David Beckham admits 'I will be forever grateful' to Man United legend and 'national hero' Bobby Charlton - who the ex-Three Lions skipper reveals gave him 'the opportunity to play' for the Red Devils

David Beckham has expressed his condolences following the passing of Sir Bobby Charlton, who died at the age of 86 on Saturday. 

2030 FIFA World Cup hosts hail from Europe, Africa and South America

A unique 2030 World Cup is set to be played in Europe and Africa with the surprising addition of South America in a deal to allow the men’s soccer tournament to start with a 100th birthday party in Uruguay.

Procedural glitch clears French suspects in plot to attack Morocco World Cup fans

A court in Paris has dismissed a high-profile case against seven suspected far-right activists, including a prominent figure in the French “ultra-right”, citing procedural errors in the investigation. The suspects were accused of planning to carry...

Upstart South Sudan basketball team qualifies for first Olympics

(Photo credit: Jasen Vinlove-USA TODAY Sports) South Sudan, making its first appearance in FIBA World Cup play, qualified for the 2024 Paris Olympics on Saturday. The team, championed and largely funded by former NBA forward Luol Deng, will...

Luis Rubiales' 'over-excited' World Cup kiss was 'not a simple peck' as he 'locked in Jennifer Hermoso and effectively restrained her', claim relationship experts as they reveal the different types of kisses

Luis Rubiales has faced criticism from a number of quarters after he kissed footballer Jenni Hermoso following Spain's recent victory at the Women's World Cup. Here, experts examine the kiss.

South Africa inflict heaviest-ever defeat on New Zealand in World Cup warm-up

South Africa put in a masterclass of forward power to thrash New Zealand 35-7 in their Rugby World Cup warm-up fixture at neutral Twickenham on Friday, the biggest-ever loss for the All Blacks in their 102-year test history.

Spain Women's football team refuse to play until boss is fired over kissing scandal

Dozens of members of the Spanish Women's national team said on Friday they would not play any matches for the country until soccer federation chief Luis Rubiales has been removed from his job in a scandal over kissing player Jenni Hermoso on the...

Spanish FA chief hugs World Cup winning goal-scorer Olga Carmona as the team returns to Madrid - after he was forced to apologise for kissing a player on the lips

Rubiales, 45, was spotted hugging the top-flight defender as La Roja landed back in Madrid on Monday night, a day after Spain's women's team took the World Cup home for the first time ever

Sweden's Princess Victoria and her children Princess Estelle, 11, and Prince Oscar, 7, welcome their women's football team to the Royal Palace in Stockholm after they won bronze in the World Cup

Crown Princess Victoria, Prince Carl Philip, Princess Estelle and Prince Oscar looked overjoyed to receive the national women's football team.

World Cup hat-trick hero Sir Geoff Hurst blasts Prince William for snubbing Lionesses' final as sexism row reignited over No 10's 'weak' support and players getting a fifth of men's £500k bonus if they had won

The former England star, 81, said this morning that a member of the royal family 'should definitely' have attended the World Cup final in Sydney.

Jumping for joy! Beaming Queen Letizia of Spain and her daughter Infanta Sofía, 16, join their team's boisterous celebrations following World Cup final win - after no British royals supported England in Sydney

The glamorous royal, 50, commanded attention in an elegant red suit teamed with a black blouse as she made her way to the highly anticipated match today in Sydney .

No footie for Charles! King and Queen attend church during England's World Cup final - but send a message to defeated Lionesses praising their 'skill, determination and team spirit'

Charles and Camilla were pictured arriving at Crathie Kirk for a Sunday service while the England squad were being put through their paces in the tense clash in Sydney.

No footie for Charles! King and Queen attend church during England's match against Spain - despite Prince William facing backlash over absence from World Cup final

Charles and Camilla were pictured arriving at Crathie Kirk for a Sunday service while the England squad were being put through their paces in the tense clash in Sydney.

Beaming Queen Letizia of Spain and her daughter Infanta Sofía, 16, celebrate with their team after World Cup final win - while no British royals cheered on the Lionesses in Sydney

The glamorous royal, 50, commanded attention in an elegant red suit teamed with a black blouse as she made her way to the highly anticipated match today in Sydney .

Spain's Queen Letizia says her team 'are already champions' and 'it's a joy to support' World Cup final squad in Sydney (while the Lionesses have NO royals cheering them on in the stands!)

The glamorous royal, 50, commanded attention in an elegant red suit teamed with a black blouse as she made her way to the highly anticipated match today in Sydney .

Cheerleader Letizia! Spanish Queen shows her support in the Rojas team colours as she dons red suit for World Cup final clash (while the Lionesses have NO royals cheering them on in the stands)

Queen Letizia of Spain showed her support by donning the colours of Spain's kit as she travelled to the World Cup final in Sydney alongside her daughter Infanta Sofía.

Cheerleader Letizia! Spanish Queen shows her support in the colours of Spain's strip as she dons red suit for World Cup final clash (while the Lionesses have NO royals cheering them on in the stands)

Queen Letizia of Spain showed her support by donning the colours of Spain's kit as she travelled to the World Cup final in Sydney alongside her daughter Infanta Sofía.

Lucy Bronze's golden support system: How her mother fought for her to play football while her brother was 'fiercely competitive' with her on the pitch (but now he just cheers her on from the stands!)

Lucy Bronze will face off against Spain on Sunday. But she's been supported by her Portugese father, mother Diane and brother Jorge.

IAN HERBERT: Sarina Wiegman is the straight talking genius who turned England into world beaters

IAN HERBERT IN SYDNEY: At moments like this, it can be the books the managers choose to read which reveal the most. Sarina Wiegman doesn't read novels, only non-fiction. That adds up.

What has changed since the World Cup finalists last met at Euro 2022? England have lost some key players to injuries and retirement while Spanish football has been turned on its head

The game will be a rematch of the 2022 European Championship quarter-final, which England won following a close game thanks to a Georgia Stanway strike in extra time.

Nike are set to pay the FA a £1m bonus if England win the World Cup - heaping pressure on football's governing body to reward Lionesses in wake of pre-tournament row 

AHEAD OF THE GAME: The FA will earn a million-pound bonus from Nike if England win the World Cup, which would increase the pressure on them to make a more generous offer to the players.