Over 10 million sign petition to kick Argentina out of FIFA World Cup

Over ten million people have signed an online petition at argentinaout.org demanding Argentina be expelled from the 2026 FIFA World Cup, accusing FIFA and match officials of favouring Lionel Messi and the defending champions. The petition, hosted on argentinaout.com, gained massive attention after Argentina’s dramatic comeback win over Egypt in the Round of 16.The petition claims Argentina have received favourable decisions throughout the tournament. “Argentina Out is a fan-led campaign calling for Argentina to be removed from the 2026 World Cup,” it read. “Sign the Kick Out Argentina petition to demand consistent rules, transparent officiating, and fair competition for every nation. Add your voice and help make the call to kick out Argentina impossible to ignore.”The controversy intensified after Argentina overturned a 2-0 deficit to beat Egypt, scoring three goals in the final 13 minutes despite Messi missing an earlier penalty. Egypt were furious after one of their goals was ruled out following a VAR review, while Argentina’s late winner stood despite claims of a foul on Mohamed Salah in the build-up.Egypt manager Hossam Hassan did not hold back after the match, saying: “I’ll say what I think, regardless of the consequences. This has clearly been rigged, and everyone has seen it. If they want them to win so badly, why are they inviting everyone to participate in the World Cup?” He added: “Fifa promotes ‘Fair Play’, but we didn’t see it on the pitch … without those mistakes, the result would’ve been different.”

Head coach Scaloni rejects favouritism claims

Ahead of Argentina’s quarter-final, manager Lionel Scaloni dismissed the allegations, insisting modern technology makes referee bias almost impossible. “In 1986, they also said Argentina was getting unfair advantages. This is nothing new for us,” he said.Scaloni added, “There are people who don’t like to see Argentina win. These comments only inspire my team to play better football.”Explaining his point, he said, “With VAR and all the technology we have today, it’s extremely difficult to help anyone. There is no room for different interpretations… today, it’s next to impossible.” Argentina are now preparing to face England in the World Cup semi-finals.

FIFA has been told it would have been “wasting the moment” if it had not extended the World Cup final interval on Sunday to stage a half-time show, according to a top global events boss.

The organisation has confirmed the 11-minute performance, featuring artists such as Madonna, Shakira, and Justin Bieber, will take place at MetLife Stadium.

However, reports suggest this show will cause the gap between the first and second halves to significantly exceed the 15 minutes stipulated by the sport’s laws.

Some observers have criticised the move, but Michael Gietzen, the chief executive officer of Identity, said: “FIFA is right to extend half-time and the people complaining are missing the point.

“Football has its own rhythm and its own rules and of course that matters. But a World Cup final isn’t ‘most of the time’.

“It happens once every four years, in front of the biggest audience any single sporting event can pull. Treating it like a normal weekend fixture is the mistake, not the half-time show.

“A good half-time show isn’t a distraction from the football. It’s part of the reason people remember exactly where they were when they watched it.

“A few extra minutes to get that right isn’t a compromise, it’s FIFA recognising that the final is a cultural event as much as a sporting one.

“Purists may call that a dilution. I’d call it FIFA catching up to what a decent proportion of audiences have wanted for years. A final like this comes round once every four years. Play it safe and you waste the moment.”

ITV has said it will broadcast the half-time show in full, while it is understood the BBC will confirm its plans in due course.

Fifa president Gianni Infantino has described the performance as a “groundbreaking spectacle” that will “celebrate football, music and our shared values, ensuring a legacy that transcends the final whistle”.

It was also announced that Hollywood actor Tom Cruise, popstar Robbie Williams and US singer Jennifer Hudson will perform during the closing ceremony.

The event will take place 90 minutes before kick-off and will also feature performances from Pussycat Dolls singer Nicole Scherzinger, Italian singer-songwriter Laura Pausini and streamer IShowSpeed – with Hudson set to deliver a rendition of the US national anthem.

Shakur Stevenson is now searching for a first opponent after signing with Zuffa Boxing, but there is one man who says he is being avoided by Stevenson, whom he believes has ‘gone back on his word’.

Stevenson has been linked to a host of names since his triumph over Teofimo Lopez in January, with Devin Haney, Conor Benn and Jose ‘Rayo’ Valenzuela being some of the recent fighters mentioned for a showdown with the pound-for-pound star.

Another man who has been chasing the fight is former sparring partner and reigning WBC super-featherweight world champion O’Shaquie Foster, who has maintained that he would be willing to move up two weight divisions for the opportunity.

Back in December, Stevenson responded to Foster’s continuous call-out, telling the Texan that he must first defeat his good friend and former featherweight world champion Raymond Ford before being granted the opportunity to fight him.

“It’s all good Sav [Ford], Cause he won’t get an opportunity with me until he fight u.. That WBC s**t don’t move me.”

Since then, Foster has overcome Ford via majority-decision, with Stevenson entering the ring after that May contest to seemingly call on the showdown with ‘Shock’ Foster.

