We must not lose belief in World Cup dream: Fernandes

Doha, Qatar: Portugal arrived at the FIFA World Cup 2026 with high expectations and some of the biggest talents in world football, led by the veteran Cristiano Ronaldo, who remained as dangerous as ever.

Nuno Mendes, Joao Neves and Vitinha, all multiple trophy winners with Paris Saint-Germain, joined players of the calibre of Bruno Fernandes, Ruben Dias and Bernardo Silva in a squad that many felt was Portugal’s best ever at a World Cup.

Indeed, there were hopes this would be the generation to eclipse their great semi-finalist sides of 1966 and 2006, but that dream was shattered on Monday by a 1-0 last-16 defeat to Spain. bettingx.club

“Of course we’re sad. We came here with one objective, and that was to win the World Cup,” Manchester United midfielder Fernandes said after the game.

“There’s no way we can be positive about this, not when we didn’t go all the way. I know Portugal have never won the World Cup, but we always aim high. I genuinely believe this group had the quality to win the whole tournament , but we must not lose belief.”

Portugal went into the Round of 16 having won only two of their four matches in normal time. They beat Uzbekistan 5-0 in Group K, and made it through the Round of 32 with a stoppage-time winner against Croatia. This time, Roberto Martinez’s side suffered a similarly cruel ending themselves at the hands of Spain

After holding off La Roja’s fierce attack throughout normal time, the Portuguese defence was finally broken by substitute Mikel Merino’s 91st minute winner.

“We gave it everything, but unfortunately it wasn’t enough to win”, said Manchester City defender Dias. “It was one of the closest games we’ve had against Spain, at least since I’ve been here. We had plenty of chances, but we just couldn’t find the goal that would have swung things our way. Unfortunately, luck wasn’t on our side.”

The Iberian derby marked the end of Cristiano Ronaldo’s historic World Cup journey.

Martinez ends Portugal tenure

Also saying farewell is coach Martinez, who brought his three-and-a-half-year spell in charge of Portugal to a close. Having led his side to UEFA Nations League glory, Martinez said he was proud of everything they had achieved together.

“I don’t feel disappointed, but I’m sad that we lost,” the Spanish coach said.

“I really thought we would get eight games at this tournament. But I’m incredibly proud. We went toe to toe with one of the favourites.

“You have to take your chances when you get them, otherwise you leave the game for the taking. But right now, I feel nothing but pride in the way we played and the character we showed.”

With some changes already confirmed and others expected to follow, Portugal are now trying to look to the future, especially as they will be one of the hosts of the FIFA World Cup 2030.

Many of the Portuguese squad should still be around in four years’ time, and more talent is on the way, with Portugal being crowned U-17 world champions in 2025. Once again, expectations will be sky-high.

“We have to look to the future differently now,” stressed Fernandes. “We have to be truer to ourselves and make the most of what we already have within this group. We have to try to play more our way, in our own style, and find ways to make teams respect us more.” (FIFA)

Doha, Qatar: A rivalry stretching back more than a century finds another defining chapter as Spain and Portugal meet in a high-stakes World Cup Round of 16 clash at Dallas Stadium today.

It is their third meeting on the World Cup stage, and once again there is less to separate the two Iberian neighbours.

Both arrive unbeaten in North America but their journeys have taken different shapes. Spain look composed and growing in authority while Portugal have leaned on resilience, late moments and individual brilliance to stay alive.

Spain, Group H winners, have built momentum step by step. Their tournament began with a goalless draw against Cape Verde, a match that felt cautious rather than concerning. Since then, their level has lifted. The Round of 32 brought a complete 3-0 win over Austria in Los Angeles, where Mikel Oyarzabal scored twice and Pedro Porro added the third in a controlled performance that reflected their balance.

Defensively, Spain have been near flawless. They remain unbeaten in this tournament and have not conceded since their group match against Japan at Qatar 2022, a run that reflects both structure and discipline.Spain's Lamine Yamal (left).

Coach Luis de la Fuente has repeatedly stressed standards rather than satisfaction.

