Sports
IOC’s Coventry urged to take page from Infantino’s playbook on Trump
FIFA President Gianni Infantino’s close relationship with President Donald Trump has helped smooth the path for a successful World Cup, and attention is now turning to IOC President Kirsty Coventry to see whether she will pursue a similar approach ahead of the 2028 Los Angeles Olympics.
So far, Casey Wasserman, chairman of the LA28 organizing committee, and his team have led dealings with the U.S. administration.
Coventry, the former Zimbabwean Olympic swimming champion who has been IOC president for just over a year, has yet to meet Trump.
“Wasserman’s team’s mandate is to deliver the Games, protect the revenue and ‘make the trains run on time,'” Terrence Burns, a former IOC marketing executive, told Agence France-Presse (AFP).
“President Coventry’s mandate is to protect universality and the integrity of sport.
“Those two things run in parallel right up to the moment they don’t, and the moment they don’t is when relationships, not only contracts, matter.”
Chief among Coventry’s priorities is ensuring safe entry for the thousands of athletes who will compete at the Games.
In terms of numbers, the World Cup is minuscule compared with the Olympics: 11,200 athletes, or 15,000 including the Paralympics, compared with about 1,200 at the World Cup. However, the U.S. refused entry to FIFA-accredited Somali referee Omar Artan and also blocked some members of the Iranian delegation.
“Managing the political dynamics counting down to LA28 is arguably President Coventry’s biggest challenge,” Michael Payne, a former IOC head of marketing who is well informed on Olympic matters, told AFP.
“It is totally naive to think that you can have the whole world turn up without strong engagement with the political authorities,” he added.
“Failure by the IOC leadership to properly engage with the global political establishment is a recipe for disaster.”
It is one thing to deal with the political establishment and quite another to deal with the maverick that is Trump.
Asked last year how she intended to deal with Trump, Coventry said: “I have been dealing with, let’s say, difficult men in high positions since I was 20 years old.”
Burns, however, said: “Nobody handles him. The question is whether the IOC has a strategy that does not depend on personal chemistry.
“This means a private channel with a respected relationship, and hopefully one where no public statement demands a public response.”
‘Pragmatic’
Infantino has made much of his closeness to Trump, awarding him the much-ridiculed inaugural FIFA Peace Prize, but it has also created problems.
For example, Trump admitted he had intervened by calling Infantino to request that the red card shown to U.S. World Cup star Folarin Balogun be reviewed so he could play in the round of 16 against Belgium.
FIFA promptly rescinded the card, and Balogun was allowed to play, although the United States lost heavily and was eliminated.
Burns suggested that if a similar situation had involved a Cape Verde player, “a call from the president of Cape Verde would not have had a similar result.”
“The real lesson for President Coventry regarding Trump is never to mistake proximity for influence,” Burns said.
“Infantino just made that mistake in front of the entire world.
“But, and this is important, in the end, Infantino’s No. 1 objective is a successful 2026 World Cup, and he is pragmatic enough to understand what it takes to do that.
“One may disagree with how he goes about it, but he’s operating in a very narrow lane with a definitive timeline.”
Payne said Coventry, a former sports minister in Zimbabwe’s government, should look to Juan Antonio Samaranch rather than Irishman Michael Killanin as an example.
“In the late 1970s, IOC President Killanin did not really engage up front with the political authorities, and that led to a decade of boycotts that nearly destroyed the Olympic movement,” Payne said.
“Samaranch had to spend much of his presidency engaging with political leaders to get them to understand that boycotts were a failed strategy and to support the Olympics.”
Coventry could also take a leaf out of her predecessor Thomas Bach’s book.
“Tokyo 2020 only took place in 2021 because it had been postponed due to the COVID-19 pandemic, and because Thomas Bach built a very close relationship with Prime Minister Abe,” Payne said.
“Maybe Bach put too much emphasis on politics, but going in the opposite direction and ignoring the political establishment is not going to work.”
