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Business

Can you afford the 2026 World Cup? What fans paid over the years

The 2026 World Cup is facing criticism over record-high ticket prices, with fans saying it is becoming far less affordable than past tournaments. Compared to previous World Cups-where even final tickets were often under a few thousand dollars-2026 prices can reach $15,000 or more for premium seats.

Culture news

'Dai Dai': Shakira teases official World Cup 2026 anthem

Shakira marks her fourth musical participation in FIFA tournaments with the song 'Dai Dai', which will be released in full on 14 May. The 2026 World Cup kicks off on 11 June.

Sport

Attacking show expected as Bayern welcome PSG in Munich

Barcelona hold the record for the best attacking performance in the Champions League since 2000 - but PSG and Bayern are both close to breaking it.

Sport

Simeone and Arteta face off in quest for Champions League glory

Atlético Madrid and Arsenal meet tonight in London for a match that will decide who gets to play in the Champions League final, with each team's head coach going into the game with a point to prove.

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Travel News

World Cup hotel boom may ‘fall short of expectations’ in US

A new report by the American Hotel & Lodging Association says anticipated demand ‘has not translated into strong hotel bookings’ and that domestic travellers are ‘outpacing’ international visitors.

Travel News

World Cup travel demand rises, but not all cities will get the win

While the tourism picture points to an increase in activity in the run-up to this summer's tournament, research suggests the broader impact may be far more limited.

Europe News

Dutch football league passport dispute could force 133-match replay

An appeal lodged by NAC Breda over the status of players who chose to play for nations other than the Netherlands could bring this season's Eredivisie to a halt and force a repeat of 133 matches in the worst-case scenario.

Sport

Football fever back in Qatar after FIFA confirms U-17 World Cup dates

Qatar is set to host another World Cup, as FIFA had scheduled the world U-17 tournament for 19 November to 13 December. The 48-team format is also making a comeback, with 30 nations already qualified.

Iran

Iranian football chiefs turned away at Canada border over IRGC link

Iran's World Cup participation controversy has escalated with a diplomatic incident at Canada's borders involving Iranian football officials. Iran's group stage matches are scheduled in the US, and Tehran authorities have asked FIFA to move them to alternative venues. FIFA has refused.

The Ring

PSG vs Bayern - a semifinal for the ages and football at its very best

In this special football edition of The Ring, we deconstruct a Champions League game that will go down in history as one of the best ever. Nine goals - can top quality football really be any better? Our experts also weigh in on what else is moving Europe's most popular sport.

Sport

The friends who united Évreux in a Champions League night to remember

The region of Evre in Normandy celebrated its two "children" who grew up together and gave a unique performance in the match between Paris Saint-Germain and Bayern Munich as rivals

Travel News

World Cup no longer just about football: Digital nomads invade Mexico

The 2026 FIFA World Cup is driving the arrival of European digital nomads in Mexico, a phenomenon transforming tourism with longer stays, remote working and a greater impact on the local economy.

Europe Today

Watch: Champions League semis: When football meets global capital

From Qatari-backed PSG to fan-owned Bayern and US-financed Atlético and Arsenal, the Champions League semis double as a battle of club ownership models.

Culture news

Kneecap back ‘Stop The Game’ campaign protesting Ireland v Israel game

Several high profile figures from the music world are backing a campaign to boycott the upcoming Ireland v Israel football game: "Playing Israel is supporting Genocide.”

Germany

Union Berlin backs coach Marie-Louise Eta after sexist abuse online

Eta has been named interim coach for the last five games of the season as Union aims to avoid relegation from Germany's Bundesliga.

Lifestyle

La Liga teams play in retro football kits for historic matchday

La Liga clubs step out in retro kits this weekend, blending football heritage and fashion with nostalgia increasingly making a mark in the modern game.

Sport

Romanian football great Mircea Lucescu dies at age 80

Lucescu had a lengthy coaching career and was in his second spell with the Romanian national team until stepping down last Thursday after falling ill during training.

Sport

FIFA opens case against Spanish football federation over racist chants

Alongside the FIFA investigation, the Catalonia police force has opened its own probe, which is being handled by the Prosecutor's Office for Hate Crimes and Discrimination.

Culture news

Ronaldo and Messi join forces again for viral LEGO World Cup campaign

Joined by Kylian Mbappé and Vinícius Jr, the four football stars compete (and fail) to claim a brick-built World Cup trophy in LEGO's “Everyone Wants a Piece” ad.

Sport

“It feels like a nightmare”: Fans upset as Italy fails to qualify for third straight World Cup

Italy’s World Cup hopes ended in heartbreak after a penalty shootout loss to Bosnia, leaving stunned fans in Rome lamenting another missed chance and a 16-year absence from football’s biggest stage.