With the 2026 FIFA World Cup reaching its climax, anticipation is building ahead of two blockbuster semifinals. Spain’s teenage sensation Lamine Yamal told reporters at the Dallas stadium, “I’m sure that tomorrow is going to be a special day,” ahead of Spain’s match against France. A referee who debuted the so-called “Ley Vinicius” — a protocol for addressing racist abuse during matches — has been confirmed to officiate that game.
Meanwhile, the England vs. Argentina semifinal has revived old rivalries. A viral video from December 2003 shows current Argentina manager Lionel Scaloni and David Beckham clashing fiercely during a La Liga match between Deportivo La Coruña and Real Madrid — a 22-year-old grudge match that feels newly relevant.
Separately, former Costa Rican football federation president Eduardo Li has filed a motion in a New York federal court to overturn his FIFAGate corruption conviction and recover $683,000, citing a legal precedent set when prosecutors themselves sought to dismiss charges against another defendant in the same case.