Lionel Messi’s latest World Cup heroics have reignited familiar conspiracy theories, with critics once again accusing FIFA of favoring Argentina. But a closer examination of the tournament’s biggest refereeing controversies tells a far different story.
Nearly every decision cited as evidence of corruption aligns with the Laws of the Game and established VAR protocol rather than any coordinated effort to help the defending champions.
The narrative is hardly new. Similar accusations surfaced throughout Argentina’s victorious 2022 World Cup campaign, largely fueled by disappointed rival fan bases unwilling to accept Messi’s crowning achievement.
Four years later, the claims have become even louder, spreading far beyond traditional football circles and dominating social media whenever Argentina takes the field.
Instead of celebrating one of the greatest players in history producing another remarkable World Cup at nearly 40 years old, much of the online discussion has centered on allegations that the tournament has somehow been engineered in Argentina’s favor.
The reality, however, is far less sensational.
Algeria controversy
The first major flashpoint came during Argentina’s comfortable 3-0 victory over Algeria, where Messi scored a brilliant hat trick.
The match was overshadowed by a first-half challenge in which Messi caught defender Aissa Mandi on the lower leg. Algeria’s football federation formally complained to FIFA, arguing Messi should have received a red card.
Replays suggested otherwise.
While the tackle was reckless enough to warrant a yellow card, it did not satisfy the criteria for serious foul play.
Messi approached the challenge at relatively low speed, did not lunge dangerously with excessive force and made contact as Mandi stepped into the path of the sliding challenge.
Under the Laws of the Game, reckless challenges are punished with yellow cards. Red cards are reserved for tackles involving excessive force or those that clearly endanger an opponent.
Similar or even more severe incidents elsewhere in the tournament received comparable treatment, reinforcing the consistency of officiating rather than suggesting preferential treatment for Messi.
Austria debate
Questions resurfaced during Argentina’s 2-0 victory over Austria after Messi opened the scoring.
Austria coach Ralf Rangnick argued Alexis Mac Allister committed a foul during the buildup.
The replay showed two players battling shoulder to shoulder for possession. Mac Allister neither pushed, tripped nor lunged at his opponent before shielding the ball and launching Argentina’s attack.
The referee had an unobstructed view and immediately judged the challenge to be fair. Since there was no clear and obvious error, VAR had no grounds to intervene.
Cape Verde complaints
Argentina’s knockout-stage qualification against Cape Verde produced another wave of criticism focused on three officiating decisions.
The first involved a delayed whistle after Messi was fouled.
Rather than indicating indecision, the pause reflected the proper application of the advantage rule. Referees are instructed to briefly delay their whistle to determine whether the attacking team can benefit before stopping play.
The second complaint centered on Messi taking a quick free kick before goalkeeper Vozinha had fully organized his defensive wall.
Match footage showed the referee had already blown his whistle to restart play after confirming the goalkeeper was in position. Vozinha continued adjusting his wall after play had legally resumed, making any resulting disadvantage his responsibility rather than the referee’s.
Critics also questioned the three minutes of added time at the end of extra time.
Although referees may extend stoppage time when necessary, ending the match shortly after the announced minimum had elapsed falls well within standard officiating practice.
Egypt controversy
The most intense backlash arrived in the round of 16.
Argentina rallied from two goals down to defeat Egypt 3-2, prompting Egyptian players and coaches to accuse officials of manipulating the result.
The primary controversy involved a goal by Mostafa Zico that VAR overturned.
Review footage showed Marwan Attia fouled Lisandro Martínez by pulling his shirt and stepping on his foot while winning possession at the beginning of Egypt’s attacking sequence.
Because Egypt retained possession throughout the entire move before scoring, the foul remained part of the same attacking phase, giving VAR full authority to intervene under the protocol.
Although some considered the foul soft, the decision itself was consistent with FIFA’s interpretation of VAR procedures.
