It was supposed to be the World Cup weighed down by problems: sky-high prices, geopolitical tension, the shadow of conflict and the threat of brutal summer heat across the three host nations.
England beat France 6-4 in a high-scoring World Cup romp on Saturday to seal third place as Kylian Mbappe became the competition's all-time leading scorer with 22 goals.
Coach Dave Rennie says he's "really excited" by the All Blacks' upward trajectory early in his tenure but warns a four-Test series against South Africa will be a "different beast".
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Sports
Coach Eddie Jones said he was excited about Japan's future after some "absolutely outstanding" performances from young newcomers to his team in the Nations Championship.
July 18, 2026
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Iran's supreme leader vowed to teach the United States "unforgettable lessons" on Saturday, as Washington reported its first military deaths since renewing its hostilities with the Islamic republic.
July 18, 2026
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Debutant wing Jaco Williams scored a try and created another as South Africa thumped Wales 43-0 on Saturday to reclaim first place in the Nations Championship southern hemisphere standings.
July 18, 2026
French teenage prodigy Paul Seixas underlined his potential with a third place finish on the 14th stage of the Tour de France on Saturday, which moved him up to fourth overall.
July 18, 2026
Lewis Hamilton thanked his Ferrari crew for their rapid work on his badly-damaged car on Saturday after he bounced back to qualify sixth for Sunday's Belgian Grand Prix.
July 18, 2026
Politics
New York Mayor Zohran Mamdani is in talks over whether to try to arrest Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu during an upcoming UN summit, he said in an interview published Saturday -- prompting a sharp rebuke from Netanyahu's camp.
July 18, 2026
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Ryan Fox matched the record low score at a major of 62 to move into a share of the British Open lead on Saturday as Rory McIlroy launched a scathing attack on Bryson DeChambeau's antics after receiving a two-shot penalty.
Kimi Antonelli aims to start fast and have fun on Sunday as he bids to convert his sixth pole position of the season into victory at the Belgian Grand Prix.
Argentina and Spain fine-tuned preparations for Sunday's World Cup final in New Jersey as a persistent, choking smog blanketed the eastern United States.
Rory McIlroy said Bryson DeChambeau tried to hold the British Open "hostage" and was begging for attention after the American reacted angrily to being given a two-shot penalty.
July 18, 2026
Sports
Injury-prone Wimbledon finalist Karolina Muchova said on Saturday she would miss "a few weeks" of competition after undergoing "a small surgery".
July 18, 2026
RECENT NEWS
Heavy, acrid smoke blanketed the eastern United States on Saturday, marring preparations for the weekend's highly awaited World Cup final to be held in an open stadium in New Jersey.
Tadej Pogacar won an "unforgettable" mountainous 14th stage of the Tour de France amidst huge crowds in the Vosges on Saturday to extend his lead over Jonas Vingegaard to four and a half minutes.
Championship leader Kimi Antonelli roared to pole position for Mercedes on Saturday when he beat Red Bull's four-time champion Max Verstappen in the final seconds of Belgian Grand Prix qualifying.
The World Cup tournament was bigger than ever before this year, and so is the list of stars expected at MetLife Stadium for Sunday's final, from Tom Cruise in the closing ceremony to Madonna and Shakira on the halftime stage.
July 18, 2026
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- Brazil high court says Argentina's Milei cannot visit Bolsonaro
- DeChambeau 'fired up' by two-shot penalty as Fox joins 62 club at British Open
- German lawmaker steps down for using US surrogacy to have a child