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Baby boom after summer fairy tale: Can football boost birth rates?

If an entire country is celebrating, does that mean more babies are born nine months later? Following the 2006 and 2014 World Cups, this theory persisted. A look at the statistics, maternity wards and research reveals what truth there really is to it.

Business

Spanish bars gear up for World Cup with extra beer

The hospitality sector hopes the national team’s progress will pack out its venues, but admits the pandemic changed habits and time zones hurt early kick-offs.

No Comment

Berlin musician turns Germany football opener into musical spectacle

Germany's opening match of the 2026 FIFA World Cup became an unusual cultural event on 14 June in Berlin, where composer Stephan Graf von Bothmer performed a live musical score as the national team faced Curaçao.

Europe Today

US, Iran strike framework deal as Trump heads to Europe for G7 summit

US President Donald Trump is set to join fellow G7 leaders in France in the wake of a framework agreement between Washington and Tehran designed to pave the way for peace and the reopening of the Strait of Hormuz.

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Sport

Sunday and early Monday World Cup fixtures you may have missed

Curaçao made history on Sunday after they scored their first goal in the World Cup in their first ever participation in the tournament, despite suffering a 7-1 loss to European giants and former world champions, Germany.

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Dutch supporters bring sea of orange to World Cup host city

Thousands of Dutch fans dressed in orange marched, danced and chanted outside Dallas Stadium ahead of the Netherlands' World Cup match against Japan. A handful of Japanese supporters also joined the festive pre-match atmosphere.

Sport

Germany wins 7-1 after Curaçao scores in its first-ever FIFA World Cup

Football: Germany won 7-1 against Curaçao in the Group E opener in Houston.

Sport

After refused entry into US, Somali referee Omar Artan will be paid full World Cup fee by FIFA

Full tournament salary will be paid to Somali referee Omar Artan by FIFA after his entry into the US was refused by border officials over "association with suspected membres of terror organisations".

No Comment

Vancouver turns green and gold after Australia's World Cup win

Australian supporters filled downtown Vancouver with chants and celebrations after the Socceroos defeated Turkey 2-0 in their opening match of the 2026 World Cup.

Sport

World Cup oracle Taio surprises with first Germany prediction

Germany’s first World Cup game is still to come, yet the new tournament oracle has already spoken – and anteater Taio’s prediction won’t please every DFB fan.

Sport

Australia start World Cup with a bang after Brazil draw with Morocco

Brazil star Vinicius Jr. stepped up to spare his nation's blushes with a superb solo effort against 2022 semifinalists Morocco.

Sport

Qatar makes history with first ever point in World Cup thriller

Qatar secured its first ever World Cup point with a draw against Switzerland, sparking celebrations at home and across the Arab world.

Sport

'Take me to America': Bosnia unites behind viral anthem at World Cup

As the Western Balkan country celebrates its second-ever appearance at the tournament despite its underdog status, a 15-year-old song about life abroad by a much-beloved band has become an unofficial anthem for Bosnian fans.

Sport

World Cup 2026: where in France is the curfew for under-16s enforced?

In some municipalities, unprecedented measures now target unaccompanied teenagers, after repeated disturbances at festive gatherings.

Health news

Too much ‘football fever’? Your heart might not like World Cup mania

Watching your team play can send your heart racing as fast as if you were sprinting, and for some fans that carries genuine medical risks.

No Comment

UK: Royal Opera Chorus marks 2026 World Cup start with London performance

London marked the 2026 World Cup kick-off with SeokJong Baek and the Royal Opera Chorus performing Puccini’s ‘Nessun dorma’ in Covent Garden.

Sport

USA make impressive start to World Cup campaign

Some of Hollywood's biggest names were in attendance for the match at LA's SoFi stadium, including Tom Cruise and Leonardo DiCaprio.

Markets

Want to own your football club? The Pelé Index offers a warning

The 'Pelé index' has tracked every listed European football club since 1998. A portfolio manager explains what almost three decades of data reveal about owning a piece of the beautiful game.

Brussels, My Love?

Podcast: The most political World Cup to date?

What makes the 2026 World Cup so political? What does the entry of the EU Migration and Asylum Pact mean in reality? The two questions we answer on Brussels, My Love? the podcast.

Sport

South Africa's red card confusion becomes World Cup's first viral meme

'Wait, what?': Players were left speechless as the referee explained the VAR decision in an apparent shaky English after a controversial red card.