World Cup updates: ‘Messi! Messi!’ Argentina fans celebrate win

Mexico’s team aren’t the favourites in this year’s World Cup, but that does not seem to matter to their fans.

“We dream with football, we eat with football,” said Omar Soriano, 32, who hails from Toluco, Mexico. “Here we are all united to back the national team … that’s what our players need … to know we have their backs.”

Out with their sombreros, palm straw hats, Lucha Libre masks and Mariachi shoes, thousands of El Tri die-hard fans are leaving their mark not just here at Lusail stadium, but across Doha.

Read more here.

French President Emmanuel Macron has urged Qatar to continue in the direction of “tangible changes” that he said are signposted by Qatar hosting the 2022 World Cup.

“This football World Cup, the first organised in an Arab country, is a sign of tangible changes underway. Qatar is headed in this direction. It must continue, and it can count on our support,” Macron said on Twitter during the France-Denmark game.

This football World Cup, the first organized in an Arab country, is a sign of tangible changes underway. Qatar is headed in this direction. It must continue, and it can count on our support.

— Emmanuel Macron (@EmmanuelMacron) November 26, 2022

Palestinians living in Qatar, as well as those visiting, are taking advantage of the world’s attention to the World Cup to make their flag prominent and remind the world of Israeli human rights violations in the occupied West Bank and Gaza Strip.

“With 80,000-plus inside Lusail Stadium right now and millions tuned in to watch a certain Messi take the field, it’s as good a time as any to send out a reminder” was the message given by a group of Palestinians.

And it’s on!

Follow live updates from the Argentina vs Mexico match here.

Brazil will face Switzerland in the World Cup on Monday without their talisman Neymar, who was ruled out for an ankle injury he suffered in their opening 2-0 win against Serbia on Thursday.

But midfielder Casemiro thinks they have a host of young talent to step in for him.

“We could spend several days talking about Neymar, the player he is, his qualities and how important he is for our team. It’s unavoidable, he is our biggest player, the difference maker in our team,” Casemiro told a news conference on Saturday.

“However, we have other players that have been performing at the same level, like Vinicius Jr, Raphinha Richarlison, Gabriel Jesus,” he said.

The World Cup favourites trained behind closed doors at the Al Arabi Stadium ahead of their Group G second game against Switzerland.

Abel Costa, 51, says the mood among Mexican fans is upbeat, and they believe their team can defeat Argentina tonight after a decent performance against Poland. He said fans also feel that there is a lot more pressure on the Argentinian players to win after their historic loss against Saudi Arabia.

“The pressure is all on Argentina. They need this one more than us … Yes, we need to absolutely win, but they are more nervous … Their confidence is low after their defeat against Saudi Arabia,” said Costa, who is from Guadalajara, Mexico, and was decked out in a Mexican football jersey and a palm straw hat.

“What we need to do is play better defence. Not give Messi space … our defence has been a historical pain.”

Argentina have produced world-class footballers over the decades. They have, after all, won two World Cups. However, two men, with ridiculous skills have overshadowed their teammates – and most of the footballers ever produced on this planet. So, it’s relatively normal to see the two number 10s on the back of most Argentina shirts, here tonight as well. It’s Maradona and Messi.

‘We are upbeat … We have to be,” Argentinian fan Constantino Guonides, 45, said the loss against Saudi Arabia is “behind us”, and he is confident La Albiceleste will win today and eventually qualify from the group stages to knockout rounds.

“We are upbeat about winning today … We have to be. There is no other way out for us … I don’t want to think of the possibility of losing whatsoever,” the cosmetics entrepreneur told Al Jazeera.

“There is a lot of pressure. We did not expect the last loss, but it is ok … I think Messi knows the stakes,” said Guonides, who is accompanied by four family members.

He said he came all the way to Qatar because he “loves” football and is a huge fan of Boca Juniors, Maradona’s former club. This is his fourth World Cup and his family’s first.

“It has been great here. We have had no major problems … We were in Abu Dhabi before this for the Grand Prix … our trip in the region has been smooth. People are very hospitable,” the Buenos Aires resident said.

Guonides said he will fly out after Argentina’s last group stages’ game, and then will visit the country with friends for the semifinal and final, regardless of which team wins.

Al Jazeera’s Alma Milisic is amidst the action at the “Mexihouse” Latin Fan Fest in Lusail City, where Mexico fans are readying themselves for what promises to be a thrilling clash against Argentina.

