Disinfectant brand apologises after ‘toxic men’ advert backfires in China
NewsFeed Disinfectant brand Dettol has apologised after an advert in China intended to challenge sexism was accused of reinforcing it instead. Critics said the campaign objectified women, prompting a backlash and calls for a boycott. Published On 24 Jun 202624 Jun 2026 Click here to share on social media share-nodes Share googleAdd Al Jazeera on Googleinfo Adblock test (Why?)
Which teams have qualified for the World Cup 2026 knockouts, round of 32?
The knockout bracket in the FIFA World Cup 2026 is starting to take shape. It begins with the round of 32, which runs from June 28 to July 3. Recommended Stories list of 4 itemsend of list What is the format and criteria for qualification, and which teams have progressed or been eliminated? What is the format of the World Cup knockouts? The top two teams in each of the 12 groups, along with the eight best third-place finishers, advance to knockouts. The knockout phase begins with the round of 32, introduced for the first time at a World Cup after the expansion of the tournament from 32 to 48 teams. Then comes the round of 16, followed by the quarterfinals, semifinals and a playoff for third place. The final is on July 19. The stage-wise breakdown of the tournament’s schedule is: Group stage: June 11 to June 27 Round of 32: June 28 to July 3 Round of 16: July 4-7 Quarterfinals: July 9-11 Semifinals: July 14-15 Bronze medal match: July 18 Final: July 19 What are the rules change for the tie-breaker criteria at the 2026 World Cup? FIFA is using head-to-head records instead of goal difference as the primary tiebreaker for teams level on points for the first time at a World Cup. Haiti, Turkiye, Tunisia, Jordan and Panama have been eliminated because they are unable to catch the third-placed teams in their respective groups, as they lost to those teams. Tie-breaker criteria for World Cup groups According to FIFA’s rules for the tournament, if two or more teams in the same group are equal on points after the group stage ends, the following criteria, in the order below, will be applied to determine the ranking: Advertisement Step one Greatest number of points gained in the group matches. Superior goal difference in the group matches between the teams concerned (head-to-head). Greatest number of goals scored in the group matches between the teams concerned (head-to-head). If the teams are still tied, the criteria below applies: Step two Superior goal difference across all group matches. Greatest number of goals scored across all group matches. Highest team conduct score (players and team officials) relating to the number of yellow and red cards obtained. If the teams somehow still cannot be separated, then the following criteria below applies: Step three The two or more teams still equal on points shall be ranked according to the most recent published edition of the FIFA world rankings. The criteria for the eight best‑ranked teams The eight best teams among those ranked third will be determined as follows: Greatest number of points gained in all group matches. Goal difference resulting from all group matches. Greatest number of goals scored in all group matches. Highest team conduct score (players and team officials) relating to the number of yellow and red cards obtained in all group matches. The two or more teams still equal on points shall be ranked according to the most recent published edition of the FIFA world rankings. The FIFA World Cup trophy is displayed during a stop of the FIFA World Cup Trophy Tour at the American Museum of Natural History in New York City on June 2, 2026 [Timothy A Clary/AFP] Which teams have reached the World Cup round of 32? (As of June 24, 03:30 GMT) ⚽️ Mexico (Group A) The cohosts were the first to qualify for the knockouts, after taking top spot in Group A with a 1-0 win over South Korea on Thursday, June 18. The Mexicans started their campaign with a 2-0 win over South Africa in a chaotic tournament opener. ⚽️ USA (Group D) The United States were the second team to punch their ticket to the knockouts, thanks to their 2-0 win over Australia that sent them on top of Group D on Friday, June 19. The USA thumped Paraguay 4-1 to kick off their campaign. ⚽️ Germany (Group E) Germany became the third team to enter the last 32 with a 2-1 win over Ivory Coast on Saturday, June 20. The Germans – who failed to get out of the group stage both at Russia 2018 and four years ago in Qatar – started their tournament with a 7-1 thrashing of Curacao. ⚽️ Argentina (Group J) Argentina sealed their ticket to the knockouts with a 2-0 victory over Austria on Monday, June 22, as Lionel Messi scored twice, becoming the World Cup’s all-time leading scorer with 18 goals. The Argentina captain also bagged his maiden tournament hat-trick in their 3-0 opening game win over Algeria. Reigning champions Argentina are guaranteed the top spot in Group J. Advertisement ⚽️ France (Group I) Pre-tournament favourites France secured a place in the round of 32 with a 3-0 win over Iraq