“We played a magnificent match. I am happy because in every aspect we came close to perfection,” he said after the Austria win.

Yet he added a warning that underlines Spain’s mindset: “That is our spirit - the belief that we haven’t hit our ceiling yet.”

At the centre of Spain’s surge is Lamine Yamal. The teenager has added directness and fearlessness to Spain’s attack, offering unpredictability in a side built on control. After the Austria win, his message was simple and confident: “We aren’t afraid of any team. We are Spain.”

Portugal’s path has been more uneven but no less dramatic. Group K runners-up, they have not always found rhythm, yet they have stayed alive through key moments.

Against Croatia in Toronto, they came from behind late, with Cristiano Ronaldo converting a penalty before Goncalo Ramos headed a stoppage-time winner that sealed their place in the last 16.

Earlier, Portugal drew with DR Congo and Colombia, results that exposed inconsistency but also their ability to manage difficult spells without collapsing. The structure is still forming, but the talent remains clear. Bruno Fernandes, Vitinha and Joao Neves give them technical control in midfield, while their attacking moments often revolve around timing rather than volume.

At 41, Ronaldo remains the focal point. His influence is no longer about constant movement, but about decisive presence. One touch, one run, one chance is still enough to change a match at this level.

Coach Roberto Martinez has kept faith in balance and experience. “Fantastic game,” he said when looking ahead, adding, “We have great respect for Spain’s quality… two teams that want the ball, want to look for a goal quickly and create opportunities.”

The narrative naturally pulls toward the clash of generations. Ronaldo stands as the symbol of longevity and achievement while Yamal, 18, represents the next wave, playing without hesitation on football’s biggest stage. Their presence gives this rivalry a new emotional layer without changing its core truth, Spain and Portugal rarely give each other space.

History confirms it. Spain won the only World Cup knockout meeting in 2010 through David Villa’s strike. In 2018, the sides produced a classic 3-3 draw in Sochi, where Ronaldo’s hat-trick, including a late free-kick, defined one of the tournament’s standout nights. More recently, Portugal edged Spain on penalties in the 2025 Nations League final after a 2-2 draw, adding another tight chapter to an already balanced rivalry.

Across 41 meetings, Spain lead the rivalry with 17 wins to Portugal’s 6, with 18 draws underlining how often the contest has still stayed tight in moments. One place in the quarter-finals awaits, against USA or Belgium in Los Angeles. Between two sides separated by little more than timing and detail, even small moments may decide everything.