Egypt also appealed for a late penalty after Mac Allister briefly grabbed Hamdi Fathi’s shirt inside the area during a corner.
Officials determined the contact was minimal and did not prevent Fathi from challenging for the ball. Similar shirt pulling routinely occurs during set pieces without resulting in penalties unless it clearly affects an opponent’s ability to compete.
Another disputed incident involved Mohamed Salah going to ground inside the penalty area.
Replays indicated Argentina’s defender cleanly won the ball before Salah’s momentum carried him into the challenge. Neither Salah nor his teammates mounted significant protests during the match, often an indication that players themselves recognized the tackle as fair.
Argentina still needed to overcome a missed Messi penalty and capitalize on Egypt’s defensive collapse after scoring three goals from open play during a decisive spell.
A pattern beyond Argentina
Supporters of the conspiracy theory frequently focus only on decisions involving Messi while overlooking officiating mistakes that benefited Argentina’s opponents.
Examples throughout the tournament included questionable challenges that escaped punishment and clear yellow cards that were never issued against opposing players.
Such inconsistencies are common in football and reflect human error rather than evidence of systematic favoritism toward one team.
Echoes of 2022
Many of the current accusations mirror those made during Argentina’s successful 2022 World Cup campaign.
Messi’s handball against the Netherlands remains a frequent talking point despite the Laws of the Game stating that deliberate handball does not automatically require a yellow card. A booking is issued only when the offense stops a promising attack, interrupts a dangerous counterattack or provides a tactical advantage.
None of those conditions applied in that incident.
Penalty decisions against France, Croatia and the Netherlands have also repeatedly been described as gifts despite replay evidence showing defenders committed clear fouls.
Critics rarely acknowledge that Messi missed a penalty against Poland or that the referee allowed more than 10 minutes of stoppage time against the Netherlands, during which Wout Weghorst scored a dramatic equalizer.
Likewise, if officials were determined to guarantee Argentina victory in the 2022 final, France would never have been awarded two penalties that allowed Kylian Mbappé to force extra time.
The facts outweigh the theories
Argentina’s run to another World Cup final has been built on outstanding football rather than favorable officiating.
The defending champions survived extra time, overcame difficult knockout opponents and relied on Messi’s enduring brilliance against England to reach another title match, where they will face Spain.
Yet each victory has generated fresh conspiracy theories, many driven more by social media engagement than careful analysis of the laws governing the sport.
Every controversial decision deserves scrutiny. That is part of football. But reviewing the tournament’s biggest flashpoints reveals consistent applications of the rules rather than evidence of a coordinated effort to steer Argentina toward another trophy.
Galatasaray has officially parted ways with Mauro Icardi, bringing an end to one of the most successful and beloved chapters in the club’s modern history as the Argentine striker leaves Istanbul after four trophy-filled seasons that transformed him into a club legend.
The Turkish champions announced Icardi’s departure Wednesday with an emotional farewell message on social media, thanking the 33-year-old for his goals, leadership and lasting impact on generations of supporters.
“Today is not about saying goodbye. It’s about celebrating a legacy,” the club wrote. “You no longer wear the Galatasaray jersey, but your place in our hearts will never change. You experienced the passion of Galatasaray and made millions experience it with you. You will forever live among the unforgettable legends of this club. Every Galatasaray fan knows. A love like this is never forgotten.”
The farewell marked the official end of a partnership that began on Sept. 8, 2022, when Icardi arrived on loan from Paris Saint-Germain before making the move permanent the following summer in a deal reportedly worth 10 million euros ($11.6 million).
Buruk says goodbye
Head coach Okan Buruk also paid tribute to the striker, describing the farewell as one of the toughest moments of his coaching career.
“Goodbyes are always difficult, but it is even harder to say goodbye to a football icon who wrote his name into Galatasaray history,” Buruk said.
