Lionel Messi and Cristiano Ronaldo have never met in a World Cup match during their two-decade rivalry. With the 2026 tournament just months away, the bracket has aligned perfectly for what could be their final showdown — and analysts now put the odds of an Argentina-Portugal quarterfinal at roughly 65 percent if both stars deliver as expected.

The expanded 48-team World Cup draw, completed in December 2025, placed defending champion Argentina in Group J with Algeria, Austria and Jordan. Portugal landed in Group K alongside Colombia, Uzbekistan and a playoff winner. Both teams enter as overwhelming favorites to top their groups, setting up a high-probability path through the knockout stages.

Under the new format, the top two teams from each group plus the eight best third-place finishers advance to a 32-team knockout round. If Argentina and Portugal win their groups — a scenario bookmakers give better than 80 percent probability for each side individually — they would meet in the quarterfinals on July 11 at Arrowhead Stadium, provided they navigate the round of 32 and round of 16.

Projection models from sites like Opta and betting markets currently estimate the combined likelihood of that exact quarterfinal matchup at around 60-70 percent, with many settling near 65 percent when factoring in group dominance and early knockout form. Earlier clashes remain possible but less likely: a round-of-16 meeting if one team finishes second (around 20-25 percent) or a remote round-of-32 scenario if both drop to third.

Ronaldo, turning 41 in February 2026, has made clear this will be his last World Cup. The Portuguese captain continues to score prolifically for Al-Nassr and recently posted recovery updates after a minor hamstring issue. Coach Roberto Martinez has expressed full confidence in Ronaldo’s fitness for June.

Messi, who turns 39 during the tournament, has been more reserved but strong signals point to his participation. The eight-time Ballon d’Or winner has already designated Kansas City as Argentina’s base camp, with group-stage matches scheduled at Arrowhead and AT&T Stadium. Inter Miami and Argentina coaching staff have indicated he plans to be there for what could be his farewell tour.

Argentina remains the tournament favorite according to most oddsmakers, buoyed by its 2022 triumph and deep squad. Portugal sits further back but possesses enough talent to reach the later stages even with managed minutes for its aging superstar.

The potential July 11 clash in Kansas City has already sent ticket demand soaring on resale platforms, with some listings for the projected quarterfinal jumping 300 percent since the draw. Global TV audiences for such a matchup could reach billions, adding one final unforgettable chapter to a rivalry that has produced countless classics at club level.

For Messi, a second World Cup title would solidify his legacy. For Ronaldo, the tournament represents perhaps his last realistic shot at the one major honor missing from his glittering career. They have combined for 48 World Cup appearances without ever sharing the pitch in the competition.

Analysts caution that football’s unpredictability remains. Upsets in the group stage or early knockouts could derail the dream scenario. Yet the bracket’s structure, combined with both teams’ quality, makes the quarterfinal meeting the most probable outcome of any Messi-Ronaldo World Cup encounter.

FIFA President Gianni Infantino has repeatedly highlighted the tournament’s potential for “dream matches,” and few would top this one. As friendlies continue in March and squads take shape, the soccer world is already counting down to what could be the ultimate last dance.

Whether it ends in a Messi masterclass, Ronaldo heroics or dramatic extra time, a 65 percent chance feels tantalizingly close to destiny for two players who have defined an era.

SYDNEY — Alice Springs in the Northern Territory remains Australia’s city with the highest crime rate in 2026, recording dramatically elevated offence levels per capita that far exceed national averages and place it among the more dangerous urban areas globally according to perception-based indexes.

Recent data from the Australian Bureau of Statistics, state police reports and crowd-sourced platforms such as Numbeo show that while Australia overall maintains low crime rates compared with many nations, certain regional centers — particularly in the Northern Territory and Queensland — continue to grapple with disproportionate levels of property crime, assaults and public order offences.

Experts attribute the patterns to complex social factors including alcohol and substance abuse, socioeconomic disadvantage, family violence and challenges in remote Indigenous communities. Here are the five cities consistently ranked with the highest crime rates in early 2026 assessments.