The overall mood, perhaps aided by the free-flowing beer, is one of utter confidence in their team’s chances.

There is no shortage of supporters of both teams here at Lusail, Qatar’s largest football stadium.

Both Argentinian and Mexican fans are out here in large numbers waiting to be let into a stadium that can hold close to 90,000 people.

Outside, both sets of fans are congregating in small groups chanting and hurling praises of their respective teams, while taking friendly digs at each other in Spanish. Throw in some horns, trumpets and drums and it’s a real party out here.

One Argentinian teenager went into a crowd of Mexicans, attempting to show off his salsa skills. While he clearly failed to belt out anything decent, he was loudly cheered as some tried to convince him switch sides for today’s game.

Joining the fans were other musical groups who welcomed them into the stadium, such as one Arab performer who played a rendition of Shakira’s famous World Cup song on his Kanoon (Arab harp) as people stood with him to take pictures and selfies.

Thousands of vociferous, flag-draped supporters of Argentina and Mexico have made the long journey to Qatar and have been a lively presence, organising street parties and teaching Spanish-language chants to Arab fans eager to join in.

Hours before their countries faced one another at the World Cup in Doha, Qatar, their fans partied – together. Let’s see how long the amicability lasts!

FIFA has opened proceedings against Serbia’s football association after a flag that showed Kosovo as part of their country was allegedly hung in the dressing room when they faced Brazil at the World Cup, the football governing body has said.

“The FIFA Disciplinary Committee has opened proceedings against the Football Association of Serbia due to a flag displayed in their dressing room on the occasion of the Brazil v Serbia,” it said in a statement.

The image of the flag with the message “we do not surrender” in Serbian went viral on social media when it was shared by Hajrulla Ceku, Kosovo’s minister of culture, youth and sport.

“Disgraceful images from Serbia locker room, displaying hateful, xenophobic and genocidal messages towards Kosova, while exploiting FIFA World Cup platform,” Ceku said on Twitter.

Disgraceful images from #Serbia locker room, displaying hateful, xenophobic and genocidal messages towards #Kosova, while exploiting #FIFAWorldCup platform.

We expect concrete actions from @FIFAcom considering that the @FFK_KS 🇽🇰 is a full FIFA and UEFA member. pic.twitter.com/xwu6i0j7dG

— Hajrulla Çeku (@HCeku) November 25, 2022

And it’s on!

Follow live updates from the France vs Denmark match here.

So tell us, who do you think will win between France and Denmark?

⚽️France, the reigning champions, face Denmark in the late afternoon game.

Who do you think will win? Vote below👇#FIFAWorldCup | #FRADEN

— AJE Sport (@AJE_Sport) November 26, 2022

Polish supporters were bouncing in the streets of Doha after their team picked up three points with a victory against Saudi Arabia.

For the Green Falcons, the result was a reality check after the team’s shock victory against Argentina.

One of the biggest games of the group stages – Argentina vs Mexico – is upon us.

The La Albiceleste fans are out in full force in Qatar’s metro, singing their team songs and using the train as a makeshift drum to create some infectious beats.

No signs of a residual depression from their loss against Saudi Arabia on Tuesday.

France enjoyed a fine start to their World Cup campaign, swatting aside Australia 4-1, courtesy of an Olivier Giroud brace.

But Les Bleus, who won the 2018 World Cup, will have to work to retain their crown.

At 7pm (16:00 GMT) they will face Denmark, who were bullied into a draw by Tunisia in their first match.

Read everything you need to know about the France vs Denmark match here.

Poland grab a valuable three points by beating Saudi Arabia 2-0.

Robert Lewandowski celebrates a personal win by breaking his World Cup duck while Saudi fans are left to treasure the memories of their opening win against Argentina.

That second goal went in, and the Saudi fan next to me immediately walked off in frustration. Others at Saudi House in Doha have given up too.

Come on, there’s time left. You beat Argentina! Miracles do happen…

Qatar became the first team to be eliminated from the World Cup, but the journey of one of their fans continues.

Watch the video to find out about Qatari superfan Mohsin Abdulla Bukshaisha’s quest to break a Guinness world record.

Qatar may be eliminated from the World Cup, but that’s not stopping Qatari superfan, Mohsin Abdulla Bukshaisha, from attempting to break a Guinness World Record 👇 pic.twitter.com/7OOmoREwRj

— Al Jazeera English (@AJEnglish) November 26, 2022