“We won trophies together, dominated the league and broke important records over the last four years. You helped an entire generation fall in love with these colors and left unforgettable memories for our supporters. As the Galatasaray coach and as a fan, I thank you for everything. Mauro Icardi will always remain an important member of this family and will continue representing our club with pride wherever he goes. We love you, King.”
Goals, trophies and records
Icardi leaves Galatasaray with a remarkable legacy.
The Argentine scored 77 goals in 134 competitive appearances, becoming the highest-scoring foreign player in club history by surpassing Galatasaray icon Gheorghe Hagi’s previous record of 72 goals.
He also became the club’s all-time leading foreign scorer in the Turkish Super Lig with 65 goals.
Across four seasons, Icardi helped Galatasaray capture six major trophies, including four consecutive Super Lig titles from 2022-23 through 2025-26, the 2023 Turkish Super Cup and the 2024-25 Turkish Cup.
His finest individual campaign came in 2023-24, when he scored 25 league goals in 34 matches to finish as the Super Lig’s top scorer while leading Galatasaray to another championship.
A fan favorite beyond the goals
Icardi’s popularity extended well beyond his scoring record.
His signature celebration, blond hair, charismatic personality and connection with supporters made him one of the most recognizable figures in Turkish football.
Fans dyed their hair blond to resemble him, while singer Simge Sağın’s hit song Aşkın Olayım, adopted as his goal anthem, became synonymous with Galatasaray’s success and echoed throughout RAMS Park after nearly every goal.
Children imitated his celebrations, and his influence helped strengthen the bond between a new generation of supporters and the club.
Career milestones in yellow and red
Icardi scored his first Galatasaray goal against Alanyaspor on Oct. 23, 2022, and his final goal came against Gençlerbirliği on April 18, 2026.
His 134 appearances included:
96 in the Super Lig 16 in the UEFA Champions League Six in Champions League qualifying Six in the UEFA Europa League Six in the Turkish Cup Four in the Turkish Super Cup
He also became the highest scorer at RAMS Park since the stadium opened in 2011, netting 47 goals on Galatasaray’s home ground.
In Istanbul derbies, Icardi consistently delivered in the biggest moments. He scored three goals in eight matches against Fenerbahçe and added five goals in seven appearances against Beşiktaş.
Overcoming adversity
One of the biggest challenges of Icardi’s Galatasaray career came in November 2024, when he suffered a torn anterior cruciate ligament and meniscus damage during a UEFA Europa League match against Tottenham.
The lengthy rehabilitation kept him sidelined for 281 days before he returned at the start of the 2025-26 league season against Fatih Karagümrük, completing one of the most anticipated comebacks in recent club history.
No. 99 to club immortality
Icardi initially wore the No. 99 jersey after arriving in Istanbul before eventually taking the iconic No. 9 shirt.
Four unforgettable years later, he departs not simply as one of Galatasaray’s greatest strikers but as one of the defining figures of an era that delivered sustained domestic dominance and rekindled the club’s identity.
Some dreams come true, but few stories capture football’s magic quite like the remarkable bond between the GOAT Lionel Messi and his heir apparent, Lamine Yamal.
Nearly 19 years after a young Messi posed for a charity calendar while holding and bathing an infant Yamal at Barcelona’s Camp Nou, the two are set to meet on opposite sides in the 2026 FIFA World Cup final.
What began as a routine charity event has become one of the sport’s most extraordinary coincidences, bringing together arguably the greatest player of all time and one of its brightest new stars on football’s biggest stage.
The origins
The story began in the fall of 2007, when UNICEF organized a charity raffle in Rocafonda, a neighborhood in Mataro, Spain. The winning prize was a photo session at Camp Nou with a Barcelona first-team player.
Yamal’s family won.
Messi, then just 20 years old and emerging as one of Barcelona’s brightest talents, took part in the charity calendar shoot organized with local newspaper Diario Sport.
During the session, photographer Joan Monfort captured a series of memorable images showing Messi gently holding, smiling at and even bathing the 5-month-old Yamal in a small plastic tub inside Barcelona’s dressing room.