1. Alice Springs, Northern Territory Alice Springs tops nearly every domestic ranking with an extraordinary 37,955 offences per 100,000 residents for the year ending November 2025, according to detailed local statistics. Numbeo’s 2026 Crime Index places the city at 66.9, ranking it 34th most dangerous worldwide — higher than many major global metropolises. Assaults, property damage and theft dominate reports, with violent crime rates several times the national average. Community leaders and police have intensified interventions, including alcohol restrictions and youth programs, yet the remote location and underlying social issues sustain the challenges.
2. Rockhampton, Queensland Rockhampton in central Queensland frequently ranks second or first depending on the metric, with a Numbeo Crime Index of 66.3 in 2026 data. The city of about 80,000 reports high rates of property crime, assaults and public nuisance offences. Some analyses cite 132 offences per 1,000 people in certain periods. Local authorities point to economic pressures in the resource sector and alcohol-related incidents as key drivers. Rockhampton has implemented targeted policing and community safety initiatives, but it remains a focal point for regional crime concerns.
3. Darwin, Northern Territory The Northern Territory capital records a Crime Index of 62.9 on Numbeo, reflecting persistent issues with violent assaults, property theft and alcohol-fueled disorder. Offence rates hover around 13,686 per 100,000 residents in recent figures, well above most Australian cities. Suburbs such as Palmerston, Karama and Malak show particularly elevated numbers. Darwin’s tropical climate, transient population and proximity to remote communities contribute to the statistics. Territorial government programs focus on harm reduction and increased police visibility.
4. Cairns, Queensland Far North Queensland’s tourism hub registers a Crime Index of 62.1, driven largely by property crime — including one of the highest rates of theft and burglary in the country. Reports indicate more than 16,000 property offences per 100,000 people in some assessments. Tourists and locals alike face risks of opportunistic theft, while night-time economy issues add to assault figures. Cairns City Council and Queensland Police have expanded CCTV coverage and tourism safety campaigns, yet the city remains prominent in national discussions.
5. Townsville, Queensland Townsville often appears in composite “danger” indexes that factor in property crime alongside natural disaster vulnerability. A 2026 iSelect safety ranking placed it as Australia’s least safe major center with a score of 41.65, citing high property crime and other risks. Violent incidents and youth-related offences feature prominently in police data. The city has launched multi-agency responses, including youth engagement programs and increased night patrols, as part of broader Queensland efforts to address regional hotspots.

These five cities stand out against Australia’s generally safe reputation. Major capitals such as Sydney, Melbourne and Brisbane record significantly lower per-capita rates overall, although their dense CBDs and certain suburbs experience elevated property crime and theft due to population volume. National ABS figures for 2024–25 show 344,620 offenders proceeded against by police across the country, with family and domestic violence remaining a persistent concern everywhere.

Criminologists caution that raw crime indexes can be influenced by reporting rates, population size and methodology. Numbeo data relies heavily on user perceptions, while official ABS and state statistics track recorded incidents. Smaller regional populations in places like Alice Springs can amplify per-capita figures even when absolute numbers are modest.

Australian authorities have responded with targeted strategies. The Northern Territory has expanded alcohol management plans and invested in community-led prevention. Queensland Police continue “Operation Safe Haven” style initiatives in Townsville, Cairns and Rockhampton. Federally, funding for early intervention, mental health support and housing programs aims to address root causes, particularly in Indigenous communities where over-representation in crime statistics persists.

Travelers and residents in these areas receive consistent advice: exercise normal caution, avoid isolated spots at night, secure property and use rideshares or well-lit routes. Tourism operators in Cairns and Darwin emphasize safety measures for visitors.

Despite the challenges, overall crime trends in Australia have shown mixed results, with some property offences declining due to better surveillance while certain violent categories remain stable or rise modestly. The concentration in specific regional centers underscores the need for localized solutions rather than nationwide generalizations.

As 2026 progresses, police and community groups in the highlighted cities continue collaborative efforts. Success will depend on sustained investment in social services, economic opportunities and justice system reforms. For most Australians living in larger metropolitan areas, daily life remains among the safest in the developed world.

Officials stress that while these five cities warrant heightened awareness, Australia’s strong rule of law, community policing and low overall homicide rate — far below many international peers — provide a broader context of security.

FedEx is launching a same-day shipping program with last-mile delivery company OneRail, just after Amazon announced it will start offering quicker shipping times, CNBC has learned exclusively.

The new partnership means customers now have a definite “by end-of-day offering,” according to Jason Brenner, FedEx’s senior vice president of digital.

“Our value prop is about speed, reliability and visibility, and we’re always trying to push the envelope on that value prop,” Brenner told CNBC.