later on Monday, as Kylian Mbappe scored a brace. The 2018 world champions beat Senegal 3-1 to kick off their tournament, with Mbappe scoring twice in that game, too. ⚽️ Norway (Group I) Norway beat Senegal 3-2 in their second game of the tournament, sealing their place in the knockouts. The Norwegians, who are back at the World Cup after 28 years, started their campaign with a 4-1 thrashing of Iraq. Norway team do the traditional rowing celebration with their fans after the match [Jeenah Moon/Reuters] Which teams have been knocked out of the World Cup 2026? ⚽️ Haiti (Group C) Haiti became the first team to be sent home packing from the World Cup after suffering a 3-0 loss to Brazil on Friday, June 19. Playing in their first tournament since 1974, they also lost 1-0 to Scotland in their first game. ⚽️ Turkiye (Group D) Turkiye soon followed suit, bowing out of the tournament after a 1-0 defeat to 10-man Paraguay later on Friday. They also suffered a shock 2-0 defeat to Australia in the first group match – their first appearance at the tournament after 24 years. ⚽️ Tunisia (Group F) Tunisia became the third team to be eliminated after they lost 4-0 to Japan on Saturday, June 20. The defeat came shortly
Prada plays a part in designing NASA’s lunar mission spacesuits
NewsFeed NASA astronauts are planning to return to the moon in 2028 wearing new spacesuits designed with more safety features, greater mobility and high fashion. The suits are developed by Axiom Space in Houston, which has partnered with Prada for the Artemis mission. Published On 24 Jun 202624 Jun 2026 Click here to share on social media share-nodes Share googleAdd Al Jazeera on Googleinfo Adblock test (Why?)
Why do the UK’s prime ministers keep resigning?
Keir Starmer is the latest to step down, after less than two years in office. From a landslide victory in 2024 to a remarkable downfall this week. Keir Starmer is quitting. He’s the sixth British prime minister to step down in the last decade. Recommended Stories list of 3 itemsend of list His resignation came one day before the anniversary of the vote to leave the European Union. Many say Brexit has been one of the main drivers behind the leadership crisis. Others point to increasing public discontent over successive governments. Starmer’s departure will set in motion a contest to replace him as head of the Labour Party and PM. But will his replacement be able to succeed where so many other prime ministers have failed? Presenter: Imran Khan Guests Jennifer Nadel, Co-founder of the cross-party think-tank Compassion in Politics Tim Bale, Professor of Politics at Queen Mary University of London Zaid M Belbagi, Managing Partner at Hardcastle Advisory Published On 23 Jun 202623 Jun 2026 Click here to share on social media share-nodes Share googleAdd Al Jazeera on Googleinfo Adblock test (Why?)
Israeli forces set olive trees on fire in occupied West Bank
NewsFeed Footage shows the aftermath of Israeli forces setting olive trees on fire in the small Palestinian village of Rummanah in the occupied West Bank, northwest of Jenin. The area’s olive groves and Palestinian farmers have frequently been targeted by Israeli settlers and soldiers in recent months. Published On 23 Jun 202623 Jun 2026 Click here to share on social media share-nodes Share googleAdd Al Jazeera on Googleinfo Adblock test (Why?)
Who’s being left out of the World Cup?
Can football’s biggest stage stay global as visa denials and border restrictions mount? The excitement of the World Cup has arrived in North America. But behind it have been stories of fans being denied visas, players being searched by sniffer dogs, and Iran’s team being forced to base itself outside the US. What happens when a global tournament collides with US President Donald Trump’s immigration policies? In this episode: Boima Tucker (@chiefboimah), director of operations, Africa Is a Country Episode credits: This episode was produced by Sonia Bhagat and Tamara Khandaker with Marcos Bartolomé, Spencer Cline, Jana Dabliz, Catherine Nouhan, and our host, Malika Bilal. It was edited by Noor Wazwaz and Sarí el-Khalili. Our sound designer is Alex Roldan. Our video editors are Hisham Abu Salah and Mohannad al-Melhem. Alexandra Locke is The Take’s executive producer. Connect with us: @AJEPodcasts on X, Instagram, Facebook, and YouTube Published On 23 Jun 202623 Jun 2026 Click here to share on social media share-nodes Share googleAdd Al Jazeera on Googleinfo Adblock test (Why?)
Alan Greenspan, former US Federal Reserve chairman, dies at 100
Toggle Play Alan Greenspan, former US Federal Reserve chairman, dies at 100 NewsFeed Alan Greenspan, one of the most influential economic policymakers in modern US history, has died aged 100. Greenspan led the Federal Reserve for nearly two decades under four presidents, overseeing a long period of economic growth but also faced criticism linked to the 2008 financial crisis. Published On 23 Jun 202623 Jun 2026 Click here to share on social media share-nodes Share googleAdd Al Jazeera on Googleinfo Adblock test (Why?)
