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.

At 5:30 PM on July 5, 2025, Phetchaburi Provincial Governor Phapchanok Chalanarueang authorized Tha Yang District Chief Jongruk Petchasen to lead a coordinated raid with Sayan Phuangsun, Phetchaburi's security chief, anti-drug officials, and volunteer rangers. Armed with a provincial court search warrant, they inspected a cockfighting farm in Moo 6, Khao Krapuk Subdistrict, Tha Yang District, Phetchaburi Province.

When officers discovered illegal hi-lo gambling operations, they detained 17 suspects: one operator and 16 players. Authorities seized a complete hi-lo gaming setup, money collection containers, and two CCTV cameras used for monitoring. During a personal search of one suspect, police also found three methamphetamine pills and drug paraphernalia, leading to additional drug charges.

All suspects and evidence were recorded at the district office before transfer to Tha Mai Ruak Police Station for further legal proceedings. This operation reflects Phetchaburi Province and Tha Yang District's commitment to combating gambling, drug abuse, and illegal activities, aiming to reduce threats to community peace and restore public confidence.

Thailand's Environment Minister Suchart Chomklin expressed satisfaction with successful conservation efforts for hawksbill sea turtles, following an initiative by Princess Sirivannavari Nariratana. He ordered the Department of National Parks to integrate efforts across all sectors to restore Phang Nga beaches as safe havens for endangered marine life.

On July 5, 2026, Minister Suchart unveiled major achievements in implementing plans to conserve rare marine animals, commending the cooperation of all parties working to advance hawksbill sea turtle protection at Khao Lam Pi-Hat Thale Muang National Park in Phang Nga Province, a strategic nesting area for Thai sea turtles.

Minister Suchart stated that this mission represents success from integrated efforts between the Department of National Parks, Wildlife and Flora, and the Thai Coral Reef and Marine Life Conservation Project Committee under Princess Sirivannavari Nariratana, led by Admiral Vorawuth Prueksa-rung. The teams coordinated field monitoring of nesting activities, organized educational exhibitions, and highlighted the crucial practice of releasing hatchlings into the sea at night—a vital mechanism for improving survival rates according to natural processes.

"The Ministry of Natural Resources and Environment places paramount importance on sea turtle protection, which serves as an indicator of marine ecosystem health," Minister Suchart said. "I received progress reports from the National Parks Department confirming that this activity is a key component of the 2026 annual plan for the Thai Coral Reef and Marine Life Conservation Foundation, aiming to elevate scientific data collection and planning for nest site protection across both the Gulf of Thailand and Andaman regions, creating safe and sustainable habitats for endangered marine species."

Minister Suchart also emphasized the public's role in conservation efforts: "Marine resources are invaluable assets belonging to all Thai people. I urge tourists and citizens to strictly comply with regulations, especially by not littering at tourist sites and avoiding activities that disturb wildlife, so these beaches remain fertile nesting grounds and we can pass this natural heritage to future generations."