ما قام به العميد شجاعة هزت أعداء الحرية

رفع العلم الفلسطيني في قلب أمريكا لمسة وفاء

المدرب المصري «أيقونة» وإنجاز الفراعنة أسعد الجميع

لا مقارنة بين مونديال 2022 و2026.. والدوحة عنوان التميز



أكد اللواء جبريل الرجوب رئيس الاتحاد الفلسطيني لكرة القدم أن المشهد الذي خطف أنظار العالم برفع حسام حسن علم فلسطين عقب قيادة المنتخب المصري للتأهل إلى الدور ثمن النهائي من كأس العالم 2026، بالفوز على أستراليا حمل رسائل إنسانية ووطنية عميقة، تعكس الموقف المصري التاريخي الداعم للقضية الفلسطينية، وشدد على أن هذه اللفتة لم تكن مجرد احتفال بانتصار كروي، وإنما تأكيد جديد على مكانة فلسطين والقدس في وجدان الشعب المصري، قبل أن يشيد بالإنجاز التاريخي الذي حققه المنتخب المصري، ويؤكد أن ما تحقق يمثل مصدر فخر لكل الجماهير العربية.وقال الرجوب «رفع الكابتن حسام حسن لعلم فلسطين في قلب الولايات المتحدة لم يكن مجرد مشهد احتفالي، بل رسالة سياسية وإنسانية ووطنية بامتياز، تؤكد أن فلسطين والقدس تحتلان مكانة ثابتة وراسخة في وعي ووجدان كل المصريين، وأن القضية الفلسطينية ستظل حاضرة مهما تغيرت الظروف».
وتابع قائلاً «ما قام به حسام حسن شكَّل رسالة قوية لكل أعداء الحرية في تل أبيب ولكل من يقدم لهم الرعاية والدعم، وأثبت أن الرياضة تستطيع أن تحمل رسائل نبيلة تتجاوز حدود المنافسة داخل الملعب، لذلك أوجه له كل التحية والتقدير، كما أتقدم بالتحية إلى مصر قيادةً وشعباً على مواقفها التاريخية الداعمة للقضية الفلسطينية، فهي كانت وما زالت الركيزة الإستراتيجية لفلسطين ولقضيتها العادلة».
وأضاف «حسام حسن أيقونة عربية بكل ما تحمله الكلمة من معنى، وما حققه بقيادة المنتخب المصري بالتأهل إلى الدور ثمن النهائي من كأس العالم إنجاز عظيم لمصر ولكل الأمة العربية. لقد رسم الفرحة على وجوه ملايين المصريين والعرب، وأكد أن الكرة العربية قادرة على الحضور والمنافسة عندما تتوفر الإرادة والروح القتالية، وأتمنى أن يستمر المنتخب المصري في التفوق والنجاح في هذا المونديال وأن يسير في تحقيق النتائج الرائعة التي حققها مع المدرب منذ المباراة الأولى، ونحن بالتأكيد نشعر بالفخر والسعادة عما يحققه المنتخب المصري». وعن المقارنة بين مونديال قطر 2022 والنسخة الحالية من كأس العالم 2026، قال الرجوب «لا يوجد أي وجه للمقارنة بين البطولتين. ما قدمته قطر في نسخة 2022 سيظل نموذجاً استثنائياً في تاريخ كأس العالم، سواء من حيث التنظيم أو الإدارة أو البنية التحتية أو الأجواء الجماهيرية، وكانت بطولة متكاملة بشهادة العالم أجمع، فقطر كسبت الرهان في النسخة الماضية وقدمت بطولة عالمية بكل صراحة ستظل عالقة في الأذهان».
واختتم تصريحاته قائلاً «أما النسخة الحالية فقد شهدت حالة من الفوضى والارتباك، إلى جانب تجاوزات في التزامات الدولة المضيفة، ومنها منع إصدار التأشيرات لعدد من الأشخاص، وهو أمر لا يليق بدولة تستضيف أكبر بطولة كروية في العالم. لذلك أرى أن مونديال قطر سيبقى الأفضل في تاريخ البطولة، بينما تعد النسخة الحالية من أسوأ النسخ على مستوى التنظيم».

DOHA: When FIFA awarded the 2026 World Cup to Canada, Mexico and the United States, many expected the topic of discussion to center around logistics, sold-out stadiums, and successful engagement.

Few expected all three hosts to build their own story and legacy into the tournament.

From Mexico's disciplined displays and Canada making history to the United States' performance on the world stage, the tournament has become more than just a

venue in North America’s land. The region has really leaned in, as hosts embrace the world's game.

For Canadian supporter Baher, the change has been impossible to ignore.

"There's a big football craze and I think the fact we're hosting contributes to that," he said.

"Canada is definitely not known for football. It's more hockey or curling, but this has changed in the last ten years. We've seen a big shift with soccer academies, summer camps that actively recruit and train local talents."

The excitement has extended well beyond football fans.

"Every day at work it's been an ongoing topic of discussion for all genders and age groups, even people who don't usually watch football," he said.

"It is the World Cup, and even if it isn't Canada playing, everyone has their favourite picks."

That growing interest has been matched by Canada's performances on the pitch. They made history by securing their first World Cup point and first tournament victory before eventually reaching the knockout stage for the first time from a favourable yet competitive group featuring Switzerland, Bosnia and Herzegovina, and Qatar.

For Baher, everything after the group stage already felt like a win.

"Canada just making it past the group stages was amazing. Anything after that felt like a bonus, but I've personally been extremely satisfied with their overall performance."