FedEx is the latest company to join retailers’ race to offer the quickest delivery and highest convenience for consumers. Amazon announced last week that it is rolling out delivery windows of just one-to-three hours, and retailers like Walmart and Target have begun offering express delivery options as well — in part to keep up with the dominance of Amazon’s Prime service in recent years.

OneRail, a last-mile delivery software company, uses artificial intelligence to optimize delivery, routing and tracking for retailers’ deliveries. The company said it covers nearly 99% of the U.S. and has a network of more than 1,000 delivery drivers, providing 80,000 30-minute or less deliveries per day.

With the new partnership, FedEx will be able to use OneRail’s technology to allow retailers to offer same-day shipping, in part by utilizing the retailer’s store network. Customers will be able to choose more precise delivery windows, including two-hour and end-of-day service, in addition to near real-time tracking.

“We’re excited to partner with FedEx,” OneRail CEO Bill Catania told CNBC. “It unlocks even more capabilities for the retailer, which really lets them own their customer and their data. Now, they have another option, and on the piggyback of the announcement from Amazon earlier this week, I think this is something retailers are going to feel is very favorable.”

OneRail will now provide retailers with a rate card, and then those companies can determine their own same-day shipping prices depending on their own value propositions.

“This is going to be priced extremely competitively,” Catania said. “Retailers and brands [will be] able to build a highly compelling value proposition to their customers.”

Catania said the partnership has been years in the making, but the companies now felt like “the time is right in the market.” He emphasized that the structure allows retailers to deliver quickly without needing to change their infrastructure, which Brenner said was one of the new partnership’s biggest competitive advantages.

“Customers are increasingly demanding faster shipping,” Brenner said. “Same-day is increasingly a value prop that retailers are looking to offer.”

He added that the platform will also have flexibility for customers to choose specific windows for time-sensitive deliveries like furniture.

“Other retailers are doing this and building out their own ability and their own capabilities to offer same-day, but it’s very complex to manage if you stitch it together yourself,” Brenner said. “It’s very costly to manage, and it’s very complex and costly to scale.”

The announcement comes after Amazon started the shorter delivery windows in some parts of the U.S. to meet growing customer needs. The company got shoppers hooked on fast shipping when it introduced free two-day delivery alongside its Prime loyalty program in 2005. By 2019, it made one-day shipping the standard, and in the years since, it has poured money and resources into expanding same-day delivery.

More than 90,000 items qualify for Amazon’s new delivery program, including pantry staples, cleaning supplies, clothing and more. It plans to roll out its faster delivery windows across a broader swath of the country after its initial launch.

— CNBC’s Annie Palmer contributed to this report.

Listen below or on the go via Apple Podcasts and Spotify

U.S. bans new foreign-made routers over security risks. (00:14) SK hynix (HXSCL) to buy $7.9B equipment from ASML. (01:20) Puig (PUIGF) stock jumps after Estée Lauder (EL) confirms merger talks. (01:57)

This is an abridged transcript.

Netgear (NTGR) is on our biggest movers list. NTGR is up 14%.

Shares surged after the Federal Communications Commission added foreign-made Wi-Fi routers to its “Covered List,” effectively banning the import of new models on national security grounds.

The FCC said in a statement that the foreign-made routers introduce “a supply chain vulnerability that could disrupt the U.S. economy, critical infrastructure, and national defense” and pose “a severe cybersecurity risk that could be leveraged to immediately and severely disrupt US critical infrastructure.”

The move targets future devices while allowing existing inventory and installed routers to remain in use.

The impact will extend beyond Chinese players such as TP-Link, affecting U.S.-headquartered firms as well.

Companies including Netgear (NTGR), Eero (AMZN), and Google (GOOG) Nest design their products domestically but depend heavily on manufacturing bases in Asia.

SK hynix (HXSCL) is acquiring advanced production equipment valued at 12 trillion won ($7.9 billion) from Dutch company ASML (ASML), aiming to meet rising demand for memory chips.

The South Korean chipmaker announced the decision through a regulatory filing. Reports say the extreme ultraviolet scanners will be delivered by December 2027 for its next-generation production processes.

The move comes amid SK Hynix’s push to expand the production of memory chips, including high bandwidth memory, on the back of soaring demand from the artificial intelligence industry.