“Pick up the phone we could run it next… Don’t say he a 130 pounder either he talked his way here now let’s go. Boy gone wanna shake my hand after saying he ain’t shaking hands, let’s fight.

“Look they starting already. This dude scream my name on every platform.. Lie and say he beat me up and ran me out the gym when I never run from nobody, I’m a man first. Let’s get it.”

Yet, speaking to Ring Magazine, Foster shared his frustration at a lack of talks in the weeks that have followed, disheartened that he will not be granted a shot at the Newark southpaw despite trumping Ford.

“He went on Twitter [X] and said that basically he is not giving me an opportunity or giving me a shot at fighting him unless I give Ray Ford the shot [first]. 

“We did that and he’s not holding himself to or being a man of his word. We ain’t heard nothing from him. 

“He got in the ring that night and said, ‘we are going to do it’. I told him that I don’t care which weight and, still, we ain’t heard nothing from him.”

Foster is also being mooted for a unification clash against WBO and IBF super-featherweight world champion Emanuel Navarrete, although WBO mandatory challenger Charly Suarez is unlikely to step aside and looks set to delay that proposed match-up.

Kylian Mbappe and France’s bid to clinch the FIFA World Cup 2026 trophy came to an end on Tuesday following a shocking 0-2 defeat to Spain in the semi-final. France, who were aiming to reach their third consecutive World Cup final, were thoroughly outplayed by Rodri and Co. and knocked out of the title race. It was also a disappointing outing for captain Kylian Mbappe, who had been in fine form throughout the tournament but failed to find the back of the net in the semi-final. Despite drawing a blank and seeing France’s title hopes dashed, Mbappe remains firmly in contention for the Golden Boot.

The France striker will now have to settle for the third-place playoff while continuing his pursuit of another Golden Boot award in a closely contested race with Argentina superstar Lionel Messi.

Mbappe and Messi have eight goals each so far at this year’s tournament. Mbappe, who won the Golden Boot at the last World Cup four years ago in Qatar, holds the first tiebreaker with a 3-2 lead on assists. Messi and defending champion Argentina will play again on Wednesday in the other semifinal match against England.

Both players will then have one more match before the award is decided. France will play the loser of the other semifinal match in the third-place game on Saturday in Miami Gardens, Florida. Spain will take on the winner in East Rutherford, New Jersey, in the final.

“At the end of the day, you take all the glory when you win,” Mbappe said. “When you don’t win … it’s part of the game. As the captain, I have to take all the responsibility, and I have no problem with that. We wanted to go to the final. We didn’t go.”

Mbappe had the fewest touches of any forward in the first half with 15. Perhaps his most prominent moment was trying to persuade referee Ivan Barton that the penalty resulting in Spain’s first goal shouldn’t have been called.

The foul by Lucas Digne on teenager Lamine Yamal stood, and Mikel Oyarzabal‘s penalty kick in the 22nd minute, put Spain ahead for good.

Mbappe’s best chance came in the 67th minute when his shot deflected off Spain defender Marc Cucurella and went just wide. La Roja already had a two-goal lead at that point.

(With AP Inputs)

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Former Philadelphia Phillies All-Star pitcher Ricky Bottalico must have been watching the MLB Home Run Derby on Monday night.

The pre-show broadcast on Netflix that included Elle Duncan, Barry Bonds, Albert Pujols and Anthony Rizzo rehashed Bonds’ fight with Bottalico in 1998. Bottalico plunked Bonds during a game between the Phillies and San Francisco Giants, sparking the only time Bonds charged the mound.

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Ricky Bottalico of the Philadelphia Phillies pitches during a game against the St. Louis Cardinals at Busch Stadium in St. Louis, Mo. (Jonathan Kirn/Allsport)

While Duncan said that Bottalico swore the pitch got away from him, Bonds denied it.

“No, it didn’t, it did not get away,” Bonds said. “He’s a good pitcher and he’s a good man. In that situation, it was part of the game of baseball during that time, and I accepted it.”

Bottalico pushed back on Duncan’s notion that the ball got away from him as he appeared on 97.5 The Fanatic on Tuesday before the MLB All-Star Game took place in Philadelphia.

“That is a bold-faced lie.” he said. “I’ve told the story on this show, I’ve told the story on NBC Sports Philadelphia, I have told the story. I was told to go in and hit Barry Bonds. It’s that simple.

Elle Duncan attends The 7th Annual Sports Power Brunch: Celebrating the Most Powerful Women in Sports at Four Seasons San Francisco on Feb. 4, 2026, in San Francisco, Calif. (Jeff Schear/Getty Images)

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“When it happens, in the newspapers in the next day and all that back then, I had to say I didn’t do it on purpose or else I’m suspended for a month. It’s that simple. Yes, we had to lie back then.”

Bottalico said he walked back to the locker room and his coaches said, “Do not tell me you did it on purpose.”

