Affan Haji Yusso, chairman of Nara United, announced he will hold a press conference on July 9 to clarify the club's failure to pass club licensing requirements for Thai League 2, following the Football Association's official announcement that day.

Nara United, which recently secured promotion from Thai League 3, faces the prospect of being unable to compete in Thai League 2 because its club licensing application appears likely to be rejected. Should this occur, the promotion slot would go to fourth-place Mueang Loei United. If Mueang Loei also cannot secure licensing, the Thai League 2 spot would pass to Nakhon Sri United, the previous season's runner-up.

The club explained that while it submitted club licensing documentation within the required timeframe, certain document sections were incomplete according to the criteria, leading to the current issue.

In his latest statement, Affan announced a press conference following the Football Association's official announcement on July 9. His post stated: "Please wait until July 9. After the association makes its official announcement, I will personally explain all the facts about what happened in this process from start to finish. I will bring those responsible for document preparation to provide clarification as well, explaining directly why this situation occurred and answering all questions from fans and other parties.

I want to confirm at this stage that based on the information I currently have, there is no evidence that anyone is behind this or intended to harm the club. Whatever the actual facts are, I will explain everything and transparently disclose all information and answer every question at the press conference."

The 2026 FIFA World Cup Round of 16 match between co-host Mexico and England has been postponed at least one hour from its originally scheduled time due to severe weather. The match was set for 6 p.m. local time on July 5 at Mexico City's Estadio Azteca (7 a.m. Thailand time on July 6). Weather forecasts indicated a significant risk of thunderstorms during that window, prompting organizers to consider moving the match to noon local time (1 a.m. Thailand time) for safety reasons. FIFA ultimately approved keeping the original schedule. However, latest reports confirm the match must be delayed at least one hour, now scheduled for 8 a.m. Thailand time on July 6, due to severe thunderstorms affecting the area.

Portuguese coach Carlos Queiroz has announced his resignation as Ghana's head coach after less than three months in the position, which he took just before the 2026 FIFA World Cup qualification period began.

Queiroz assumed the role on April 13, replacing Otto Addo. He started his tenure with a 1-1 friendly draw against Wales and led Ghana to qualification in the World Cup's round of 32. In total, he managed the team in five matches.

The 73-year-old coach said: "I close this journey with pride in our work, but there remains some dissatisfaction among those who want more. Reaching a higher level should not be the final destination, but rather the beginning of even greater ambitions."

Queiroz is the second coach in history to have managed a national team in five World Cup tournaments, following Serbian legend Bora Milutinović. He is also the oldest coach to have won a World Cup match while in charge of a national team.

Brazil controlled the ball but couldn't break through Norway's defense, ultimately falling to Erling Haaland's decisive strikes in the 2026 World Cup Round of 16 on July 6 at MetLife Stadium in New Jersey. After Brazil edged Japan 2-1 and Norway defeated Ivory Coast 2-1 in the group stage, the teams met with history favoring Norway, which won 2-1 against Brazil in 1998 and drew 1-1 in a 2006 friendly.

Manager Carlo Ancelotti deployed Brazil in a 4-4-2 formation with Alisson, Danilo, Marquinhos, Gabriel Magalhaes, Douglas Santos, Rayane, Bruno Guimaraes, Casemiro, Gabriel Martinelli, Mateus Cunha, and Vinicius Junior in the starting eleven. Norway's Stale Solbakken countered with a 4-3-3 setup featuring Orjan Nyland, Julian Ryerson, Christoff Ajer, Torbjorn Heggem, David Wolfe, Martin Odegaard, Sander Berge, Patrick Berg, Antonio Nusa, Alexander Sorloth, and Erling Haaland.

Norway nearly scored in the fourth minute when Patrick Berg found the net, but the referee disallowed it for offside by Alexander Sorloth. Brazil was awarded a penalty in the 12th minute, but Bruno Guimaraes' shot was saved by goalkeeper Orjan Nyland. In the second half, Norway continued dominating possession with multiple chances, but Nyland made crucial saves until the 79th minute when Haaland broke through to give Norway a 1-0 lead. Haaland sealed the victory with a second goal in the 90th minute. Though Neymar converted a penalty in the 90+10th minute for Brazil's consolation goal, it came too late in Norway's 2-1 final victory.

Norway advances to the quarterfinals to face the winner of England versus Mexico on July 12 at Hard Rock Stadium in Miami, Florida.

Cristiano Ronaldo, Portugal's captain and forward, has confirmed that the 2026 FIFA World Cup will be his final tournament. The announcement comes after weeks of speculation, including comments from his sister Katia Aveiro that he would retire from international football after this tournament. Initially, the 41-year-old said he would not rush the decision and would wait until the competition ended.

Ahead of Portugal's Round of 16 clash against Spain on July 6, Ronaldo definitively stated this would be his last World Cup. "This will be my final World Cup," he said. "The time for me to say goodbye to international football is coming. No matter what happens after this, I will leave with 100 percent peace of mind because I have given everything to football. I don't even need it in my life anymore, and I have a good life, but it's about those with passion. I play football because I love it, and this World Cup will be the most memorable for me because the passion from people is greater than ever. It's the best moment in terms of emotion."

Ronaldo has now appeared in six World Cup final tournaments (2006, 2010, 2014, 2018, 2022, and 2026) and remains the only player in the world to have scored in six separate World Cup final tournaments.

Newcastle United has officially announced the signing of Bazuumana Turé, Ivory Coast's national team winger from the 2026 World Cup squad, for £43 million on a long-term deal. Turé, who joined from Hoffenheim in Germany's Bundesliga, plays on the left wing and will serve as a replacement for Anthony Gordon, who recently moved to Barcelona. The 20-year-old expressed his delight with the transfer, saying he was thrilled to join the Premier League club and fulfill his childhood dream of playing for Newcastle. He promised to give his full commitment to the team. Turé is Newcastle's second summer signing, following the arrival of young French goalkeeper Evan Ndicka from Rennes.