Monfort later recalled that Messi, naturally shy at the time, initially appeared uncomfortable with the unusual assignment before settling into the role.
For years, the photographs remained little more than a touching charity memory. They resurfaced and quickly spread across social media as Yamal developed into one of football’s most exciting young talents, transforming into a symbolic passing of the torch between two generations of Barcelona stars.
Yamal’s meteoric rise
Born on July 13, 2007, in Esplugues de Llobregat, near Barcelona, Yamal joined the club’s renowned La Masia academy at the age of 7 after beginning his football journey with local side CF La Torreta.
His rise has been nothing short of spectacular.
Yamal made his Barcelona first-team debut on April 29, 2023, at just 15 years, 9 months and 16 days old, becoming the youngest player to appear for the club in the modern era. He soon added more records, including becoming the youngest La Liga starter, while reaching 50 first-team appearances faster than any previous Barcelona player.
By the 2025-26 season, Yamal had already established himself as one of the game’s elite young players. He helped Spain win the 2024 European Championship, collected multiple La Liga titles with Barcelona and became the club’s undisputed star on the right wing, earning praise for his dazzling dribbling, creativity and remarkable composure despite his age.
Now wearing Barcelona’s iconic No. 10 jersey, Yamal has never hidden his admiration for Messi. He has frequently described the Argentine as his idol and once said he dreamed of swapping shirts with him after facing Argentina in a World Cup final.
That dream is now reality.
Messi still chasing history
While Yamal represents football’s future, Messi continues to redefine longevity.
Now just a year shy of 40, La Pulga inspired La Albiceleste to a 2-1 comeback victory over England on Wednesday, sending the defending champions into a second straight World Cup final as he looks to add yet another chapter to one of football’s greatest careers.
After leading Argentina to the 2022 World Cup title in Qatar, ending the nation’s 36-year wait for football’s biggest trophy, Messi returns with the defending champions aiming to secure back-to-back World Cup crowns.
His legendary Barcelona career shaped an era and inspired an entire generation of La Masia graduates, including Yamal, making Sunday’s showdown especially meaningful for the club’s supporters.
La Masia icons become World Cup opponents
Sunday’s final at MetLife Stadium in New Jersey offers far more than a meeting between Spain and Argentina.
It pits experience against youth, football’s greatest modern icon against its newest superstar, and two players forever linked by a photograph neither could have imagined would carry such significance.
Argentina will once again rely on Messi’s leadership, vision and ability to deliver in decisive moments as it attempts to defend its world title.
Spain, who eliminated France, meanwhile, arrive with one of the tournament’s most exciting young squads, built around Yamal’s creativity and attacking brilliance after the country’s recent international resurgence.
For Barcelona supporters, the occasion brings mixed emotions. Messi remains the defining figure of the club’s greatest era, while Yamal has emerged as the face of its future.
Both represent La Masia’s success, but unfortunately, only one will leave New Jersey as a World Cup champion.
The International Olympic Committee has received a complaint accusing FIFA President Gianni Infantino of repeatedly violating political neutrality rules through his public support of President Donald Trump.
The complaint, filed by nonprofit advocacy group FairSquare, calls on the IOC to investigate several incidents, including Infantino’s alleged role in lifting a one-match suspension for United States striker Folarin Balogun. The decision allowed Balogun to play in the Americans’ World Cup round of 16 loss to Belgium on July 6.
Infantino confirmed that Trump called him after the president publicly urged FIFA to make Balogun available for the match. However, the FIFA president denied influencing the disciplinary process, insisting he played no role in the decision to overturn the suspension.
Balogun played as the United States was eliminated 4-1 by Belgium. He received a straight red card in the 64th minute of the Americans’ 2-0 victory over Bosnia and Herzegovina on July 1 for a foul on Tarik Muharemovic. The United States finished the round of 32 match with 10 players, and Balogun was suspended for the next game.
