer lower prices or are easier to use. An Associated Press reporter saw more than a dozen frustrated fans outside the Spain-Cape Verde match who faced similar issues. StubHub blamed FIFA's ticket transfer system, saying technical problems, last-minute restrictions and the late launch of FIFA's ticketing app contributed to the difficulties. FIFA, however, reiterated that tickets purchased through its official resale platform are guaranteed to be delivered. Industry experts say the problems may have several causes. Some could be linked to technical glitches, while others may involve speculative sellers who list tickets before actually securing them.   According to ticket industry consultant Scott Friedman, some sellers gamble on buying tickets later at lower prices. But rising World Cup ticket prices have left some unable to fulfill orders, forcing cancellations. "This is not new," Friedman said, noting that similar issues have occurred at other major events, including Taylor Swift's Eras Tour. StubHub says sellers must prove they possess tickets before listing them on the platform. Another disappointed fan, Pape Ndaw of Texas, said tickets he bought for himself and his son to watch the Netherlands play Japan never arrived. Ndaw purchased the tickets for about $550 each as a high school graduation gift for his son. Just two days before the match, StubHub informed him that the seller could not provide the tickets. He accepted store credit, hoping to buy replacements, only to find that last-minute ticket prices had surged to more than $1,500 each. Breaking the news to his 17-year-old son was difficult. "He literally cried," Ndaw said. Not all affected fans had the same outcome. Patrick O'Neil and his family traveled from North Carolina to Atlanta after purchasing five tickets through StubHub. While two tickets were successfully transferred, the other three never arrived. As a result, O'Neil's son and another relative attended the match, while O'Neil, his wife and a family member watched from a nearby bar. After local media highlighted their situation, StubHub contacted the family and offered tickets for another match. The family instead requested that the tickets be donated to a local nonprofit organization so others could enjoy the tournament. "StubHub is not evil, but it's part of a system that makes it difficult for ordinary people to attend these matches," O'Neil said. StubHub later confirmed it would honor the family's request and provide tickets to the nonprofit group.

Mexico took advantage of a defensive blunder by South Korea to win 1-0 and become the first team to advance to the knockout stage of the World Cup on Thursday. It marks a major triumph for a team that failed to get out of the group stage in 2022 and now has won twice on home soil in front of jubilant crowds. Mexico players celebrated at midfield and waved to the fans who cheered and sang from the packed stands at Estadio Akron. Luis Romo scored in the 50th minute after South Korea goalkeeper Kim Seung-gyu collided with defender Lee Gi-hyuk and dropped the ball inside the area. Romo easily found the open net after picking up the loose ball. The South Koreans nearly equalized in the 87th minute when Mexico goalkeeper Raúl Rangel stopped a header from close range by Cho Gue-sung, then made an even better save of Yang Hyun-jun's attempt on the rebound, extending his right arm to keep the ball from crossing the line. “We've been doing very well,” Mexico coach Javier Aguirre said. “It wasn’t a great match, but I think that our opponent didn’t let us do too much. But we still were able to score, on that mistake, in addition to another two or three opportunities.” Mexico won Group A with six points in two matches, three more than South Korea and five more than the Czech Republic and South Africa, who drew 1-1 earlier Thursday in Atlanta. The top two teams from each group move on to the knockout stage, along with the best eight third-place teams. A round of 32 is being played for the first time at the World Cup after the tournament was expanded to 48 teams. Mexico opened with a 2-0 win over South Africa, while South Korea rallied for a 2-1 victory over the Czechs. Mexico closes group play on Wednesday against the Czech Republic in Mexico City, while South Korea takes on South Africa in Monterrey. Mexico had never won a World Cup game on home soil outside Mexico City. Before 2026, all but one of its nine World Cup matches at home, spanning the 1970 and 1986 tournaments, had been played at Estadio Azteca, with five wins and three draws. When it played in Toluca in 1970, it lost 4-1 to Italy in the quarterfinals. Thursday's match got off to a lackluster start, with neither team creating significant scoring opportunities and both squads getting loudly booed after the halftime whistle. Mexico, ranked 13th, was eliminated in the group stage four years ago in Qatar. That followed seven straight eliminations in the round of the 16. South Korea star Son Heung-min had another disappointing game and was substituted out in the 57th. The 33-year-old Son is looking to become South Korea’s top goal scorer at the World Cup and the Asian player with the most goals in the tournament. The former Tottenham star, currently with Los Angeles FC, entered with three goals over three prior World Cups. Kim kept Mexico from adding to the lead by coming up with a tough save off a close-range shot by Raúl Jiménez in the 75th. The South Koreans pressed through the end but could not equalize. South Korea, ranked 22nd, is making its 11th straight World Cup appearance and 12th overall, the most of any Asian country. Its best result was a fourth-place finish at the tournament it co-hosted with Japan in 2002. Since then, the South Koreans have never gone beyond the round of 16. “The mistake that we made was unfortunate,” coach Hong Myung-bo said. This time there were no empty seats in Guadalajara, contrary to what happened in the earlier match between South Korea and the Czech Republic. FIFA had blamed fans standing in the concourses for the empty seats. Thursday's crowd was announced at 45,522 for the 45,664-capacity stadium, which was hosting the national team for the first time.