According to a separate report, SK Hynix (HXSCL) is seeking to raise 10 trillion won to 15 trillion won ($10 billion) from a potential listing in the US, the Korea Economic Daily reported.

The company is currently the main HBM supplier to Nvidia (NVDA), although Samsung Electronics (SSNLF) and Micron (MU) supply it with smaller volumes.

Shares of Spanish beauty group Puig (PUIGF) jumped on Tuesday after Estée Lauder (EL) confirmed it is in talks about merging the two companies.

Puig (PUIGF), which is behind brands such as Rabanne and Charlotte Tilbury, has a market cap of EU8.8 billion ($10.3B). Estee Lauder has a market value of $31B.

Puig’s Spain-listed shares jumped as much as 15% on Tuesday, while Estée Lauder (EL) was up 0.6% in U.S. premarket trading.

This is the top story in the Wall Street Breakfast newsletter. Here’s a link to sign up.

What’s Trending on Seeking Alpha

OpenAI flags Microsoft dependence as key business risk ahead of expected IPO – report

Broadcom exec says Taiwan Semiconductor is reaching capacity limits – report

Crude climbs on supply worries after Iran rejects U.S. negotiation claims

Catalyst watch:

• Shareholders with Two Harbors Investment (TWO) will vote on the deal to be acquired by mortgage wholesaler UWM Holdings (UWMC).

• JFB Construction (JFB) will begin trading on a split-adjusted basis following the two-for-one stock split.

• The ShopTalk conference in Las Vegas will include a keynote from Reddit (RDDT) CEO Steve Huffman. Top execs from Wayfair (W), Stitch Fix (SFIX), Pinterest (PINS), Gap (GAP), Dutch Bros (BROS), and SharkNinja (SN) will also appear.

• MercadoLibre (MELI) will appear at a Morgan Stanley conference.

• Zillow Group (ZG) will host an investor event focused on the company’s AI innovation in real estate.

• CrowdStrike (CRWD) CEO George Kurtz will give a keynote address at the RSA security conference.

• Asure Software’s (ASUR) CEO will participate in a panel discussion on AI and Implications for Business Services and Software at the Roth Conference.

Dow, S&P and Nasdaq futures are in the green. Crude oil is up 2.5% at $90. Bitcoin is up 0.5% at $71,000. Gold is up 0.4% at $4,425.

The FTSE 100 is little changed and the DAX is down 0.2%.

The biggest movers for the day premarket: Outlook Therapeutics (OTLK) -25% – Shares plunged after the company announced a best-efforts public offering of common stock and accompanying warrants, with potential inclusion of pre-funded warrants.

Economic calendar:

Editor’s Note: This article discusses one or more securities that do not trade on a major U.S. exchange. Please be aware of the risks associated with these stocks.

Michael Black’s Success Tutoring expands across four continents as parents, students and franchise investor partners embrace innovative approach to learning, community based fundamentals and generous business returns.

The fast growing Australian education franchise is challenging one of the biggest assumptions in modern learning, that more technology equals better outcomes.

Michael Black, founder and Global CEO of Success Tutoring, is leading one of the most aggressive international expansions in the sector, with the brand now operating across Australia, the United States, India, Canada and New Zealand. Further countries including Singapore and the UK are slated for later this year and next year.

At the centre of its growth is the proposition that the future of education needs to embrace technology as well as a return to paper.

“We are seeing a global shift,” Black said.
“Parents are questioning whether screen based learning is actually delivering results and they are actively looking for alternatives that build real capability. We believe that it needs to include both.”

A structural shift in education demand

The rapid expansion of Success Tutoring is being fuelled by broader structural changes across global education systems.

Rising migration is increasing demand for English language support, public education systems are under pressure in many markets and parents are investing more heavily in supplementary education to ensure their children keep pace.

Black said these conditions are creating a powerful tailwind for tutoring providers that can demonstrate measurable outcomes.

“Education is no longer optional,” he said.

“It is becoming one of the most important investments families make and they are far more discerning about what actually works.”

Building capability is essential for lifelong learning and increased confidence

While much of the education sector has moved toward digital delivery, Success Tutoring has deliberately positioned itself as a hybrid player, embracing both in the learning process.

Its model focuses on structured, paper based learning in English and mathematics, designed to strengthen core cognitive skills such as writing, problem solving and independent thinking.

“Technology has a role, but it should not replace thinking,” Black said.
“We are focused on teaching students how to process information, how to structure their thoughts and how to solve problems step by step.”

