Soccer
Abongile Tom lives his World Cup dream
The job of 2026 Fifa World Cup referee Abongile Tom is about making decisions during football matches, but the best judgment call he has made was far away from the field.
By Mahlatse Mphahlele
Bellingham is England’s Zidane: Terry
John Terry believes that if Jude Bellingham must bring out the Zinedine Zidane in him for England to have a chance of claiming a second World Cup trophy since 1966.
By Bareng-Batho Kortjaas
Germany begin bid for fifth crown
Germany will look to start their World Cup campaign tonight with a big win over Curacao, with the four-time champions out to repair their damaged international reputation following first-round exits in the previous two editions.
By Reuters
MAHLATSE’S DAILY WORLD CUP TALKING POINT | Bafana turn attention to World Cup clash against Czechia in Atlanta
Bafana have turned their attention to their 2026 Fifa World Cup clash against Czechia in Atlanta where they will be out for a positive result and to get their campaign back on track.
By Mahlatse Mphahlele
Milford gain promotion to PSL’s topflight, Magesi relegated
KwaZulu-Natal now has five teams in the Premier Soccer League’s premier division after Milford gained promotion to the big time after holding Magesi FC to a 1-1 draw at Seshego Stadium in Limpopo on Saturday.
By Sazi Hadebe
UNPLUGGED | Go for broke, Bafana, or come back home
Broos and his boys must decide if they are at the World Cup for sight-seeing or to make a statement
By Bareng-Batho Kortjaas
Bafana coach at crossroads
Bafana Bafana coach Hugo Broos is at the crossroads.
By Mahlatse Mphahlele
England hit by training kit theft ahead of Kansas City arrival
England have suffered a theft of training equipment ahead of their arrival in Kansas City, local police said, after a vehicle transporting the gear to their World Cup base was broken into.
By Reuters
Coach Broos animated during Bafana Bafana’s training session after loss to Mexico
Bafana Bafana returned to training after their 2-0 loss to Mexico, with coach Hugo Broos animated as they turned their attention to the second match of the Fifa World Cup 2026 against Czechia in Atlanta, US, on Thursday
By Mahlatse Mphahlele
US victory over Paraguay was built on team togetherness, not individual effort: Pochettino
US coach Mauricio Pochettino told reporters his team’s 4-1 victory over Paraguay in their World Cup opener was the result of a team-first approach rather than the efforts of individual players
By Reuters
Dembélé says criticism of France captain Mbappé has gone too far
Les Bleus striker faces scrutiny over leadership and Real Madrid’s trophyless season
By Reuters
US prepare for tough opener against Paraguay, Canada ready to embrace World Cup pressure
Recent US results boost team confidence, coach highlights improved mentality
By Reuters
MAHLATSE’S DAILY WORLD CUP TALKING POINT | Bafana’s sobering defeat leaves Broos much to ponder
Having no traditional wingers and no playmaker backfired for South Africa in the World Cup opener
By Mahlatse Mphahlele
POLL | After Bafana’s defeat against Mexico, how do you feel about their World Cup chances?
Should South African soccer fans stay hopeful that Bafana Bafana will advance further in the Fifa World Cup tournament?
By TimesLIVE
Empty seats at World Cup match renews concerns over ticket prices
Some fans at the stadium blamed the high ticket prices for the rows of empty seats