Team formations have become a major talking point at the World Cup, with coaches using a variety of tactical setups to get the best out of their players and counter their opponents. While every team starts with a goalkeeper, coaches have different ways of arranging their 10 outfield players. These formations, often represented by numbers such as 4-4-2, 4-3-3 or 4-2-3-1, indicate how players are positioned across defence, midfield and attack. According to FIFA match reports, nine different formations were used during the opening round of group-stage matches. The traditional 4-4-2 system, featuring four defenders, four midfielders and two forwards, was the most widely used formation, adopted by 12 teams. However, it produced only two wins, with Scotland defeating Haiti and Ivory Coast beating Ecuador. Brazil, Uruguay and co-host Canada were among the teams using the setup. The 4-2-3-1 formation, which includes two defensive midfielders, three attacking midfielders and a lone striker, was used by 10 teams. The system proved successful for the United States, England, France and Austria. Another effective formation was the attack-minded 4-1-2-3, used by eight teams. It produced four victories, including wins for Mexico, Norway, Ghana and Colombia. Spain and the Netherlands also adopted the setup, which places greater emphasis on attacking play with three forwards. Seven teams opted for a 3-4-3 formation, designed to balance defence and attack through a strong midfield. South Korea and Germany were the only winners using this system, with Germany recording the tournament’s biggest win so far by defeating Curacao 7-1. Argentina, led by Lionel Messi, used the well-known 4-3-3 formation to beat Algeria 3-0, with Messi scoring all three goals. The system, once famously used by Brazil’s 1970 World Cup-winning team, remains popular for its attacking flexibility. The defensive 5-3-2 formation was used by South Africa, Tunisia and Congo. While South Africa and Tunisia lost, Congo managed an impressive 1-1 draw against Portugal. The Czech Republic was the only team to use a 5-2-3 setup, but suffered defeat against South Korea. Australia found success with a defensive 5-4-1 formation, defeating Turkey by prioritising solidity at the back. Meanwhile, Sweden used a 3-4-1-2 formation to secure a 5-1 victory over Tunisia. The system includes an attacking midfielder positioned behind two strikers to help link defence and attack. Football analysts note that many coaches now adjust formations depending on opponents or match situations, often changing tactics during games to protect leads or chase results.

Prime Minister and BNP Chairman Tarique Rahman on Tuesday dropped a strong hint that he supports England in the ongoing FIFA World Cup, though he stopped short of naming his favourite team. He gave the hint while responding to a question from senior journalist Sumon Mahmud while exchanging views with reporters covering the BNP beat after having lunch with them at the Bangladesh-China Friendship Conference Centre at Agargaon. As the journalist asked which team he supports in the World Cup, Tarique Rahman offered a light-hearted and diplomatic reply. Without naming any team directly, he smiled and said, “I spent a long time in one country. You can understand.” He then turned to the journalist and asked, “You got your answer, didn't you?” The remark was widely interpreted as a reference to England, where Tarique Rahman lived for nearly 17 years. Tarique Rahman left Bangladesh in September 2008 for medical treatment after securing bail from the Supreme Court. He later settled in London with his wife Dr Zubaida Rahman and daughter Barrister Zaima Rahman. After spending 17 years abroad, he returned to Bangladesh with his family on December 25, 2025. Football fever has gripped Bangladesh following the start of the 2026 FIFA World Cup. The tournament officially kicked off on June 11 with an opening ceremony and the first match between co-hosts Mexico and South Africa at the Estadio Azteca in Mexico City. A record 48 teams are taking part in the 39-day tournament, which will conclude with the final in New York on July 19. England will begin their World Cup campaign against Croatia in the early hours of June 18 (Bangladesh time), a match that is expected to draw much interest among local football fans.

Yasin Ayari scored twice and Sweden showed it belonged at the 2026 World Cup, pounding Tunisia 5-1 on Sunday night to move atop Group F. Alexander Isak and Viktor Gyökeres each had a goal and an assist, and Mattias Svanberg also scored for Sweden, which entered ranked 39th in the world and missed the 2022 World Cup after reaching the quarterfinals eight years ago in Russia. Omar Rekik scored for 45th-ranked Tunisia, which is playing in its seventh World Cup but has never advanced beyond the group stage.