“Elle, wrong, wrong, wrong, oh did I say wrong? Wrong,” he added.

Bottalico said the team was frustrated with Bonds because he stole a base when the Giants were up seven runs. He said he wasn’t even supposed to pitch that day as he was coming off of surgery and had already made an appearance the night before.

Philadelphia Phillies pitcher Ricky Bottalico is shown in action on the mound. (RVR Photos/USA TODAY Sports)

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The righty made one All-Star appearance in his career – the 1996 season. That year, he had a 3.65 ERA in 69 appearances. He played five consecutive years for the Phillies before becoming a journeyman reliever around the league.

Argentina’s FIFA World Cup 2026 campaign has been anything but straightforward. The defending champions have repeatedly flirted with elimination, surrendered winning positions and been pushed to their limits, yet they continue to find a way. Lionel Scaloni’s side has combined moments of brilliance with remarkable resilience, reaching another World Cup semifinal where England now awaits.

Scaloni’s enduring legacy

When asked about his team’s legacy during this tournament, Scaloni pointed to an emotional viral video of a young Argentine fan celebrating the team’s comeback win over Egypt.

“We play football to see these things. If this team has a legacy, it’s that tomorrow, kids like that believe they can play for Argentina one day.” For Scaloni, inspiring the next generation has become just as important as collecting silverware.

A campaign built on resilience

Argentina’s path to the semifinals has rarely been comfortable. Rather than dominating opponents from start to finish, La Albiceleste have repeatedly shown an ability to survive adversity.

Their title defence has featured dramatic comebacks, late winners and extra-time victories, proving that experience and composure often matter as much as attacking flair.

Close call against Cape Verde

Argentina nearly suffered one of the biggest shocks of the tournament in the Round of 32 against World Cup debutants Cape Verde.

The underdogs pushed the defending champions to the brink before Scaloni’s side escaped elimination, underlining that every knockout match would demand maximum concentration.

The scare served as an early warning that no opponent could be underestimated.

Comeback of champions against Egypt

The Round of 16 produced arguably Argentina’s greatest escape. Egypt stunned the defending champions by racing into a 2-0 lead with barely 11 minutes remaining, leaving Argentina on the verge of elimination.

But true to their championship pedigree, Scaloni’s men mounted a sensational comeback.

Cristian Romero began the revival before Lionel Messi redeemed an earlier missed penalty by finding the net. Enzo Fernandez then completed the turnaround with a dramatic late winner, sealing an unforgettable 3-2 victory and extending Argentina’s remarkable winning run.

The comeback reinforced one defining trait of this side, they simply refuse to surrender.

Quarterfinal drama against Switzerland

Argentina’s quarterfinal against Switzerland followed a familiar script.

Alexis Mac Allister headed home Lionel Messi’s corner early in the first half, allowing Argentina to control large periods of the contest. Switzerland, however, remained patient and eventually punished a rare defensive lapse through Dan Ndoye’s equaliser.

Even after Breel Embolo’s controversial second yellow card reduced Switzerland to 10 men, Argentina struggled to make their numerical advantage count. Messi came close on multiple occasions but unusually failed to deliver the decisive moment.

For once, the spotlight belonged to Argentina’s supporting cast rather than Messi.

Messi still leads, but others are stepping up

Although Lionel Messi remains Argentina’s creative heartbeat, this World Cup has highlighted the squad’s growing depth.

Mac Allister delivered in the quarterfinal, Alvarez produced the tournament’s defining goal, while Lautaro Martinez provided the finishing touch.

Scaloni’s side no longer depends solely on its captain, an encouraging sign as the competition reaches its decisive stages.

The DNA of champions

One word has followed Argentina throughout the tournament: suffering. Every knockout victory has required immense mental strength, and Scaloni believes those struggles have become part of the team’s identity.

“To make the World Cup semi-finals you have to suffer. Ultimately we always find the solutions.”

Julian Alvarez echoed the sentiment after Switzerland. “Sometimes it’s our turn to suffer, but we know we will fight until the end. As long as we win, it’s fine.”

England await in a blockbuster semifinal

Argentina’s reward is a heavyweight semifinal against England, renewing one of international football’s fiercest rivalries.

The meeting carries decades of footballing history, from Diego Maradona’s iconic performances to memorable knockout encounters between the two nations. Remarkably, it will also mark Lionel Messi’s first World Cup meeting with England.

Scaloni has attempted to downplay the occasion. “This is just a football game. We are playing against a very tough opponent with an excellent coach.”

Yet Argentina face an enormous challenge. They have played 120 minutes in two of their last three knockout matches and will have only three days to recover before facing an England side full of confidence.

Still, if this World Cup has demonstrated anything, it is that Argentina thrive when tested. Their journey to the semifinals has been defined not by perfection, but by resilience, belief and an unwavering refusal to give up, qualities they hope will carry them one step closer to defending their world title.