A red card or suspension cannot be appealed. However, FIFA posted the following statement on its website on July 5 without further explanation regarding its application of the disciplinary rules in the case: “By operation of Article 27 FDC, the implementation of the automatic match suspension for USA player Folarin Balogun is suspended for a probationary period of one (1) year.”
“All I did was ask for a review because I didn’t think it was a foul,” Trump said on the day of the match against Belgium. “And, you know, again, I’m good at this stuff. I didn’t think it was a foul. I thought it was two great athletes who crashed into each other and got entangled.
“I think they made a really brilliant decision. I think the referee’s call was horrible, and nobody talks about that. They talk about the red card like it’s fine. Nobody talks about the referee’s decision to issue a red card.”
Infantino said FIFA’s judicial committees operate independently in a statement issued on his behalf on FIFA’s website.
“Their independence is essential to the credibility and integrity of football, and this must always be respected,” the statement said.
FairSquare’s complaint questions Infantino’s credibility and integrity. Infantino has also been an IOC member since 2020. The organization said he “is obliged to adhere to strict rules on political neutrality in the Olympic Charter and the IOC Code of Ethics,” adding that the IOC can expel members who fail to meet those obligations.
“As outlined in the FairSquare complaint, there is compelling evidence that Infantino has committed five clear breaches of IOC rules on political neutrality through statements or other clear expressions of support for the U.S. president,” FairSquare said on its website.
One “serious breach” cited in the complaint concerns the Balogun case, with Infantino allegedly yielding to pressure from Trump. Another involves Infantino promoting a FIFA fan site for the 2026 World Cup, “which appears to have been part of a data-harvesting campaign run by entities linked to President Trump,” FairSquare said.
Another alleged breach was Infantino’s supportive post on his Instagram account after attending an event linked to Trump’s presidential inauguration in January 2025.
Infantino also publicly endorsed Trump for the Nobel Peace Prize in October 2025 and made additional supportive comments in November. In December, Infantino presented Trump with the inaugural FIFA Peace Prize at the World Cup draw at the Kennedy Center.
FairSquare also filed a complaint with FIFA’s ethics committee in December. That complaint was backed by the Norwegian Football Federation, while 50 members of the European Parliament expressed support in a separate letter dated June 29.
The IOC and FIFA did not respond to requests for comment from multiple media outlets.
The fierce rivalries that define Turkish sports gave way to a rare show of unity Tuesday as clubs, athletes and sports federations across the country commemorated the 10th anniversary of the failed coup attempt of July 15, 2016, honoring the 251 people killed, paying tribute to veterans and reaffirming support for Türkiye’s democracy, national unity and sovereignty.
Observed annually as Democracy and National Unity Day, July 15 marks the resistance by civilians and security forces that stopped the attempted military takeover, which was orchestrated by the Gülenist Terrorist Organization (FETÖ).
More than 2,200 people were injured during the events, as citizens responded to President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan’s call to take to the streets, confronting tanks, armed troops and fighter jets to defend the country’s democratic institutions.
Official ceremonies, memorial events and public gatherings were held across Türkiye, while the country’s sporting community joined nationwide commemorations through official statements, social media campaigns and tributes that stretched well beyond football.
Football clubs’ one voice
As the nation’s most popular sport, football led the commemorations, with the Turkish Football Federation (TFF) and clubs across every level of the game issuing messages of remembrance and solidarity.
Süper Lig rivals Fenerbahçe, Galatasaray, Beşiktaş and Trabzonspor, clubs whose intense competition often divides millions of supporters, temporarily set aside those rivalries to honor those who died during the failed coup and emphasize the importance of national unity.
Fenerbahçe released the most comprehensive statement, describing July 15 as one of the defining moments in Türkiye’s democratic history.
The club praised what it called the unity and determination shown by the Turkish people in defending the country’s independence, democracy and national will.