He argues that over reliance on screens risks weakening these foundational skills.
“When everything is done on a device, students can become dependent rather than capable,” he said.

“What we are seeing is that when students return to paper, their confidence and performance improve significantly.”

Strong returns drive franchise demand

The model is resonating not only with families, but also with franchise partners, who are increasingly attracted to education as a resilient and scalable sector.

Success Tutoring’s membership based model provides predictable recurring revenue while maintaining affordability for families, a combination Black says is critical to long term success.

“Franchise partners are seeing strong returns because the demand is consistent and growing,” he said.

“When you deliver real outcomes for students, the business builds itself through reputation and referrals.”

The result is a surge in franchise interest across multiple markets, with rapid rollout underway internationally.

New Zealand growth signals global appetite

New Zealand has emerged as a key indicator of the brand’s momentum, with six new centres opened in the past six months and further expansion in progress.

The speed of uptake highlights what Black describes as a universal demand for foundational learning.

“No matter the country, the feedback is the same,” he said.
“Parents want their children to be confident, capable and able to think for themselves.”

A global education movement, not just a brand

Black believes Success Tutoring’s growth reflects a broader shift in how education is valued and delivered.

“We are not just building a franchise network,” he said.

“We are part of a global movement back to fundamentals, where learning is about understanding, not just completing tasks.”

As education systems grapple with the impact of technology, workforce demands and population growth, he expects the tutoring sector to continue expanding rapidly.

“The market is growing year on year because the need is growing,” Black said.

“When schools are stretched and expectations are rising, families look for solutions that work.”

The future of learning may look familiar

For Black, the lesson is simple and somewhat unexpected.

“In a world obsessed with innovation, sometimes the most powerful solution is returning to what works,” he said.

As Success Tutoring continues its international expansion, one thing is becoming increasingly clear, the future of education may not be digital first, but fundamentals first.

This article was written by

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FTSE 100 DIY retailer Kingfisher saw an uplift in the UK but reported a dip in France and Poland

B&Q and Screwfix owner Kingfisher saw the performance of its UK operations undermined by difficulties abroad, as revenues in France and Poland declined. The FTSE-100 company experienced falling sales across its French Castorama (-2.2 per cent) and Brico Depot (-2.3 per cent) divisions and in Poland (-1.1 per cent), whilst sales climbed by more than three per cent at UK operations B&Q and Somerset-based Screwfix.

The DIY retailer has been grappling with stagnant sales in Poland and France – where Castorama ranks among Kingfisher’s most persistently underperforming operations, according to analysts.

Kingfisher’s share price rose by two per cent during Tuesday’s early trading to 302p, leaving the stock up eight per cent over the past year but down more than 10 per cent since the pandemic-era DIY surge.

The business has concentrated on reducing costs in recent years, having shed £120m in excess expenditure last year, as reported by City AM.

The company recorded an adjusted pre-tax profit of £560m, up six per cent from last year and in line with analysts’ expectations. Total sales across Kingfisher’s operations edged up by only 0.2 per cent.

B&Q and Screwfix will be anticipating the DIY surge that arrives each spring, as rivals suggest the UK’s ageing housing stock maintains demand for home improvement elevated.

However, Kingfisher’s operations, like its competitor Wickes, have struggled in recent years to shift big-ticket purchases such as kitchen renovations, with Britons reducing discretionary spending as they feel the squeeze. The French Castorama brand is bearing the brunt of declining demand for major purchases, with sales for these products falling 4.5 per cent year on year.

Kingfisher attributed B&Q and Screwfix’s robust performance to an emphasis on e-commerce, powerful seasonal sales periods and B&Q’s purchase of several Homebase stores.

Kingfisher pressed ahead with its physical expansion in the UK, with Screwfix launching 32 new sites whilst shutting five.

B&Q opened 10 new outlets – eight of which were transformed from former Homebase properties – and closed three, as Kingfisher recorded 41 net openings across its international brands.

Kingfisher said it aims to drive growth by concentrating on sales to tradespeople because they shop more regularly and spend more than the typical customer.

The company has established dedicated trade zones in each of its outlets and recorded growth in trade sales of five and four per cent at B&Q and Screwfix, and as much as 47 per cent in Castorama Poland.

The firm unveiled a new £300m share buyback programme, having repurchased £1.2bn in shares since 2021.