Conservative radio host defends Trump, says he’s better than Vance
NewsFeed Sid Rosenberg, a prominent conservative New York radio host, spoke at the International Policy Summit, an Israeli forum, to defend Trump’s handling of the Iran war while rebuking Vice President JD Vance. Published On 23 Jun 202623 Jun 2026 Click here to share on social media share-nodes Share googleAdd Al Jazeera on Googleinfo Adblock test (Why?)
Last one, the best one? How Lionel Messi keeps doing it at the World Cup
Published On 23 Jun 202623 Jun 2026 Lionel Messi cemented his status as arguably the greatest football player of the modern era after sweeping aside several records as he powered his side to the round of 32 at the World Cup — the Argentinian captain’s record sixth appearance. Messi broke the record for the highest number of goals in the history of the World Cup after scoring his team’s opening goal in their Group J match against Austria on Monday. Recommended Stories list of 4 itemsend of list He then added another in the final minutes, taking his tally to 18 goals in six tournaments to reach the top of the charts to deafening roars at Dallas Stadium in Arlington, Texas. Austria coach Ralf Rangnick, who has revived the national side since taking over in 2022, attempted to break down the nearly 39-year-old Argentinian maestro’s work ethic. “Lionel Messi maybe doesn’t put in the same legwork as in the past,” Rangnick said. “He likes to stay on the side, and sometimes he likes to stop in front of the goal, in the offside position. “That doesn’t mean that they have one man less, but they have one man less that works in the counter-pressing. “But that makes him so dangerous, because he might be in a position, free in a position, and we need to be prepared for that. “We shouldn’t have too many transition moments, and not allow transition moments, and not allow him to be free to accept the ball.” ‘Very angry’ That notion unravelled in front of a frenzied crowd of 70,000 dominated by Argentina fans decked out in light blue and white. Messi pulled an early penalty wide to pass up the chance to move clear of Miroslav Klose for the most World Cup goals. Advertisement Messi said afterwards that he was “very angry” with himself, and then twice came close to scoring after that, only for Austria captain David Alaba to deny him twice. And then came the big moment, Messi sweeping in on 38 minutes after being set up by Facundo Medina. Just as Rangnick had warned, Messi had ambled into space and was all alone to score with a trademark swing of his left foot. It was his 17th World Cup goal, and his 18th arrived when Messi pounced again in the fifth minute of injury time. This time, the veteran squeezed home as several defenders threw themselves desperately at the ball. Messi, at his sixth World Cup, was still going strong in the 95th minute. The goals took the maestro to five at this edition, having hit a hat-trick in a 3-0 win over Algeria. That was Messi’s first treble at a World Cup. Lionel Messi of Argentina celebrates with teammates after winning the FIFA World Cup 2026 group stage match Argentina against Austria, in Dallas, USA, on June 22, 2026 [Jeffrey McWhorter/EPA] Last Messi the best one? Argentina coach Lionel Scaloni, Messi’s teammate at the 2006 World Cup, has built an ecosystem around Messi to allow his captain to do his thing. That means letting others do the running around him. Not that Messi is totally exempt from the dirty work. “Today, when the team was struggling without possession, he put in the work,” Scaloni said. “You could see his commitment, that speaks volumes about him.” Renowned Spanish journalist Guillem Balague, who wrote an authoritative biography of Messi, said before the World Cup that this version of the player was “very different” from the one that burst onto the scene with Barcelona in the early 2000s. “Messi has reinvented himself at least five times to evolve into the player he is now for Argentina and Inter Miami,” Balague wrote in a column for the BBC. “He has adapted so he can dominate and stay ahead of a game that has always been chasing him,” he added. He noted how Pablo Aimar, Messi’s childhood idol, once said: “The last Messi is always the best Messi.” That version is a player who walks more than he runs, said Balague, but “still sees everything first”. “Critics once used this [lack of running] against him. Now it reads as mastery,” he wrote. Adblock test (Why?)
Japanese fans clean up stands after celebrating World Cup win
NewsFeed Many Japanese fans stayed behind after celebrating their 4-0 victory over Tunisia, by collecting rubbish from the stands. The practice is known in Japan as gomi hiroi, which emphasises on taking responsibility for shared spaces. Published On 22 Jun 202622 Jun 2026 Click here to share on social media share-nodes Share googleAdd Al Jazeera on Googleinfo Adblock test (Why?)