The Istanbul club also reiterated its long-standing position that the 2011 match-fixing investigation targeting Fenerbahçe was orchestrated by FETÖ, arguing that the same organization later attempted to overthrow the Turkish state in 2016.
It pledged to continue defending the republic’s founding values while remembering those who lost their lives and expressing gratitude to veterans.
Galatasaray focused its message on remembrance, honoring those killed during what it described as the failed attempt to divide the nation’s unity.
“On the 10th anniversary of the treacherous coup attempt aimed at dividing our country’s unity, we remember our martyrs with respect and mercy,” the club said in a statement.
Beşiktaş thanked the Turkish people for resisting the coup attempt, offering condolences to the families of those who died while expressing appreciation to veterans. The anniversary carries particular significance for the club, whose stadium district in central Istanbul was among the areas affected during the events of July 15, 2016.
Trabzonspor also joined the nationwide commemorations, paying tribute to what it described as the heroes who sacrificed their lives to stop the coup attempt while emphasizing remembrance, national solidarity and gratitude toward veterans.
Beyond the four traditional powers, clubs across the Süper Lig and lower divisions shared similar messages accompanied by Turkish flags, commemorative graphics and hashtags honoring Democracy and National Unity Day.
Basketball, volleyball and Olympic sports join commemorations
The nationwide show of solidarity extended across virtually every major sport in Türkiye.
The Turkish Basketball Federation (TBF) and leading clubs, including EuroLeague contenders Fenerbahçe Beko, Anadolu Efes and Galatasaray, joined commemorations with statements honoring those who died while emphasizing democracy and national unity.
Many of Türkiye’s largest sports organizations operate multiple professional teams across different disciplines, allowing clubs such as Fenerbahçe, Galatasaray and Beşiktaş to deliver coordinated messages through their football, basketball and volleyball departments.
The Turkish Volleyball Federation and powerhouse clubs including Fenerbahçe Opet, Eczacıbaşı Dynavit and VakıfBank also participated in commemorative activities, reflecting volleyball’s growing prominence following years of international success by Turkish teams.
Similar tributes came from federations governing wrestling, athletics, taekwondo, hockey, handball, water polo and numerous Olympic sports. Athletes and federation officials shared messages honoring the victims, thanking veterans and emphasizing the values of national unity and resilience.
Sports as a symbol of national unity
The commemorations highlighted the unique role sports play in Turkish society, where clubs often extend their influence far beyond the field of play.
Federations including the Turkish Football Federation, Turkish Basketball Federation and Turkish Volleyball Federation aligned their messages with national commemorations, while grassroots organizations, university teams and amateur clubs also participated through local events and social media campaigns.
Turkish sports organizations abroad and members of the sporting diaspora likewise joined the anniversary, extending commemorations beyond the country’s borders.
Mikel Oyarzabal converted a first-half penalty before Pedro Porro capped a flowing team move after halftime as Spain defeated France 2-0 on Tuesday, booking their first World Cup final since lifting the trophy in South Africa 16 years ago.
The 2010 champions will face either defending champion Argentina or England in Sunday’s final at MetLife Stadium in East Rutherford, New Jersey, while France will play in the third-place match against the semifinal loser on Saturday in Miami Gardens, Florida.
Teenage star Lamine Yamal, playing a day after his 19th birthday, once again proved to be Spain’s catalyst. Although an offside decision denied him a goal early in the second half, his relentless pressure and fearless play created the opening goal and set the tone for another composed Spanish performance.
“They were facing the best team in the world,” Spain coach Luis de la Fuente said.
Midfielder Rodri made clear Spain’s job was not yet complete.
“It was so difficult to get to this moment, but we want more,” he said. “We want to win this World Cup.”
France entered the semifinal as FIFA’s top-ranked team and were seeking to become only the third nation to reach three consecutive World Cup finals after appearances in 2018 and 2022. Instead, Didier Deschamps’ side were outplayed by a Spain team that have emerged as the tournament’s most complete squad.
