All posts tagged: france

How France are reacting to all-Argentine referee lineup for World Cup quarterfinal

How France are reacting to all-Argentine referee lineup for World Cup quarterfinal

Published by Webster

At the exact moment world champions Argentina kicked off their high-octane FIFA World Cup 2026 Round of 16 clash against Egypt on Tuesday evening, world football body FIFA announced the refereeing line-up for the first quarter-final between France and Morocco. For the first time at this edition of the tournament, through 96 matches, all five officials appointed for a game belonged to the same country: Argentina. FIFA have previously deployed on-field referees from the same nation during the tournament, but none of the previous 96 matches featured a five-member officiating crew from a single country. The announcement immediately sparked debate on social media, with an all-Argentine refereeing team assigned to a quarter-final involving France, who have faced Argentina in each of the past two World Cup knockout stages. Kylian Mbappe and Co. famously beat Argentina 4-3 in a thrilling Round of 16 contest at the 2018 World Cup. Four years later, however, Lionel Messi’s side prevailed in the final, winning 4-2 on penalties after a 3-3 draw. The match officials for @FIFAWorldCup match 97 have …

Argentina face Switzerland, France vs Morocco

Argentina face Switzerland, France vs Morocco

Published by Webster

2 min readJul 8, 2026 07:26 AM IST FIFA World Cup 2026 Quarter-Finals Schedule: The final eight teams for the knockout stages of the 2026 FIFA World Cup was confirmed late on Tuesday night after world champions Argentina survived a massive scare against Egypt and Switzerland broke Colombian hearts in a nerve-wracking penalty shootout. Lionel Messi’s Argentina were trailing 0-2 until 78 minutes before the Albiceleste mounted a comeback for the ages with three strikes within the next 15 minutes. A controversial disallowed Egyptian goal via VAR had sparked severe backlash earlier in the game before Argentina made a scrappy effort back from the doldrums. The win marked their sixth successive appearance in the last eight of the World Cup since 2006. Which teams have qualified for the FIFA World Cup 2026 quarter-finals? Morocco, France, Brazil, Norway, England, Spain, Belgium, Switzerland, and Argentina have secured berths in the World Cup quarter-finals. Among the notable exits in the Round of 16 were five-time champions Brazil, Portugal, co-hosts USA and Mexico. World Cup 2026 Round of 16 Match …

Amitabh Bachchan’s World Cup post for France receives backlash: Power of black

Amitabh Bachchan’s World Cup post for France receives backlash: Power of black

Published by Parlour News

A tweet from actor Amitabh Bachchan has ignited controversy just as the FIFA World Cup 2026 captures global attention. After the France national football team advanced in the World Cup by defeating the Paraguay national football team, Big B tweeted, “T 5794 -अब कहे देते हैं : the French WC 2026 football team .. the FRENCH !! 11 players in team .. 10 Black .. !! 1 white !!? the POWER of BLACK.” Amitabh Bachchan The post spread rapidly, becoming one of the most talked-about topics on X within hours of being shared. Reaction was swift and largely critical. Many users accused the actor of reducing the French national team to the skin colour of its players, arguing that footballers ought to be recognised by nationality rather than race. Several called the framing insensitive and unnecessary. Others pushed back by pointing to France’s long history as a multicultural nation, noting that many squad members were born and raised in France despite having African or Caribbean heritage, and that the tweet glossed over that lived reality …

‘How many fouls? 30? 40? No yellow cards…. But, ok, we’re in quarters’

‘How many fouls? 30? 40? No yellow cards…. But, ok, we’re in quarters’

Published by Webster

France were put through a wringer by Paraguay in their Round of 16, but emerged winning and laughing. Despite the cynical, crude defending, with many episodes of Paraguay skulduggery, this became the first World Cup game in which no Paraguay player received a yellow card since 1998. The only yellow pointed its way was to an assistant coach after the final whistle. The official record read 11 fouls by Paraguay, compared to 13 for France – but this needed the referee to blow the whistle to register a foul. Bruised but undeterred in their campaign. But they took some mighty hits and Paraguay’s list of dirty dozen tricks reads something like this: * Doue was felled in the box, leading to the winning penalty. * River Plate medio Matias Galarza, who plays in Argentina, kept recycling his cynical dirty tricks on right wing, striking Mbappe on the arm to take him off the ball. * A case could be made for two clear red cards against Galarza through the match. His second : Smacked his …

‘Paraguay’s cynical game same as in 1998; they didn’t evolve’: Frank Leboeuf

‘Paraguay’s cynical game same as in 1998; they didn’t evolve’: Frank Leboeuf

Published by Webster

Frank Leboeuf is a World Cup winner with France’s 1998 team, and reasonably respectful of South American teams and talent they possess – good enough to not play desperately dirty football. Sitting in the ESPN studio with Scottish Craig Burley, Leboeuf refused to believe Paraguay had no other option but to play cruel, cynical and curmudgeonly football. “I’m relieved but upset,” Leboeuf said on ESPN. “Maybe France didn’t have a good game, but it’s impossible to play against a team like that (Paraguay). They refuse to play. Every action from them, every decision from referee 30 years ago …. ,” said the ’98 starter who has seen these dirty tricks before. “With many South American teams, you have to complain, you have to discuss, you have to not be okay with any decision. I’m fed up with that football,” he added. Many football watchers were disgusted given they also watched Cape Verde two nights before, playing clean tackles for a defensive masterclass that left even Lionel Messi panting. “Especially when we saw Cape Verde trying …

Is Kylian Mbappé a dictator in France team? Deschamps speaks on criticism of captain’s leadership

