England to face Argentina in World Cup semi-final after resilient performance
via Egypt Today4 min read
England is set to play Argentina in the World Cup semi-finals, a fixture rich in history, after overcoming Norway 2-1 in extra time. This marks England's second semi-final appearance in the last three tournaments, with their only World Cup final appearance being in 1966 when they won on home soil. Coach Thomas Tuchel noted his team's resilience, stating they "refuse to give in" and "overcome setbacks," a trait evident in their two come-from-behind victories in the knockout phase. Despite their success, Tuchel believes the team can still improve their football. The partnership of captain Harry Kane and Jude Bellingham has been crucial, with each scoring six of England's 13 goals in the tournament. Bellingham, in particular, is in strong form, having scored four goals in his last two matches. The squad faced challenges against Norway, including player illness and cramp in difficult conditions, with midfielder Declan Rice missing the second half due to illness. Historically, England and Argentina have met five times in World Cups, with notable matches including Argentina's 1986 victory featuring Diego Maradona's "Hand of God" goal and England's 2002 group-stage win. England's most recent major tournament semi-final ended with a 2-1 victory over the Netherlands at Euro 2024. Tuchel expressed his enthusiasm for the emotional demands of tournament football, stating, "This is where I want to be. I don't want to be anywhere else in the world."
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This summary was AI-generated from a story originally published by Egypt Today.
FIFA President Gianni Infantino stated that any further expansion of the World Cup, potentially increasing the number of participating teams to 64, will be discussed after the current 2026 tournament. The 2026 finals, co-hosted by Canada, Mexico, and the United States, marked the first time 48 teams competed, a decision Infantino championed. He emphasized the importance of global participation, stating that every nation should have the opportunity to dream of playing in the World Cup, which he believes incentivizes smaller countries to improve. Infantino highlighted the success of the 48-team format, noting that teams from every continent scored goals and earned at least one point, with nine out of ten African teams reaching the knockout stage. The World Cup field was previously expanded to 32 teams in 1998. The upcoming 2030 finals will be co-hosted by Morocco, Portugal, and Spain, with Saudi Arabia hosting in 2034. Infantino also addressed controversies surrounding hydration breaks, which he said were implemented based on temperature conditions and aimed to ensure fair play, and defended ticket prices, citing high stadium occupancy and secondary market resales at significantly higher costs. He anticipates FIFA will generate 13 to 14 billion Swiss francs from the 39-day World Cup.
Egypt's Minister of Foreign Affairs Badr Abdelatty met with Rebeca Grynspan, Costa Rica's candidate for United Nations secretary-general, on Sunday. During the meeting, Egypt reaffirmed its support for the UN and the multilateral international system. Grynspan presented her vision for the UN's priorities, focusing on strengthening its role and capacity to address global challenges. Abdelatty emphasized the importance of upholding international law and the UN Charter.
President Abdel Fattah El-Sisi of Egypt and UAE President Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan met at Alamein International Airport to discuss regional and international developments, particularly efforts to prevent escalation in the Middle East. The two leaders emphasized the importance of continued consultation, coordination, and joint action to address challenges facing the region. President El-Sisi welcomed Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed, highlighting the strong ties between Egypt and the UAE. Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed expressed appreciation for the welcome, affirming the historic bonds between the leaderships and peoples of both nations.