The victory marked the third consecutive summer that Spain have eliminated France in a major tournament semifinal, following victories at Euro 2024 and last year’s UEFA Nations League.
After beating Belgium in the quarterfinals, Yamal had boldly suggested France should fear Spain. His performance backed up those words.
France midfielder Rayan Cherki admitted his team fell well short.
“In so many ways, France was missing everything today,” he said. “We’ll be back in four years and we won’t make the same mistakes.”
Spain broke through in the 22nd minute after Yamal’s persistence forced a costly mistake from veteran defender Lucas Digne.
Digne miscontrolled a high ball inside the penalty area and, while attempting to recover, kicked Yamal after the teenager had challenged for possession. Referee Iván Barton immediately pointed to the spot, and Oyarzabal calmly drove his penalty beyond Mike Maignan.
The Real Sociedad forward’s fifth goal of the tournament gave France their first deficit of the World Cup and increased his international tally to 30 goals in 60 appearances.
Spain doubled their advantage in the 58th minute with one of the tournament’s finest team goals.
Dani Olmo slipped a perfectly weighted return pass into the path of Porro after being knocked off balance by Dayot Upamecano, allowing the Tottenham defender to finish confidently past Maignan.
“We gave it our all just to reach the final,” Porro said. “We knew we’re a very tough team and we’re doing things really well. This is our team. It’s not about me.”
Moments later, Yamal thought he had added a third after finishing neatly, only for a tight offside call to erase the goal.
France, who had conceded only twice in their previous six matches, never recovered.
Kylian Mbappe, Ballon d’Or winner Ousmane Dembele and Michael Olise struggled to create clear opportunities against Spain’s disciplined defense.
France’s best chance arrived in the 67th minute when Mbappe finally found space inside the box, but Marc Cucurella produced a perfectly timed block that deflected the shot narrowly wide, drawing celebrations from Spain almost as enthusiastically as their two goals.
Spain’s defensive display has become the foundation of their title challenge. Goalkeeper Unai Simón recorded his sixth clean sheet in seven matches, while Spain have conceded just one goal throughout the tournament.
The Spanish defense also frustrated France throughout the first half. Alex Baena tested the wall with an early free kick, while Fabián Ruiz was denied after Maignan’s misplaced clearance gifted Spain possession in a dangerous area.
Deschamps introduced Desire Doue shortly before Porro doubled Spain’s lead in an attempt to inject life into the French attack, but the move came too late.
“We had big ambitions, but Spain were better,” Deschamps said. “They defended extremely well, and we never got into the game. We tried everything, but they showed they are at a different level.”
The veteran coach, who is stepping down after 14 years in charge of France, said his players were “devastated” by the defeat.
He also questioned referee Iván Barton’s performance.
“I’ll ask a loaded question and I won’t answer it,” Deschamps said. “Is the referee at the level required to officiate a World Cup semifinal?”
Spain’s victory extended their unbeaten run in regulation to 37 matches since March 2024, surpassing the nation’s previous record and reinforcing the resurgence engineered by De la Fuente.
After disappointing exits in each of the past three World Cups, La Roja have returned to the pinnacle of international football behind a balanced squad featuring veterans such as Rodri and Oyarzabal alongside emerging stars led by Yamal.
“We started almost four years ago with an idea, and we’ve stayed faithful to it,” De la Fuente said. “These players deserve everything. Day after day they’ve shown their commitment, their solidarity, their generosity and their talent. They make the difficult look easy.”
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Politics2 days agoGreek FM insists maintaining dialogue with Türkiye
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Daily Agenda1 day ago10 years have passed since FETO’s coup attempt: July 15 messages from members of the Presidential Cabinet
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Daily Agenda2 days agoJuly 15 message from AK Party General Secretary Eyyüp Kadir İnan: Our nation protected its independence and future
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Daily Agenda2 days agoKızılelma hit the target with a supersonic missile