Is Kylian Mbappé a dictator in France team? Deschamps speaks on criticism of captain’s leadership

Published by Webster

3 min readJul 5, 2026 02:55 PM IST France head coach Didier Deschamps has rallied behind Kylian Mbappé after the captain faced scrutiny over his leadership style, saying the forward’s portrayal in the public eye is far from the reality inside the dressing room. Deschamps addressed the criticism after France’s quarterfinal qualification, brushing aside claims that Mbappé had been transformed by the captain’s armband. “No, he hasn’t changed. You guys make Kylian Mbappé seem like a dictator… the reality is the opposite,” Deschamps told reporters after the match. Deschamps addressed the growing chatter around Mbappé’s public persona, which has become a subject of social media memes portraying the 27-year-old as different historical figures. The perception traces back to his PSG days, where he was often viewed as having an outsized say in club affairs – from hiring and firing managers to shaping the squad and influencing team dynamics. “His public image does not reflect reality at all. Kylian has always been mature and the whole team follows him. I am so happy to have Kylian …

Paraguay showed France can be rattled. Morocco should take the lesson, not the tactics

Paraguay showed France can be rattled. Morocco should take the lesson, not the tactics

Published by Parlour News

Paraguay did not eliminate France. But for more than 100 exhausting minutes in Philadelphia, they showed that a disciplined low block, relentless physicality and constant disruption can still unsettle the best team in world football. And that may prove far more valuable than the defeat itself. Instead of focusing only on Paraguay’s dark arts, the bigger takeaway is that they exposed a blueprint that Morocco may well study before next week’s quarterfinal. France’s forward #10 Kylian Mbappe argues with Paraguay’s defender #02 Gustavo Velazquez and defender #15 Gustavo Gomez during the 2026 World Cup round of 16 match (AFP) To start with the obvious, this was not a one-off strategy from Paraguay. They eliminated four-time champions Germany in the previous round playing the exact same way — deep, compact, combative, daring their opponent to break them down, then trusting the moment would eventually swing their way. The match went to the penalties, where the Latin American side emerged on top. But France survived. In 120 minutes of play, including extra time, Paraguay had just seven …

FIFA World Cup: High-flying France show they can be fashionably ugly too | Football News

FIFA World Cup: High-flying France show they can be fashionably ugly too | Football News

Published by Webster

6 min readPhiladelphia (usa)Jul 5, 2026 06:17 AM IST The gloriously multi-dimensional French know many ways to kill the pesky cat disturbing their sleep. They could baffle them with their touch; they could bemuse them with their wits; they could pin them down with their muscle; they could play the piano, they could wield the sledgehammer too, which makes them the deadliest proposition in the tournament. The 1-0 victory over Paraguay that ensured quarterfinals was a triumph of their brawn, their capacity to outmatch gnarled men who tried to wrestle them, sometimes literally, at times harm them with a brand of cynicism that was strangely left unpunished. Wins as these don’t build an aura; but construct an irresistible energy that makes them feel unbreakable; that not even the extremest tactic could shake them. It was not France’s inability to score more goals that stood in a game that Thierry Henry commented, “football finally won” but their wherewithal and knowhow to nullify any strategies thrown at them. Kylian Mbappe, who scored the lone goal of the …

France vs Paraguay Score, FIFA World Cup 2026 Live Updates: Mbappe resumes Golden Boot race | Football News

France vs Paraguay Score, FIFA World Cup 2026 Live Updates: Mbappe resumes Golden Boot race | Football News

Published by Webster

France vs Paraguay, FIFA World Cup 2026 LIVE: Kylian Mbappe has scored six goals for France so far. (PHOTO: AP) France vs Paraguay FIFA World Cup 2026 Football Match Score Live Updates: France, led by the dazzling talent of Kylian Mbappé and Ousmane Dembele, take on a Paraguay team fresh from sending home four-time champions Germany in the round of 32. The game in Philadelphia will be played in sweltering conditions at Lincoln Financial Field. According to reports, the game will be played in a heat wave that’s expected to bring temperatures exceeding 100 degrees Fahrenheit (38 Celsius). France, who were defeated in the final last season by Lionel Messi’s Argentina, are 4-0 in the tournament after outscoring opponents 13-2 in terms of goals. Story continues below this ad Updated Golden Boot race after Messi’s goal 1 Lionel Messi (Argentina) 7 goals 0 assists 2 Kylian Mbappé (France): 6 goals 2 assists 3 Erling Haaland (Norway) 5 goals 0 assists 4 Harry Kane (England) 5 goals 0 assist 5 Ousmane Dembélé (France) 4 goals 2 …

Thierry Henry praises Cape Verde’s belief after World Cup heroics

Thierry Henry praises Cape Verde’s belief after World Cup heroics

Published by Webster

3 min readJul 4, 2026 01:45 PM IST The aftermath of Argentina’s 3-2 victory over Cape Verde in the World Cup Round of 32 game was all applause for the African nation, following an incredible showing against the defending world champions and for pushing them to the limit. French Legend Thierry Henry was full of praise for the World Cup debutants, considering how this small nation exceeded every expectation at their first World Cup. It required a goal and an assist from Lionel Messi, to take the Argentinians forward in the tournament and prevent one of the greatest upsets in World Cup history. “You know what’s actually impressive? It is not so much on how they played and everything, which is impressive, but the number of people who live there,” said Henry on Fox Sports‘ post match show. The Arsenal icon heaped a lot of praise towards the Cape Verde’s players and manager, being impressed by their passion, grit and ever present ‘never give up’ mentality. Reflecting on the Cape Verdeans’ performance against the South …