He credits the team's success to an outstanding collective effort rather than individual performances.

He did, however, single out Alphonso Davies and Jonathan David as players who stood out.

"They defend as a team, the chemistry is amazing and they're one of the youngest and fittest teams. They're relentless with their pressing and quick transitions."

Their historic run eventually came to an end against Morocco, but not before making history for the nation and leaving supporters believing Canadian football has entered a new era.

"It was shocking, as it felt like watching two completely different games,” said Baher.

As for the other co-hosts, Mexico entered the tournament carrying what felt like a heavy burden.

Being the first nation to host three FIFA World Cups, expectations were enormous. Having failed to progress beyond the Round of 16 since reaching the quarter-finals on home soil in 1986, and after a disappointing group-stage exit in 2022, many fans viewed this tournament as an opportunity to restore belief.

الأخبارالأطفال يتفاعلون مع صيفي «الرياضة للجميع»وسط الأجواء النابضة بالحيوية والنشاط والتفاعل ومشاركة المزيد من الأطفال، تنطلق صباح غد الإثنين، بصالة لوسيل الرياضية، فعاليات الأسبوع الثاني من الجولة الثالثة، لمعسكر الرياضة لل...فتح →

Selvin, a Mexican living in the United States, believes his team did exactly that despite falling short of their ultimate goal.

"I'd say Mexico had a strong and promising campaign," he said.

"Even though they didn't go as far as we’d hoped, the team looked confident and competitive, continuing to live up to how we (their fans) see them."

"They showed discipline, consistency and gave their fans a show they won't ever forget," Selvin added.

Mexico impressed not only their fans, but the world, as they performed with organised defence and a balanced midfield in the group stages, before ultimately being eliminated by England in the Round of 16.

According to Selvin, small mistakes proved to be costly.

"When you're playing against a top team, every mistake matters. The tactics didn't work the way they planned and they left too many gaps."

One player, however, gave supporters great hope throughout the tournament.

"Julian Quinones stood out the most," he said. "He created chances, kept putting pressure on defenders and always looked like he knew what to do with the ball."

Like many supporters, Selvin believes playing at home was both a blessing and a burden.

"It made them stronger because they were playing with their own people behind them," he said. "But at the same time there's pressure because you don't want to let your country down."

Despite the disappointment, his optimism remains unchanged.

"My opinion hasn't changed because they didn't go further. They're still an amazing team and next time they'll come back stronger."

Just across the border, the United States have also made a name for themselves, shocking the international community.

Jalen Savariau, an American supporter, believes the team's performance has really made a name for them, beyond hosting.

"Their star players have uplifted the team while the defence has remained solid," he said. "I was especially surprised by Folarin Balogun and how much of a threat he's been."

Under coach Mauricio Pochettino, the United States recorded its first World Cup knockout victory since 2002 before bowing out in the Round of 16.

For Jalen, that represents meaningful progress rather than disappointment.

"I think this was a reasonable World Cup display from the USA and is a good building block as they aim for sustained success in international football."

While many have spoken about home advantage, he believes hosting brought its own pressures.

"The US is still trying to build its football culture," he explained. "I don't think we have the same loyal fan base as traditional football nations, so hosting actually creates more pressure because Americans expect their teams to succeed."

Beyond the pitch and game itself, supporters across the three host nations agree the tournament has transformed everyday life.

Although Baher praised Canada's hospitality and the atmosphere created in Vancouver, he pointed to soaring ticket prices and the challenge of travelling across three vast countries as drawbacks compared to previous World Cups.

Jalen also noted that while staging the tournament across North America inevitably complicated logistics, the event has nevertheless introduced millions more people to the sport.

Perhaps that is this year’s tournament's greatest legacy.

Mexico reminded the world of its football heritage. Canada announced itself as a growing, fierce and ambitious force. The United States continued building toward international success.

All carrying different journeys, but together they exceeded expectations. The three host nations were entrusted with bringing the World Cup to North America. Instead, they may have shown that North American football has finally arrived.